It's better to give than receive and on a cold winter night, fortune smiles on a very generous mare.
This is the tale of how Rarity is given a gift. But not just any gift, a gift that will forever change her life. But what do you give to the most generous pony in all of Equestria?
This was supposed to be published at Christmas time, but dang it I worked really hard on this and better late then never I suppose.
Cover art done by the incredibly talented Starry Sky Studios Much love and appreciation goes out to her
A small chime rang out as the door to the Carousel Boutique opened and slammed shut. A white unicorn mare with a purple mane shook the snow from her head and winter coat as she hung it on a nearby rack. She set her bags down and breathed an aggravated sigh, her trip back to Ponyville took far, far too long for her liking and the chill in the air made her trek into quite the slog. She flicked and dimmed the lights on and unzipped a pocket of her luggage and pulled out a newspaper, her glare was so intense she threatened to burn it to ashes. She twisted it in her magic to the point it started to rip, she threw it to the ground in a loud huff and after a quick stomp, stormed off to the kitchen. She put her kettle on the stove and patiently waited for the water to come to near boil before taking it off the fire and pouring the water into a mug, the string from her tea bag draped over the side like a lazy foreleg on the rim of a tub.
A few minutes of steeping later and the tea was ready. The mare removed the bag and gazed at the tag, she usually enjoyed reading the inspirational words and proverbs written on the small scrap of paper. “Life will surprise you with a stroke of fortune?” the mare read aloud before tossing the tea bag into the garbage. “What poppycock!” she grumbled as she sipped her tea. She inspected the box. It was her favorite brand of chamomile, she always had it on hoof when she felt overwhelmed and needed something to clear her head, after all, the box promoted itself as ‘the perfect blend for peace and calm.’ It did very little to calm the mare. Just then there was a knock at the door. She debated on whether or not to answer it, she just wanted to be alone with her tea and self-pity.
Another knock rang out and at this point curiosity won out and she set her cup down and trotted to the door. On the other side was a purple dragon. He was taller than the mare by about a foot or two, he had green spikes hidden under his wool knit cap and more spikes running down his back, between a pair of robust wings, all the way to the end of his tail and a pair of strong arms which held a brown paper package. If this were any other day, the mare would be overjoyed to see him, ecstatic even. She enjoyed his company more than any other and always looked forward to their next meeting with a flutter of anticipation. But tonight was different. Tonight the mare was in no mood to deal with anypony, no matter how much of a dear and precious friend they were and his smile that would normally brighten even her cloudiest day now annoyed her to no end.
“Heya Rarity!” He said in a cheery voice. “I heard you just got back to town!”
“Yes, I did Spike,” Rarity replied flatly. “That’s why I answered the door.”
Spike gave a nervous chuckle, “Ehehehe, right. Obviously, that’s why, duh! Um, think I can come inside? It’s kinda chilly out here.”
Rarity stepped to the side and gestured for him to enter. Spike smiled and brushed off any excess snow from his hat, scarf and body before entering the boutique Rarity called home and closed the door. Rarity trotted over to her luggage and started to unpack as Spike followed behind her, fidgeting with the package he held in his claws.
“Hoo boy, it got cold pretty darn fast huh? I mean, we just got our first snow of the season and it’s already freezing outside.”
Rarity didn’t respond and continued to unpack a number of dresses and hung them on a rack. Spike coughed awkwardly as he took the full brunt of Rarity’s cold shoulder.
“Um… so how was the fashion show?”
“I do not wish to speak of it!” Rarity said sharply.
“Wha-? But, you were so excited about it? What happened?” he asked.
Rarity turned away from her task and gave Spike a paralyzing glare. “You want to know what happened?!” Rarity levitated the newspaper to her and began tearing through the pages until she came to the ‘fashion’ section and shoved it into Spike’s face. “This! Is what happened!”
Spike took the paper in his claws and read aloud, “Falling from grace? Powerhouse and trail blazing designer Rarity’s new winter line premiered this week in Manehattan and panned by judges and audiences alike for her lackluster display and creatively dry garments? Rarity, what is this?”
Rarity snatched the paper from Spike and in a matter of seconds was turned into monochromatic confetti. “Isn’t it obvious!? This was the review for my new line in Manehattan! I wanted to astound and amaze everypony with my latest contribution to fashion; instead I was raked across the coals and humiliated in front of hundreds if not thousands! I dare say that I can’t show my face in that city for moons! It was by far, the worst! Possible! Thing!”
Spike placed a comforting claw on Rarity’s shoulder. “Hey, hey, it’s alright,” he said in a calm tone, trying his best to appease the distressed mare. “you did the best you could, you just wanted to try something bold and new. There’ll be other shows in the future, you’ll be sure to knock everypony off their hooves next time.”
Rarity brushed Spike’s claw off and scoffed, “My best!? My best doesn’t leave me feeling like a complete amateur! My best is leaving a mark on the world of fashion and striking everypony in attendance dumb with awe! My best isn’t whatever these disgraceful dresses are!”
“Woah Rarity, calm down!” Spike said in growing concern. “You’re being way too hard on yourself. You can’t expect to make a splash at every show you attend.”
“How can you say that? You of all creatures ought to know just how important it is to make a good impression; you’ve worked with me for a long time Spike and you’re telling me that leaving the competition speechless isn’t imperative to my success!?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant! All I’m saying it that just because the ponies at this fashion show didn’t like your line, doesn’t mean you can’t knock ‘em dead next time. Plus if it makes you feel better, I think your winter line is really great.”
“Rarity rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, Spike! I know you do. You told me every day we worked on the dresses, every day we weren’t working on the dresses and all throughout…” Just then, Rarity’s jumbled and tempered mind came to a realization. An awful realization, but with the amount of stress she was under, she had no control of blurting it out. “This is all your fault!”
“W-what?”
“Yes! It all makes sense now! You set me up for failure! Always saying things like ‘oh Rarity I think this dress will be your best yet,' 'yes Rarity, the purple velvet does look good,’ ‘no Rarity, I think this looks perfect just the way it is!’ if you were just honest with me and said that my dresses were ugly, abhorrent and blasé, you could’ve saved me a lot of mortification!”
Spike shook his head. “Rarity, I… I didn’t want you to fail! I said those things because I meant them; I really do believe these are some of your best outfits yet! Honest!”
“And it’s that simple mindedness that made me the laughing stock of the Manehattan fashion show! These dresses are completely worthless and it’s all because of you!”
Rarity’s magic yanked all the dresses she hung on the racks and flung them at Spike, knocking him over and burying him under fabric. Rarity’s breathing became deeper and even as her mask of anger broke when she realized what she had done to her favorite dragon.
“Spike, I- I didn’t…”
Spike pulled a dress off his head and Rarity couldn’t look away from his sad and heartbroken face. He turned away and quietly picked himself and the package he was carrying up and dragged his claws to the door. Rarity wanted to stop him, wanted to keep him here and apologize for her outburst, but as Spike exited the shop Rarity could only stand and watch as her heart fell to pieces. She wiped a few stray tears from her eyes and locked the door before turning her attention back to the dresses lying strewn across the boutique floor. She picked up a few garments with her magic and set about to set them back on the rack.
Just then, the bell over her door chimed and in the dim light stood a strange creature. She (at least Rarity could only assume as much from the lighting) stood tall on a pair of bird like legs, her hair had curls of pink, purple and yellow with peacock feathers on the back of her head that matched the feathers of her skirt that trailed behind her. Her neck and face were pink and had a yellow beak and a large puff of yellow fur on her chest. Purple feathers adorned her shoulders, but whether the feathers were a part of her or the purple blouse that hugged the creature’s torso was a mystery. But what stood out the most to Rarity were the pair of ram horns on the side of her head, the leathery bat wings on her back and her arms were fleshy and tan with a pair of silver bangles on each wrist and… what Rarity remembers Twilight calling these things “hands” at some point. Never before has Rarity seen a more puzzling individual since Discord.
While confused by the creature’s appearance, Rarity thought better than to act on her instincts and stay professional. “I’m sorry, but the shop’s closed now ma'am. I could’ve sworn I locked that door, must’ve forgotten.”
The creature flung herself at Rarity’s hooves. “Oh please! You must help me! This is a crisis only you can help me with!”
Rarity was taken aback as her panic rose. “W-what? What’s wrong? Is somepony hurt?”
The stranger waved a hand and a deep purple cloak with a faux fur lined collar and a large silver broach appeared out of thin air. “Please! I’ve torn my favorite cloak and you’re the only one who can fix it!”
Rarity’s panic was replaced with contempt as an un-amused frown graced her features. “Really? You tore your cloak? That’s not much of an emergency and to be honest, I’m in no mood for games.”
The creature gasped, “And you call yourself a seamstress! Here I am, braving the elements to bring my favorite cloak to the one pony in Equestria- nay, the whole world whom can repair it and I’m told it’s not an emergency?”
“Well you made it sound like it was a matter of life or death.”
“It is life or death! It’s cold out there! But if you can’t fix my precious cloak, I suppose this trip was all for naught.” The creature hung her head and started for the door.
Rarity sighed, “Wait, I didn’t mean to sound rude, I apologize. I can’t exactly leave somepony out in the cold with nothing to wear. Here, let me see your cloak.”
The creature happily presented her cloak again as Rarity fished out her red reading glasses to examine the garment.
“Hmm, seems the stitching on the collar is coming undone. Not to worry, shouldn’t be too difficult, I’ll return tout suite.”
A few minutes later, Rarity returned with the cloak in hoof. “Here you go darling, good as new. And may I say that it is an absolutely gorgeous cloak. I dare say I’ve never felt a fabric quite like it before.”
The creature squealed in delight as she draped the cloak over her shoulders and nuzzled the fur collar. “Thank you, thank you so much! You did a beautiful job. How much do I owe you?”
Rarity waved a hoof. “Oh please darling, it was merely a simple touch up. Barely worth a bit.”
The creature wagged one of the digits on her hand. “Absolutely not! You’ve done me a great service and as the Princess of Fortune it is only right that I return the favor in full. Hmm, what to do, what to do?” she rubbed her chin as she became lost in thought.
“Really, there’s no need for-“
“Aha!” the creature slammed the bottom of her fist into her opposite palm as realization struck out of the blue. “I know! A wish!”
Rarity tilted her head. “A what?”
“A wish! I’ll grant you a wish, your hearts deepest desire! So, what will it be? Wealth? Fame? Love?”
Rarity blinked, snorted and then started to laugh, “I-I’m sorry, it’s just, nopony has tried to pay for my services in wishes before, it’s just down right fantastical and silly. It’s on the house, really it is.”
The creature locked her light green eyes onto Rarity’s, as if she were trying to inspect the very edges of Rarity’s light blue irises. “Hmm…”
Rarity backed away with a blush. “Um, is there something… in my eye?”
The creature stood tall and smiled. “Ahh, now that’s a wish, I like that wish very much. Don’t worry Ms. Rarity, when you wake up, your wish will have come true. Sweet dreams and enjoy.” And with a snap of the fingers the strange ‘princess’ vanished.
Rarity decided to leave the unpacking till tomorrow, she was clearly more exhausted than she realized. So after locking the door and double-checking to make sure it stayed locked, Rarity trotted upstairs, removed her make-up and crawled into bed. She just wanted to sleep and forget about this embarrassing, guilt-ridden and bizarre day with the hopes of finding peace in her dreams. Just when she was about to drift off, she shuddered as her thoughts moved to Spike. Her precious, dearest, not so little anymore, dragon. She felt absolutely terrible for how she treated him and decided that the first thing to do tomorrow was to make amends. But what in heaven's name could she say to atone for what she did? For what she said? What was she supposed to do to show how sorry she was?
The alarm on Rarity’s nightstand rang out and was quickly silenced with a swatting hoof. She didn’t want to get up, she was still feeling drained from her stressful and strange night. And she was warm. Very warm. Did Opal decide to sleep in her bed? Rarity did feel something weighing her abdomen down, so it must be Opal. Rarity moved a hoof to find her fluffy kitty and give her a good morning pet, but found not furry companion. Instead her hoof grazed across something smooth, she wasn’t sure what it was, so she ran her hoof across it a few more times and poked it, whatever it was stirred from its spot on the bed.
“Aw c’mon Rares. Just a few more minutes?”
Rarity was suddenly wide awake as she realized whose voice was playing in her ear and noticed that was weighing her down was not a familiar feline but a purple claw resting protectively on her. Rarity’s breath quickened as panic began to set in. W-what is Spike doing in my bed!? Why am I in bed with Spike!?
Her attention was drawn to the sound of her bedroom door opening and a little unicorn filly ran in and leaped onto the bed. She was a most curious filly; she had a purple mane with green highlights styled similarly to Rarity’s but not as long. Her coat was a lighter purple, with dark green patches of… scales? Yes, they were unmistakably scales, adorning her flank, shoulders and just below her sapphire blue eyes like freckles. She had small purple ridges from the base of her neck down to her tail and her tail wasn’t a normal pony’s tail. The dock was much, much longer like a… dragon’s tail. With a small tuft of green fluff at the end. And her hooves looked more like it was a combination of hoof and claw.
“Mommy, daddy!” the filly cried out.
“Never mind,” Spike groaned as he rose up from his pillow. “time to get up.”
Rarity took this opportunity to scramble out of bed, her eyes glued on the image of Spike and the strange, yet oddly familiar filly. Mommy!? Wait. Mommy!? I-I’m mommy!?
“Good morning Lolite! What’s gotten you all worked up?” Spiked asked as he ruffled the filly’s mane.
“It’s Hearth's Warming season!” Lolite replied energetically, eyes shining like diamonds. “We gotta go shopping and buy stuff like a tree and cocoa and get cinnamon buns from Mrs. Pinkie and we gotta get a kaleidoscope for Dusky and a fancy pen for auntie Twily and I got a list thiiiiiiiiiiiis long of what I want and- and-“ Spike lifted the filly up and started tickling her belly, Lolite squealed in laughter as she fell victim to her father’s attacks.
“Whoa there little lady, you’re going a hundred miles a minute. We haven’t even had breakfast yet. Go wash up, get your brother and then-“
BROTHER!? Rarity’s mind finally started to combust. There’s two of them!? I have two kids!? Rarity couldn’t handle this new swarm of revelations. She bolted out of the room and down the stairs, nearly tripping over a doll lying in the hallway. She ran to the door and grabbed a scarf before slamming the door behind her.
“Stay calm darling!” Rarity said to herself in total panic as she galloped through the streets of Ponyville. “This is just a dream! A very, very realistic dream!” Rarity slowed down to a trot as she tried to catch her breath. “A dream where I can get a cramp from running apparently, but it’s still just a dream. I just need to wait and I’ll wake up any second now.”
“Cinnamon nuts! Get your hot, fresh cinnamon nuts here! Perfect for a winter’s day!”
Rarity’s ears swiveled as the voice carried over the chilly wind from the vendor of the nut cart. She recognized that voice. And she most certainly recognized the vendor, one can hardly forget a pink bird lady with spiral horns and peacock feathers, even if she was wearing a tacky uniform, cap and apron.
“You!” Rarity screamed as she stomped towards the cart.
“Ah, good morning Mrs. Rarity!” the strange vendor greeted. “What will it be? The usual?”
“What the hay did you do to me!?”
The vendor tilted her head. “Huh? What do you mean?”
“You know darn well what I mean! Last night I went to bed, by myself and the next thing I know, I wake up next to Spike and then a-a-a foal barges into my room calling me ‘mommy’! Foals! There are two of them, at least! Whose foals are they!?”
“They’re yours of course,” the vendor replied coolly. “Don’t you see the family resemblance?”
“They’re not mine! I mean, they can’t be mine! I’m not a mother!”
“Give yourself some more credit, you’ve done a great job of it for seven years. Honestly, I can’t imagine where you find the time for a career, a part time teacher and motherhood. You’re quite the multi tasker.”
Rarity sank to the ground as her head felt like it would burst into a million pieces. “Why are you doing this…?” she asked quietly.
The vendor smiled. “Once upon a time, a princess of Equestria showed me mercy and compassion. Now I wish to return the favor to her subjects. You did a good service to me last night Rarity and it’s only right to repay you in spades. So I decided to grant you a wish and give you this glimpse.”
“Glimpse? A glimpse of what?”
“Well that’s something you have to figure out. But don’t worry, I’m sure your family can help, especially your husband. That’s one smart dragon you’ve landed, Oh, before I forget.” The vendor snapped her fingers and a bag appeared before Rarity, she peeked inside and saw a bolt of cloth and a bottle of maple syrup. "You’ll need these, good luck Mrs. Rarity!” The vendor snapped her fingers again and she and the nut cart vanished without a trace.
Rarity stood still in the open air with bag in hoof and a thousand-yard stare. Her brain finally shorted out and began to walk back to the boutique, whispering the words, “Spike’s my husband… Spike’s my husband…” Over and over again.
Rarity wasn’t exactly sure how long she was standing outside her home. Was it a few minutes or a few hours? She just couldn’t bring herself to face what was beyond that door. She couldn’t believe that Spike was her husband and that they had two (as far as she knew) foals. Wait, are they foals? Or are they hatchlings? That’d be an interesting story to tell my parents, ‘hello mother and father, I have the most incredible news! I laid an egg and you’re going to be grandparents!’ Rarity couldn’t help but giggle at the thought and felt a sense of levity wash over her.
She took a deep breath and opened the door to the boutique and with a brave step, crossed the threshold inside. As she hung her scarf on the hook by the door, Spike peeked his head out of the kitchen.
“Oh there you are! Where have you been?”
“I… had to step out for a bit,” Rarity replied what she hoped wasn’t a suspicious answer.
“Stepped out? You ran out of here like your mane was on fire. What the heck happened? You know how worried I was? What did you need so badly that you had to rush on out of here?”
Rarity levitated the contents of the bag out. “Um, cloth and maple syrup?”
“Why do we need syrup?”
“Daddy!” Lolite trotted out from behind Spike. “We’re out of syrup! We can’t have waffles without“- Lolite’s eyes lit up as she saw the bottle in Rarity’s magic. –“Syrup! Thanks mommy! You’re the best!” Lolite hugged her mother and took the bottle in her own magic and trotted happily back to the kitchen.
Spike ran his claw over the bolt of fabric. “Let me guess, a super important client needed this right?”
“Y-yes! They were quite adamant about this fabric in particular. And I remembered that we were almost out of syrup so I bought some while I was out.” Rarity hoped Spike would buy her story.
Spike sighed and gave Rarity a hug. “I know how important your clientele is honey, but you shouldn’t stress yourself out. You really had me worried. Lolite was worried too. Promise me you won’t go work crazy? After all, I thought we agreed on more family time during Hearths Warming Season.”
Rarity couldn’t help but notice how warm Spike’s embrace was. She felt so… safe in his arms and did her heart rate go up? Was that before or after he called her ‘honey’? Is this how married couples feel when they hug? No, not just married couples. Rarity was all aflutter as she grappled with these bubbling emotions as she returned the hug and buried her face in Spike’s shoulder.
“I promise,” she whispered. “I won’t go work crazy.”
“Heh, there’s the Rares I know and love. Now c’mon, breakfast is getting cold and Cobalt won’t eat without you.”
“Cobalt?”
“Yeah, he’s being really fussy. I’m sure you’ll have better luck with him.”
Spike and Rarity entered the kitchen, Lolite happily munching on waffles with a dreamy look on her face. Across from her, sitting in a high chair, was a little colt. He had a white coat with purple scales on his flank and a vibrant green spiky mane. He had the same ridges on his back that his sister had, but he also had a tiny pair of dragon like wings and the tip of his tail didn’t have Lolite’s tuft of fluff but rather a spade shape like Spike’s and he had the same hoof claws Lolite had. He sat in his chair just sulking at the bottle of formula before him until he saw his mother and he reached out his tiny limbs for her.
“Ah! Ah! Mu!” the colt called out.
Rarity couldn’t help but notice the colt’s eyes. They were a vivid emerald green; the same green Spike has in his eyes. The colt giggled as Rarity drew closer and his eyes were glowing, the same way Spike’s did when he was overjoyed to see her. Like father like son I suppose. Rarity steeled her nerves and levitated the colt out of his high chair along with the formula.
Aside from holding Cobalt in her hooves, she wasn’t entirely sure what to do. In fact, Rarity was terrified the colt would shatter like glass or at the very least burst into tears at any moment and she wouldn’t know how to calm him down. She thought back to the time when her sister Sweetie Belle was born. The way Rarity’s mother took care of her latest bundle of joy was vague, but Rarity could still remember the way her mother held Sweetie, the way she fed Sweetie from a bottle and the way her mother spoke to Sweetie, praising even the most mundane of tasks.
Rarity drew up all of her memories of that time to keep calm and after a moment to compose herself, she greeted the foal, “Good morning Cobalt. Is a certain little somepony hungry?” Rarity held the rubber spout to Cobalt’s mouth and the foal happily started drinking. “There we go, that’s a good boy. Don’t drink too fast now, we wouldn’t want you getting a bellyache.”
Soon Cobalt finished his formula and was giggling happily. What am I supposed to do next? Oh, that’s right. Rarity held Cobalt to her shoulder and started patting his back. Rarity’s body relaxed as she held “her” foal. She couldn’t understand why, but doing this made her feel… calm. Like just being near and caring for this little colt was enough to distract her from being in this strange yet familiar place.
Spike nearly choked on his waffles. “Wait Rarity you forgot to-!”
Cobalt’s cheeks bulged. “Bur-FWOOOOM!”
Rarity felt a blast of heat behind her and her face froze in place as the stench of burnt hair hit her nose.
Spike flinched. “Tie your mane back… ok, ok, before you panic, it’s not that bad!”
Rarity stretched her hooves out and passed the giddy colt to Spike before she took off towards the bathroom at full gallop followed shortly by the sound of a door slamming and a scream of horror.
“Daddy, is mommy gonna be ok?” Lolite asked.
“Yeah, yeah, well actually, I’m not sure.”
After a thorough inspection of her mane, Rarity concluded that the damage done from Cobalt’s flaming burp was negligible, at worst just singed around the edges. Of course Rarity shed some overly dramatic tears and refused to leave the bathroom until she was absolutely certain she was presentable. Rarity returned downstairs and tried to prepare herself before entering the kitchen.
“Hey Rares,” Spike greeted. “Is everything ok? You were upstairs for a while.”
“Yes. Everything is fine,” Rarity said through clenched teeth.
“Err, that’s good. I’m gonna drop Lolite off at school and then Twilight has some work for me to do at the castle. I made you a fresh batch of waffles, and I’ll see you later.” Spike kissed Rarity’s cheek as he walked past her. “Love you.”
Lolite ran up behind Rarity and gave her a hug. “Bye mommy! I’ll see you later!” Lolite grabbed her saddlebag, a wool hat and scarf and left with her father.
Rarity slowly rubbed her cheek where Spike just kissed her. She could feel the heat rising in her face as her heart felt like silk in a soft breeze. He kissed me. Spike actually kissed me. It wasn’t passionate by any sense of the word, but it made Rarity feel weak in the knees nonetheless. She liked it. She really liked it when Spike kissed her. Did she want Spike to kiss her before? Maybe deep down she thought about it. They spent so much time together after all, so it’s normal to think of things like kissing each other. Right?
Rarity shook her head and sighed, she was happy to have some time to herself to try and sort out everything that’s happened and to get some waffles. She didn’t realize how hungry she actually was. As she sat down to eat she noticed Cobalt was still in his high chair.
Rarity’s eyes narrowed on the little colt. “I can’t believe you burp fire. Out of all the things you were to inherit from Spike, it had to be that. You know you almost cost me my mane? You can’t fix manes with magic you know. I learned that the hard way.”
Cobalt just smiled and waved his little hooves.
“…So… you’re my… son, are you?”
Cobalt cooed.
“Is that right to say? I mean, you are my son, at least I think you are, but I’m not really your mother. I can’t be. But I suppose the proof is in the pudding so to speak. Look at me, talking to a foal like he can understand what I’m saying.”
Cobalt tilted his head.
Rarity poked at her waffles, cut herself a piece and ate it. Spike did a terrific job with these. “But you are rather cute. I think I’ll forgive you for almost igniting me this time and at the next feeding I’ll be sure to tie my mane back. I’m sure your sister nearly burnt your real mother to a crisp when she was a foal, wish that weird nut vendor told me that tidbit of information.”
Cobalt began sucking on his little claws.
“Ugh, that nutter! You know she came to my shop last night? She wanted to pay for my work in wishes then the next thing I know, poof, I wake up here in this weird and backwards world, I should’ve taken her bits and be done with it. But nooo, instead she marries me to Spike and throws two foals at me without so much as a list or even a hint of what I’m supposed to do.”
Cobalt drummed on his little tray table.
Rarity sighed, “I’m sorry, that sounded harsh didn’t it? I don’t want you to think that you and your sister are burdens. It’s just a great deal of information to unpack. Me, a mother of two half-dragon foals. I didn’t even think ponies and dragons could have foals. Or are you hatchlings? Did I lay an egg? Why is that my biggest concern? Though I’ll bet that Twilight was excited to hear your mother was pregnant with Lolite. If I know her she probably said something along the lines of, ‘oh my gosh! You and Spike are having foals!? This is amazing! Unprecedented! Too incredible to believe! To think you two can have hybrid foals! I must catalogue this for the good of future scholars and for Equestria!’”
