Rarity's Rehabilitation

Fluttershy hummed softly, her snout buried in the magazine in her hands, while her eyes slowly weaved back and forth as they traced the tiny script of the article. Glancing up for a moment, she took note of the handle positions on the clock on the far wall. The tiniest of frowns appeared on her face, and she gave a more thoughtful hum.

Strange… Rarity tends to run a bit late, but not this much.

As if on cue, front door of the spa burst open, the sudden motion making the pegasus jerk in her chair, snapped out of her calm reverie brought on by the incense and the ambient music playing from the overhead speakers. She peeked over the top of the magazine, watching a white unicorn mare with purple, elegantly-curled mane stomp her way inside. Fluttershy would have recognized her immediately, were it not for the gloomy and almost hateful expression on her face.

“The usual,” Rarity growled. Her bitter tone made the yellow pegasus bite her lower lip. Her friend had apparently hit another low point, which meant plenty of outbursts were to be expected. Not a pleasant thing to go through, but Fluttershy was not about to shy away from a friend in need.

“Hello, Rarity…” she said and gave an awkward smile. “Is everything--”

“Yes, yes, I’m fine!” Rarity huffed and shook her head. “No problems at all. Let’s just go. I’m in a hurry.”

The spa ponies rushed to her side, looking rather tense themselves as they smiled and gave their usual greeting banter. Rarity grumbled and followed them into the chambers ahead, Fluttershy tiptoeing after them. She smiled at Aloe as the mare brought out a small tub for her to step into, letting the soapy, warm water soak her bare feet and remove any dirt she might have picked up on the way here.

Her friend, on the other hand, did not bother to be so graceful. She all but tore off her elegant heels and the socks underneath, both of which looked uncharacteristically simple. In fact, to someone who knew the mare well enough, all of Rarity’s garments, while still expensive and exquisite, looked as though she just threw something on in order to leave her boutique and be barely presentable. Lotus Blossom gave an awkward chuckle, trying to act casual while Rarity stuck her legs into her own tub, making some of the water spill out.

“Lovely day we’re having, isn’t it?” the spa pony asked.

“Delightful…” Rarity said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, um…” Fluttershy added. She gave her friend another worried glance. “It’s... very nice.”

“Mmhmm~” Aloe nodded in agreement. “Perfect day to just sit back and relax.” As the mares finished soaking their feet, she opened the door to the next chamber. “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything.”

The pair stepped inside, their now spotless feet leaving wet footprints on the tiles inside, which were kept warm by the underfloor heating. They headed toward the changing booths to the left, while the spa ponies prepared the sauna. Despite the comforting music and the sweet scents filling the interior, Fluttershy could no longer relax. Her thoughts constantly revolved around her friend’s distress while she removed her one-piece green dress and exchanged it for a bathrobe. The source of Rarity’s ire seemed to be a recent event, based on past experiences. She would be rather volatile for a short time, then calm down just as easily. The only question was what exactly set her off, and what Fluttershy could do to help.

Stepping back outside, she almost flinched when Rarity gave her a bitter glance, already having changed despite her more elaborate outfit. “Shall we?” the mare asked in an impatient tone. Fluttershy gulped and nodded meekly.

An awkward silence persisted through their entire sauna treatment, making the ten minutes they spent in there seem to stretch into ten hours. Fluttershy stole glances at her friend’s face, only to look away again when the frown was still there. It did not feel right to push just yet. The mud mask afterward was just as tense, though at least it concealed the fashionista’s gloomy expression, as it set off an ache in Fluttershy’s chest every time she saw it. Her legs rubbed together nervously, and when it was time to head for the massage tables, she decided it was best not to stall any longer.

“Rarity,” she said. “Um… are you sure you’re alright?”

Rarity paused, one hand already on the table, and turned to give a look that nearly made Fluttershy hide behind her mane. It practically screamed “did you seriously need to ask that?”, but the mare never spoke. Her hands curled into fists and trembled, and she opened her mouth, glaring at the pegasus, who did her best to stay firm and not look away. Finally, the unicorn gave a deep sigh and hung her head.

“No, Fluttershy. I am not okay. I am very not okay and won’t be for the rest of my LIFE!”

Her outburst made both the spa mares, and even the masseur behind Rarity’s table take a step back, glancing at each other in confusion. Only Fluttershy stayed still, the pain in her friend’s voice giving her all the courage she needed to do so. She even took a step closer, carefully reaching out to place a hand on Rarity’s shoulder.

“Calm down, Rarity. Just tell me what’s going on.”

Rarity snorted and rolled her eyes, waving it off, though she did not tear herself away from the friendly caress. “Oh, darling, it really doesn’t matter. It’s so ridiculous that I shouldn’t even be complaining.”

Fluttershy shook her head softly. “But it’s not. I can see how worked up you are. Did something go wrong in the boutique?”

