It was a warm sunny day in the town of Ponyville, a gentle breeze blew through the trees and birds chirped in the clear, blue sky. Ponies exchanged friendly conversations and went about their business happily, just as always. Yet, one pony didn't feel all that up for idle chit-chat today. In fact, she was making an effort to avoid it.
"Goodness Rarity, I thought you said it wasn't that big of a deal?" The white mare's thoughts muttered.
Even so, the internal conflict didn't show in Rarity's expression as she sat alone at one of Ponyville's cafés, saddle bags at her side and a lonely cup of steaming hot coco before her. She had to admit that she adored these little dining establishments. The rustic look wasn't frightened to offer inspiration almost every time she looked at it and no matter how much she loved the fine dining in cities like Canterlot and Trottingham, she could greatly admire what she and other ponies could make out of life in the country.
"Maybe that is why you're so miserable, you like country don't you dear?" Her mind snickered knowingly, its mental tone far flung from anything she’d even consider saying in reality.
Instead, she set to slowly running her forehooves along her curled mane, maintaining its otherwise perfect appearance in an effort to distract herself from her thoughts. When such an endeavour failed to produce the distraction she had been after, she turned her eyes to look out over the café around her.
The sound of chattering ponies and the clatter of cutlery filled the air, as did the scent of warm food and steaming hot beverages. The place looked busier than usual, and that was only counting the outside dining area. It wasn't hard to see that the amount of ponies that the sunny day had enticed out of their homes was putting strain on the waiting staff; seeing as she'd yet to be served anything more than a simple drink.
Not that she minded; in fact, if it had been up to her she'd be at the spa instead. That wasn't to say her previous thoughts admiring the place in which she was sat were obsolete, she just preferred the calm tranquilly of a relaxing sauna over the bustling lunchtime rush. Of course, she couldn't argue. She'd agreed to meet her friend Twilight here for a reason.
Despite everything, Rarity couldn't help but hold back a grumble at that idea. Then she had to chastise herself for being so thoughtless. There was no way she could think about one of her friends like that, it was simply unacceptable. Looking for yet another distraction, she turned to see the condiment counter beside her table. Not wishing to make herself seem like a silly filly playing about with salt shakers or ketchup sachets she instead took a straw in her magic and levitated it into her drink. Not the traditional way to drink a hot beverage, she knew. But, magically twirling the straw around in her drink she adopted a stoic pose in effort to clear her mind.
"Maybe Twilight insisted on this place just to show you what she's got now." Her thoughts pressed undeterred.
She slammed a mental door in the face of the idea. There was absolutely no way that was the case. Twilight was the one who'd asked to meet here, that was correct. But she was sure that she had not chosen such a place to belittle her. Twilight was one of her closest friends, the literal princess of friendship, there was no way she'd ever do such a thing.
"If you're so sure about that, then what kind of pony does that make you for making such an assumption?" Her thoughts asked, snaking around the mental blockade.
Visually, all Rarity did was huff, rather un-lady like she was aware, but so were her mind's efforts to villainize her friend's actions. Once again, the only thing that she sought was a distraction. Growing bored of her straw, she cast her eyes out over the crowd like a net. Yet, among the bustling mass of bright colours and blurred chatter she found very little. One mare that boasted a rather nice looking dress was about the only thing she could find to steal part of her focus. Just like the café itself, she admired the country look of the attire. It was simple and to the point, so much so that it could even make dirt look appealing - in its own unique way of course.
Yet, for as long as she admired the look, the thought of it only brought her thoughts back to the real reason she was so envious. It seemed that idea would never be willing to leave her for too long. But, it wasn’t long until a familiar voice pulled her away from them.
"Hey Rarity, sorry I'm late. I kind of got a little side tracked at Sugarcube Corner." Twilight Sparkle called.
The purple alicorn materialized from the crowd with a pair of saddle bags before she swiftly moved over to the table and took a seat opposite Rarity.
"Oh think nothing of it, dear. We all know how Pinkie can be when it comes things like this." She assured her friend, dismissing the idea with a casual wave of her hoof. "I assume you finally managed to pick out a cake?" She asked, eyes narrowing curiously.