Cobalt clapped his hooves together and seemed fascinated by the very action.
Rarity giggled, “I’ll admit my Twilight impression could use work, but I think I did a fine job. And… it’s not such a bad thing to be married to Spike. It could’ve been worse. That nutter could’ve married me to Prince Blueblood or one of the Flim Flam brothers.” Rarity felt a shiver go down her spine at the thought of being married to one of those louses. “Or Celestia forbid, she could’ve married me to Discord. Wait a tick, that’s it! If anypony can help me get back home, it’s Discord! I have to find him!” Rarity leaped from her seat, excited and hopeful that she thought of a plan to take her home. Then a growl escaped from her stomach and she sat back down.
After eating her fill of waffles and cleaning up the kitchen, Rarity decided to put her plan into action and track down the Lord of Chaos and have him end this weird excursion with a snap of his claw. The only problem with that is-
“Where the devil can I find Discord? It’s not like I can just pop by his home, knock on the door and have him return me back, he just comes and goes as he pleases.” Rarity paced back and forth in her room thinking out loud as Cobalt rolled around on her bed, listening to his mother without understanding a single word and just reveling in the softness of the quilt beneath him.
“Is there a way to summon him? Perhaps if I say his name three times he’ll just appear? Or perhaps if I cause enough chaos it’ll draw him in like a magnet. But my workroom is nothing but chaos and he’s never appeared there before, thank Celestia for that. Hmm, think Rarity, think. How can you find somepony who’s unpredictable?” Rarity closed her eyes and rubbed her chin, deep in thought. Cobalt mimicked Rarity’s thinking position to the best of his abilities.
Just then a bulb lit above Rarity as she was struck with inspiration like a falling flowerpot. “I’m going about this the wrong way. I shouldn’t be trying to track Discord down, what I need is to find somepony who can track him down. And I know just the pony for the job.”
“Ga ja!” Cobalt seemed to cheer.
“Yes, I am rather proud of myself for coming up with that idea. Now, there isn’t a moment to lose, I must be off to see Fluttershy posthaste!” Rarity sprinted out of the room, not wanting to waste a single second on this new lead. Cobalt tilted his head and then kept rolling around on his parent’s bed. He rolled about giggling until he rolled too close to the edge and fell. Right before hitting the floor, the little foal was enveloped by a light blue magic aura.
“Oh dear! I’m so sorry Cobalt! I’m not exactly used to caring for foals. I certainly can’t leave you here all by your lonesome can I? Let’s see, I’m almost certain there’d be a foal seat or a stroller around here. What parent wouldn’t have one of those?” Rarity placed Cobalt on her back and left the room again, with a little dragon colt hugging her neck.
Rarity poked around the ground floor of the boutique looking for a safer way to carry the giggling bundle and after three closets, she finally found what she was looking for. It looked like a saddlebag but instead of pouches for random items it had little holes for legs to poke through. “Aha! A foal seat. Now, let’s get you dressed up and we’ll take a nice stroll over to auntie Fluttershy’s.”
Rarity fitted Cobalt with a wool hat, scarf and hoof warmers before placing him into one of the pockets of the foal seat. After making sure he was nice and snug as a bug in a rug, Rarity trotted to the door and grabbed her scarf from the hook on the wall. At least she thinks it’s her scarf. It was the same scarf she grabbed almost on instinct when she ran out of the house in a blind panic. She didn’t really give it much of a look over at the time, but she couldn’t help but feel some kind of strange nostalgia for it. She felt like she’d had it for years. It was a knitted scarf, not exactly top of the line or fancy, but it was warm and the same blue as Rarity’s eyes. She wrapped the scarf around her and stepped outside. She didn’t feel cold at all, her entire body felt warm like she slipped into a hot bath. She absentmindedly sniffed the scarf and the subtle scent of a burning fireplace filled her senses.
Rarity wasn’t sure why, but her heart was fluttering again. “Why am I getting so worked up over a scarf? It’s just a scarf, albeit a possibly magic scarf, but still just a scarf.” Rarity turned back to see Cobalt playing with his little claws one moment and gazing at the Snow-covered ground in amazement the next. “Well, we better get a move on. The sooner we find Discord the better. Goodness, that’s a sentence I never thought I’d ever say.”
The path to Fluttershy’s cottage looked like it was right out of a picture book. The trees that lined the dirt road were all frosted with snow, making them look like an edible display. The chirping of birds were as clear as crystal in the brisk air as the occasional squirrel would scurry about in the powder. Soon enough the humble abode of a particular timid Pegasus came into view and Rarity trotted up to the door. “Please, please, please, tell me she’s home,” she quietly prayed. After a firm knock and a few seconds, the door opened revealing the familiar buttery yellow, pink maned Pegasus. She was covered in white dust and her apron had similar stains.
“Oh, good morning Rarity!” Fluttershy greeted happily/ “And good morning to you too Cobalt. Don’t you look so precious in your wittle hat?”
“Fa sha!!” Cobalt laughed and wiggled in his seat.
Fluttershy waved her hoof. “Not at all, I was just baking gingerbread for Twilight’s party. What can I help you with?”
“Well, you see darling I’m in a bit of a bind at the moment and I could really use Discord’s assistance. Do you perchance know where he is?”
“Of course I do silly,” Fluttershy giggled. “Discord! Somepony’s here to see you!” she called out in a singsong voice.
Discord appeared behind Rarity with a pop and a puff of smoke, causing her to jump in surprise and Cobalt to clap his hooves in amusement. “Ah Rarity! How nice it Is to see you again! Did you come to help with the baking?” Discord tossed a small gingerbread cookie in his likeness into his mouth.
“Er, no. I… have a problem that only you can help me with.”
Discord raised a brow in confusion as if Rarity just asked the most bizarre request of the century.
Fluttershy sniffed the air. Oh dear! The gingerbread! I’ll be inside if you need me!” Fluttershy spun on her hooves and ran back inside her cottage.
“Well, well, well! Isn’t this an interesting development?” Discord mused as he hung from the air. “Now what in the world could you need my help for? Need a Hearths Warming gift idea for Spike? Or perhaps you want me to prank Prince Blueblood? It’s been a while since I turned his mane green and his coat plaid. Perhaps I’ll switch it up this time.”
“No, no, nothing like that. It’s, um.... Alright I know this is going to sound daft coming from me, but you’re the only one who’d believe a word of it.”
“Is this about the strange pink bird lady that visited your shop last night?” Discord asked as casually as he would ask Rarity what she’s having for dinner tonight.
Rarity blinked. “W-wha- how did you-?”
“Oh that’d be my cousin Eris, you know she insists on being called the ‘Princess of Fortune?’ A bit pretentious if you ask me.”
“She’s your cousin!?” Rarity gawked.
“What? You can’t see the family resemblance? No wonder you couldn’t even recognize your own foals.”
“So you know what she did to me? And that I’m not where I belong?”
“Of course I do! I’m the Lord of Chaos, bender of time and space, ripper of reality, and master of the multi-verse. I’d recognize my cousin’s handiwork anywhere.”
Rarity’s eyes began to shimmer. “Does this mean you can send me back to where I came from?”
“I could, but I’m not going to.”
Rarity sputtered, “B-b-but, why ever not!?”
“I don’t want to step on Eris’s claws and using chaos to undo chaos doesn’t really turn out well for anypony, and that’s coming from me. Besides, Eris did this for you for a reason. What I can’t seem to figure out is why she’s being so nice to you in the first place. Maybe she got whacked with the reformation stick as well?”
“But this isn’t real!” Rarity was finally starting to lose her patience with the wily Draconeques. “It’s just a fantasy world! A dream! What reason is there for keeping me here?”
“Sorry, but I’m strictly forbidden to give you any spoilers,” Discord said before drawing a zipper across his lips.
“Of course you are! Why am I not surprised? I should’ve known you’d rather watch me chase my own tail than actually help.”
Discord pulled a knife out of his chest. “Ouch! I know you’re angry but that was quite harsh Rarity. I can’t help you because Eris wants you to figure it out on your own… and if we’re being completely honest, she gave me an incentive.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “Oh? And what might that be? A life time supply of limburger cheese?”
“The one thing I want more than anything in the world…” Discord’s voice was void of any and all mirth or jollity. He sounded… serious.
Discord snapped his claw and he, Rarity and Cobalt teleported to the living room, the scent of gingerbread wafted through the air, making Rarity hungry all over again. Discord motioned Rarity to follow him to the kitchen where Fluttershy was fanning sheets of gingerbread with her wing as she began mixing another batch of dough.
“Let’s see, eggs, flour, molasses, oh dear I need to grate more ginger.”
“Mama, mama! I wanna lick the spoon!”
Rarity’s breath caught in her throat. Mama? There was a filly at Fluttershy’s hooves jumping up and down, trying to get the buttery pegasus’ attention. The filly was a Pegasus herself, at least that’s what Rarity could assume. She had yellow wings, but instead of being tipped with feathers, the bottom half of her wings were blue and leathery. Her mane was pink and white and she had a light brown coat and a ring of yellow fluffy fur around her neck; with the rest of her head being yellow as well. Her body was slightly longer than a normal filly, but what stood out most to Rarity was her legs and tail. She had Discord’s snake like tail, her back legs were that of a pony’s but her left foreleg looked scaly and her hoof looked more like a dragon claw and her right foreleg was that of a tiger’s with a matching paw.
Fluttershy giggled, “Not yet Jinx, mama still needs the spoon. But as soon as I’m done with this batch it’ll be all yours.”
“Yay! Gingerbread spoon! Mama’s the best mama in all of Equestria!” Jinx’s ear twitched and she turned her head around like an owl, her eyes were a vibrant pink and she had Fluttershy’s muzzle. “Daddy!" The filly ran up to Discord, leapt into his arms and snuggled into his fluffy chest.
Discord wrapped his arms around the filly. “Hiya Jinxie! How’s daddy’s little troublemaker?”
“I’m being a good girl so mama will give me the gingerbread spoon!”
“I hope that’s not the only reason you’re behaving,” Fluttershy remarked over her shoulder.
“Oh, hi Mrs. Rarity!” Jinx greeted. “Where’s Lolite?”
“She... she has school today dear,” Rarity replied.
“Awww, but I wanna play! Why can’t I go to school with Lolite and the rest of my friends?” Jinx huffed.
“Don’t worry sweetheart, you’re finally old enough,” Fluttershy said as she pulled her head out of the oven. “As soon as the new year starts, you’ll be going to the same school as Lolite.” Fluttershy held up the spoon caked in gingerbread dough and her daughter’s eyes shined before she jumped from Discord to Fluttershy and began licking and chewing on the silver utensil.
Discord snapped his talons and a scroll popped into existence. “Here’s that recipe for gem scones I was telling you about Rarity, I’m sure Spike will love them.” Discord winked and Rarity caught on to what he was playing at.
“O-oh yes! Yes I think Spike will be happy with this, thank you very much. Well, I suppose I should be off then, good day Fluttershy.”
“Goodbye Rarity, see you at the party. Be a good boy for your mommy, ok Cobalt?” Fluttershy cooed.
Cobalt waved his little hoof-claws at her and giggled.
Rarity trotted to the front door with Discord following behind her. As soon as they were outside and out of earshot from anypony else Rarity turned to Discord.
“I’m sorry Discord… I-I didn’t know you had a family of your own in this world.”
Discord sighed, “They’re the most wonderful ponies in my life. Jinx is a real hoof full like me, but just as kind as her mother and I’m sure someday she’ll be just as beautiful. And waking up next to Fluttershy makes me happier than you’ll ever know.”
Rarity nodded. “I understand. I suppose I’ll just handle getting back to my world on my own. Thank you anyways Discord. Good day.
Rarity began to walk back down the path to Ponyville proper before she was plucked and plopped back before Discord. “There is one piece of advice I can give you,” the Lord of Chaos said in his normal flighty tone. “If I were you, I’d take a stroll down memory lane.”
“Memory lane?”
Before Rarity could press any further, Discord snapped his claws and vanished into thin air.
“Stroll down memory lane? What the devil does he mean by that?” Rarity asked aloud as she fed another spoonful of mashed sweet potatoes into Cobalt’s mouth. He really seemed to like feeding time, but whether it was from the taste of yams or from having Rarity’s full and undivided attention was still up for debate.
“How can I have memories of a place I just woke up in? UGH! Discord can’t ever make things easy for me or anypony, can he? And if I ever get my hooves on that blasted Eris I swear I’ll-!”
“Mmmmm,” Cobalt hummed as he licked the orange goo from his lips.
Rarity took a calming breath. “I’m sorry darling, I shouldn’t get so worked up. It’s very unladylike and I wouldn’t want you to get upset because of me. What would your mother do if I made you cry? I’m sure she’d blast me to Tartarus without even a second thought, that’s just what mothers do. I know my own mother would do the same for Sweetie Belle and myself.”
Rarity fed the last bit of sweet potato to Cobalt before cleaning his face off with a napkin and with a mane tie (and a lot of courage) burped the foal. “Right. Now that you’re nice and fed, it’s time to get some work done.” Rarity placed Cobalt on her back and made her way to her workroom. If there was one thing she wanted to do now more than ever it was to throw herself into her work, if only for a little while and try her best at getting back even a fraction of her previous normalcy. She flicked the lights and was pleased to notice that her sanctum was left unchanged, the addition of a playpen notwithstanding. All her patterns, threads, fabric and ribbons were right where they should be, that is strewn about the place in a haphazard, organized chaos.
“At least this is still the same,” Rarity said in relief. She placed Cobalt in his playpen and inspected her order forms lying in a small, shallow box.
“Let’s see what’s on the agenda. A coat order for Fancy Pants? All right, seems simple enough.” Rarity trotted over to the ponnequins that dotted her room and found the coat in question, it was nearly finished. A lining, some buttonholes and some buttons and it’d be complete.
Rarity warmed up her sewing machine and went to work on the lining. But despite the familiar and calming hum of the machine, her mind was having trouble focusing on the task at hoof as her mind kept drifting back to Discord’s advice of ‘strolling down memory lane.’ It didn’t make sense to Rarity, then again, nothing was making sense lately, so why would Discord be any different? After a jam in her machine and a few muttered swears quiet enough so the baby couldn’t hear it (Celestia knows what would happen if those were his first words) the lining was done and the buttons were quick to follow. With a satisfied grin, Rarity moved Fancy Pants’ order form to the “finished” box.
“And that’s that. I’m sure Fancy Pants will be pleased with the results. Next up is a dress order for… Satin Sashay?”
“Sasa?” Cobalt seemed to ask.
“Satin Sashay was one of the judges from my most recent fashion show. She down right tore me to shreds in her review of my winter line. Why in the world would she want one of my dresses?” Just then a glint of light caught her eyes and attention was drawn to a small silver frame on her worktable. How had she not see this before? Rarity’s magic picked up the frame and drew it towards her and her mouth hung open in surprise.
It was a photo of her, Spike, Lolite and Cobalt in front of the boutique. Spike had Lolite up on his shoulders while Rarity was holding a smaller Cobalt wrapped in a blanket, he couldn’t have been more than a few weeks old, if not only a week. There was some writing in the corner that read, “Welcome home, Cobalt.”
Rarity placed a hoof on the family photo. “That’s… really me, isn’t it?” She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the Rarity in the photo. The way that Rarity held her foal close to her chest like she was holding onto her most precious treasure. And the look of pure joy that covered every inch of her face, Rarity couldn’t remember a time she felt that happy. Maybe when she fulfilled her dream of opening a boutique in Canterlot, but she wasn’t so happy that she cried. But thisRarity, posing with her husband and children was so happy that she couldn’t hide the small stream of tears on her cheeks.
Just then Rarity had an epiphany. “Take a stroll down memory lane! Discord wasn’t talking about my memories, well not my memories per se, but hers!” Rarity spun on her hooves and dashed out of the room. Cobalt just shrugged his shoulders and tossed a small ball against the walls of his playpen. Rarity ran back in and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Just making sure you’re safe darling. Stay put, I won’t be long I swear.”
After a bit of searching and the periodic check ins to make sure Cobalt wasn’t in any danger, Rarity finally returned with a number of binders in her magic and sat next to Cobalt’s playpen.
“Well it took some time, but I found some albums. Hopefully this will give me some kind of hint or clue I need to get back home.”
“Hmmm?” Cobalt tapped his clawed tips against the playpen bars.
“Not that I haven’t enjoyed your company darling, but the sooner I go back to where I belong, the sooner your real mother will come back… at least I hope she will.”
That was something Rarity hadn’t considered. What would happen to this world if she went back to her own? Would the other Rarity just reappear? And if she didn’t, what would happen to Lolite and Cobalt? Would they grow up without a mother? And what about Spike? What would happen to him if he were to discover his wife, the love of his life, just up and vanished into thin air? Rarity shook her head.
“Everything will be fine. As soon as I return to my world everything will go back to normal, for me and for Lolite, Cobalt and… Spike.”
Rarity pushed through her building guilt and flipped open one of the albums. The first page was filled from top to bottom of pictures of her and Spike. One of them was of her and Spike at Neighagra Falls, one was of her and Spike in fancy clothes at one of the venues for Manehattan Fashion Week with Rarity proudly presenting an award for winning the competition, that might explain Satin Sashay’s change in tune, Rarity thought. And then there was a line of pictures that they must’ve taken at a photo booth, they did different poses in each shot and Rarity even saw herself doing one of the most unladylike things she could ever imagine; sticking her tongue out at Spike, with the last shot being the two of them sharing a kiss.
“Do you think this is when your parents started dating?” Rarity asked Cobalt, who responded by blowing a small raspberry. Rarity giggled, “Dating may sound icky now, but just wait till you’re older.”
Rarity turned the page and began laughing, “What in the world?”
The photo was of herself, Spike, Discord, Big Mac, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. They were all in strange costumes on a colorful battlefield and Rarity was being carried off by a weird squid cutout in a wizard hat, with Spike chasing after her and the rest of the group either laughing at Rarity’s predicament or battling skeleton warrior cutouts. The small text under the picture read, “Rarity’s first game night.”
“I’m sure your mother was chewing Spike’s ear off for the whole week after that.”
Cobalt just smiled and made little gurgling sounds.
Rarity turned over the next few pages and her jaw slowly dropped when she came across one particular photo. It was of her and Spike at the Grand Galloping Gala, Spike looked rather handsome in his suit and Rarity was wearing a lovely indigo gown, but what caught Rarity’s eyes was the deep, deep kiss she was sharing with Spike and the ring hanging from her neck with the words “She said yes!” written on the bottom of the picture.
Rarity’s heart began to thump wildly in her chest. Spike asked her to marry him at the gala? She always fantasized about finding her prince at the biggest party in Equestria and from the look of it, her fantasy finally came true.
“Lacking inspiration, love?”
Rarity jumped and made a little “eep” noise as Spike entered the room and sat close to her.
Rarity tried to keep the warmth out of her cheeks, but he was sitting right next to her and she was enjoying the feeling of his scales on her fur. “Oh, hello Spike. Um, what makes you say that?”
Spike chuckled, “You always get nostalgic when you hit a wall. Hmm, this one is one of my favorites. Geez, I was so nervous that night.”
“You were?”
“Well yeah, don’t you remember? I could barely eat anything and I was dancing almost as bad as Twilight. I dang near almost lost the ring in the punch bowl and accidentally wiped my sweat on Princess Celestia’s shawl. And when I stepped out for fresh air and you followed me, I figured it was now or never. Do you remember what I said that night?”
Rarity gulped as her mind raced to find an answer of some kind. “O-of course I do. But… I… I love to hear you tell me in your own words.” Rarity patted herself on the back for that recovery. Much to her surprise, Spike wrapped an arm around her and with his other claw cupped her cheek, and turned Rarity’s head so that she was looking right into his eyes. His shimmering, emerald eyes.
“I said, ‘Rarity, you’re the most incredible, beautiful, talented mare in all of Equestria. You’ve made me the happiest dragon in the whole wide world. This entire night I’ve been trying to find the right words to say and the right time to say them, but in the end, I couldn’t find any words more pure and truer than this, I love you Rarity, with all my heart and I can’t imagine my life without you. There isn’t a moment in the day that I’m not thinking about you and when we’re apart I can’t help but feel sad that I’m not by your side. I want to be by your side for the rest of my life. So Rarity, will you marry me?”
Rarity’s heart was melting as Spike recited his proposal to her. It was the sweetest, most romantic proposal she’s ever heard. Not even her romance novels held such heartfelt words within its pages.
Spike slowly leaned forward. “And then,” he said in a low tone. “I slipped on the ring, you leapt into my arms and we…”
Rarity’s chest felt fit to burst as her face became as red as a sunburnt tomato. But as Spike’s lips came closer and closer to hers, Rarity’s mind began to slow down to a crawl and she found herself leaning towards him. Closer and closer still, Rarity could feel Spike’s breath. She closed her eyes and-
“PBTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTH!” came a very loud raspberry from a very perturbed foal.
Spike and Rarity pulled back with blushes. Cobalt stuck his tongue out like he ate a bunch of sour grapes and blew another raspberry.
Spike rolled his eyes and reached into the playpen to hold his son. “Yeah, yeah, I know you don’t like it when mommy and I get all mushy. But when you find yourself a special somepony, you won’t think it’s so gross.” Spike gave Cobalt a kiss on the forehead before placing him back in his pen.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to work, just wanted to stop by and make sure you’re doing ok.”
“Oh, well, no need to worry Spikey Wikey. I’m fine, dandy even.”
Spike stood up and stretched his wings. “I’ll pick up Lolite after school and start on dinner. I’m feelin’ stir-fry. How about you?”
Rarity nodded. “I think that sounds simply divine."
Spike gave Rarity a hug. “Great! I’ll see you later Rarity. I gotta get back to the castle now, I love you.” Spike then gave Rarity a peck on the lips before departing.
“I…uh, love…” Rarity murmured as she brushed a hoof against her lips. Spike kissed her. On the lips! It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but to Rarity it felt like her whole body was struck by lightning. And what was she about to say? Did she really love…? Rarity shook her head. She was just caught off guard is all and it’s not like her Spike was the one that said he loved her.
Wait. What am I thinking?
Get ahold of yourself Rarity. So you had a lapse of judgement and almost told Spike that you love him. There’s no need to panic. But do I love Spike? True I’ve enjoyed his company, more so than anypony else’s, but it’s because he’s such a good friend and I like to have him around and it’s nice to have him help me at the shop, and to hear his voice and because I feel happier just being near him…
“I hope everypony’s hungry!” Spike announced as he stepped away from the stove. “Because this might be one of my best stir-fry yet!”
Perhaps… I do love him. But what of it? As long as I’m stuck here I can never go back to my Spike. And it would be wrong of me to steal the Spike of this world away; he’s a happily married drake. But he’s married to me. No, he’s married to another Rarity and I will not be a homewrecker! But is it really being a homewrecker if it’s me? Or is the other-? Ugh, this “which Spike and Rarity is which” gag is getting old rather fast!
Lolite giggled, “You say that every time you cook daddy! It’s always your best one.”
But what if that Rarity never comes back? Lolite and Cobalt will need a mother and Spike a wife. Would it really be so bad if that Rarity doesn’t return? What a horrid thing to think of, you should be ashamed of yourself! “Uh, Rares?”
Rarity snapped out of her trance. “Hm? What is it darling?”
“Are you ok? You looked like you were a thousand miles away.”
“Oh, I… I guess I was just distracted for a moment. I must be hungrier than I thought.”
Spike grinned. “Well I made plenty; eat as much as you want. You must’ve worked right through lunch.”
“Y-yes, I did. I just wanted to get as much done as I could before the holidays.”
Spike served Rarity a plateful of noodles, veggies and tofu. It smelled absolutely wonderous. The gentle scent of the bell peppers complimented the soy sauce perfectly with the tofu dotted throughout to complete Spike’s artful dish.
“You know how I feel about you skipping meals Rarity. But as long as you get your orders done by Hearth's Warming, I guess it’s fine. Just don’t burn yourself out, ok?”
Rarity felt her chest tighten. The way Spike was worried for her sake was touching, but she still felt guilty for worrying him. “I’m sorry Spike. I promise I won’t get carried away, so no need to be concerned.”
Spike kissed Rarity’s cheek. “Thank you dear. Now let’s eat!”
Cobalt seemed to agree as he patted his little tray table.
“Uh, Rarity. I think that’s your que.”
“Oh, right,” Rarity dipped a little spoon into the green mush on Cobalt’s little plate. “Open wide darling!” Rarity chimed.
Cobalt happily and eagerly ate his mush.
“So how was school today, Lolite?” Rarity asked.
Lolite swallowed her food and smiled. “It was fun! Mrs. Cheerliee let us play in the snow for a while. We were supposed to make snowponies and work together as a team, but then Sky Splitter and Cherry decided to have a snowball fight instead. You should’ve seen the look on Mrs. Cheerliee’s face, she was so peeved!”
“Lolite! Language!” Spike chided.
