Return

Rarity stared at her reflection in the mirror. She hadn't been completely prepared for her visit to the Princesses last time. And even though she knew she was going there now, she still wasn't prepared. The words 'element of harmony' kept flying through her head. What would everyone at school say when they heard about it? It would completely change her life, surely. She would have more duties, she would be recognised and watched.

Rarity's initial reaction was to put on a brave face and make sure she looked her best. If she was going to be the Element of Generosity she might as well look fabulous doing it.

The rain was pattering dismally against the window pane and Rarity stared out at it. She should be excited. But all she felt was fear and anxiousness. It was all too shocking and she could hardly believe it. She was up most of the night because she was so nervous.

She was nervous she wouldn't live up to expectation.

Rarity gave a small sigh, before leaving her bedroom. She had already eaten breakfast so all she needed was to pack her bag. Just as she was buttoning it up, the doorbell rang.

Rarity frowned and looked at the clock that was sat on the mantlepiece. She had received no message that she would be collected, and it was too early anyway.

Rarity opened the door and looked at who it was.

"Rarity! Hi, wow, you look even prettier than you normally do! We're only going to help at the shelter, not a spa!" Cloud remarked with a short laugh. Rarity immediately reddened in embarrassment and horror. She was going to the shelter with Cloud! She had forgotten in the rush and shock of everything.

"You're ready on time for once! That's good, because I need to ask a small favour of you. Rarity, I really need to go to this job interview. It is the one I was telling you about! You know, 'the chance of a lifetime'! I'll be back at lunch but could you go by yourself, at first. You know I wouldn't ask this of you, but it is so important!" Cloud rambled. Rarity immediately nodded and assured her it would be fine. Her generous nature had taken over before she had thought about it.

"Great! I'll be back at lunch!" Cloud called and then trotted off. Rarity stayed still for a moment to collect her thoughts. It would seem as if she would either have to cancel the work with the shelter, or cancel with the princess. Rarity bit her lip as she made up her mind, resolutely.

Grabbing a pencil and paper she scrawled out a message and sent it. Rarity breathed out in relief and began trotting to her destination.

***

The letter arrived at Twilight's desk in a flurry of blue magic. The letter had obviously been written in haste.

Dear Princess Twilight,

I do apologise at the terribly last minute change of plans I will have to force upon you. I'm afraid I will not be able to visit you today, because I have a social matter that I must attend. I hope we can reschedule because I am aware of how important this could be. I would have come today but I already promised a friend.

My sincerest apologies (it is very rude and I hope a Princess is not accustomed to such things)

Rarity

Twilight read the letter and then looked at it with wide eyes. Spike would be disappointed at not seeing her. And what was this pressing social occasion?

She sat for a minute and tapped on hoof on the ground. But then she couldn't hold it any longer and she rushed to the shelves of books in the room. Her magic surrounded one of the books and it flung out and floated by Twilight's head. It flew opened to a page and Twilight read the text as if her life depended on it.

A colourful glow surrounded her horn as it blared into life. There was a bright white light and then it subsided to a milky glow.

A mirror-like object had appeared in front of Twilight. Then, as if someone had adjusted a dial, the glow transformed into a clear picture of Rarity walking determinedly in the rain.

Twilight watched the white unicorn turn down a rough-looking street and then into an alley. Twilight cocked her head and wondered what an upper-class pony like Rarity was doing in the slum-like side of town.

Rarity turned into a shabby looking building with a peeling green sign above it. But Rarity moved too fast for Twilight to see what the sign read.

Rarity made her way past countless plastic chairs and tables and trotted into another room. Her blue magic tugged a green plastic apron around herself and tucked her perfectly styled hair into a turquoise hairnet. Twilight watched in fascination and curiosity as she watched Rarity enter back into the room with the tables. Twilight wondered what Rarity was doing wearing that; she looked like a dinner lady.

When Rarity moved over to a small kitchen area, Twilight was even more surprised. Then Twilight noticed the others that were in the room, they looked like tramps and it was clear they were homeless. One particularly filthy one walked over to Rarity with shuffling steps. Twilight expected Rarity to flinch back from the dirt but instead Rarity beamed at him.