She couldn't ignore or dismiss that something deep inside her was hoping she'd say no. She hated herself for that, almost to the point of wanting to scream just to try and be rid of it. But the feeling was like a cold lump of rock buried deep inside her chest.
"Yeah, Pinkie spent at least half an hour bouncing around the place before she actually calmed down enough to talk properly. I can see now why Applejack thought it was best to tell her today rather than the other night. And yes, I've placed the order for the day." Twilight replied, and it wasn't hard to see the excitement in her expression at that latter part.
Only some of Rarity's emotions reciprocated that joy, the rest of her feelings she tried desperately to ignore.
"Well there's that, and the fact she was more than a little intoxicated that night darling. I mean, to think that was all just a setup for the proposal, it was very clever... ." Rarity said, a weak laugh escaping her muzzle.
There was a long pause between them, broken only by the chatter of the busy café. Then Twilight finally spoke.
"Rarity, are you alright?" She asked, with a hint of concern.
The white unicorn shook herself free of her stupor, and smiled at her worried friend.
"Yes dear I'm fine. It was just a bit of a shock that's all. I mean, another royal wedding, it's a lot to take in. Not to mention two of my best friends are the ones getting married." She responded.
Twilight blushed a little at her friend's emphasis, recalling Rarity's initial reaction to the last royal wedding.
"You know, Rarity, if you what to leave the dress for a few days that's fine. I mean it's all still a few months away so..." Twilight began, but Rarity's head perked up sharply before she could finish.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, dear. I assure you that it isn’t a problem. In fact, I must insist that you allow me to start working on it right away." She stated quickly.
Twilight couldn't help but smile at the generous offer, and she sat back, nodding.
"Thanks Rarity." She said appreciatively, then sighed.
Rarity's attention spiked further at Twilight's tired breath.
"Was that a hint of doubt in her?" She asked herself.
"Wait no. Rarity stop thinking such things at once. Of course she's nervous, she’s just become engaged. You're better than these selfish thoughts Rarity, stop this at once!" She quickly corrected, scorning herself for allowing her mind to get to such places.
"Twilight, are you alright dear?" She asked, and at her inquiry the alicorn's head rose sharply.
"Yeah, I... I just think I’m about the only one who's been really shocked by this. I mean I had no idea that she was going to propose, I just thought it was another random party, and I certainly had no idea she'd asked Pinkie to set it up just so she could ask the question." Twilight admitted with a small laugh.
"I think that's the beauty of Pinkie's random parties, you never know what will come out of them. Sometimes not even if you're Pinkie Pie it seems." Rarity added, another small laugh escaping her muzzle.
Unlike the overwhelming happiness that lay just behind Twilight's however, jealousy was one of the few things that provoked hers.
"I just... It's so sudden, and of course I was going to say yes, I mean who wouldn't?" Twilight started.
"Who wouldn't indeed?" Was all the unicorn could think.
"I don't know. I know I love her more than anything. I know she loves me back, it's just... I don't know if I'm ready for this, not to mention if anything goes wrong with the wedding." Twilight went on, devolving into her usual worrying self.
The mention of the word love, made parts of Rarity's mind reel. Yet, there was nothing the unicorn could do but smile at her friend reassuringly.
"I can assure you that all of us will be there to make sure it's the best day it can be for the both of you. And I will personally ensure that both dresses are absolutely magnifique." She assured Twilight, rising a hoof to her chest proudly.
Nevertheless, she could feel that bitterness eating away at the pride such a gesture summoned. Oblivious to the fashionista's true feelings, Twilight only smiled.
"I know I have nothing to worry about. I just want to make sure I do my best to make sure she's happy." She confessed, looking down at the table.
Rarity bit her bottom lip, considering her words carefully. She battled back those envious thoughts as she took a sip of her drink and collected herself.
"Now Twilight dear, I've seen a lot of ponies sitting where you are. I have to admit there are a few ponies I've wanted to make that happy too, but at the end of the day she wouldn't love you back if she didn't love you for just being yourself." Rarity stated, a mix of emotions making the words taste strange.
Twilight looked up from the table, and Rarity quickly covered up her turbulent feelings with a kind smile as their eyes met.