“Sorry daddy. Um, then Mrs. Cheerliee sent Sky and Cherry inside to write an essay on ‘following instructions’ or something, so Dusky, Fuji and I got to make snowponies together. But Fuji was actin’ kinda weird. He kept looking at me and stuttering when I asked him stuff. Is that a normal boy thing, daddy?”
Spike looked up at his daughter as his noodles hit his plate with a soft splat. “Uh, well Lolite you see… when a boy…. sometimes when a boy… um… Rarity?”
Rarity finished wiping Cobalt’s muzzle. “Well darling, if you ask me, I think Fiji-“
“Fuji,” Lolite corrected.
“Pardon?”
“I’m talking about Fuji. Who’s Fiji?”
“Oh, apologies darling, I must have misheard you. Well I think this Fuji boy rather fancies you. Boys can be difficult with expressing themselves sometimes.”
Lolite gave Rarity an odd look before spinning her fork into her noodles. “Boys are weird.”
Rarity was exhausted. Both physically and psychologically. Today was by far one of the most draining days of her life. Far too much was hurled at her in the span of only a few hours and now she wanted nothing more than to sleep and, with any luck, wake up in her own world. After finishing the dishes (she felt it only fair since Spike cooked) Rarity dragged her hooves up the stairs and down the hall. Her bed was calling her name.
“Mommy!” Lolite called out. She rushed to Rarity with a sketch pad, crayons and a book in her magic. “Are you ready?”
“Ready? For what Lolite?”
Lolite giggled, “You know! Our Mommy daughter time! It’s Friday and I finished my homework, so we can design dresses together!” Lolite levitated the book to Rarity and flipped through the pages, each one had a crude drawing of a dress, a professional design, and a snap shot of Rarity and Lolite in the same dresses as the design. “I really liked this dress and I wanted to make something like it again, but with a different collar. Ooh! And maybe sleeves!”
Rarity was intrigued by Lolite’s enthusiasm. She clearly had a deep desire to create, she certainly inherited that from her mother (no offense to Spike of course). Rarity felt a strange sense of pride well up inside her, but that feeling was quashed with the arrival of a headache.
“Darling, I’d love to design dresses, but perhaps some other time.”
Lolite’s smile fell instantly. “But… we always do this…”
Guilt slowly pierced Rarity’s heart. “I-I know dear, but I’m completely exhausted tonight. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
Lolite’s ears wilted as she looked up to her mother. “Did… did I do something wrong?”
Rarity quickly shook her head. “No, no, no Lolite! Of course not! It’s just… mommy worked very hard today and I could use an early respite. We’ll design dresses another day, is that alright?”
Lolite sighed and started to walk back to her room. “Ok… goodnight mommy…”
“Goodnight darling.”
Lolite closed her door with a soft click. Rarity bit her lip and turned her gaze away from the filly’s room and continued her trek to her own. In Rarity’s heart, she felt like this was the wrong decision. She wasn’t sure why, but it felt like she was making a huge mistake by not spending time with Lolite. Those sad eyes and diminished smile were sure to haunt Rarity’s dreams. But it’s fine. By tomorrow morning, she’ll be back in her world and Lolite will have her real mother again.
“Please. Please bring her back…” Rarity whispered.
To say Rarity was disappointed when she woke up and discovered that nothing had changed would be an understatement. Though she had to admit, waking up next to Spike was very, very nice. Like waking up next to a space heater set at just the right temperature. She’d be lying if she said it didn’t feel comfortable. Thinking about it, Rarity figured that Discord had a point, as incredulous as that may sound. And despite the mild disappointment there was a small amount of joy that came about when Rarity sat down for breakfast with “her” family. She still couldn’t believe how good a cook Spike was. It made sense of course, after years of cooking for Twilight he’d certainly pick up a trick or two around the kitchen. But the delicious food was secondary to the feeling of… warmth? Togetherness? Rarity couldn’t pin it down, but it was a nice and comforting sensation that put any and all of her current stresses at ease.
“Rarity, you know you don’t have to do the dishes, right?” Spike said as he placed another plate into the sink.
“I most certainly do!” Rarity said as her sponge went to work on a pan. “After you cooked such a wonderful meal, it’s only right I pitch in and clean up.”
Spike chuckled and gave Rarity a kiss on the cheek. “Well I appreciate it, thank you dear. Let me know if you need any- BURRR-FWOOM!” A scroll materialized from Spike’s burp and landed in his claws. “Uh, sorry ‘bout that Rares. I, uh, didn’t mean-“
“It’s quite alright darling,” Rarity said as she rubbed her ear. “I know you can’t help it. Granted, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a better and more quiet way to contact you than with magic burps.”
“If you ever find one, let me know-“ Spike unrolled the scroll and read it over “-huh. Looks like Twilight and Pinky need a little more help setting up the party.”
“Party?” Rarity asked.
“The faculty Hearth’s Warming party, remember?”
“Oh my, that’s today?”
“it sure is! I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks! We’ll dance, eat, drink, be merry and all that other stuff before the break.”
Spike gave Rarity a hug. “I’ll be back later, love you Rarity.”
Rarity’s heart skipped a beat when Spike said those wonderful words.
“I-I love…” But Rarity couldn’t return the affection. Try as she might, she still felt a wave of guilt whenever the words “I love you” came up. But Rarity figured that’d be a problem for a later date.
Rarity sighed, content with the progress she’s made on her orders. At this rate she’ll be on her way to finishing up well before Hearth’s Warming. So with the feeling of a job well done, Rarity decided that an early lunch was probably in order. She set her glasses by her sewing machine, did a quick stretch and headed for the kitchen. What’ll be on the menu? Cucumber sandwich? Perhaps a nice salad? Or maybe a nice helping of oat and vanilla swirl ice cream with chocolate sauce.
“Mommy?”
Lolite certainly had a special talent of sneaking up on Rarity.
“Oh, Lolite! What can I help you with darling?”
“I’m hungry. Can I have a gem and daffodil sandwich?”
Rarity smiled. “What a coincidence! I was feeling rather peckish myself and a daffodil sandwich sounds positively scrumptious. Why don’t I make lunch for the both of us?”
Lolite nodded. “Mmhmm!”
Rarity went to work on the sandwiches as Lolite took her seat at the table and watched her mother with hungry eyes. Rarity gathered the flowers, bread and gemstones (for Lolite of course) and in a matter of minutes had lunch for herself and the little filly. Lolite was practically bouncing in her seat as Rarity set her plate down. As soon as Rarity took her own seat, Lolite picked up her sandwich and was about to take a bite before pulling it back and looking dejected.
“Is something wrong sweetheart?” Rarity asked.
“There’s emeralds on this sandwich…”
“Is that a problem? I thought you wanted gems, darling?”
“Yeah, but emeralds are icky. Don’t we have any rubies or sapphires?”
Rarity’s anxiety was acting up again. She levitated Lolite’s plate. “Oh, o-of course! I’ll fix it straight away. So sorry Lolite, I suppose I just wasn’t paying attention.” Rarity quickly removed the emeralds and replaced them with rubies, the last thing she wanted to do was upset another mare’s foal. “Here you go, darling. One ruby and daffodil sandwich.”
Lolite looked to Rarity for a moment before turning her attention back to her lunch.
“Lolite?”
“Thank you…” Lolite mumbled before picking up her plate and leaving the kitchen.
In that moment Rarity wondered if she mucked something up again. Celestia knows she doesn’t have any experience with foals aside from her sister Sweetie Belle and the few times she spent watching Flurry Heart, but she couldn’t help but think for the second time (or perhaps a third time) she made another big mistake. Like a particular niggle in the back of her mind scolding her on her poor parenting. Rarity tried to shake that thought away, how in the world could she know what was right and wrong. She’s only been a “mother” for a day. She decided to ignore her current plight with food.
“How’s it going Rares?” Spike greeted as he walked into the kitchen. “Ooh, daffodil sandwiches? Don’t mind if I do!” Spike wasted no time in making his sandwich, making sure to include lots of emeralds and a few pickled peppers from the fridge.
“Help yourself darling,” Rarity said before taking another bite.
“Ahh, it’s the peppers that do it for me,” Spike sighed. “thank Celestia Sweet Apple Acres got into spice market.”
“How has your day been faring Spike?”
“Everything’s going smoothly,” he said before taking a greedy bite of his sandwich and reveling in the heat and flavor. “Came home for a snack, but Twilight wants me to run a ‘few’ more errands. Oh, that reminds me! I ran into your parents, they said they’ll be over to foalsit at around five or so and after that we’ll go meet up with Twilight.”
“Foalsit?” Rarity asked before being coming to her own realization. “Oh right, the party! That doesn’t give me much time to get ready.”
Spike chuckled, “I don’t think you need hours of prep to go to a faculty party with friends.”
“Spike,” Rarity tutted. “Precious scales. A lady must always look her best at soiree’s, regardless of it being casual or formal. You understand, don’t you?”
Spike smiled. “I most certainly do.”
Spike just put the final touches on polishing his scales when there was a knock at the boutique door. “Right on time. Hey Rarity, I think your parents are here!”
“I’ll get it darling!” Rarity called out from the bathroom as she finished curling her lashes and one last adjustment to her dress. She trotted down the stairs and to the front door and was greeted by Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumble. They were certainly showing their age, but even with the new additions of wrinkles here and there, it wouldn’t make them any less recognizable to Rarity.
“Mother! Father!” Rarity greeted and wrapped her parents in a hug. “Hello! So nice to see you again!”
Hondo laughed, “You make it sound like you haven’t seen us in years!”
“Hello, dear!” Cookie greeted. “Are you and Spike all ready for the party?”
“Just about, Spike has just a few more details to take care of. Thank you both so much for foalsitting tonight.”
“Oh it’s our pleasure Rarity. You know I can never get enough of my grandbabies.”
Rarity ushered her parents into the shop just as Spike was coming down the stairs with Cobalt and Lolite.
“Grandma! Grandpa!” Lolite called out before running up to Cookie and hugging her.
“There’s my granddaughter! How have you been dear?”
“I’ve been fine!”
Hondo ruffled Lolite’s mane. “I swear you get bigger every time I see you!”
Lolite puffed her chest out. “Probably! I’m part dragon!”
“Hey Hondo, hey Cookie,” Spike said as he passed Cobalt to his in-laws. “Thanks again for watching the kids. Just make sure Lolite doesn’t have too much sugar after dinner or she won’t be able to sleep and there are extra diapers for Cobalt in the closet upstairs and-“
Hondo firmly patted Spike’s shoulder. “Come on Spike! This ain’t the first time we’ve cared for foals!”
Cookie giggled, “This’ll be easy. Besides, I’m sure Lolite will be on her best behavior for grandma, won’t she?”
“Sure will!” Lolite replied.
“Very well, I suppose we best be on our way-“ Rarity wrapped her scarf around her neck and turned to Lolite “-be a good girl for your grandparents, alright darling?”
Lolite took a step and hid behind Cookie. “Ok…”
“Go on and git you two!” Hondo said waving a hoof. “Have fun and don’t worry, we got everything under control!”
As the door to the shop closed and the dragon and pony pair strolled towards the Castle of Friendship, Rarity couldn’t quite grasp what she just witnessed. Lolite looked… scared. But why? What did she do to scare that sweet little filly? That uncomfortable feeling in Rarity’s heart was back as she suspected she made another foul up. But this time it was different. It was as if the answer she was looking for was right there in front of her, but she still couldn’t see it, only have a vague inkling.
“Is something wrong Rarity?” Spike asked.
“Oh, um. No, not really,” Rarity fumbled. She adjusted her scarf and cleared her voice. “Spike, did Lolite seem… different?”
Spike tilted his head. “Different? What do you mean?”
“I mean, she looked like she was scared of something…”
Spike chuckled, “Scared? Lolite? C’mon Rares, I think you’re worrying over nothing! The closest thing Lolite gets to being scared is when I bring emeralds home for dinner!”
Rarity wasn’t convinced, but figured it’d be best to play along. No sense in making Spike worry over something that just might be a misunderstanding.
“Perhaps you’re right darling. Maybe my imagination is just playing tricks on me again.”
Spike draped a wing over Rarity and brought her close. “Don’t worry Rarity. Lolite and Cobalt are both fine and when we get home your parents will say the usual, ‘he was a perfect angel’ and ‘she snuck an extra cookie when we weren’t looking’ and they’ll both be fast asleep by the time we walk through the door. So let’s just relax, unwind and enjoy partying with friends. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
Rarity reveled in the extra warmth from Spike’s wing and giggled, “Yes. Very much so.”
“Another coat?” Spike asked. “Geez, it seems like Fancy Pants orders a new coat every season.”
Rarity held her head high. “I’m sure it’s because he knows quality when he sees it. Not to boast or brag, but I am rather good with a needle and thread.”
“Well, if he wants to look his best, nopony can help him like you can.”
Rarity gave Spike a playful nudge. “Flattery will get you anywhere, darling.”
Spike scratched his head. “Isn’t it, ‘flattery won’t get you anywhere’?”
“Yes, but I believe you’re an exception,” Rarity dotted her sentence with a playful wink. She couldn’t believe how easy and fun it was to tease and flirt with Spike. Like she was used to it.
The couple arrived at the castle and as far as Rarity could tell, it looked like the same castle she’s seen for years. Even the firm knock on the doors sounded the same as ever and if Rarity was right, on the other side of the door was-
“Princess Luna?” Rarity tilted her head as the tall, dark, ruler of the night stood at the threshold. “What are you doing here?”
Luna’s faced scrunched slightly as if she were answering a painfully obvious question. “Why wouldn’t I answer the doors of my own castle?”
“Your castle?”
“Is something troubling you Rarity?”
“Oh, n-not at all! I just thought… that you’d be at the party already.” Rarity internally congratulated herself for yet another social save.
“Nay. As much as we’d like to be on our way, we’re still waiting for a certain somepony. Speaking of which-“ Luna cleared her throat “dearest!” Luna called out in a slightly softer Royal Canterlot voice. “Spike and Rarity are here!”
One magic flash later, Twilight was standing next to Luna. She was taller than Rarity remembered, about as tall as Luna. Rarity immediately chalked it up to being an alicorn trait.
“Sorry Lulu, just making sure the foalsitter has everything she needs to watch Dusk Note,” Twilight said as she nuzzled Luna.
Rarity’s eyes grew to the size of small moons. Twilight and Luna are- are married!? How!? When did-!? Luna sighed, “Pastel Pallet has watched Dusk Note since before he could speak Twilight. I’m sure she has this down to a science.”
“I know, I know! It’s just, his magic is getting stronger and I don’t want him experimenting without our supervision or turn Pastel into a potted plant, or teleporting himself to Tartarus, or-!”
Luna’s quick peck on the lips cut off any further twilighting. “You worry far too much Twilight. Dusk Note is in very capable hooves. He’ll surely be safe for a few hours.”
“Yeah… yeah you’re right,” Twilight said sheepishly.
Spike coughed. “Uh, shouldn’t we be getting over to the school?”
“Oh, right, right!” Twilight said.
“My apologies!” Luna said.
Both were blushing.
Spike, Rarity and the wedded princesses left the castle in the direction of the school. Rarity couldn’t focus on the small talk among the group, she just couldn’t help but be curious over what other changes she’d see in her friends.
“Oh my stars! You’d hardly think this was the gymnasium,” Luna commented as she stepped into the room strewn with streamers, food, punch, colored lights, an abundance of balloons, party favors on every table and what appeared to be a large chocolate fountain with a slide. For whatever reason.
“Yeah, Pinkie Pie did most of the legwork,” Spike said. “She really outdid herself.”
“She always seems to outdo herself,” Rarity remarked as she hung her scarf on a hook.
“Well I had lots, lots, lotsa help!” Pinkie Pie said as she materialized out of nowhere and to nopony’s surprise. “Spike and Twilight were loads a help and my cheesy Cheese strung up the lights and helped me with my great and super-duper yummy idea of having a chocolate fountain slide. I mean, who hasn’t wished that their chocolate fountain could have a slide? Am I right? Anyhoo, without further ado!-“ Pinkie pulled out a small box with a big red button out of her mane and with a good, strong smack, the button triggered a flourish of confetti that rained down from the ceiling and a needle lowered itself onto a record player with music flowing out of every corner of the room, the lights began to blink in multi-color and a big banner with the words “Hearth’s Warming Par-Tay!” written in a bubbly font. “-LEEEEEEEEEEEET’S PARTY!!! WOOHOO!!!”
“Quite the party pony as usual Pinkie,” Twilight said as she gave Pinkie a hug.
“If you think this is great, you should see what Cheese and I have planned later. It’s a surprise, but it involves lots of pies.”
“Don’t that kinda ruin the surprise?” Applejack’s country drawl was unmistakable as she drew up to the group with a cream and green Kirin with a rust-colored mane in tow.
“I don’t think so AJ,” Autumn Blaze said. “It could be anything from a pie eating contest to a pie baking contest or a pie scavenger hunt! Ooh! Maybe it’s a pie food fight! That would be really fun, although it wouldbe a waste of pies.”
“Ah guess we’ll hafta wait’n see sugar,” Applejack said as she nudged Autumn softly.
“Bleh! I think I’ll stay out of anything pie related, thanks!” Rainbow Dash commented as she and Soarin flew over to the group.
“That’s fine, more pie for me,” Soarin said as he licked his lips.
“Oooooh! Pinkie’s eggnog!” Trixie exclaimed as she made a beeline to the large glass bowl and took in the smell of nutmeg, rum and brandy with a deep breath. Rarity couldn’t help but notice how Trixie was a bit… rounder than she remembered. “Ahh, it smells heavenly!”
“No. No nog Trix,” Starlight scolded as she pulled back on the mare’s shoulders.
“But Starliiiiight!” Trixie whined. “I’ve waited all year for this! Can’t I just have a taste? I promise I’ll spit it out.”
“No Trixie, think of the baby.”
Trixie crossed her hooves over her chest and pouted. “It’s not my fault the baby’s taking their sweet time.”
Rarity was feeling a bit dizzy trying to digest everything she’s seen and heard in the span of a few minutes, but it was hard not to gawk at the ponies before her. It was strange. Here she was, surrounded by all her friends who she’s known for years but besides the minor wrinkle or bit of grey (in Rainbow Dash’s case, her mane was just a tad duller) it was like meeting them all for the first time.
I wish somepony could fill me in on all of… this!
“I brought gingerbread everypony!” Fluttershy announced as she set her tray of cookies on a table. “I hope you like them; Jinx and Discord couldn’t stop eating these.”
As if on cue, Discord snatched up a paw and talon full of cookies and teleported away before his wife could protest.
“Ask and I shall receive, I suppose,” Rarity muttered.
“What was that Rares?” Spike asked.
“Uh, I said I should really try some of Fluttershy’s cookies. Be right back darling.”
Rarity trotted off and for the second time in as many days, tracked down Discord.
“You know I can’t tell you everything right?” Discord asked as he popped another cookie into his maw and Rarity could swear she heard a tiny scream that was silenced as soon as Discord bit down.
“But I can’t just walk out there with no idea what’s going on! There’s too many things I’ve missed. Everypony’s married, Twilight and Luna have a foal, Starlight and Trixie are having a foal. How did that even happen? They’re both mares.”
“Magic is a crazy thing,” Discord mused. “and out of all the worlds I’ve been to, Equestria’s magic is the tops. You can turn apples and frogs into oranges, steal a pony’s cutie mark, even tem-po-ra-i-ly turn mares into stallions, if you know what I mean. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!” Discord said while winking and nudging Rarity.
Rarity waved her hooves in front of her face as if she were swatting away some very unsavory images of what transpired turning that particular transformation. “Yes, yes, say no more, say no more! And I’d rather not go any further than that. Please, is there really nothing you can tell me? It’s not like you’re cheating me out of this whole… glimpse… experience… dream, whatever the devil this is. Just give me a little history lesson to catch me up to speed. That’s all I’m asking.”
Discord rolled his eyes and sighed, “Oh fiiine. But for the record, you’re running out of favors-“ Discord cleared his throat and directed Rarity’s gaze with his paw “- That’s Autumn Blaze, Applejack’s wife, they met during a friendship problem, quest, thingy. Then Autumn moved to Ponyville to help out on the farm and the rest is history. Lovely girl, but she really likes to talk. Rainbow Dash’s husband Soarin, they both hit it off after Dashie moved up in the Wonderbolts. Turns out the old boy admired her as much as she admired him.
“Cheese Sandwich is Pinkie’s main squeeze, once they started collaborating parties together, they fell for each other hard. They even threw two separate ’I love you’ parties at the same time. From what I hear it took Ponyville three days to clean up afterwards. Starlight and Trixie have been an item for moons, even more since the two of them started doing magic shows together. As for Twilight and Luna, well, after some major ‘twilighting’ and a bunch of pep talks, turns out Twilight’s feelings for Luna were mutual and they’ve been an adorable couple ever since. Not as adorable as Flutters and myself of course, but then again, no couple is.”
Rarity was quiet for a few seconds as she waited for Discord to continue, then just as the silence was getting awkward she asked, “And?”
“And what?”
“And what!?” Rarity cried. “that’s all you have to say!? That’s information I could’ve gathered on my own! Can’t you give me some of the finer details?”
Discord crossed his arms. “Hmph! Well aren’t we being pushy? Do you think I knew all of this when I got here? For the record, I had to do my own digging around to get this information.”
Rarity cocked a brow. “Wait. You don’t know either?”
“I hadn’t the slightest clue! Eris kept me in the dark about this timeline too, you know. She just promised me that I could see ‘my greatest wish’ for helping her out.”
“But then, what in the name of Celestia am I supposed to do!? I’ll be walking into a social deathtrap at this rate!”
Discord shrugged. “I guess you’ll just have to make like a Pegasus and wing it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll pinch a few more cookies while the missus is distracted. Good luck to you Rarity, tootles!” And with a snap, Discord was gone, leaving a disgruntled and rather peeved Rarity to chew her lip in frustration.
She should’ve know better than to bank on Discord giving her a straightforward answer. Heck, he’d probably give Rarity the run-around if she simply asked the time of day. But she knew she couldn’t just hide in a corner all night; she had to show her face and mingle. After all, it’s downright rude to ignore your friends at a party. So, with slight reservations, Rarity made her way back to the soiree.
With just a minor detour for a glass of eggnog for a little extra courage.
“You know,” Rainbow Dash said through a smug grin and clenched teeth. “Sky Splitter’s already an awesome cloud buster.”
“Yeah?” Applejack said through her own smug grin and clenched teeth. “Well mah lil’ Fuji’s a natural apple bucker. Might even be better than me one day.”
Off to the side, Soarin and Autumn both watched their respective wives and their battle of egos and pettiness with mild amusement. Soarin was slowly cutting into his slice of blueberry pie while Autumn was taking periodic sips of her glass of punch.
“Think we should cut in?” Soarin asked.
Autumn’s magic refilled her glass of punch as she kept her eyes on the two bickering mares. “Nah, not yet. I’m sure they have more to get off their chest. Let’s let them go at it for a bit longer.”
Rarity approached the group tasting the eggnog, taking special note of the fact that while delicious, was very, very strong. All the more courage she needed to get through this night.
“Well it’s nice to see some things never change,” she commented.
Soarin chuckled, “Ain’t that the truth?”
Dash’s eyes narrowed on the country girl. “Sky Splitter’s already the top of his class in flight school.”
Applejack returned the look in spades. “Fuji’s a cookin’ wiz. Ain’t no Apple since Granny Smith that can cook like he can.”
“He’s only seven.”
“So’s Sky.”
Rarity took another drink of eggnog. “So… Autumn, how have things been with you darling? It feels like ages since we last spoke.”
Autumn scratched her chin. “Huh. I guess it has been a while. I haven’t seen you in like three days or so, that is a long time, especially since we work in the same school, but it’s ok, I know you have to take care of Cobalt, your clients and teach. But things have been going great! Fuji’s helping me and AJ with our hot cider sales and I’m already planning the Spring production of ‘Kirin of the Opera’ which I’m sure will be a big hit with the students. Gotta love being the head of the drama department. What about you?”
Rarity blinked. Then she tried to breakdown everything Autumn said in such a short window of time. Discord wasn’t kidding she thought as she took another drink of eggnog. “Oh, well I’m fine dear. Putting the final touches on my orders and such before the holidays. And what about you Soarin?”
Soarin shrugged. “Eh, same ol’, same ol’. But the Wonderbolts are on break till the new year, so Dash and I have lots of time to spend with Sky. By the way, think we should break them up yet Autumn?”
Autumn thought for a second. “Hmm, after AJ talks about Fuji training for the Jr. rodeo.”
“Only if Dash brags about Sky almost making a sonic rainboom.”
“Deal.”
“By the way…” Rainbow Dash sneered. “Sky is only days away from perfecting the sonic rainboom…”
“Yeah?” Applejack sneered right back. “Well Fuji’s shapin’ up te be one heck of a rodeo star. Ah’m runnin’ outta things te teach ‘im…”
Autumn Blaze downed the rest of her punch. “Well that was fast.”
“Yep. And not a moment too soon. I think they’re both about to explode.” Soarin shoveled the rest of his pie in his mouth before trotting over with Autumn to their disgruntled wives.
