Through the Cavern

"Look, I know I wasn't supposed to be interfering like that, but the guy was being a total jerk to her." Ricky said, glancing away. Luna sighed and shook her head.

"While I agree that your actions were extreme, you were provoked. And I did say that you could only interfere if you were interacted with first." They touched down outside Carousel Boutique "Besides, defending a friend comes first in any situation like that. I am prepared to forget what happened if you promise to refrain from doing anything similar on any future journeys with me. Is that understood?"

"Yes, I...wait, you actually want me to come along again sometime?" Ricky asked, surprised. Luna nodded "I see no reason why not. It is nice to have a bit of company once in a while, and you are fairly easy to get along with. "

"Wow...thank you, Princess! I would love to join you again. " Ricky said happily, glancing up at the building before them, a dawning horror coming over him "Why didn't you say we were going to be seeing Rarity next?"

"I didn't think it would be an issue. Why, is something the matter?" Luna asked, confused. Ricky ran up to a window and began to inspect himself.

"She loaned me this shirt and cape, and I don't...shit!" He found a few sweat stains from the jungle, and what looked to be a few drops of Pinkie's chocolate "Fuck, she's gonna kill me..." Wetting his thumb, he frantically tried to remove the stains but to no avail.

"Relax, Ricky. I highly doubt that she will notice, let alone care." Luna opened the door of the shop "Knowing Rarity, she will be blind to everything except for the contents of her dream. Shall we?"

Ricky opened his mouth to answer, but decided to just take her word for it. Following her into the boutique, he braced himself for what might lie ahead...

***

"I-i-i-it's just not FAIR!!!" Rarity was sobbing on a fancy looking sofa, a tub of ice cream levitating before her. There was a pile of tissues next to her, and Twilight was patting her on the shoulder, an uncomfortable expression on her face.

"There, there...it'll be fine, I guess?" Twilight was clearly trying to help her friend out, but she was obviously having a hard time doing it "I mean, there's probably always next year?"

"Next YEAR?! Twilight, darling, you don't know the half of it...nom nom...do you have any idea just what this would do for my social status?" Rarity took another huge bite of ice cream and sniffled "It would mean I am out of touch and obsolete!"

While this was going on, Luna turned to Ricky "You see? She is oblivious to our presence."

"I can see that, yeah. But what happens when she runs out of tissue or ice cream? She'd have to get up then, right?" Ricky asked, trying to figure out exactly what was going on.

"Oh, that will not be necessary. If my memory serves me correctly, she will have assistance with that part." And as if by magic, the pile of tissues collapsed, Spike appearing from within. He was carrying an overflowing waste paper basket and had a somewhat loving expression. Ricky recoiled in disgust "Was he seriously just hanging out underneath all of those used snot rags?"

"For Rarity, Spike would commit any disgusting act...within boundaries, of course." Luna replied "But I do share your revulsion in this situation, yes. I do hope he has the common sense or decency to remember to bathe afterwards."

"Tough to say...they are Rarity's used tissues, after all..."

"Okay, you two are just gross, you know that?" Spike said angrily, appearing unexpectedly before them. He held a new box of tissue and another tub of ice cream.

"How long were you listening for?" Ricky asked, doing his best to hide the stains on his shirt. Spike shrugged "Long enough to know that you two need to get your minds out of the gutter. I was planning on cleaning those up, but I figured I'd wait until Rarity finished crying first. "

"I see your logic in that, yes. How long has this been going on for now?" Luna asked, kicking a tissue out of her way. Spike rolled his eyes "At least an hour. I love helping her out, but this is starting to get annoying. "

"No kidding...why's she crying to begin with, anyway?" Ricky picked up an empty ice cream container, curious of the flavor "Vanilla Oat Swirl? Sounds like one of my mom's health smoothies."

"I don't know, exactly. She usually doesn't get this bad unless she's been humiliated or thinks she's failed at something." Spike replied, walking up to Rarity. Sobbing, she levitated the ice cream from the dragon's hands.

"Look, I'm going to go make some tea. Will you have any if I do?" Twilight asked, getting up.

