Uptown Girl

by Ron Jeremy Pony

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Original Character, Rarity, Slice of Life, Sex, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 6749

Life has been interesting for Rarity since the portal connecting Earth and Equestria have opened. She's been able to expand her fashion designs, met some like minded individuals, but after the death of Rainbow's human coltfriend things see

Rarity has always been a little theatrical, and enjoyed having her drama queen moments, but being on Earth has brought some other things to light. She's become friends with several fashion designers, been able to expand her craft here in the human world, but after the death of Rainbow Dash's human coltfriend she's starting to realize the even bigger differences between their two worlds, or perhaps she's simply getting a fresh dose of what life is really like without magic.

A chance encounter has also opened her eyes to discrimination that's happening back at home, and is ignored by those set to govern. Unsure of what to do, or how to do it, Rarity must decide what is important to her. Is love and happiness truly better than peace and security?

Published 2014-04-24 14:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-06-19 17:43:43 UTC

If It's Love how can it be Wrong?

Uptown Girl

Tie in with Room for Rent

Chapter 1 ‘If it’s love how can it be wrong?’

The sights and sounds of the seemingly rural area wasn’t anything new to me; after all, Ponyville was a rural town, and I had thrived there quite easily.  Still, this small town wasn’t quite the same as my small town.  The houses were different, but even the differences had some uniformity to them.  Not that the houses back home were really different from each other, but there was times that a residence would be brightly colored, or specifically designed to be simply pleasing.  It appeared that most of the people here had designed their homes for function and not fashion.

A small sigh escapes my lips as look at bed and breakfast in front of me.  Rainbow had been sweet enough to offer all of us a place to stay after the funeral, and while Pinkie, Twilight, and Applejack, who was unfortunately too late to attend the service at the funeral parlor, were staying with her I felt it might be a tad crowded.  Instead I had asked if there was a hotel close by so we could enjoy each other’s company for the next few days.  Rainbow had directed me toward this small bed and breakfast, and now I wondered if I really wanted to go into it.

I walked up toward the white and red house.  It was a modest three story home, something that matched the conformity here, but it also didn’t seem to fit.  Most of the homes I had passed, and this included the home Rainbow’s human colt friend had left for her, seemed to be well lived in.  This home looked as though it was perfectly and perhaps even religiously kept up.  Shaking it off I stroll up to the door, press the doorbell, and wait for someone to answer it.  I stand, waiting, and nothing happens.  There is no sound coming from the inside, but out here thunder is erupting around me.  I push the doorbell again, and wait for somepony, or someone rather, to answer the door.  Again I’m met with silence.  An exasperated sigh escapes my lips and I go from ringing the doorbell, to knocking.  It’s still polite, a bit forceful, but polite.  I still hear nothing, and now there is lightening striking in the distance.  If I were home I wouldn’t worry.  I wouldn’t because I know the weather control pegasi would make sure that all of us were safe inside of our homes before they unleashed a massive storm.

This isn’t home, and these storms don’t wait.

“Please, if there is anyone in there I would like to rent a room!” I yell as I bang my hoof against the door.

Very few outside of Sweetie Belle know that I am afraid of lightening.  The idea of that flash of light that could touch down if not handled correctly and end a pony’s life is frightening.  Now, without anypony to control it my fear is more than justified.  Another thunder clap, and another lighting strike cause me to drop down and cover my head.

“I should have stayed!” I cry out to myself.

A moment later I hear soft chuckle, and look up to see a person draped in a yellow slicker.  He walks past me, unlocks the door, and then opens it.  I watch as he pulls a chain and a sign lights up indicating that they are open.

“Sorry, I had to shut down the bed and breakfast for a while.  A good friend of mine passed away, and after the funeral a few of us got together to remember him.  I meant to be back a good deal earlier, but things got busy, and besides, this isn’t tourist season yet,” he says.

I nod and walk into the house.  The outside might have been taken care of, but this…  The floors look polished, the furniture is old, but preserved exceptionally well, and everything looks as though it was taken straight out of one of the pictures Simone had shown me of homes in the 1800’s.  The gentlecolt, or rather gentleman, removes his slicker, putting it into a plastic tub, and then turns to face me.

