Three Minds, Two Ponies

Approaching the docks, Rarity checked her list one last time, finding everything in perfect to the seconds she had them scheduled to. Using magic to burn the notes to nothing, Rarity looked to Luna as they stopped behind a few crates. The moon was high in the sky, and in the shadow, Luna was not visible at all.

"Like you asked, a cruise with Prince Blueblood and a few other ladies you will have to compete with. Now, how far do you plan on going on the first date?"

"I will not give up till I've had him in bed."

"Well, I thought you'd go steady before going so far, but then again, he is stuck up."

"I don't see why I should waste my time."

"Well, go. The ship leaves right now, get on board, quickly!"

"Thank you Luna. For everything you've helped me with so far."

"Your welcome, now go, I have to go patrol the skies in a few minutes."

Rarity nodded to the pitch black shadow and rushed out to the large cruise ship, joining the thin crowd which was boarding it. She took out a magic filled bottle, popping the top and letting the pressurized magic work. And explosion of glittering threads erupted from her body, dressing her in a red gown with moderate makeup. She handed her ticket to it's taker and hurried up the wooden ramp onto the big hulk of a cruiser, taking out her identification papers, as well as her ship records for where she was to stay. The royal sweet across from Prince Blueblood's. It was always reserved on the ship for if a princess might want to take a lovely cruise. But, since neither of the two had enough free time, it was never used.

Taking out the key which unlocked the doors, Rarity entered quickly, shutting the door behind her as the gown spell wore off. A perfect boarding. Hurrying to the wardrobe, she pulled out a gown which was exactly like the one fromt he spell, and put it on, fitting it a little loosely. A quick burst of magic and it fit to ehr smaller body perfectly. Stopping by the makeup station, she quickly applied more makeup via magic before exiting and trotting into the ballroom where everyone had gathered.

"Ahem, attention please.", the pony butler called out, "Attention please!"

The roar of the many talking ponies quietened, leaving the room silent.

"I am here to announce the arrival of his majesty to the ballroom, the stallion of the nightm, and one to arrange of this, Prince, Blueblood!"

A silent round of hoof stomps resulted as the one spoken of entered the room, his dashing looks making Rarity's heart flutter. He was dressed in a darkened purple suit, almost black, and wore a grey shirt underneath, a matching purple bow tie to complete the look. She hadn't seen him in purple yet, but there was something else about the suit he was wearing. The purple seemed to shine, but was really nonexistent. Magic? Lighting?

Rarity didn't pay much mroe attention to it, as he began to speak.

"Good evening, good evening. Tonight, we start the cruise for a week to the tropical islands of Eastern Equestria! And hopefully, on the way we may see the mythical, Treasure Isle which seems to appear in the vast sea every three years. If we stay at the current speed, we should see it's rocky shores by tomorrow."

There was approving murmurs going around, quietening once more.

"Now, as for the cruise's real purpose, you ladies which have entered this competition I hold, are here to win my favor. Isn't that right, Miss Blue?"

A red coated mare stepped from behind Blueblood, revealing herself to the crowd.

"May I introduce, Miss Blue's winner from last year, Miel Blossom!"

"Oh you are too kind, dear. The night was fun too, when you offered champagne.", Miel said in a low voice.

"Well, you sure seemed thirsty, maybe a little, dirty?", Blueblood replied, just as low.

"Well, now. You have all of one hour before you are to be presented in dress for the night. Dismissed."

With the final word, everyone parted ways, going to teh buffet set out, or leaving to get ready. Rarity, however was already fit for the night, and approached Blueblood as he left the stage.

"Prince Blueblood, the prince of Equestria, no?"

"Not quite, I'm jsut another prince in canterlot."

"Yes, Redhoof, and Yellowmane are both handosme as well, but not quite as wonderful as you."

"In good looks or soemthing else?"

"A little of both. But, out of the many attempts I've tried to even converse with you, it's always ended up in my anger getting the better of me after leaving. Oh, the knights I've spent thinking on how to just get you to speak."

"Hmmhmm, well, it's always a challenge to get me to speak when I am giving the challenge to all."

"Oh? Then those mares you do talk to out of decision?"

"Part of the whole scene to make me look like I am simply ignoring them. In truth, most I do, but when one catches my eye, I do break character to pay more attention."

"So what might one mare do to win the favor to be the next Miss Blue?"

"Ah, my curious mare, you will have to think that through during the first competition, Rarity."

Rarity was speechless, as she did not expect it to be so well planned, nor did hse even expect him to know her name.

"What did you call me?"

"Yes, tis true. I never forget the name of any mare I meet. Right now, I have to get ready. So, if you will excuse me."

Rarity moved aside, letting Blueblood pass by her into the corwd.

"Oh, you want something worth the sight, I will give you something worth seeing."

As time passed, Rarity sat at a table, gently rubbing her hooves down with a cloth and oil to give them a shine. Though, she stopped as Miss Blue approached the table.

"Yes, may I help you, Miss Blue?"

"Call me Miel. I wanted to stop you here before the competition starts."

"My dear, I will not back out, not for the world."

"Well, with this offer, I think you will. I have the key to Blueblood's suite."

Rarity raised an eyebrow, "You are going to bribe me? I'm pretty sure that if he caught me in his suite, that he locked, he would think less of me."

"Well, smart mare, I guess not then. You could have had a romantic quick time with him."

"I'm not that desperate. And I am pretty sure that Miss Blue is not loud to compete again two years in a row."

"With magic, I can."

Rarity gasped, "You wouldn't dare!"

"I would so. Takes only a bit of magic."

"Well, I was hoping that there would be a challenge in this competition, good game to you, Miel."

Miel, speechless, left without another word.

Rarity, on the other hand, had a big smile on her face.

"Well, I have to admit, I never expected that one coming. But, I know just what to do to catch his attention..."

"May I have your attention, please!", the butler pony called out, silencing everypony once again.

"A word from Prince Blueblood."

Taking a bow, the butler left and Blueblood took his spot on the stage.

"The time to let loose is upon us. I crave something different than perky, stuck up, and obsessed with their beauty. None of you have this, now, but...if you wish to have any chance, show it."

No one except Rarity moved, magic immediately incinerating her dress, but leaving her hide untouched.

"Do I need to throw dirt on my alabaster coat?"

Blueblood was motionless. Though Rarity hadn't put forth much effort yet. Most of the mares, though, refused to do anything, being stubborn.

"All who refuse, please stand up."

All teh sitting mares which had fussed about the proposal for something unclean, stood, leaving only eleven sitting.

"You may leave the ball room and return to your rooms to enjoy the rest of the cruise, teh rest of you who are sitting, may stay sitting until further instructed."

Seeing that as a munishment, a mare stood up as the remainder of the standing mares left, and spoke.

"I refuse to stay sitting here. I am leaving to my room."

Blueblood smiled, nodding his head, "As you wish."

The mare left. Now ten remained.

"Congratulations. Out of fourty seven mares, you ten are going to continue on to the title of Miss Blue."

A few mares squealed with glee, the others just looked up in surprise. Rarity, though, forcing herself to act differently, was thinking of his methods.

"Touche Prince. You have baffled me.", she said to herself.