A City's Understanding

It was a beautiful day in Canterlotia. The high spires, minarets, and smoke stacks that defined the city loomed over me as I walked. Now, I was not going in the direction I wished to travel. I was walking to the Beta District Plaza, which was in the opposite direction of home. My feet were starting to ache from walking in the stilettos for so long. My wrist burned with the handcuffs. But, the Officer's gentle touch did nothing to the arm he held. I was thankful for this, as he was still a gentleman beneath that uniform. However, with all of his politeness, he was still leading me to the Police Headquarters. Such crimes for petty thievery could be sentenced with labour, public humiliation, or street cleaning. As I thought about these things, it was only then that I realised how dire the situation was. I was wearing my lovely dress. Any of those sentences could ruin it.  I halted and pouted at my apprehender. "Flashius, are you sure about this? I mean, I am not a ruffian, but a lady. These rules are too harsh for one that bruises as easily as I."

Flashius blinked at me before chuckling. "You're no lady. You're a fingersmith, a thief. I won't let you go for having a pretty face."

"I do have a marvelous face don't I?" I caught myself in the inappropriate flattering. "Oh, it's just that I wish the dress to remain intact. I made this myself. Labour will certainly ruin it. I don't deserve this tragedy."

Flashius raised a brow in mockery. "Really? Alright, here's a nice quiz for you. Is stealing against the Royal Law?" I knew where he was going with this. I gave him a short answer. "Yes." He nodded and continued. "Right. Now, did you steal?"

I boldly pointed an intentionally rude finger at him. "No! I was simply gathering money for my family. You see, this Armour girl, Twilight, refused to pay for a dress I made her. Thus, she forced me to take action, and I stol-borro-retrie-no....Uh...Ahah! I took a loan from a few generous donors."

His brightened for some reason. "Oh, you know Twilight? She's quite the girl isn't she? Oh what...I mean, no! You can't simply justify your actions because you want others to pity you. Fine, if don't want labour, then I'll tell your father of your misbehaviour."

I was about to call him bluffing, but I doubt he ever bluffs. Royal Officers are known to be as honest as farmer. Instead, I desperately clutched his uniform with my hands, creating a horrid winkle in its gold splendor. He was taken aback by my action and gave me a look of bewilderment. I drew my face as close to his as possible. "Please don't! That option is not favourable to me either! If my father catches wind of this, he will be furious and I'll never see the streets again! Please! I can help you. I can return whatever kindness you can show me."

Flashius smiled at me. "Oh? You're trying to bribe me yet again? Well, what can you do for me?" His voice was mocking, but I had to take this chance. I released my grip on him and thought. What could I do for him? He seemed like a gentleman well off in the military. He had to be well off to be an Officer. I started to look about for any ideas. Men were always simple minded, thus it should be something simple. What do men like? Well, I am sure they like women. Yes, I could tell he was fond of that Twilight girl, even how bizarre that may seem.

I gave him my best smile. "I know. You are quite the smitten kitten. I can get you and your dear Twilight to be an item."

Flashius drew back. "How so?" I had successfully intrigued him.

"Well, I may be young, but I am a woman and a lady, despite what you may say, and I have learned a thing or two of matchmaking from my dear mother."

The Officer chuckled. "It won't be that easy. You see, Twilight's older brother is the Captain of the Royal Guard and my superior. If he knows that I am sweet on his sister, who knows what will happen to me."

I tapped his chest. "Then we shall be discreet, hm? Trust me, you get me out of these wretched cuffs and I shall make you and Twilight into a glorious couple, hidden from the eyes of others as well." I grinned and continued to tap my fingers on his chest. My dulciloquy had done its work.

"So that's where you've been misusing your time!"

The squeak of the voice startled both Flashius and I. I knew the squeak all too well. After cringing and gnashing my teeth in an un-lady like manner, I turned my head to face Sweetie with my best fake smile. "Hello, Sweetie. Why are you here?" My gritted teeth made me sound angrier than what I wanted, but I needed to give her a hint. She giggled at the sight of my chained hands.