There are moments when I am reminded this is another world. Things like the walk over here, the weather, and now as I am looking at this man who had suffered a terrible burn at some point in his life are these reminders.  He sees me staring for a moment and his smile falters for a second.

“I know, believe me I understand that I’m not exactly the most pleasant being to look at,” he says.

“I’m terribly sorry.  I didn’t mean anything,” I reply.

He shakes his head and smiles.

“It’s fine.  Trust me, coming home after getting a little toasted by an RPG hitting the transport you’re in causes anyone to get used to the idea of people staring,” he says.

“RPG?” I ask.

He chuckles and shakes his head.

“Yeah, sorry, I figured that they had told you all about everything that’s been going on.  RPG is a Rocket Propelled Grenade, and it’s an explosive device used to destroy an enemy target,” he says.

I look at him and shake my head.

“Why did that happen?” I ask.

“I was escorting a civilian technician on a stretch of road that was supposed to be in an unoccupied area.  Instead a few seconds later our caravan is hit, and my transport, my Humvee is lit up light the fourth of July.  I was lucky since I was blown free of it.  All that really happened to me some burns across my face and my chest,” he replies.

“That’s terrible,” I say.

“Not really.  I got discharged, spent some time recovering, and I found out who my friends were.  The guy’s funeral I went to…  He was a damned good friend.  I wish that I would have been a better one back to him.  It’s just kind of hard to deal with all of that tragedy, all at once.  His kids, wife, and then his health all of it was gone in the blink of an eye.  Hell, he didn’t really even tell any of us about his health.  There was times he just wanted to carry his burden on his own,” he says.

I look at him and slowly I think about it and realize that I had seen him before.  The funeral, Rainbow’s coltfriend’s funeral, was where I had seen him.  I had been so busy trying to be there for Rainbow Dash that I barely thought to look around at the others in attendance.

“I heard a good deal about him,” I say.

“I imagine that it was from your buddy that was there with you.  She looked pretty tore up about it,” he says.

I look at him with a questioning glance.

“You work around folks long enough you learn to read body language.  Granted, reading a different species body language is a little different, but it was still there.  She’s hurting something horrible,” he replies.

“I’m afraid it’s not my place to talk about it.  A lady does not dive into the affairs of others.  She is a dear friend, and while she has confided a great deal in me, I could not bear the thought of destroying her trust in me,” I say.

He nods, and the sound of thunder erupts again.  He turns to see me shaking.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but a warm smile, a key, and an extended arm wasn’t exactly it.

“It occurs to me that someone who is lady like enough to want to get in out of the weather, keep her friend’s secret, and be patience enough to listen to me would enjoy a tour of the house, and of course being led to her room,” he says.

“That would be lovely,” I reply.

He lets me put a hoof into his offered hand and he leads me into the house itself.  The first stop is a large den area with a very impressive private library.  It wasn’t as full of books as the Ponyville library, but for a home, or bed and breakfast, it was quite large.

“This home is one of the oldest in the area.  It dates back to 1845 when George Murrell moved here with his wife during the forced migration of the Cherokee people.  George Murrell, having come from Virginia, decided to design the houses he remembered from his native state.  The house was originally sat on a modest eighty acres, but over time the city and state have slowly ate the land up until all that really remains is six acres, and the house itself.  All of the furniture in the home has been painstakingly reproduced in the style of the furniture of that time frame,” he says.

I look at it and while I can see that the patterns most likely are dated they are quite lovely.  It looked as if every piece was chosen to accent the room, and I couldn’t help but see how it made the fire place, the hardwood floors, and the off white walls pop.  I gently walked toward a couch and touched it.  It was soft, nearly as soft as my bed at home.

“It’s lovely,” I say.

“Thank you,” he replies as he nods.

He leads out of the room and down a hall into a large dining room.  The room itself has a large table, and from the look of the table I would say it appeared as if the table had been hoof, or rather hand, made.  He stopped and let me look at it.

