Let the Rumors Fly

by Baron Von Clop

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Fluttershy, Rarity
Length: 7350

Fluttershy's modeling career was very short lived, but that doesn't mean somepony wasn't captivat

As of 5/31/12, I will no longer be writing this story. This was my first ever attempt at fanfiction ever and I've learned so much since I ever started it that I won't come back to it.

Being a popular fashion figure, Rarity had dated many stallions of high class and fat wallets. Why, then, did she always find her dates repulsive for one reason or another? No stallion could ever touch her heart, let alone become a significant other.

There were always rumors about famous ponies, especially when it came to things like promiscuity and sexual preference, but Rarity had the most fuel on the fillyfooler fire rumor mill. Not only was she famously awful at romance with stallions, she worked exclusively in female fashion and was a member of the all-female Elements of Harmony.

The fashionista had always dismissed such silly rumors. When she really thought about it, though, maybe there was a reason she was always so bad around stallions and so comfortable around mares. And just maybe those feelings about a particular yellow pegasus during her short modeling career were more than just petty jealousy...

Shameless Rarity/Fluttershy shipfic. No clop.

Cover image is by cactussnake, found on Ponibooru. Not mine.

Published 2012-03-14 17:24:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-07-02 04:22:21 UTC

Chapter 1

Rarity huffed loudly as she read the article written about her in the gossip column of the Equestria Daily, floating the newspaper in front of her face with her unicorn magic. Element of Harmony Out of Her Element was the title of the short clip, featuring her latest awful date with an important stallion - including pictures! Even right down to her downright embarrassing exit, complete with the front of her coat stained with red wine thanks to the clumsy stallion she’d reluctantly decided to go out with.

“Gah! How did somepony even know about this? And they took pictures? The nerve!” She stamped a hoof and crumpled the paper whole with her magic, tossing the ball of discarded paper into a trash bin near the register of the boutique. “This is the last thing I needed before the Grand Galloping Gala. More rumors about me being a... fillyfooler.” She shivered at the thought, turning her attention to an unfinished dress in need of stitching. “With all this gossip, how will I ever find a date? I’ve only four days, now!”

Still miffed about the expose into her personal life, the magic-powered sewing machine sprung to life as Rarity set to work. She wouldn’t let something as silly as more rumors about her sex life get in the way of her work.

This is beginning to get bothersome, though, Rarity thought to herself. Ever since she gained any small amount of fame as a seamstress and fashion designer, she found herself the center of gossip around Canterlot and other fairly high-class establishments. She just couldn’t escape it! And though she was famous for her dresses, she was equally famous for her frequent mishaps when around the opposite gender.

At first, it wasn’t so bad. Awful dates happen to even the highest-class of pony, and when it did, it was no secret. But for her, it happened often. Very often. In fact, Rarity hadn’t been on a date with a stallion that didn’t end in total disaster - and no stallion ever got a second date with her, either. And that is where the serious rumors began to come from.

The Canterlot Chronicles was the first to peg her as a lesbian. It was even on the second page, which was the only part that pleased Rarity. The article came after her sixth attempt at romance with an important pony at a fashion show. One of her dresses was on display at the show, worn by a model she’d picked herself. The show went fantastic. Almost perfect, even! Not a thing had gone wrong, and it finally seemed like she was going to make it though a date with a stallion without bucking something up so badly there wouldn’t be a second.

That was, of course, until he tried to walk her home... only for him to get hit by a pony-pulled carriage and break a leg. He was promptly rushed off to a hospital, and paparazzi was all over that. Fashionista Flubs Another Date! the title read. Why can’t Rarity find the stallion for her?

Anger rose up inside the unicorn as she flipped through all the articles written about her in her mind, the sewing machine picking up speed as her magic grew more powerful with heavier emotions. She was trying, damn it! It wasn’t her fault every stallion she’d gone out with was horrible!

Of course, working entirely in female fashion and being a part of the all female Elements of Harmony didn’t exactly help prove to people that she was straight.

Rarity yelped as the needle of the magic-powered sewing machine snapped and tore a small hole in the fabric she was stitching together. As her emotions flared up, her focus waned until she was truly pumping too much magic into the small machine, causing it to fail.

With a heavy sigh, she leaned in and inspected the damage she’d caused during her mental rant. It wasn’t enough to need complete replacing of the swath, but it was enough to warrant a decent repair. This is no use. I’ll finish it tomorrow.

It was dark out by the time the unicorn had given up. Night had fallen some hours ago, and she had tried staying up late in order to get these commissions finished... but it was pointless. She was far too angry and unfocused to get any real work done - all she was doing was making mistakes and tearing holes.

