The Lady and the Soldier: A Rarity 'Belle' Romance

The Lady and the Soldier

Visitors Part 4

A Rarity Carousel Romance

Oatmeal was served, mouths and bellies were full, and I watched as my foals began talking to Lovetap. Applejack and Roseluck both appeared to be tired, which was understandable. Being that both of them were showing in their pregnancy only added to the collective thought that poor Lovetap might be playing mother more than the three of us. I hated to leave it up to a guest, and I was determined not to, but before I could utter a word of protest she had already began gathering up dishes.

“Lovetap, darling, you don’t have to do that,” I said.

She smiled at me, “Rarity it’s not a problem. I don’t mind doing it, and besides, if your pregnancy was anything like mine with Button then I’m sure that your ankles and hooves are killing you. Just let me go ahead and do this while you visit.”

I nodded and let her continue. The truth was that I wanted to be a good hostess, but she wasn’t wrong. Our newest foal was playing havoc on my ankles, back, and kidneys. She finished the dishes, and I could hear the sound of Jake laughing as he played with Applejack’s foals. In a way their actions reminded me greatly of how Sweetie Belle had been with both Applebloom and Scootaloo.

The three of them had gotten into so much trouble, and fairly often, all in the search for their cutie marks. Then they had gotten into even more trouble after finding their marks and helping others to discover theirs, or discover the meaning behind theirs. It was something that they had remained doing, and from what Scootaloo had told me it was something they still did.

It was true that humans didn’t have a cutie mark on their flanks to tell them what it was that they were good at, but instead they had to practice. They had to try things until they found what it was that seemed to be their calling. The three of them had committed themselves to helping others discover what it was they needed to do. Applejack told me that Applebloom and her husband, a human stallion, often connected with Sweetie and Scootaloo in order to connect and suggest activities for those in their areas that would bolster them finding their calling.

It was their cutie mark day camp, but on a much larger scale. Of course I was proud of them, and what sister wouldn’t be? I looked up to see Applejack looking at me, and there was a smile on her face.

“Ah take it that ya didn’t hear a word Ah said huh?”

I grinned sheepishly, “I’m sorry Darling, but I was lost in thought, perhaps you wouldn’t mind repeating it?”

She grinned and nodded, “Sure, so Ah was asking how ya’ll felt about us gettin’ out an’ seein’ some sights. Ah gotta figure there’s a few things ‘round here that the little uns would like.”

I nodded, “Oh there are a few sights, although it might be best to start at lunch. That way we can begin at a charming little Italian restaurant that I took Fluttershy to once. It’s a wonderful place, and I believe that the foals would get full there. Not to mention the food is quite good.”

Applejack gave a nod, “Sounds good ta me. Jest as long as it ain’t that fancy Canterlot style food.”

I laughed, “No darling, it won’t be,” I said as I looked at her, “I fear that I have absolutely no desire to eat something that barely has taste. I did learn my lesson quite well before.”

Applejack nodded, “Sounds good ta me then. So, we’ll just figure on leaving here ‘bout lunch time,” she looked at the foals, “So, how does everypony feel ‘bout heading outside and gettin’ some sunshine in the meantime?”

There was a collective agreement, and we made a mass exodus from the house, and into the front yard. The yard was fairly large, spacious, and had more than enough room to run around in. Of course the climate here was more often dry and hot than anything else, although from what I understood Rainbow Dash had done a wonderful job of sending more rain to areas that needed it. As such our mostly dry little town had become the focus of more than a few rain storms.

As such our yard had gained grass, and softer places for my foals to play. I was quite glad. I was a little unnerved by the number of grass stains on their clothes, but then I had to remind myself that they were doing as foals were often meant to do. They were playing, and in their play they were having a grand old time. I watched as Jake began to run and play like any other colt. Of course I watched as my beautiful little Jewel as she ran and then fell into the grass. I winced slightly. The dress was new, and there was no doubt that it would take quite a bit of cleaning to get the grass stains out of it.

To my surprise both of my parents came out of the house as well. I had thought that perhaps they would enjoy a bit more of a lay-in, but instead they were joining all of us out here. They sat back and watched the foals playing.

“It’s so good to see foals playing again,” my mother said.

I watched as my father hugged her, “Sweetheart, you know that neither of us are too old to have another.”

She giggled, “Oh, I know, and if you stay as active as you were last night then I’m sure that Rarity and Sweetie Belle will have a little brother or sister.”

“Okay, ew,” Sweetie Belle said.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. This was a wonderful start to their visit, and I looked forward to the rest of the day. Time passed as we watched the foals. My father got a game of horseshoes going, and they quickly picked up on it. As the day progressed and lunch time neared I suggested that it was time for us to head out for the day.