“The table itself is as old as the house.  This table was made from the surrounding trees as a present.  Unfortunately the treatment they gave wood at the time leaves something to be desired.  I’m afraid the table does have to be lacquered and treated every couple of months,” he said.

Room by room he took me through the house, and the entire time I didn’t think about the storm outside.  I didn’t even pay attention to the thunder and lighting.  Instead I focused on the house, how beautiful it was, and finally he showed me to my room.

“This would be your room.  Breakfast is at eight am, and of course you are welcomed to invite friends.  Lunch is served at one thirty pm, and supper is usually about eight pm.   I myself am a vegetarian, and I do hope that won’t be a problem,” he said.

“Oh, that won’t be a problem at all.  I’m not fond of meat.  Since so many creatures in our world can talk and communicate I can’t stand the idea of eating anything,” I say.

“Very well, I do hope that you enjoy your stay,” he says.

“Wait, what is the cost?” I ask.

“Oh, well, I wasn’t open when you arrived, and to make a lady wait for service, regardless of the situation, is unforgivable.  So, your first night is on the house.  If you like the room and service tonight then we’ll discuss the room’s cost tomorrow,” he replies.

I nod and watch as he closes the door.  I trot over the bed and pull the blanket back.  Gently I lay down and feel the bed nearly swallow me.  It’s soft, almost like down feathers.  I close my eyes to sleep, and nearly find it.  Instead a moment later I hear the sound of someone singing.  Slowly I get up and walk toward the sound until I find my host.  He’s standing, facing away from me, looking at a picture of a young man, and singing such a beautiful song.

I listen as the words of loss, of longing, of desire fill the room, and the entire time I marvel at his singing.  I step forward, almost entrenched with his song until he finally notices me and stops.

“Is there something wrong with the room?” he asks.

“No, I heard singing, and when I came down here I found you singing.  You’re quite good,” I reply.

He smiles, pours something hot looking into a cup, and gently sips on it.  He offers me a cup, and I nod.  A moment later I find myself drinking a slightly odd, but pleasant, tasting tea.

“What were you singing?” I ask.

“It’s nothing really.  Just a song I sung when I wasn’t quite so pretty,” he said as he motioned toward his face.

“I’m sorry,” I reply.

He shakes his head and looks up toward the picture.

“Do you mind if we talk for a while?” he asked.

I looked at him and nodded.  He sighed and took another drink from the steaming cup.  I watched as he leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.  He breathed in and let out a small sigh.

“The military is a lot different now than it was when my father was in.  Back then, back in the 60’s you didn’t dare come out,” he said.

I looked at him and tried to think of where I had heard that phrase before.  It had been with a friend of Simone’s.  Georgie, I think, had said that he had come out to his parents.  I wasn’t exactly sure what he had meant until I realized that he was a colt cuddler, a homosexual.  Personally I didn’t care that he was.  It didn’t matter to me.  Georgie was one of the kindest souls I had ever met and his, husband I suppose, was a very sweet man.

“Being a homosexual was looked down on?” I asked.

He nodded and took another sip from his cup.

  “It was very looked down on.  It was to the point that no had better know a damned thing about anyone being gay.  If they did then there would be hell to pay.  To be honest it was like that for a long time.  Carl, the guy in the picture over there, didn’t like the idea that I wanted to serve a country that wanted me to hide part of myself,” he says as he drinks his tea, “he didn’t understand though.  I loved him dearly, but he didn’t understand.  My dad, grandpa, and great grandpa had all been in the military.  Grandpa and Dad had been career military, and I wanted do what they did.  I wanted serve in the military too.”

I touch his hand and smiles at me.  What had unsettled me slightly before, the scarring, didn’t bother me now.  Instead it felt like I was just talking to a friend.

“I served because I felt it was right to, and Carl broke up with me because of it.  It hurt, but I got over it.  I know that Bryant had given Carl a piece of his mind about doing that, but that was before…  You know, I never realized what a good friend Bryant had been until I realized how much he needed all of us.  This small town is a lot more accepting now, but there are still a lot of folks who won’t admit to family being gay.  My Dad did because I know he loved me anyway, but I didn’t expect Bryant to accept that Carl was bisexual.  It was hard for me to get past that, but his brother had a lot of redneck tendencies.  Still, he was one of the more accepting people I’ve met,” he says as he wipes his eye.