"I s-suppose..." Rarity's voice hitched as she began spooning more ice cream into her mouth. Twilight began making her way to the kitchen. She bumped into Ricky on her way "Oh, excuse me...wait, Ricky? Luna? How long have you two been here?"

"Several minutes now. Exactly why is she so upset?" Luna asked, concerned. Twilight groaned "It's rather stupid, to be honest. I'm really starting to wonder if I'm wasting my time here or not. "

"Nonsense! She is in distress. You will carry on with the tea, and I will attempt to speak with her. Ricky, would you be so kind as to assist Twilight?" Luna asked.

"Might as well. Keep me posted, okay?" Ricky followed Twilight into the kitchen and began looking for cups.

"So...what exactly happened that's so pointless?" Ricky asked, searching away. Twilight placed the kettle on the stove and groaned "Well, to be perfectly honest, she overslept and missed a big sale. "

Ricky paused, dumbfounded "Wait...her idea of a nightmare is not being able to go shopping?" Twilight nodded, opening the cupboard Ricky had been looking for "That has got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard..."

"You're telling me. When Sweetie Belle came to me and said that Rarity had a huge problem, I booked it over here. Now I'm regretting it." Twilight sighed, selecting a box of tea bags "You've got red on you, by the way."

"Huh...?" Ricky was confused by her last remark, then realized that a couple drops of blood from Spike's dream were also on his shirt "Thanks, uh...it must be jelly...from Pinkie's dream. She, uh...had donuts."

"I'm not surprised at that. How many dreams do you guys have left for the evening?" Twilight began to pour the tea, setting the pot down afterwards.

"I'm pretty sure this is the last one. Should have known it would be anticlimactic, though. That's usually how cool, unexpected stuff pans out after all." Ricky picked up the tea tray and headed back for the living room. Rarity appeared to be almost through with her latest tub of ice cream, and set it down beside her, accepting a cup from the tray "Oh, hello, Ricky...Luna told me you were here as well...I do apologize for my current state, darling. "

"Don't worry about it. We did just drop in, after all. " Ricky set down the tea tray, took a cup and leaned against a nearby table "You feeling any better?"

"Somewhat, yes. But no matter what I do to try and escape the misery, the fact that I missed one of the most important fashion debuts in Equestrian history will always be present..." Rarity sighed "However will I deal with this?"

"Miss Rarity, I understand that this distresses you greatly, but keep in mind that you have a business to run. Sitting here in misery will not pay the bills." Luna sipped her tea and continued "Now, how about a smile?"

Sniffling, Rarity gave a small smile. Luna beamed "Much better. Just because one terrible event has occurred, it doesn't mean that your entire life is destined for failure. And I speak from personal experience, as you recall."

Rarity nodded "Princess, you are absolutely right. I have overcome far more difficult things than missing a silly old sale! I mean, I helped to save that quaint, yet rather filthy health spa, and it seemed hopeless at first. I am RARITY, by Celestia!"

"That's the spirit!" Twilight said happily "Now, are you going to just sit here, or are you going to get up and seize the day?"

"The LATTER, darling!" Rarity leapt off the couch and struck a pose "There's always next year, of course!" She ran over to her workstation and began to measure fabric with glee. Luna smiled, turning to Ricky "I believe that our work here is finished. It is time for us to return to the castle, would you not agree?"

"Fine with me. I'm definitely ready to call it a night." Ricky yawned, making his way over to where Luna stood. Twilight bowed deeply "Thank you as always, Princess Luna."

"Er...that will do, PRINCESS Twilight." Luna replied awkwardly, her horn beginning to glow again "Ricky, if you would?"

"On it, your highness." Ricky placed a hand on her back, and the wind overtook them once more. As Carousel Boutique began to fade away, however, Rarity's voice pierced the haze.

"WHERE THE HAY DID ALL OF THOSE STAINS COME FROM?!?!?! RIIIIIICKY!!!!!!!!"

***

Ricky wobbled, reaching out to steady himself on Luna's wardrobe "Woah...feeling a bit dizzy here..."

"Allow me." Luna carried a chair over with her magic, Ricky dropping into it heavily "So, how did you enjoy your first night of dream duty?"

