Second Time Around

Mayes spent a good long time pondering why Rarity was red faced and flustered the entire walk to the hotel in Canterlot. When he had walked in on One Shot and her talking she had answered his inquiry by screaming into a cushion. His mind wandered even further when he noticed One Shot hadn't let the cheesy grin on his face fade at all. While Mayes was lost in deep thought so was Rarity and, for that matter, Coloratura as well.

"Wow, fancy place." Mayes said with a whistle which drew the following trio out of their conjoined thoughts.

The hotel was three stories tall and was accented with white marble and gold. If Mayes hadn't seen the Princess' castle he would have assumed this place was saved for royalty. The banners displaying Canterlots purple, white, and navy blue colors waved in the wind as ponies ran around excitedly pointing at Mayes and the group.

"Get ready hon for your first taste of glory." Coloratura whispered as she hoofed Mayes in the knee.

"Don't get me started they're here for yo-" Before he could finish he was immediately flanked by several mares and stallions with paper and quills in hoof.

"Mayes oh my gosh the tuxedo wonder!" One of them squealed as she bounced in place with stars in her eyes.

Her mane was a bubbly pink mess and her coat golden-yellow. Amongst her were a number of other mares that all joined in her cries as they tried to prod him with hooves.

"Uh... hi. Can I help you, erm, lovely mares?" Mayes asked soon regretting his choice of words.

"OH MY GOSH HE SAID WE'RE LOVELY!" They all cried in unison as the onslaught only continued further.

The resounding series of autographs, photos, and questions continued for a little over half an hour as Coloratura and One Shot smiled vibrantly at their friends new attention. Of course they too talked among the fans leaving Rarity to watch on as Mayes smiled and answered all the questions he could. She had never seen him so animated and happy. After a time however she got a chill up her spine as the crowd began to quiet down and a tall slender unicorn came through them. Her coat was snow white and was accented in an almost divine sense by her soft pink mane which was straightened and adorned with gold jewels.

"Fleur." She whispered heatedly as the smiling model approached Mayes with a soft smile.

"So, I dare say this is the bel étalon I have heard so much about." She began as she smiled widely and offered her hoof to him. "My name is Fleur de Lis. It is quite an honor to meet the face behind the music."

Rarity watched as a clearly blushing Mayes took her hoof in his hand and began to shake until One Shot hoofed him gently but sharply. He took the cue and lowered himself to kiss the very tip of her hoof briefly before standing back up.

"Oh my and quite the gentle stallion too. I am quite pleased I was informed of your arrival for I was afraid I might miss it." She cooed softly as she lowered her eye lids at him.

"Is she... no it couldn't be." Rarity whispered as she watched the mare stand on her back hooves and wrapped her front around his shoulder to kiss him gently twice on the cheek. "She IS."

Immediately cameras flashed and the group of ponies talked excitedly at the exchange. Fleur lowered herself back to her hooves as she nodded her head at the incredibly rigid and flustered man before her.

"I dare say I might have caused quite the gossip. I apologize if you were not prepared for Prench hospitality." She whispered to the group as her eyes never left Mayes. "Might we continue inside? I feel crowded as it were."

Mayes merely nodded stiffly as the group went past the door guard into the regal hotel. The pillars and fountains alone gave the impression of divinity and the conjoined oohs and awes echoed through the lobby as a Stallion wearing a white tuxedo approached them.

"Good afternoon honored guests. My name is Mr. Goodwin. It is a pleasure to have all of you staying at my establishment." He paused as he looked Mayes up and down. "Especially you sir. It is quite an honor having you stay with us."

Mayes blinked twice before forming words to speak.

"It is? Even though I'm..."

Mr. Goodwin smiled widely and genuinely as if he understood.

"Not a pony? Sir I personally love the fact Coloratura said you'd be coming. My daughter absolutely adores your music." He paused and looked uncharacteristically sheepish. "In fact I was wondering if I could organize a meeting? She has talked non stop since I gave her the news. You know how young fillies get."

Mayes just stood there as he was praised. He had never expected this let alone fans.

"I... I think that'd be lovely. I have practice and such throughout the week but I'd love to meet her."

Mr. Goodwin smiled brightly with a swish of his tail.