"I've seen both of you together, and trust me when I say that there's no way you could possibly do anything other than make her happy." She finally admitted.
"Could you say the same? You seem to believe you could." Her mind stated bluntly, forcing the unicorns' kind vile to flicker.
Twilight straightened herself, and nodded thoughtfully.
"You really think so?" She asked.
"No Twilight, I know so. She wouldn't have chosen you otherwise." Rarity told her, her reluctance to confesse such a thing not as subtle as she'd liked.
If Twilight noticed such a thing she didn't mention it. However, she simply turned and reached back into her saddlebags, before producing a scrap of paper.
"I don't know if this will by any good, but I bought it any way." Twilight admitted somewhat sheepishly, placing the paper down on the table.
Rarity looked it over to find a roughly draw sketch of a wedding dress, and a few scrawled notes.
"Oh, that one?" She muttered, recalling the image to be of her own design.
She'd sketched it at the party after the proposal, even if a significant amounts of alcohol, input from an equally intoxicated Fluttershy, and some rather unique suggestions from a drunken Rainbow Dash had warped it into something that stood out from her traditional ideas.
"I know I didn't really have any say on it, but I thought a little input for every one of us would make it feel special." Twilight suggested, then looked at Rarity as the white unicorn studied the sketch closely.
"I mean if that's okay, I'm no dress expert so if it's not a feasible idea I can just go for the traditional white veil and stuff." She added, fearing she may be telling one of Equestria's leading fashion designers how to do her job.
"No, no, it's perfectly alright Twilight. It's your big day after all." Rarity assured her.
"Are you sure?" Twilight insisted, but Rarity only nodded.
"Of course darling. I can use this as a base, then ask the others what they think. I have the time." She assured Twilight, making note to be cautious with any suggestions from a certain rainbow maned pegasus.
Stashing the image away in her own saddle bags, Rarity took another sip from her quickly emptying cocoa, before looking back at Twilight.
"And what about the other dress, darling?" She asked, her emotions twisting again at the idea.
"She said she's got some old traditional family thing, you know how she is." Twilight responded quickly, casually gesturing with a hoof.
That sour feeling shifted inside Rarity, the thought of such a dress, it was magnificent. Even if the idea of something potentially so old and worn often dissuaded her, the value it must have to the mare in question was more admirable than any form of visual appeal.
"You don't suppose she'd let me take a look before the wedding do you?" Rarity asked hopefully.
Yet, even if she could, there was not a single thing she would do to such an item through fear she may tarnish its grand meaning.
Twilight smiled, before opening her muzzle to speak. Moments later however, she paused and her eyes widened. Rarity's look turned to confusion, and she was about to turn to where Twilight's attention had become fixed when the alicorn finally spoke.
"You can ask her yourself." She stated happily, and in that moment Rarity's whole being felt like it had frozen.
"There y’all are, Twi'. Ah’ve been lookin’ to check in on ya' all mornin'." Came the familiar voice of Applejack.
Rarity didn't dare turn as she picked out the sound of the approaching farm pony's hoof steps from the rabble. Part of her even wished she could simply sink into the straw that formed her seat and disappear. That all changed seconds later as Applejack reached the table, her face marred slightly by sweat and two large casket of fresh apples over her shoulders.
"Oh, howdy Rarity." The orange earth pony greeted kindly, offering the unicorn a welcoming smile.
"Hello, Applejack, it's nice to see you." She responded with a small laugh, hiding every emotion other than happiness behind the weak veil of her expression.
Regardless, Applejack's eyes soon turned towards Twilight.
"What bout’ you, how’s mah number one princess doin’?" She asked lovingly, before planting a small kiss on Twilight's cheek.
The purple alicorn turned slightly red as she playfully nudged Applejack away. All Rarity could do was watch and try not to think too much about the whole ordeal, as she took another long sip of her drink.
"I'm doing fine Applejack, just getting some things set up for the wedding." Twilight said, as she magically shifted her seat to make a space for her future wife.
Rarity's eyes passed between the two subtly as she sucked on her straw.
"Already? Gosh Twilight, ah knew ya' were organised an' all, but it's only been three days." Applejack asked in surprise.