Leaving her work where it was, she turned and trotted up the stairs to her bedroom, throwing herself into bed. She was tired, and a good night’s rest would give her the energy she needed to focus on her work instead of mean-spirited journalists.

)()()()(

“Oh! Fluttershy! It’s... good to see you here, darling.” Rarity smiled wide as she turned and saw the yellow pegasus entering her boutique.

“Hello, Rarity. I, um... I came here to, ah... talk about something, if that’s, um, okay,” Fluttershy barely managed to squeak out. It was clear that something was bothering her greatly - though she was very shy, this was beyond awkward even for her. Something was up.

“Come closer, then, dear! You know that you can tell me anything,” Rarity said, gesturing the pegasus closer with a hoof.

Fluttershy trotted farther into the boutique, nodding quietly as she walked right up along side Rarity. With each step her face burned a brighter red, the blush starting off small but gradually glowing hotter as she closed in. “I... I...” she stammered as she pulled herself up, standing only a nose away from Rarity.

“...Whatever is the matter, Fluttershy? There must be something on your mi-mmph!” Rarity’s sentence was cut off by the pegasus pressing her lips against her own, yellow eyelids shutting as she planted a kiss on the unicorn’s lips.

Rarity quickly recoiled... but then leaned in herself, not allowing nor wanting the kiss to break. No, she liked this. Reaching up with a hoof, the unicorn wrapped a foreleg around Fluttershy’s neck, stroking a smooth, shined hoof through her soft mane as the kiss held.

Fluttershy’s wings slowly spread out, the blush on her face only turning redder and redder as their lips locked. Moments later, she gained the courage to actually part her jaws as well, warm tongue moving out to tease at the unicorn’s luscious lips, pushing her to join in an even closer embrace.

Rarity didn’t resist even the slightest. Completely fueled by lust and emotions, the unicorn opened up and allowed the pegasus’ tongue to invade her mouth, wrapping together with her own as the love peck turned into a full blown make out session. Saliva swapped as the two embraced, Fluttershy’s wings growing fully erect as they kissed.

For a long while, they remained there, both of them tugging at the other’s wet lips as they remained close - the sickeningly sweet sound of their mouths smacking with the other filling the room. Minutes passed, both simply exploring the other, before Fluttershy finally pulled back.

Ducking her head, she looked up sheepishly at the unicorn. “W-wait, what’s wrong, ‘Shy? Whatever are you doing?” Rarity asked, swallowing hard. Gods, no... did I do something wrong?

“I was just thinking that maybe we could, um...” The pegasus gulped, her vocals seizing up at the question. Rather than ask, she simply glanced upward and towards Rarity’s bedroom, before giving a tiny smile. “Y-you know...”

“Y-yes! Yes, of course we can! Let’s g-”

)()()()(

Rarity almost literally shot out of her bed. The unicorn startled awake, nearly flinging her blanket across the room as she realized what was happening. A cold sweat had just about soaked her body, her entire pelt feeling damp from the perspiration. Even more embarrassing, the side of her face was soaked with drool, a huge wet spot having been left behind on her pillow where she was laying.

Breathing heavily, she reached up to wipe at her forehead with a leg. “W-what in the world... That dream again...” She growled at herself, tossing her blanket aside with a hoof as she pulled herself out of bed.

With her sleep disrupted and her heart racing, there was no use trying to go back to sleep. It was still early in the morning, the outside sky still dark with night, but it wouldn’t be long before the sun began to rise anyway.

Trotting downstairs to work on something quick and simple for breakfast, she couldn’t help but think back to the dream - or nightmare, as she considered it - that had been plaguing her sleep for over a month now. It was the same dream every night, recurring time and time again. At first, she thought it was a result of people’s rumors getting to her.

This simply won’t do, the unicorn thought to herself as she opened her icebox, selecting a bagel which was floated into the air. If I can’t get a good night’s rest, I’ll never get this work done. I know just who to talk to about all this fillyfooler business, though...

)()()()(

“Rainbow Dash! Oh, so glad you could make it!” The pale unicorn smiled wide as the rainbow maned pegasus landed near her table outside Sugarcube Corner. “I am very glad you were not too busy with this weather business to meet me here.”

“Of course not, Rarity!” Dash pulled herself up onto the chair across from Rarity, plopping herself down into it with a big smile. “I don’t mind takin’ a break every once in a while. It’s been a long day, anyway. So, what is it you needed to talk about? Your letter said it was urgent!”

Rarity levitated a teacup up into the air, tilting it to her mouth to take a sip from it’s contents before speaking. “Well, I had a rather personal matter I wished to discuss, actually. You see, I’ve... well, on second thought, darling, let’s start with you. When, exactly, did you figure out, your... preferences?”

Rainbow Dash lofted an eyebrow, starting intently at Rarity. “What do you mean, ‘my preferences’?”

“Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean. Come, now, you don’t need to be shy about this. It’s perfectly acceptable.” Rarity nodded, taking another sip of tea.

“Rarity, I really have no idea what you’re tal-”

“Lesbian. Gay. You’re gay,” Rarity said, cutting off the pegasus mid-sentence. No reason to beat around the bush anymore. “Really, now. There’s no reason to lie to me, darling, we’re basically best friends. Honestly, I’m a little hurt you’ve been hiding it for so long from all of us.”

Rainbow Dash ducked her head down, ears flopping forward. Her gaze rested on the table, staring down. “I thought I’d been keeping that kind of hidden. What gave me away?”

“I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t mean to upset you - and truth be told, you were doing alright with staying hidden!” Rarity raises a hoof to her mouth, hiding a giggle. “It’s just... you know how it is. Rumors get around, gossip spreads... I’ve known for a while.” She gave a warm smile, trying to comfort the pegasus and make her aware that she really was okay with all of this.

Dash huffed and glanced up, fixing her posture slightly as she noticed the kind smile. “Yeah... alright. I don’t even know why I’ve been hiding it, you know? Just kind of thought some wouldn’t be as accepting... glad that isn’t the case with you, though!” She nodded quickly, rainbow mane swaying slightly. “But, to answer your question... well, I don’t really know. I mean, I kind of just always knew! Just never found stallions all that interesting...”

Rarity nodded. Part of her was relieved to hear this, as it lined up with her feelings almost exactly... though part of her was riled by this news, as she knew what this implied. “Go on.”

“Well, before I do that...” Dash said, raising her head back up fully. She stared intently across the table at Rarity, eyebrow raised high. “Why are you so curious about this, anyway?”

Rarity visibly flinched at the question, clearing her throat with a cough. She expected that inquiry to come, but not that quick. She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Mm. Well, I knew that question was going to come. Let’s just say I’ve been having some conflicting feelings and leave it at that, alright?”

“Oh-ho... Rarity, I never would have guessed! Those newspapers are right, huh? You’re a f-”

“I said no such thing!” Rarity snapped back a little too quickly. She gulped and immediately felt the dread wash over her like a wave. Good one, Rarity. Might as well just wear a sign. “I... I mean, I said no such thing, darling! And those are simply rumors. ...Evil, crude rumors written by horrible little ponies,” she quipped, practically spitting out that last sentence with seething hatred. ...And since when did Rainbow Dash, of all ponies, read newspapers?

“It... sounds like they get to you a little bit, with the way that sounded,” Dash said.

Rarity huffed again, reaching with a hoof into one of the bags at her flank. Pulling out a small flask, she hugged it against her chest with one foreleg as she twisted the top off the opposite hoof, dumping a good bit of it’s contents into her teacup. It was going to be one of those days. “I won’t lie, all the rumors bother me. Maybe. A little bit.” She shrugs, levitating her drink to take a sip. A long sip. The empty cup clicked against the plate as it was set down.

“Let me guess, then...” Rainbow Dash tapped at her chin with a hoof, before she pointed it at Rarity. She visibly shrunk back as she was gestured at. “You’re starting to put some thought into them, aren’t you? Why all your dates with stallions are awful and never go well, huh?”

Rarity kept quiet for a long moment. Biting at her lower lip, she scratched a hoof against the seat she was on lightly in thought. “...Maybe. I trust you, Dash, to not use this against me.”

“Rarity, why would you think I’d even do that to you?” Dash pulled her hoof back, setting it down on the chair. “We’ve had our disagreements before - all friends do - but you can trust me here! Besides, I wouldn’t mind someone who I can sit and stare at mares with.” Dash moved her head forward, giving a sly wink at the unicorn.

“Hmph!” Rarity crossed her hooves, leaning back in her chair. “I’d never do something so... crude, as to stare at flanks out of some lustful desire to grab them!” That’s what she said, anyway. If her dreams were any indication, however...

Dash wiggled the eyebrow of the winking eye, giving a snicker. “I kind of figured you’d say that. But, hey, can’t blame me for trying!” Dash sat back in her chair, flipping a strand of mane out of her eyes. Awkward silence fell over the pair for a moment, prompting Dash to speak up. “So, um, I’ve gotta ask... why’d you come to me about this? You and Fluttershy are like... best friends. I figured you’d speak to her about this before me, yeah?”

“Um! Well, I just... I didn’t think that, well... I thought that perhaps... ah...” Rarity stumbled over her words, front hooves nervously clicking against her seat as she squirmed. “Well, that isn’t what’s important, either! I just figured you’d have a better understanding than she would, maybe!” She huffed, narrowing her eyes at the rainbow maned pony across the table from her. “But if I’ll keep getting assaulted with questions like this, maybe you’re right!”

