Fluttershy and Rarity sit and watch the fire die. Fluttershy decides to speak-up in a way she never had before. "Ra-Rarity?" she began. "I wanted to thank you for being there for me, and telling me to speak my thoughts...I really needed to hear that...you sounded a little bit like Iron Will, yet more kind!" Rarity was silent. Just as Fluttershy was about to start apologizing, Rarity started talking.
"Oh, Fluttershy darling, what else was I supposed to do? Just let you stew if this were ever to happen again?" Rarity's voice was quiet, and was missing much of it's usual perk. It almost sounded as if the accent had been sucked right out of her. The mares sat in silence, each caught in their own thoughts. I can't believe that Twilight would do this to me. Rarity thought. I can't believe that she would take away my only love as if I were a dog and Spike was my bone. She sniffed at her half-drank cup of tea and found that it was cold. Not wanting to hurt Fluttershy anymore than she already had, she used her light-blue magic to make it disappear. Rarity felt empty, felt a Spike-sized hole deep inside of her. I must stay strong, she thought, for Fluttershy. Indeed, if Fluttershy hadn't complicated things, Rarity would be at home, drowning her sorrows in scalding hot tea. Fluttershy, Rarity thought, you make life more complicated...but at the same time, you make my life so much better.
Fluttershy had very similar thoughts. Poor Rarity! I feel bad, but at least I wasn't refused my true love...at least to my face. Fluttershy saw Rarity make her tea disappear, but she didn't care. She didn't care about much anymore. Rarity and I are very similar, she thought, what would happen if..never mind! Fluttershy blushed furiously. NO, no, no. she thought I can't! Just, NO!
Rarity glanced over at Fluttershy, who was blushing furiously. "Whatever are you blushing for, darling?" Fluttershy just shook her head. Rarity sighed. "Now, now. Didn't I just tell you that you don't have to keep these things to yourself?" Fluttershy shook her head again. Rarity stood up. "Well then, thank-you very much darling, but I think that I shall be going now!" With that, Rarity left Fluttershy's little cottage. I simply do not know what that mare is thinking! After thinking that, she felt her spirits lower. Maybe I shouldn't have left, she thought. Maybe I should have stayed with darling Fluttershy. Walking with her head down, Rarity walked the rest of the way to her botique, which no longer really felt like home, and fell asleep.
After Rarity left, Fluttershy felt a strange emptiness, a strange ache that she had never felt before. Okay, she did once, when she learned that Rarity and Spike were dating. I guess that this is just a side-affect of love, she thought. I-I just hope that Rarity doesn't have to feel this grief. Fluttershy sat there, staring at the glowing embers of the fire, and soon felt Luna's stars beckoning her, and she followed them.
When Rarity woke up, she was stiff to the bone. The floor by her face was wet. I must have been crying as I slept! she thought. Well, I can't let this get to me! I must act normal! That means Spa day! Rarity heaved herself up from the floor, and started her morning routine. First, she took a shower. Next, she fixed her hair. Finally, she applied make-up and voila! She was ready. After a quick red apple for breakfast, Rarity left for the Spa. Hoping not to see anyone she knew, she took the back ways that nopony ever uses. She was greeted by Aloe, who brought her to the mud-baths first. Rarity settled in, ready to relax, when sh e heard a small voice.
"Hi!"
"Fluttershy!" Rarity gasped. She turned around, and there, in the bath next to her, was Fluttershy.
"Nice to see you?" Fluttershy half asked, and whispered. She seemed nervous, but then again, she always did. In fact, Fluttershy was nervous. She was afraid that Rarity would ask her about her thought last night. If she did, well, Fluttershy would break-down. I-it's just too embarrassing! she thought.
"Oh, Fluttershy darling, how nice to see you!" Rarity looked like she was going to say more, but she got interrupted.
"Excuse me ladies," Aloe had come in. "Please forgive us, but the Spa is being renovated today! Please allow me to escort you to the rinsing room!" Her cheery tone was met by deafening silence. Aloe waited, then continued. "Come on, girls! Let's rinse off!" She walked out of the room, and after a moment, the two mares followed. They didn't exactly need to be escorted over to the rinsing rooms, but Aloe felt and obligation to make sure that they got there. They just seem so, well, off today. Aloe thought. I wonder what's going on? The three mares walked into the rinsing rooms, and Aloe waited while Fluttershy and Rarity washed off. They finished, still in silence, and started to trot off! Aloe smiled, and called, "Have a great day! Come back soon!" Once they left, Aloe slumped against the wall. What could have gotten in-between those two? she wondered. I hope that there friendship continues.
After getting out of the spa, Rarity began to go back to the boutique when she heard Fluttershy's soft voice. "Rarity, will you please come back to my cottage?" Rarity simply nodded and changed her direction, still slightly mad at Fluttershy for keeping things from her. Well, fine then! she thought. If she won't tell me things, I won't either. Once at the cottage, Fluttershy had Rarity sit on the chair.
"Please, make yourself at home while I get the tea started," Fluttershy said in a very welcoming voice. She was more than welcome to waiting to talk. Rarity, however was not.
"Fluttershy, darling, if you have something to say, then say it!" Her voice seemed to be crusted with acid, and Fluttershy flinched as if she had struck her.
"F-fine...I will...but promise me that you won't make fun of me?"
Rarity nodded gravely. "I solemnly swear," She replied.
"O-okay, well, let me just tell you that..." Fluttershy was having a very rough time getting her works out. "I love you!" She said this in a barely audible tone. Fluttershy glanced at Rarity through her mane, and saw her eye brimmed with tears.
"Oh Fluttershy, darling! I love you too!" Before she knew it, Fluttershy was covered in a sobbing Rarity,and she, too, started crying. They stayed in this embrace for a long while, and then broke apart, both smiling but with red-eyes from crying.
Fluttershy looked embarrassed. "What will we tell the others?" She asked.
Rarity puffed out her chest and tried to look confident. "The truth, of course!" Fluttershy smiled, looked at Rarity, walked to her side, and they both left to tell the others of their newest chapter in life.
