What Comes Next

"But Rarity, how are we supposed to go crusading for our cutie marks if we can't meet at our clubhouse?"

"I'm sorry Sweetie Belle, Granny Smith was very clear. Apple Bloom is supposed to stay away from Sweet Apple Acres until she returns from her trip." Rarity was rubbing her temples, she knew she would come to regret housing the two fillies eventually. She didn't think it would be this soon.

"But why? It's not fair!" Sweetie Belle stomped her hooves on the tile floor. She was supposed to be helping her sister cook breakfast for the unexpected guest, but, as usual, Rarity was doing everything herself. Apple Bloom, on the other hoof, was busy unpacking two sets of overladen saddlebags in the guest room she and Sweetie were now sharing.

"I know it's not fair darling, but it's simply the way it is for now. You'll just have to find somewhere else to meet for the next few days." Rarity thought for a short moment and then continued, "Perhaps you could meet at Scootaloo's home."

"I don't even know where Scootaloo lives, she gets upset when we ask. And besides, you still didn't tell me why."

Rarity levitated three place settings to the table in her familiar blue aura. "I'm sorry Sweetie Belle, it is a matter for grown-ups. You'll understand when you're older."

Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up, calling to mind a conversation she had with Twilight Sparkle she knew exactly how to respond to that tired line. "It isn't age that makes a grown-up, Spike is younger than me and he is more mature than anypony else my age. And that's because Twilight trusts him and treats him like an equal. If you don't trust me to be a grown-up then how am I ever supposed to grow up?" Unable to suppress the proud grin creeping onto her face, Sweetie Belle turned away from her sister. She feigned a sniffle.

Rarity knew her sister well. This was obviously some kind of ploy. Still, Sweetie's logic was sound. She just had to tread carefully. "Has Mother or Father had 'the talk' with you yet? You know, 'the birds and the bees'."

Sweetie blushed, "Yeah, after the thing with Cheerilee and Big Macintosh, Mom and Dad said it was really important to know why love potions are illegal." A wave of embarrassment overcame her as she remembered her parents faces staring at her, explaining that her age was the only thing keeping her from severe legal trouble.

Rarity's cheeks also darkened, the incident had been the talk of the town as well as the source of innumerable mean spirited jokes among the many bride's-to-be that visited her boutique for dresses. "Well, that will make this a bit easier. And you are bound to find out sooner or later. Better you hear it from me then. Have a seat." Her horn glowed once again, the blue aura scooting one of the dining chairs close to the counter where she was busily preparing the meal. She extended an inviting hoof.

Sweetie Belle slowly climbed onto the tall chair. She could swear that Rarity had bought such lofty chairs for the express purpose of making the filly's life a bit more difficult. She positioned herself on the plush seat, sitting on her behind with her tiny hind legs barely hanging off the edge and her forelegs on her knees. She squirmed slightly, it was very uncomfortable. Looking to Rarity she gave a nod in eager anticipation.

The seconds ticked by slowly. Was it even possible to breach the subject gracefully, Rarity wondered. She stared down at the green pepper she was chopping. It seemed like an eternity had passed, still nothing came to her. A small cough broke her from her trance. Sweetie Belle was staring at her in confused silence. Rarity sighed. "I suppose there isn't a tactful way to say it, so here goes."

Sweetie leaned forward. Rarity was finally going to treat her like a big pony.

"The Apples are having some, uh, trouble. You of course know all about Applejack and Fluttershy from your spying last night." She shot Sweetie a disapproving glare at which Sweetie shrank back on her hooves. "I doubt that when Mother gave you the talk she told you about the perverse ponies that don't respect the natural order."

Sweetie Belle cocked her head. Raising an eyebrow she asked, "What's perverse?"

"It means different, twisted. Somepony that likes to take good things and turn them into something unnatural." Rarity made a mental not to use smaller words. "Anyway, the 'birds and bees' is supposed to be between a mare and a stallion. Applejack is gay, that means she goes against nature and does… those things… with other mares. She tricked Fluttershy into doing those things with her, as you know. And then yesterday, Lyra, another gay mare, came to stay at the farm without Granny Smith's permission. You can only imagine the obscene things they must be doing there."

"Well, that does sound pretty gross. But Mom didn't say anything about mares not being allowed with other mares." Sweetie's brow wrinkled. "Is it really that bad?"

"Sweetie, dear, it isn't called the 'natural order' for nothing. Applejack, the others and I comprise the Elements of Harmony, why it would be absolutely unthinkable to have ponies thinking we are a bunch of deviants." Rarity tossed her mane, putting on her best "public figure" presence.

Sweetie sunk further, now practically lying down atop the chair. "W-well, what if a mare, or f-filly, has a c-crush on somepony they shouldn't?"

