The morning sun shone brightly across ponyville signalling a new day to the fellow pony kinds. Celestia had done an excellent job raising the sun and luckily ponies in Ponyville are very early risers to witness the rays hitting the ground below. Usually at this time, an orange pony would be awake ready to start her day because apples don't buck themselves while a yellow elegant pegasus appeared to not get a wink of sleep with whatever the ruckus was happening last night with her animals. Meanwhile, other ponies were bustling around the streets being greeted by a cheery pink pony singing the joys and wonders of a weekend. Rarity was no stranger to weekends, in fact she had a very well organised routine planned, perfect for this beautiful day. But waking up with a start was not her definition of perfect.
"RARITY WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!"
The voice pierced into Rarity's ears, she could have sworn she heard a faint ringing sound accompanying it. Well, It was partially her fault for not wearing ear plugs when she knows very well how her sister's stay can be, loud. and very annoying. and to make it worse, Sweetie Belle was jumping on her body. What a way to start her day. So as any good sister would do, Rarity pushed Sweetie Belle away. Very hard and very unlady like but it was fine, no pony was there to witness her and her sister very much deserved this. It wasn't sister abuse. Sweetie Belle probably didn't even feel a thing.
"Oh for Celestia's sake! Sweetie Belle! What could possibly be so urgent that you had to interrupt my beauty sleep ??" Rarity shot a glare at the young filly lying on the floor with her body sprawled across the carpet. She levitated her alarm clock, checking the time. It was only 7am and she was sure Sweetie had no important engagement today that she needed to accompany. Her shop was also opened a bit later on the weekends so to her relief she did not overslept. So what did this filly want ?
Rarity repositioned herself so she was now sitting on her bed and wore a tired smile. Sweetie Belle rose up from the floor, launching herself towards Rarity's direction so that she was facing her, much to Rarity's dismay. Her emerald eyes bore into Rarity's and an innocent smile plastered on her face, the smile you'd find when a pony was acting as if they weren't trying to push your buttons, that sickening innocent smile Rarity was all too familiar with.
"It's not very lady of you to sleep in, you know." Sweetie Belle flipped her mane in attempt to imitate her sister's actions. Rarity was not amused. "Besides, you did agree to take care of the crusader's today and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are going to be here any minute so you gotta wake up."
"I don't remember agreeing to that.." Rarity ran her hoof through her mane. Her memory has gotten somewhat obscure this week with the gala coming up soon. Ever since Sapphire Shores, infamous popstar, commissioned a few wardrobe changes, her business has been booming. Not that she was unhappy with the outcome, quite the contrary actually. But these things come with sacrifice, and how unfortunate for her, she hadn't slept well ever since. Thinking back, she now understood what Twilight once said on sleep deprivation could drive a pony mad, because Rarity would never in a million years agreed to watch over the crusaders. Sure, she prided herself for being responsible but that was toward her work, not her sister.
"Well you did, so you can't back on that now. What would mother and father say? Showing such a bad example to your little sister." Sweetie Belle stuck her tongue out. Honestly, how annoying could this filly be. Rarity was sure she was well behaved when she was Sweetie's age. Too bad manners and fabulousity can't be passed down.
"Please don't bring them up. I had to endure a long lecture on older sister care responsibility just last week. I couldn't possibly go through that again." Rarity shivered at just the thought of it. It was quite hypocritical of them to lecture her when they keep dumping Sweetie to her house with the excuse of how sisterly bonding could do both of them good. She almost felt pity for Sweetie. almost. Because deep down, she too would've done that.
"Very well then, I'll go ahead and tidy myself up. Afterwards, we'll have breakfast and no, I do not wish for you to help, because..you should be working on what fun you're going to have today." Rarity gave Sweetie a nervous smile, hoping her sister wouldn't insist in helping. To her relief, Sweetie nodded and gave Rarity a very rib crushing hug. A hug Pinkie would be very proud of.
"Thanks Rarity. You're the best, me and the crusaders are gonna have so much fun." Sweetie Belle squealed at a pitch so high, the windows could take so much. With that, Sweetie ran off, only a white dust remained of what was once her.
Rarity rolled her eyes. What a way to start her day indeed. The crusaders were lovely fillies but together they were what you call a hoof full. Maybe she could ask for Fluttershy's assistance on this. That pony does know have a way with fillies. Well if not Fluttershy, any pony's help is welcome. All she was sure is there was no way she's gonna let the fillies into her boutique. Sweetie Belle was already collateral damage, the whole set could probably set her boutique to flames and that wasn't a risk she could take. It was unfortunate that there still was no cmc insurance. With the existence of the Rainbow Dash insurance, she sure hope they'd make one specifically for her sister and her friend's crusading damage.
