Life isn't all Magic and Rainbows

Chapter 13

Rarity’s Car, En route to her House

Rainbow sighed as she looked out the window, content to let herself become lost in thoughts of potential romance. But as she continued to think, her mind began to drift towards more practical things. Like, take for instance, what she would wear for her upcoming date.

There was also the issue of how much make-up she needed to apply and whether or not she should style her hair. The normally tomboyish athlete gnashed her teeth at the thought of actually caring about such girly things. However, it was clear to her that Trevor took great pains to appear fashionable and her stubborn pride refused to let that go unanswered.

I may not like all that frou-frou stuff, but I’m still a woman damn it! The only problem is…I don’t really know a whole lot about what guys find attractive. I mean, Trevor did say I was beautiful but…is that really enough? Ughhh…I guess I’m gonna have to bite the bullet and ask for Rarity’s help.

Rainbow cleared her throat. “Hey Rares. Would you mind…helping me out with this whole date thing?”

“I wouldn’t mind at all, darling. In fact, we’re not very far from the spa right now. It would only take a few minutes to get there and I know for a fact that Aloe and Lotus welcome walk-ins.”

“The spa? I meant more like dresses and stuff.”

Rarity sighed. “Rainbow, it’s far more important for a woman to look beautiful in her own skin before she even puts on a single stitch of clothing.”

“Well it’s not like I’m going to get naked right away! Geez…”

“That’s not what I meant. You see, men notice things like how well groomed your hair is and the smoothness of your skin. While what you chose to dress in is important, what you must remember is that clothing is designed to complement your own natural beauty.”

Rainbow rubbed her neck. “Oh…well I guess that makes sense. Sorry, I thought you were saying that it was important to look good naked.”

“That’s part of it, certainly. But it’s only your first date! You don’t need to worry about that issue quite yet.”

Rainbow laughed nervously. “Silly me, what was I thinking? It’s not like Trevor and I were gonna have sex right after it.”

“Well, to be fair, some people do. However, that’s not what you should be thinking about on your first date. It’s all about getting to know him.”

“Ok, ok point taken. I sorry, it’s just that I’m new to this whole dating thing.”

“We both are, darling. I simply want you to connect with the man that you might become intimate with in the near future. Your first time deserves to be special.”

“Is…that why you were so hesitant with Spike?”

Rarity frowned. “That’s one of the reasons. However, it was mostly because I didn’t feel ready to take that step yet. I’m terrified that it might end up being painful! Or worse yet, I’d disappoint Spike with my lack of experience…”

“Hey, don’t worry about all that. Spike’ll understand if you ask him to be gentle. And about the whole experience thing, everybody has to start somewhere. Do you think I was born as an awesome soccer player? Nope! I had to practice to get good. Just like everybody else. All it takes is time and little bit of patience.”

“Perhaps…but I still can’t help but worry.”

Rainbow put her hand on Rarity’s leg. “We’ll get through this together, I promise.”

“Thank you, Rainbow. Your support means so much to me.”

Rainbow blushed. “Whoa no need to get all sappy, Rares! I’m just doing what any good friend would do.”

“I know, and that’s why I’m taking you to the spa! As they say: A friend in need is a friend indeed~”

Aloe & Lotus’s Luxury Spa, Ponyville

Rainbow sighed in relief as she sank deeper into the hot tub. The warm, mineral rich water felt amazing against her bare skin and as an added bonus; it helped loosen up all of her muscles. She was expecting to get some icky green goop spread on her face along with some cucumber slices, but much to her surprise that hadn’t happened. Instead, when Rarity talked with Aloe and Lotus she asked for something called “The Swedish Special”. Whatever it was, it involved soaking in a tub for a while and Rainbow was just fine with that.

The young athlete started to close her eyes…until she heard Rarity enter the tub. In all of the time she’d known the fashionista, Rainbow had never actually seen her naked. It wasn’t as if she had any burning desire to witness her friend’s natural form, but she was curious. Rainbow assumed that Rarity had to be in decent shape, if their weekly jogging routine was anything to go by. But assuming and witnessing were two very different things. Try as she might, Rainbow couldn’t help but stare.

Rarity was an absolute knock out! Her figure wasn’t as trim as Rainbow’s but there wasn’t an ounce of misplaced pudge to be found anywhere. The fashionista’s elegantly toned legs led to her equally toned tushie. It was like staring at a perfectly proportioned pearly peach. With a slight twinge of jealously, Rainbow begrudgingly admitted that her friend possessed one of the most beautiful behinds she’d ever witnessed.

Unlike Fluttershy, Rarity’s breasts were only slightly larger than average. However, they were so finely shaped that you’d swear they were sculpted from pure marble. And of course, Rarity’s fussy nature when it came to tidiness also applied to all of her body hair. That is to say, she waxed all of it. Once her observations were complete, Rainbow came to a single conclusion. Spike was one lucky son of a bitch.