“Rainbow Dash talked highly of him,” I say.

He nodded and looked toward me.

“I don’t claim to understand all that happened between them, but I’m glad it did.  Bryant needed someone in his life again.  I know that a lot of folks might not really understand it, but then again not a people really understand me or the things I do.  Mom sure didn’t.  She left home and joined the Eastboro Pentecostal Church when she found out that I was gay,” he says.

“She joined them?!” I ask feeling completely astounded.

He laughs and nods.  I can see a little of what looks like sadness creep into his features.  I know it must hurt terribly to have one of your parents betray you like that.  It had to be so painful to know that they would rather hate you, all of you, rather than accept that you were different.  I couldn’t help but feel thankful for my own parents.  Granted, they did at times come off as a little uncouth, but at least they were honest and hardworking ponies.  They accepted everyone, and they even liked Sweetie Belle’s little coltfriend Button.  There was several unicorns who would frown on their daughters even considering dating an Earth Pony, but they are very accepting.

“I take it that you’ve heard of them,” he says.

“Heard is not nearly a word I would use to describe it.  I was there when they attempted to picket Cherry Berry and Raul’s attempt at a public union.  It was terrible, and the horrid things coming from their mouths… how could anyone be that intolerant?” I ask.

He shrugs and opens a case on the coffee table.  I watch as he lifts it, stuffs a little tobacco into the ivory pipe he’s lifted, and then lights it.  I hold back my remark about the smoke as he begins to puff away at the beautiful pipe.

“Most of them don’t know any better.  They’ve been raised in hate for so long that they can’t seem to get out of it.  Mom was the same.  She made me come close to hating myself a few times growing up.  I’d question what was wrong with me.  I’d ask myself why I had to be so different, so weird.  There were times I wondered if maybe I was being tested.  I didn’t want to disappoint her, but it was Dad who finally reached me.  He took me fishing with him one day, and as we sat there he told me that he knew something was bothering me.  He knew it was something big, and if I wanted to talk to him I could. He also wanted me to know that no matter what happened he loved me.  I still wasn’t sure about myself, what I wanted, what I needed, until a couple of years later.  When I discovered it I came out to Dad, and then to mom.  Dad stayed true to his word, and mom stayed true to hers,” he said.

I shook my head.  I knew how my parents felt about fillyfoolers.  Both of them didn’t agree with it, but I know that neither of them would abandon me if I had been born one.  It only seemed to reinforce the notion that I am very lucky to have the parents I have.  I walked toward him, hugged him, and felt him return it back to me.

“Thanks,” he says.

“It’s fine darling.  So, do you still love this Carl?” I ask.

“I did, but it’s changed.  For one, I don’t like how he looks at me now.  He can’t help it, but it still bothers me, and besides… I did meet someone else,” he says.

I turn to see a batpony walking into the room.  I study him for a moment before I realize it is a stallion.  The batpony takes a seat next to my new friend and smiles at me.  I can’t help but shiver slightly.  The sight of their fangs is a bit unnerving.

“Guests Rick?  I thought that this wasn’t the tourist season,” he teases.

“It isn’t, but this lovely lady had to wait for me to open the place.  I thought we had agreed that you would run the front desk while I was out Star,” Rick says.

Star smiles at him, leans over, and kisses him before placing a hoof on his leg.

“I was sleeping like a baby, although I did miss having my teddy bear with me,” he says leaning into Rick’s side.

“I get it.  Bed time is calling,” Rick says as he stands.

“And please, sing for me again,” Star pleads.

“Later, I think that I know a certain naughty boy who has ignored some of his chores, and I’m thinking of at least a dozen ways he can pay me back,” Rick says.

I watch them start to walk off, before I clear my throat.  They both look back at me and I smile softly.

“The two of you are quite cute together, but I must ask, where did you meet?” I ask.

Star smiles brightly and takes a seat on the couch.  Rick follows suit and sits next to him.