There was nothing more relaxing to Rarity than preparing breakfast on a lovely morning, with the exception of sewing a new scarf or wearing silk pajamas on Sunday morning. So maybe there were more relaxing activities to do than preparing a breakfast but she still enjoyed it nonetheless. She wasnt an expert on the culinary field like Applejack or Pinkie Pie, but she does pride herself on her scrumptious crumpets. Nopony could whip up a mad crumpet like Rarity would as Rainbow dash would say. Ponies had asked once where ever did she learn how to make this delectable treat and Rarity would give a very obvious answer, from a recipe book. It wasnt from a recipe book. She lied. It wasnt that she was ashamed of the art of the crumpets being taught and wasnt something she altered herself, no it was never about that, far from it. These crumpets were special and the recipe was engraved in her heart, taught by a pony she cared dearly and admitting the pony's existence could shatter Rarity's perception of life. Could she not make crumpets for the sake of loving the taste ? She didn't need to be reminded of them. She couldn't. Rarity wished she made pancakes instead.
The sound of her fire alarm going off startled her. She was too lost in thought, she accidentally left her crumpet to burn. What was going on with her ? Maybe sleep deprivation finally drove her to insanity making her reminisce of crumpets. Today was not her day, she can feel it in the air, and not just the burnt crumpet scent of smoke. She should really clean that up, Sweetie Belle's going to expect breakfast any minute.
But something was familiar about this smoke, this scene was playing in her mind. The shouting, ponies calling her name, and that face, those eyes boring into hers, pleading her to stay. This scene haunting her life reminding her of things she rather not say. Grabbing the bucket of water to dissipate the smoke, she saw her reflection looking back at her. but her reflection was not mirroring her, it was a pony she never believed shed see again. Why was she back ? Was it the guilt of burning the beloved crumpets that triggered this memory back ?
"I should've saved them," Rarity whispered so faintly, she couldnt hear it. Tears were forming in her eyes as she stared into the soulless reflection in the water bucket. She really wished she could do more.
*SPLASH*
Water ran splashed on herself as she began recollecting what she was doing. She fluttered her eyelids slowly and was met with two blue sparkling orbs filled with worry. Somepony's hooves were on her shoulders shaking her out of her stupor. Rarity recollected herself, scanning her surroundings. Ah, Pinkie pie was shaking her. It seems that Sweetie Belle noticed the smoke and called the closest pony to help her.
"Rarity, are you okay ? I was walking around Ponyville doing my morning rounds and greeting everypony because everypony should feel really happy today because I have a really weird doozy feeling in the air when you feel like something is going to go bad but not the a monster is attacking ponyville scary kind of bad. It was more of a some pony is going through a lot of stuff back then and is gonna reveal things of her past kind of bad. You know the really sad kind of bad that makes ol Pinkie pie here feel sad because she doesn't like thinking any pony else feeling really sad so I went on to check everypony today and everypony was fine. Welllll except Fluttershy because she looked really tired like she partied the whole night and had too much sarsaparilla because I know I get party pooped out when I have too much of that. So then I thought oh everypony is okay maybe it's just hungry Pinkie Pie because I sometimes get confused by that. But then Fluttershy screamed because she saw smoke and she thought the big scary dragon came back but Fluttershy's a silly pony. If the meany dragon came back, she could just tell him to go away. but then the smoke smelt like kind of like your crumpets Rarity, but if they were burnt and left for too long. So I ran as fast as I could here and then I saw you staring at the bucket which was weird like you can't stare at the bucket silly, you gotta use it to clear the smoke. But then you looked super sad and I didn't know what to do and luckily Rainbow had been behind me the whole time for some weird silly reason I absolutely no idea. and she held a water bucket and splashed on you and now we're here."
It was amazing how big her lungs were, she said all that in one breath. Rarity was confused and albeit bit sick from the constant shaking from Pinkie Pie. All she got from that was she couldn't possibly ask Fluttershy for help now with the crusaders.
"P-P-Pinkie darling, W-W-W-would you stop shaking me p-p-please ?" Rarity managed to let some words come out from the intense shaking Pinkie had going on. She really did not know why her day was going on more unfortunate than ever. Pinkie is a very dear friend, but even in her normal state she was confused dealing with her, what more when she's heavily in need of sleep.
Pinkie finally let go of Rarity's shoulders and gave her an apologetic smile.
