“Excuse me, madam.”

Rarity looked to the side searching for the source of the voice. Her eyes landed on a stallion that stood nearby. He wore a black suit that contrasted with his white coat. His face was partially covered by a masquerade.

Rarity lifted the glass she had been holding to her lips, she took a sip of its content before answering. “Yes?”

“I couldn’t help but notice your beauty from the other side of the room. I just had to come here and see if you would grant me the honor to dance the next song with me.” He said as he bowed slightly, offering his right hand while keeping his left one on his back.

Rarity smiled. She downed the rest of the drink before leaving the glass on the table. She looked at her two companions on the table. “You may excuse me, Miss Opal, Miss Platinum, but I cannot refuse such request.”

“Of course, Miss Rarity, but you have to promise me that you will tell me more about your designs the next time we meet.” One of the mares said as the other nodded.

“Of course I will.” Rarity then turned away from the table, accepting the offered hand and allowed herself to be guided to the dance floor.

As they reached the center, the stallion turned around. He looked at Rarity and flashed his most charming smile. Keeping his hold on Rarity’s hand, he took a step closer and placed his left hand on Rarity’s waist. Rarity didn’t waste time and quickly placed her hand on his shoulder.

They remained still for a few seconds, waiting for the music to start. The first note filled the room, the stallion took one step forward as Rarity took one backwards. They danced with grace and poise. Rarity smiled, their movements were in perfect sync, as if she had known this stallion for years. She laughed at the moment the stallion guided her spin on the spot.

Rarity lifted her gaze to look at the stallion's face. Through the holes of his mask, Rarity could see a pair of blank eyes. Rarity’s face flashed a hint of disappointment before disappearing, thinking nothing else from that. The song was slowly fading away. Both of them did one final move before the song ended. Both of them distanced from each other. Rarity ran towards the stallion and jumped as high as she could, her arms extended to each side. The stallion caught and held her up in the air. Cheers filled the room, Rarity looked around her, noticing that they were the only pair in the dance floor, all the others had moved to the side to watch them dance.

“Thank you,” the stallion said, lifting Rarity’s hand and leaning forward to place a kiss on it. “For dancing with me.”

“It was my pleasure.” Rarity answered with a smile. Another song started as she made her way out of the dance floor, but before getting far, another stallion approached her.

“Would you grant me this next song?” He said as he offered his hand.

“I…” Before she could answer, Rarity noticed a queue slowly forming behind the stallion. Every single one of them looked exactly the same. White coat, black suit, the same mask.

She sighed. Before she could look back to the stallion who had just asked her for a dance, her eyes caught sight of something that stood out from the mass of black and white. Purple. Rarity could see a mare standing near the end of the queue. She had the same white coat as the stallions, but she was wearing a beautiful purple dress and a mask that matched.

The mare seemed to have her eyes closed, swishing her hips to the melody that filled the room. The eyes of the mare fluttered open and looked towards the direction of the band that was playing. Her eyes then looked around the room before halting when they met Rarity’s. They held each other’s gaze for a moment before the mare turned around and left the room.

Rarity’s body acted on her own. Her legs moved to chase after the mare.

“Miss Rarity.” The stallion at the front of the queue called.

“Sorry!” Rarity shouted as she approached the doors. “That dance will have to be some other time!” She said before leaving the room.

At the other side of the doors, the elegance from which she had been surrounded just a second ago had completely disappeared. Around her the only thing she could see where the kind of vegetation that would be found in a tropical island. She thought nothing of it, as her mind was filled with one thought.

‘Those green eyes…’

She moved forward while looking around, trying to catch a glimpse of purple. The vegetation made way to an open area where a gentle breeze greeted her. A large body of water covered the surface all the way to the horizon. Rarity easily spotted whom she had been looking for as the mare was the only one there.

‘There she is.’

The mare stood on the sand, her back towards Rarity. The fashionista moved forward, but quickly halted her advance as the mare in front of her moved.

The mare lifted her arms and slowly slipped the straps of her dress off her shoulders. The dress slowly fell down to the sand.

