Chapter 1
"All I'm saying darling, is that I believe more of the boys in this school could benefit from learning to do a hairstyle or two. From yours truly of course. I’m not the best hairstylist around, but I could still teach them a thing or two. I hate that some of them are still so reluctant to learn, but maybe they’ll come around soon.”
“Yeah, maybe they will.” Twilight quietly responded.
“It’s just, their future kid or special someone may benefit from it. Even learning to apply a dash of eyeliner, heck, even a bit blush, would be worth something down the road, I’m sure.” said Rarity, suddenly on the edge of her seat while waving her hoof around.
“Uh huh...” Twilight, who was sitting in a chair opposite Rarity, half-heartedly replied. They were seated in Twilights office, chatting over snacks and some tea that Rarity had brought with her. Well, more like Rarity was talking while Twilight sat and listened. Twilight already had a tea set in her classroom, complete with many types of the leaf juice, but Rarity always managed to bring in some new flavor that the alicorn had never heard of, so Twilight was happy to partake in whatever Rarity had brought, always excited to try something new.
As Rarity finished that last sentence, she took a sip from the teacup she was holding in her magic and looked through the nearby window that provided a satisfying view of the rest of the town, as she often did. Twilight assumed that was one of the reasons Rarity liked to visit her in her office after school, instead of anywhere else.
Neither of them could really pinpoint the day these little visits started, or the reason as to why it became a daily occurrence, but Rarity had made it a habit to stop by the headmare’s office after school before she went home each day. Twilight, always enjoying a friend's company, especially after particularly stressful days, never once thought of turning her away. What started as the occasional visit, quickly became a daily routine. Deal with some paperwork, the occasional student-parent conference, responding to letters from other nobles, more paperwork, then teatime with Rarity. Clearing room in her schedule for Rarity had become less and less challenging as each day passed, and the same was true for Rarity. Neither liked waiting for days, sometimes weeks, to sit down and have a proper conversation and just hang out in general.
Their little friend group always managed to make time for each other eventually, but sitting down and just talking for hours became harder and harder as their lives became busier over the years, so sometimes her friends would just stop by her office occasionally. Except Rarity of course, who made certain she stopped by before going anywhere else once school was finished.
"But you know how some boys can still be.” she continued. “I would never do such girly things like that. I’m a boy and I will behave as such.” she said in the best mock gruff tone she could manage while pulling her head and neck back, but then sighed and returned to her normal voice and previous posture. “Then they bump appendages and go do, I don’t know, whatever boys do I guess.”
“I see, that is...concerning.” Twilight replied. On any other day, Rarity, as she was prone to do, would talk and talk, while Twilight listened patiently, hanging onto every word that poured from Rarity's mouth, and swiftly responding. While Twilight didn’t quite understand fashion that well, she just enjoyed watching the fashionista talk about things that made her happy. Today though, Twilight just mindlessly agreed with whatever her friend said, her own mind seemingly clouded by other thoughts.
“Don’t they know how many stallions and colts out there who are perfectly comfortable with things like that? You think it's just mares that make those aristocrats and fancy ponies in Canterlot look that good? There are almost just as many male hairstylists as there are female ones. I understand some of the other creatures being slightly hesitant, but I'd expect ponies to be a little more willing. I also understand that not all of them have exactly been raised around that kind of stuff, but hopefully they'll realize that there's nothing wrong with such things."
“Yeah, you’re right.” Twilight quietly replied.
“I swear Twilight, how long will the world stay in such an outdated state of thinking? It’s about time these boys learn that there’s nothing wrong with being skilled in such things, and would you believe me if I said that one of the boys convinced a girl that make-up was too fru-fru, and now she refuses to touch a stick of lipstick. How in the world did that happen? Learning how to pretty up a face should be the norm. I for one, would find it very...attractive in a... potential…partner.” Rarity’s words came to a halt as she looked towards Twilight, who was currently having a staring contest with the floor.
Twilight gave a slight chuckle. “Y-yeah, I agree.” she responded, once again, seemingly not all there. She didn’t really hear what Rarity had just said, but found her earlier mock tone to be a little amusing when she thought back on it. Rarity squinted her eyes at her, before putting on a small smile.
"I guess the world will stay in such a state for as long as cutie princesses named Twilight Sparkle keep thinking the floor is more interesting than me.”
“Yeah...” Twilight said, still staring at the floor, which earned her a slight pout from the mare across from her.
“Twilight!”
"Huh?! What?!” Twilight yelped in surprise, now fully focused on what had scared her into attention.
“Ah, nice to see you again dear. Did you enjoy your trip?” Rarity asked.
“I was listening, I swear!” Twilight tried to defend.
“Are you sure? You seemed to be having fantasies about how intimate you could become with the ground.” Rarity said while grinning and leaning in.
“What? No I wasn’t-” she started, but Rarity interrupted as she adorned a fake frown. Rarity had become so good at putting on faces that Twilight couldn’t tell if it was real or not.
“Never thought I’d become so unattractive that the floor would become more appealing to look at.” she said while dramatically putting a hoof to her forehead, but then laying herself over the arm of the chair and looking down. “Though it is a very nice floor I have to say.”
“No, it’s not that, I was just very intently….listening to your story." She said, adorning a nervous smile.
“Aboouut what darling?” Rarity replied, eager to hear Twilights response. Rarity caught her, and Twilight really didn’t know what to say. She had been quiet for too long, so she figured she would just go for it.
"Potions and history, like we were talking about yesterday?" she said, hoping she was right. To Rarity’s slight delight, she wasn’t. Now she gets to mess with her.
"Oh yeah that’s right! You were listening!” Rarity said, with a convincing smile.
“Wait, were we really? Twilight asked, a genuine smile forming at the thought that they were possibly talking about some of the purple mare’s favorite things, and that she also guessed right.
"No my dear, not even close." said Rarity, giving Twilight another grin.
"Oh..." she responded, as she cast her gaze downwards with a sheepish grin, then looking back at Rarity. “Sorry, I don’t know what's gotten into me Starry. I-I mean Rarity!”
“Twilight, did you just call me someone else?”
“W-what no, I could never mistake you for someone else! You’re too....pretty?” Twilight replied in a vain attempt to make up for what she had said.