“Rarity, woah! Calm down!” The pegasus shook her head. “I was just asking, I didn’t mean to upset you! You gotta relax. You’re way too stressed out about this. It’s alright!”

Rarity grumbled to herself as she dropped her head. She does have a point, Rarity. Calm down. You are blowing this out of proportion. Her horn glowing, she levitated the flask from before out of her pack, twisting it’s lid off and taking a long swig. Her face twisted out of disgust at the taste of the alcohol inside, but she kept it down. Anything to make this conversation easier. “Let me just get this out of the way, then, Dash. I came to you because she’s the one I’m having thoughts about. Alright? There. I said it. Are you happy now?”

Dash nodded quickly, a big, beaming smile appearing on her face. “Very! That’s great, Rarity! You’ve got a crush on Fluttershy~” she mused, grin still plastered across her face ear to ear.

“Shut up! Shut up! This isn’t funny!” Rarity angrily stomped a hoof against her chair, the wood creaking slightly at the strike. “This is seriiiiious, Dash!” she whined, face turning into a pout.

“Okay, okay, fine. I’ll try.” She cleared her throat, nodding. “Really, Rarity. I’m here for you. What are we going to do about this, then, anyway? I’m sure you probably want to tell her, right? Just let me handle that part. I’m smooth as silk when it comes to the ladies, if you catch my drift.”

“I ‘catch your drift’ perfectly, and that is exactly the opposite of what we are going to do.” Rarity narrowed her eyes, glaring across the table. “I don’t even know if she feels the same way. I might be threading the entirely wrong needle.”

“...Huh?”

“...Putting the shoe on the wrong hoof?”

“You’re confus-”

“Never mind. This is what we’re going to do...”

A/N - Thanks for reading! This is my first thing to ever do with romance in general, let alone shipping. Haters gonna hate, I’m having a total blast writing this even though it’s entirely out of my element. I don’t mind critique - please, if you have any, let it out in the comments.

Chapter 2

“...Absolutely nothing.”

Rainbow Dash cocked her head to the side, eyeing up the white unicorn across the table from her. “Wait, what? That sounds like an awful plan, Rarity.”

“You’re an awful plan.” Rarity stuck her nose up, confident in her quip having been a solid burn. “I’ll simply speak to her the next time we are at the spa... which, as a matter of fact, is later today anyway. I’ve an extra ticket to the Gala, and I’ll offer it to her.”

“That would work... The Gala does sound like something you two would get into. I just hope it goes better this year.” Dash chuckled, giving a small shrug. “Wasn’t all that great the last time we all went.”

“No, of course it wasn’t. I was with Blueblood that night.” Rarity stuck her tongue out, cringing as the memories of that night returned to her. She’d almost forgotten them for good. “Ugh. What a horrible little monster of a ‘prince.’ Never again. Not ever.”

“Here’s hoping he doesn’t show up, then, yeah?” Rainbow Dash gives a small smile, standing up on the seat and splaying her wings out to the side. “Anyway... I guess I should probably get goin’, huh? I don’t want to keep you held up for too long.”

Rarity nods, swiping a strand of purple mane out of her eyes. “Yes, of course. Really, though, Rainbow Dash... I do appreciate you coming out here to talk about this. It means a lot.”

Dash chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, anytime. See you around,” she said, wings flapping as she took off into the air, leaving Rarity to her own devices.

)()()()(

Rarity allowed herself to sink into the mud bath hooves first. She shuddered as she felt the cold, sticky substance slowly overtake her entire body, covering her hoof to neck in cool, therapeutic dirt.

The entire spa trip had always been one of her favorite things in all of Equestria. Between the hooficures and the shampooing and the sauna, she loved every bit of it. But today, her absolute favorite part was the mud bath. No other time would the high and mighty Rarity be seen covered in mud - but today, it had its uses. If any blush appeared, it was hidden away. No emotions could get through a mud mask, giving her the appearance of being confident in her questions.

Even if she was terrified of rejection at this moment.

Once the pair were settled in their respective mud baths, the spa employees coated the unicorn’s face with the softer facial cream, topping it all off with the cucumber slices over her eyes. Fluttershy’s face, as usual, remained uncovered.

“So, Fluttershy, dear,” Rarity spoke, careful to keep from knocking the vegetables off of her face. “I did have something I wished to discuss with you. Plans, if you will.”

“Oh! Um, okay, Rarity.” The yellow pegasus nodded, the ends of her pink mane dipping into the mud. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”

“Well, Fluttershy, it’s almost time for the Grand Galloping Gala, you know. And... well, I have a spare ticket, is all, so I was sort of wondering...” Rarity swallowed hard as she felt a lump rise up in her throat. She felt her heart beat harder and harder in her chest. Too late to back out now, Rarity. “Would you like to go with me?”