"It's about time you were arrested." Her quick little mouth made me growl. She was going to ruin my chance of freedom!

I gave Flashius a sheepish smile and shooed her away. "Don't mind her, she is just my little sister. Doesn't know a peach from a pear."

Flashius frowned at me. "It sounds like this isn't your first time thieving, is it?"

Sweetie nodded. "Oh yeah, my cynosure and croquette of a sister is always pilfering those she dislikes or disdains." I was about to stomp over to her and strangle her, but the Officer held me in place.

"Is she always like this?" Flashius asked me.

I sighed. "Indeed, she is simply trying to get me a severe sentence with those accusations."

Sweetie chuckled in her evilness. "They're not accusations; I am only informing the Officer of your little hobby."

"Sweetalia Nicole Belle!" I shrieked at her. Sweetie's grin vanished and she stared in horror at me. The best way to get her attention was to use her full name. I felt my blood boil. I wished ill upon my little sister and that did not weigh heavily on my mind.

Flashius turned me around. "Wait? Did you say 'Belle?' Are you the daughter of Hondo Belle the banker?"

I was confused by his hesitant tone. "Ere, yes, I am Rarity Belle."

His eyes widened. "Uhh...I am truly sorry about today. Just, don't mention this to your father! Here, I'll get you right out of these." He reached in his pocket and pulled out the key to the handcuffs. Sweat was building on his brow as he unlocked the cuffs and released me. He looked frightened as ever. He fumbled a little before removing the cuffs. "There you are. I was never here, with you-in-cuffs alright? Though is our deal still on?" He gave a weak smile to me. I simply nodded to answer him. After that, he ran off in a quick and fluent motion. We watched him dodge men and women in his haste. It seemed like he was late for an appointment.

"Sweetie? What was up with that?" I asked my sister.

Sweetalia stood next to me. "No idea. He is a peculiar fellow."

I rubbed my aching wrists. It was fantastic that I was free, but the manner in which I was released perplexed me. The sound of my family name, my father's name, haunted the young man. I wondered why. Sweetie did not share my thoughts on the manner and simply skipped away. It was the best to simply follow her back home. I had been away for too long and mother would certainly ask questions. Wait. I glanced at the little girl hopping away.

I chased after her into a backstreet. "Sweetie! You better not mention any of this to Mum or Daddy. Is that clear?"

Sweetie stopped and stroked her little chin. "Let's see, I won't be quiet for free."

I sighed in frustration. "Alright! What will suffice?"

She grinned at me. "A hundred bits!"

I was speechless and stared at her. "Why, that is far too much! No deal!"

Sweetie shrugged and kicked a loose stone down the street.

"Fine, let's see how much money you'll have in the Bastille."

This little remark from the little girl made me grab her shoulder and crouch to her eye level. "You are not a very nice sister."

She nodded and shoved a finger in my bosom. "And you are not a good role-model for me."

She won this battle. Her little kept repeating itself in my mind. The guilt that filled my heart at those words made me look away from her. "As you wish. You are a brat, you know that?"

Sweetie patted my cap with a broad smile, ready to shoot me in the chest again. "I take it from you."

"What do you mean, 'she didn't pay?"

"That is exactly what I mean, Mother."

Mother gave a well-deserved grunt and crossed her arms. Sweetie and I arrived at our home after a relatively peaceful walk back. I had been away for almost two and a half hours, letting the sun coast across the cerulean sky. Mother grumbled and sat down in the waiting room. "We can't just let people take our products. They owe us money and we should go get it."

Father walked into the room. "Oh Betty, calm down. I am sure there is an explanation for all of this. I doubt the Armour family will simply steal from us. I tell you what; I'll have them make a transfer through the bank."

I raised a brow. "Daddy? Can you do that legally?"

He shrugged. "They owe us money and they should give us money. If this bothers you, dear, I'll talk with Master Armour about it tomorrow. If he refuses, I'll transfer the money myself."

