Twilight huffed, her cheeks tinged pink. “So that’s why she obviously shouldn’t have chosen Cut Diamond. Honestly, this story is so contrived I don’t know why I’m taking it so seriously.” She put the book on the coffee table in front of her, glaring at it as if it had personally offended her. “It follows such a basic formula and the premise is so unoriginal.”
A giggle cut her off. “Oh, but it is so romantic, darling. Certainly, it was predictable, but that isn’t the point. It’s the warmth that fills your chest when Serenity finally realizes the one she loves and is able to do something about it.”
Twilight shook her head. “Still, she shouldn’t have chosen Cut Diamond when Gleaming Shield was right there and willing to give her life for her.” With a sigh, she shrugged. “I guess I didn’t feel the happiness that you did from it, because I just thought it was all wrong.”
“I thought it was rather nicely set up,” Rarity mused, mostly to herself.
Twilight couldn’t help responding. “At the beginning, you have Serenity and Gleaming Shield, setting off for the big city just so Serenity can make it big. Gleaming is already giving up so much for Serenity to do this, even if Serenity doesn’t know it.” She lightly tapped her hoof on the coffee table. “Gleaming stood by Serenity, even when Serenity thought she couldn’t make it onto the Bridleway Stage. Even when Serenity had no bits coming in, Gleaming supported her.” Twilight thrust a purple hoof toward Rarity, looking her friend in the eye. “Gleaming was there when those ponies told her she would never amount to anything, and it was Gleaming who was there when Serenity finally landed a lead role and everyone started celebrating her. It wasn’t until then that she was a blip on Cut’s radar.” Twilight’s hoof hit the coffee table harder than she intended, but the look of pure belief didn’t shift.
“Yes, but Cut didn’t have much reason to see her until then, did he? He had his company to run, and his dealings in the Capitol. Cut was there for her to help with the paparazzi.” Rarity cut her hooves through the air as she explained. “He was there whenever she needed something after they met. He has nothing but adoration for her in his heart.” Rarity smiled at Twilight, her eyes wide and ears turned forward, and brought her hoof to her own heart.
Twilight’s wings flared as she leaned toward Rarity. “He was so embarrassed by her, though. He insisted she learn how to properly fit in with the people in his circle, instead of letting her be who she was.” Her nose wrinkled as she spoke. “Gleaming would have never asked Serenity to not be herself.” Twilight pointed at herself, her ears pulled tight against her head as she did her best to make Rarity understand. "Gleaming liked that Serenity could quote any play she had ever read, or that she knew more about the history of theater than anypony else. She liked how Serenity would get so excited when they would watch plays. Instead, Cut Diamond wanted her to model herself after all the girls he had rejected. It’s ridiculous that she ended up with him.”
With a huff, Rarity turned her head slightly, though she still kept her gaze on Twilight. “That isn’t entirely true, darling.”
“It is, though! I mean, on page 394, even after she’s already chosen him, he chuckles and says ‘Yes, my love. We will have you acting like a proper mare in no time.’ What kind of pony says that sort of thing?”
Rarity flipped through her copy of the book, finding Twilight’s quote and scanning the scene. “Well, it’s so that she doesn’t end up embarrassing herself. She wants to learn how to blend more with the ponies she’s going to be around. She asked him to help her.”
“But he doesn’t like her difference, and she refuses to see that Gleaming Shield would never ask Serenity to change so she wouldn’t embarrass her. Gleaming cares about her, and would have helped her if given the chance.”
With a sigh, Rarity relented. “Ah, well, I don’t believe we’ll come to an agreement, it seems. Pity, I had hoped we would share an opinion.” Rarity placed her own book onto the coffee table. “At the very least, I had thought I would have my usual partners here to defend the romance.”
Twilight nodded in agreement. “It’s so strange. I know that sometimes a pony will miss our bimonthly meetings, but all four of them at once is weird. Especially when the map didn’t call any of them.” She sighed, looking around Rarity’s boutique. The store front also served as her living area, and as such, had a few poniquens displaying Rarity’s newest designs, thought this shop worked differently than the one in Canterlot, as the dresses here were all made to order.