“I was getting off duty for Princess Luna.  Being one of her royal guards I don’t get a lot of time off, so when I do I like to do what any other pony does.  Take a little time, enjoy myself, and relax.  Well, no sooner did I get off then I hear the Princess talking to someone.  I followed the voice and there was this ‘human’ standing down from her, asking a few questions, and offering suggestions.  I walked near them and heard him suggest a few things we could do to enhance the guard,” Star ays before smiling at Rick.

“First Lieutenant Star Shine was insulted,” Rick replies.

“Insulted didn’t even begin to explain it.  I’m the head of Princess Luna’s private guards.  I only answer to Shining Armor, when he isn’t ‘busy’ with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.  I couldn’t believe this human had the gall to say that we were lax.  I walked over, asked him what experience he had,” Star Shine says.

“It was more like he walked over, demanded that I explain what gave me the idea to say that his guard was far too lax for their own good, and just who I thought that I was.  I explained who I was, my experience in the military, and the fact that I had been a first sergeant in the military.  From there it escalated into shouting match, then a drinking match, and sometime after that I believe we found ourselves in your bed didn’t we?” Rick asks.

Star Shine nodded and looked at the floor.

“I hadn’t come out yet about being a coltcuddler.  I wasn’t sure I really wanted to admit it to myself,” Star Shine says as he looks at Rick.

“So, he decided to take some leave, come to Earth as a representative, and has since moved in here with me,” Rick says.

“It’s been wonderful, but I do wonder what will happen when I go back.  I know it isn’t frowned on, not horribly anyway, but I’m afraid that some of my guards may want me to step down.  There are several of them that don’t like the idea of coltcuddlers or fillyfoolers serving with them,” Star Shine says.

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to retain your position,” I pipe in.

They both grin at me and Star Shine shakes his head.

“The other stallions and mares that I work with are very traditional.  I mean they are traditional to the point of believing in herds instead of this fairly modern trend of one mare per stallion.  The idea of having someone who doesn’t want to be part of that, and doesn’t even want to have a member of the opposite sex as a mate would ostracize me from them.  I’d be the odd stallion out,” he says.

I understand what he’s saying, but I just can’t make myself believe it.  I don’t want to believe that the royal guard could be so cold and uncaring.  I knew they had to be strong and able to follow orders, but if Twilight’s brother was any indication I would have thought that they would all be gentlestallions.

“Is every Batpony like that?” I ask.

“Of course not, but those of us who serve Princess Luna are a little different.  Our families have always served her since before she was banished.  Tradition has maintained that we follow the ancient ways,” he answers.

I shake my head and then look at them.

“What would happen if you did come out?” I ask.

“Most likely I would have to leave the guard.  If for no other reason than to keep peace among them,” Star Shine says.

“And he could live here with me,” Rick replies.

“Are you sure you would want a dishonorably discharged guardspony as your mate?” Star Shine asks.

“It wouldn’t bother me and you know it,” Rick says.

I watch them and suddenly I find myself inspired.  It’s true there has been a tragedy, and I still feel for Rainbow Dash so much, but out of this tragedy there has been another love story rise.  I smile and look at them both.

“Have you considered getting a civil union?  I would rather call it a marriage, but for the moment I believe they are only allowing civil union between our species,” I say.

I see them both look at each other, and then Star Shine smiles again.

“I know that I would love to,” he says.

“If you both want to I would love to make the clothes for you.  I did the dress for Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and I have been told that I am quite good at stallion fashion as well,” I say.

They both seem excited about the prospect of doing so.  I can’t help but feel the same way.  We say our goodnights and I head upstairs to the room.  I may have to go back to Ponyville in order to make the clothes, or I could call Simone.  I know she wouldn’t mind helping out for something like this.  She’s practically a mare, a woman, after my own heart.  That decides it.  Tomorrow I will call Simone, and if I know her she will be out here in a couple of days.  Perhaps I can even talk to the girls…  I stop there.  I do want to help, but what kind of friend am I being right now.  Rainbow Dash is crying her eyes out, suffering, and she has her friends here with her.  I had actually thought about asking for them to help with the clothes.  I can’t do that to her, to them right now.

