The Forgotten Family

Rarity woke up to the feeling of a pony squeezing her so tightly, she honestly believed for a moment they were trying to crush her. She poked the pony in question with her hoof and they seemed to relax their grip.

"I'm so sorry, Rarity. I just thought that last night was a dream so when I woke up, and you were still here... I just couldn't contain myself." Twilight spoke so fast, it took Rarity's sleep addled mind a few minutes to fully process them.

She smiled after she understood what had happened. "It's no trouble, dear. After all, I was a little afraid it was a dream too.", she said as she snuggled closer to the pony in her hooves. She sighed contently. "Let's just stay here the rest of the day, we can leave tomorrow.", she half-joked. Then she heard a loud growling noise coming from Twilight. Specifically, her stomach. "Or, not."

"Sorry. I guess we haven't been eating very much the past few days.", Twilight said bashfully. When Rarity considered it, she could not remember eating more than a few sandwiches over the past several days.

Rarity sighed and smiled at Twilight. "It's quite alright, dear. Let's get freshened up a bit, and then, while we're in still in Manehatten, we will find a nice restaurant to dine in."

Twilight smiled at her. "That sounds lovely.", she said. Rarity saw the red in the other mare's cheeks and could easily guess that she was waiting (or hoping) for something else before they began the day. Rarity smiled and leaned in to kiss the alicorn on the lips. Twilight returned the kiss, and Rarity found it was a much better experience than the night before. Twilight then gasped loudly. "Spike's going to hate me.", she said. Rarity could tell from her tone and the worried expression upon her face that she honestly believed it too.

"I doubt it.", Rarity said as she retrieved her brush from her saddle bags. "Spike has supported every other crush I've had, and he has never once begrudged anypony else my affections." She then levitated the brush to Twilight's mane.

"Still, I feel really bad, because....", Twilight trailed off as she enjoyed the feeling of Rarity using her hooves to brush her hair instead of her magic.

"Don't worry about it darling. After all, if I know Spike, he will be happy so long as you are happy.", Rarity said. "There, now would you like to comb my mane?", she asked.

Twilight's jaw fell slightly. Rarity understood her reaction. She had never allowed anypony (not even Aloe, or Lotus) to tend to her mane. Twilight smiled brightly and nodded enthusiastically. Rarity was nervous about allowing the other mare to work on her mane but, she wanted to show her how much she trusted her. Twilight was gentle and took her time brushing slowly and allowing the brush to follow the curves of her mane, careful not to straighten it. "Rarity?", Twilight asked the nervousness in her voice apparent.

"Yes, dear?"

"Are we a... couple now?", Twilight had stopped brushing and was obviously nervous about the answer. Rarity looked over her shoulder at her princess.

"That depends.", she said with a smile. "Are you the princess or the magician?"

"You remembered that?", Twilight asked.

"Yes, dear. I just wish I had finished it.", Rarity said with a reassuring smile.

"I think... I'm the magician.", Twilight said with a smile.

"Then I will happily be your princess.", Rarity smiled. Then she felt as if she were choking to death. Strong hooves wrapped around her neck from behind, accompanied by the sound of Twilight squealing with delight.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!", she squealed. Twilight then noticed Rarity's face changing a strange shade of purple. She relaxed her grip. "Oh, sorry."

Rarity heaved in heavy breaths until she was sure she could speak again. "That's alright, dear. Maybe one day you'll get used to that alicorn strength."

Twilight looked at Rarity after she released her neck. "What if I had said I was the princess?", she asked.

"I would have said 'only if you don't mind how poor of a magician I am' because you are a princess, and a very fine one at that.", Rarity said, hugging the alicorn.

"That's something else I've been thinking about.", Twilight said. "The legendary seven are supposed to have unparalleled magical talent. I think that you haven't tapped into your full potential yet."

"What ever do you mean?", Rarity asked. "I can find gems. I thought that was the extent of my talent."

Twilight shook her head. "I don't think it is.", she sighed heavily, then smiled. "Why don't we talk about this more over lunch?"