Truthfully, it had been sometime since Twilight had taken in the décor of Rarity’s home. She was always making small changes here and there. During the last book club meeting two weeks ago, a small relaxation tool had been the centerpiece of the table. It had a small rake and two small stones that could be rearranged. This week a small vase of colorful flowers held the place of honor.
She looked back up at Rarity, who was staring at the books, though apparently not seeing them, as if she were lost in thought. Though her makeup was an impeccable as ever, and her deep purple mane curled to its usual perfection, the crease between her eyebrows was what held Twilight’s attention. As Rarity’s blue eyes continued to bore holes into the table, Twilight’s mind drifted.
Perhaps it was nothing, of course, but she had probably insulted Rarity when she called the book contrived. After all, romance was one of the things Rarity seemed to live for. Rarity knew Twilight wasn’t fond of that genre. That was the point of this book club, for everyone to read a book their friends liked and try new things. Pinkie’s pick had been westerns and Rainbow Dash, predictably, had been Daring Do. Applejack had announced her pick of a fantasy book last meeting, and Twilight had been dying to have everyone read the historical fiction she had picked.
They all had positive and negative things to say about the books. They weren’t inherently terrible, for the most part, even if some struggled to keep her interest. At least that hadn’t been a problem with this book, right? It wasn’t like a slam to Rarity herself, right? After all, it was obvious that Gleaming Shield had been in love with Serenity since the beginning of the book, and it wasn’t fair to Gleaming for her to just run of with Cut Diamond because he was a handsome colt who could say a few smooth words. Gleaming was intelligent and as fierce as any pony Twilight knew, and had proven that she would give her life for her love.
“Twilight!” Rarity’s voice abruptly pulled the purple mare out of her spiraling thoughts. She blinked and shook her head before meeting Rarity’s eyes again. “Darling, are you okay?”
She felt her cheeks heat once more, though this time it wasn’t from anger at the way the love triangle had been resolved. “Yes. I was just thinking about the book.”
Rarity giggled again, her smile doing more to calm Twilight’s fears than her own rationalizing had. “Would you like some tea? I was just going to make some for myself.”
“Oh, yes, thank you.” Twilight took a deep, calming breath as she watched Rarity walk away, her tail swishing slightly. With another deep breath, she closed her eyes. “You need to pull it together, Twilight,” she mumbled to herself. “You’ve already rationalized all of this. It’s never going to happen.”
After another deep breath, she stood and walked into the kitchen. “Upon further reflection, I suppose I can see why you think Cut Diamond is a good choice for Serenity to make.”
Rarity glanced over at her as she put the kettle on the stove. “Do you?” Her voice sounded hopeful as she fully turned to look at Twilight. "Because you seemed pretty adamant about it being Gleaming Shield.” Pulling a chair out, Rarity sat at the table. “I suppose we could ask our friends later what they thought of who she ended up with.”
“I can hear Pinkie now,” Twilight said, a smile forming on her lips.
“Why not both!” they said together.
Rarity giggled again. “Yes, that does seem to be her answer to all love triangles. Just put them all three together.”
The whistle on the kettle broke their conversation, and Rarity stood, getting the tea and cups down as she moved the kettle from the blind. “Oh, it appears I’m out of black tea, darling. Would you like white or green?”
“White, please.”
With a nod, Rarity prepared the cups and rejoined Twilight at the table. “I suppose it’s apparent, but do you know why I liked Cut Diamond the most?”
Twilight thought about it for a moment. He was a noble, and an arrogant one at that, but an astute business stallion, with enough bits to keep up with his rather large taste for the finer things in life. Twilight couldn’t think of a single thing she liked about him. “I don’t know. He’s a terrible pony.”
Rarity raised her eyebrows, a look of shock on her face. “You think he’s terrible?”