“Mmmm.” Rarity responded with an unimpressed stare. “While that is somewhat flattering darling, I can’t ignore the fact somethings clearly bothering you to make you do that.” she said, her smile turning into a slight frown.
Rarity set her teacup down a little harder than normal, like she does when she gets slightly peeved but doesn’t want to make it too loud. Just enough to make sure Twilight knew she was serious, which she did, if her body visibly stiffening was anything to go by.
“Twilight, how many times have I said that you can talk to me? As much as I like to blabber on, your voice is wonderful to hear too. I mean, how long have we known each other now?”
“Rarity, I’m okay. I’ve just had a lot of work to take care of lately and, I guess it’s getting to me.”
"Work, sure, I’d be more inclined to believe that’s all it was if you hadn’t been staring down for the past half hour. Oh, and the fact that you just called me by someone else’s name, which you never do, by the way. For your sake, I hope they’re as fabulous as me.” she said half-jokingly with a smirk and hair flip. Twilight's wings twitched a bit as she stared into space, embarrassed at almost calling Rarity by another name.
Not getting the reaction she had hoped for, the unicorn donned a worried expression.
“Is everything alright Twilight?” she asked, with sudden, genuine concern, followed by Twilight sighing.
“Well, I guess I haven’t been myself lately, if I’m being honest.” Twilight finally admitted.
Rarity sighed again while adjusting herself in her seat, before speaking.
"Twilight, talk to me darling. Aside from staring into space, you’ve barely stopped moving in your seat since I’ve started speaking to you, and you’ve taken four sips of tea from a cup you emptied ten minutes ago.” she finished as Twilight prepared for a fifth sip, then hastily put the cup back down.
Twilight was amazed by how observant Rarity had been while talking so much, but not surprised. Rarity had always been good at reading body language and such. Also, she was slightly embarrassed at the fact that Rarity was right. Her throat was indeed dry since she had not actually ingested any liquid for the past ten or so minutes.
Twilight began to wonder why Rarity waited so long to say anything. Maybe she was waiting for Twilight to speak up first. “I can’t hide anything from you Rarity, huh?” Twilight asked with a tired smile, a little relieved she didn’t have to put on any more of an act.
“I know dear, aren’t I just the worst.” Rarity replied, causing them both to giggle a bit. Rarity smiled gingerly at Twilight when she finally saw her smiling again. "You should be comfortable enough around me to tell me anything by now. If you’re still afraid to do that, then what was the point of all those adventures in the name of friendship?”
“To save the world?” Twilight said with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
“Oh yes, that too I guess.” she said in a dismissive but joking manner. Twilight snorted a bit, earning a laugh from Rarity, as Twilight followed suit.
As they quieted down, she picked up the kettle in her magic and poured Twilight a cup of tea, while adding two sugar cubes like she knew Twilight liked it, before pouring herself a cup as well. “While the air is of a nice quality this fine evening, I can promise you the tea is just as delicious.”
Twilight smiled with a small blush, remembering how she tried to drink from an empty cup earlier. She chuckled a bit while thanking Rarity and taking a sip.
“Now, what's on your mind sweetheart?” Rarity asked, relaxing back in her seat a bit.
Letting the aroma from the tea calm her, she began to speak.
“Rarity, be honest with me.” Twilight told her, prompting Rarity to lean in a bit, sensing this to be something serious.
“Do you...regret becoming a teacher at this school?” she asked, almost hesitantly.
“What? Twilight, why would you ask something like that? We love what we do, you know that.”
“Sorry, I know it’s probably a silly thing to stress over, but sometimes...” Twilight inhaled and exhaled before continuing... “I feel like I moved too fast with this whole, school of friendship thing, y’know? Especially when I decided to make you girls teachers. I was so caught up in the excitement of starting my own school, and I barely stopped to think about how you girls felt.” she finished.
“Oh Twilight, sweetheart, how could you think such a thing? You think we’re miserable or something?”
“Well, not exactly, but it could be one of those situations where it's like “Here goes Twilight with another one of her crazy ideas. She’s our friend so I guess we’ll help her...” she sighed before getting the last few words out,” ...even though we’re already busy with our own lives.”
“Stop that Twilight Sparkle. You honestly think we don’t enjoy what we do here? That we’re not having fun? I don’t know if you’ve looked around your school lately, but we all very much enjoy being trusted to educate these young minds.”
“Yes, I guess you’re right, but Rarity, you have multiple stores to look after, Apple Jack has a farm, Rainbow Dash has wonderbolt stuff. You’re all so busy, but you find time to help me teach these students, because I’m your friend.”
“Well first of all Twilight, it sounds like you’re doubting my multitasking abilities.” She said with half lidded eyes and a smile while putting a hoof to her chest. "I assure you, this is something I'm more than capable of handling, and I’m sure the others feel the same.”
“N-no I’m not doubting anything, I just...” she trailed off, prompting Rarity to speak.
“Well, what is it? You think this is all too much for me or the others?”
“Well, no, I guess. I believed you could all do it from the start, but as time went on, I started to wonder if I robbed you girls of the free time that some of you already had so little of.”
“Twilight, darling, if there was ever anything I wouldn’t mind spending my free time on, it’s this. I mean, I’d be lying if I said I never fantasized about being the hot teacher that students drool over.” Twilight took a break from her worries to snort in amusement at Rarity, drawing a smile from her, and then smiling herself.
“Oh my gosh Rarity, you’ve officially been reading too many of those romance novels.” she said, giggling while a blush crept up her face, but not knowing why. Maybe it had something to do with that image of Rarity in that dress she wore on the first day of school that just flashed across her mind, and how Twilight thought it really suited her. Then again, Rarity made a lot of things look good.
“Why Twilight, never thought I’d hear you of all ponies say I read too much.” she replied, beginning to giggle herself. “So, what if one of my favorite novels involves a teacher falling in love with one of their students? It’s not so crazy a thing that it’s never happened.”
“Is that why you’re doing this? To act as one of the characters in your books?”
“That’s right dear! You were just a steppingstone on the path to my deepest desire. To have students so enraptured by my beauty that it would be nigh impossible to focus on my lessons.” she said while flipping her hair. She set her teacup down and turned to Twilight with a grin as the purple mare rolled her eyes playfully.
“And don’t think for a second that you couldn’t do the same thing Ms. Sparkle. You’ve been wearing more and more make-up every time I see you. Your natural beauty was off the charts already.”