"Sorry..I was very worried, you really shouldn't let your house be filled with smoke. Twilight would say it's a health hazard and breathing too much smoke could get you sick."
As if reality finally dawned on her lungs, Rarity started coughing. Pinkie quickly went to her side and rubbed the mare's back gently letting out the smoke in her body.
"Okay what gives Rares ? You're lucky me and Pinkie came here as fast as we could, or something really bad might have happened to you. Where's Sweetie Belle ? Is she okay ?" Rarity looked up above seeing who the voice belonged to. Rainbow Dash with her hooves folded was not happy and if the one of her voice wasn't clear enough, that scowl certainly sent that message across.
"Honestly Rainbow Dash, you think I wanted this to happen? I truly don't know what came over me. I..I was making crumpets one minute, and then everything was burning. It's fortunate Sweetie is out looking for the crusaders right now." Rarity felt very light headed. She really wished she wasnt dealing with any of Rainbow's taunts right now. Why couldn't it be Fluttershy or Twilight instead of these blue and pink mares in front of her. She wouldn't have to deal with all of this, an angry pegasus and her being very wet.
Pinkie gave Rarity a serious look which made Rarity tremble under her fur. Nothing was more intimidating than a serious Pinkie. But then, it turned into a much softer look where Pinkie smiled softly but her eyes were still filled with worry. Pinkie and Rainbow Dash shared a look but Rainbow had no smile plastered, only a frown.
"Rarity, you're our friend even if sometimes I don't understand how you think pink does not look good with everything because that's just crazy talk. Besides all of that, we're friends and friends always tell each other what's bothering them." Pinkie's voice was soft, she almost sounded like Fluttershy, Rarity had to remind herself Pinkie was talking to her and not their shy friend. Pinkie's hooves held Rarity's as she looked into her eyes. Rarity managed to return the smile but weaker and less genuine.
"Plus, have you looked in a mirror ? You look really bad, like Twilight on her major freakouts or Pinkie when she's Pinka-"
Rainbow Dash bit her lip stopping herself before any other words were said while Pinkie was shaking her head muttering something Rarity couldn't quite hear under her breath. Rarity made a mental note to herself to ask about this later. But right now, all she wished was to go to bed and end this horrifying day already.
"Ahem, I mean, you don't look as awesome as you usually do. Aren't you like all about going to the spa and making sure you're all, I don't know prettified? Because right now...you look really not you," Rainbow Dash said with her hoof rubbing her neck. She was smiling sheepishly clearly not knowing how to comfort a friend in need. She wasn't good at that sort of thing but the message did come across to Rarity's head.
"Darling I dont think I look that bad. I went to the spa just.." Rarity hesitated. "..a month ago?" She hasn't been on spa dates with Fluttershy in awhile nor a solo trip to the spa with how much her work has been keeping her from doing anything else. Aloe and Lotus must be wondering on her absence since she was their loyal customer. Come to think of it, when was the last time she wasn't rushing to wash her mane ? This truly was a nightmare.
Rainbow raised her eyebrow at this. "Okay, can't believe I'm saying this to you of all ponies, but you gotta take care of your appearance, Rares. Maybe a mirror might help you."
"Oooh! Oooh! I have a mirror! Pick me! Pick me!" Pinkie demanded, raising her hoof and waving it to make sure Rainbow noticed it. Rainbow tilted her head at Pinkie and offered her hoof. Out of nowhere, Pinkie pulled out a long mirror. The pegasus was about to ask but decided not to. It was best to not question party pony, Rarity was thankful for that, saves her from another headache.
Pinkie settles the mirror in front of Rarity where Rarity could see just how horrifying she looked. The worse. Possible. Look. Ever. Her mane was unkempt with how slimy and bad it smelt. Not to mention the split ins. Her hooves was devastatingly screaming for a hooficure with how crummy and bumpy and rugged they are. Rainbow Dash was right, she didn't look very Rarity. Not Rarity at all. And to make matters worse, she didn't even bother to reapply her eye shadow and false eyelashes. It was very not Rarity and yet so familiar, so Rarity in a way. The Rarity that only certain ponies know before and swore to never bring that up. Wait...are those-
"ARE THOSE CROW FEET?? ON MY FACE??? DEAR CELESTIA NOT THOSE. I CANT HAVE THAT IM NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE THAT IM NOT EVEN THAT OLD." Rarity was in full panic. Seeing herself with eye bags was one thing, but seeing herself with crow feet? Now she was serious when she had said this day was a nightmare. It was full on tartarus.
"...Okay so you haven't
Author's Note
UNDER EDITING