“Rarity what were you thinking?  If this would have been you would you really want to be dragged out and asked to help make something wonderful while you felt so terrible?” I asked myself.

I knew the answer.  I couldn’t do this to her, but I still wanted to help my new friends.  Simone would be the best answer, and I would still need to schedule some time with Rainbow as well.  Besides, I do want to hear more about her coltfriend.  Of everypony she had dated and been with, including Soarin’ from the Wonderbolts, this was the only one that seemed to be more than a mild infatuation.  She was suffering like she was really in love with him.

Tomorrow I will go with them to breakfast, talk to Rainbow, and maybe, just maybe I will let them know about Star Shine and Rick.

Sweet Emotions

Uptown Girl

Tie in with Room for Rent

Chapter 2 Sweet Emotions

The sounds of birds chirping slowly woke me.  After the dream I had I half expected to wake up in my bed back at the Carousel Boutique.  Instead I was greeted with the room at the Bed and Breakfast I was staying at.  I sniffed the air and smelled a combination of scents fluttering about.  I removed the blanket from me and rolled onto my hooves and then jumped to the floor.

I looked at the vanity in the room and studied it.  From what Rick had said last night every inch of the house had been restored and maintained with what had been available back when it was merely a home.  The vanity was certainly on par with that notion.  It was beautiful, quaint, and simple in design.  I could tell that the entire thing didn’t have the precisions that came with mass production.  Instead this piece had been hoof, or hand rather, made.  I looked at the mirror and floated a brush from my travel bag to me.

I took a moment and began my ritual of brushing my hair the required one hundred – seventy eight times, and then move on to my tail for the same procedure.  I stopped mid brush and thought of my dream.  Lying in my bed, a warm body behind me, hands wrapped around my barrel, and a comfortably warm breath breathing against my mane.  Mother had always told me about how Grandmama Silver Belle claimed to have the gift of visions.  Things she swore she had seen in dreams that would become a reality later on.

It was possible, I suppose, but then again I had never had such a vision, and I knew that my mother never had one either.  It seemed to me that if it truly was something that Grandmama possessed then it was something she didn’t pass down to the rest of us.  It was a shame really.  It would have been nice to be able to see what my future might hold.  I had always thought that my future would be with a nice stallion.  A gentlecolt, who like myself, appreciates the little luxuries in life.  Still, that dream, that wonderful little dream wasn’t so bad.  The idea of a human isn’t as terrible as I had once thought it could be.

After all, Rainbow Dash had found love, short lived that it was, and that’s really saying something.  I sighed, looked at my mane, judged and rejudged it a few times before I began a few simple touches of makeup. I was finished and walked down the stairs a mere five minutes before Rick had said that breakfast would start.  I notice Star Shine who looks as though he’s about to fall asleep at any point.  He yawns and covers his mouth with his hoof.

“I’m still not used to being up this late,” he said.

“The Lunar Guard typically are done with their rounds by six am correct?” I asked.

He nodded and then looked at Rick.

“We normally are, but Rick is a day walker.  I like to spend a little more time with him than just in the early evening and at night,” he said.

I smiled at him and sniffed the air.  The smell of the breakfast was amazing.

“Oh, I must say that smells heavenly,” I said.

“Rick is an amazing cook.  You should really contact your friends.  I’m sure that they would enjoy breakfast, and Rick was serious about inviting them,” he said.

I nod and before I can ask a headset is passed to me.

“It’s set up to dial via voice command.  Star has a little trouble with the push button phones,” Rick says as he heads back into the kitchen.

“Hello?” I ask.

“Please state phone number, area code first, or state the name of the individual if it is local call,”

I know Dash’s coltfriend’s first name, but I don’t remember his last name.  Then I remembered that Twilight has one of those cellphones.

“Dial 555-649-2568,” I said.

For a moment there was the sound of it ringing.  I waited as the phone continued to ring and finally I heard a very tired voice on the other end.

“Hello?”

“Twilight, how is Dash doing this morning?” I asked.