“Big deal!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “Sky’s been-!”
Soarin pulled his wife back. “Hey Dashie! Why don’t we go check out the dessert table? Pinkie brought more than just pies; you know!”
Autumn’s magic wrangled Applejack. “AJ, AJ! You’ve got to try this punch, it’s sweet, tart and refreshing! Or maybe the eggnog! Rarity seems to like it!”
Both couples parted ways and the tension in the room was gone. But Rarity couldn’t rest yet, she still had other guests to see and ponies to chat with. She took another drink of her eggnog, noting that the room has gotten slightly warmer and that she needs to top off her glass.
“And so I said, ‘you mean the one that ate all the canned peaches?’ and the firepony said-“ Pinkie pointed to Cheese Sandwich.
“Why? Did it already make the paper?” Cheese finished.
A wave of laughter rose up in the group as they held their stomachs after the punchline was flawlessly delivered. Rarity found herself laughing so hard that she was starting to tear up. Leave it to Pinkie to lighten any mood.
“My, I’ll have to remember this joke when next I see my sister,” Luna commented as her laugh finally died down.
“Geez Pinkie,” Starlight said between breaths. “that was a doozy!”
Pinkie Pie giggled, “Aww, thank you! But I can’t take the credit. Cherry was the one who came up with it! Ahh, I’m so proud of her!”
Cheese wrapped a hoof around his wife. “One minute we’re holding her bottle, next thing we know, we’re holding our sides! With a sense of humor like that, she’ll go far.”
Oh, I con-concur!” Rarity said. “Such well-crafted comedy at such a young age is a great talent.” She took another gulp of her eggnog.
“Does she have to drink that in front of me?” Trixie grumbled.
“Take it easy Trix. Stress is bad for the baby,” Starlight said.
Trixie just grumbled something colorful under her breath and trotted over to Rarity, who was starting to look a bit wobbly. “How did you do it?”
Rarity tilted her head and nearly lost her balance. “Whaat do you mean, dahling?”
“How did you get through not being able to drink when you were pregnant? Twice, none the less!”
Rarity took another sip of nog. “Oh it wasn’t too diffi-cult. Though I admit that not being able to have any Schiava Gentile for so long was rather harsh. My mouth would water every time I saw a bottle. But it was aaaaaaaaall worth it in the end, hahaha!” Rarity took another sip. Perhaps it was the alcohol talking but she felt like the story she told, wasn’t born from a lie, but rather from experience. She reasoned that it was most certainly her half-full glass of courage and not anything else. Nope. Nothing else at all.
“Uh, hey Rarity?” Spike said as he approached his wife. “Think you’ve had enough of that eggnog?”
Rarity finished off her glass. “Oh Spikey Wikey! I’m ok! I’m fiiiine! I’m just cutting loose, or something like it! Noooothing to wo-worry about, haha!”
Just then the music changed from fast and upbeat, to slow and measured. Everypony’s ears perked up and the couples moved to the dance floor.
“Oh, how joyous!” Luna remarked as she offered her hoof to Twilight. “Care for a dance, dearest?”
Twilight took her wife’s hoof. “With you? Always.”
Luna and Twilight took to the floor and Rarity was amazed to see that Twilight wasn’t a terrible dancer anymore. She still lacked any rhythm, but it seemed as long as Luna lead, Twilight was able to keep up.
Rarity’s heart felt a pang of want and envy as she watched her friends dance with their spouses (in Discord and Fluttershy’s case, performed some kind of waltz in the air). Such closeness and love, as if nothing in the world could bother them. She looked up to Spike with hopeful eyes. “Spikey… I wish to dance as well…”
“Are you sure Rarity? I don’t want you to stumble out there. You might hurt yourself.”
“I’ll be alright,” Rarity answered with conviction. “Please, Spike I… I really want to dance with you.”
Spike smiled and held out his claw. “Heh, how can I say no? Just be sure to hold me tight, ok?”
Rarity nodded and with shaky steps walked with Spike to the dance floor. Spike held his arms open and if on instinct, Rarity rose up on her back legs and placed one hoof on his shoulder and the other in his claw. It was a strange position for a pony, but for whatever reason, it felt… natural. Like Rarity’s done it before, what felt like countless times. Swaying and stepping to the romantic music in (almost) perfect synch. Rarity looked up at Spike, their eyes met, and she got lost in his deep, rich, green orbs. Her heart fluttered like a dove and she couldn’t look away.
“This is nice,” Rarity murmured.
Spike gave a playful smirk. “Yeah. And looks like you can still stand, so that’s good.”
“Oh hush, you.”
Just then, before Rarity realized it, Spike’s lips met with hers. After about a second or two, he pulled away and Rarity was absolutely giddy. Yes Spike kissed her before, but this felt different, it was more than just a simple peck, she felt his love for her in that kiss. Rarity rested her head in the crook of Spike’s neck as she felt her face turn red.
Spike hugged her closer to him and whispered, “I love you Rarity.”
Rarity sobered up for that moment she heard those four words pass Spike’s lips. She felt like she could walk on clouds or even plow an entire field by herself. She heard him say it before, but with the atmosphere, their closeness and the eggnog, Rarity’s heart was melting as if she waited her whole life to hear Spike say those words.
Rarity nuzzled Spike’s neck. “I love you too, Spike,” she whispered back.
Rarity stirred in her bed as the morning sun shown on her face. She wasn’t ready to abandon sleep yet. Last night’s party (more specifically Pinkie Pie’s Eggnog) put her through the wringer and she just wanted at least another fifteen minutes or preferably a day or two of rest. As she continued to try and find another sweet spot on the bed that’d lull her back to sleep, she noticed something peculiar. Somepony was missing. Her hoof felt around her bed, but couldn’t find Spike. No scales, no warmth, nothing that would suggest Rarity shared a bed with anycreature.
Maybe this whole “glimpse” debacle Eris put her through was over? Maybe Rarity discovered some kind of truth or learned some kind of lesson and was sent back to where she came from. Was it finally telling Spike that she loved him? That had to be it. Whatever the case may be, Rarity breathed a content sigh as she snuggled back into her sheets. She couldn’t help but feel melancholic at the thought of leaving that world, leaving her “family.” But that would be a problem for well-rested, not hungover Rarity. And as soon as she’s able, she’ll find Spike, beg his forgiveness and then...
Rarity’s eyes shot open and all thoughts of sleep were thrown out the window as the sound of a crying foal rang throughout the house. Rarity rose up and winced, she rubbed her temples with her hooves. She had a splitting headache and the cries weren’t helping. She left her room and trotted downstairs. Something smelled delicious as she got closer to the ground floor and soon she found Spike in the kitchen, standing over the stove, frying pan in one claw, spatula in the other, humming a tune and moving about his workspace with the fluidity of a professional chef.
“Um, Spike?” Rarity meekly called out.
Spike jumped and turned around. “O-oh! Good morning Rarity!”
Rarity couldn’t help but notice the apron Spike was wearing. It was strange, it was just a simple white apron with a thin cloth strap around his neck and two separate straps tied behind his back. But for whatever reason, Rarity could feel herself swoon. She often heard about stallions enjoying seeing mares wear aprons and she was starting to see the appeal. The upper corners seemed to draw attention to the muscles in his arms and what was covering his torso left much to the imagination, with the exception of his chest. Rarity bit her lip as she drove out any and all… unsavory thoughts towards the dragon as she tried her best to compose herself.
Rarity coughed. “Spike, Cobalt’s crying.”
Spike stood there and gave Rarity a look like he was waiting on her for the punchline. “And?”
“W-well, can you go see what’s wrong with him?”
“Uh, Rarity, I’m kinda busy at the moment”- Spike motioned to the food on the stove –“can’t you go see what’s wrong with him? He probably just needs a change.”
Rarity paled. “Ch-change!? You mean, his diaper!?”
“Geez, you must’ve partied a little too hard last night Rares-“ Spike sniffed the air “-oh no, oh no!”- Spike turned back to the stove and quickly pulled his pan off the fire- “Go take care of Cobalt and I’ll have breakfast done in a jiffy!”
“Ok Rarity. You can do this,” Rarity psyched herself up as she stood over Cobalt and the changing table. “you’ve seen mother change Sweetie Belle’s diaper plenty of times before. This will surely be a trifle and you’ll be finished in two shakes of a pony’s tail.”
Rarity steeled her nerves and took out the first safety pin of Cobalt’s diaper and then the second. “OH SWEET MERCIFUL CELESTIA!!!” Rarity felt her stomach lurch as a foul smell assaulted her senses. Her face turned green and she did her best at swallowing back any bile. Her horn flared and she quickly removed Cobalt’s diaper, threw it into a small bin and shut the lid as tight as she could. Next she cleaned, powdered and placed a new diaper on his little rump.
“How in the world do earth ponies handle this!? Well it’s all done, now why don’t we go enjoy some breakfast Co-“
Cobalt’s wails filled the room once more. Rarity picked him up and rocked the little colt. “Oh dear! Cobalt? What’s wrong darling?”
“It’s too tight…” came a small voice.
Rarity turned to the doorway and was surprised to see Lolite standing there.
“W-what?”
“His diaper,” Lolite said. “it’s too tight…”
Rarity looked at her handiwork and Lolite was right, the cloth was far too tight and was pinching at his skin. Rarity quickly removed the pins and tried again and as soon as she pinned up his diaper properly, Cobalt calmed down and eventually was smiling and giggling at his mother.
Rarity sighed in relief, “Thank you darling,” she said to Lolite. “I seemed to have had a lapse in judgement. I suppose I’m still fairly tired.”
The filly didn’t look Rarity in the eyes and she started to tremble.
“Lolite? What’s wrong sweetheart?”
Lolite fidgeted. “You’re… not my mommy… are you?”
Rarity felt her soul leave her body.
“You’re different,” Lolite continued. “mommy never forgets to tie her mane back when she burps Cobalt, she said she learned her lesson when I was a foal. And she never makes Cobalt’s diaper tight neither. And mommy knows my friend’s names and she knows I don’t like emeralds and we always have ‘mommy daughter time’ even if she just helps me with a drawing.” Lolite finally looked up, her eyes were holding back a torrent of tears. She sniffled, “So… are you my mommy?”
Rarity was torn. She couldn’t lie to the little filly, could she? But how would she handle the truth? That her real mother was gone and there was no telling when she’d return? If she would ever return at all? She might as well say that Lolite’s real mother had died. Rarity looked into Lolite’s eyes; they were begging the white mare for an answer.
Rarity caved. “No darling… I’m not…”
Lolite’s lips trembled. “Wh-where’s my-my real mommy?”
“I…I don’t know… B-but, she wanted me to let you know that she loves you very, very much and that she’ll be home as soon as she can.” Rarity hoped that last part wouldn’t turn into a lie. She prayed it wouldn’t.
Lolite’s muzzle scrunched up and she began to cry. She buried her face in her hooves and wailed, “Uaaahhhh! Mommy! I-I want my mommy! I want my mommy back! Waaaaahhhh!”
Rarity panicked as Lolite’s sobs grew louder, she tried to think of something, anything that might calm the filly down. “No, no! Don’t cry! Please don’t cry Lolite!” Rarity pleaded. “It’ll be ok! Your mother… just has some very important business to do and… she sent me to take care of her family till she got back.”
Lolite’s cries calmed as she peaked out from between her claws. “R-really?”
Rarity nodded. “Yes! I… can’t tell you what she’s doing. But it’s very important and it’s also important that nopony knows about this, alright? It’s top secret.”
Lolite perked up. “Y-you mean, mommy’s like a- a secret agent?”
“Yes! Yes exactly! So, can I count on you to be a good girl and not tell anypony about me or your mother’s secret mission?”
“Mmhmm!” Lolite nodded. “I promise wrong mommy!”
“Thank you darling, but perhaps you could refrain from calling me that when we’re around others.” Rarity was congratulating herself in her mind for actually pulling this ruse off. “Now, is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all?”
Lolite tapped her claw tipped hoof to her chin. “Umm, are you any good at designing dresses?”
“And this,” Rarity stated as her pencil glided over the paper. “is called an ‘A-line shift,’ and I thought that the chevron pattern looks rather fetching.”
“Oooooh, you’re right! I like that!” Lolite said. “Think it’d look better if you wore a turtleneck underneath?”
Rarity wasn’t expecting such an astute statement. “Why, yes. Yes I think that’d be a smashing choice, darling.”
“Hey, wrong mommy?”
That “wrong” title felt like claws on a chalkboard. “Um, yes?”
“Do you like to sew too?”
“But of course,” Rarity said confidently. “I’ve been practicing my craft since I was your age. Why else do you think your mother asked me to take care of you and her business?”
Lolite put her crayons down and placed her hooves on Rarity’s cheeks and while surprised, Rarity didn’t pull away. “You really look like mommy. Sound like mommy and you like to sew like mommy. She was super smart to ask you to watch over us.”
Rarity smiled. “I couldn’t agree more darling.”
Lolite let go of Rarity’s face and went back to her crayons. “Do you have any kids?”
Rarity wasn’t sure how to answer. “Well… I… I don’t.”
Lolite tilted her head. “Do you want kids?”
“Well,” Rarity said sheepishly. “the thought has crossed my mind once or twice. Why do you ask?”
Lolite shrugged. “Just wonderin’.” Lolite set her crayons down and presented her drawing to Rarity. It was the dress she designed, but much cruder. However, Lolite colored in some patterns on the dress with orange and blue, and she added a cream-colored turtleneck underneath. “Do these colors work?”
Rarity was impressed. Very impressed. She looked at her “daughter’s” work and she couldn’t believe what Lolite had done. The spacing of colored patterns was near perfect, with a great balance of colored and empty space which complemented the cream turtleneck. “They’re wonderful darling! I had no idea somepony else in your family was so talented.”
Lolite beamed. “Thanks! I want to help mommy design dresses someday. Maybe design jewelry too. I don’t know, I just like drawing lots.”
“Well, I dare say you’ll be quite the skilled artist with enough practice. You’ll be a great help to me- um, to your mother someday.”
Lolite giggled, “Gosh, I hope so!”
Lolite’s hooves made soft crunching sounds with every step as her magic pushed an ever-growing snowball, angling it every so often to avoid running into Rarity or the oblivious Cobalt tumbling in the powder. She stacked her snowball on top of two other larger ones and set about for the finishing touches. She placed two pieces of coal for eyes and a carrot for the nose. Next she stuck two sticks on the side of the body and marveled at her snowy creature.
“Tadaa!” Lolite cried. “What do you think?”
Rarity wasn’t entirely sure what she was looking at. She nervously tugged on her scarf. “Uh, it’s certainly… unique. Where did you learn to make snowponies like this?”
“Mrs. Lyra showed me! It’s lots easier than a regular snowpony, but it sure is weird lookin’.”
Cobalt poked his little head out of the snow and gazed at the frozen effigy before him. He was confused as to what it was, but then quickly forgot about it and dove into another snowbank.
“I’ll say,” Rarity said as she tilted her head to look at every angle. “perhaps when next I see her; I’ll ask Mrs. Lyra what exactly this is.”
Just then a stream of light blue fire shot out from Lolite’s mouth and towards her snow creature, melting the top two snowballs and roasting his carrot nose.
“Lolite! What are you-?”
“Muwaha, ha, ha!” Lolite cackled. “Fear the mighty dragon pony! Tremble in terror at her fire breath! Bow to her super strength! Accept your defeat weaklings!” Lolite then leapt onto the bottom part of what was left of her sculpture and started to break it apart with her claws. Cobalt wondered what his sister was yelling about and then joined in on crushing whatever it was Lolite was “defeating.”
“HA, HA, HA!” Lolite cried in triumph as her “foe” laid “slain”. “Another pathetic fool falls to my power! Fear me, RAWR!”
Cobalt held up his little claws and tried his best to roar, but it sounded more like a meow.
Lolite shook her head. “No Cobalt, that’s not how you roar. You have to open your mouth like this and- RAWR!”
Cobalt giggled and clapped his hooves at his sister’s perfect (as far as he knew) roar.
Rarity’s smile grew as she watched her “kids” play. Lolite may have inherited her mother’s creative talent, but she was still most certainly Spike’s daughter. That playfulness Spike’s had for as long as Rarity’s known him was alive and well in Lolite. Rarity heard another round of laughter from the kids and her jaw dropped when she saw Lolite rolling another big snowball only this time, Cobalt was being rolled up along with it as his little head poked out of the side of the growing mass, but he didn’t seem to mind. Rarity on the other hoof…
Began to chase after the laughing pair with haste. “Lolite! Lolite get Cobalt out of there this instant!”
The delicate scent of roasted vegetables permeated the air as Rarity sat down for dinner. She was grateful that there was plenty of food to go around and after a long day of chasing Lolite and digging Cobalt out of the snow (more times then she can remember) she was ready to eat her fill. As per usual, everything looked exquisite and yet again, Spike effortlessly flexed his cooking skills, much to Rarity’s excitement. Soon the sound of clanking and scraping of silverware were softly carrying over the table, along with the various bits of small talk amongst the unique family.
“Daddy, can I have more steamed carrots?” Lolite asked.
“Sweetie, you hardly touched your emeralds,” Spike responded as he loaded up his plate with another serving of stuffed mushrooms.
“But I don’t like emeralds!” Lolite whined. “They taste weird!”
Spike laughed at his daughter’s dramatics, “I know they’re not as tasty as sapphires, but you need to eat them. They’ll help you grow big and strong.”
“Mommy!” Lolite turned to Rarity for help. “I don’t wanna eat emeralds, can’t I have another gem instead?”
Rarity swallowed her bite of sauteed spinach and broccoli. "No darling. It’s good for you, so listen to your father and eat your emeralds.”
“Ugh, why should I? You’re not even-“ Rarity shot Lolite a panicked look as a last desperate attempt to keep her from spilling the beans. “-uh… you’re not even eating any.”
Rarity felt her breath return and thanked Celestia that Lolite was able to recover from what would be a disastrous blunder so quickly. She was far cleverer than Rarity thought. “Lolite, ponies don’t eat gems.”
“But I’m half pony! I shouldn’t eat gems if they’re icky! They’ll make me sick!”
“Lolite!” Spike’s voice was stern. “Don’t talk back to your mother and I don’t want to hear any more excuses, now eat your emeralds or it’s no dessert for you.”
“Fiiiine!” Lolite pouted. She picked up an emerald and grimaced as the light of the kitchen cast a sheen over the green gem. She opened her mouth and bit into it! “Bleh! It’s sooooo gross!”
Rarity couldn’t help but chuckle. She remembered when she was a filly and her parents made her eat kale. It was so bitter and Rarity recalls being just as stubborn about eating it as Lolite, if not more so. Like mother like daughter I suppose, she reasoned as she fed Cobalt another spoonful of mashed peas and ground gems.
“Did you brush your teeth?” Rarity asked as she tucked Lolite into bed.
“Yep,” Lolite said as she snuggled into her covers.
“And your mane?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Do you need a glass of water?”
“No, I’m okay.”
“Very well then. Goodnight Lolite, pleasant dreams.” Rarity’s magic wrapped around the chain of Lolite’s lamp.
“Um, wrong mommy?”
“Yes darling?”
“Can I… have a bedtime story?”
Rarity was taken aback by her request, but nodded with a warm smile. “Of course you may sweetheart. What would you like me to read?”
“A Hearth’s Warming Tale. No, The Legend of Mistmane! Actually, Poppy in Wonderland!”
Rarity cocked a brow. “Poppy in Wonderland, you say?”
Lolite nodded. “Mmhmm! I know it’s long, but maybe you can read me a chapter?”
“I don’t see why not. Let’s see here-“ Rarity trotted over to Lolite’s bookcase and scanned the spines on display from row to row. “-No, no, not this one. Not this one either. Aha! Here we go, Poppy in Wonderland!” Rarity’s magic enveloped the book and carried it with her as she pulled up a comfortable chair by Lolite’s bedside. She had fond memories of this story, ever since she was a foal it’s been near and dear to her heart. The story how a daydreaming filly follows a rabbit to a strange and bizarre world, where everything is nonsense and fantastical.
How apt Rarity mused. She flipped the book open and something caught her eye. On the inside of the cover, the words “This book belongs to” appeared in bold print and underneath that on a line was the name “Rarity” in near perfect script. And under that was the name “Lolite” written in not so perfect script.
Rarity’s curiosity peaked. “Lolite? Did your mother give this to you?”
Lolite smiled. “Yep! She gave it to me when I was little. It’s my favorite story.”
Rarity giggled, “What a coincidence. It’s one of my favorites too.”
The bell over the door to Carousel Boutique rang softly as Rarity and Lolite left their home and trotted off down the snowy streets of Ponyville. Rarity wrapped her scarf till it was snug, still marveling that her scarf could even keep the early morning cold out of her bones. Lolite adjusted her saddlebag and zipped her jacket all the way up as she matched Rarity’s steps. Upon closer inspection, Rarity noticed how much the filly reminded her of herself. Lolite held her head high as she trotted with confidence, like she owned the space she was occupying and you better watch out. Even tossing her mane the same was Rarity did, as if Lolite did everything she could to mimic her mother.
“Today’s your turn to walk me to school,” Lolite said. “and after dropping me off, you go teach at auntie Twily’s school while daddy stays home with Cobalt. Now remember to come pick me up on time. Nopony wants to be the last kid to be picked up.”
Rarity nodded. “I’ll be sure to return on time, no need to worry.”
“Good. And after you pick me up, I wanna go to Sugarcube Corner for a milkshake.”
“Is that a normal routine?”
“No. But I want a milkshake.”
“Oh, very well. I suppose I could treat you to a milkshake.”
“And a plate of sugar cookies!”
“Don’t push it darling. You’ll spoil your dinner.”
“Fiiiine,” Lolite pouted.
Rarity and Lolite came within view of the school house with more and more students scurrying about, some trotting with their parents as they gave their kids hugs and kisses to send them on their way. Lolite nudged Rarity and pointed at a pair of ponies.
“There’s auntie Twily and my cousin Dusk Note, but most ponies call him ‘Dusky’.”
“My word, he certainly takes after his mothers, doesn’t he?” Rarity marveled as Twilight and her son trotted closer. His coat was a light indigo while his mane was purple with a magenta streak. His mane didn’t flow on the breeze like Luna’s, but it did have small bits of sparkles dotted about like starlight. His eyes were the same purple as Twilight’s and his cutie mark was of a quill pen drawing out the moon and stars.
Dusk Note narrowed his eyes, raised his hoof and spoke boldly, “Good morn mine dear cousin and aunt! Art, thou faring well this fine day?”
Rarity cocked a brow at the colt’s darn near perfect impression of the Princess of the Night. Everything from the timbre to his inflections were spot on.
Lolite laughed, “Ha, ha, ha, ha! Dusky, that was your best aunt Luna yet!”
Dusk Note’s serious mask broke and he laughed alongside his cousin, “Thanks! I’ve been working really hard on it! I’ve gotten a lot better, right mom?”
Twilight chuckled and nuzzled her son. “I could hardly tell the difference. Told you practice makes perfect. Now go on, you two. Don’t want to be late.”
“Ok, bye mom!”
Lolite hugged Rarity. “Bye mommy! See you after school!”
Rarity returned the hug. “See you after school sweetheart.”
The two foals broke away from their mothers and chatted amongst themselves as they passed the threshold into the school house.
“Alright, ready to go Rarity?” Twilight inquired. “We got lots of work to do today.”
“Yes, let’s be on our way darling. By the by, how’s Luna doing today?”
Twilight giggled, “Well, you know Luna. As soon as Heaths Warming season starts, she’s down at the post office helping out however she can. I still don’t get it, but she adores the process.”
Rarity smirked. “Luna fascinated by the power of bureaucracy? Why I dare say she’s a mare after your own heart.”
Twilight blushed. “Heh, just one more thing I love about her.”
A brisk wind blew and tickled Rarity’s cheeks as she and Twilight continued their walk to the School of Friendship. She glanced up at Twilight who was nose deep in a checklist and mumbling about budgets, expenses, and lesson plans, yet despite how involved she was, the princess was still somehow able to avoid potholes, low hanging branches and signs. Either this was another perk to being an alicorn, or Twilight was just the ultimate multitasker.
All of a sudden, Rarity’s senses were overcome with a kind of nostalgia. Strange, she thought to herself. For some reason, I feel as if I’ve done this before. Rarity noticed the sign to the joke and novelty store had rusty hinges and felt like they’ve been that way for some time, with the feeling that she’s told the owner about it previously. She and Twilight both narrowly avoided Pumpkin and Pound Cake’s cart making their morning rounds, somehow knowing that they were running late. Then the sound of soft classical music began to flow from one of the houses on the street and Rarity knew that it was Octavia Melody practicing with her chamber orchestra for the Hearths Warming pageant.
“Um, Twilight?”
Twilight pulled her nose out of her scrolls. “Hm? Oh, yes Rarity?”
“Twilight, I’m curious. May I… ask you a question?”
Twilight rolled her paperwork back into her saddlebag. “Of course, you can Rarity! What are friends for? Or in-laws for that matter. So, what can I help you with?”
“W-well…” Rarity wrestled with her words for a moment. “Do… you ever wonder how you got to where you are?”