“Wrong?” Rarity gave a mirthless chuckle. “No, the boutique is going just fine. Better than ever. Business is booming. Everypony wants to buy Rarity’s amazing new dresses.”

Fluttershy glanced at Aloe and Lotus, who nodded and quickly stepped out of the room, the masseur in tow. She turned back to her friend and squeezed her shoulder lightly, not saying a word, but letting her know she was listening.

“My dreams all came true, it seems.” Rarity muttered. “And I can’t stand them now.”

Fluttershy leaned a bit closer. “Oh, Rarity, don’t say that. Is it the work? Too much?”

“No, not at all.” Rarity chuckled again. “Work? I remember what that used to be like. Actual work. Not a silly desk job.”

“What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes again. “My ‘colleagues’ in the industry are living the dream, while I get to sit back and do nothing important.”

“Colleagues?”

“Coco Pommel, bless her soul, she has wonderful talent, and now that she’s got her own boutique running, she made partner with me and sells my dresses in Manehattan. We exchange letters all the time, all I need to do is give some business advice. Runs like a charm.”

“Oh…”

“And Sassy Saddles too. Runs the business just fine, sticks to my vision and adds her own flair, and the dresses are almost flying out the door. A hundred orders every day! We had to hire workers to handle the loads.”

“Oh…”

Rarity groaned and leaned onto the table, burying her face in her arms. “And me? All I have to do is sign a few papers, smile at a few parties, and do nothing. The last dress I ever touched was Rainbow Dash bringing me a shirt she ruined. A shirt! And it was the wrong color for her too...”

Fluttershy lifted her other hand, resting them on Rarity’s shoulders and rubbing gently. “Shhhh~” she cooed. “It’s okay. It’s alright.”

Rarity shook her head. “No, Fluttershy, it’s not alright.” She lifted her head slightly and sniffled, tears showing in the corners of her eyes. “I just got a letter from Canterlot. They want to see my latest fashion line, and I’m still picking them out from the ones I made months ago. I don’t even feel inspired anymore.”

The pegasus hushed her again, her hands rubbing a bit more firmly. The caress elicited a small groan from the fashionista, and she arched her back ever so slightly.

“Hmph…” She sighed again. “Is this it, Fluttershy? I’ll just be a pretty face for magazines, while my passion is handed out to others?”

“I’m sure you can still find your passion, Rarity,” Fluttershy whispered. Her hands traveled down the unicorn’s back, making her give another groan of relief. “You’re just going through a phase. It’ll pass.”

“Mmmm…” Rarity bit her lip, glancing over her shoulder at her friend. “You think so?”

The pegasus nodded with a smile. “Mmhmm~” Their gaze met, Fluttershy staring happily into Rarity’s puffy eyes, which the spa had no hope of undoing so far. “You’re the best dressmaker I know. It would be wrong to take that away from you. I’m sure Coco and Sassy would help if you told them.”

Rarity blinked and looked away. “Hmm… maybe…” She let out the breath she had been holding and nearly went limp on the table, her friend’s hands gradually turning her into putty. Even a smile started to tug on her lips. “Mmmm…”

Fluttershy noticed the mare’s reaction and moved closer, this time giving a soft caress along the top of her head. “Rarity?”

The unicorn hummed to herself contently, taking a few moments before she replied. “Yes, darling?”

“What do you say I give you the massage this time?”

“Oh…” A tiny blush formed on the mare’s cheeks, and she gave a small chuckle. “Well, uh… I’d appreciate it very much, but… what about--”

“Don’t worry about me.” Fluttershy gave a small chuckle of her own. “I’m relaxed enough. You look like you really need it though.”

Rarity smirked and pushed herself up again, though only until she could climb onto the table fully. Without skipping a beat, Fluttershy moved next to her and continued kneading and caressing her friend’s back. As her fingers traced along Rarity’s skin, seeking out every tense spot -- along with those that reacted more than others -- Fluttershy leaned a bit closer to her head.

“Rarity?”

“Hmm?” The mare did not even lift her head this time, having all but melted into the table.

“I think I have an idea.”

“Mmm…”

“You need a vacation.”

“A vacation?” Rarity chuckled, genuine humor in her tone this time, which dissolved the last of the ache in Fluttershy’s chest. “Please, darling. I’m practically on vacation right now, and you’re saying I need even less work?”

Fluttershy hushed her with a gently squeeze around her waist, her thumbs pressing in near Rarity’s spine, eliciting a low moan from her. “No, of course not,” the pegasus said in an innocent tone. “I just think you need a few days off. Get refreshed and think things through.”

“Hmm… yeah, that… does sound like a good idea, but…”

“Tell you what…” Fluttershy’s hands wandered close to Rarity’s hips, squeezing and kneading along the way, but they kept a respectful distance from the private areas. “I’ll even go with you. I know the perfect place we could visit.”

Rarity gave another chuckle between her moans of pleasure. “Thank you so much, Fluttershy. Hmmm… well, I’ll think about it, alright?”

