Rarity smiled softly to herself, listening to the dull rhythm of rain pounding the ceiling. She was currently working on a line inspired by the storm itself, and it was coming along beautifully. She was about to resume the use of her sewing machine when she heard soft crying. Confused, she stood up from the wooden chair, glancing around for its source. It seemed to be coming from upstairs. She walked up the stairs slowly, keeping her ears pricked for more of the crying. A boom of thunder sounded, shaking the house, and the crying was now interrupted by whimpering. Opening first her own bedroom door, she saw nothing, and turned to her sister's room. Magically opening the door, she saw the lights were on, and many flashlights were aimed under the bed. The bed's quilt had been pulled under the bed, as well as Sweetie Belle's stuffed bear, Candy. Crouching down, she crawled towards the bed, searching for her sister. Spotting a tuft of pink and purple tail, she continued towards it, crawling under the bed as well.
"R-rarity?" Asked a small voice, and Rarity saw Sweetie Belle wiping away her tears. "Why are you here?"
"You silly filly," replied Rarity gently, wiping Sweetie Belle's eyes with a handkerchief, "I could hear you crying. What's wrong?"
"N-nothing," responded Sweetie Belle, burrowing back under her quilt where two more flashlights hid, as well as Candy.
"Now dear sister, you really think you can hide from me? If I didn't know better, I'd say you were scared of a little rain!" Rarity's teasing was accompanied by harder pounding of the rain, as well as another crash of thunder. Sweetie Belle burrowed deeper under the quilt, then changed her mind and pulled herself out of it.
"Nuh-uh! I ain't scared of no storm!" Lightning illuminated the room even brighter, and as it dulled, Sweetie Belle was nowhere to be seen, save a white ear poking out from the quilt.
"Reeeally, Sweetie Belle?" Asked Rarity, drawing out the 'ea' ever so slightly.
"Well, maybe a bit," sniffled Sweetie Belle, poking her nose out from under the covers.
"Sweetie Belle, honey. There's nothing to be afraid of. How about you come help me with my dresses, and I'll show you?" The white nose shook its head, then began nodding it, crawling out from under the covers again, then out from the bed. Rarity followed her sister, trotting daintily down the stairs and into her main dressmaking room. The windows surrounding the boutique were streaked, causing the outdoors to look like an impressionist's watercolor. Sweetie Belle lowered herself into a wooden chair, but Rarity pulled her up magically, bringing her over to the single completed dress so far.
"What's this one about?" Asked Sweetie Belle, interest evident in her light-green eyes.
"This one's about the rain," smiled Rarity, gently running a hoof over it.
"It's so beautiful," whispered Sweetie Belle, and even Rarity had to agree. The skirt trailed gently over the mannequin's "tail", a pale blue with the occasional darker blue or white streak in the lines of the faintly done crimps. The body was the same pale blue, with three white pearl buttons sewn down the center. and the neck-line a modest V-shape.
"I'm working on one for the lightening too," added Rarity, gently leading her sister over to a mannequin. Though the dress was merely half done, the future beauty of it was obvious. The body was varying shades of grey, to resemble the clouds, and the skirt was faded into, white at the very hem but grey the rest of the way down. Yellow streaks accompanied the grey, none touching the hem but some coming close.
"Oh, I love this one too!" Cried Sweetie Belle, smiling. The rain had slowed slightly, replaced by heavy hail. The thunder had nearly ceased, coming only once every few minutes.
"Do you want to help me with the one for wind?" Asked Rarity, and Sweetie Belle's smile stretched nearly into her eyes.
"Yesyesyesyes!" Exclaimed Sweetie Belle, bouncing around Rarity then skidding to a stop as thunder crashed once again.
"Just ignore it," whispered Rarity, petting her sister on the head.
"I think we should make it thin, like a sundress. And mostly white, with grey swirls in it!" Sweetie Belle's excitement had returned, though she ceased bouncing, and Rarity hastened to grab the proper materials. "But not really curly swirls, just wispy ones!" Rarity set down the fabric she had originally grabbed, lifting the other one and carrying it back to her sewing machines and mannequins. Arranging the fabric loosely, Sweetie Belle continued gently adjusting it to perfection.
"Like this?" Asked Rarity, a very small portion of frustration in her voice.
"It's perfect," decided Sweetie Belle, and Rarity magically lifted the fabric, setting it down at the sewing machine and carefully stitching the pieces together.
~-~
The dress was finished, and with a few magical touches from Rarity, had been shrunk to fit Sweetie Belle. The younger unicorn turned and spun in it, her hooves light against the velvety carpet of the floor. She sang a small song, made up for the moment, though she was too quiet for Rarity to hear it. Rarity had sat back down at her wooden table, pricking her ears to hear the now light fall of the rain. Without warning, the rain stopped, and Sweetie Belle turned to her sister.
"Why'd it stop?" Inquired the filly, her head tilted slightly to the side.
"Because the clouds are out of water," responded Rarity, looking at her sister plainly.
"I never knew something so loud and dark could be so beautiful," sighed Sweetie Belle, looking up at the ceiling. "I guess you want your dress back now," added Sweetie Belle, "Since I'm not afraid anymore." Sweetie Belle sighed once again when she was stopped by a magic force.
"I want you to keep it," said Rarity with a kind grin, and Sweetie Belle smiled once again.
"Forever?"
"Forever." Rarity stood up, turning towards her other ensemble she had yet to complete. "Do you want to help me again, Sweetie Belle?"
"Of course," confirmed Sweetie Belle, sauntering towards her sister as the dress flew up around her.