“Oh... me?” Fluttershy wriggled a hoof underneath the mud, tilting her head side to side as she thought it over. “I... well. Don’t you normally take a date with you?”

Rarity silently berated herself the moment after the question, though her frustration was hidden behind the vegetable slices and mud - the exact reason she’d chosen now to ask. You fool, she thought to herself, of course she’d take it that way. She’s far too innocent to read into that. She thinks you’re asking her as a friend - not a date! She opened her mouth to respond, only to find her voice was not going to cooperate anymore. Nothing came out.

“...Rarity?”

“Ah...”

“Are you okay?”

“Um, yes!” Rarity found her voice, responding a little too fast. “Perfectly fine, darling!” She let out a nervous giggle, stirring a hoof beneath the mud. “Just got caught up with my thoughts for a moment, that’s all. I, ah... well, normally I take a date, yes...”

“Well, that’s okay... I’d love to go!” Fluttershy gave a wide smile and nodded.

“Oh! Well, that is great news, then!” Rarity forced a smile, though deep down she was fuming with herself. That was your best shot, and you just let it slip through your hooves. Good job. “I suppose we should get you set up with some sort of gown, yes? We can’t have you attending the Gala without something fancy to wear!”

Fluttershy giggled to herself, nodding again. “Oh, of course not, Rarity. If you want, I could come over tomorrow.”

“Oh, but of course! I’m free all of tomorrow! I was actually going to work on my own ensemble for the Gala, but we can fit yours in there as well! Mine won’t take all day. ...Well, just most of it.” Rarity had recomposed herself, able to at least suppress her feelings for the time being and get through a conversation. “Anytime, dear.”

“I appreciate it, Rarity. This is going to be a lot of fun!”

“Haha, oh, it sure will be,” Rarity said, the laugh containing just a hint of disdain for herself.

)()()()(

“Rainbow DASH! Get down here right this instant!” Rarity slammed a hoof against her boutique’s balcony, stamping it in order to get the flying pegasus’ attention. She had just happened to catch the cyan pony flying through the air at a speed less than the sound barrier, and tried to grab her attention.

Spinning around, Rainbow Dash flew backwards for a few moments as she tried to spot who was calling out for her. Seeing Rarity, she swooped down and hoovered just in front of the balcony, grinning wide. “Rarity! Hey! How’d it go with you and Fluttershy!”

“Oh! Well, let me tell you about that.” She narrowed her eyes, stamping a hoof again. “We have an emergency.”

“...Huh? What do you mean?”

“Oh, I asked her out to the Gala. That part went fine. You know, she loved the idea. I’m even making a dress for her to wear to it.”

“...So, what’s the problem?”

Rarity huffed. She hung her head, purple mane falling forward as she grumbled to herself. “She thinks I asked her as a friend. Fluttershy doesn’t realize I was asking for a date.”

Rainbow Dash floated in place for a beat before she cackled, waving her front hooves around. “Wait, what? Oh, that is amazing! Ahaha! I should have seen that coming, oh man!”

Rarity furrowed her brow and gripped the pegasus in a levitation spell, jerking her towards the balcony closer to the door. “This isn’t funny, Dash! Get in here, we need to formulate a plan. It’s going to be awkward enough showing up at the Gala with another mare, but showing up with no date would be even worse!”

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings hard as she was grabbed by a magical glow, but it was no use. She may have not been the best magician, but Rarity was a decent enough spellcaster to keep her from getting away. Hanging limply in the air, Dash allowed herself to be pulled into the boutique through the balcony door, which slammed shut behind her.

Floating upside down in the magical glow, Rainbow Dash glared at the unicorn. “Formulate a plan? Have you ever considered just, I don’t know, telling her how you feel?”

“No, I haven’t.” Rarity let the levitation spell end, dropping the pegasus onto the ground with a thump. Dash let out an annoyed grunt as she smacked into the floor. “Because that is petty and won’t win anypony over.”

“I don’t really think you need to ‘win’ Fluttershy over, Rarity.” The pegasus remained on the floor, laying across the wooden planks on her back. Her multicolored mane spread across the floor as she lazed, legs tucking in. “You two are like best friends. If you just tell her you’re looking for a date, I think she’d be pretty open to it.”

“Maybe. Maybe.” Rarity shrugged as she trotted over towards her bed while she spoke. “But you know how the darling can be. She’s so... quiet. So shy and delicate. I dare say if I asked her for an actual date, the poor girl would seize up and have a stroke. She’s so innocent.”