Twilight nodded as she picked up her teacup. “Yes. I can’t think of a single positive trait. From his constant manipulations of Serenity, especially in getting her to abandon Gleaming Shield in chapter twenty seven, to how he seems to look down on ponies he considers lesser than him. I am honestly confused as to why you would like somepony like him at all?”
Rarity’s voice came out lower than it had been. “Well, he had reminded me of myself.”
Twilight froze for a moment before lowering her cup. “You can’t be serious, Rarity. He was nothing like you.” Rarity avoided meeting Twilight’s eyes. “You are so much better than he is. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as I’m making him out to be, but there is no way you saw yourself in him.”
“He was rather ambitious. He wouldn’t take failure as an option. He worked hard for what he had, even if he was born into most of it. He knew what he wanted and he was doing everything he could to get it.” Rarity looked up again. “He is me, Twilight. Of course I wanted him to get the mare of his dreams, even if his parents didn’t like it. Even if Canterlot didn’t want him marrying some ‘no name’ pony. He followed his heart, just like I would have.”
A small sigh escaped Twilight’s mouth. “I guess I never thought of his character that way, or him being that deep. He was just another misrepresented noble who was standing in the way of what should have happened. I saw him as the villain, really, until I realized Serenity was actually considering him.” She shifted her wings as she met Rarity’s gaze.
“What do you think of me, Twilight?” Rarity asked softly.
The question caught Twilight off guard. Her mouth dropped in surprise. She caught herself quickly, however. “I-Rarity, you’re great. Forgetting all the stuff that we’ve done for Equestria, you are always there to help however you can. You love to make everything beautiful, just because it should be.” She pointed towards the out-of-sight display’s in Rarity’s living room. “You’re driven, yes, but you don’t let that get in the way of the ponies you care about. Usually. Well, half the time.” Twilight put her face in her hooves. “I don’t think you’re a terrible pony, Rarity. I could never think that about you.”
Silence settled around them. Twilight could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall, and she counted with the seconds. Rarity didn’t make a sound. She didn’t touch her tea, she didn’t shift in her seat. Twilight wasn’t sure she was even breathing.
After thirty seconds, Twilight looked up. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.” She looked at Rarity, trying to get some read on her friends unusually inexpressive face. “Please say something.”
It took another moment, but Rarity sighed. “Do you know why our friends aren’t here today, Twilight?”
Unsure of where the conversation was going, but not wanting to stick her hoof in her mouth again, Twilight nodded. “Applejack had farm work, Pinkie was babysitting, Dash had some kind of meeting, and Angel is sick. Why?”
“None of that is true.”
Twilight blinked. “What? So they just didn’t want to come?”
“No, I asked them not to come. I wanted to talk about this with you. I was certain you would—“ Rarity stopped and took a deep breath. “I thought you would see the book, and the reason I picked it. I had hoped you would.”
Twilight scrambled through her thoughts, going through everything she remembered about the book, trying to piece together what Rarity was saying. Slowly, she shook her head. “I’m sorry.” Rarity looked to be on the verge of tears. “I don’t understand why it’s so important that I share your view on Cut Diamond.”
“Why did you want her to be with Gleaming Shield, Twilight?”
“Serenity just belongs with her. They’re best friends already. Gleaming Shield didn’t have any real training, but when things got tough, she was right there for Serenity, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice.” Twilight looked right at Rarity, her words coming out faster and faster. “Gleaming had been in love with her for a long time, from before she gathered the attention of Bridleway, from before ponies wanted her because of what she was, not who she was. Because I can’t think of any reason that Serenity wouldn’t love you.” Rarity’s eyes widened as Twilight scrambled to cover her slip. “I mean, Gleaming Shield. I can’t see why she wouldn’t love Gleaming Shield.” For the third time that day, she felt her cheeks heat up.
Again, they sat in silence, staring at each other. Rarity was faintly blushing as she looked at Twilight. Slowly, Rarity stood and walked into the living room, and after a beat, Twilight followed, unsure of what her friend was doing. When she made it to the living room, Rarity was holding the book and smiling. “I think,” she said, not looking away from the book as Twilight approached, “that we both have the same reason for picking our characters.”