Rarity's ear twitched. Her mouth formed a frown. "Sweetie Belle, what are you saying?"

"Eeek…" This small sound was all she could manage. She closed her eyes and buried her face in her hooves, preparing for the worst.

"Sweetie Belle…"

"Th-there i-i-is a filly in my class, her n-name is S-Sunny Daze…" Sweetie Belle shivered. The room was warm, it was always the same carefully controlled temperature in the boutique, still, she felt as though her blood had turned to ice. She raised her head, looking her sister in the eyes, her own eyes beginning to glisten with barely restrained tears. "…I-I gave her a card on H-hearts and H-hooves day. She was my very special s-somepony."

Rarity's jaw went slack.

"P-please don't tell Mom and Dad Rarity! I d-didn't know it was wrong! I-I'm s-s-so s-sorry." Tears began to trickle down her cheeks, falling off her chin, soaking the plush cushion of the chair. "Am I perverse Rarity? I don't wanna be unnatural!"

Rarity couldn't move. She couldn't think. The glow of her horn sputtered and died. Startled by a clattering sound she spun on her hooves to face the counter. The knife she had been chopping with had fallen from her grasp. Her gaze fell on the peppers, no longer crisp slivers now there was one large, limp, mound of green sludge.

"Rarity… you don't hate me… do you?" Sweetie Belle pleaded. She raised up on her hips. Wiping her eyes with her hooves she sniffled, this time it was real. Ice still in her veins, her stomach twisted.

Rarity's thoughts were jumbled. Attempting to center herself she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned around to face the shaking filly. She opened her eyes, exhaled, long and steady, and placed a hoof on her sister's trembling shoulder. Opening her mouth there was a moments hesitation, she began, "It's okay. A lot of fillies go through, uhm, phases, times when they are, well, confused. You are too young to think about those things. You'll get over it, just remember, self control is important."

The room went silent as both sisters gathered their thoughts. Sweetie Belle wiped her eyes again. Rarity offered a nearby dishtowel.

A soft thump resonated down the hallway. It was not loud but in the silence it was clear, the sound of a closing door. After a few tense seconds Apple Bloom arrived in the kitchen.

"Hey y'all! What's fer breakfast?" She asked with a smile.

Rarity cast her gaze again at the mound that used to be peppers. "We are having omelets, it shouldn't take much longer. I hope you don't mind the lack of bell peppers."

"Bell peppers? Yuck. Granny makes 'em with bell peppers, ah can't stand it." Apple Bloom said as she climbed into one of the chairs still neatly positioned around the dining table. "Hey Sweetie Belle, what'cha doin' way over there?"

Sweetie Belle forced a smile, placing aside the now soggy dishtowel, "I'm just watching Rarity cook. Hold on." She stood up on the seat and, with a wiggle of her flank, hopped off. Hitting the floor hard she stumbled, all four hooves flailing in different directions, she slid across the tile floor. Apple Bloom laughed.

Regaining her footing, Sweetie Belle trotted back to her chair. Tilting her head down, she pushed against the wooden legs, scooting it back to it's place at the table. With a tiny hop she climbed back onto the cushioned seat.

Rarity now had a greased frying pan heating on the stove. "Apple Bloom, how do you like your omelets? We have cheese, mushrooms, onions, the usual." She didn't bother asking her sister, she always wanted the same thing, "EVERYTHING".

"However ya feel like makin' it is fine. Ah'm not picky and yer such a great cook Rarity." Apple Bloom said with that famous Apple family sincerity. Rarity blushed.

"I was thinking about how we could earn our cutie marks today, how about sculpting?" Sweetie Belle suggested, her voice returned to normal again. "I bet we would be awesome at it!"

"YEAH! That's a great idea! We could ask Fluttershy, she does all kinds o' artsy stuff!" Apple Bloom hesitated. "How are we gonna tell Scootaloo? It's a weekend so she won't be at school, an we can't meet her at tha clubhouse…"

With a start, Rarity nearly shouted, "No! Girls, you mustn't disturb Fluttershy today. She isn't feeling well. You understand."

"Huh? Ya mean she's sick er sumthin?"

"Not exactly. She just needs some time to herself. She's had quite a stressful time of it lately and I'm sure she would appreciate some time to herself." Those were Rarity's words. Her thoughts were more along the lines of, "Fluttershy definitely needs company, but these three are probably the last ponies that should be there now."

"Maybe we should make her a get well soon card." Apple Bloom mused.

"That's quite alright, I'm going over there later. I'll tell her you send your best." Rarity glanced at the clock. "In fact, it's early enough Rainbow Dash is probably still setting up today's weather. Why don't you girls find her and ask her to tell Scootaloo to meet you at the library? There are bound to be plenty of books on sculpture there. After you eat of course."