Rarity was completely stunned, her gaze remaining locked on the exposed back of the mare, the pink and purple mane and the tail partially obstructing some of it. It didn’t take long for her eyes to start roaming up and down the beautiful and lean figure. She licked her lips, her heart beating slightly faster each second. She felt like she should say something, but wasn’t sure what. What could she say in a moment like this? She wasn’t even sure why she had chased after this mare in the first place.

She felt like she should turn around and leave the mare alone… but there was something that just wouldn’t allow her to make a step back. Whatever it was, it held her right there, telling her to do exactly the opposite. To move forward and continue with this. To make it happen.

The mare made the first move, looking back at Rarity with her mesmerizing green eyes. Rarity’s eyes widened in recognition as the mare no longer wore the mask from earlier. Her heart just beat harder.

Rarity cleared her throat while forcing herself to stop staring. “Hey...” That was a good start… maybe. “I didn’t-”

A finger on her lips silenced Rarity. Rarity looked down at the finger, but her eyes focused on something else, the mare’s exposed bosom. The finger was pulled away, moving the hand to Rarity’s cheek while the other was placed on her waist, pulling the fashionista closer. Rarity looked in silence as the mare closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly to the side.

Rarity mirrored the mare’s moves with excitement, she would finally get what she wanted, what she had-

A sudden amount of pressure on her chest caused her to stop. Everything collapsed around her before being immersed in a bright light.

“W-what?” Rarity asked a little startled. She could feel the additional weight on her chest moving slightly, but remaining in place.

“Meow.”

“Opal?” Rarity blinked several times. Slowly, a white and grumpy ball of fur came into focus. The ball of fur was looking back at her with an annoyed look.

“Meow.”

Rarity groaned. “Opal, how many times have I told you to not jump on mommy’s chest while she’s sleeping?” ‘Specially now that you have gained so much weight.’

“Meow.” Opal answered a bit more insistent.

“Can’t it wait? I worked till late last night on a design and I really need a few more minutes of sleep.”

Opal hissed and Rarity sighed in defeat, just like every time Opal did this. “Alright, I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Meow.” Opal turned, her tail flicking over Rarity’s face before she jumped off her owner’s chest, landing on the carpet. Opal moved leisurely out of the room.

Rarity sat up, stretching her upper limbs and her back before looking towards her nightstand. Ten eighteen read the clock, and today was… Friday. She felt a bit sad.

The shop was supposed to open a ten o’clock. Or at least, that was the hour that she usually opened. The number of ponies who visited her shop before noon were few, but there still were days where a customer came early with some fashionable emergency. Hopefully, today hadn’t been one of those days.

But no, that wasn’t the reason why she felt sad. Sweetie Belle had left for work an hour and a half ago. Waking up at this hour meant that she had missed one of the absolutely amazing breakfasts that she had come to really love this week. Rarity sighed as she plopped back on her bed.

Being honest, the breakfast wasn’t the main reason why she felt like this. Not waking up early to see Swee-

“MEOW!” Opal called from the door, interrupting Rarity’s thoughts..

“Ugh, I’m going!” Rarity said, standing up in one quick movement and followed the cat to the first floor.

When Opal reached the kitchen, she walked to one of the corners and sat right next to her empty bowl. She glared at her owner as she waited for this one to bring her food.

Rarity moved to the cupboard, using her magic to open it and stretching her hand to grab one of the canned cat food. “Didn’t Sweetie Belle feed you before she left for work?” She asked as she looked at her cat, whom had chosen that same moment to stop glaring at her to focus on something on her paw. “I should put you on a diet, you have gained so much-”

Opal hissed as she sent a murderous look to the fashionista.

“I wasn’t being serious, but if you’re going to be like this, then I might just do that!” She said as she turned around and returned the can to its place.

Rarity felt something soft brushing against her leg. Looking down was the greatest mistake she could have done. Opal was looking up at her with one of the most endearing looks she had been exposed to, coming close, but not quite there, to the ones Sweetie Belle had used on her.

“Awww, alright darling,” Rarity said as she turned to grab the canned food, she quickly opened it and poured its contents in Opal’s bowl. “There you have it.”