“Oh Rarity, always so generous with your compliments.” Said Twilight, a bigger blush adorning her cheeks.
“Trying to impress someone? A student perhaps? I bet it’s that new pegasus the joined the school, isn’t it?” She asked, turning Twilights blush up to a hundred.
“What?! No, never! He’s a student Rarity!" Twilight nearly yelled.
“I don’t know Twilight, there’s nothing wrong with a harmless little fling with a student. Don’t worry dear, your secrets safe with me.” She teased, but as far as Twilight was concerned, Rarity was being dead serious.
“I-I would be breaking so many rules Rarity! I-” Twilight squeaked out, but was interrupted by a hearty laugh from Rarity, which made Twilight look at her disapprovingly.
“My sweet Twilight, you turn the most adorable shade of red when you get flustered, did you know that?” said Rarity.
“I hate it when you do that.” Twilight said, now with her teacup also on the table and her forelegs crossed over her chest, and her blush now coming from Rarity’s comment about how adorable she looked.
“Ah yes, such a scoundrel I am. How do you put up with me?” she finished as her laugh died down. “Lock me in the dungeon with the rest of the rapscallions you find unpleasant.”
“We don’t have a dungeon, but I’ll be sure to have one installed after this.”
“My, a whole new addition to the castle, just for little old me. Well, I’ll be a most gracious prisoner. Just bring me a chamomile tea every few hours and a good novel, and you won’t hear a peep out of me.” Rarity finished with another hearty laugh.
“Rarity, prison is supposed to be a form of punishment, not comfort.” she said, but Rarity continued anyways.
“Oh, and maybe one of those stallions from the gentlecolts club in Manehatten.” she finished with a grin, then laughing at the blush that she brought out from Twilight.
“Goodness Rarity, I can’t believe I let you talk me into going to that place.” said Twilight. “There’s no telling who saw me in there.”
“Twilight, the mares in those places are too busy staring at the stallions on stage, and in one place in particular. You should know, considering how hard you were staring at that one stallion’s-“
“Okay okay Rarity, you made your point! Please stop talking!” Twilight yelled, her blush nearly covering her neck at this point. Rarity was laughing herself to tears now.
“You are a hoof full sometimes Rarity.” she said. Rarity’s laugh had finally descended to a giggle.
Twilight couldn’t help but giggle a little in the end as well, but her thoughts quickly shifted back to the earlier topic and she was wearing her frown once again. Rarity knew she was thinking about their earlier conversation and was eager to put her friend's mind at ease. She didn’t like seeing her so torn up about this.
“Thats a shame, I thought she’d in better spirits after that exchange. This must really be eating her up.” She thought to herself. She quickly put on a reassuring smile for the princess.
“Twilight we’re best friends, and friends do things like this for each other, right? You should know this better than anyone.”
Twilight deeply sighed, the earlier mood somewhat dissipated, though fun to be in while it lasted.
“But that goes back to my earlier point Rarity. I’ve been thinking about it and, I can’t get it out of my head that you’re all doing this, adding more to your already busy lives, just because I asked you to. Because we’re friends.”
“Well darling, you’re just making it sound like we have no free will. Like you say to do something, and we just mindlessly do it without thinking. Is that what you think of us, Ms. Sparkle? Mindless puppets?” Rarity asked with sly smile.
“N-no of course not, I don’t think that all, I, I don’t know Rarity. I think I just hate part of myself for doing whatever and making you all go along with it. With such short notice too sometimes.”
“Like I said Twilight, we’re not mindless puppets. Just because we do things as your friends and want to help you in any way possible, that doesn't mean we're not going to find enjoyment in it. Of the extremely few things we might not want to do, but do anyways, this is not one of them. We love this, and love doing it. Despite my earlier rant about the boys, the students are an absolute joy to be around.”
“But-” Twilight started, but Rarity wasn’t going to let her say what she wanted, because she knew it was just going to be another attempt to prove a point that Rarity didn’t agree with in the first place.
“Twilight, when you asked us to become your faculty, we weren’t sure what to make of the situation in the beginning, but I think I speak for all of us when I say we that felt honored that you would trust us with such a task. I mean, we’re talking about generations of creatures going out to spread friendship using what we taught them at this school. That’s not something that everyone would be willing to do.”
“I...” Twilight trailed off, as she couldn't think of a good comeback.
“If we weren’t willing to do this Twilight, we would’ve let you know. It would have devastated us to have let you down when you held such high expectations for us, but we would’ve been honest with you, because that’s what friends do. Apple Jack of all ponies would have said something by now, don’t you think?”
“I guess, I guess you’re right Rarity.” Twilight said.
“Of course I’m right darling.” Rarity replied. “You believed in us, so we believed in ourselves. You bring out the best in us. You always have.”
Twilight began to smile, but cut it short with a slight frown instead. “But...”
“Twilight?”
“Hm?
“Are you still doubting everything I’m telling you?” she asked, as Twilight shifted uncomfortably in her chair before speaking.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t shake the feeling...Rarity. I know you’re right, and I want to believe you, but I just can’t convince myself for some reason.”
Rarity took a few moments to stare at Twilight, wondering how she could lift her friend’s spirits and make her believe. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind as she got out of her chair and made her way over to Twilight.
“Twilight, get out of that chair and come with me for a second.” Rarity told Twilight, who stared at her in confusion.
“Rarity, what are you about to do?” Twilight asked, as Rarity grabbed her friends hoof and gave it a slight tug.
“Just come with me darling, I promise we’re not going far.” she said, giving Twilight a reassuring smile that made the alicorn give one of her own.
“Oh. O-ok. But, where are we going?”
“Just follow me dear.”
Twilight, finally getting out of her chair, made her way to a nearby full-length mirror where the alabaster mare was awaiting her arrival. Once Twilight was close enough, Rarity grabbed her friend and positioned her directly in front of the mirror. After a short while, Twilight frowned while turning to Rarity.
“Okay, we’re in front of my mirror. Now what?” she said flatly.
“Well now, my pretty little princess, I want you to take a good long look at yourself. Deep down, you know exactly who you are, and what those beautiful eyes have witnessed. So, in your most honest words, tell me what you see.” Rarity said, closely holding on to Twilight’s shoulders as the lavender mare stared at her reflection.