The pegasus hummed in agreement, a tiny smirk appearing on her face, while her hands upped their efforts. The unicorn closed her eyes and went limp, feeling like a puddle of warm goo from the heavenly treatment.

“Really?”

Those were the first words to leave Rarity’s mouth ever since she got off the train. Until then, she had been holding her breath mostly, in part due to the rather “intense” scents radiating off certain members of the crowds she had to wade through. A great mass of ponies streamed back and forth along the dirt path leading away from the station, which was little more than a concrete platform and a few benches in the middle of nowhere. In an empty field right between two perfectly civilized towns, to be exact. Still, Fluttershy clearly instructed her to get off the train here, so the unicorn fought her way through the ocean of equines toward her goal, where the pegasus promised to meet her.

I wonder what kind of ‘surprise’ she’s preparing, Rarity thought. Can’t imagine why she couldn’t join me for the train ride.

The noon sun blazed overhead, heating up anything out of the shade almost to their boiling point, despite the efforts of several weather teams trying to gather clouds to keep those on the ground safe. The air itself was difficult to breathe, which also served to keep the mare from speaking. She paused for a breather, eyes focusing on a small hill in the distance, a tall oak tree at the summit, where Fluttershy promised to join her. Taking a deep breath, Rarity hefted her suitcase and adjusted her outfit -- a short-sleeved yellow blouse, a matching long skirt and wide hat, the latter of which was her sole saviour from the merciless sun overhead -- and she set off once more.

The climb to the summit was agonizing, and more than once her feet nearly tripped over her own skirt. Muttering curses, making sure to keep them ladylike at the same time, she stumbled her way to the top and dropped her bag, sweat dripping off her forehead as she gasped for breath. Leaning against the tree for a minute, she closed her eyes and gave silent thanks to whatever being that was merciful enough to grant her this source of shade. Her eyes then wandered back to the crowd, and she followed the long stream of ponies to their ultimate destination. She saw a large, fenced-off area, with a wide gate on its closest edge, a colorful sign above it that read “NOVA GROOVE FESTIVAL” in multicolored letters.

So it was that Rarity muttered her first words of disbelief.

Having been blinded by frustration and the heatwave until now, she finally got a good look at the crowd, not to mention where they were headed. The vast majority of ponies were youngsters, some barely entering their teens, as far as she could tell. It was difficult even for her fine eyes for detail, as many of them wore clothing that seemed more fitting for vagabonds who have been on the road for decades, and their manecuts and overall hygiene fared no better. Thankfully, there were a good number of properly dressed ponies as well, some she could even call elegant, but overall the “dress code” seemed rather lenient, to put it lightly. While they marched toward the gate peacefully, excluding a few who kept jumping in excitement or running back and forth, she could tell from their faces that there was plenty of energy waiting to explode from every single one of them.

As for the festival grounds themselves, they needed but a glance to reveal what was in store for her. There was a large stage at the far end, random noises occasionally rising above the murmuring of the crowd as the techs were setting up the equipment and testing it out. Once past the gate, the path split in three directions. Stores, food courts, and bathing areas lined either side of the paths, plenty of commotion going on in them already. Further in she could see a whole forest of tents, with more being set up every minute as the festival’s audience grew.

What in Equestria did that mare drag me into? Rarity thought.

As if on cue, she heard a familiar voice call out her name from behind. For a moment, she thought Fluttershy was shouting to her from afar, but the sound of footsteps on grass indicated the pegasus was much closer. Rarity turned around, ready to break into a series of complaints, only to go slack-jawed as her eyes landed on her friend’s outfit.

Fluttershy jogged up to her with a wide smile on her face, wearing a checkered shirt that was at least two sizes too big for the mare, and a pair of jeans that had probably seen better days a decade ago. She even had a pendant on that Rarity had never seen her wear. It was a ring of metal with a thin bar down the middle, two additional bars meeting it at an angle from below.

“There you are, Rarity,” she said. “Sorry I couldn’t go on the train with you. Had to come early to make some arrangements.”

“I… see.” No matter how awkward or rude it might have been, Rarity could not tear her gaze away from the outfit. Her friend did not seem to mind though. “Fluttershy, darling, I trust your judgement as a friend, but… I really can’t believe you talked me into this.” She pointed to the commotion behind her.

“Oh, that?” Fluttershy chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. Today’s only Day Zero. No concerts yet, though we could take a look before it gets fully packed.”

“Heh-heh, of course.” Rarity faked a smile and carefully reached down to pick up her bag. “I don’t suppose there’s anything else to do around here?”

The pegasus gave a knowing smile and nodded, pointing behind her. “I’ve got it all figured out. There’s a quiet little town nearby. We could stay there for now if you want. Got us a room for the week too.”

“Oh? Wonderful!” It took quite a bit of restraint from Rarity to not mention how relieved she was. The last thing she needed was to even think about having to set up camp in that mass migration zone below. She hefted her bag and nodded her head toward the houses in the distance, which she could almost hear calling to her. “Shall we?”