Twilight tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is… recently I’ve been thinking… about what has happened to my life and how in Equestria did I arrive here?”
Twilight couldn’t mask her concern. “A-are you and Spike having trouble!? Because if you are, there’s counseling and-!”
Rarity quickly waved a hoof. “Oh, no, no, no! It’s nothing like that! Spike and I are fine! Really! It’s just…” Rarity chose her next words very carefully. “Sometimes… I feel as if… I’m living somepony else’s life. I wake in the morning and the first thing I see is Spike. And when I see, um, my foals, I just wonder how I was able to follow my passion and have a family.”
Twilight seemed to release the breath she was holding. “Oooh, it’s one of those questions.”
“I know it all sounds rather silly.”
Twilight shook her head. “No, not at all. I think that’s completely normal. In fact, I have those same thoughts sometimes.”
“Really?”
“Of course,” Twilight took a deep breath of the frosty air as she adjusted her earmuffs. “Every night I go to bed, and I’m wrapped up in Luna’s wings, I say to myself, ‘how did I get so lucky?’ Being able to attend Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, becoming and alicorn princess, opening a school to teach the values of friendship, those achievements are nothing compared to the friends I’ve made and the pony I fell in love with. Heck, I never in a million lifetimes would’ve thought that Luna felt the same way towards me. I was just so darn scared of what she’d think of me… but that’s when you helped me out.”
“I helped you?”
“Well yeah, don’t you remember? You told me to, ‘trust your heart and take a risk darling, because if you don’t, you just might lose the best thing in your life.’ I’ll never forget how much your words inspired me that day and when I took that risk and Luna returned my feelings, it was magical-“ Twilight absentmindedly brushed her hoof against her midsection. “-and then… Dusk Note came into our lives. I never dreamed about what it was like to be a mother. I mean, I did help raise Spike, but this was different. A little tiny creature that’s one-part me and one-part Luna. I loved him from the moment the doctors told me the news. But I don’t need to explain that to you. You know what it’s like.”
“Yes, I… I suppose I do.”
“But as tiring as being headmare, a princess, a wife and mother can be, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I guess you could say it’s love that supports me and reminds me that I’m the luckiest mare in Equestria.”
Rarity smiled. “Yes. That could very well be the secret. Thank you for indulging in my quandary Twilight.”
Twilight playfully nudged her sister in-law. “Well thank you for listening to my ramblings.”
The pair shared a good natured, uplifting laugh as the school of Friendship came into view. As confusing and fantastic as this world may be, Rarity was grateful to have the support of a dear friend and the love of her family.
Rarity was looking forward to this all day. After a hectic beginning, middle and end teaching at the School of Friendship and playing with Lolite and Cobalt, Rarity wanted nothing more than to sit and enjoy the meal Spike prepared for the evening. It was a wonder in and of itself that Rarity wasn’t heavier with how good a chef Spike was.
“So Lolite,” Spike inquired as he placed the last of the dishes on the dinner table. “How was school today?”
Lolite swallowed her broiled asparagus. “It was fun! We made Hearths Warming cards. I made one for Dusky, Sky Splitter, Fuji, Cherry, you, mommy and Cobalt.”
Spike chuckled, “I saw it on the fridge. That was really nice of you sweetheart.”
“You’re welcome daddy! I made a card for Jinx too; I’ll give it to her next time we play. I can’t wait till Jinx can go to school.”
Rarity scooped a spoonful of mush and gave Cobalt a taste. “Soon Lolite. Mrs. Fluttershy said Jinx will be able to go to school starting the new year.”
Lolite threw her hooves in the air. “Yay! School with Jinx!”
“Manner’s darling.”
Lolite lowered her hooves. “Sorry mommy. Also, Fuji was acting weird again. When I gave him, his Hearths Warming card, he started stuttering again and his mane caught on fire.”
Rarity nearly chocked on her rice pilaf. “You set his mane on fire?”
Lolite rolled her eyes. “No mommy. Fuji did himself. He said it was a Kirin thing. But Sky and Dusky were teasing him about it for the rest of the day and Fuji was still stuttering every time I saw him. Daddy? What were they teasing Fuji about?”
Spike felt his daughter’s eyes on him as he slowly chewed his sauteed emeralds. “Uh, well, um. I think it was… um… because… uh, Rarity how was work today?”
Rarity noted that she’d answer Lolite’s question after dinner. “Quite the challenge Spiky. Having to balance review topics and projects was downright exhausting. But finals are in a few days, so nothing I can’t handle. How was Cobalt? Did he give you any trouble?”
Spike rubbed his neck sheepishly. “Ehh, not too much trouble. He’s still being fussy when I feed him, but at least he takes his naps when you’re not around. Thank Celestia for small miracles,” he chuckled.
“Now Cobalt,” Rarity said to the little colt. “You shouldn’t be giving your father any trouble. What if…“ Rarity froze as she killed off the next words threatening to pass her lips. The words that tied her to this haunting feeling that’s been with her from the first day in this strange reality and something Rarity tried to push back and ignore every day since.
What if I wasn’t here…
“Rares?”
“Hm? Yes Spike?”
“Is everything alright honey?”
Rarity’s heart fluttered. Spike was so concerned for her that even the slightest discomfort worried him. It was moments like this where she mentally kicked herself because her Spike would do the same thing, but she just brushed it off as him being a good friend. But it wasn’t just that he was a good friend, it was because he loved her more than anything.
Rarity cleared her throat. “Um, nothing. Everything’s fine Spiky. I just… had an idea is all.-“ Rarity passed Cobalt’s spoon to Spike and moved the foal’s high chair so he was facing his father. “-Try feeding him.”
Spike flinched. “W-what? You mean, right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
Spike scooped some of the green mush. “Uh, o-ok. Open wide Cobalt.”
As the spoon moved closer to Cobalt’s lips, the colt kept his mouth firmly shut as he let out a few whines and pulled away. Spike sighed, “See? Fussy, just like always.”
“Let me see,-“ Rarity got up from her seat and stood behind Spike. “-try again darling.”
Spike shrugged but figured his wife was on to something so he tried his claw at feeding Cobalt. Again, the colt pulled away.
“Cobalt!” Rarity sang from behind her husband. Cobalt turned his attention to his mother and when Rarity was sure that the baby was focused on her, she opened her mouth and made a biting motion. Cobalt tilted his head as he watched Rarity open and close her mouth again. A little bulb turned on and Cobalt opened his mouth, Spike saw his chance and placed the spoon in his son’s mouth.
Spike was dumbstruck. “Hey… hey I-I fed him! I actually fed him!”
“Do it again darling.”
Spike wasted no time in scooping up another helping of mush and Cobalt happily ate it as he giggled at Rarity’s attempt to eat the air. Soon all of Cobalt’s dinner was eaten and gone, except for the green goo that was smeared on his face and hoof-claws.
“I don’t believe it,” Spike said in amazement. “Cobalt’s never been this good. Rarity, how’d you know that’d work?”
Rarity giggled, “I didn’t. I just had a hunch darling, nothing more. But now, perhaps with a bit more training you’ll be able to feed him without any trouble.”
Rarity’s curiosity began to itch after dinner. While Spike was off giving Cobalt a bath and tucking the kids in, she decided to dig a bit deeper into her history. As she browsed over her bookshelf, she finally came across a very familiar looking tome.
“Ah, ha! There you are!” Rarity pulled out a white book with a worn spine, a few nicks at the edges and with the faded image of her cutie mark on the cover, this book has been with her for quite some time. Rarity trotted back to her bed and made herself comfortable before opening the book.
“I was hoping I still had my diary. Now, let’s see what I can gather about myself.” Rarity flipped through the pages, skimming along till something of interest caught her eye.
Dear diary, Spike surprised me today. He brought me flowers and a stunning necklace. I was so shocked by this sudden display that I couldn’t find the right words. Eventually I asked him what this was all for, and it turned out it was our anniversary and I completely forgot. I felt absolutely dreadful and when I saw the hurt on Spike’s face, my heart broke and was scattered to the wind. I swore to make it up to him and after a bit of planning, I was able to salvage the day with dinner at the Platinum Stable. I can’t even begin to tell you how many strings I had to pull to get a table, but it was worth it. Note to self: no large orders before our anniversary from this day forward. Rarity felt her chest ache. Even though she didn’t hurt Spike, she still felt the pain and guilt that was being written on the page as if she had done it herself. She decided to flip ahead a bit more and stopped.
Dear diary, I woke up feeling ill again. This is the fourth morning in a row and I can’t seem to figure the cause of it. At first, I thought it was something I ate, but Spike and I have been eating the same food for days, so it couldn’t have been that. Granted with all the hot peppers he eats from Autumn Blaze, I’m convinced that Spike has a stomach of pure iron, but that’s beside the point. Then I thought I caught something from somepony, but I don’t have a fever. And to top it all off I’ve been rather short and moody with ponies lately, snapping at them without much provocation. This is very strange and rather worrisome. Spike wants me to see a doctor and while I was adamant at first, I’m beginning to wonder if he has a point. I’m sure I’m fine, but if it will help Spike sleep soundly and stop this unpleasant nausea and rude awakenings, I’ll make the appointment and see a doctor. Rarity was curious as to what the next page had in store for her and wasted no time in flipping ahead. But it was strange, Rarity could almost remember those days when she was sick and the worry that crossed her mind during those confusing couple of days.
Dear diary, I have the most incredible, exciting, and wonderful news to share with you! I’m expecting! The doctor confirmed it this morning and I’ve been crying tears of joy ever since. I had to keep fixing my makeup all day. I told Twilight and Luna first, I know I should’ve told Spike first, after all the father does have a right to know, but I’m ashamed to say I had a touch of nerves. Twilight was thrilled, not just because she’ll have a nephew or another niece, but because, ever the scholar, she was excited and eager to learn more about my pregnancy since she had no idea that dragons and ponies could even have babies. Despite her theory on how the Kirin came to be, but I digress.
I wanted to surprise Spike, so I prepared a lovely and romantic dinner for the two of us and afterwards I sat him down on the couch and I told him the news. Oh diary, I haven’t seen Spike this happy since our wedding day. He hooted, cried, held me tight and spun me about while planting kisses all over my face. Then after the excitement wore off, the weight of what I told him finally set in and he fainted right there on the couch. Celestia knows I can’t carry him up the stairs, besides I’m not supposed to do any heavy lifting in my condition, so I left him downstairs and decided to share the news with you. I’m sure he’ll come to eventually. Actually, I think I’ll go check on him again. We have so much to discuss! I’m just oh so excited to be a mother! A tear dropped and stained the current page. Rarity… was crying? Reading the words on the pages, the mare felt a surge of emotions, her heart boiling over. She sounded so happy, so much unbridled joy and Rarity could feel it resonating in her like the chime of a bell. But there was something more than that, there was an odd feeling of familiarity as Rarity read the events described, like brushing against something in the dark. She also couldn’t help but feel totally envious of that Rarity, the one who was blessed with a child, and the start of a family. Rarity’s hoof unconsciously moved to her belly as her mind tried desperately to grapple with the slew of emotions and desires churning like a stormy sea. She wiped her tears away and calmed her breath.
Suddenly, Spike slipped into the room and closed the door behind him, making sure not to make even the slightest click. His eyes were hooked onto the snow-white mare and he grew a mischievous smirk. “Hey Rares,” he said huskily. “the kids are asleep.”
Rarity looked up from her diary. “Hm? What was that darling?”
“I said,”- Spike sauntered over and crawled onto the bed, eyes hungry like a wolf. –“the kids. Are. Asleep.”
Rarity finally put the pieces together and her pulse began to race higher than ever before as her cheeks flared red. “W-wait, Spiky! I-I don’t, I mean I’m fairly tired, perhaps we shouldn’t- mmph!”
Spike’s lips pressed against Rarity’s as his claws gently raked her mane and trailed down the back of her neck. Rarity’s brain was going haywire as Spike continued his passionate onslaught. On instinct, Rarity placed her hooves on his chest and was ready to put those self-defense classes to good use. But she was losing herself more and more as Spike barely gave Rarity a chance to breath.
Wait, is that… his tongue!? It’s so… I didn’t know it could… oh my… Rarity slowly snaked her hooves around Spike’s neck and threw herself into the kiss. It was one of, no, this was the most incredible kiss she’s ever received. So much love and passion were felt and the mare’s heart melted and gave in to the fire burning within her. Spike’s lips weren’t exactly soft, but there was a delightful smoothness that Rarity enjoyed and when she brushed against his sharp teeth, she couldn’t deny the thrill trailing down her spine as she quivered and hooked her back leg with Spike’s and pressed herself closer to the dragon. Finally, after what felt like hours, the two pulled away for some much needed air. As they gasped and panted, Rarity beheld the drake before her. His scales, his jawline, but most of all his eyes. Those deep, beautiful green eyes were enough to get lost in and never find her way out.
“Handsome…” Rarity murmured.
Spike raised a brow. “Huh?”
“You’re so… handsome. I don’t think I’ve ever told you enough, but you are about the most handsome creature in Equestria.”
Spike chuckled, “Geez, Rarity. You don’t have to butter me up so much, we’re already married.-“ Spike gave Rarity a quick peck on the lips. “-But thank you. Oh wait! I got something special for us. I’ll be right back.”
Spike jumped off the bed and quickly slid out the door. Rarity’s heart rate was finally beginning to even out as she came off her cloud. Was she really going to go through with this? She wanted to. Sweet Celestia she wanted to. She was burning for Spike, but was this the right thing to do? Spike’s a married drake, married to her, but not to Rarity. But she was still a Rarity, did it really count as homewrecking if you’re still the pony that he’s technically married to? And what of the Spike from her world? Was she just going to abandon him for this Spike? Rarity’s head was spinning in more ways than one as she weighed her choices, the fact that she was even thinking about it filled her with a sense of betrayal.
Spike returned a few minutes later, clutching a wine bottle in one claw and two glasses in the other. “I was able to get my claws on your favorite Canterlot merlot,” he said in the most debonair voice he could muster. “And I’ve been saving it for…” All the wind left Spike’s sails as he noticed his wife was curled up under the covers, sound asleep. The dragon sighed, “another time.”
He set the wine and the glasses on the dresser and tiptoed to the bed. He pulled back the covers, turned off the lamp and wrapped his arm around his wife. “Guess today reallywiped you out, huh? Goodnight, Rarity. I love you.”
He kissed her forehead and snuggled into bed. A few minutes of peaceful slumber later, as the soft sound of Spike’s snoring could be heard, Rarity cracked her eye open and slowly inched herself closer to the sleeping dragon. She nuzzled his chest and took comfort in his scent and the heat gently radiating off his body. It wasn’t long before Rarity was lulled to sleep, wrapped in the embrace of the drake she loved.
“It was a moment of weakness,” Rarity said as she scrubbed Cobalt’s back. “I didn’t know what I was doing. He caught me by surprise.”
Cobalt squealed and splashed his little hoof-claws causing the rubber ducky in the tub to bob up and down beneath the waves.
“But that doesn’t excuse my actions… I mean… I did return the kiss.” Rarity took the sponge in her magic and began to wash Cobalt’s little legs and making sure to get into the little crevasses of his claws. “I suppose I was just… overwhelmed? It was the heat of the moment, that’s all.”
Cobalt giggled as his mother was scrubbing away at his ticklish spots and flailed his free limbs.
“He’s so handsome. So romantic. So, caring. I’ve never been with anypony like him before. I clearly took my poor Spiky for granted. I had no idea his feelings… his attraction for me was so strong.”- Rarity’s magic grabbed a small bottle of baby shampoo and proceeded to squeeze a dollop on her hoof and began to was the little colt’s mane. “No. That’s a lie, I’ve known for quite some time. I’m such a fool. A blind and ignorant fool that ignored her own heart while hurting another’s.”
Cobalt hummed in delight as Rarity massaged his scalp and waggled his tail, making ripples in the water.
“Well, not much I can do about this now. I’ll just have to keep my hooves off of this Spike for the time being. I, Rarity, shan’t be known as a homewrecking jezebel. Not here, or any other Equestria!”
Bubbles from Cobalt’s head drifted down to his little nose. The foal’s face scrunched up and he let loose a fiery sneeze; reheating the tub.
“Oh, dear. I’m sorry Cobalt. I think bath time is over now.” Rarity poured the heated water over the foal’s head and washed away the suds. She lifted Cobalt out of the tub and wrapped him in a fluffy towel. “How somepony can get so dirty after breakfast is beyond me,” Rarity chuckled as she rubbed Cobalt down. “Well now you’re squeaky clean. Let’s see how long you stay that way, hm?”
Cobalt wiggled under the towel and laughed in nonsensical baby talk. He poked his little head out of his cotton cocoon. “Ma!”
Rarity’s eyes widened. “What was that darling?”
Cobalt giggled, “Mama!”
“Oh, my goodness!” Rarity gasped. “Say it again, Cobalt! Say ‘mama’!”
Cobalt clapped his little hooves. “Mama! Mama! Mama!”
Rarity pulled the foal in for a hug. “Oh Cobalt! Your first word! I’m so proud of you! Wait until your father gets home, he’ll be ecstatic, I’m sure!” Rarity gave Cobalt loving nuzzles and kissed his head. Perhaps it was more of Eris’s trickery at work, but Rarity couldn’t help but feel overjoyed at the milestone her son just reached. But whether it was trickery or genuine, Rarity still felt a mother’s pride and joy at her little foal saying his first word.
“Mama…” Rarity mulled over. “Yes, I think I can get used to that.”
The whir and hum of Rarity’s sewing machine softly resonated throughout her workroom as her laser focus honed in on completing the last remaining order forms for the holiday season. She pulled the dress off and set it on one of her ponequins, and with needle and thread, attached the buttons, lace, and adjusted the trim. Rarity breathed a sigh and took a moment to drink in her creation. “And that’s that!” she trotted over to her desk and removed the last form from the “in” box, and with a swift red stamp signifying her completion, moved it into the “out” box.
Rarity took a kerchief and patted her forehead. “There! All caught up till after the New Year. This calls for a celebration!” Rarity’s first thought was to grab a bottle of wine and curl up on the couch with a glass and a good book. But something else tugged at her mind as she gazed at the picture of her family on her work desk. And a question began to scratch at the back of her mind. How did she get to this point? Not how Eris brought her to this world, but how Rarity and Spike became an item and eventually led to her having a family. A quandary that’s occupied her thoughts even more than whether or not she birthed her foals or laid eggs. Then a thought occurred.
“My diary!” Rarity exclaimed. “Of course, I can just go peruse my entries and see how I ended up here!” Rarity took off towards her bedroom and wasted no time in plucking the worn book from the shelf. She found the previous entries she read and flipped the pages to an earlier date.
“Now, all I have to do is see the build-up to my and Spike’s relationship, and I’ll finally know how… what the hay?!” The page Rarity stopped on was entirely different to the pages prior. For one thing, there weren’t any words written on them and for another it was just a drawing of Discord with a talon extended. Rarity turned ahead to see if any other pages could give her a clue but was met with more pictures of Discord. And at the speed she was going she could see Discord wagging his talon and could practically hear him tutting, “Uh, uh, uh!”
Rarity slammed the book shut in a huff and tossed it aside, mumbling some very colorful language describing what she’ll do to the wily god the next time she’s alone in a room with him. She decided then and there to just pick another book to study from. “Let’s see, I don’t think I’ve looked through this one yet.” Rarity’s magic grabbed a photo album and inspected the cover. It was very ornate, with shimmering purples and greens with a textured feel. A pair of amethysts cut in the shape of bells hung beneath letters, proudly spelling out the words-
“Spike and Rarity’s wedding?” the mare read aloud. “This is… their wedding album?” Rarity motioned to place the book back on the shelf, she felt wrong for looking at it. Like she was prying into something sacred and precious. Rarity then slowly pulled the book back to her. “Well… it’s technically my wedding album.”
With her conscious cleared, Rarity opened the book and the first page left her speechless. It was her, wearing the most splendid wedding dress she’s ever set eyes on. Sequins adorned the front of the dress, not too much to be gaudy, but not so little that it went unnoticed. The sleeves were a lovely cream color, with two straps around her shoulders and a long train that was decorated with small purple roses. Rarity could see her work in every seam of the dress. And Spike looked so dashing in his suit. Traditional black, with a green bowtie and a purple vest. Rarity could feel pink in her cheeks as she gazed lovingly at the picture of her groom.
She turned the page and the next photos were of the ceremony, what she assumed were their vows, the rings, Rarity jumping into Spike’s arms and their kiss that sealed the ceremony. The next pages were photos of the reception, Rarity chuckled as it seems Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but be in the background of almost every picture, either launching confetti, refilling the punch bowl, or running food out to tables. Then Rarity came to the pictures of her and Spike’s first dance as husband and wife. Their love radiating through the film’s gloss.
Rarity placed the album back on the shelf, but not before taking notice of another peculiar book. Pink and decorated with… a rattle? The first photo was of Rarity, standing before a mirror and looking rather plump, at least an extra ten pounds. But it didn’t seem to bother her. In fact, the Rarity in the photo was beaming with pure happiness. Another photo was of her with a huge bowl of ice cream, peppers, curry rice, hay bacon and tofu, looking quite irate and throwing a pillow at whoever was behind the camera. Though there was a very good chance it was Spike. The next one was of the snow-colored mare napping on one of her chaise lounges and she looked considerably bigger than in her last few photos.
Rarity read on, every so often she noticed the Rarity in the photos was getting bigger and bigger, culminating to the photo that stole Rarity’s breath away. She was lying in a bed and looked like she ran the iron pony triathlon. She was sweaty, exhausted, and ragged. But she had the most tranquil look in her eyes as she gazed down at the little bundle nestled in her hooves, a small tuft of purple and green hair was poking out of the pink blanket.
“I… look so happy…” Rarity placed a hoof on the photo and smiled. “Well, I suppose now I know that I didn’t lay an egg.” She giggled a bit at that thought.
Rarity turned the page and every picture was of Lolite with little notes scribbled underneath, like, “Lolite’s first bath,” “Lolite’s first feeding,” with a note informing the reader to burp her at your own risk. Another photo of Lolite napping on a big fluffy rug by the fireplace and another of her breathing fire with a proud Spike cheering in the background. And a few photos of Lolite and her mother doodling and designing together. Rarity couldn’t help but feel envious and just a bit melancholic. So many moments that she didn’t get to experience, so many milestones in Lolite’s life that she wasn’t there to celebrate.
Rarity sighed, “Lolite is such a special little filly. So much like her mother… so much like me.” Just then, she had an idea and a twinge of excitement. Perhaps she should have some quality mother daughter time with her foal. After all, if Rarity missed out on past experiences, she’ll just have to make new ones, and she had the perfect idea. Eager to set her plan into motion, Rarity set the album down and trotted off to find Lolite.
Rarity stopped at the door with a little pink sign reading, “Lolite’s Lovely Suite” written out in script. She rapped her hoof on the door. “Lolite? Darling are you in there? May I come in?”
“Yeah!” the filly called out.
Rarity stepped into her daughter’s room and was still amazed at how well kept and tidy everything was. The bed was perfectly made, books in neatly placed rows. On the wall across from her bed was a large cork board with drawings tacked on. They were of dresses, gems, Rarity, Spike, Cobalt, Lolite herself and whatever else came across a young filly’s mind to stick up on the board, including a few photos of herself and her friends. Rarity couldn’t help but notice Lolite and Jinx dressed up for Nightmare Night in one, and Lolite with Dusk Note at the Crystal Empire in another.
Said Filly was over by her toy chest, a few dolls were nestled around her as they watched Lolite drag her crayons across her paper with laser focus, the same meticulous way Rarity goes about her sewing.
“Oh my,” Rarity said in exaggerated awe. “what is that you’re drawing dear?”
“It’s mommy, and she’s kicking butt on her secret mission.” With another quick swipe across the page, Lolite set her crayons down and held up the picture for Rarity to see. It was of her mother, wearing a black suit and dark glasses and she was swinging from a grappling hook and performing a flying kick to a manticore’s head.
Rarity giggled, “Well she certainly is. I dare say it’ll take more than just a manticore to stop your mommy.”
Lolite gasped, “You mean she might be fighting a hydra? Or a roc? Or- or a huuuuuuge sea-serpent?”
“Perhaps, but I know for a fact that your mommy has faced far worse challenges than that.”
“Did you and mommy go on secret missions together?”
“Well, let’s just say I’m familiar with her work.”
“Wow! That’s so cool. Oh, was there something you needed wrong mommy?”
That title still didn’t sit well with Rarity. “Erm, well. I was just thinking, since we’re both free right now, why don’t we go and see the decorations in town? Just the two of us.”
Lolite’s eyes sparkled. “Oooh! That sounds like fun! I’ve been wanting to see the decorations for a real, long time. And Mrs. Pinkie has her special treats for the holidays. Let’s go wrong mommy!”
“Um, Lolite, darling, what did we talk about in regards to that name?”
“Not to say it around other creatures?”
“Very good. Remember, as far as everypony is concerned, I’m your mommy.”
“Mhmm, until mommy gets back from her mission.”
Rarity nodded. “That’s right. Now, find something warm to wear and we’ll be on our way.”