“Rarity, this is silly.”
“Oh come now Twilight, just entertain me for a moment. If not for yourself, at least do it for me? Pretty please?” Rarity said, smiling genuinely at Twilight. The newest princess wasn’t sure why, but she had developed a recent weakness for Rarity’s puppy dog eyes that usually had no effect on any of her friends, other than Spike. So, she just sighed as she prepared to do as Rarity asked.
“And please, do hold back on the modesty for once.” Rarity finished while playfully bumping the side of her head to Twilights. "Twilight, deep down you know just how fantastic and marvelous you are darling. So, I want you look into that mirror, and tell yourself just how much you deserve to be where you're at now. Don't you dare lie to yourself either."
Twilight stared for a few seconds while looking herself up and down, then with a somewhat stern and determined expression, began to speak.
“I see, I see someone who has...accomplished a lot... in her life, I guess.”
“You guess?” Rarity asked incredulously.
“Okay, I have done a lot.” Twilight said, as Rarity gave her a satisfied nod.
“That’s better, now continue.” she said, as Twilight gazed at her reflection once more.
“She has been through trials and tribulations that almost no other pony could understand, aside from the close friends that she shared those experiences with.” Twilight started, getting a sudden boost of confidence and speaking more clearly and with more direction.
“Mhm, and?” Rarity asked.
"She believes she has worked hard to be where she’s at, she wants to do her absolute best to make everyone happy, and she wouldn’t have gotten this far without her best friends and family with her every step of the way. Through her intense studying and dedication, she has been able to overcome impossible odds and help make the world a better place.” Twilight said, feeling somewhat satisfied with her answer as she smiled confidently.
“Bravo Twilight! See? You’re letting your worries get the best of you. You know exactly who you are, and you’re once again seeing what the rest of us see in you!” Rarity exclaimed, clapping her hooves in celebration. “You could’ve bragged a little more Twilight, you really are that amazing.”
“But...”
“Twilight?” Rarity asked, looking up and seeing Twilights confident stare turn into a frown as her eyes pointed dejectedly down at the floor.
“Just because of what she’s been through, she thinks she’s above all others, and acts like she has all the answers, when in reality, she can be just as clueless as everyone else.” Twilight began to stare sternly at her reflection, making Rarity frown nervously.
“What are you sayi-?” she tried to say while letting go of Twilight to look at her directly.
“A pony who can’t do anything by herself, constantly relying on others. Bossing others around and telling them how things should be, almost getting her own school shut down in the process. The second she can’t do something, she begs for help from those who already have their own things to worry about. Heck, without Discord, who knows how many times the world would've ended."
“I don’t think tha-” she tried to interrupt, but Twilight seemed to get lost in her own reflection, like she was talking to real, alternate version of herself.
“Like really, take all her friends away and she would wither up like a starving plant. She thinks it's all about her. She thinks everyone should drop what they’re doing and help her, no matter what the problem is, because she thinks she’s the center of attention, just because she has these wings now, and a crown.
“Twilight.”
“I mean she-”
“Twilight, stop!” Rarity said with a raised voice while giving Twilight a slight shake, causing Twilight to jerk.
When she came back to her senses, she turned to look at Rarity, who was staring at her in a most distressed manner. When Twilight remembered the words that had come out of her own mouth, she blushed in embarrassment.
“Did I, *ahem*, I uh, I-I didn’t mean to....” she sputtered, remembering everything she had just said, while watching a still distressed Rarity cup her cheek in her hoof, almost flinching from the touch.
“Twilight, why would you say those things?” Rarity asked. Twilight looked as if she wanted to speak, but couldn’t decide what words would take that worried look off Rarity’s face. “Twilight, I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen you do something like that, or if I’ve ever seen it honestly.”
“I...forget it Rarity, just pretend that didn’t happen.” she said, preparing to turn around to go back to her desk, until Rarity grabbed her shoulder before she could complete that turn.
“I most certainly will not, Twilight Sparkle. We’re not going to act like you didn’t just say all of that! You don’t really believe those things darling, you just can’t. Not after everything you’ve been through.” Rarity said, before asking her something.
“Who’s putting these thoughts in your head, Twilight? Is someone messing with you? Who’s been spouting this, this nonsense into your ears? Wait, you called me someone else earlier. Was it them? When I find them, I swear to Celestia-” Rarity’s rant was halted by Twilight’s hoof reaching her chest.
“N-no Rarity, no one’s said anything to me. I-I don’t think I meant for that last part to come out...I...” she said, but stopped when she suddenly felt Rarity's hooves grab her own, as the white mare stared worriedly into the alicorns eyes.
“Twilight, the way you just behaved scares me, like it would any sensible friend of yours. I knew something was the matter, but I didn’t think it had you in this much of a conflict with yourself. I’m not leaving until you get, whatever this is, out into the open.”
“Please Rarity, I don’t want to unload my personal problems onto you.”
“Twilight. I want you to unload all of your personal problems onto me.” Rarity said sternly, causing Twilight to stare into Rarity’s almost sparkling turquoise eyes.
Twilight knew that determined, serious look in Rarity’s eyes, the look she had reserved for her friends when she knew that they were lying to her. Twilight inhaled, then sighed deeply, causing Rarity to loosen her face a bit, as she knew that meant Twilight was finally going to talk to her.
“I guess...it’s just how I’ve been feeling about things for a while. Part of me doesn’t believe them, but the other part wants to. No matter what happens, it wants me to hold on to this belief that I don’t deserve this, any of this, and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s some, subconscious attempt to keep myself humble, or something, fearing that if I get too caught up in my accomplishments, I’ll become too full of myself, and become insufferable to be around.” she finished.
Rarity did take notice of how Twilight praised herself for her accomplishments at first, but as if another version of her took over her body, she immediately started to chastise herself, like she was punishing her own mind for being happy at her successes. Twilight looked down as she finished that last sentence, while Rarity continued to stare at her.
“You could never become like that, Twilight. There’s a difference in trying to keep yourself humble, and just downright attacking yourself, and you basically performed the latter.” she said.
“I know Rarity, and I don’t like feeling like this. I don’t want to either, but, I can’t help it.” Twilight said, as Rarity stared at her in deep thought before speaking.