I was not convinced and shook my head. "What if they take the issue to court?"

Father smiled and shrugged. "Then they will." He said nothing more after that. He said the last words with some sort of secret confidence, like taking the matter to court would be an automatic win for us. He was a banker, I assumed he knew his way about the Royal Laws. The smell of dinner reached our noses and Father followed the scent to the kitchen.

Mother glanced at me. "Why dear, why are your wrists so red?" This made me look down and see the handcuff marks on my wrists. I silently wished they would invent a handcuff that was adjustable and no so tight. I quickly pulled my white gloves back to hide them.

"Must have been the sun. It was on the hotter side this afternoon and the smoke from the factories was less today." Mother accepted this with a nod and followed Father to the kitchen. This left me with Sweetie who was reading a rather large book. I tilted my head to read the title: "The Dictionary." I rolled my eyes.

"Sweetie dear, why don't you ever read the classics or the fairy tales? Girls your age love those."

She lifted her head from the book. "You're the one telling me what girls love to do? I didn't know they loved to cut purses or tease every man they meet."

I placed my hands on my hips and glared at her. Her eyes returned to the dictionary. "Sweetie, will you give it up? I was only trying to help. You are only so uptight about iy because I got caught. If I came here with my hands full of bits, Mum and Daddy would be in a far happier mood. Isn't that what we want? To make them happy?"

Sweetie dropped the book on her lap. Her sarcastic demeanor had left her. I realised that I had triggered some sort of sadness and uncertainty in my sister and instantly regretted it. I quickly took up a seat next to her. She did not even glance at me when I ran a hand through her curly pink hair. "Sweetie, just know that I am willing to do anything and everything for our family. For you, for Mum, and for Daddy. I may not be the sister you want me to be, but nevertheless, you are the sister I always wanted." I awaited a reply. She closed the dictionary and placed it on a table next to her. She suddenly hugged me around the shoulders. I almost withdrew from her arms, but then hugged her back.

"Don't worry Rarity, you're the best sister that one could have. But promise me, never do this again. Please? What If I didn't show up? You could have been publicly humiliated or worse, sent to the Bastille! You need to stay out of trouble, for my sake."

She let go of me. I considered her words with care. I looked away and simply stared at my boots. All situations were playing in my mind. How could I simply end my ways? They had helped several times in the past. I worked, I stole, I seduced, I gave my body, I reaped the consequences and rewards. All for my family. I finally shook my head. "No, I can't. What if we run out of money? What if Daddy gets into trouble? He is a banker and bankers hardly make friends in this city. My ways may not be pure or North on a moral compass, but it is necessary for us. You are too young to understand fully. But I will promise this: I will never be caught again. I can assure you this."

"Aren't you girls coming to dinner? It's ready!" Father called to us.

Sweetie stood up and walked away without another word. I remained alone in the waiting room. My sister's silence made the guilt return. Father whistled for me. I did not want to join them for dinner, but I could not refuse. I slowly stood up and walked towards the dining room. My shoes sounded on the wooden floor, reminding me that I had not changed into any relaxing clothes. Mother and Father were used to me wearing such gowns around the house, so they would not suggest me to switch my apparel before eating. However, the smell of the meal lightened my mood. From the smell, I could we were having a delicate ham with sauteed vegetables. Mother had always been an excellent cook and far better than I ever could. My cooking skill was on par with, well, a drunk peasant, but I was still superior to Sweetie, who once made apple juice black and toast into sludge. (Do not ask me how she accomplished this. That is a tale I would rather not go deeply into.)

"Good of you to join us, Rarity." My father told me with humour in his voice.

I silently took my seat at the large table. It was an old thick wooden table of Classic Cloudsdalian make, resembling the olden warriors of Commander Hurricanus's times. I did not know how we acquired such an artifact, as it was there even before my time. From the little remarks Father made on it, I conjectured that it was a family heirloom, passed down through his bloodline.