“Yeah, well... I don’t know. I mean, when I ask mares out on a date, they are usually pretty open about how they feel. Either yes or no.” Dash squirmed a little bit on the floor as if trying to get comfortable. The wooden planks weren’t the softest thing in the world, but after a full day of flying she didn’t really feel like moving somewhere more comfortable.

“...How many mares have you asked out on a date, anyway?” Rarity shot a curious glance at the pony wiggling around on her bedroom floor, eyebrow up.

“That isn’t important!” Rainbow Dash squirmed more at the awkward question, before giving up on getting into a comfy position. With a twist, she flipped herself back onto her hooves and shook out her mane, leaving it ruffled. It took every fiber in Rarity’s being to not take a comb to it right that instant. “This is about you and Fluttershy.”

“Well, excuse me!” Rarity tossed her head backwards, flipping a thick lock of purple mane out of her eyes. Nose pointed up, she pulled herself onto her bed where she bent her knees and laid down, sprawling out on the cushions placed on top. “I was simply asking - you’re the expert on fillyfooling here.”

“Oh. Because you have room to talk.” Dash swatted at her mane with a hoof, trying to straighten it out at least a little. “At least talk to her. Seriously, Rarity.” Rainbow Dash wiped the smirk off of her face and cast a look over to the unicorn on the bed, giving her a warm, sincere smile. “If you want my advice? That’s it. Tell her. It works for me...”

Rainbow Dash gave a big, exaggerated wink. “But that might just be because I’m a stud.”

Rarity gave a harsh glare at Rainbow Dash, but then dropped it and let out a small chuckle. A smile crept across her face as well. “You are a horrible little pony, Rainbow Dash, but I do appreciate your advice. I’ll consider it. Now, off you go, I’ve got to get my beauty sleep.” Without using a muscle, Rarity flicked open the door to her balcony with magic.

“Now, get going. I’ve got to plan how I’m going to break this to her.”

“Rarity, you’re worrying too much!” Rainbow Dash stumbled a bit as she felt a magical force pushing against her rump, nudging her towards the door. She took the hint and walked towards the balcony, propelled in part by the magic. “I’m telling you, if you just be honest with her, she’ll be okay with it!”

“Yes, yes. But that’s... so hard! Hmph!” Rarity pushed Rainbow Dash with another magical force, bumping her out the door and onto the balcony. “I’ll see you tomorrow... Dashie.”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes at the teasing name, but just as she attempted to re-enter the boutique the door clicked shut in front of her, the faint glow of unicorn magic dissipating from the handle. “You know I hate being called that!” Dash shouted, spreading her wings as she prepared for takeoff. “But I guess I deserved it for the stud comment. Bye!”

) ( ) ( ) (

“I was just wondering, Fluttershy,” Rarity said, a perfect level of smoothness coming out in her sultry, deepened voice. Batting her eyelashes, she leaned in closer to the pegasus and let a hot breath out, blowing across the yellow coat on her neck. “If you would perhaps like to take this a step farther. Attend the gala as... my date.”

Rarity widened her eyes at the pegasus, ducking her head. It was an adorable look - one that Rarity had practiced many, many times in her life - puppy dog eyes as wide as the sun, glistening the slightest bit in the candlelight of the boutique. Irresistible!

And yet, the only response was silence. She hadn’t actually worked up the courage to ask the pegasus - all she’d been able to do in the hours since the spa and her first failed attempt were to practice how she would say it in a mirror. Her eyes glanced back up. There was no pegasus here, just Rarity staring (and flirting) at herself in the now foggy mirror.

“I can get it so... perfect. I can... why can’t I just tell her?”

The unicorn pouted, lower lip sticking out as she trotted around the boutique in a circle before ending up in front of the mirror again.

Rarity took a deep breath, and tried again. She watched her every movement in the mirror - she wanted to be perfect. She needed to be perfect. She already let a date with the pony of her dreams slip out of her hooves the day before; she was not going to go zero for two.

She tried over a dozen times - each trot around the boutique resetting the mood as she rehearsed her lines to herself over and over again. Every few moments she would spot a small strand of mane getting out of line, which she brushed aside. A dab of makeup here and there.

She must have made at least twenty attempts at herself in the mirror before she finally took a deep breath and forced the widest smile she’s ever made, a small squee rising up from inside of her.

She was ready.

) ( ) ( ) (

Rarity paced back and forth between the walls of her boutique, waiting for the pegasus’ arrival. The mere thought of the soon to happen conversation was a rollercoaster of emotions for the pale unicorn. A little bit of fear with a dash of terror and rejection, topped off with a heaping spoonful of nervous.

And vomiting. But she tried to suppress that emotion. She was sure getting so worked up she hurled everywhere was not going to win her any points with Fluttershy, and it was not part of her rehearsed lines.