"I just want to make sure everything goes according to plan that’s all." Twilight responded.
"With y’all in charge, ah have no doubt it will. Ah'm guessin' that's what y'all are here for then, sugarcube?" She asked, and Rarity realised the earth pony was addressing her.
"Yes darling, in fact Twilight here just offered me the most wonderful of ideas for her dress." She said quickly.
She tried with all of her will to mask her bitterness with pride, focusing her eyes on Twilight instead of the farm pony.
"Oh, and what might that be?" Applejack asked, turning to her still blushing marefriend with a wry smile.
"I just gave her that sketch from the party, figured that having some input from each of us would make the dress special." Twilight explained.
Once again Rarity looked between the two of them in anticipation of Applejack's response. Yet, there was no doubt in her mind that the earth pony would agree. The way she was looking at Twilight, the way the princess seemed to make her feel made sure of that. Those torn feelings spiked at that image, and Rarity hid her sad expression by looking down into her mug.
"Well, it's yar choice, Twi. Ah won't mind what y’all show up in as long as yar there with me." Applejack replied.
The two exchanged another loving glance at that as Twilight voiced her appreciation. All Rarity did was finally find the courage to look up.
"I can assure you she'll look magnificent, Applejack." She told the farm pony honestly.
"If anypony can make her look any prettier than she already is, it's ya'll, Rarity." She responded kindly, making the purple princess blush all the more.
Then Twilight paused in thought, looking at Applejack curiously.
"She was wondering if she could take a look at your dress too?" She explained, and the earth pony cocked her head.
"That old thing? Ah guess so, but ah don't think there's gonna be a whole lot ya can do with it, to be honest, Rarity." She said.
The only thing Rarity realised was that she would have the chance to see something so precious before its time, maybe even see Applejack wearing it before its meaning was lost to somepony else forever.
"I don't have to if you don't want me to. I know how much things like that mean to you, I wouldn't want to intrude." Rarity offered reluctantly, but Applejack shook her head.
"Nar, it's probably better if ya at least have a look at the thing first. Don't wanna make her dress look any less beautiful." Applejack said, looking at Twilight.
"Don't be ridiculous, you can wear whatever you want. If it's special to you then it's special to me too, Applejack." Twilight insisted, drawing another appreciative look from the earth pony.
Rarity just nodded emptily as she thought about that, then before she could say anything more Applejack stood.
"Well, ah better be gettin' back ta’ the farm, Big Mac's gonna be wonderin' where ah've got off to." She said, lifting the apple filled baskets back over her shoulders.
Rarity just continued to nod in acknowledgment as also Twilight stood.
"I could come with you, if Rarity is alright with the dress design I've got some spare time before I told Spike I'd be back." She said, then looked at the white unicorn.
At the sight of the pair's eyes, Rarity's mind raced for an answer.
"Of course, darling, I'll be fine. You two run along now and enjoy yourself." She told them both, smiling as she motioned for the café exit with a hoof.
"Thanks Rarity, just come ask me if you need anything else." Twilight responded.
Applejack just nodded her head to the alabaster unicorn respectfully.
Within a few moments more both were gone, and Rarity looked down at her now empty drink. With a soft sigh she magically pushed the mug aside and pulled out the rough sketch Twilight had given her. She looked down over the image with a small quiver in her sapphire eyes, those turbulent emotions within settling for a second.
She knew she shouldn't feel this way, but no matter what she did she had to accept the truth. She loved both of them too much to allow anything to happen that would ruin their big day. But she loved one of them more so. More so enough that knowing she was happy was worth more than her own selfish desire.
Putting the sketch away, she stood. She levitated some bits onto the table and placed her saddle bags over her back. She took one last glance over the café before trotting towards her home. Her thoughts continued to eat at her as she thought about the one thing that would never be. One thing was sure however, she'd never change any aspect of the dress that Applejack was to give her. Because ultimately, she'd never change anything about her friends, not even for herself
Author's Note
So, this story was just a little fun trying to handle the emotions of a character I don't feature very often in my stories. My overall verdict however, Rarity is very fun to write for.
Thanks for reading everyone, I hope you enjoyed!
