Music for the Masses

Sweetie Belle just couldn't help but notice how unhappy Rarity seemed. The classy unicorn spent less days working, and seemed to do a lot of primping and lazing about the house. She noticed Rainbow Dash came to visit a lot more often, and she wondered if Dash knew any way she could lift Rarity's mood.

One day, while Rarity was getting ready to go out, Sweetie Belle caught Rainbow Dash sitting in their living room casually. Rarity always took forever, but for some reason Rainbow Dash didn't seem to care. She must have been a really good friend to Rarity.

"Hi Rainbow Dash!"

Dash looked up from the book she was reading, the latest installment in the Daring Do series.

"Hey Sweetie Belle, what's up?"

Taking this as an invitation to sit down, Sweetie Belle took a seat next to Dash and leaned on her. She sighed sadly. Dash was surprised, and awkwardly patted the foal on the head.

"Um..." she stuttered, not sure what to say.

"Rarity's very unhappy, isn't she?" Sweetie Belle asked the pegasus. Rainbow Dash felt her heart melt slightly from sympathy.

"She's just going through some rough things," Dash explained, trying not to give Rarity's cutie mark unhappiness away in case Sweetie Belle didn't know. She still felt highly awkward.

"Well, I am too, and you don't see me acting like she does..." Sweetie Belle huffed, crossing her forelegs unhappily.

"You know, Sweetie Belle, you really do help Rarity," Dash insisted. She wanted Sweetie Belle to be cheered up, and to continue supporting her sister.

"I do? She always supports me, but she also makes fun of me sometimes."

"She really loves ya, Sweetie Belle. And, you know, you help her forget the world outside."

"I'm not part of it yet," Sweetie groaned, reflecting on her blank flank. She still didn't seem to have a cutie mark, and it was exhausting. Every day she felt like an outcast because she didn't have a special mark.

Rainbow Dash knew that Sweetie Belle's mind was not yet in league with the rest of the world and its little intrigues. Sweetie Belle was really struggling to keep up with everyone, but she worked so hard to do so.

"Is it your cutie mark you're upset about?" Dash prompted.

"Yes!" Sweetie Belle practically shouted, "Rarity says cutie marks are sacred. I want one!"

"Do you understand?" Dash asked, to check. Sweetie Belle cocked her head in confusion, really thinking.

"Do you know what she means?" Dash queried, wanting Sweetie Belle to answer. The foal shook her head no. Rainbow Dash nodded, really starting to understand.

"I think that as time goes by, when you've seen what she's seen, you will."

Dash was surprised at her own wisdom, and smirked.

"Trust me, I'm awesome."

***

Rarity and Rainbow Dash were out for a walk, calmly strolling along in a lovely little park. Rainbow Dash was off on a tangent, and Rarity was charmed by her very presence. She wondered to herself... why did she have to defend her feelings inside? Why pretend?

Rarity had not yet had a life. Her life had simply been a life of near misses. She was not yet successful enough to really brag about her fashion design, and she was also unable to talk about what really intrigued her: music.

"Oh Dash, I wish I could see with your eyes and smile with your smile..." Rarity sighed. Rainbow Dash was so confident and happy all the time, she wanted a part of that.

"Maybe this will bring you one step closer..." Dash said. Suddenly, strings began to play, and Rarity noticed a quartet playing softly for the couple. Rainbow Dash had prepared a tasty picnic for the two ponies to enjoy, and Rarity was completely enchanted.

"Rainbow Dash!" she gasped, taking a seat on the picnic blanket, "This is just lovely, darling!"

"Thanks. I figured you'd like a nice surprise every once in a while."

Rarity smiled at her friend, realizing that she was completely in love with her. She embraced the rainbow-maned mare and smiled warmly.

"Thank you," she whispered. Dash hugged her back gently, feeling overjoyed.