An hour later both mares were wandering the streets of Manehatten. Their bags were packed so they could leave town immediately after their meal. Twilight had insisted she had seen a nice looking restaurant during their trek through the city the day before. Twilight was leading the way down the city streets and Rarity was using the opportunity to contemplate what the legend could mean for her.

Two days previously, she had never heard of this "legendary seven", and now it was all she could think about. She understood that Twilight had known her role in it. She wanted to ask why Twilight had never mentioned it sooner but, she did not want Twilight to think she was mad at her. She was not mad at all, just confused. Why would Twilight keep this from me if she knew I was one of the legendary seven? , she caught herself thinking. It was as if she had been kept in the dark on purpose. Rarity knew that even if they had not been as close as they were now, Twilight would not keep this from her without good reason.

She decided it did not matter, and she would ask Twilight later. "We're here.", Twilight said happily, breaking off Rarity's thoughts. Rarity looked at the sign on the small building 'The Bannered Mare'.

"Well, this certainly seems quaint. Although I'm not sure what to make of the name.", Rarity said.

Twilight laughed lightly. "Apparently it's from some game.", Twilight said blushing slightly. "It's a really good game."

Rarity laughed. "Is that the only reason you wanted to eat here, darling?", Rarity asked. Twilight only blushed more brightly. Rarity laughed again. "Well if the game is so good, maybe the food will be too.", she said, happily trotting into the restaurant. As they entered the building, Rarity saw a bar and two tables to the side with some stairs leading off the left side of the building.

Twilight gasped slightly a smile on her face. "This is just how it looks in the game.", she squealed happily. Rarity laughed at the sight. Twilight looked at her and blushed.

Rarity approached the bar and the stallion behind smiled brightly at her. "Welcome to The Bannered Mare.", he said. "What can I get you today?"

Rarity thought for a moment. "I'll have a large salad with a water.", she said.

"I'll have the same please.", Twilight said.

The man smiled. "Is that together or separate?", he asked.

"Together.", Rarity said quickly. She looked over to Twilight. "I will get this.", she said.

Twilight nodded, although she did not look too happy about Rarity spending money on her. The man laughed heartily. "I'll bet she's a keeper there, princess.", he said to Twilight with a wink. "If y'all will have a seat, I'll bring your food in a minute."

Rarity put a large amount of bits on the bar and walked to one of the two tables. Twilight sat opposite her. "Now, Twilight, I do have a question.", Rarity said. "Why have you never mentioned any of this legendary seven business before?"

"Well, honestly it's just never been important before. The legends really exaggerate our power. Sure, we have a lot more than most ponies, but we can't really take over the world or reshape the fabric of reality. Also, I was never sure if you really were the gem or not.", Twilight explained almost academically.

"Well, how do you know now?", Rarity asked.

Twilight giggled, and it was enough to assure Rarity that it was no big deal. "Well, I suppose it's because Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are sisters. Then Shining Armor is my brother. When Octavia told us your brother was one, it just seemed like the most likely conclusion. Besides, nopony else has a special talent that allows them to find gems."

Their food was delivered, and they ate in silence. After they ate, Rarity was left with one last question. "Before we go, I was wondering... What makes you think there is more to my talent?", she asked.

Twilight smiled at her. "Because I believe that some of the legends about the legendary seven aren't an exaggeration."

Rarity nodded. "Well, while we are on the road you can tell me about some of the legends, if you would."

Twilight smiled and nodded. "Of course. I was wondering, though... Where are we going?"

Rarity blinked at her. "I assumed we were going back to Ponyville, and then boarding a train from there to the Crystal Empire.", she said. "Why, did you have something else in mind?"

Twilight nodded. "I think we should walk north to Baltimare.", she said. "It's closer than Ponyville, and then we can board a train from there."

Rarity nodded. "Good idea.", she said. "The less we walk, the better."

Both mares stood from the table and left the building. They then headed north.

After a few hours walking North from Manehatten, night began to fall. "We can make a camp and arrive at Baltimare at noon tomorrow, or we can walk through the night and be there by morning.", Twilight said.

Rarity tapped her chin in thought for a moment. When her mind drifted to the thought of sleeping under large, comfortable lavender wings, she smiled. "Let's make camp."