“Meow.” Opal said with fake sweetness before focusing on her food.

With that out of the way, Rarity started to make her own breakfast. A couple of toasts, tofu and a cup of hot coffee.

Rarity inhaled deeply, the steam of her beverage filled her lungs. She sighed happily, placing the mug back on the table.

She had missed the smell of hot coffee in the morning. Having breakfast with Sweetie Belle had made it impossible for her to smell something other than the fruity mix. It wasn’t that she disliked the smell, it was the opposite, she really liked it, maybe a bit too much, but she had really, really missed the smell of coffee.

Rarity quickly finished her breakfast, leaving the dishes in the sink before moving upstairs. She had to take a bath and get ready for the day.

Rarity pulled her glasses down and looked out the window, a grunt escaped her mouth, quickly shaking her head, reminding herself that ladies didn’t grunt. Not a single customer had come today to the boutique, not even the ones that came to ask for small fixes to a tablecloth or an old quilt.

Rarity looked towards the clock, a quarter to five. Rarity sighed again. She had busied herself earlier with dusting the boutique, after that she had prepared lunch just for herself. When she finished it, she moved to her work room where she gave a once over to her latest creation, the magnificent navy blue dress on which she had been working since Monday.

Later, she had attempted to work in some new designs, but her mind wouldn’t cooperate with her. Busying herself with chores had been a way to avoid that. Avoid that which has been distracting her since… since Sunday afternoon.

‘It… It meant nothing.’ Rarity thought, readjusting her glasses before she added a few lines to the sketch. ‘Why am I even thinking about it? It wasn’t real. It means nothing.’ She thought with a frown, adding some details to the drawing. ‘Just like the others, they meant nothing… Maybe they mean something, but not THAT. It’s impossible for it to mean that because I’m not like THAT. It’s ridiculous… completely absurd… It’s...’ Rarity’s train of thought halted as she took a better look at what she was drawing. The dress, she had seen it before, even with the lack of details, there was no doubt that she had seen it. It wasn’t until she looked up to the face she had drawn that she realized where she had seen it. It brought images to her mind, images that she had been trying to suppress.

“It was a dream.” Rarity said as she looked down at the picture of her sister.

“It doesn’t mean…” She halted as her mind was filled with the last seconds of the dream.

“I’m not…” Her mind changed to the others dream of this week.

“I…” Each dream was different, but there was always something in common. The way how she leaned forward in an attempt to touch her lips to-

‘I have a perfectly normal sisterly relationship with Sweetie Belle, nothing more, nothing less.’ Rarity removed her glasses, stood up, and walked to the trash bin with the paper in hand. She ripped it in half before throwing it inside. ‘What’s this stupid spell doing to me? I don’t feel that way! I’m not like that!’ She thought angrily as she walked around the room.

She paused, taking a moment to calm herself. She shouldn’t be getting so angry about this nonsense. They were dreams and nothing else. Just because something had happened in one of those didn’t that it would happen in the real world. After all, she had dreamed countless times about being together with the elegant and refined Prince Blueblood, cuddling, kissing and more. But no, the dreams had turned to be just that, dreams that were far off the mark when Prince Blueblood showed her how much of a royal jerk he really was.

So this was probably the same. Rarity shook her head. She wasn’t saying Sweetie was like that jerk, that would be the greatest of insults to anyone. Sweetie Belle was thoughtful, adventurous, kind, funny, talented, beautiful…

‘The loveliest mare I have ever seen.’ Warmth filled Rarity’s chest as an image of a smiling Sweetie Belle with sparkling green eyes came to her mind, just like every time she thought of her.

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!” ‘This spell is messing with my mind!’ She leaned against a wall, running a hand through her mane, tugging some of the strands while balling the other into a trembling fist. ‘Is the only explanation. I can’t be like this. It’s the one making me… This feelings aren’t mine. I can’t let it-’

“Hello, Rarity?” Came the voice of Twilight Sparkle from the first floor.