The town was bustling with activity as ponies set up multicolored, twinkling lights and festive banners. Window displays spruced up and exhibiting their finest wares and offers of holiday bargains and promotions. The open-air market was getting into the spirit as well. The flower stand selling special holly wreaths and mistletoe. Hoofcrafted toys and nutcrackers at another, booths selling tinsel, ornaments, cinnamon scented pinecones, and raffles with elaborate and wonderfully arranged gift baskets as prizes. Lolite looked over the swell of the season in awe, the filly took a long, drawn-out smell and sighed contently.
“I love this time of year!” Lolite said prancing in place. “It smells so nice and there’s so many pretty lights! Do you like this time of year too wr- um, mommy?”
Rarity smiled as she tucked her blue scarf a little more snuggly. “I certainly do. I’ve loved it ever since I can remember. The warmth from everypony you meet, the feeling of togetherness and spending precious moments with family and friends alike.”
“And presents!” Lolite chirped. “Don’t forget about the presents!”
“Yes, yes, of course the presents as well,” Rarity hummed. “I remember receiving such wonderful gifts, like my first pair of fabric shears and such wonderful fabrics. Now, where would you like to go first Lolite?”
“Sugarcube Corner for sure! Mrs. Pinkie always makes her super special extra ooey gooey fresh and scrumptious cinnamon buns for Hearths Warming!”
“Very well, let’s get some cinnamon buns.”
As soon as Rarity gave the ok, Lolite wasted no time in running towards Sugarcube Corner. As soon as the sweet looking building came into view, the snow on the roof resembling delicious looking frosting, she took off like a rocket, following a delightful scent that carried on the chilled wind. Rarity for her part did well in keeping up with the excited filly. Celestia knows how such a small creature could move so fast. By the time she actually came to the entrance of Ponyville’s number one stop for sweets and treats, Rarity was doing her best to catch her breath as an eager Lolite with starry eyes hopped up and down in anticipation of her desired buns.
“We’re here!” she said.
Rarity took one last deep breath. “So, we are. But Lolite, you can’t just run away from me like that. What would your mother say if I had lost you?”
Lolite’s excitement wilted. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just really want cinnamon buns.”
Rarity softly patted the filly’s head. “That’s alright, darling. Now, why don’t we go inside? Hmm?”
“Yeah!”
As soon as the mother daughter duo entered, the sweet smell greeted them along with a multitude of bright and cheery gift boxes and an array of baked goods, their glaze and frosting catching the light in such a way that one would think they were prepared for a photoshoot.
“Woooowwwwwww!” Lolite smacked her lips. “It all looks so good!”
Rarity chcukled, “It does, doesn’t it? But I think we should stick with the cinnamon buns for now. If we sampled everything here, we’d have the worst tummy ache of our lives.”
Pinkie Pie took this as her cue to burst out of one of the display boxes with a flourish of confetti. “Diiiid somepony say, ‘cinnamon buns’?”
Lolite waved her hoof. “Hiya Mrs. Pinkie!”
“Good afternoon, Pinkie,” Rarity greeted. “and how are you this fine day?”
“Okilly dokilly loki!” Pinkie sang. “We’ve been busy all morning with baking orders, and that’s great! Cause that means everypony will be enjoying some delicious yummy in their tummies, like snickerdoodles, strudel, cupcakes, devil’s food cake, angel food cake, upside down cake, eclairs, cannoli, macaroons, macrons, melon bread, shortbread cookies, sugar cookies, coconut cream pies, shoofly pies, bread pudding, banana pudding and well, a whole lotta stuff too! Ahh, seeing those smiling faces always puts me in the Hearth’s Warming mood. Oh right, you’re here for my super special extra ooey gooey fresh and scrumptious cinnamon buns, right?”
Lolite nodded. “Mhmm! They’re the best in all of Equestria!”
“Well, what the hay are we waiting for?!” Pinkie bounced on her tail towards the ceiling and rose up from behind the counter. “Two cinnamon buns coming up!”
Rarity did a double take of the ceiling and the counter and wondered where Pinkie learned that trick.
“Heeeeeeey Cherry!” Pinkie called out.
A filly popped out of one of the display boxes on the counter. She had a curly red mane and a yellow coat with a cutie mark of a present tied to a balloon. “Heeeeeeey mommy!” the filly chimed.
“We need two super special extra ooey gooey fresh and scrumptious cinnamon buns!”
“Two super special extra ooey gooey fresh and scrumptious cinnamon buns for my good friend Lolite and Mrs. Rarity coming right up!” the filly jumped back in the box and a few seconds later came trotting out of the kitchen with two plated, freshly baked buns balanced on her head. Its glaze rolling down the sides as a gentle steam rose up.
It was at that moment that Rarity decided not to question how or why Pinkie’s foal could also bend the rules of reality and chalked it up to it being hereditary.
Lolite was in awe as she sucked back some of her drool. “Oh boy! I’ve been looking forward to this for ages! Thanks Cherry!”
Cherry bounced the plate off her head and onto her hoof before passing it to Lolite and Rarity. “No problem Lolite! Nothing I like more than seeing my friends happy. I hope you like it.”
“Lolite, what do we say to Mrs. Pinkie?” Rarity asked.
“How much do I owe you?” Lolite asked Pinkie.
“N-no dear, not that. The other thing.”
“Oh! Thank you, Mrs. Pinkie.”
Pinkie giggled, “You’re welcome! We’ve got plenty to go around, so don’t be shy if you want more!”
Lolite’s eyes grew to the size of moons. “Really?”
“Absolutely not,” Rarity said flatly.
Rarity and Lolite continued their stroll through town as the filly held her treat in her magic and was busy taking bite after bite of its ooey gooey goodness.
“I take it that you’re satisfied with your cinnamon bun, darling?”
“Mhmm!” Lolite finished chewing and swallowed. “It’s sooo yummy!” she took one last bite and sighed. “All gone! Can we go back for another?”
“No Lolite, you’ll spoil your dinner.” Rarity stopped in her tracks as she got a good look at her daughter. Her whole face was covered in frosting and cinnamon sugar. “Oh dear,” Rarity groaned. “Hold still darling.” Rarity took a handkerchief and dabbed it in some dirt-free snow. She tilted Lolite’s head in her hoof and used the kerchief to clean up her daughter’s face.
“AHHH!” Lolite cried out. “COLD!”
“Bare with me darling,” Rarity said as she scrubbed away everything sweet and sticky. “I need to clean you up. You look like you dove headfirst into a sugar bowl.”
Some more dabs of snow and rubs later, Lolite’s face was free of all things sugary. Rarity smiled at a job well done.” There we are, nice and clean.”
“Ugh, now my face feels all cold!” Lolite whined. “Can we go and get some hot cider?”
“Hot cider?”
“Yeah, Mrs. Applejack’s cart always has hot cider. She should be around here somewhere.”
“Well, I suppose it couldn’t hurt. And you’d be well to have something warm to drink.”
“Woohoo! Cider time!” Lolite cheered.
Rarity tracked the farm pony’s cart in no time, since she’s had the same space at the open-air market for years. Applejack was busy exchanging money with ponies while her wife Autumn Blaze was pouring piping hot mugs of cider from a bubbling cauldron and passing them out to the paying patrons.
“Hot cider!” Applejack called out to the crowd. “Git yer hot cider ‘ere! Nothin’ warms them bones like Apple family cider! Thank ye kindly, happy Hearth’s Warming. Git yer cider!”
“No cider like it in all of Equestria!” Autumn called out as her magic rounded up another batch of mugs and began to pour. “No coat? No hat? No problem! Apple family cider will give you all the warmth you need!”
“Nice sales pitch shuga.” Applejack winked at her wife.
Autumn gave Applejack a knowing smile. “Well, I did learn from the best salespony around.”
Applejack turned her attention to a familiar face and tipped her hat. “Well, howdy there Rarity! And howdy to you too Lolite, what can Ah do fer y’all?”
“Good day Applejack, Autumn,” Rarity greeted. “We’d like some hot cider if you please.”
“I’m cold cause mommy shoved snow in my face,” Lolite said casually.
“I did no such thing!” Rarity rebuked. “I was using the snow to clean your face, Lolite.”
Applejack chuckled, “Ah take it y’all had a run in with Pinkie and ‘er cinnamon buns.”
“How’d you guess?”
“Mah lil’ Fuji’s the same way. Feller gets his hooves on one of them buns and the next thing Ah know, he’s got frosting all over the dang place. Speakin’ o’ which, where is Fuji?”
“Right here ma!” a colt weaved in and out of the traffic and nearly tripped over somepony’s dog. He trotted up to Applejack and gave her a quick hug before undoing a knot and bundles of firewood dropped to the ground. He had a mane and tail of blond like Applejack with a longer dock like Autumn. He had a rust-colored coat and a red bandana wrapped around his neck. He had green scales on his back and the bridge of his muzzle and matching cloven-hooves. “I thought we could use more firewood, so I asked Mr. Burnt Oak for some.”
“We got plenty of firewood Fuji. Ain’t no reason te bother Burnt Oak fer more.”
Fuji rubbed his neck sheepishly. “I know, I know. But I thought maybe some hickory smoke would help add a bit more flavor to the cider.”
“That’s my boy,” Autumn said as she nuzzled her son. “Always putting that brain of yours to helping with recipes. What do you think AJ?”
Applejack shrugged, it was really hard to be upset at her little colt, especially when Autumn backs him up. “Well, Ah s’ppose it is a good idea. Nice work Fuji, but don’t make this wanderin’ off thing a habit, we need all hooves at the ready fer when it gits busy. Now, how ‘bout you help yer mother out in getting Mrs. Rarity and Lolite some cider?”
Fuji tensed up; only now did he realize that he recognized the customers his mothers were talking to. He leaned back and tried to gulp his nerves down. “L-Lolite! Um, h-howdy there Lolite!” the colt looked like he was mentally kicking himself for saying her name twice.
“Hiya Fuji!” Lolite said cheerily. “How are you doing?”
Fuji smiled nervously. “Great! Great Ah’m doin’ great! ‘Bout as great as a pony can be, which is great! Ha, ha, ha!”
“Uh, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “Yer mane’s on fire.”
Fuji noticed the crackling from his burning mane. “AH!” He plunged his head in a snowbank, dosing the fire. He pulled his head out and Rarity was envious to see not a single hair on his head was missing or scorched.
Lucky devil
A bout of snickers was heard overhead as a pegasus colt watched the drama unfold. He had a cyan coat and a dark blue mane with a streak of yellow. He called out in a raspy voice, “Hey Fuji! Why don’cha just tell Lolite that you- WOAH!” The colt dodged a flurry of snowballs.
“Git on out of ‘ere Sky Splitter!” Fuji yelled as he continued to hurl snowballs at the retreating colt. Fuji cleared his voice, “So! How about I get you some cider?” the half Kirin made a hasty retreat to the wagon and brought out two mugs on a tray. Autumn’s ladle filled them with the steaming elixir and Fuji presented them to Rarity and Lolite.
“Thank you darling. It smells delightful,” Rarity said as she took in the bouquet of the cider.
“Thanks Fuji!” Lolite sipped her drink. “Mmmm, it’s so tasty! It warms me right up.”
“I’m glad you like it Lolite,” Fuji said with flush cheeks. “I helped ma and mom all morning with it.”
“Well, this cider is a working project,” Autumn said as she ruffled her son’s mane. “We try to improve it every year.”
“Ah think we got a dead ringer this time,” Applejack said proudly. “We’ve been sellin’ it by the barrel all day.”
Rarity took a sip of her cider and soon realized that Applejack wasn’t just bragging, the cider was truly spectacular. Just the right amount of cinnamon and cloves. A nice hint of citrus, and a slightly spicy aftertaste, surely a little secret ingredient from Autumn. Rarity was actually curious how hickory smoke could possibly make this cider any better than it already is.
“You all did a wonderful job! My compliments to the chefs.”
The decorations committee certainly didn’t scrimp out on the Ponyville park. Every tree along every path was wrapped in colored lights with gold and silver tinsel. Ponies were setting up ice blocks for the annual ice sculpture contest and a few others were singing carols. Every so often a light breeze would blow the powder off the tops of the trees and make shimmering wisps in the air.
“Are you feeling better sweetie?” Rarity asked.
“Yep!” Lolite replied. “I’m all nice and warm now. My face was so cold before, I couldn’t even feel it.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “I think you’re slightly exaggerating darling.”
“Nuh-uh! I would’ve froze to death without that cider. Or gotten pneumonia or frostbite.”
“Now I know you’re exaggerating.” Rarity took a moment to admire the fountain at the heart of the park. The water was frozen and from the spouts were arcs of ice, with colored lights shining through, giving it the appearance of a frozen rainbow.
Rarity sighed, “I never tire of seeing how festive Ponyville is this time of year.”
Lolite tilted her head. “Did you grow up here too?”
Rarity bit her tongue. “Um, n-no. I didn’t grow up in Ponyville, but where I grew up was very similar. Almost identical.”
“Oh. I thought that’s how you knew mommy. Where are you from anyway?”
“Hmm…” Rarity tapped her hoof to her chin and tilted her eyes to the sky as if she were trying to remember an important detail. “Well, I could tell you,” Rarity finally said. “But I have to keep my identity a secret too.” She gave Lolite a playful wink.
Lolite’s eyes glittered. “OOOHHH, that’s right! You’re a secret agent too! That makes sense. But, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, you can darling.”
“Why didn’t mommy take her scarf?”
“Her scarf?” Rarity ran a hoof over the knitted blue neck warmer she was wearing. “You mean, thisscarf?”
Lolite nodded. “Mmhmm. Mommy says it’s her most favorite in the whole world. She looks forward to wearing it every year. I was just wondering, why do you have it?”
“W-well… because… I need everypony to think I’m your mother. And what better way to throw off suspicion then to wear your mother’s favorite scarf?”
“Oh, ok. That’s a good idea.”
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. Either she was getting better at lying, or Lolite is more trusting then she originally thought.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise?” came a soft voice from behind Rarity and Lolite. It was Fluttershy, Discord and Jinx perched atop her father’s head, gripping his horns as if she were captain of an oddly built ship.
“Good afternoon Fluttershy,” Rarity greeted. “And to you as well, Discord and Jinx. Out for a family stroll, are we?”
Fluttershy nodded. “Oh yes, I thought it’d be nice to see all of the Hearth’s Warming decorations and-“
“Lolite!” Jinx called out from atop Discord’s noggin.
“Jinx!” Lolite called back.
Jinx jumped off Discord’s head and made a beeline towards the dragon filly, tackling her and the two of them tumbled into a snowbank. Rarity for her part was still reeling and in shock in having seen somepony tackle her daughter, but calmed down when she saw two heads pop out and were laughing uncontrollably. Safe and somewhat sound.
“Lolite? Jinx?” Rarity asked. “Are you ok?”
Lolite rolled her eyes. “Yeah mommy. We’re just playing.”
“Hey Lolite!” Jinx sounded as enthusiastic as a filly could be. “I just learned how to make trees dance! Wanna see?”
“Do I? Let’s go, I saw a lot full of Hearth’s Warming trees!”
Lolite and Jinx took off towards the lot. Fluttershy nervously trotted in place as she watched the kids run away. “Oh dear, oh dear! Um, it’ll be ok, they’re just playing. No need to worry, what could possibly go wrong?”
“That’s right my dear Fluttershy,” Discord said as he comforted his wife. “There’s no need to worry. After all, what’s another fire or snowpony parade going to do? Ooh, maybe Jinx will give the snowponies ice fangs again! She was clever using cherry juice for the blood effect. But I’m sure you’re right, after all, what could possibly go wrong?”
Fluttershy screamed, “Girls! Wait! Don’t do anything without supervision!” as she flew off in the direction as the fillies.
Discord was holding his gut as he laughed hysterically, his body bending and twisting in air with each guffaw. “Sweet Celestia that never gets old!” the wily chaos god said as he wiped a tear from his eye.
“That was rather harsh of you Discord! And to your wife no less,” Rarity scolded.
Discord pulled Rarity in with a paw. “Oh, come on! What’s a little good-natured ribbing between spouses now and then? I’ll have you know that Fluttershy gets her shot at me all the time.”
“Be that as it may, I believe we should go wrangle our daughters before they get into trouble.”
“Kids,” Discord mused nostalgically. “One minute you’re holding their bottle of chocolate milk, the next they’re playing with chaos and creating tap dancing trees. Sunrise, sunset.”
After a rather elaborate song and dance number performed by the newly formed Equestria Arbor Theatre Troupe, and a few hasty apologies from the parents (except Discord who was secretly congratulating Jinx behind his wife’s back) the fillies; under the watchful eyes of Fluttershy, decided to have a snowball fight. Rarity was relaxing on a bench, her hooves still sore from when she was pulled on stage and danced with Pine Kelly, the leader of the Arbor Troupe and she somehow was able to keep up with the more experienced tree. No doubt with help from Jinx’s magic.
“Thank Celestia I don’t have to worry about Lolite using chaos magic,” she groaned.
“My, that’s awfully rude,” came an echoed voice. Then one puff of smoke later, Discord was sitting next to Rarity. “You make it sound like my Jinxie is some sort of troublemaker.”
“Discord, I meant no-“
“And you’d be right!” Discord said with pride. “She’s my precious little troublemaker! She sure makes a father proud.” Discord snapped hie talons and produced two mugs of hot chocolate, with little marsh mellows dotted on the surface. “How about something to warm us up?”
Rarity eyed her drink, and then cocked her brow at Discord. “No tricks?”
Discord held up his paw and swore, “No tricks, just cocoa. I thought you’d like to have a little chat. Parent to parent, so to speak.”
Satisfied with her answer, Rarity took a sip. Very well, thank you. This is quite delicious.”
“Why thank you Rarity! I’ve been working on the recipe. Jinx and Fluttershy love it, an extra pinch of nutmeg goes a long way.”
“By the by Discord, did you really have to erase those pages in my diary? You didn’t read them, did you?”
“Well, I had to know which ones to replace, but if it makes you feel any better, I merely skimmed it.”
That did not make Rarity feel better.
“And besides, where’s the fun in having all the answers handed to you in a convenient package? Ever hear the saying, ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination’? Is that why you’re spending time with Lolite? Trying to bribe her for information?”
Rarity nearly spat out her cocoa. “N-no! Of course not! She’s filling me in on a few petty details, but I haven’t ‘bribed’ her. I just wanted to spend some more time with her. She’s such a special little filly, and I want to get to know her more…”
“Oh-ho!” Discord said with a grin. “Does that mean you’ve decided to go along with Eris’ little experience?”
Rarity looked over the snow-covered park, watching Lolite play with Jinx, was more than enough to put a smile on her face. Even more so when Lolite took a quick second to wave at her, laughing as a snowball hit her in the leg.
“Yes, I… I suppose I have,” Rarity said in a warm tone. “I dare say, I’m starting to rather enjoy this life.”
“Did you brush your teeth?”
“Yep,” Lolite replied as she snuggled into her sheets.
“And your mane?”
“Mmhmm. Hey, wrong mommy?”
“Yes, darling?”
“Thanks… for spending time with me today… I had fun.”
Rarity giggled, “You’re most welcome Lolite. I had fun as well, even if my hooves are still a little sore.” Rarity pulled up the filly’s blanket till it was tucked under her chin.
Lolite yawned, “I like you, even if you’re not my real mommy. Um… can I have a goodnight kiss?”
Rarity leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on her daughter’s forehead. “Goodnight Lolite. Sweet dreams.”
“G’night…” in no time at all, Lolite was fast asleep with the only sound in the room being her light snoring. Rarity turned off Lolite’s lamp and quietly crept out towards the door. She took one last look at Lolite, the light from the hallway casting a gentle glow over the sleepy dragon pony. Rarity smiled as that feeling of warmth and pride spread over her, like when Cobalt said his first words. A mother’s love for her foal. Even though there was a tiny recess in her mind that tried to remind her that Lolite and Cobalt weren’t her foals specifically. But Rarity didn’t care. She was a mother now and as far as she knew, these were her foals.
My foals… Rarity blushed as she closed Lolite’s bedroom door with a soft click.
Rarity was feeling rather peckish. Surly there’d be no harm in having a small snack before bed, right? As she came down the stairs and entered the kitchen, she spotted Spike with his head in the fridge. And what he pulled out was a chocolate frosted cake, decorated with cherries and coconut flakes. That’s right, Pinkie sent everypony home with a cake the night of the faculty party. Rarity knew what she wanted.
Spike licked his lips. “Oh yeah! This is gonna be great.”
“Spikey,” Rarity sauntered over and fluttered her lashes. “May I have a slice of that cake?”
Spike looked at his wife, then to the cake. A devilish grin grew on his face. “No way.”
Rarity was taken aback. In all her years of knowing Spike, he’s only said “no” to her only a hooful of times, and she certainly wasn’t expecting him to say no over this.
“What? Why not?” she pouted.
“It’s way too tasty, that’s why.” Spike used a clawed finger to carve out a skinny slice of cake. He scooped it up and popped it in his mouth. “MMMM! Oh, yeah, now that is good cake. Pinkie really outdid herself with this one.”
“Spike,” Rarity’s voice was firm. “I said I want a slice. Now share!”
“Uh-uh!” Spike stuck out his forked tongue in a childish taunt.
“Give me that!” Rarity lunged at the plate in Spike’s claw, but her just raised it over her head.
“I can’t possibly eat this entire cake,” Spike said as his claw cut off another slice. "But I can try.”
Rarity jumped for the cake again but Spike just pulled it away. He took off around the kitchen table and Rarity gave chase. Spike moved right, Rarity moved left, each time trying to gage in what direction the gluttonous dragon would go. Eventually Rarity found an opportunity and rushed towards Spike.
“Give me that cake!” she cried.
“All right! You want it so bad?” Spike scooped out a chunk of cake. “Then have some!”
Spike mushed the cake onto Rarity’s face, smearing chocolate frosting and yellow sponge all over her muzzle. She stood there in total shock as Spike’s actions seemed to have completely shorted her brain. Spike started laughing so hard he almost keeled over, Rarity took advantage of this opening and in a flash tore a piece of cake off and flung it right between Spike’s eyes, making it look like he was wearing a delightfully smelling sleep mask. Spike glared at Rarity; Rarity glared back. The standoff felt like it was lasting for hours, neither side backing down. Then both sides grabbed cake and started flinging it at each other. Laughter erupted again as Rarity ducked behind a chair right before a direct hit to her mane and spike dodged a shot aimed at his chest, but wound up taking another hit to the face instead.
Rarity came out of her hiding spot and ran towards the chocolate covered dragon and Spike ran towards his coco smeared mare. Each of them threw the last bits of cake they had and both sides hit their marks as Rarity jumped for Spike and the two fell to the floor. As the laughter died down, Rarity locked eyes with her husband. Even smothered in dessert, she couldn’t get over how handsome he looked. Perhaps that’s just what happens when you’re in love. She could probably wearing nothing but a burlap sack and Spike would still find her beautiful. The drake’s breath was hot and it tickled her nose. She inched closer and closer to her mark. Rarity could already picture the feeling of Spike’s lips to hers, it felt so magnetic, inviting, and passionate.
Rarity pulled away. “W-well! We’ve… certainly made a mess of things here, haven’t we? What do you say we clean up and take a bath?”
Spike’s fins drooped. “Oh… yeah, I guess we did get carried away. Um, I’ll clean up the kitchen, you can take a bath.”
Rarity’s heart was breaking. She hurt Spike. Again. “Spike, I-I’m just as much responsible for this, I think I ought to-“
“It’s ok,” Spike said through a half smile. “I know how you get when you’re not clean. I can handle this. I’ll see you upstairs.”
Rarity turned away. She just couldn’t stand seeing him so disappointed. “Very well, I'll see you soon.”
She had to make this up to Spike. She was his wife and what husband wants to be pushed aside from the mare he loves? What mare wants to push away the one she loves? Rarity’s thoughts were morose at best. She trudged to the bathroom and turned on the faucet, but even the warm embrace of the tub and the lavender bodywash couldn’t scrub away her gloom. Maybe she’s just been making too many excuses? If she wanted to be… intimate with Spike, would that be so wrong? As far as she knew, this was her life now. The other Rarity may never return. And if that’s the case, she should enjoy this life… and Spike.
Rarity sank deeper into the tub till only her horn was above the surface, but even the dull hum of the water couldn’t drown out her growing desire.
“Let’s see, what’s next on the list, darling?” Rarity asked, as Spike looked down on his piece of parchment.
“A kaleidoscope!” Lolite called out from atop her father’s shoulders. “Dusk Note wants a kaleidoscope! I know cause he keeps asking aunt Luna and auntie Twily for one!”
“Well, what do you know?” Spike chuckled. “A ‘kaleidoscope for Dusky’ is next on the list, followed closely by a ‘new pen set for Twilight’.”
“Twee!” Cobalt said as he bounced in his foal seat.
“That’s right sweetheart,” Rarity said to the colt. “a present for auntie Twilight as well.”
