During the War: A Secret Mission

“Well, here we are everypony.” Dash said “The Blue Swan Ballroom, not the place you'd take your best gal but they can put on a good show for the seedy customers that want to dance away their pay.”

“Are you sure it is safe, Rainbow Dash? Merri asked “There won't be any bad men right?”

“I can't guarantee something like that kid, just keep to yourself and you'll be fine. The place is deserted in the day, only the band's left to practice.”

As they entered into the dance hall they began to hear the music, playing slow and sweet comforting as a mother's arms but sad as leaving behind home. They took a seat at one of the many booths lining the walls, this one in particular was the best for there use, the dim lighting practically hiding them from view. They sat and watched as the music played and out came the head liner, her sculpted mane glistening in the spotlight and skin glowing, almost transparent. Out came her song over the loudspeakers

“Don't know WHY?
There's no sun up in the sky, Stormy Weather
Since my friends and I aren't together
Keeps raining all the time”

“Life is bare, gloom and misry everywhere
stormy weather, just can't get my thoughts together”

Merri watched amazed, entraced by the song and feeling from her. Rainbow caught on and mentioned over “Yeah she sure can sing the blues, comes out smooth as velvet and reaches down to the heart.” Twilight leaned over to Dash asking “How is Rarity going to get us over to Garland? Does she have a boat now or something?”

“Nah, she has the Big Boss wrapped around her hoof. He has shipments of contraband war goods coming in all the time and it should not be a problem getting aboard as long she can tell us when the next one leaves.”

“Twilight!” Merri said out “ the pretty singer just went to her dressing room. Should we go?”

Twilight was close to answering her when Dash spoke first ”Yeah Twilight come on. Stay here kid, if anyone asks say your the trumpet player's kid. Celestia knows he can't keep track of how many he has anymore.”

As the two entered the dressing room they knew it was hers, frills, flounces, buttons and bows everywhere. Fainting couch and bed surrounded a large vanity stand with a series of steamer trunks in a corner Rarity sitting at her mirror was a hint as well. She saw them enter but never turned round and powdered her nose as she spoke.

“So soon Dash? What brings you round? And Twilight! So lovely seeing you again! How long has it been?”

“Quite a while, I know but Rarity we have terrible news”

Rainbow took over being the stronger pony with bad news. Rarity made good use of her couch at this point and the next half hour went to calming her down from the state she was in. they had only just finished telling her what they needed when a knock came at the door. A stagehand's voice came through with news “Miss Rarity, de Bossman here for you”

Rarity was swept into a small panic “Quick, hide,” Rarity looked about the room quite quickly “ummm, oh dear, behind the trunks. I do not know what he would do to Dash if he found her.”

The door opened and in he walked taller that Twilight had ever seen seen him with only a glimpse of the purple and green to know who it was. Now behind Rarity, who was back to the mirror, his arms wrapping around her as he spoke

“ How was rehearsal today? Perfect as always I would imagine. You look beautiful. The usual Wednesday planned tonight? Go see a picture show and then dinner befor you're on?

“Yes that sounds divine, but Spikey darling I have some news I need to tell you. A good friend of mine needs me, I can not say how important this is but I need one of the boats to take me to Garland. Can you do this for me? Please?

“Anything for you dear, you can leave after the show tonight. Who is the friend?”

“Grosgrain, a dear old friend of mine who used to help with my dresses, she needs help coming back to safety with what is happening.”

Twilight and Dash waited until the two had stopped speaking and enough time had passed that they must have left the building. They rejoined Merrifeather who had ordered a milkshake from the diner during the wait. They waited and watched the pony come and go, dance and watched, they ordered dinner and followed Rarity's car to the port.

Twilight grew afraid for Merrifeather. She told her about the tabs running with the grocer and baker, and watched from the stern as Merri faded into the dark night. Twilight wondered if it was best to leave her and sat silently as the cold sea air blew by. Thoughts drifting like the waves of the seashore. How could it have been so long since she found her, that parchment colored filly sound asleep on a pile of books in the Canterlot Library, left abandoned, to young to even speak.