Each time she passed the window, she couldn’t help but steal a glance outside to see if she could catch the pegasus approaching. She knew it wasn’t doing her any favors - it sure didn’t calm her down, and in fact it only made the fear that was gripping her heart turn into disappointment each time she glanced and saw nothing.

Rarity was on the verge of hyperventilating when she peeked out the window, doing a double take when she spotted Fluttershy approaching the boutique. She bit down on her lip, trying to regulate her breathing so as to not appear stressed out. A quick gallop to her mirror to make sure every last strand of mane was in place and she rushed to the door.

Rarity flung the door open the moment Fluttershy was at her step. The yellow pegasus yelped at the surprise, lowering the hoof she was just about to use to knock and taking a step back. “Oh! You... startled me.”

“Oh! ...Sorry!” Rarity beamed a wide smile and stepped backwards out of the doorway, making room for the pegasus to enter. She held a hoof out, waving her inside. “Come, come! We have a lot of work to do!”

Fluttershy smiled and stepped inside, turning around and grabbing the doorknob by her teeth to pull it closed behind her. She settled her saddlebags on the ground near the door and trotted over to where Rarity was standing, fussing with some small swath of fabric.

“Alright, so!” Rarity announced, turning around to face Fluttershy. Her mane lagged behind, bouncing with the sudden movements. “Did you have anything in mind? I was thinking something... green. Or not. I’m... not sure.”

Fluttershy giggled to herself, shaking her head as her eyes danced over the large number of colorful fabrics lining the room. Every so often, she would step up to one of the fabrics and take a closer look before backing off. “Oh, I don’t know, Rarity. You’re the designer.”

“Fair enough, but your opinion still matters!” The unicorn nodded, levitating a square of cloth and placing it against Fluttershy’s flank, seeing how the colors matched up. “Hm... perhaps something pink, to match your cutie mark? Let’s see...”

Rarity floated a piece of lacy, pink fabric towards the pegasus. Spotting the nearly see-through, suggestive cloth caused Fluttershy to let out a small eep, shaking her head. “That’s... a bit... well. I don’t think that... is appropriate.”

Rarity pouted a bit, floating the lacy piece up towards her side anyway. “Oh, are you sure? I mean, you’ve got a wonderful figure, Fluttershy... I don’t see what’s wrong with wearing something that gives ponies a look, hm?”

Fluttershy blushed at the compliments, ducking her head as if to hide behind her face behind her name. It didn’t work, the mare’s yellow coat becoming stained with the light pink. “Oh... T-thank you, Rarity, but I’m sure.”

Rarity pouted deeper, sticking her bottom lip out farther. Seeing that it wasn’t changing Fluttershy’s opinion, she broke it off and chuckled. “Alright, alright. Something more appropriate, then. I don’t want you to be hiding behind a bush all night because you’re embarrassed about your ensemble. Oh! I know just the thing!”

Rarity trotted over towards a large chest, flinging open the golden latch on the front and throwing the lid off, levitating it to the side. She jumped at the chance to dig through the rectangular box, shoving her nose into the trunk to rummage around in it.

“Um... Rarity?”

“Yes, darling?” Rarity’s voice was muffled by the contents of the box she was shuffling through, but was still loud enough to be heard clearly. Her rear danced in the air as she nosed around inside the box, lifting a hoof up to push the bundles of wrapped fabric out of the way as she searched for the one she wanted.

“Can... can I ask you something?”

“Of course! Anything, dear.” Rarity huffed as she shuffled fabrics around, going as far as beginning to toss bolts of cloth out of the box to give her a better view at what was buried below. “Now, where is that glorious golden silk I have lying around? That would match your coat just so well...”

“Uh, I was just wondering...”

Rarity flung another bolt of cloth out of the chest.

“Um, if it’s okay with you...”

Rarity just about climbed into the container, ready to dig even farther down. She remained with her back legs still planted on the wooden floor.

“...Why did you want me to go instead of, um, a date?”

Rarity froze in her place. None of the lines she had prepared and practiced had prepared her for that question. She was supposed to be the one bringing that up. She was supposed to be speaking about that at her own pace, not one she wasn’t ready for.

The fear that had been gripping her heart in the time leading up to Fluttershy’s visit returned, multiplied by the fact she wasn’t ready for this. Rarity swallowed hard, pulling herself up and out of the chest. Her eyes were locked on the ground, suddenly finding a patterned knot in the planks very fascinating.

“I... was meaning to talk to you about that, Fluttershy.” Rarity flicked her gaze up to glance at the pegasus, only to turn it back to the floor just as fast. “I... as pathetic as it sounds, I had been practicing lines... to explain that.”

Fluttershy ducked her head down as low as the unicorn, tips of her pink mane brushing against the floor boards. “Practicing lines...?”