Rarity looked up into Twilight’s confused face with a small smile. “Tell me, you saw yourself as the Serenity, didn’t you?”
Twilight cleared her throat and nodded. “I did,” she said.
“And you saw me as Gleaming Shield.”
Twilight’s heart thumped against her ribs as she nodded again, not trusting herself to speak this time.
Rarity’s smile widened into a grin. “Oh, darling, I saw you as her as well. That’s why I was so adamant about Cut being with her.”
Twilight blinked as she worked out what Rarity had said, not that it took long. She smiled, meeting Rarity’s eyes. “Really?” She stepped forward, her wings already slowly spreading as she got closer to the white unicorn. “You like me? Like that?”
Rarity didn’t answer. Instead, she watched as Twilight stepped closer, until they were close enough to touch. She giggled, then, putting her hoof on Twilight’s face. In what felt like forever and no time at all, she had closed the space between their faces and pressed her lips to Twilight’s. Twilight’s wings reacted nearly instantly, reaching around and covering Rarity’s back, pulling her closer to Twilight.
This kiss wasn’t like the ones in the book. Their teeth clashed. They kept bumping noses. There was a lot of giggling and breaking apart to look at each other. Finally, Rarity pulled back and took a few steps away. She cleared her throat, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Twilight, giggling again. “I suppose we should go on a proper date. Seeing as it’s nearly dinner time, I think now would be appropriate.”
Twilight smiled. “Yeah, now’s great,” she said, a bit breathlessly.
As she and Rarity walked out the door, the bushes near them rustled. Twilight looked at Rarity, who looked at her. Twilight rolled her eyes and sent her magic into the bush, levitating four grown mares. “Spying is not nice.”
“Oh my,” Fluttershy said, looking at Rarity and Twilight. “We we’re really spying. You see, we came over to see how it was going, but you were both in the kitchen.”
“Yeah, and when Rarity came into the living room, I grabbed everyone and pulled them into the bush,” Pinkie added, a wide grin on her face.
Applejack smiled. “We’re just glad to see you both finally tell each other how you’ve been feeling. I was close to losing my bet.”
“You bet on us?” Rarity said, her hoof flying to her chest.
With her hooves crossed in front of her chest, Rainbow Dash laughed. “It wasn’t a real bet. More like everyone guess on when you two would finally just get it over with.”
“You were kind of obvious,” Fluttershy said, looking toward the ground. “We’re sorry for invading your privacy.”
With a smile, Twilight lowered the four mares to the ground. “Apology accepted. Now, if you don’t mind, we were just going to dinner.”
“Oh, can I come?” Pinkie said, hoping to catch up with the couple. “I’m starving.”
Applejack chuckled as she pulled Pinkie back. “I think they’re going on a date, sugarcube. Let ‘em go on their own. The four of us can go grab a bite somewhere.”
“Okey dokey lokey.” Pinkie grinned. “How about a hayburger?”
Twilight chuckled as she and Rarity walked through Ponyville. “So, you asked them all to not be there so you could tell me you liked me?”
Rarity smiled. “I did. I’d planned it perfectly. We would both see how wonderful it was that she ended up with Cut Diamond, and with that bond built, I could explain exactly why I liked it.”
Twilight smiled and walked closer to Rarity, brushing their coats together. “Well, it worked in the end.” She looked over at Rarity, biting her lip. “Besides, those characters don’t really fit either of us very well.”
With a giggle, Rarity nodded. “Oh, I know. The things those characters say.” She leaned up and nuzzled Twilight. “Maybe I’ll be lovesick enough to say those to you soon.”
With a wrinkled nose, Twilight shook her head. “You know, I’m really glad you picked that book. I would have never told you I liked you otherwise.”
“Hmm, yes. Twilight?”
“Yeah?”
“Serenity still made the right choice with Cut Diamond. Beyond our projections.”
Twilight groaned. “No, she didn’t.”