Rarity let out a soft moan. “Ah, these mineral baths are simply the best. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The athlete was so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn’t paid attention to anything Rarity said. Instead, she found herself inching ever closer to her friend’s chest, eager to sate her curiosity. She lifted her hand out of the water and cupped Rarity’s left breast, giving it and experimental squeeze. Holy shit! It looks firm but it’s totally soft. Feels just like a damn marshmallow. How the hell does that work?

Rarity let out a surprised yelp upon receiving her unsolicited breast fondling. At first, she dismissed it as a mere accident but as the seconds dragged on she began to realize that Dash was doing it on purpose. Loathe as she was to admit it, her friend’s ministrations weren’t entirely unpleasant but…they still needed to stop. With a reddened face that wasn’t due to the hot water, she grabbed Dash’s hand.

“Excuse me d-darling…but why are you…ahhnn…fondling my breast?”

Dash’s eyes widened as she retracted her hand. “Oh shit! I’m soooo sorry, Rares! I swear I didn’t mean to do it that long.”

“Wait. You did that…on PURPOSE?! For what reason?”

Dash blushed. “Errr...I was curious.”

“Oh, well that’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”

“Heh, that’s relief. For a second there I—”

Rarity’s eye twitched. “I WAS BEING SARCASTIC! What in the world would possess you to grope me? Have you suddenly become attracted to women? Or…have you all along? No, no no…this simply can’t be happening! I love you as a friend, Rainbow. But I will not be part of some bisexual tryst!”

“Rares, calm down! I’m not bisexual. I only like guys.”

“Be that as it may, it still doesn’t explain your actions.”

Rainbow blew some bubbles in the water. “I…might have been a bit of jealous of your boobs. So, I wanted to see if they were real. I mean, can you blame me? They look like they belong on a statue!”

“Hmm…I see. Well, I’m glad that someone finally noticed the extreme amount of care I put into maintaining my figure.”

“Ha! No kidding. You could be a freakin’ supermodel.”

Rarity blushed. “Oh, I don’t about that but thank you for the compliment. Still, you didn’t have to grope me…”

“Man, I feel like a total douche right now. I know I shouldn’t feel jealous, but I totally am!”

“Whatever for, darling? You’re in excellent shape.”

Rainbow looked down at her chest. “Yeah, everything except my boobs.”

“You’re self-conscious of your breasts? But that hardly makes any sense! You always struck me as woman who’s quite comfortable in her own skin.”

Rainbow let out a frustrated sigh. “I…well, sort of. It’s really hard to explain. Forget I mentioned it, alright?”

Rarity rubbed her forehead as she felt a wave of déjà vu overcome her mind. What was it about her friends and their neurosis concerning physical appearance? Both Applejack and Rainbow were in excellent shape, and yet they both seemed to view themselves as undesirable. While she had to admit that Rainbow’s breasts were a bit on the smaller side, they were quite perky and had a nice shape to them. Was it possible that she believed men only cared about size?

Whatever the reason, Rarity couldn’t stand to see her friend in such a state of self-depreciation. If Rainbow didn’t iron out her issues, there was no telling how much worse it could get once Trevor started taking a real interest in her. Regardless of whether Rainbow was comfortable with it or not, Rarity decided that now was the time to talk about it.

Deep down, Rarity knew that the best way to initiate such things was through a bit of physical affection. It was something her mother had often done when she was having issues. And as awkward as it had been being pressed against her mother’s bare breast, there was also something incredibly comforting about it.

The sensation was almost primal, harkening back to simpler times when children sought safety in their mother’s bosom. And so, with a slight blush she pressed the side of Rainbow’s face against her breast, while gently stroking her hair.

“Rarity w-what are you doing?”

“Shhh. Just relax. Rainbow, I want you to know that you can trust me. If there is anything at all that you need to talk about, I’m here for you.”

Rainbow blushed. “I do trust you! B-but do I really need to squish up against your boob to prove it?!”

“I suppose not. But is it making you feel any better?”

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. I’ll talk but…can you let me go first? This is getting reaaaally awkward.”

Rarity giggled. “Sorry, it was something my mother used to do when I was feeling stressed out.”

“Your family are a bunch of weirdos.”

“Yes, I am well aware of that fact. But I still love them.”

Dash chuckled in response, knowing full well how weird her own parents were. She had mixed feelings concerning her friend’s declaration. On the one hand, it was comforting to know that Rarity was willing to hear her out. On the other hand, she was terrified to admit her greatest fears.

One thing was absolutely clear. She needed this. Since the beginning, she’d bottled up all of her negative feelings and shoved them to some dark corner in the back of her mind, hoping that willpower alone would keep them at bay. But now that she had an outlet, there was no stopping the floodgates from bursting open. Rainbow took a deep breath, fully aware of the hot tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I guess…I should start at the beginning.”