Rarity inhaled deeply, then let it go. She cleared her voice. “I’ll be down there in a moment, darling!” Rarity moved quickly to the bathroom and looked at her reflection on the mirror. She wasn’t looking her best, and that was a problem. She fixed her mane in a record time, splashed some water on her face and wiped it with a towel. She smoothed a few wrinkles from her shirt and skirt, and looking almost perfect, Rarity left the bathroom.

On the first floor, Rarity found Twilight sitting on the couch. Twilight smiled and waved at her.

“Hello, darling.”

“Hi, Rarity.” Twilight stood when Rarity got closer, both of them sharing a hug. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything. Were you working on a dress?”

“Not really. Business has been slow today… Actually, it’s been nonexistent, so I was working on some new sketches.”

Twilight looked at her with worry in her eyes. “Is everything okay? I heard you screaming a moment ago.”

‘She heard me?’ Rarity quickly thought something up. “It was nothing. I was just frustrated because I… I just don’t feel inspired today. Haven’t been able to come up with any good designs.”

“That’s something I never expected to hear from you.” Twilight sat back on the couch. “Creative blocks happen to everyone, but I’m sure it won’t last. Knowing you, It will be gone before night and you will have a brand new and beautiful dress completed by midnight.”

Rarity chuckled. “A new dress in less than a night? I know I’m good at what I do, but I had no idea that I could pull miracles like that.”

“Of course you can!” Twilight laughed along her friend.

Rarity was about to sit right next to Twilight to continue their amicable conversation when she remembered that Twilight was a guest in her home and she hadn’t offered her anything yet.

“Darling, would you like some tea? Or perhaps you would prefer a cup of coffee?”

“Thank you, Rarity, but no. I won’t be staying here for long. I just came to invite you to a little party tomorrow.”

“A party? What’s the occasion?”

“Spike is returning to Ponyville tomorrow, so I asked Pinkie to help me organize a ‘Welcome home’ surprise party.” Twilight said, beaming with happiness

Rarity clapped her hands. “Spikey-wikey is returning tomorrow? That’s fantastic!”

“It is. His train is scheduled to arrive at Ponyville’s station at around four thirty in the afternoon. The plan is for you and the others to start arriving to the castle at four o’clock because there’s the chance that the train will arrive earlier. I’ll go for Spike and get him to the castle. Surprise, surprise, the party starts.”

Rarity nodded. “It sounds perfect. So, who will be attending to the party.”

“It’ll be a small get together, so I’m inviting the usual. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Starlight, Pinkie Pie, you and the crusaders. I actually still have to go invite the others, but I’m sure they’ll be attending.”

“Alright, I guess I can make it a little easier for you and tell Sweetie Belle about… Oh.”

Twilight tilted her head. “What?”

Rarity finally sat next to Twilight. “Sweetie won’t be able to assist. I just remembered that she already has plans for tomorrow. Somepony hired her band to play at a… I believe she told me it’s a birthday party, tomorrow. The other crusaders will be assisting too, so they won’t be able to assist to Spike’s party.”

“Oh well, that’s a shame, I wanted for all of Spike’s closest friends to be there.” Twilight sighed. “But you don’t have nothing planned for tomorrow, right?”

“Nothing at all. I have missed Spikey, it’ll be so good to see him again.” She said with a gentle smile. “I’m sure Sweetie has also missed him, but she will have to talk to him some other day.”

“Yeah…” Twilight was silent for a second. “The party will be smaller than I thought. Oh well, we can’t help it.” Twilight stood up and gave a small smile. “Okay, I got to go and tell the others about the party. Wish Sweetie Belle good luck for me tomorrow.”

Rarity accompanied her friend to the door. “I will, Twilight.”

Twilight extended her hand to grab the doorknob, but stopped before reaching it. She remained still for a second.

“Twilight?”

“There’s actually another thing I wanted to talk with you.” She turned to look straight into her friend's eyes. “How have you been? No problems with… with the spell?” She looked like she wanted to say something more, but didn’t.

Rarity took a moment to answer. “There hasn’t been any problems, Twilight.”

Twilight nodded. “Good, good. I… How have things been with Sweetie? Has it been awkw-”

“Everything is alright.” Rarity interrupted with a bit of force. “It was weird the first few days… It still is, but it’s nothing that I can’t handle.”

