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Rarity frowned up at the clock on the wall behind her. Cloud was meant to be there half an hour ago. She had to be at her boutique job in less than an hour and it looked as if the storm outside was getting worse.

The little girl Rarity brought into the shelter had gone and fetched some of her friends and family and the shelter was almost overflowing. There was only so much Rarity could do alone, her magic just wasn't strong enough. Her hooves were starting to ache and she could feel parts of her mane were escaping out of the hairnet. She was happy that the people in there were so cheerful and so much like a family.

"Rarity? Would you like some help?" asked a little filly. Rarity smiled at her wearily.

"I couldn't ask that of you! I-" Rarity began but she was interrupted when Ted stood up and walked over.

"Well, It is a good job I didn't ask then!" Ted said with a grin and he immediately started to help. Rarity was touched by their kindness.

As they served out the food together she couldn't help but feel slightly resentful that Cloud hadn't returned.

But the children's laughter and joy soon made her forget about it.

The sky had cleared up remarkably when everyone began to leave. They had all cleaned up after themselves and had been so polite. The same could not be said for some fancy rich customers uptown. Rarity was disgusted by the upper-classes lack of manners and the conceit they had for the poor.

Rarity locked up the kitchen of the shelter and began to make her way outside. Because the sky had cleared, the weather had got colder and Rarity gave a small shiver. She walked briskly to her job, looking forward to getting out of the cold.

There were more people on the street now because of the weather. The children playing reminded Rarity of how she and Cloud used to play.

Thinking of Cloud made her sad and slightly worried. Cloud could have been kidnapped for all Rarity knew, and that could have been why she wasn't helping at the shelter. Rarity grew more and more anxious for her so she decided to call her when she got to the boutique.

The little tinkle of the bell over the door made Thimble look up.

"Rarity. You're late again." Thimble said in a flat tone. Rarity blinked in surprise at her friend's hostility.

"I'm truly sorry Thimble but Cloud-" Rarity was interrupted.

"Stop it with the Cloud excuse. I'm sure what you're doing in that shelter is doing good, but I need you here. You do more good to people here! You know that old woman, Victori Call, who comes in here? She came in not so long ago and left again because you weren't here. We're loosing business, Rarity! Have you seen our last income report? It is atrocious!" Thimble ranted. Rarity nodded and listened throughout it all.

"But with the umbrella project, our income will go up!" Rarity reminded her. As soon as Rarity mentioned the project, Thimble seemed to pale.

"Oh my gosh! The Princesses expect us to finish that first project by Thursday! Forget about finance! We are starting it now!" Thimble exclaimed. Rarity bit back a giggle at her friend's reaction. They set to work without a second thought to the disagreement they had.

"Rarity?" Thimble asked softly, after a while of work. Rarity looked up from what she was doing to reply.

"Yes, darling?" Rarity prompted.

"Why do you let Cloud walk all over you like that? With any other pony I know you would stick up for yourself." Thimble asked. Rarity looked back to her work and didn't reply for a second. When she looked up again she had considered what she was about to say.

"Because... I was responsible for her sister's death. Let me explain before you think I'm a murderer.

It was several years ago, when I was a filly. Cloud and I were close friends. I still had as much interest for fashion as I do now, so I would drag Cloud along to peer into my favourite shop window. I always used to get hypnotised by the dresses then; I never thought I would be able to wear such beautiful clothes.

I used to force Cloud inside so I could ask the owner about materials etc. But on some days the shop owner would let me dress up in a feather boa and gems.

One day, Cloud and I were supposed to be taking her little sister to the park but I made them stop on the way so I could daydream about being a princess and wearing big dresses. Cloud was as bored as she usually was but her sister (Lantern) was as impressed as I was. That day, the shop owner let me dress Lantern up too.

Something you don't know about me, Thimble, is that I used to live in a rough area. While I was daydreaming a drunk staggered along the road behind us. He had a knife and was waving it around. Cloud shook me and we hid Lantern behind us as he walked into the shop.

I was terrified as he pointed the knife at me. He said, 'you spoilt little ponies all think you are sooo important, look at you, a little princess! I'm sure your daddy will buy you more gems to keep you from crying'. The shop owner was stricken and we were cowering away.

'You are so young and think you are the centre of the world. You are so young it is disgusting!' he was ranting and raging, swinging his arms around crazily. As he moved about he spotted Lantern, dressed up in her gems, crying. His face went purple with rage.

'HA! I thought you were too young! You make me sick! You are sick!" he roared and.. and that was when she died... that poor, innocent little girl! And it was my fault; it was my stupid, materialistic dreams that caused her to die." Rarity explained, with tears pouring down her face. Thimble watched her with a open mouth as Rarity told her.

"Honey, Rarity, it wasn't your fault!" Thimble tried to console her.

"It might not seem like it. But it was. It was my selfishness. I should have listened to Cloud and gone to the park. And that is why I let her 'walk over me' not only because of the pain I caused, but also because I should listen to her. I know she has been using my generosity for a while now... but I enjoy working at the shelter. Of course, I would prefer to not miss any work here too. That is why I think I should have different shifts." Rarity told Thimble. When Rarity mentioned shifts Thimbles' ears perked up.

"Different shifts can be arranged, Rarity, as long as you still do the work, which I have no doubt about." Thimble promised with a warm smile.

"But, Rarity, you do have to stand up to Cloud." Thimble added as an afterthought. Rarity nodded in agreement; she had put it off for too long anyway.

The two ponies quickly grew out of the somber mood and began work again, happily. Thimble was grateful of Rarity's confession, it was obviously not an easy thing to tell. Another thing was worrying Thimble though. Rarity had said she came from a rough area. Thimble was honestly surprised. Rarity's accent, manners and posture were upper class. she must have moved while she was still quite young to have picked it up so definitely.

It made sense though, that Rarity lived in the slums. It explained why she was so eager to help others from there. They must remind her how lucky she was to find a way out.