“Ahhh, this is much better~”

The white mare permitted herself a little stretch as they sat down outside a cafe near the main street. The town barely lived up to the title, consisting of less homes than half of Ponyville, but in the middle of this deserted region, it might as well have been Canterlot itself, for all Rarity could care. She inspected the fabric of her elegant dress -- which she had changed into the moment they arrived -- looking for any traces of dirt or wrinkling.

Fluttershy, on the other hand, remained in the same outfit. She took a sip of her tea the waiter brought out for her, and she smiled at Rarity, who finally showed signs of proper relaxation. The unicorn smiled back, sipping her coffee and going on and on about the stroll they recently made through the place. It was fairly quaint, had very few stores, and she wondered aloud how any businesses could survive in it.

Her answer soon arrived in the shape of a group of youngsters, whose clothing and loud chatter immediately gave away where they came from. Rarity’s serene expression turned into a bemused frown as she glanced at them. The colts giggled as they walked into the nearby store, eyeing the various beverages that most of them were too young to even take a whiff of. The clerk seemed to agree, at least until the colts opened up their pockets.

“Tch…” Rarity shook her head. “I swear, children these days…”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Fluttershy toyed with a strand of her mane innocently. “They’re just having fun.”

“Fun?! You saw how young they are.” Rarity huffed and crossed her arms, lowering her voice. “Ugh, I can even smell what they’re carrying. I just hope I never catch Sweetie Belle doing this before she’s of age.”

“Mmhmm…” Fluttershy looked away, still bearing that innocent, almost cheeky smile. It seemed as though something was at the tip of her tongue, but she hesitated to say it.

“What?” Rarity titled her head and stared curiously.

“Have you ever tried it?”

“Tried what?”

“You know…” Fluttershy leaned closer and whispered. “That.”

“What ‘that’?” Rarity blinked. “Do you mean…?”

Fluttershy nodded, which made Rarity’s frown deepen.

“No. Never.” She turned away, holding her snout high. “I can’t believe you’d even assume that.”

The pegasus chuckled softly. “Come on, Rarity. We were all young once, right?”

“We still are, you know,” Rarity said in a bemused tone. They both sipped their drinks and sat silently for a while, watching the youngsters emerge from the store, heavily laden with various containers of fluids. To the unicorn’s surprise, less than half of them involved alcohol.

“Well, we came here to relax…” Fluttershy said. “So… maybe you’d like to try some new things?”

Rarity gasped at the mere implication, and she flat out refused, despite Fluttershy’s gentle nudging, adorable pouts, and glossy, wide eyes for added effect. They danced around the issue for a few minutes until Rarity decided they should take a walk and “get all that nonsense out of their heads”. It proved to be less calming than she had hoped, however, as the town soon showed just how many of its businesses thrived off the festival-goers. Dozens upon dozens streamed in from the path that led back to the enclosure, the numbers growing until it became a continuous stream of hungry ponies coming in, and well-encumbered ponies heading back, while the town itself bustled with activity, the locals rushing to satisfy the eager visitors with food, drinks, and even entertainment.

The unicorn barely tried to hide her frustration as her peaceful haven was overrun, though she soon turned her attention to Fluttershy, who not only seemed to enjoy the commotion, but was even taking part in it. She waved back at the colts who cheered for her, said a few words to some mares wearing outfits rather similar to her own, and at one point even stopped at one of the stands that had been set up, looking with awe at art pieces that Rarity could only describe as “someone tossing buckets of paint into a tornado”.

She rolled her eyes and got out her purse to buy one of the bowls for the pegasus, and she did her best not to retch as the vendor smirked and placed the misshapen, oddly colored thing into her hands. Rarity quickly handed the bowl over to Fluttershy and dragged her away, hanging her head to hide the smile tugging on her lips when her friend giggled and hugged it against her chest. Seeing her friend so happy was more than enough comfort to put up with any annoyance.

They wandered around for a while longer, Rarity’s expression settling on a mildly bemused look, while Fluttershy kept trying to find things to cheer her up. They tried the local cider, ate brownies, listened to a street musician, and bought a few more souvenirs. It was all very tedious for the fashionista, whose pulse was only kept from falling to zero by the effort to keep her dress safe the whole time.

“Mmm, thank you so much, Rarity,” Fluttershy said as they left the main street, having decided to call it a day. “Tonight was amazing.”

Rarity sighed. “You’re welcome, Fluttershy.”

“Aw, chin up.” The pegasus smiled and gave her friend a gentle caress on her back. “You saw they were nice ponies, right?”

“Yes, I suppose so…” Rarity could indeed never come across any who were repulsive outright. Uncouth, perhaps, but nothing she could not handle. She hummed from the pleasant caress and gave her friend a weak smile in return. “I’m just glad you’re enjoying it.”