“You...don’t feel like this all the time, do you dear? Every time I see that wonderful smile on your face, a smile that seems so genuine that no one could mistake it as fake, are you not happy?” she asked, grasping Twilight’s hooves even tighter.
“No, of course not. Every moment with you girls, even during the bad times, is like a dream I don’t ever want to wake up from. You girls really do make everything better. Like, I don’t think I’m depressed or anything, but I...I don’t want to...I don’t know Rarity. I’m supposed to know everything, but I don’t know how to shake myself out of this.”
Honestly, Rarity wanted to chastise her. Chastise her for being so hard on herself, and for not talking to anyone about this. For her inner feelings to burst out like that, she must’ve been keeping these thoughts to herself for some time now, and it also saddened her that Twilight thought of herself in this manner, even after everything. She really wouldn’t blame Twilight for bragging just a little bit. She’s only saved the world a dozen times at this point. Everyone should be worshipping the ground she walked on.
She didn’t care how extreme that may have sounded. Rarity believed that Twilight deserved as much praise as possible. Matter of fact...
“Twilight, darling?” Rarity called softly. Twilight turned to look at her friend, prompting Rarity to speak again once she had her friend's attention. “I want you to look at the mirror, one last time for me.”
Twilight lowered her ears and looked away before looking back at her friend. “I don’t know Rarity...”
“Please dearest, this won’t take long. Trust me, I won’t let that horrid little thing that’s been mentally torturing you rise to the surface. I’ll beat them down with my hairbrush if I must.” Rarity told her, causing Twilight to snort in amusement.
“Wouldn’t you just be hitting me then?”
“Well, that should encourage you to keep that little demon in check, now won’t it darling?” she asked. It brought a smile to her face when she noticed the corners of Twilight’s mouth curve upwards.
“I know you don’t want to look at yourself right now, but you’re stronger than this Twilight, and you know it, and I want to show you that you know it.” She told Twilight. Finally conceding, Twilight allowed Rarity to turn her to face the mirror again.
It was a little hard to stare at her reflection after what she did earlier, but Rarity held her by the shoulders as if to keep her from trying to run from herself.
“Now my dear, I’m going to tell you what I see, and what everyone else sees as well.”
“A pompous know-it-all?” she replied.
“Twilight, my hairbrush is literally right on your desk.” Rarity said flatly and sternly.
“Sorry.” she responded sheepishly. Rarity sighed while gripping Twilight a little harder as she began to move her mouth.
“I see, a mare that was destined for greatness. A filly, who I’m positive was the most adorable little thing to grace Equestria in thousands of years, who was excepted by none other than Princess Celestia herself.” she said, prompting Twilight to stifle a small giggle.
“If that wasn’t a precursor of great things to come, then I don’t know what was. Time, and time again, have you proved yourself worthy to be where you’re at right now. Through many trials and tribulations, that would have put many a pony in the mental institution from the stress and pressure, you have constantly, and persistently, surpassed the expectations of those that have put their absolute and unshakable faith in you.”
As Rarity continued with her speech, Twilight began to stare less awkwardly at herself. Her slight frown turned more into a flat stare as she corrected her posture. Her ears were now at attention as her wings picked themselves off the floor and were once again at her sides.
“She’s one of, if not the most talented sorceress the land has ever seen, but if I can go off on a tangent for a sec, have you seen her lately? If she isn’t one of the prettiest ponies around, my word. I have to say that her looks rival mine. Well, almost.” She said, earning an eye roll from Twilight, as Rarity playfully poked her in the side with a wink.
“Twilight, you have quite literally kept the world from experiencing total, eternal darkness, complete annihilation, and possible slavery at the hands of many undesirable, dastardly villains. I’m utterly shocked that you’re not so full of yourself. You’re most certainly better than I. Why, I’d be reminding ponies every day of how I saved their hindquarters from utter misery. Actually...” Rarity trailed off before turning towards the doors of Twilight’s office space.
“Hey! I want every creature to know that they should be prostrating themselves for the one and only Twilight Spa-!” Rarity yelled, before a flustered and laughing Twilight grabbed her and cut her off.
“Okay okay, Rarity, you made your point! I get it.” she managed to get out between laughs, as Rarity laughed with her, turning around to grab her friend by her waist.
“You question why we do these things for you dear, but you’re the type of pony that others want to follow. You’re the type of pony that others want to impress. We’re very thankful, and happy to be taking this journey with you. You bring out the best in us and make us want to be better versions of ourselves.”
Twilight stared at her as Rarity took a small breath before continuing.
“Twilight, sometimes I look at you go, “Wow, a mare like this. She wants to be my friend, and one of my closest ones at that. Even though I give her so much grief with all my antics, and the way she’s put up with me all these years. A pony as amazing, a pony as beautiful, and smart as her, she wants me in her life, and...I couldn’t imagine...not being a part of hers.” Rarity said, almost choking on her last few words.
By the time Rarity had finished, Twilight seemed to be on the verge of tears, as a blush decorated her cheeks.
“Twilight, it tears me apart to see you distressed over things like this. There’s nothing wrong with being a little down from time to time, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. If you ever begin to feel this way again, you better call me. If no one else does, then know that I will drop whatever I’m doing to help my friendly neighborhood alicorn remember just how loved, and how appreciated she is, and that’s she’s not just a princess of friendship, but she’s my princess.”
Twilight paused for a bit, as tears started streaming down her cheeks while she stifled a sniffle.
“Rarity, do you really think I’m that amazing?” she asked.
“Is this the Twilight of the past or something? It’s like you’ve reverted to you old self darling. You’re beyond amazing, and if my vocabulary was as vast as yours, I would find a more appropriate word.” she said, a short silence setting in as they stared at each other before Twilight spoke.
“Thanks Rarity. I think I’m ok, sorry for asking that.” She said as she wiped her tears, but more continued to fall out as she did so. “I’m selfish for it, but...I guess I just, wanted to hear you say that again.” she said, blushing. Rarity felt herself grow a little warm, before smiling genuinely. “And...I’m sorry for crying. I guess, I really needed that.” Twilight said.
“Aaaw Twilight, you have not a single thing to be sorry for. I’ll tell you that as many times as you want dear!” said Rarity, while jumping on Twilight and wrapping her body around hers and hugging her tightly.