Rarity grasped her friend’s hand. “Go on, I’m listening.”

“I’ve never really been into girly stuff. Even when I was little I used to play with action figures and hung out with all of the boys in my neighborhood, instead of going to tea parties and frou-frou stuff like that.”

“You make it sound as if tea parties are a bad thing!”

“Nah, it just wasn’t my thing. Anyway, as I started getting older I started to notice guys in a romantic way and not just as playmates. But…they never seemed to notice me. I guess…I can’t really blame them ‘cause I didn’t really look or act much like a girl but it still hurt my feelings a little.”

“We can take a break if you’re having trouble. I don’t mind.”

Rainbow’s voice cracked. “All of the other girls around me started to change and mature when I still looked like a little kid. Rarity…I didn’t even start to grow boobs until sophomore year! Do you know how painful it is to go into the locker room and hear all of the other girls whispering and snickering behind your back?!”

“Oh Rainbow, you poor dear.”

“Sure, the name calling was bad but that wasn’t the worst of it. While I was on the soccer team, I had a huge crush on the team captain. And near the end of sophomore year, I finally worked up the nerve to ask him to the prom. Much to my surprise, he actually said yes. Heh, you should’ve seen it. I bought a pretty dress and put on tons of make-up, all to impress him. But when I finally showed up to the prom he was already with another girl, surrounded by the rest of his friends.”

“You…were shown up?”

Rainbow started to sob. “T-that dickhead only said yes…b-because he made a bet with his buddies. It was all just some…f-fucking game to him! Once I started crying all he said to me was: I thought it would be funny to see a monkey in dress and I was right! That’s why I had to transfer schools. I was too embarrassed and ashamed to ever show my face there again…”

As soon as Dash finished her sentence, she began to sob in earnest. The athlete hugged her legs tight to her chest and took deep, ragged breaths as her tough-girl façade crumbled away. It was such a heartbreaking display that Rarity was moved to tears as well, but had enough sense to gently rub her friend’s back to try and calm her down.

After a few minutes, Dash calmed down enough that her sobs were reduced to sniffles. Sensing an opportunity, Rarity used a towel to gently wipe her friend’s face and then placed a soft kiss upon her forehead.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that, darling. But I want you to know that I’ll do everything I can to make sure your date goes smoothly.”

“Thanks, Rares.” Rainbow croaked. “Do…you really think I have chance with Trevor?”

“In my own humble opinion, yes I do.”

“Y-you don’t think he’ll mind that I have tiny boobs o-or that I’m not as pretty as some other girls?”

Rarity placed her hand on Dash’s cheek. “He told me so himself. Very candidly, I might add.”

“He…did?”

“Mhmm. The only thing you need to worry about now is looking your absolute best for the date. And even if he doesn’t think you need make up or fancy clothes, it never hurts to put on the razzle dazzle!”

Rainbow smiled ever so slightly. “Yeah! But…umm nothing too girly, alright?”

“Of course not. I’ll make sure it’s something simple but sexy.”

“Heh, I don’t think I’ve ever felt sexy before…”

Rarity giggled. “There’s a first time for everything, darling! Oh and speak of the devil, here come Aloe and Lotus to help you with your hair and nails.”

Much to Dash’s surprise, the two sisters just waltzed over to the tub and greeted Rarity with a polite wave. What struck Dash as odd was the fact that neither of them had brought any towels or robes with them. The only things them seemed to be carrying with them were a pair of clippers and a brush. Dash finally began to panic when Rarity casually stepped out of the tub and began walking over to a set of padded tables.

“Hey…uhh what’s going on?”

Rarity sat on the table. “Our treatment.”

“Aren’t they gonna give us like a robe or something?”

Aloe giggled. “Ms. Dash, this is all part of The Swedish Treatment.”

“B-but we aren’t wearing anything!”

“That’s because you aren’t supposed to wear anything the entire time, similar to the saunas back home. We like to think of it as…hmm what’s the word? Ah yes, skinship! Now come along, we need to get started!”

“I guess so…”

As instructed, Rainbow took a seat on the table next to Rarity’s. She hadn’t minded the whole hot tub thing but this was way beyond her comfort level. Much to her chagrin, Rarity didn’t seem bothered by it in the least. In fact, she was just sitting there patiently reading a magazine!

Meanwhile, Lotus began to brush Rainbow’s hair while Aloe worked on her nails. Even though the two of them were extremely professional, Dash couldn’t help but feel an uncomfortable heat blossom upon her cheeks.

“Guys…I’m sorry but this is really embarrassing.”

Lotus clicked her tongue. “Both your hair and body are beautiful, Ms. Dash. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“Yeah…so my friends tell me.”

“Tsk tsk. It’s such a shame that the women of this country place so much value upon the size of their breasts. Back in our homeland, athletic women are highly sought after!”

