Rarity was no stranger to long trips. But she had to admit that after having three of them back to back over the course of only two weeks, they were starting to take a toll on her.
As far as train rides went, the journey from Baltimare to Canterlot was a pleasant one. But for Rarity, sleep deprived as she was, every little turn, bump, or jolt the car made seemed to be amplified by a constant buzzing sensation in the back of her skull. Groaning lightly, she pressed a hoof to her aching forehead and wiped off a thin coating of sweat and grime; she had gotten back to the hotel very late the night before and had been too tired to take a shower.
For a short time period, the entire inside of the traincar went dark. Right away, Rarity knew she was close; the train was passing through one of the many tunnels carved into the grand mountain where Canterlot resided. In her traveling experience, that meant that the station was only minutes away...
The car faded to black twice more before she heard the train whistle signal her arrival. Rarity picked up her saddlebag from the empty seat beside her and donned her pink traveling hat as the steady squealing of the train's brakes filled her ears. The forward lurching motion of the train stopping made her aching head swim, and she suppressed another groan.
"Calling all passengers for Canterlot Station!" A voice blared over the intercom. Rarity waited until the train had come to a complete halt and then stood in front of the sliding door until it opened. Too exhausted to care about grace, she hopped down onto the platform with bulging saddlebag in tow and landed with a soft thud. She took a deep breath and took a moment to thank the fates that she had finally made it back in one piece.
"Rarity, my dear!"
It was a voice that she had become well-acquainted with since their wedding only two years prior. At the sound of his greeting, Rarity lifted her head. The sight of her husband standing only a few short meters away, put a smile on her face
"Hello, Fancy," she said. Her eyes closed with contentment as he planted a quick smooch on her lips and wrapped a foreleg around her withers in a warm hug. She returned the gesture with a happy sigh. "I'm back at last, thank Celestia. How have you been?"
Fancy Pants shrugged. "Oh, I've been quite alright. Encountered some minor issues with estate affairs, but nothing significant. I say," he said, feeling the spot on her back between her shoulderblades, "You do feel rather tense..."
Rarity gave a low chuckle. "Yes, I'm sure... it's been stressful, these past few weeks. And I imagine I must look almost as bad as I feel right now..."
Fancy Pants scoffed. "Look bad? Never." He pulled away and stepped off to the side, taking Rarity's saddlebag from her back and setting on his own. "Let's get you home. So you are feeling ill?"
Rarity nodded. "A little under the weather, yes..." She placed a hoof onto her aching skull. "I've had this throbbing headache for the past two days that refuses to go away..."
Fancy Pants adjusted the saddlebag and walked side by side with her off of the platform. "Hmm. Oh dear..."
"And it's even worse, because I have to catch another train tomorrow, bright and early at 8 o'clock." She groaned. "Hopefully, this whole thing will go away with a good night's sleep..."
At the mentioning of catching another train the following morning, Fancy Pants' brow furrowed downward. He pursed his lips. "Oh... yes, quite... where did you say that trip was to, exactly?"
Rarity had to think for a moment before she could answer, and then said, "I'm going to Vanhoover. There's going to be a competition there for upcoming winter designs, and I figured it would be a good way to get myself noticed while also trying my hoof at something I'm not as experienced with."
As she explained, Fancy Pants listened intently. A short period of silence ensued before he made any kind of reply.
"Hmm. Vanhoover is an awfully long way..." he coughed to clear his throat. Rarity nodded wearily.
"Yes, I know. Sixteen hours by train..." she said with a sigh. "It's going to be another long week, that is for sure."
Fancy Pants nodded in agreement. "I'm sure it will be..." He glanced up at the sky, which was turning a light shade of pink as the sun flirted with the horizon. It was only early autumn, but as the sun began to dip below the tall buildings of the city, the slight breeze carried with it an uncomfortable chill, causing Rarity to shiver. He picked up the pace. "I'll be sure to make us some tea and something to eat when we arrive back. Are you feeling hungry?"
Rarity shrugged. "I... well, I don't have much of an appetite, to be honest. But the tea sounds heavenly." She smiled with anticipation. "I haven't been able to settle down and have a cup of chamomile in far too long."
Fancy Pants nuzzled his wife on the cheek. "Oh, I am well aware of that." He pointed to a closed carriage directly in front of them, manned by two hefty stallions. "Don't worry, we'll be home in no time."
Rarity had been looking down at the ground in an effort to fend away some of the obnoxious pain thumping against the inside of her skull, but when she looked up at where Fancy's hoof indicated, her sagging face immediately seemed to lift. Even though she'd been married and living in Canterlot for two full years, she still had not gotten used to the closed carriages, the servants, and the gateway arches to fountain courtyards. But seeing her easy ride back home, she was not about to complain. Fancy Pants opened the door and stepped aside.
"After you." He offered a hoof to help her in. She took hold of it and climbed in, and he followed suit. As soon as the door had shut, the carriage started forward, and the two of them headed for home.