While Hearths Warming wasn’t necessarily “right around the corner,” Rarity thought that today would be perfect to go out gift shopping with her family and avoid the headaches of the holiday rush. The stalls in the market were still abuzz with activity as ponies pondered what to get their friends and loved ones. Luckily there was still time to pick out the perfect present carefully and methodically and, in Rarity’s case, enjoy a nice little outing with her husband and foals.
Rarity was trying her hardest to find something special for Spike. But every time something caught her eye, she would dismiss it as “not special enough” or “too garish” or “I’m sure Spike has ten of those, at least.” What Rarity needed was the perfect gift. Something that said, “you’re the most wonderful creature in all of Equestria and the most wonderful husband a mare could ask for,” as well as something that said, “I’m sorry I’ve been distant lately, please forgive me.”
I’ll find the most incredible gift for Spike, Rarity thought to herself. Mark my words.
“Hey Rarity?” Spike held up two kaleidoscopes. “What do you think? The red one or the blue one?”
Rarity levitated the red one and peered through the eye hole. “Hmm…” Rarity then inspected the blue one. “I believe the blue kaleidoscope is the better of the two. I like the contrasting colors, it’s rather exciting and I think Dusk Note will love it.”
Spike placed his bits on the counter. “Blue one it is.” The vendor placed Spike’s money in a register and wrapped the kaleidoscope in a decorative box before passing it back to the patrons.
“That’s Dusk Note taken care of-“ Spike took his pencil and checked a small box. “Let’s go look for a pen set.”
Rarity paused. “Um, actually Spiky. If it’s alright with you, I think I’ll let you and Lolite Handle Twilight’s present. I need to see if I can acquire a special gift for a certain special somepony.” Rarity dotted her sentence with her fluttering lashes.
Spike gave his wife a silly grin. “Sure thing Rarity, but don’t be too long. It’s almost lunch time and I’m getting hungry.”
“I am too!” Lolite said. “Can we get cinnamon buns?”
“Dessert comes after your meal darling,” Rarity said. “not before it. I’ll meet you two at the café then. Order me a latte if you’d please.” She gave a wink to Spike as she trotted off into the market.
Rarity moved from stall to stall, trying her best to find Spike’s perfect gift. But it didn’t seem to matter. Whatever Rarity came across, whether it was a well-crafted lamp, or a very well detailed Power Ponies figure, nothing stuck out to her. Nothing seemed worthy of Spike. She couldn’t let it end like this! Rarity will not walk away from this venture with nothing to show for it, she was going to get Spike the most wonderful gift if it was the last thing she did.
“Ma!” Cobalt said.
“What is it Cobalt?”
Cobalt reached his little forelegs out towards somepony in the crowd. Rarity followed where he was pointing and saw a white mare with a pink and purple mane, with a basket full of trinkets and wrapping paper.
“Oh my, is that Sweetie Belle? Gracious, she’s certainly grown into quite the beauty. Must run in the family.”
“Swee!” Cobalt called out.
“All right, All right darling. Let’s go and say hello to aunt Sweetie.”
“Hmm, this would be a pretty good gift for mom and dad,” Sweetie Belle mused as she inspected a pair of novelty salt and pepper shakers made in the likeness of Princess Celestia and Luna respectively. “But they might feel weird about shaking their in-laws.”
“Sweetie Belle! Oh Sweetie Belle!’ Rarity called out to her little sister
“Hm? Oh, hey there Rarity! And hello to you too my cute little nephew!” Sweetie Belle gave Cobalt a pat on the head and he thanked her in baby gibberish. “Out shopping for Hearth’s Warming?”
“I am. But I’ve run into a bit of a snag. I was hoping maybe you could give me some kind of idea or inspiration on what to get.”
“Sure thing Rarity! If you’ve got a problem, you can count on this Cutiemark Crusader for help. So who are you shopping for? Twilight? Lolite?”
“Spike actually. I dare say I’ve had no luck in finding a proper gift. It pains me to say I haven’t exactly been the most attentive wife lately and I need a present that will make up for it.”
Sweetie Belle tilted her head. “Huh? That’swho you’re shopping for? But Rarity, I thoughtyou said that you were making Spike’s gift this year.”
It was Rarity’s turn to be confused. “I… I did?”
“Well yeah. You were telling me about how this was going to be, ‘the most wonderous and perfect gift for my handsome Spiky.’ What happened to that plan?”
“Uh, n-nothing! Nothing at all!” Rarity calmed herself before continuing. “I suppose I’ve been preoccupied and forgot about it.” Rarity wasn’t sure if her confidence in her fabrications and deception was a good thing or not, but it seemed to be working thus far.
Sweetie laughed, “Geez, this was one of the easiest jobs I’ve had in a while. Glad I was able to help.”
Rarity giggled, “Yes, it was rather silly of me to let that particular detail slip my mind. But I feel like I should be giving him something else. Something more, something special like…” Rarity’s eyes lit up as the answer to her problems was presented before her. Or course, it was so obvious now. “Actually Sweetie, darling. Might I offer you another job? Do you suppose you could watch the kids the night after tomorrow?”
“Um, sure. I don’t think I’m doing anything that night. Why do you ask?”
“Because I just found my other gift for Spike. It was lovely seeing you Sweetie, but if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and make a reservation.”
After lunch and a bit more shopping, Rarity and her family returned home. Spike was putting some minor touches on some of the gift wrapping, Lolite was drawing and Cobalt was put down for his nap. And Rarity was pacing about in her work space. She paused and held a hoof under her chin as she closed her eyes and was lost in a deep pondering.
“Now. If I were to hide a gift for Spike, where would that be?” Rarity couldn’t think of a better place to hide anything than in this room. Surely the organized chaos would deter even the most adamant of gift hunters. The problem is, Rarity didn’t even begin to know where to look.
“Well, no use in wondering. I need to find the special gift Sweetie Belle mentioned. Wish she could’ve given me a clue as to what it is.”
Rarity began her search under the stack of order boxes. Nothing. Next, she tried under Cobalt’s playpen. Still nothing. The cupboards, the ponequins, the thread drawer, the ribbon box, the button box, all turned up empty. Rarity threw herself onto a conveniently placed couch and draped a foreleg over her head.
“Ugh, it’s no use! I’ve exhausted all of my hiding places! I’ve searched through every needle and thread, under my desk, behind the curtain and every scrap of…” That’s when Rarity sprang up onto her hooves. “Fabric!” She rushed over to the shelves stacked to the ceiling with a plethora of colorful fabrics. She was determined to search through every single bolt in her collection, but then something caught her eye. There was a bolt of shimmering purple taffeta and Rarity had a feeling, a little nagging thought in the back of her mind, that her search would be fruitful if she inspected that particular spot. She pulled it out and sure enough, in the very back of the cubbyhole was a small wooden box. Rarity pulled it out and quickly opened it. Her eyes widened and she gasped. This was what she was planning to give Spike? It was beautiful, it was perfect it was…
“Incomplete? Oh dear, it seems more hoof work is in need to finish this pièce de resistance. But it shouldn’t be too difficult. After all, I was kind enough to leave the remaining gems.” Rarity levitated her red glasses and tied her mane back, cleared off her worktable and emptied the contents of the box. “All right, let’s get to work!”
There was a knock at Rarity’s workroom door. “Hey Rarity, dinner’s ready!”
“Spike!” In a flash, Rarity placed her project back in its box and covered her table with a sheet. “Uh, just a moment darling! I’ll be right out!” Rarity set her glasses down and trotted to the door, gave her mane a quick touch up and greeted her husband. “Hello Spiky.”
“Geez Rares, you’ve been up here all day. I thought you said you were done with orders for the season.”
“I am darling,” Rarity assured. “I’m not working on an order; I’m working on a present. A very special and very personal gift for a certain special somedragon.”
“Ooh, really?” Spike’s curiosity was peaked. “What is it? No, no, don’t tell me, I want to guess. No wait, if I guessed, it wouldn’t be a surprise. But I really want to know now.”
Rarity planted a kiss on Spike’s cheek. “Calm yourself love. I’ll be finished with it soon. But you cannot peek. Think you can promise me that?”
Spike nodded. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
In the distance a voice carried over the frostbitten air. Like a ghostly wail of a vengeful spirit, “FOR-EV-ER!!!”
Rarity giggled, “Good. Now Spike, be sure to have your schedule free for the night after tomorrow.”
“Oh-ho?” Spike smirked and waggled his brow. “What did you have in mind?”
“We’re going someplace special. Just the two of us. I asked Sweetie Belle if she’d foalsit, so the night will be all ours. And one more thing darling, be sure to wear something nice.”
The Platinum Saddle. The fanciest restaurant in town. Opened not long after Princess Luna settled down in Ponyville, in hopes of helping the lunar diarch feel more at home with a high-end bistro within trotting distance. While flattered, Luna apparently preferred a good hay burger more often than not, but the restaurant was a big hit for the rest of the townsponies and was the go-to venue for special occasions and top-class dining. Spike and Rarity waited patiently in the lobby as the host called out the names on the reservation list.
“Wowee, Rares. When you said we were going someplace special, I didn’t think it’d be here.”
“Well of course, this is after all a special occasion and where else better to spend it than the most premier eatery in Ponyville? Do you disapprove?”
Spike quickly waved his claw. “Oh, no, no, no! I like it, I really do. I’m just surprised is all. I mean, this place is pretty pricey.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “Darling, sometimes it’s nice to splurge and enjoy the finer things in life. Besides, it’s not like we make this a regular outing.”
Spike chuckled, “Yeah, you’re right.”
Spike was wearing a standard black suit jacket with a dark purple vest and a green necktie. Rarity couldn’t take her eyes off Spike for the last hour, not just because he was the most handsome creature she’s ever laid eyes on, but because she recognized her work in every stitch of Spike’s ensemble and she was impressed that she was clever enough to make a suit that accommodated his wings.
Rarity’s dress was purple, with a plum-colored bust and a matching choker with a silver pendant. The skirt came just above her fetlocks, exhibiting a pair of sky-blue heels and a slit on one side rose up her leg, partially covering her cutiemark. She knew she picked out the perfect attire when she saw Spike get hot under the collar as she descended the staircase. He may not be a baby dragon anymore, but it was still adorable to see him get flustered like he did when he was young.
“Rarity, party of two! Rarity, party of two!” the host called out.
Spike held out his claw. “Shall we dear?”
Rarity placed her hoof in his claw. “Of course darling.”
The soft light in the restaurant and the glow of candlelight gave the venue the most perfect romantic atmosphere for the unique couple as delicate shadows were cast with each flick of flame. Rarity was all aflutter, this was the date she always dreamed of. A fancy restaurant, fine attire and somepony who held her heart to share it with.
“Good evening monsieur and mademoiselle,” a Pegasus stallion in a silk vest and dress shirt said as he placed the menus before Spike and Rarity. “I am Fantaisie Manger, and I will be your waiter this evening. If there is anything I can get you to make this a most joyous experience, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“Good evening Fantaisie,” Rarity said. “Would you be so kind as to provide us with your wine selection?”
“But of course!” Fantaisie took a single page menu from his apron pocket and presented it to Rarity. “May I suggest the Canterlot Merlot? It pairs wonderfully with our sweet potato ravioli and gorgonzola salad and we received a delivery of a fine vintage this morning.”
“Hmm, well that sounds simply divine darling. But I was thinking more along the lines of a bottle of Schiava Gentile. And you just so happen to have my favorite vintage from the Crystal Empire.”
Fantaisie smiled. “Oh, ho, ho! You certainly have impeccable taste, mademoiselle!” he scribbled down a note on his pad. “I shall give you two a moment to go over the menu and I'll return with your wine momentarily.” Fantaisie scurried off.
“Geez, Rares,” Spike said in awe. “It still amazes me how you do that.”
“Do what darling?”
“You know, that. How you’re able to be so… fancy all the time. I’ve never even heard of, uh, Shyvana Gentle.”
“Schiava Gentile,” Rarity said clearly. “It’s a marvelous red wine. The best of its kind. I still remember the first time I had it. It was at the reception of Fancy Pants and Fleur De Lis’ wedding, he spared no expense and had case after case of that most wonderful nectar available. After that, I took every opportunity I could to have a least a single glass of it and tonight we’ll have a whole bottle to ourselves.”
Spike twiddled his thumbs. “Uh… how much is that gonna cost us?”
“What did I say about enjoying ourselves Spike? Now, let’s see what’s on the menu for tonight. Hmm, the ginger crusted tofu sounds positively delightful. Wild onion and basil soup sounds lovely as well. Oh, so many delectable choices.”
“Oooh,” Spike’s eyes lit up. “This raspberry vinaigrette chopped salad with walnuts and rubies might be the winner in my book.”
Fantaisie returned, setting two glasses before the couple, and presenting a wine bottle. “One bottle of Crystal Empire Schiava Gentil for the monsieur and mademoiselle.” He took a corkscrew from his pocket and with a few twists, a pull, and a satisfying pop, he gently poured the bright red liquid into the pair of glasses. “Would you like to place your order? Or perhaps you need a few more minutes?”
Rarity closed her menu. “I think we know what we’d like. I’ll have an order of the ginger crusted tofu.”
“Excellent choice mademoiselle!” Fantaisie scribbled on his note pad. “One of my personal favorites. The ginger is as fresh as they come and our tofu is special ordered from Neighpon and is at the perfect texture and consistency. And for you monsieur?”
Spike passed his menu to Fantaisie. “I’ll have the raspberry vinaigrette chopped salad.”
“Another great choice as well!” Fantaisie scribbled another note. “The vinaigrette is a house specialty. With raspberries and greens right from Sweet Apple Acres to the kitchen and the rubies are mined by Dr. Maud Pie herself. And not to brag, but Dragonlord Ember herself has stated that it is one of the best dishes she’s ever had. I’ll put your orders in post haste. Please, enjoy your wine and if you need me for anything, do not hesitate to ask.” Fantaisie trotted off and passed through the swinging doors to the kitchen.
Rarity gently swirled her glass, the vibrant red wine running along the sides as she held it under her nose. “Mmmm, that aroma. I’ll never tire of it. Light-bodied and sweet.” Rarity took a sip. “And at the perfect temperature.”
Spike aerated his own glass and gave it a sniff. “Hey, it kinda smells like cotton candy.”
Rarity giggled, “Yes, I suppose it does.”
Spike took a sip, his eyes widened and the corners of his lips pulled up. “Wow! This is good! It’s sweet, but not too sweet, probably because it’s dry, the flavor is actually pretty subtle and a little… smoky?” He took another sip. “Yep, definitely smoky. I can see why you like it so much Rares. Heck I think this is my new favorite.”
Rarity smirked. “Oh my. Seems like you know how to be rather ‘fancy’ yourself, darling.”
“Well, I am married to the fanciest pony in Equestria. I can’t help but learn by your example.”
Rarity lifted her glass. “Here’s to us.”
Spike raised his own glass. “To us.”
The couple’s wine rose up to meet each other as the two glasses clinked in a toast. Rarity sipped her elixir and the familiar warmth took over her form, she noticed how Spike seemed to be reveling in his wine as if it was divine nectar and had a silly grin on his lips when they parted from his glass. Rarity giggled and wondered if that was how she looked when she first tried that cotton candy wine.
“For the monsieur, the raspberry vinaigrette chopped salad.” Fantaisie laid a plate of shiny rubies over a bed of mixed greens with walnut clusters and a light coat of dressing in front of Spike along with a glass bottle full of raspberry vinaigrette. “And for the mademoiselle, ginger crusted tofu.” He laid another plate to Rarity; the tofu had a flaky outer shell of crisp ginger over a bed of rice with a small ornate dish with a dark brown sauce and was garnished with a few fresh cut daffodils. Fantaisie bowed and said, “Please enjoy your meal, and if you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask.” With that, Spike and Rarity thanked him and Fantaisie scurried off to other tables.
Rarity admired her dish’s appearance for a moment before taking her first cut of tofu, dipped it in the sauce and was overcome by the unique and bold flavors dancing on her tongue. “Oh my goodness… this is superb! The tofu is firm, yet supple. And this sauce adds another layer of flavor, mildly sweet, I believe it’s a plum sauce. Simply marvelous.”
Spike seemed to be enjoying his salad, given the way his eyes lit up when he took his first bite and when he took his second bite. “Holy smokes! I had no idea a salad could taste like… well, like this! The greens are amazing, they must’ve just been picked today and these rubies are as good as they come. I gotta see if I can remake this dressing at home, it’s best I’ve ever had.”
Rarity sipped her wine. “I’m glad you’re enjoying your meal darling. Seems we both chose wisely tonight.”
Spike drizzled more dressing on his dish. “You’re telling me. I gotta admit Rarity, it’s nice to go out and have somepony else cook for you. N-not that you don’t help and cook, it’s just-“
“Spiky, don’t fret,” Rarity gently interjected. “I know what you mean. I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying yourself…” Rarity trailed off, as something nagged at the back of her mind.
“Rares? Hey, are you alright? Should I call Fantaisie over and-?”
“No, it’s fine Spike. I’m just…” Rarity sipped her wine and took a deep breath. “Spike, I’d like to apologize.”
Spike cocked a brow. “Apologize? For what?”
“For the way I’ve been acting. I… I know I haven’t been the most attentive wife lately; I’ve put you on the back burner so much over the last week or so, I’m so dreadfully sorry Spiky wikey. I’ve just felt so awful, thinking about how much I’ve worried you or how lonely I made you feel, so I wanted to make up for it and take you somewhere nice, just us. I hope you can forgive me…” The weight on Rarity’s heart began to lighten as she finally set things right with her husband. But then, something happened that Rarity wasn’t expecting.
Spike was laughing, Rarity poured her soul out and he was laughing.
“Come on Rares,” Spike said sympathetically as he took Rarity’s hoof in his claw. “You don’t have to apologize. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I first asked you out, when I asked you to marry me and when I said, ‘I do.’ I know how busy you get, heck if I was the one with a fashion empire, I wouldn’t even know how to schedule in a lunch break. And I will admit it does get lonely now and then, but as busy as you get, you always make time for me and the kids. I don’t know how you do it, but I know one thing, I married the most incredible mare in all of Equestria.”
Rarity couldn’t hide her blush as Spike put any and all of her fears to rest. Her heart thumped wildly as her emotions threatened to ruin her makeup. “You’re… far too kind Spike.”
Spike leaned over and kissed Rarity’s hoof. “And you’re the most amazing wife a drake could ask for. Don’t ever forget that. Now, why don’t we continue our meal? As much as I love you, this salad is calling my name.”
Rarity rolled her eyes as Spike continued eating, but gave her husband a sweet smile before she returned to her dish. They enjoyed the occasional small talk, but the couple were thrilled to just be with each other, and for a moment everything around them disappeared and they were the only ones in the room.
Spike set down his fork and sighed as the last of his salad landed in his stomach. “Thanks for taking us out Rarity. This was a great gift, heck I can’t remember the last time I had food this good.”
“Well, our night out was only part of your gift,” Rarity placed a small box with a bow on the table and pushed it towards Spike. “this is the other part. It was supposed to be your Hearth’s Warming present, but I thought about the venue and the atmosphere and, well I decided to give it to you early.”
Spike curiously eyed the box. “Oh ho? So I’ll finally get to see what you’ve been working on? Don’t mind if I do.” Spike tugged on the ribbon and opened the lid; he took a long breath and his eyes widened as he gazed at Rarity’s gift. It was a silver pendent on a silver chain. The pendent itself was in the image of a flame, with an emerald and an amethyst perfectly centered.
Spike lifted the pendent from the box, the dim light catching off the well-polished silver surface. “Rarity… I… I don’t know what to say… it’s beautiful!”
Rarity smiled. “Happy Hearths Warming, my love.”
Spike undid the clasp on the chain and hung it around his neck. The pendant laid on the top knot of Spike’s tie, which didn’t look all too great, but Spike didn’t care and neither did Rarity.
“Thank you ever so much for watching the kids Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said as she hung up her scarf. “I hope they weren’t any trouble.”
“Aw, it’s no trouble at all Rarity, they were great. And Cobalt wasn’t fussy at all, I’ve never had an easier time feeding him.”
Rarity giggled, “We’ve been working on his table manners. He even lets Spike feed him now.”
“Wow, even Spike?” Sweetie gasped in awe. “That’s something else. Did you two enjoy your date?”
Spike grinned. “Sure did! One of the nicest nights out I can remember, with some of the best food I can remember.”
“I’m glad, you two deserve a break now and then. Plus I got to see my niece and nephew.” Sweetie Belle let out a yawn. “Well, I better head home, I love the kids, but they sure know how to wear a pony out.”
Spike nodded. “It is getting late. Goodnight Sweetie Belle.”
Rarity gave her little sister a hug. “Yes, goodnight darling. And again, I must thank you for helping me on such short notice.”
“No problem Rarity, goodnight you two.” Sweetie Belle waved goodbye as she passed the doorframe and left.
Spike and Rarity made their way upstairs to their room, making sure to avoid any squeaky floorboards. Rarity closed the door behind her as quietly as she could and turned her attention towards Spike as he slipped off his jacket and placed it on a hanger. Her husband looked so dapper in that vest. So tall… so handsome… so… so…
“Oh Spiky!” Rarity sang.
“You say something Rari-WOAH!” in a flash Rarity lunged for Spike like a cat to a mouse and they landed on the bed, her hooves pinning his shoulders firmly down. Her eyes were hungry as she drank in every little detail in Spike.
She leaned down and nipped his ear fin, with shallow breath and husky voice said, “The kids are asleep…”
The ringing of the alarm clock signaled it was time to rise and shine. Rarity turned it off and stretched her legs. She couldn’t remember the last time she slept so well or so soundly. Probably thanks to her husband. Spike stirred and groaned before pulling the covers closer.
“Nnnngh… five more minutes Rarity…” Spike mumbled.
“How about an extra twenty? You’ve certainly earned it darling.” Rarity kissed Spike’s cheek and he smirked as he fell back into a satisfied slumber.
Rarity got out of bed and did some more stretching, hearing and feeling satisfying pops as she did so along with a minor yet delightful soreness. She wasted no time in trotting to the bathroom for a hot cleansing shower. As she washed off last night’s sweat she hummed a merry tune as the events from yesterday danced in her mind.
From start to finish.
Rarity dried off and finished putting the final touches to her mane as the sound of Cobalt’s crying could be heard through the bathroom door. Rarity trotted out as Spike was finally starting to roll out of bed.
“I’ll go change Cobalt,” Spike yawned.
“That’s alright Spiky, I’ll take care of Cobalt. Be a dear and start on breakfast won’t you? I worked up quite the appetite and I’m rather hungry.” Rarity winked and Spike blushed as he chuckled and mumbled something flattering under his breath.
“There we go sweetheart,” Rarity finished clipping the last safety pin on Cobalt’s diaper. “A nice clean diaper to start your day.”
Cobalt cheered, “Mama! Mama!” he spoke some baby gibberish as Rarity nuzzled her son.
“That’s right Cobalt! Now, let’s see what daddy has cooked for us today, shall we?”
“Da! Da-dee!”
“Oh my goodness!” Rarity gasped. She placed Cobalt on her back and rushed out of the room. “Spike! Spike! You’ll never guess what Cobalt just said!”
The freshly fallen snow crunched with step Rarity took. Her eyes quickly darted across the area, looking for even the slightest movement. Her ears swiveled trying to pick up even the snap of the smallest twig. She tucked her scarf and cleared her throat.
“Oh dear!” Rarity called out. “Lolite sure is good at hiding! I don’t think I could ever find such a master of hide and seek!”
Rarity passed by a snowbank and like a spring-loaded trap, a purple filly burst out.
“RAWR!” Lolite roared she landed on Rarity.
“OH NO!” Rarity cried, feigning shock and fear. “I’VE BEEN CAUGHT!” Rarity’s magic swung her daughter to her chest as the mare fell into the snow. “Whatever shall I do? I should have known better than to go against the mighty dragon pony!”
Lolite was beaming at Rarity with eyes of adoration.
“Lolite? What is it darling?”
The filly's voice was soft, “Welcome home mommy.”
Rarity began to tear up as her heart surged. She pulled her daughter into a hug and held her tight, kissing her forehead as Rarity’s hoof ran over Lolite’s mane with said filly returning the hug in kind and nuzzled her mother.
The pair stood up and began walking back to the boutique.
“Were you a good girl while mommy was away?” Rarity asked.
“Mhmm! I was a really good girl! I gots to tell you everything that happened while you were gone. How was your secret mission?”
“It went well,” Rarity said without missing a beat. “But I couldn’t wait to come back home.”
“You know, I’ll miss wrong mommy. She was real fun.”
After a few weeks of Rarity spending some quality family time and meticulous preparations, Hearths Warming eve has finally arrived. A steady fall of snow ushered everypony in Ponyville to close up shop, finish any last-minute gift wrapping and spend the rest of the evening with friends and loved ones, preferably with hot chocolate and soup. And of course, big family get togethers. Spike and Rarity trotted down the street along with Lolite, Cobalt, Sweetie Belle, Magnum and Cookie Crumble, all eager and excited to arrive at the Castle of Friendship and the party of relatives therein.
“Oh wow,” Sweetie Belle marveled. “I know this isn’t our first time, but I still can’t believe we get to spend Hearths Warming in a castle! It’s so cool, makes me feel all regel and stuff.”