Rainbow cocked her brow. “Why’s that?”

“I have heard men say that athletic women are far more skilled and have greater stamina when it comes to sex. Is this true in your case, Ms. Dash?”

Rainbow pressed her legs together and blushed. “I’m still a virgin.”

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry! I meant no offense. I was merely curious.”

“Eh…no harm done, I guess.”

Lotus grinned wickedly. “Good, good! But I am correct in assuming you are getting this treatment to impress a man, no?”

“Maybe…”

“Did you hear that sister? We have to make her extra pretty. There’s a man at stake!”

Aloe laughed. “Oh ho! What’s his name?”

“Trevelyan…not that it’s any of your business.”

“Lotus, isn’t that the name of the handsome magic shop owner down the street?”

Lotus clapped her hands. “I do believe you’re right! Ms. Dash, you have absolutely exquisite taste. Why, I’ve been trying to nab hi—”

Rarity practically scrambled from the table and clamped her hand over Lotus’s mouth. As much as she loved the twins on a professional level, the two of them were terrible gossips. And the last thing she needed right now was for Dash to feel like she had competition for Trevor’s affection. Left with no other choice, Rarity gave Lotus the exact same stink eye she gave her sister whenever the little scamp caused any trouble.

“You’d better not finish that sentence, Lotus!” Rarity hissed into her ear. “Rainbow’s already had a troubled past when it comes to matters of romance. DON’T. COMPLICATE. THINGS. FURTHER!”

“Ahahaha! I wouldn’t dream of it, Ms. Rarity. Do you…require any further treatment?”

Rarity shook her head. “I’m fine. Just focus on making Rainbow as beautiful as possible. It is of paramount importance that her date is successful. Have I made myself clear?”

“Crystal…”

Rainbow furrowed her brow. “Rares, is everything alright?”

“Everything’s just peachy! We were discussing what color your dress should be. I was thinking that you’d look splendid in a tight little black dress. Wouldn’t you agree, Lotus?”

Lotus nodded vigorously. “Certainly! Black is such a slimming color. And as an added bonus, it would show off all tight curves of your exceptionally trim figure.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever worn a black dress before. But if you think it’ll make me look sexy, I’m up for it.”

Rarity grinned. “Good, then it’s settled. Once we’re done here, we’ll make a quick pit stop at the dress store. Perhaps while we’re there we could get some undergarments as well. A sexy dress deserves something sexy underneath, after all!”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt. I just don’t wanna be out shopping for the rest of the day...”

“Not to worry, darling. We’ll just get you some lacy black panties. They practically go with anything.”

Rarity’s House, Ponyville

After an arduous day of spa treatments and picking out clothes for a self-admitted tomboy, Rarity was ready to collapse on the couch and chug a bottle of her favorite red wine. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. And those plans involved a certain former drake, who just so happened to be drinking said bottle of wine while slumped on the kitchen table.

She cringed slightly, seeing Spike in such a sorry state, knowing full well she was mostly to blame. Even though she knew his mouth was going to taste terrible, Rarity gently lifted his head and gave him an “I’m sorry kiss” that involved at least fifteen seconds of tongue wrestling. Almost instantly, Spike perked up and smiled.

“I’m sorry, darling. Our little excursion took a tad longer than expected.”

Spike sniffed. “Do you even know how worried I was? I damn near had a panic attack, just like my freakin’ sister! I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I messed up a-and then after a while I started to get really depressed. So yeah, I sort of went on a drinking binge.”

“Ah, well it’s entirely my fault. I should’ve called or something. Are you still upset with me? I mean, I’d completely understand if you were. I…just need to know.”

Spike wrapped her in a bone-crushing hug. “I was but I love you too much to let my anger get between us. Let’s just try and learn from this and move on, ok?”

Rarity melted in Spike’s grasp, counting her lucky stars that Spike was so forgiving. She stayed like that for what seemed like hours, even though it only amounted to about minute. Once she let go, something placed on the table happened to catch her eye. They appeared to be two light pink colored slips of paper. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say they were tickets.

“Spike, do you happen to know what these are?”

“Oh, Pinkie put those there. Apparently you parents left them for you. I have no idea what they’re for though.”

Rarity gasped. “Spike…these are tickets to a luxury resort. And not just any resort for that matter! They’re for an acclaimed Japanese style lodge called Sakura Springs. The best part about is that the lodge is only an hour’s drive from here.”

“So, I take it that you’d like to go?”

“That would be an understatement, darling.”

Author's Note

I really hope you guys like this chapter because it was incredibly difficult for me to write. In general, I don't enjoy putting my characters through difficult situations be they emotional or physical tribulations. Unfortunately, it had be done to help explain Rainbow's backstory....even if it was painful to write. Not to worry though, things will only improve for her as time goes on.