"I had a blast, and I really can't wait to do it again. That really opened up my eyes about a lot of things my friends are into...and going through." Ricky said, pulling out his smokes "It's really going to change how I interact with some of them, that's for sure."

"Ah, yes. That is how I feel sometimes, I will admit. Especially after..."

"After what?" Ricky asked, walking over to the balcony. Luna shook her head "Never mind, it's a very long story."

"Are you sure? I'm always keen to listen." Ricky stood just outside of the balcony doors so that he could talk to the princess. Luna sighed "I would rather not discuss this now and ruin a wonderful evening. Another time, yes."

"OK, I'm not going to argue with you. It's your business, after all. Besides, I guess I have an issue of my own to deal with." Ricky sighed, knocking his ash.

"The business with the young mailmare, correct?" Luna smirked at Ricky's flabbergasted expression and continued "The first night that you two properly interacted at Rarity's place resulted in one of the happiest dreams I have ever witnessed. As I recall, it was rather..."

"Not risqué or erotic I hope..." Ricky groaned at the thought, Luna letting out a hearty laugh.

"I was going to say content, actually. That girl feels very strongly about you, I must admit. I have watched her grow from a very awkward young filly into a rather lonely mare. She has very few friends, and you are one of the only individuals who even say hello to her first. You may even recall your first day working at the music store?"

Ricky thought hard, the events of the day slowly returning to him "It was morning...she came in with the mail, and Vinyl was off on a coffee run. I remember she got my name wrong, but I laughed it off. She seemed really embarrassed about it...she even started to tear up a bit as I recall...I remember comforting her about it, telling her that it was okay."

"She told you something along the lines of how she was tired of messing up constantly, didn't she?" Luna asked, handing Ricky a cup of tea. Surprised, Ricky nodded "Exactly! How did you...?"

"I spoke to her at the Nightmare Night celebration. I saw her crying behind one of the tents and got her to open up to me about everything. I must say, I was a little disappointed in your response."

"Yeah, well I guess I was a bit of a dick about it. Hell, Big Mac gave me a good talking to about it afterwards. I've been wanting to clear the air with her, but what with work, and fillysitting..." Ricky sighed and tossed his smoke "Besides, she might be mad at me for all I know. I wouldn't want to make things worse."

"Nonsense. I know for a fact that she would be ecstatic to speak with you again. As a matter of fact, the Grand Galloping Gala will be upon us in a few weeks, and I understand that my sister gifted you with tickets upon your arrival, correct?"

"A fancy ball? That might be a bit much right off the bat, to be honest with you. I mean, I haven't really spoken to her much apart from a few awkward hellos..." Ricky finished his tea, accepting a refill from the princess.

"Then take her out for coffee, or a picnic in the park. It needn't be extravagant, just enough to break the ice. I can tell that you do care about her in return." Luna sipped her tea "I understand that you had difficulty fitting in back at home, so you already have something in common with her."

"I guess that's true...but how do I go about asking her? I'm not exactly an expert at this sort of thing. Do I send her a letter, or ask one of my friends to send the message along?"

"Ask her in person, the next time she comes into your workplace. I understand that there is a quaint little cafe nearby that would be perfect." Luna smiled "I know that you have the confidence in you to do the right thing."

"You're right, Princess. I really don't have anything to lose from this...I just don't want to screw anything up and make her hate me, you know? I don't want her to feel as if I'm obligated to do this or anything like that." Ricky pulled out another smoke, head in his hand.

"Believe me, she will be the happiest mare in all of Ponyville if you do this for her. But try not to overthink this right away. A good night's sleep will do wonders for your final decision. Besides, Celestia has a lavish brunch planned for tomorrow morning, and it won't do for you to oversleep." Luna reminded him, to which Ricky nodded.

"Good point. I have a LOT to figure out right now, and I really don't want to be distracted tomorrow by losing any sleep over this." He pinched his smoke out and tucked it away for the morning. Standing, he finished his tea and cracked his back.

"Rest up, my friend. I will let you know when I'm ready to take you on my rounds once again. Good night, Richard."

"Good night, your highness." The doors closed behind him, and Ricky sighed, wondering how in the hell he was going to get to sleep with all of this on his mind. Shaking his head once more, he made his way to his room, determined to figure it out once and for all.