“We should both enjoy it,” Fluttershy said. Still keeping her hand on Rarity’s back, she led the way to a small two-storey apartment near the edge of town, “Rooms for rent” written above the door. The unicorn smiled and closed her eyes, already daydreaming about the hot bath and soft bed that waited in her room.

“Hmm, in fact…” the pegasus added, pausing in front of the door. “Want do one last thing tonight?”

“Hmm?” Rarity turned to look as she reached for the handle.

Fluttershy smirked innocently. “Just a little bit of fun. I promise you’ll like it.”

Rarity gave a puzzled look and returned the smile as she opened the door. “Uh… well, sure. Why not?”

“Great! Meet you in my room in ten minutes.” Fluttershy stepped into the corridor and hurried off to the door on the left, while Rarity headed for her own room on the right. She found it odd that the pegasus had even arranged separate rooms. The extra privacy was not unwelcome, but the six of them had gone through plenty of sleepovers with shared beds already, not to mention she found Fluttershy to be the least difficult roommate. Rarity chuckled to herself as she retreated to her room, wondering what Applejack would do if she ever learned of the mare’s thoughts.

The white mare shifted her weight on her feet in front of Fluttershy’s door, her hand almost reluctant to reach for the handle. She could never explain to herself why the idea of joining her friend for the evening event made her nervous. Perhaps it was just the frustrations of the day still lingering inside her, coupled with the mystery of what awaited her beyond the door.

Sighing, she reflexively made one last adjustment to her clothes. Her thin, white silk pajamas, which had the slightest hint of purple, were rather modest compared to her outfit in the afternoon. The only decoration was the outline of her own cutie mark stitched onto the middle of her top, as well as the sides of her leggings, right above their real counterparts. A pair of fluffy slippers adorned her feet, brushing together for the dozenth time in the past minute.

Clearing her throat, Rarity lifted her hand and gently tapped the door. “Fluttershy? May I come in?”

For a few moments, there was no response, and the mare assumed her friend must have gone to sleep. She was just about to shrug and turn around when a familiar, soft voice answered.

“Yes, please do.”

Okay… Pull yourself together, Rarity.

The instant she cracked the door open, she froze, nose wrinkling at the wave of incredibly strong scents rushing out to meet her. It reminded her of the incense used at the Ponyville spa, only a hundred times stronger, and the smell itself was more… exotic? She opted not to try and comprehend it now, lest she spend the whole evening in the doorway.

Stepping into the room, she was once again stunned as her eyes got their first look at the interior. Unlike the plain walls of her own chamber, occasionally dotted by a vase, some flowers, or a still life painting, Fluttershy’s room was a dizzying spectacle of colors and shapes. The dominant colors were various shades of red and orange, mostly brought on by the carpets on every inch of the floor, and some even draped onto the walls. They depicted wild patterns, or images that Rarity recognized as iconography from a Far Eastern civilization. Pots littered almost every flat surface, filled with either multicolored gems glittering from candles placed around and on top of them, or gently smoldering incense that formed an aromatic cloud in the room that was almost thick enough to see.

At the heart of it all, sat upright with her legs crossed on a dais made of cushions, was Fluttershy, dressed in the same checkered shirt as before, though now she added the rest of the “accessories” to complete the image. Several locks of her hair had been tied into elegant braids, bracelets and colored strips of fabric adorned her forearms, necklaces that resembled prayer beads hung from her neck, and a pair of sunglasses rested on her nose, the small black circles well below her eyes, making them more aesthetic than practical. She wore a pair of jeans with tassels hanging along its length, and a green headband kept her mane out of her face, with a familiar circular symbol at the center. Her feet, as always, were bare, though at the moment they were tucked away beneath herself.

The pegasus took a deep breath and smiled, her eyes slowly opening until they were half-lidded. A dreamy look was on her face as she exhaled. “Welcome, Rarity,” she said. Her soft voice resonated with the thick cloud of incense and bright colors, almost dizzying to the unicorn. “Please… come on in.”

Rarity stumbled forward, her feet reacting before her brain could. “Oh my,” she said with an awkward chuckle. “I’m… assuming you wanted to make yourself at home?”

Fluttershy smirked and gave a short hum. “Something like that.”

The unicorn’s eyes kept wandering about as she walked in, the vibrant colors and strange shapes bombarding her vision non-stop, while the air seemed all the more thick and dizzying as she approached her friend. She paused upon reaching the dais, raising an eyebrow at a strange device next to the seated pegasus. It was a tall, thin vase-like vessel, its wavy outline forming a pattern that was already baffling to look at. Water could be faintly seen occupying the bulbous container on the bottom, while a chunk of coal burned dull red on a thin membrane of foil pulled over the top of the device. She could not see what was underneath, but the intense aroma it bled was indication enough.

“Have a seat.” Fluttershy gestured to the spot before her, the device lingering to their left like a strange third party.

