Rarity loved Hearts and Hooves Day back when she was a filly. Now it was just a reminder of how much she detested being single. She really wanted a special somepony. It wasn't that she didn't have plenty of admirers, she had several. But she could tell that most of them were only interested in her for her looks, and she wanted much more than that.
She sorted through the stack of cards she'd been sent for the holiday: seven. A bit more than usual. She got an encouraging one from her father, which she read twice. There was also a homemade card from Spike with a drawing of the two of them that he'd obviously done himself. She treated this card with the utmost care. Though she didn't reciprocate Spike's feelings, she still cared about him and was trying to let him off easy. He was still young and in time he'd understand.
The next one was from Hayseed Turnip Truck, whom she met at an embarrassing moment in that hoedown. Rarity regretted for the fifth time that she let Applejack talk her into going to that. She dropped the card on the table, intending to read it later. The remaining four were from Lucky Clover, Dumb-Bell, Gizmo, and somepony named "Bulk Biceps". She dropped them on the table as well, except for Dumb-Bell's. She threw that one in the trash with no intent of ever reading it. With how he treated Rainbow Dash, Rarity hadn't felt like giving him the time of day. Lucky Clover and Gizmo were starting to annoy her, but they were good natured stallions. She didn't want to bring them down to harshly. Bulk was completely new to her. She didn't recall knowing anypony by that name.
Pushing the stallions from her mind, she got into her inspiration room and got to work on her latest project. Golden Harvest was preparing to go to a friend's wedding and wanted to look positively radiant. The dress was mostly red, which would look wonderful against her orange hair. There were also some green accents to bring out Harvest's eyes. Rarity got to work touching up the dress.
As was a tendency, Rarity's mind wandered a bit during her work. She wondered what her own wedding would be like. She pictured herself in the most fabulous of gowns of course, but who would the groom be? A year ago, she would have imagined Prince Blueblood as the groom. Now such a notion made her sick to her stomach. Her current crop of admirers were much better than that, but for some reason she just didn't feel that way about any of them. It was rather frustrating really.
Suddenly, a bolt of inspiration hit her. Adding a bit of gold in the hem of the dress would be a marvelous finishing touch. That must have been what made the dress feel incomplete to her. However, she did not have enough golden threat for the job. That meant she'd have to go outside, and risk running into one of her admirers. She'd have to do it eventually, so she might as well get it over with.
She put on her saddlebag and headed out. When she was about halfway to the market, she heard somepony call her name. On reflex, she turned to look and saw Lucky Clover trotting her way. He was a grey stallion with black mane and, to her dismay, had grown a mustache. She took a deep breathe and prepared herself for the oncoming headache.
"Wonderful day out, isn't it?" she said with a smile.
"Yeah," he responded, stopping by her side, "great day to go out."
"Indeed it is. I was just on my way to purchase some gold thread for a project I'm working on."
This was, apparently, not the response he was expecting.
"Er...that sounds nice. Did you...get my card?"
"A...yes I believe I did, but I'm so swamped that I hadn't time to read it," she said, making her way to the market.
"Shouldn't you be better at managing your time?" he asked, following her, "I mean, leaving a lot of work for yourself on Hearts and Hooves Day."
"Well, I don't think that--"
"YEAH!" another stallion cut in.
He was quite the sight to see. Red eyes and a white body of bulging muscles. Rarity wasn't sure to make of this intruder and was looking at her like he wanted to say something, but wasn't sure where to start.
Clover gave him an annoyed look and said, "Bulk Biceps, couldn't you see we were talking?"
"Bulk Biceps?" Rarity said, "Oh, were you the one who sent me that card?"
"YEAH!" he shouted with far more enthusiasm than was necessary.
"What?" Clover said, turning to her, "He sent you a card too?"
"Well, he's perfectly allowed to, isn't he?" she responded.
"YEAH!"
"All right, could you please quit shouting? I am right next to you."
"Yeah." he said softly.
Feeling it was time to get away from these two before things got bad, Rarity said, "Oh there goes...somepony. Oh wait for me, darling!"
Rarity trotted off quickly before Clover could catch her, but it wouldn't last long. She needed to hide, for she did not want to be stuck between two stallions aiming to gain her affections.
"Hey, you can hide in here," a voice called to her.
She hesitated for a moment, but Clover would soon reach the corner and see her. She had to get out of sight quick, so she dove right into the open door.