“She’s a little better than when we first got here, but she’s still not acting like her old self,” Twilight said.

“Do you think she could stand to eat a breakfast?” I asked.

“She needs to even if she doesn’t want to,” Twilight replied.

“The owner of the bed and breakfast I’m staying at has offered to make all of you breakfast, and I think that you’re right that she needs to eat,” I said.

“We’ll be over as soon as we can,” Twilight said before she hung up.

A few moments passed by and my most gracious host brought seven plates, set them around the table, and then he went back and brought two trays he was balancing on his arms.  I watched as he managed to place them in the middle of the table.  It was surprising to see the wide array of breakfast items he had prepared.  Biscuits, country gravy, apple turnovers, French toast, scrambled eggs, and something that I hadn’t expected to see here.  My eyes widened as I looked at it sitting there, staring back at me, and I felt an immense deal of gratitude toward my host.

“This is most kind, thank you,” I said.

“It’s fine, besides it’s simply one of the perks of being a guest here.  My dad always said to treat friends like family, and it’s something I’ve tried to follow,” Rick said.

I watched Star Shine nuzzle against him and the two of them shared a kiss.  It was quite sweet to see love blossoming like this.  Star leaned against Rick and his eyes slowly began to drift toward closing.

“Star, you’re beat, go ahead and go to bed,” Rick said.

“I’m fine, I just want to spend a little while in here with you.  Besides, there will be plenty of time to sleep later,” he said with a yawn.

Rick shook his head and the sound of the door opening attracted our attention.  We turned to see Applejack holding the door open for Twilight, Rainbow, and Pinkie Pie.  The four of them looked around for a moment before they noticed the kitchen and dining room area.  They walked in toward us and each of them took a seat.  Poor Rainbow looked terrible.  Her eyes so red and puffy, and her mane was in a complete shamble.

“I’m truly sorry for your loss.  Rick has told me a good deal about Bryant, and he sounded like he was a good man,” Star Shine said.

She lifted her head and looked at him.  I expected to hear her say something, but instead she merely nodded.

“Sugarcube, you know that we’re all here for you.  Anything that we can do for you we will,” Applejack said.

“I know.  I… I just don’t know what to do.  I’ve never felt anything like this before.  It just hurts.  It hurts to get up, it hurts to think, it hurts to laugh, but none of it is like when I hurt my wing practicing for the Wonderbolts.  This…  This doesn’t dull at all,” she said.

“It won’t,” Rick said.

She turned toward him and for the first time she took in his appearance.  To her credit Rainbow Dash didn’t stare as long as I did, but she didn’t awkwardly turn away either.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Losing someone that you love, it’s a pain that doesn’t ever go away.  It dulls after time, but it never goes away.  It’s part of being human, and I would assume that it would be similar to some of the experiences on Equus as well,” Rick said.

“It’s fairly uncommon for anyone to die of disease in Equestria.  The badlands, the Shetland Isles, and a few other places still have that kind of death throughout them, but Equestria is fairly different.  The medical spells that have been produced have kept most of the diseases from popping up,” Star Shine said.

“That’s why I wanted to get him to Equestria.  I thought… I… I thought that maybe Princess Celestia could do something for him,” Rainbow said as her eyes filled with tears.

I got up off of my seat and trotted to her.  I wrapped my forelegs around her and pulled her into a hug.  She hugged back tightly crying deeply as she did.  We stayed there.  Rainbow in her chair, and me standing on my hind legs holding her.  I began stroking her mane, something my mother had done for me when I was a filly, and slowly her crying slowed down.  I understood that she was hurting, but I didn’t want to know what it felt like.  I had already learned what it felt like to be cast off.

There had been a few stallions.  All of them stallions I had considered courting, but it usually came down to the fact that it was never for a good reason.  I knew the pain of rejection, and the pain of being lied to by a potential suitor, but I had never felt the pain of being so in love only to have that love snatched out from underneath me.

“Darling, you must know that we’re here for you.  We’re always going to be here for you,” I said.