“Hm?” Rarity looked down, feet shuffling from the sight of the fine cushions. She took a hesitant step forward, cringing a bit as the bottom of her slippers sank into the soft fabric. Somehow, it felt wrong to keep her feet covered, but she did not bother with it now. A long sigh came from her as she lowered herself and pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on them while her eyes fixed on the smiling pegasus.

“Good.” Fluttershy nodded in approval. Her hand reached out to her side, gently picking up the end of a tube leading out of the exotic hookah. “I’m glad you decided to join me, Rarity.” She placed the tip to her lips and closed her eyes, inhaling slowly and deeply. The water in the device roiled for a few seconds, and when the hose came away, it left a trail of thick vapor.

Rarity nearly jerked at first, not even having noticed Fluttershy’s hands until now, making their motions feel all the more sudden. She then watched, completely baffled, as her friend held her breath, keeping the warm vapors in her lungs and throat before slowly letting it all out, releasing a fine mist from her nostrils with a low, content hum. The unicorn half-considered leaning back as the vapors inched toward her, and the slightest whiff sent a shiver down her spine from how intense it was.

Before she could say anything else, Fluttershy opened her eyes again. “You looked a little tense today,” she went on. Her voice was even more silky and dreamy now.

“O-Oh? Haha…” Rarity smiled awkwardly, her hands fiddling with each other. “Well…”

“Don’t worry, it’s alright,” Fluttershy said. “You’ve had a rough time lately. It will take a while to pass. I just thought I’d help you.”

The white mare tilted her head to the side. “Really? How so?”

Fluttershy chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’s just a bit of relaxation… like a spa session.”

“Mmm… well, that doesn’t sound so bad. What do I do?”

“It’s simple. Ever used one of these?”

She pointed to the hookah next to her. Rarity squirmed a little on her flank as she glanced at the object, and she shook her head. “What on earth is it?”

“A special water pipe.” Fluttershy took another long sip from the tip and let out a fresh cloud of smoke, her eyes unblinking as they seemed to stare off into the distance. “Mmmm… that dash of perfume made it sooo much better…”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh.” Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly, and she chuckled. “Sorry. Anyway…” After checking the coal on top of the device, she took hold of the pipe and removed the piece at the tip. “I’d like you to try it.”

Rarity’s gaze alternated between Fluttershy and the object, her face showing bafflement and even slight unease. “Just think of it as aromatherapy before a massage,” Fluttershy went on. The last word instantly made Rarity light up.

“A massage?” She chuckled. “Well that I could definitely use, darling.”

“Good.” Fluttershy set down the mouthpiece and pointed to a small pile of cushions opposite the exotic device. “Now... lie on your back, please.”

Rarity nodded and crawled over to the cushions, her body tingling slightly from the strange, not quite unpleasant aromas teasing her senses. She cast another glance at the hookah as she lay down on her side, her eyes following the hose to the crude tip. “Will I really have to use that… thing?” She grimaced slightly at the idea of using it to draw smoke into her lungs.

“Hmm?” Fluttershy smiled when she realized what troubled her friend, and she swiftly unplugged the mouthtip. “Oh, I see. Hmmm… If it’s alright, we’ll use this instead. Should make it easier the first time.” Reaching behind her, she produced a small, mask-like object that she attached to the end of the tube. She then fiddled with the hookah, adding a small handful of herbs before she gently moved over to Rarity’s side, holding the end of the hose at the ready.

Rarity’s breath quickened for a moment as she rested her head on the cushions and looked up. Her friend’s smile helped her calm down a little, but she still felt rather tense as Fluttershy showed the mask to her. It vaguely resembled the kind she could see in a hospital for patients who needed oxygen, or were about to undergo surgery. When that mental image made her even more nervous, she quickly closed her eyes and thought of the massage analogy instead. Giving a deep sigh, she smiled, imagining herself lying on a bed, her masseur getting ready to release every bit of tension in her aching body.

“Relax, Rarity~” Fluttershy cooed and gently placed the mask over her friend’s face. “Just relax and breathe deeply.”

“Mmmm…” The white mare hesitantly inhaled, and she could hear the water in the hookah roiling softly as her lungs drew the air through it. She gave a small grunt of surprise as an intense aroma flooded her nose and trickled down her windpipe, setting off a faint tingling every inch of the way. It was an odd mix of herbs, flowers, and spices -- not all of them sweet-scented, though the sensation was still mesmerizing. She felt the strange, warm cloud filling her chest, and she instinctively kept it in for a while before breathing out, the vapor escaping through the sides of the mask.

The moment she exhaled, a large weight seemed to release from her body along with the vapor, making her give another hum of surprise. Her head, in particular, felt light as a feather, while the cushions under her seemed to be drifting away, letting her float freely.

“There you go,” Fluttershy whispered. “Just breathe.”