Rarity nodded, embarrassed by the admission. Her alabaster cheeks burned with the blood rushing through her thumping heart, turning her a light shade of red. “To... you know. Explain. I’m not even sure why. It’s not like I’m ashamed... or that I should be.” She shrugs, pulling her head up. Regaining her usual, confident composure, she stood with her head high and locked gazes with Fluttershy.

“I actually went to Rainbow Dash for advice, if you can believe that. And... I think she’s right. I shouldn’t be trying to win you over, Fluttershy, we’re far too close for that.”

“Win me over...? What do you mean?” Fluttershy plopped herself down on the ground, back legs bending underneath her into a sitting position. Her head fell closer to the ground.

Rarity stepped over to Fluttershy, her hooves making a soft clicking sound against the wood in the otherwise silent room. Sitting herself down in front of the pegasus, she reached a polished hoof across and rested it under Fluttershy’s chin, tapping as light as she could manage to coax her head back up. Fluttershy followed along, raising her head up and sitting with it held high, now eye level with Rarity.

“Rainbow Dash told me I should just tell you my feelings. As much as the thought... scares me,” Rarity admitted, breaking her gaze to look to the side for just a moment before she locked eyes again. “I think she’s right. I... want you to be my date to the gala.”

Fluttershy gaped at the unicorn before her. The pegasus’ eyes widened and her pupils shrank as she stared ahead, unsure how to answer. “You... want me... to...”

“That’s right.” Rarity nodded, feeling another lump rising in her throat as her heart raced with the emotions surging through her. The twisting in her stomach that threatened to expel her breakfast rose up again, and Rarity fought to push it aside. “I’ve... been thinking about it for a while. And I think that the time has come... I’m sure you’ve read the papers about me.”

Rarity chuckled and gave a small shrug, laughter pushing aside her more painful emotions of fear. “I... suppose I should have asked first. I mean, I don’t even know if you feel the same way as me... you know, about mares. Perhaps I’ve... what’s the term... ‘jumped the gun?’”

“I... I don’t know, Rarity.” Fluttershy looked to the side, face tinted pink with a blush. It matched her mane - Rarity couldn’t help but notice how perfect it meshed with her hair and thought it was adorable, despite the possible rejection rising up from her words. “I... I don’t think I’d be a very good date. I don’t want you to... waste your ticket.”

Rarity chuckled to herself again, shaking her head. She slid her hoof away from Fluttershy’s chin, stroking it against her cheek with slow swipes. “That’s just like you, Fluttershy.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“More concerned about my feelings than your own.” Rarity smiled, dropping her hoof back to the floor with a quiet clop. “I adore that about you, you know. You’re so... kind. To everypony. When I jump to conclusions about somepony, you’re there to reign me in.”

Fluttershy remained quiet, and in an effort to avoid an awkward silence, Rarity continued. “What I’m meaning to say is, Fluttershy, there’s nothing you can do to make me feel I wasted my Gala ticket on you. But, I want your decision to go with me as my date be because you want to... not because I do. It’s as much your decision as it is mine.”

Fluttershy bobbed her head up and down, mulling the idea over in her mind. “Yes,” she finally said, voice just above a whisper. “Okay. I do want to go, Rarity.” Fluttershy swallowed hard, blush burning hotter under her coat. “As... as your... eep... um... date.”

Rarity felt like her heart was just about ready to burst. An entire world’s worth of weight was suddenly thrown from her back, all the emotions of fear and anxiety being thrown to the wind and right out the window. All of the stress was, in that moment, worth it.

It took every fiber of Rarity’s being to not let out a squeal of delight. “That is just such fantastic news!” she said, biting her lower lip to prevent herself from screeching. “Oh... this is actually going to be the best night ever!” She leaned in and rubbed noses with the beautiful pegasus across from her, the mare repeating the motions to rub their snouts together in a nuzzle.

Rarity made a mental note to go to Rainbow Dash for advice more often. This had ended perfect.

Fluttershy smiled, the small, sheepish smirk spreading across her face as she registered just how happy she had made her closest friend. “I’m glad! You seem so excited!”

“Oh, oh, that’s because I am!” On the verge of dancing with glee, Rarity stood up and pranced back towards the chest she had been digging through just moments ago. “Now, darling! We have a Gala dress to finish!”

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A/N - I am so, so sorry about how long it took to write this. I promise future chapters won’t take almost a month! Started a new job, studying for finals and just being captivated by the ideas of several stories at once kind of made this take a little longer than expected. Won’t happen again! (Hopefully.)

Edit 7/2/12: Since people are still faving this, I can't help but think you're under the impression that this will continue. It won't. Let the Rumors Fly is dead and will not be completed - sorry.

If you still want to fave it, be my guest! I just want to make sure nobody is sitting around waiting for an update.