There was a plate of food already in front of me. Mother must have served me before I even entered the dining room. I looked over at Father who was on the opposite corner of the table. Like always, he refused to eat his meal with dignity and ate his food like a ravenous chimera. At the sight of him, I remembered Flashius' reaction to him. To just his name. I opened my mouth to ask him, but the reflection of light from his ring blinded me momentarily. This distracted my thoughts and I averted my eyes from my father. Father noticed my odd behaviour and looked quizzically at me. "Rarity? What is the matter, dear?"

I returned his look with a sheepish smile. "Oh, it's just, as a banker; do you deal with the Royal Guard, or the Royal Army on a regular basis?"

He placed his fork down and stroked his chin. "Not regularly, but I see them time to time. They usually are on small patrols or merely on personal business, other than that, no. May I ask why?"

I waved a dismissing hand at him. "Oh, nothing. Just that I heard our name among some chatting Regulars." My father's face darkened slightly at this. He did not comment anymore and returned to his food. Mother was also silent as she ate. I glanced at Sweetie who returned my look. I seemed to have piqued her curiosity in the matter as well. However, the intimidating silence stayed throughout the dinner. I never tried to pry information on the subject again that night.

"Never thought my bed would be so enticing."

I removed any objects from my bed and adjusted the sheets. It was late and everyone else had already retired for the night. I was always was the last one to sleep in my family, thus the lateness was not abnormal. My white silk nightgown was soft against my skin as always. It was marvelous to rest after such an odd day. The realisation that I had been at the peculiar Armour's and had been arrested for pickpocketing made me smile on the day. It was just the right amount of adventure. Though the question of why Flashius shuddered at my father's name picked at my thoughts. Usually, I took this time before rest to think of a new dress or design for tomorrow, but no such inspiration came to me. Still, I took up some paper and a pen and began to sketch. I allowed my mind to wander and wander. Before I knew it, I completed my sketch. To my own shock, I drew something that wasn't a dress at all. I drew a cross pattée. It was the only symbol in my mind. I could not comprehend why I sketched such a cross, specifically designed like our family's ring.

"I must be more tired than I thought." I threw the paper aside where it would be found again amongst the semi-random piles of trinkets and valuables in my room. I then reached and turned down the kerosine in my lamp. Darkness filled the room and I soon became comfortable in my bed. Sleep came over me, but not for long. The sound of banging on my high window awoke me from my shallow slumber. I soon realised that someone was throwing pebbles at my window. I grunted loudly and opened the window. The moon filled the streets with just enough light for me to see the culprit of my disturbance.

"Oh, good! Hope I didn't wake you, Lady Rarity."

"Flashius? What are you here for? And how did you find my house?" I asked the Officer down below.

"Don't worry, I already knew the location of your family's abode. Oh, I am here for the deal we made this afternoon. You see, I am off-duty tomorrow. Would it be too much trouble to help me speak with Twilight tomorrow? I understand this is short notice."

I sighed and leaned on the sill. "Oh, I don't see why not. My father is visiting Master Armour tomorrow, I guess we can accompany him. Or.....I'll accompany him since you do not seem too thrilled about that. Now, can you tell me why you fear my father?"

Flashius started to walk away in slow and cowardly motion. "Eh, he is quite the man of course. I deeply......respect him. Yes, that's why. Tha-thank you for your dear kindness. I never thought arresting a thief would benefit me like so."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm still a thief to you? Well, let that be, I guess. Now, leave, I need my beauty sleep. You should retire as well. Good night."

I withdrew from the window and closed it. The day was finally over. I actually thought that I could get away without helping Flashius, yet he remembered. Wait, how did he know where I lived? I tried to see any reason why, but the late hour was not fond of me. I needed rest. I returned to my bed and this time, I remained in my bed. The dreams that filled my head as I slept were dreams of that cross. The cross was always red and those who bore it on their old iron armor gave me grim looks as I passed. Very odd indeed.