Rarity obliged, taking two more long whiffs of the hookah. By the third one, she started to groan, the sense of weightlessness and drifting now strong enough to make her dizzy. Her friend quickly removed the mask, letting her get a clean breath while the pegasus massaged her temples gently. The dose of cool, fresh air washed away her vertigo, letting her sink back into a warm haze.

“Rarity?”

“Mmmm…” Rarity smiled softly, feeling a strange urge to giggle. “Hmm?”

“Are you alright?” Fluttershy used her thumbs to rub behind her friend’s ears lovingly.

The unicorn hummed again and fidgeted in place, letting her giggles bubble to the surface. Her friend responded by stroking her cheeks and cooing to her to keep breathing calmly. The dreamy smile stayed on Rarity’s face as she sank deeper into the cushions.

“I feel… funny… mmhehehmm…”

“That’s okay,” Fluttershy said. “Just stay calm and relax.”

“Mmm…”

“Are you relaxed, Rarity?”

“Mmm… yes.”

“Comfortable?”

“Mmhmm…”

“Good.” Her hands were like a soft breeze, gently caressing the unicorn’s forehead. “You’re comfortable and relaxed… and happy.”

“Mmm…” Rarity smiled and gave another giggle. “Happy.”

“Hmm… are you happy, Rarity?”

“Mm… hmm?”

Fluttershy rubbed the mare’s ears again, compelling her to open up even before she knew what was asked of her.

“Well?”

“Y-Yes…” Rarity’s voice wavered slightly.

“Sure about that?”

“Why… do you ask?”

Fluttershy used an innocent, yet all too knowing tone. “You didn’t seem too happy to me today.”

“Mmm…” Rarity shifted a little, no longer seeming quite so comfortable. The pegasus quickly soothed her worries with a few quick tickles along the mare’s horn.

“What’s wrong? You can tell me. I’m your friend~”

“Um…” The unicorn’s cheeks flushed.

“You can trust me, Rarity. Just relax and tell me.”

“Yes…” Rarity bit her lip. “Today... wasn’t the best.”

“There you go.” Fluttershy leaned in and kissed her friend’s forehead, making the prone mare shudder. “You felt odd among the others, right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“It’s alright. This is your first music festival, after all. I was pretty shy too.”

“Oh…”

She ran her fingers through Rarity’s elegant purple locks. “It takes a while to fit in. But don’t worry, you’ll figure it out.”

“Oh?” Now Rarity sounded curious, as though a great secret she never heard of before was about to be revealed to her.

“You just need the right attitude, that’s all. I’m sure there’s plenty of things you can enjoy here, once you look around enough.”

“Mmm…”

With careful and calculated motions, Fluttershy scooted over to Rarity’s side, making sure not to nudge the mare and risk snapping her out of her calm reverie. Her hands slid along her neck, arms, and sides, caressing gently and sending pleasant shivers throughout the unicorn’s body.

“Hmm… your outfits are lovely, as always~”

Rarity gave a small chuckle at that. “Mmm, thank you, Fluttershy.”

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Hmm?”

“Picture yourself in today’s outfit.”

“Mmm…” The mare’s brow furrowed for a moment as she concentrated, after which she cracked a smile again as her exquisite clothes appeared in her mind’s eye. “A fine choice, hmm?”

“Yes.” Fluttershy ran her hands along Rarity’s arms. “Now, focus with me. Feel your wonderful silk blouse hugging you. Isn’t it nice~?”

“Ohhh yes.”

“Every detail so lovely and elegant… but…”

Rarity’s smile faded, and she gave a curious hum. Another tingle passed through her as Fluttershy gently rubbed her belly and hips.

“It’s lovely in every regard... for a formal occasion. But here? Doesn’t it… I don’t know, stand out?”

“Mmm…” Rarity frowned slightly, now picturing herself standing in the crowd, her outfit glaring among the simple, often quite ragged clothes of the other festival goers.

Without skipping a beat, Fluttershy caressed the sensitive points she had previously discovered, while she leaned close to whisper into Rarity’s ear. “It doesn’t fit in that well. But… that doesn’t mean you can’t dress nicely, like you always do.”

The compliment, along with the expert hands of the pegasus, managed to catch the tension building up inside Rarity at exactly the right moment, and she sunk back into the cushions, humming softly in agreement.

“Perhaps something more simple could work?” Fluttershy went on. “Still beautiful, but… modest. Hmm~?”

Her fingers danced along Rarity’s thighs now, making them twitch and squeeze together slightly, her feet curling up and squirming.

“Oh, that skirt was amazing too. So smooth… so bright… so daring. Hmm… I think you could go further, though.”

“Mmmf… h-huh?”

“Something more bold? There’s no reason you should be ashamed of what you wear, now, is there?”

Rarity chuckled at the mere idea. “Of course not, heh-heh.”

“Good. The festival is no Gala. A lot of ponies, a lot of dirt… you may end up needing something more, hmm… robust? Tough and bold, to show everypony that you’re not shy of what you wear.”