“Right… I just… You know that you can talk to me if… if you need someone to listen…” Twilight trailed off. “I better get going. Goodbye, Rarity.” Twilight opened the door and walked out, the door closing behind her.

“Wait.” Rarity stopped the door before it closed. Twilight looked back at her, waiting. “I… I have a question… One regarding the spell.”

“... Alright. Uhm, what is it?”

Rarity looked at the ground, thinking thoroughly how to ask this without… “Does this spell have other effects? You know, other than the smell thing.” She asked, not looking at her friend, wishing from deep inside her that there was something else to the spell, something that explained those dreams.

Twilight searched in her memory for every single bit of information she had about the spell. “It shouldn’t have any other effects.”

“Oh…” Rarity couldn’t help but feel a mixture of disappointment and worry.

“Why do you ask?” She got closer to Rarity. “Did something happen this week?”

Rarity shook her head, trying not to show on her face how she felt. “No, no, darling. I just… I just wanted to be prepared, you know, in case that there was something else so it doesn’t take me by surprise.”

“You don’t have to worry, after you told me about to whom the spell reacted, I studied the spell again, I analyzed the way how the spell is composed while keeping in mind how much magic I infused in you when I casted it. There shouldn’t be any other surprises.” Twilight said with determination.

“That’s fantastic... great.” Rarity said downcast, quickly shaking her head in an attempt to change her mood.

Twilight studied her friend for a moment. It was obvious that there was something in Rarity’s mind. “Rarity… If there is…” She stopped. If her friend didn't want to talk about, then she wouldn’t pressure her.

“Well,” Rarity said after a moment of silence “I don’t want to take anymore of your time, darling. If you don’t hurry, you won’t be able to invite the others to the party before Princess Celestia lowers the sun. You still have to walk all the way to Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“Right. I… See you tomorrow.” Twilight said with a little wave, walking away from the boutique.

“Goodbye, Twilight!” Rarity closed her door, resting her head against it. Her hand tightened its grip against the doorknob.

Rarity gritteed her teeths as she remembered Twilight’s words: “It shouldn’t have any other effects.”

Her eyes began to sting. It shouldn't have any other effect, that could only mean that those dreams… The warm sensation… The sadness when she wasn’t there…

Rarity pulled away from the door, taking a deep, calming breath. She walked to the couch with unsteady steps. When she sat down, she felt more tired than when she had worked for four consecutive nights in a row for an order for Sapphire Shores.

“I guess I should do the laundry.” Rarity said to herself, knowing that this was just another attempt to distract her mind. She stood up and walked.

Rarity blinked, suddenly finding herself right in front of the washing machine. The short trip from the living room to this place had felt like nothing.

Using her magic, Rarity levitated the laundry basket to her and proceeded to separate the light colored clothes from the dark ones, keeping in mind that there were some that had to be washed by hand. It wasn’t long until she reached one of Sweetie Belle’s pajama shirts.

A tear fell down Rarity’s cheek. “I’m… so weak.” She gave a sad chuckle. “I told myself I would be strong, but it’s been less than a week and I already caved in… Pathetic.”

Rarity brought the shirt to her nose and inhaled deeply, happy that what her brain registered wasn’t the smell of fruits like always. This was Sweetie’s scent. It felt like ages since the last time she had been able to… savor it.

Sweetie’s scent wasn’t the only thing that filled her. Each sniff brought with it a warm feeling that spread across her body, the feeling being stronger in her nether region.

Rolling her skirt up, she sat on the floor and leaned against a wall, spreading her legs to allow her hand easier access to her boiling core. She ran her fingers over the fabric. She knew perfectly well that she shouldn’t be doing this, but she was tired…

So tired of denying it.

Author's Note

Alright, here it's. Took me long enough, and most likely the next chapter will takes just as long.
I'm a lazy bastard, nothing to do about it.

This chapter changed a lot while writing it. A LOT.

This is the deal, you spot a mistake, comment it if you can/want.
You want to say how much I suck? Do it while I go cry in a corner, but I'm not stopping writing this.