"Hello, Ted, how are you this week?" Rarity's elegant voice asked. Ted smiled slightly, revealing rotting teeth. But his face looked friendly and encouraging.

"Same as always, Rare, better when you and Cloud are here with us." Ted answered in a gruff voice. Rarity's face fell a little.

"I'm sorry, Ted, but Cloud isn't here today. She had an important interview so I'll be taking her shift as well, until lunch." Rarity said with her smile back on her face. Ted's expression changed slightly into one of annoyance. He looked at Rarity for a moment and Rarity dropped her eyes, she seemed to be ashamed.

"Rare, how long are you going to let her take advantage of you for? She's a nice girl but she never shows up here if she can help it and leaves you to work everything out! She always has something more important than you. You're a lovely girl, but you have to stick up for yourself more!" Ted told her firmly.

"Ted, I do stick up for myself, but I just can't abandon you here. You know if Cloud gets fired no one else will volunteer. This place will be shut down!" Rarity said sadly. Ted sighed and shook his head.

"You're too generous for your own good, girl." Ted murmured. Rarity simply smiled in reply and she served him his food.

After everyone had been served, Rarity went over to sit by them and talk.

When they learnt that Cloud wasn't coming they all rolled their eyes and tutted. They all mentioned how Rarity was so generous. Rarity just thanked them and her cheeks flamed up in embarrassment.

They soon moved onto different topics and Twilight was amazed at how easily Rarity slipped into conversation with these people.

Rarity began to explain her scheme about the umbrellas. All the homeless people praised her idea and welcomed it.

"And how did you get the snooty Princesses to sponsor it? " one person said. Rarity smiled at him.

"The Princesses are kind-hearted. You shouldn't listen to rumours that say they don't care about the 'SlumSide'. They want to help here as much as I do. This is one of the ways they are helping!" Rarity told them with a laugh. "And anyway, you should be grateful the 'snooty' Princesses even cared enough to let me see them"

"That's just amazing Rarity. You actually met the Princesses? You do too much for us, you know?" a scruffy-looking mare gasped.

"No, I don't do enough! There are so many times I have to walk past children suffering and I can give them nothing! It hurts me. If I can't help them then I must keep helping others!" Rarity stated forcefully.

"Rarity, most ponies that live uptown have never even set foot here! You do enough, maybe too much!" one said. Everyone shouted their agreement.

A bell rang on the wall and Rarity shot up.

"Alright, I'm sorry, everyone, you know what that means." Rarity said with a grimace. Everyone stared at her, waiting.

"Chocolate pudding!" Rarity sang as she skipped to the kitchen. Everyone in the room cheered as she took the pudding out of the oven. Appreciative murmurs flew across the room as she served out the pudding to everyone.

Rarity's tummy rumbled slightly when she smelt the pudding. She smiled and picked up the bowl.

Instead of sitting down she walked outside into the rain. There was a small filly curled up on the pavement. Rarity smiled kindly and handed her the bowl.

"Are you alright? Would you like to come inside?" Rarity asked the child. The child stared at her in amazement, she then leapt to her frail feet and followed Rarity inside.

Twilight felt a small tear run down her face. It was almost impossible how generous Rarity was. She seemed perfect. Absolutely perfect! A small pang of jealousy welled up in Twilight.

How could she be so generous, so pretty, and so without problems?

A knock on the door of Twilight's study made Twilight Jump and she broke the spell. Spike walked in with a worried frown on his face.

"Twilight, Rarity didn't come!" Spike exclaimed. Twilight squeaked.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Spike, Rarity sent me a letter, telling me she couldn't come. I'm sorry I forgot to tell you!" Twilight moaned. Spike just sighed.

"It is fine, I was afraid something had happened to her." Spike replied. Twilight smiled at Spike's reaction to the news. Only he couldn't be mad at her for leaving him to stand in the rain for an hour for no reason.

Maybe Rarity was just about perfect enough for her little dragon brother.