“You’re amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing!” Rarity told her, while nuzzling Twilight quite aggressively, but drawing out all the laughter that Twilight could muster as her tears ceased falling.” My spectacular, fascinating, incredible, marvelous, stunning-”
“Who are you, Pinkie Pie!? I’m also starting to think your vocabulary isn’t as limited as you claim Rarity!” Twilight interrupted while laughing.
“Give me a thesaurus and I’m sure I can find a million more words darling!” she exclaimed, increasing the aggressiveness of her nuzzling, causing Twilight to laugh a little harder.
“Rarity, that’s starting to tickle!” Twilight cried, earning a smile mischievous grin from Rarity.
“That tickles? Oh darling, you’re going to absolutely loathe what I do next.” Rarity said, as she began to tickle Twilight sides with her hooves as the alicorn wriggled in Rarity’s grasp.
“Rarity! Rarity stop! !” Twilight cried between laughs as she attempted to push Rarity off her.
“I’ll only stop once you say that you’re the cutest and most amazing pony! I wanna hear you say it!” Said Rarity, also trying to talk between laughs.
“I’m-I’m an amazing-!” Twilight yelled, but couldn’t talk over her laughs.
“What was that dear? I couldn’t quite hear you!” said Rarity, continuing her assault.
“I’m an amazing pony!”
“And?”
“And the cutest! Okay Rarity stop, I can’t breathe!” Twilight yelled as Rarity finally let her go. Twilight was getting the last of her laughs out while panting heavily.
“And don’t you ever forget it Twilight, or next time, I may not be so gentle.” said the unicorn.
“Okay, the dungeon idea is officially a go after that.” said Twilight, taking another breath before returning to her normal breathing.
“Very well, I’ll accept my punishment. Just don’t forget my tea darling.”
“How about I leave you down there with two pieces of clothing whose colors clash with each other?”
“Twilight! You absolute monster!” said Rarity, raising a hoof to her chest. “Maybe you’re not the pony I thought you were. If only everyone knew just what kind of pony their newest princess was, there would most likely be a coup on the horizon.” she said.
“C’mon, you deserve a just punishment for what you did.” said Twilight.
“Oh come now, don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it. You needed a good laugh Twilight. Besides, what you want to do to me could be labeled as cruel and unusual punishment. Surely there’s a law that forbids that sort of thing? Speaking of laws, if I was a ruler, I would ban matching green with yellow.”
“If that’s how you’d rule Rarity, then we’d need a lot more jails.”
“Not jails darling. Maybe, correctional facilities.”
“That’s what a jail is Rarity.” Twilight said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, but these would be used to teach ponies how to properly put colors together and-Twilight, what’s so funny?” Rarity asked. Twilight was once again laughing as Rarity started to giggle a bit herself.
“I just, I just imagined ponies under your rule getting twenty years added to their sentence, just because you decided their pants didn’t go with their mane.” she finished, laughing again.
“Yeah, well maybe twenty years would be long enough for, t-them to, think about t-their-” As Rarity tried to get that last part out, she began to fall into a fit of laughter herself.
For the next few seconds or so, the two mares just sat there laughing, often glancing at each other between laughs. The world seemed to fade around both of them as they laughed and laughed, all of Twilight’s tension and stress seeming fade, while Rarity was glad that Twilight was seemingly happy again.
Rarity had stopped laughing first, but continued to watch Twilight, who seemed to be the happiest mare on the planet right now, continue to laugh enough for the both of them. The fashionista smiled genuinely at her, so happy that her friend was enjoying herself so much right now. Her neatly groomed hair bobbing slightly with each laugh, the slight pink staining her cheeks, her infectious smile that honestly made Rarity want to hug her again. She was so focused on Twilight, so focused on her beautiful face and her beautiful smile, so full of happiness, that she didn’t seem to notice or care about the heat in her face as a slight blush began to spread across it. She asked herself; “Was Twilight always this stunning to look at? I really hate seeing her sad, and I want to do everything I can to keep her happy, if it means I get to see the smartest mare in the land smile her beautiful smile.”
Twilight’s laugh finally died down as she looked into Rarity’s eyes again, everything the unicorn had told her earlier starting to replay in her head. Twilight’s tears started to flow once again when she remembered just how much Rarity cared for her. Rarity refused to let her be sad, and she was so willing to stay until Twilight was in good spirits. Twilight had to ask herself; “Since when have I been this happy around Rarity? I’m so happy, it should be a crime. Her words, her words were so wonderful to hear. I could watch her, and listen to her talk forever.”
“Twilight, what’s wrong? You’re crying again.” she asked, as Twilight blinked more tears out.
“Nothing Rarity, I just, I really appreciate you saying those things earlier. For helping me come to my senses. You’re such a wonderful friend.” she said, her tears stopping for a sec.
“Oh I’m sorry dear, I didn’t mean to make you cry again. I just, I love you, so much darling, and you are never a burden to me. And even if you were, you would be the most delightful kind of burden.” she finished, leaving one hoof around her waist and raising one to wipe Twilight’s tears. "If that, makes sense." Rarity finished with a slight chuckle.
For a few seconds after, she could do nothing but gaze at Rarity. Her beautifully coiffed mane, her immaculately pristine white coat that seemed to shine a pretty silver when the light caught it just right. That smile, that smile that seemed impossible for Twilight to look away from, and she didn’t know why. Her heart began to beat faster as a blush once again decorated her cheeks, one that she hoped Rarity wouldn’t notice, even though she knew Rarity could probably see it anyways.
Twilight wasn’t going to pretend that she didn’t know the reason behind her increasing heart rate. She assumed that anyone being complimented like this by someone as beautiful as Rarity would feel the same way. It was a temporary feeling, and it would go away soon, right? So what if her beauty was beyond words, and the only thing that surpassed it was her drive to be the best at what she does? She was talented, smart, had the most amazing and reassuring smile, knew just what to say to make her feel better, made her feel happier than when she first got her cutie mark, seemed to make Twilight laugh no matter how down she might’ve felt. How Rarity was almost always there for her and-
Twilight stopped herself mid-thought to replay everything that just went through her head. Her smile disappeared for a bit, causing Rarity to drop hers as well. Friends don’t compliment each other that heavily, do they? There’s nothing wrong with what she was thinking. She’s only saying that Rarity is one of the most amazing ponies she’s ever met, and that her beauty, and skills in her craft, make her an amazing mare, and anyone would be lucky to be with her. She wondered if Rarity would date someone like her.