She nodded and slowly she broke away from the hug and looked at her plate.  I focused on some of the food prepared and gently levitated some of it over to her plate.  I started simply with some of the food I knew she enjoyed.  She looked at me for a moment.

“Dashie, you’ve gotta eat,” Pinkie said.

I watched as Rainbow looked toward Pinkie and then back at the plate.  She picked up a piece of hay bacon that I had floated onto her plate and took a bite off of it.  She chewed it for a moment and seemed to swallow before she nibbled again slightly.

“I’m sure you’ve heard several people tell you this already, but thank you,” Rick said.

I looked up at him and noticed that he was looking directly toward Rainbow Dash.

“Thank me for what?” she asked.

“Thank you for making Bryant happy again.  He went through more pain than any one person deserves.  I don’t know how much or what he told you, but I know a good deal of it.  It’s a rare thing to find love, and even rarer to find a connection that runs so deep.  I don’t know what everyone or everypony else believes, but I honestly think that when someone’s gone they aren’t completely gone until they’re not loved or remembered anymore.  There’s always going to be a piece of him with you,” Rick said.

Within seconds I watched Rainbow get up from her place, move quicker than I imagined she could, and wrap her forelegs around Rick’s neck.  She had him in a tight hug and I smiled that he returned it.

“Then there’s a part of him that’s going to live as long as I do,” she said.

I watched as Star smiled, and then he gently nudged Rainbow Dash.  She looked down at him as he gave her a nod.

“Not that I mind you hugging my soon to be life mate, I would like to get a kiss and hug before I go to bed,” he said.

She smiled, sheepishly, and let go of Rick.  We all watched as the two of them kissed deeply, and then Rick gave Star a little pinch on his cutie mark.  The lunar Pegasus gave a surprised Squeak and then narrowed his eyes at Rick.

“You are always so frisky at the wrong time of day,” he yawned.

“Get some sleep star, and maybe after while the two of us can talk about where and how I want to the wedding to take place,” Rick said.

I noticed the surprised look on the girl’s faces.

“They’re getting married?” Twilight asked as Rick walked Star Shine to their shared bedroom.

“Of course they are darling.  It seems only natural that they do.  I mean the two of them are so happy and in love with each other.  I think that Star Shine would like to have Princess Luna oversee the ceremony, and I believe that she would, but I do worry about the rest of the Lunar Guard,” I said.

“What about ‘em?” Applejack asked.

“Well, I don’t know everything, but apparently they are very traditional.  They still have the herd mentality, and they only encourage marriage between Lunar Pegasi.  From what Star Shine has said the fact that he is homosexual is more than enough to make them demand that he step down from his position as a captain,” I replied.

“That’s terrible!” Twilight said.

“Dashie?” Pinkie asked.

I turned to see Rainbow Dash looking up.  Her eyes narrow and hard.

“Who the buck do they think they are?!  Huh?!  Who the buck do they think they are telling them that can’t love each other?!  There ain’t a bucking thing wrong with loving a human, and those… Those buckers need to get that through their bucking heads!” she exclaimed.

“I quite agree, and I was actually going to call a friend I had made in Prance or France rather.  Simone would be more than happy to help anyway she could, and I do so want to make their wedding clothes for them,” I said.

“I’ll call Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.  I’m sure that we can arrange for Luna to oversee the wedding, but I don’t know what they can do about the Lunar Guard.  It’s not like they can make them change their minds about something,” she said.

“I can plan the Reception Party!  Oh… I wonder if I can get Louis to come,” Pinkie said.

“Count me in Rarity.  Ah’ll make a call to Big Mac and see about gettin’ some help making the food for the weddin’.  Ah’m certain that Granny Smith can get ahold all of the family if we need to,” Applejack said.

“Just tell me what you’d like for me to do.  I’ll be glad to ,” Rainbow Dash said.

“For now Rainbow we need to find the date out, and also I don’t want you to feel that this is something you simply have to do,” I said.

“I know, but they both seem really nice, and besides… If things would have been different it could be me in that situation.  I’d like to think that all of you would have done everything possible to help me,” she said.

“Darling, if things would have been different I would have demanded to be a bridemare,” I said hugging her.