Even as the words echoed and floated around in Rarity’s head, Fluttershy gave her no time to catch up. She smiled and kept tracing curled lines along her legs, all the way down to her friend’s ankles. There she gave an “ooh” of curiosity, followed by a hum that almost sounded disappointed as she gently massaged the mare’s feet through the slippers.

“Hmf… always so delicate, aren’t you, Rarity?”

The unicorn blushed again, giving a small chuckle of embarrassment.

“I know you have standards… but aren’t heels are a little too much for this place?” A pair of fingers from each hand slipped into a gap between the straps of the slippers and Rarity’s feet. The unicorn twitched in response, blushing even deeper.

“Maybe…” she muttered.

Fluttershy smiled widely as she began to caress her friend’s skin directly. A second pair of fingers slipped in. “You can’t imagine how liberating it is. The touch of grass and soil and stone against your feet.”

“O-Ohh…”

The fingers started to tug slowly. Rarity yelped as the footwear slipped off a few inches. “Mmm…” Fluttershy gave a deep sigh of contentment. “I swear, sometimes I can almost feel Mother Earth’s heart beating.”

The unicorn couldn’t even reply with words now. Her knees rubbed together non-stop as Fluttershy casually tugged the slippers off her feet and nudged them aside.

“Over the years, it’s always been fascinating to me. Every place has its own… texture. Doesn’t matter if it’s soil, sand, or even a paved street. Once I find it, I feel truly connected.”

“O-Ohhh...”

“It might be like how you handle your fabrics. Every one of them feels different, right? Mmm… you just have to let your feet touch the Earth, and you can feel it too.” Fluttershy leaned in, her warm breath washing over Rarity’s toes, making them curl up.

“Ahhh~”

“Would you wear gloves when you touch something beautiful, Rarity?” Those wonderful hands embraced her feet, fingers gently pressing into the soles. “Do you cover your hands when you deal with your wonderful outfits?” Their warmth made her bones turn to jelly, even though the rest of her body felt like it was on fire. Despite these sensations, the words trickling into her head met a solid boundary.

“Well…” Rarity shuffled in place and breathed a little faster. “What if… it was dirty?”

“Oh, yes, that’s right.” Fluttershy remained calm the whole time, her voice showing nothing but gentle affection, and even approval, despite Rarity’s resistance. “But your feet are of the Earth. Would you say they are dirty?”

Her hands started to move back and forth, massaging Rarity’s feet softly. The muscles within tingled, almost making her moan out loud from the waves of relief and pleasure she felt.

“Hmf… of course not.” Rarity scrunched her face, her red-tinted cheeks puffing from the mere implication that any part of her was filthy. Her expression made Fluttershy struggle to hold back her giggling, lest it broke her friend out of her trance.

“There you go. But then… does that mean you think the ground is dirty?”

The mare shrank at that, heart skipping a beat as she feared that she might have offended her friend. “Well… no, but…”

“Earth is the source of all the beauty we have. All your friends, all that you love. Would you ever refuse my embrace? Would you want to put something on first, to put something between us?”

Rarity squirmed, an odd sense of guilt washing over her. “N-No…”

“Good~” She playfully wiggled her fingers on Rarity’s soles, causing her to moan openly. Her face showed immense relief washing over her. There was forgiveness, and she was eternally grateful. “The Earth doesn’t refuse you either. Why should you refuse Her?”

“Hmmm… mm...”

“Rarity?”

“Y-Yes… you’re right.”

“Good girl.” She rewarded the mare with a gentle squeeze on her toes. “Now… lie on your belly, please~”

Rarity gave a low groan, her dreamy smile still on her face as she very slowly rolled over, her friend helping her along. Once in place, Fluttershy gently began to rub her shoulders and back while she hummed a soothing melody.

“Feel the Earth against your face, Rarity,” she cooed. “Your belly… your legs… your hands…” She took Rarity’s hands and turned her palms to face down, fingers spread out. “Embrace Her as She embraces you~”

At all times, Fluttershy kept one of her nimble hands on Rarity’s back, making sure to keep caressing and kneading the mare while her other hand “guided” her friend. The pegasus kept to small nudges here and there, and Rarity complied without hesitation. She let out a small giggle, cheeks flushing, as Fluttershy’s hands reached her flank and gave a couple of firm squeezes.

“Relax, Rarity,” Fluttershy said with a smile. Her hands rubbed her friend’s ample curves, loosening every bit of tension in her muscles and making her groan in relief. “Relax. Feel the Earth and embrace Her. It will feel wonderful.”

By the time Fluttershy reached Rarity’s thighs, the unicorn had gone completely still, snoring quietly. The yellow mare had to stifle a giggle at how, even in her sleep, Rarity insisted on being graceful. She finished the massage and got up, retrieving a blanket for her friend. She then snuffed out the hookah and opened a window, letting in some fresh air before lying down on the dais again and curling up. She smiled, catching a glimpse of her friend drift in her dreams before her eyes slipped shut.