"What was that all about?" the voice asked.
"Oh...just...a couple admirers," Rarity said, feeling a bit contrite saying it out loud, "I didn't want to be around in case things got...aggressive between them."
She expecting a chiding from the stranger, not laughter.
"Believe it or not, I know how you feel. Back in Cloudsdale, the mares just wouldn't leave me alone."
When Rarity looked at the stallion, she could believe that. He had a dark magentaish grey coat with light cyanish grey mane that was styled in a solid Mohawk. He also had a kind, relaxing smile. And then there was his eyes. Never had Rarity seen such soothing and wonderful golden eyes before. Rarity felt her heart race as she looked into those eyes. She suddenly became very contentious of the few hairs in the mane that were out of place, all the dirt on her hooves, and even the trickle of sweat running down her neck.
"Uh, everything okay?" the stallion asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Oh certainly. I just have never seen you before," Rarity said, regaining her composure.
"Well I just moved her a few days ago. Had the welcoming committee and everything."
"Pinkie Pie?"
"Pinkie Pie. Does she always put the confetti in the oven and the cake mix in the cannons?"
"Yes. It's her idea of a clever joke."
"So what's the story between you and that guy?" he said, motioning his head towards the door.
"Oh," Rarity said, remembering why she came in, "Lucky Clover is a friend that just...well...he wants to be more than friends but I don't feel that way. I've tried to let him off easy but..."
"But he can't take the hint? Sounds to me like you're going to have to be blunt."
"You're probably right, but that will hurt his feelings."
"Better hurt now than hurt later," he said with a shrug, "He might even thank you later, for your honesty."
"That's wonderful advice, but it isn't going to make it any easier."
"Wasn't supposed to," he said, "Want something to drink? I've got lemonade, hay-ola cola, and--"
"A glass of lemonade would be perfect."
"All right then," he said, poring her a glass, "Hope you like it. My brother and I made it ourselves."
She took a sip and said, "You should use a little less sugar. Other than that, it is wonderful."
"Thanks. So why were you out there in the first place, if you were trying to avoid that guy?"
"I was out buying some gold thread for a project that will not be the same without it! Oh Golden Harvest will just look radiant in it. I know she'll adore it when she sees it tomorrow."
"You work at a dress shop?"
"I own a dress shop, darling: Carousel Boutique."
"Well I'll be sure to come by tomorrow."
"Don't expect to get anywhere with Golden Harvest. She's spoken for."
"It isn't her that I'm interested in."
Rarity suddenly felt very hot. She took another long sip of her lemonade and tried to ignore her pounding heart. Not only had she found a divinely handsome stallion, he was also very understanding and quite intelligent. And he was interested in her. That made her want to do back flips.
"Well, you can come by any time. My door is always open," she said nervously, knocking over her glass.
She blushed as the stallion said, "Don't worry, I got it."
Has he cleaned up her mess, the door opened and in walked a colt that must have been his younger brother.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Oh," the stallion said, standing up, "This is..."
"Rarity," she finished for him, realized she'd never introduced herself, "I just came by to welcome you to Ponyville."
The colt looked at her and asked, "Do you have a little sister?"
"Yes, Sweetie Bell."
"Oh, I'm in the same class with her."
"Well, I hope the two of you get along."
"Rumble," the stallion said, "How 'bout you put your saddlebag in your room while I see our guest out. Then we can go to park."
"Sounds great," Rumble said, dashing to his room.
"He's always going a mile a minute," the stallion said, "Wait here, I have something I want to give you."
"Oh you don't have to give me anything."
"Of course I don't. That's part of why they call it a gift. Here you go."
He pulled out of the closet a wonderful cream colored hat with a wide brim. Rarity fell in love with it instantly.
"I was my mother's, but she's...well...and it's not like I'll ever ware it. I'm sure you'll put good use to it."
"Thank you," Rarity said, tears welling in her eyes as she put it on, "How do I look?"
"Gorgeous."
Rarity blushed and asked, "You know, I never did get your name."
"Thunderlane."
She nuzzled his cheek and said, "Thank you, Thunderlane."
She stepped out the door and waved good bye.
He waved back and said, "See you tomorrow."
Her heart skipped a beat and she said, "I'll look forward to it."
She walked down the street with a new spring in her stride. She was positively giddy. This was a feeling unlike anything she'd ever experienced, yet she knew exactly what it was. Rarity was in love.
Head over hooves!
The End