Twilight couldn’t believe what she was just asking herself. Did she really just wonder if Rarity would date her?
“Twilight, are you alright dear?” asked a concerned Rarity.
Normally, this is where Twilight would realize she had spaced out and would nervously try to explain why she did so, and would clumsily apologize for just standing there while blushing madly. This time though, she chose a slightly different route.
“I-I’m fine. Sorry, I didn’t mean to space out, I just...” she trailed off, not breaking eye contact with the unicorn. “I just noticed...you’re not wearing make-up today.” she said calmly.
Now it was Rarity’s turn to blush, but more so out of embarrassment. “Oh my, I knew I was forgetting something this morning. I was in such a rush this that I must’ve forgotten it.” She said, glancing to look at the mirror again but still holding Twilight with a foreleg. Do friends normally hold each other this long? She should know, right? Not that she wanted it stop or anything.
“I can’t believe I didn’t notice when looking in the mirror. No wonder you were staring at me like that, I must look dreadful without it. So much for being the hot teacher, am I right?” she finished with a chuckle.
“N-no, you don’t look bad at all. Make-up only accentuated what was already there, Rarity. If anything, you look just as gorgeous without it, if not more.”
Now Rarity was blushing in response to what Twilight had just said. Quite heavily in fact, and she didn’t know why exactly. It was just a normal compliment. A compliment that any two mares would casually throw at each other. She's almost positive that Twilight has called her cute before. Right?
Twilight had let go of Rarity but didn’t move from her spot, as her face flushed intensely. Rarity was taken aback by her comment, but tried her best to compose herself before she spoke again.
“Oh...t-thank you Twilight, that’s very kind of you dear. M-my, you sure have become more generous with your compliments.” she said, waving a hoof at Twilight.
“Well, you know me, I just tell like it is.” she finished with a nervous laugh. “I’m sorry though, I probably shouldn’t have just said something like that out of nowhere, and it was probably super rude to call you out on not wearing make-up, but I just noticed it, and I don’t think you look bad, not at all. You look really good in fact, b-but I just meant that as a normal compliment. As a friend! A-a good friend!” she finished, seemingly out of breath.
Rarity giggled softly in response to Twilight’s rambling, which she was probably famous for at this point.
“Oh, of course Twilight. It’s fine, really darling. I mean, if I look that good, maybe I should wear less stuff on my face more often, just for you.” she finished, her eyelids lowering halfway as she lifted her hoof to her chest.
Rarity was known to be a little flirty, okay, maybe a lot flirty, even with her friends, so Twilight usually just laughed a little with a small blush in response. This time though, Twilight instead just became redder in the face as her body stiffened. Rarity took notice of this and grew redder a bit herself, not knowing why she was embarrassed over something like this so suddenly.
“I meant that as a friend too dear, don’t get so caught up on it.” she said, with a short giggle, which Twilight seemed to copy.
“O-of course, haha, yeah.”
As if to bring things back to some form of normalcy, Rarity quickly went back to her old ways as she donned a mischievous grin.
“Although, if I didn’t mean it as a friend, what would you do Twilight?”
“W-what!?” That comment snatched Twilight by her tail and threw her out the window.
“I’m just saying darling, our coats blend quite wonderfully together, we’re already such good friends, and we know so much about each other. If that’s not a wonderful basis for the start of a relationship, I don’t know what is.”
“Rarity-”
“I can see it now. The bookworm and the drama queen. We’d make headlines, don’t you think?”
The more Rarity joked, the more Twilight seemed to loosen up and stop being so flustered. She figured Rarity was just messing with her at this point, and decided not to keep her laughter from bubbling to the surface.
“After today, perhaps I’m the drama queen.” Twilight said.
“Nonsense darling. Besides, you could never contend with me for the title of biggest drama queen in the land. You still play the role of bookworm quite wonderfully. Or what was the other word, egghead, as Rainbow put it?” Rarity said, earning a playful push from Twilight.
“Haha, very funny.” she said, earning a giggle from the unicorn. “You’re lucky you’re so cute, otherwise, I would’ve started making blueprints for that dungeon already.”
A few seconds went by as Rarity stayed silent, prompting Twilight to give her a concerned look.
“Rarity, you ok?” she asked, as the unicorn just stared at her in silence.
“You find me cute, Twilight?” She asked, not really embarrassed, as much as she was taken by surprise.
Crap. Twilight really thought she had said that in her head, but really, she wondered why she was saying that at all. She also thought that what she was feeling would go away soon, but it was still there. It seemed to have intensified in fact.
“Sorry Rarity, I-I don’t know where that came from. It’s not that I don’t mean it. I do find a certain charm in your behavior, and you in general, and...” While Twilight rambled, Rarity just stared at her.
The two had barely stopped looking at each other since Twilight’s comment about her looks. It was just the two of them, so close, Twilight’s gorgeous deep violet eyes staring back at her, seemingly sparkling just as much as her cutie mark.
Twilight had been wearing make-up more and more, and it only made an amazingly pretty mare like her even more a sight for the eyes. Twilight sat slightly taller than her, which Rarity found mildly comforting for some reason. Whenever Twilight came to visit her, or vice versa, the first thing she unconsciously did was give Twilight a good look over. Once she realized her little habit, she just chalked it up to her appreciating the female form, especially Twilight’s.
She claimed Rarity was beautiful, but Twilight was nothing to scoff at either. For someone who didn’t care about their appearance as much as most ponies, she had an amazingly curvy body that Rarity couldn’t help but admire, as well as her nicely groomed pelt. Rarity had persisted that Twilight should always make time for the spa, no matter how busy things got, so she was glad that the alicorn was taking her advice. Not many out there could look as good as Twilight, and be as smart as her.
And her adorkably cute side when she got excited over something she read in a book, which others may not care for, but Rarity found that it was one of her favorite things about Twilight. Her knowledge was second to none, to the point where she could dang near give you week long lectures on almost anything.