Magnum laughed, “Yeppers! Thank Celestia that Rarity married into royalty!”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “Daddy, you’re incorrigible.”
“Heh, sorry princess, sometimes I can’t help it.”
“Oh you!” Cookie said as she nudged her husband with an elbow. “Every year like clockwork with that joke.”
“And it’s still funny! At least to me.”
Cobalt giggled and clapped his hooves from his foal seat.
“Don’t encourage your grandfather darling,” Rarity said to the baby at her side. “He’s liable to keep at it.”
“Aw, come on Rares,” Spike added. “You did happen to marry a dragon of great importance,” he said with the airs of a king.
“Not you too Spiky…”
“I think grandpa’s funny! Lolite chimed as she jumped onto a small pile of snow.
“That’s four to one, Rarity!” Magnum said in triumph.
Rarity puffed her cheeks. “Honestly, I can’t tell who’s more childish.”
“Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Oh, boy!” Sweetie Belle chirped as the group came to the towering front doors of the castle. “We’re here!”
Spike set down the boxes he had in his claws and gave a firm knock, a few moments later a large white stallion answered the door.
“Spike! Rarity! So glad you’re here! It feels like it’s been ages since I last saw you!”
Spike gave the stallion a hug. “Hey Shining Armor! It’s great to see you! Looks like you’re still rockin’ the beard.”
Shining Armor stroked his blue beard. “You know it little brother! I think it makes me look more mature. More dignified. Though Cady said I can’t grow it out any longer. It tickles her face enough as it is. Wow, the snow’s really picked up, come on inside.” He stepped aside and ushered Spike and his family into the foyer of the castle and proceeded to hang their coats and scarves on some nearby racks.
“Well Rainbow Dash did mention we were overdue for a big storm,” Spike said. “I just didn’t think we’d get it on Hearths Warming eve.”
“Well if worse comes to worst, you can always spend the night here. Not like there isn’t any room. Sometimes I think this place gets bigger every year.”
Rarity chuckled, “It does seem that way, doesn’t it?”
“Uncle Shiny!” Lolite launched herself at Shining Armor who caught her mid dive.
He gave his niece a big hug. “Hiya Lolite! Happy Hearths Warming!”
“Happy Hearths Warming! Where’s Flurry? Is she here?”
“Of course! C’mon, let’s go join the rest of the family.”
Shining Armor led the group through the halls, decorated with tinsel, holly, and the occasional lavender arrangement. After climbing the stairs to the second floor they eventually came to a set of double doors and beyond the doors was a large room, with a tree, covered from top to bottom with shiny ornaments, popcorn strands and a star on top like a festive sundae. A crackling fireplace with dolls in the likeness of Twilight, Luna and Dusk Note sat on the mantle.
Twilight herself was hovering around the tree, inspecting each decoration, and making sure everything was properly spaced out to give each ornament room to stand out on their own. A process that took intense concentration, a vast knowledge of the use of empty space and furthermore-
“Twily! Look who’s here!” Shining Armor called out just loud enough to pull Twilight out of her current obsession.
“Hm? Oh, Spike, Rarity!” Twilight flew down and gave her little brother and sister in-law a hug. “Happy Hearths Warming, everypony!”
“Happy Hearths Warming, Twi!”
“Happy Hearths Warming darling!”
“And a Happy Hearths Warming to you too Lolite and Cobalt.”
“Happy Hearths Warming auntie Twilight!”
“Twee!”
Spike looked around the room. “Twilight, are mom and dad here yet?”
Twilight shook her head. “Not yet, but I’m sure they’ll be here soon. Celestia offered to give them a ride when she finished up all her business in Canterlot.”
“That’s my sister for you,” Luna huffed as she came up from behind her wife. “always working till the 11th hour. Like a certain somepony I know who can’t seem to leave those baubles on the tree be, even as guests start to arrive.”
Twilight giggled, “Sorry Luna, I just wanted to make sure everything was perfect.”
Luna wrapped a wing around her spouse. “It’s already perfect dearest. I tell you that every year.”
Magnum laughed, “So ol’ Night Light is running late is he? That’s a shame, I’d love to rub my fantasy buckball team’s results in his face!”
Cookie rolled her eyes. “Oh you. Every day this week with that, when are you going to let it go?”
“Hey he started it! He said Wagtail Sprint was ‘overrated’ and that Rough Puff was the better Pegasus.”
“Ah, Magnum, Cookie!” Twilight greeted. “So good to see you, make yourselves at home.”
“Sounds like a plan to me! Now, where’s that eggnog?” the two older unicorns parted in search of some holiday spirits.
“Dad’s picks got destroyed?” Spike mumbled.
“Like a house of cards,” Shining Armor replied. “Can’t wait to see those two go at it again. Maybe they can teach Lolite another swear word.”
Spike rubbed the bridge of his snout. “Don’t remind me. Mrs. Cheerlie’s note to us about what she said at recess was mortifying enough.”
“Happy Hearths Warming uncle Spike and aunt Rarity!” All of a sudden a light pink blur pulled Spike and Rarity into a hug. It was a teenage filly, wearing a crown and sporting both wings and a horn.
“Happy Hearths Warming Flurry!” Spike said.
Rarity smiled. “I must say darling, you’ve certainly grown since last I saw you.”
Flurry seemed to be beaming with pride. “I sure have! I’ve been training all the time with dad! With any luck I’ll be in the royal guard in no time. Speaking of ‘grown,’ Flurry levitated Lolite and Cobalt into her hooves and proceeded to wrap the two in a hug. “you two have sprung up like trees! Hello my little cousins!”
Lolite laughed as one of Flurry’s wingtips tickled her face. “Hiya Flurry!”
Cobalt just squealed as he buried his face in Flurry’s down feathers.
“Lolite!” Dusk Note ran up from behind Flurry Heart and joined the hug. “About time you guys showed up! I was waiting forever!”
“Dusk Note,” Luna said as she approached the group. “what do you say to your aunt and uncle?”
“Oh, right.” Dusk Note sat down and straightened his back before regally saying, “Good evening uncle Spike and aunt Rarity. I wish thee a happy Hearth’s Warming and welcome to our castle. We hope that everything is to thine liking.”
Luna rubbed her temples. “Ugh, do I really sound like that?”
Twilight did her best to suppress her laughter. “Well he certainly takes after you doesn’t he?”
“Lolite, you’re just in time!” Dusk Note said as he shed his previous persona. “Flurry was about to tell me a spooky story.”
Lolite tilted her head. “A spooky story?”
“That’s right,” Flurry Heart said. “It’s called, ‘The Wendigo of White Tail WooOOoods!’” She mover her moves in a circle to add to the “haunting” inflections. “A spine-chilling tale of a Hearths Warming specter that appears on snowy nights, just like tonight.”
Lolite gulped. “L-like tonight?”
“You’re not scared are you?” Dusk Note asked smugly.
“Pah! Don’t be ridiculous!” Lolite scoffed. “I’m not scared, I’m half dragon! I’m tougher than any wendigo!”
“You sure you don’t mind watching the kids for a bit Flurry?” Shining Armor asked.
Flurry waved a hoof as she levitated Cobalt onto her back. “No problem at all dad. I’m just happy to spend time with these lil’ ragamuffins. We’ll be fine, don’t you worry.”
“Thank you darling,” Rarity added. “Let us know if you need a break.”
“C’mon Flurry!” Dusk Note said tugging on his cousin’s wing. “Tell us the story!”
Flurry led the kids out of the room. “All right, all right, let’s go everypony! It’s story time!”
“And so I said, ‘you mean the one who ate all the canned peaches?’ and the firepony said, ‘why? Did it already make the papers?’” The group around Spike began to chortle and guffawing at the punchline Spike delivered. Cadence nearly crumpling to the floor she was laughing so hard.
“Oh my gosh!” Cadence gasped. “That. Is one of the funniest jokes I’ve ever heard!”
“I’ll say!” Shining Armor said as he wiped his tears away. “And you said Pinkie’s daughter came up with it?”
“Indeed,” Luna said as her laughing finally subsided. “And it is just as funny a second time.”
“That filly’s got a bright future in comedy,” Rarity said. “Mark my words.”
“I gotta remember to tell this one to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle said. “They’ll get a kick out of it for sure.”
The party was in full swing as family exchanged stories and anecdotes amongst themselves. Rarity sipped her wine and reveled in the warmth of the atmosphere. She’s been to parties before, and she’s spent Hearths Warming with friends and family too, but this time felt… different. It was hard for Rarity to describe, but being here, with her family and Spike’s family made her realize just how magical this time of year is. Like all the pieces of a puzzle coming together and creating a perfect picture of togetherness. It was so strange as Rarity felt nostalgic and envious at the same time, like this was something she never knew she truly needed but was experiencing it anyways. Well, it’s not like this’ll be the last time she experiences this, plenty more Hearths Warmings to come.
Just then, Rarity’s ears swiveled as she picked up the faintest sound of a crying foal. She set her drink down and politely excused herself, knowing full well who was crying. She made for the doors and opened them, revealing a nervous Flurry Heart and a crying and foul-smelling Cobalt in her magic.
“Um, aunt Rarity?” Flurry asked, pinching her nose. “You, uh, didn’t happen to bring a diaper bag with you tonight, did you? Cause I’m pretty sure Cobalt needs a change.”
“Oh, yes, yes, of course darling. I’ll take it from here, if it’s all the same to you.”
“Thanks, I should be getting back to the other little stinkers anyway. Sorry for pulling you away from the party.”
“It’s quite alright dear, duty calls, uh, so to speak.”
“There we go Cobalt,” Rarity said as she admired her work. “nice and clean. I dare say I’ve gotten rather good at this.”
Cobalt giggled as he reached for his mother.
Rarity picked him up and gave him a small boop on his nose. “Oh but I have gotten good. I no longer gag when I smell… well when you need a change. You know, I’m wondering if there’s a market for designer diapers. White and off-white are all well and good, but what about red? Or turquoise? With paisley print? Oh Cobalt you may have helped mommy with a brilliant idea! Now even foals can be fashion forward with the ‘Fabulous Foal’ line by ‘Rarity For You!’”
Cobalt grabbed Rarity’s face and nuzzled her.
“But that’s an idea for after the holidays.” Rarity placed Cobalt on her back and returned to the party.
“Hey Rarity,” Spike greeted and gave her a kiss. “How’s Cobalt?”
“Clean as a whistle, as Applejack might say.”
“Oh why hello there little Cobalt,” Cadence cooed to the foal. “My you’ve certainly grown!”
Cobalt giggled and clapped his little hooves.
“He certainly has,” Rarity said with pride. “in fact, Spike and I have been teaching Cobalt some table manners over the last few weeks.”
“Yeah! He lets me feed him now,” Spike said.
“Is that right?” Cadence asked. “Well I know a few dozen ponies in the Crystal Empire that’d love to hear that.”
Spike sheepishly rubbed his neck. “Oh right. I almost forgot about my fan club, hehehe.”
“It isn’t just your fan club anymore little brother,” Shining Armor said, giving Spike a good nature nudge. “Lots of ponies want to know about ‘Spike the Brave’s foals.’ Heck, soldiers ask Flurry during drills if she has any news about her cousins. Remember when word got out that Rarity was pregnant with Lolite?” he asked Cadence.
Cadence giggled, “Sure do. We had ponies all over the empire asking if they could donate supplies or if Rarity needed a nanny.”
“Which was awfully generous of them,” Rarity said.
“Though the extra diapers sure came in handy,” Spike laughed. “Boy, did they ever…” he said as if a sinister memory was resurfacing.
A loud bang echoed as the doors to the party room flung open with the force of a hurricane, knocking over books from their shelves and causing the meticulously placed ornaments on the tree to shimmy, shake and skew. A panicky Flurry Heart stood in the doorway and wasted no time quickly flying to check every corner of the room, under every chair, table and under the tree.
“Flurry Heart!” Cadence shouted. “What has gotten into you!?”
Flurry turned and chewed on her lip, after a few seconds she broke under the stress. “I CAN’T FIND LOLITE!”
“What!?” Rarity cried.
Flurry was shaking. “I-I-I was telling Lolite and Dusky about the ‘Wendigo of White Tail Woods’ and I left to get Cobalt changed and when I came back, Lolite was gone! I looked all over the palace! This was the last place I haven’t checked and she’s not here!”
“It’s my fault!” a crying Dusk Note ran for Twilight and hugged her leg. “I kept teasing her that she was a scaredy cat! She said she was gonna go and find a wendigo and prove how brave she is!”
“She’s out in that storm!?” Luna gasped.
“How long has she been missing?!” Sweetie Belle asked.
“What are we going to do?!” Magnum shouted. “We can’t just leave my granddaughter out there!”
“Calm down everypony!” Twilight announced as she held her sobbing son. “We’ll find her!”
“That’s right,” Shining Armor added. “she couldn’t have gone far!”
“But she’s out in a blizzard!” Spike cried as he held his head. “A-a-and it’s only gonna get worse!”
“Spike, watch Cobalt.”
“Huh?” Spike was startled as Rarity quickly passed him their son before she bolted from the room. “Rarity! Rarity wait!” Spike chased after his wife, but she was already at the end of the hall and by the time he reached the foyer, he only had a moment to see Rarity grabbing her scarf before she ran out of the castle.
“Rarity!” Spike flew down from the second floor and rushed to the door in a vain attempt to catch his wife before she was gone. But as Spike looked out into the storm, he didn’t catch even the slightest glimpse of Rarity. “Great…” Spike cursed. Cobalt whimpered as he snuggled into his father’s arms.
Spike rocked his son. “It’s ok Cobalt. Everything will be ok, I promise…”
“LOLITE!” Rarity called out; her voice roared out over the howling winds of the blizzard. “LOLITE! LOLITE, WHERE ARE YOU!?”
The woods seemed to respond with another gust of snow. The same answer since Rarity began her search. Where could Lolite be? Did she really get so far into the forest that Rarity still couldn’t find a trace of her? Maybe she ran right past Lolite? Then she’d have to go back, unless Lolite got lost, then Rarity would have to keep trudging forward.
Rarity wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck as the gales threatened to knock her over. The mare’s leg buckled and she fell into a snowbank. Rarity never stopped running, ignoring the burning fatigue in her limbs she pushed forward, with her one saving grace being her scarf that was fending off the cold remarkably well.
Rarity pushed herself up. “No. Not yet. Not until Lolite is safe.” She marched on. “LOLITE! LOOOOLIIIIITE!” Rarity stopped. Her ears swiveled and her eyes darted across the woods, trying to pick something up.
“LOLIIIIIITE!”
“Mommy!”
There! It was faint, but that was Lolite’s voice for sure! Rarity ran in the direction it might have come from, staying ever vigilant to find the slightest sign of her daughter.
“LOLITE WHERE ARE YOU!?”
“I’m over here!”
Rarity caught a steady stream of pale blue light that flickered in the snow. The light gave out, but came back again in another steady stream. Rarity ran through the deepening snow and came to a large oak tree and nestled between the roots was a shivering filly. A stream of pale blue fire was spewing from her mouth as she tried to keep her hooves warm.
“Lolite!” Rarity scooped up her foal and held her to her chest. “Oh thank merciful Celestia I found you!”
“Mommy!” Lolite cried. “Mommy! I-I’m sorry! I wa-wanted to find a wendigo and-and I got lost and I didn’t know what to do, and I got cold and-!”
Rarity nuzzled her daughter. “There, there sweetheart, it’s ok. You’re safe now, mama’s here and you’re going to be just fine. I promise.” Rarity placed Lolite on her back. “Hold on darling, and don’t let go.”
Rarity tried to retrace her steps from the direction she came from, but soon found that the blizzard already covered up her tracks. Rarity couldn’t panic. She had to stay calm and think clearly for Lolite. She has to make sure Lolite is safe. She has to protect Lolite with her life. The winds bellowed and a blast of snow washed over Rarity. She lowered herself to the ground till the gust died down. Lolite was whimpering and shivering as she clung onto her mother. But her shivering and all feelings of being cold stopped when a blue scarf was wrapped around her body.
“Mommy?”
“Wr-wrap it tight darling!” Rarity barked through the cold. “It’ll keep you safe!”
“But-but what about you!?”
“Don’t worry sweetheart! Mommy’s fine, just hold on a little longer!”
Rarity could already feel the chill overpowering her as every ounce of energy was spent to keep moving forward. She’s so close. So close to getting her child to safety. Her chest heaved as the frozen air hit her lungs like shards of broken glass. The snow seemed to be getting deeper and deeper the further she went. This was the way back to town, wasn’t it? Rarity’s vision began to blur as the only thing spurring her onward was shear determination. Keep going forward, she has to keep moving. Just then an arctic blast struck Rarity and she was knocked to the ground.
“Mommy!” Lolite cried. “Mommy, get up! Please! Please get up!” Lolite shook Rarity’s shoulder, but the mare couldn’t tell.
Rarity was so cold, her whole body felt like solid ice. Her wheezy breath became slower and slower. Did she fail? Rarity’s hooves were numb, she has to keep trying. But with what strength? No, this isn’t the end, this can’t be the end!
“RARITY! LOLITE!” a voice bellowed.
“Is that…?” Rarity asked in a daze, unclear if she heard a voice or if the delirium had finally set in.
“Daddy!” Citrine shouted excitedly. “Mommy, it’s daddy! I hear daddy!”
Rarity felt the fire in her heart flare back into life as she shakily stood back on all fours. “See, we’re going to be fine darling. I told you.” Rarity ran towards Spike’s voice. “SPIKE! SPIIIKE!”
“RARITY!? RARITY WHERE ARE YOU!?” The dragon bellowed again.
“I’M HERE DARLING! I FOUND LOLITE!
“FOLLOW MY FLAME AND I’LL COME TO YOU!”
Rarity charged forward as the snow seemed to grow more and more ferocious. She could see something, a green light amidst the blinding white, a fire guiding Rarity to her husband.
Almost there! Almost there! Keep going! You’re so close! Rarity’s mind screamed as her new found hope filled her with vigor that pushed her body to limits she never knew she had. The snow became relentless and Rarity’s vision began to blur second by second and obscured more and more of Spike’s guiding light. Rarity kept running forward.
“SPIKE! SPIKE WHERE ARE YOU!?”
The last glimpse of emerald fire disappeared as Rarity felt her body collapse once more. The stark snow turning gray.
The bitter cold and pitch blackness vanished from Rarity’s senses as a familiar scene laid out before her. She was in her warm home, but something was off. There wasn’t the odd toy lying on the floors and the walls seemed to lack many of the family photos that Rarity had grown accustomed to. But what was most jarring was the sight of dresses hanging on a rack, dresses strewn about the floor and shredded newspaper. This was so familiar to Rarity, as if it had happened only moments ago…
“Well, I can see you’ve certainly enjoyed yourself,” came a familiar voice. Eris stood off to the side and greeted Rarity with a smile and a friendly wave. “I hope your gift was everything you wanted and-“
“NOOOO!!” Rarity screamed as she flung her hooves around the collar of the Princess of Fortune’s cloak, threatening to rip it right from her shoulders. “TAKE ME BACK! TAKE ME BACK THIS INSTANT!”
To say Rarity surprised the trickster would be an understatement, as Eris’ face had the looks as if she just encountered a real-life demon. “R-Rarity? What-?”
“LOLITE!” Rarity’s tears streamed down her cheeks, with enough volume to flood the room. “SHE’S STILL OUT IN THAT STORM! SHE’S TERRIFIED! SHE NEEDS ME! SEND ME BACK! PLEASE!”
For all the power that Eris possessed, nothing could give her the courage to look the mare in the eyes. “I’m… I’m sorry Rarity… but your time was up. You had to return here…”
Rarity’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly as she tried to say something. She felt all of her rage and strength dissipate as she sank to the floor and sobbed into her hooves. “No… no, no, no…please… I-I can’t leave her… please… please send me back… please…”
Eris rubbed the back of her head as the broken pony cried at her talons. Her face scrunched and she ran her arm over the other as a tug of war played out in her mind. She knelt down and placed a hand on Rarity’s shoulder. “She’s safe.”
“What?” Rarity looked up from her hooves, eyes still puffy. “What did you say?”
“I said… she’s safe. You’re actions saved Lolite. You on the other hoof, had to be rushed to the hospital, suffering minor frostbite, and proceeding to come down with the worst cold of your life. But… you’re both happy, safe and alive.”
Rarity wiped her tears. “Thank goodness. But how do you know that?”
Eris smiled. “You know how it goes with chaos. Able to rip and bend reality, make the impossible possible, and sometimes see all possibilities. Though, I don’t indulge too much in the latter. After all, where’s the fun in living if you know all the answers?”
Rarity took a deep breath as she did her best to compose herself. “Tell me… was… was that my future? Married to Spike? My foals? Are they all preordained?”
Eris shrugged. “Who can say? Time is a strange thing Rarity. It doesn’t just go in a straight line; it fractures, bends, and splinters like a river. Every choice you make, regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem, will play a part. Maybe that is your future. Or perhaps, since you know of it, your path will change and become something new. But whatever lies in wait, your future is what you make of it. It’s all up to you.”
“Whatever path I take,” Rarity said with conviction. “I know that I want to face it with Spike. I have to find him; I have to apologize and tell him how much I need him in my life.”
Eris grinned. “Well, if you leave now, you should be able to catch up with him before he gets home.”
Rarity tilted her head. “But… but Spike came here and then I was gone for… what time is it now?”
Eris pointed out the window, it was dark with only a few lampposts showing that the snow was falling just as gently as it was when Rarity returned home from Manehattan. “Consider this my second gift to you. It’s only been a few minutes since Spike’s departure. Use this time wisely.”
“I will!” without a moment to spare, Rarity rushed to the door and flung it open. She turned her head. “Thank you Eris… for everything.” Rarity left the shop and ran towards the Castle of Friendship while Eris stood in Carousel Boutique with a satisfied grin and a delightfully warm feeling in her heart. She snapped her fingers and just like that, she was gone.
Where are you Spike? Rarity ran through the streets of Ponyville at full gallop, hoping to head off her beloved drake. Eventually she came to a trail of claw prints and a line from somepony, specifically a dragon, dragging their tail. He’s close! He's close, I can feel it!” Rarity kept her pace up and followed the path laid before her.
Soon she saw him, Spike was walking slowly, head hung low and shoulders sagging. Rarity felt a pang in her heart like a pin prick from a voodoo doll, but she’d have plenty of time to berate herself later, right now she had far more important matters to attend to.
“Spike!” Rarity called out. Spike stopped and lifted his head. “Spike, wait!” Spike turned around just as Rarity slid to a halt coming a few inches short of bowling him over.
“Rarity?” Spike asked. “What are you-?”
Rarity held up a hoof as she struggled to catch her breath. “Spike… please… I… I have something to say… and I fear that if I don’t tell you now… I may never have a chance like this again.”
Spike nodded and waited patiently for Rarity to compose herself. After a few more deep breaths, Rarity looked deep into Spike’s eyes. His beautiful, beautiful eyes. It was now or never.
“Spike… I’m sorry. I’m so dreadfully sorry. I never should have taken my frustration out on you. You’re the greatest friend a pony could ask for. I know you didn’t set me up to fail, you were just being the same supportive, caring, and generous dragon you’ve always been. And I was just being a foolish and bitter mare. I understand if you’re angry at me, I would be too if I were in your position. But I hope you can forgive me…
“I know I’ve made mistakes. I’ve made a plethora of them. Among them was never telling you how important you are to me, how much I enjoy and treasure your company, how much I look forward to seeing you every single day… I want to have you by my side Spike, now and always. I can’t imagine what my future would be like without you in it. I don’t even want to entertain the idea of you not being here with me. I want to face the future with you Spike, you and only you.”
A heavy silence fell as Spike stood there slack jawed. Was she too late? Has her mistake cost her a future with Spike? Rarity hung her head and shut her eyes as shame started to creep into her heart and soul. The cold began to set in as her adrenaline faded, Rarity shivered, regretting not bringing something warm to wear. There was a sound of paper being torn and then Rarity felt something wrap around her neck. Her body felt an all to familiar warmth that spread from her head to her hooves. Rarity opened her eyes. She was wearing a blue scarf.
Spike scratched his cheek as a growing blush covered his face. “This… was supposed to be your Hearths Warming present… but it got so cold out, I thought I’d give it to you a little early.”
Rarity was in awe as she ran a hoof along the soft wool. The same gentle caress she felt from her other scarf. The one from…
“I know it’s nothing fancy,” Spike continued. “But I made it myself; uh, I mean, Twilight lent a hoof, but I knitted it myself. Took me awhile to get the hang of it, but I think it came out well. Um… do… do you like it?”
Rarity held one of the ends to her face, it smelled like a burning fireplace. The wonderful scent that harkened to her time as a wife and mother. Feeding Cobalt, walking through town with Lolite and the time spent with Spike, her wonderful husband, and the father of her foals. The life she never knew she wanted. No, it was her deepest desire. A life with the one she loved more than anycreature and a family to share with him. Rarity began to tear up, she let out a soft sob. She sniffled and gazed at Spike with unbridled joy in her eyes and a loving smile.