Her seemingly endless cache of spells that she knows by memory, and the dedication she put forth to learn all those things. A dedication that matched hers when it came fashion. How she so bravely faced Tirek all on her own, succumbing to Discords manipulation and then bouncing back in time to save everyone? And she never went insane from the stress. How? How did she do it? She never gives up, and it’s so amazing, and inspiring. She’s like a prince out of a fairytale in a way. Twilight was truly the perfect pony. Rarity always thought she wanted a prince, but then she looks at Twilight in all her glory and...and...
“Rarity, I didn’t upset you with what I said, did I?” Twilight asked, interrupting the unicorn's thoughts.
As a lady, she always tried her best to remain calm and composed in any situation. All that ladylike behavior nearly went halfway out the window when she tried to speak. She was a flustered mess in front of ponies before, but not like this. Especially not in front of her best friends. Twilight or Fluttershy usually had that position covered.
“W-what? No no, it’s okay darling, really. I just, you can’t just tell a lady things like that and expect not to knock her off her guard a bit.” She said, fanning her face with her hoof with a small nervous laugh. She likely didn’t notice her own blush growing once again on her face.
“O-oh, I’m sorry, I just, I didn’t mean to say that. It, just, slipped out I guess?”
“Oh, so you don’t find me cute Twilight? Guess I’ll have to throw on even more make-up next time to cover my “not cute” face.” she said with a coy smile growing on her face, her earlier flustered state seemingly disappearing in a matter of seconds.
“What?! No, that’s not what I meant! You’re really cute Rarity, b-but I didn’t want to say it out loud, because friends shouldn’t say things like that to each other, but we’ve done it a lot of times before, so I don’t know why this time is so different, or why I’m so hung up on it, and-”
“Twilight it’s ok, I understand darling.”
“You do?”
“Yes, my sweet flustered Twilight.” she said with a chuckle. “Besides, I do find you quite cute myself.” She said. The heat in Twilight’s body felt like it was hot enough to melt through steel. Even though, she couldn’t help but but don a goofy smile, which Rarity thought was absolutely adorable and smiled back at her, her blush also growing.
As the two looked at each other, embarrassment seemed to fade as it made way for a peaceful calm.
“Rarity, I really appreciate you helping me remember who I am, when I seem to have forgotten. Truth is, I’ve always loved it when you came to visit me like this, no matter where I was. I love being with the other girls, I really do, but I....” Twilight paused for a sec while breaking eye contact with Rarity, not sure if she wanted to say what she wanted to next, but looked back at her before continuing... ”I really enjoyed the time we spent with just the two of us, and I’m not sure why, but I am sure of this. You’re one of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for, and I can’t imagine how my life might’ve turned out if you weren’t a part of it.” She finished with a genuine smile, causing Rarity to tear up a little.
“Dear, when I think back to everything that has happened in my life, everything that has led to me being where I’m at now, of course I think of everyone that helped me, but mostly, I think of you.” Rarity said, inching back closer to Twilight, as Twilight responded in kind. “I can’t tell you why myself, but from the day we met, there was just, I don’t know, a certain charm to you. Maybe....” now Rarity was pausing, trying to choose her next words carefully... “I liked visiting you so much for a reason. When I realized we weren’t seeing each other as often, I guess that’s when I started stopping by every day like this. I started to miss you. A lot, actually. I’m just, really glad you didn’t seem to mind.”
“Of course I didn’t mind Rarity. I began to miss you too.” Twilight said hastily, causing Rarity to blush again, as Twilight did the same, almost as if she wasn’t in control when she said that.
Twilight didn’t quite tear up like Rarity, but she definitely felt a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, a feeling which intensified when Rarity hugged her. Rarity buried her head in the crevice of Twilight’s neck and began to nuzzle her affectionately. Twilight responded by hugging her back, causing Rarity to moan contently.
Twilight was so incredibly warm, it was almost a crime how soft she was, but there was almost a slight firmness to her. The fluff on her chest from her being part pegasus didn’t help either. The more her chest rubbed against the amazingly fluffy section of Twilight’s, the more she honestly wanted to just stay there and fall asleep in it. The perfume in Rarity’s coat and the smell of the shampoo in her hair was almost too much for Twilight. It was intoxicating, and Rarity was incredibly soft, her silky fur almost causing Twilight to get lost in the embrace. They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, neither ready to let go.
As if they realized how long they were holding onto one another, they released from the embrace slowly and stared at each other once again, while a pink that showed no signs of fading tinged both their muzzles. That was when Rarity giggled a little.
"What Rarity?" Twilight asked, starting to giggle herself.
"Nothing, nothing, it's just, the one day I don't have make-up on, you go get all prettied up like you're going on a date or something. Waterproof make-up too, apparently." she added, noticing that even after Twilights tears, her eyeliner remained unsullied.
"Oh, I guess that is kind of funny." said Twilight, smiling with a nervous chuckle. There was a short pause as she turned to look away from Rarity, then back at her. "It, doesn't look bad, does it?" she asked.
"Of course not darling. You look absolutely beautiful." Rarity told her softly, as Twilight's heartbeat sped up a significant amount. Rarity has said those words to Twilight before, but the way that she said them, along with the half-lidded eyes, it made the simple sentence feel different than all of the other times. That was when Twilight thought of something.
“Y’know, it is the...last day of school Rarity.” she said a little nervously.
“Indeed it is. Is there...something else on your mind?" she asked almost as nervously as Twilight.
“I guess, what I’m saying is...I’m...not ready to end this. I have a lot of fun talking to you. If you want...oh never mind, it’s nothing. It’s actually getting pretty late. Thank you so much for stopping by Rarity, but I’ll let you get home and-” Twilight said, walking away as she talked, but was cut off by a small tendril of magic grabbing her shoulder just hard enough to get her attention and stop her in her tracks.
When she turned around, Rarity was smiling at her with that same smile that mysteriously made Twilight weak in the legs.
“Twilight, I have fun talking to you too. Too much fun to want to end this. I’m not very anxious to get home myself, and...well, Ponyville’s nightlife has become increasingly more active over the years...” she said with a slight chuckle before continuing, “...and it’s been some time since we’ve hung out after work hours.” she finished with a smile as the light pink in her cheeks grew a little darker, while she shyly looked away before looking back at Twilight. “We could meet back up in a bit, maybe take a stroll through town?”
Twilight wasn’t too worried about the heat in her own cheeks, as much as she was in giving Rarity a happy “Yes!” in response.