"Wonderful! Well let's get you to your penthouse. I assume you must be exhausted from your travel. Will Miss Fleur be joining you?"

Rarity wanted so hard to say no, to make an excuse so she could stop the unicorn but her body kept still as she waited for the others to respond.

"Sure. I mean is there enough room?" Mayes asked as he scratched the back of his neck looking to the model next to him.

"Room? I say sir I'd be offended if I wasn't going to get a rush out of showing you to your room." Mr.Goodwin laughed as he made his way to the elevator.

Mayes let Fleur and One Shot go on ahead as he stopped Coloratura to speak to her silently.

"You told me my music was only released to friends of yours, why do I have a group of ponies asking for my autograph?" He whispered at the devilishly smiling mare.

"Well I may have leaked your first three songs to a radio station while you were back in Ponyville last month." She added with a wink.

"And three songs is enough for all.... all of this?" He added perplexed.

"You are also Mare Vogues number one bachelor." She said as she walked past him while flicking his chin with her tail. "Now come on, you have a model that wants to talk to you."

Rarity approached Mayes with her ears pinned.

"Mayes dear, are you alright?" She asked softly as she watched him furrow his brow.

"Yeah... I just don't know what to do." He began to say as he followed the group that waited at the elevator. "On my world I was just a chef. I cooked meals and lived low key. I was never a super star or a celebrity. This is all a bit too much."

Rarity could relate even though she wouldn't say it. She was a small fashion designer in Ponyville until Twilight got into her life and now she was a hero of the country. Her fashion design had become featured more times than she could count and even she had trouble coming to terms with it at times.

The elevator ride was quiet and relaxing as Mr. Goodwin detailed the history of the hotel and how much he enjoyed having creatures from all walks of life frequent his doors. Mayes watched Fleur as she leaned against him a few times and admired how good she smelled. Rarity on the other hand spent the time reflecting on Mayes words and wondered how much she truly knew about him.

"And this," Mr. Goodwin whispered as he drew a key from his jacket and slid it into the keyhole on the terminal, "Is where you all will be staying."

The door slid open revealing an enormous living room with a roaring fireplace, several large luxury couches, a patio looking over the city, and walls lined with art that even made Rarity gasp. The open space gave way to a kitchen fitted with crystal tops and the newest appliances along with four welcoming baskets with fruit, fragrances, and other miscellaneous pleasantries.

"This... is..." Mayes began to stutter as One Shot and Coloratura pressed against either side of him.

"Welcome home Mayes!" They both yelled as they dragged him into the living room.

Mr. Goodwin gave the four a tour of the entire area while Fleur aid elegantly on a couch and got herself a glass of wine. The five rooms had their own large bathrooms, beds fit for royalty, and all had a view that made each one gasp with delight. The patio had a small hot tub that came fitted with jets and the newest in unicorn crystal magic and of course came with all the towels, shampoos, and soaps they would need during their stay.

"This can't be cheap." Mayes told himself as they went back to the living room.

"Well to be honest it isn't. "Mr. Goodwin began as he sat with them all on separate couches. "But Mare Vogue insisted on paying for the very best for all of you. I was as surprised as you probably are when they told me they would hoof the expenses for your stay before the concert."

Mayes sunk into the chair with a sigh as he tried to take it all in.

"Well I must attend to my other guests." Mr. Goodwin stated with a grin as he nodded to each of the ponies. "Pleas call if there is anything I can do for you. And Mr. Mayes? May we discuss meeting my daughter tomorrow?"

Mayes nodded and watched as the stallion left the room. One Shot and Coloratura smiled and looked to one another as they excused themselves to get settled in. This left Rarity, Fleur, and Mayes alone in the living room with a crackling fire serving as ambiance.

"So Mrs, Fleur was it? What is it you wanted to discuss?" Mayes asked as he rested his elbows on his knees.

"Please mon cher call me Fleur. There is no sir in my life as of yet." She giggled as she sipped on her wine. "I had to meet you when I learned of your coming. I have listened to your music and absolutely love what you create."

She paused to grab two more glasses with her magical grasp and poured a glass for Rarity and Mayes respectively.

"But why? I'm not that special." Mayes stated with a sigh as he sipped on the wine.

"Special? Mon cher you are more than special." Fleur giggled once more as she stood and sat next to Mayes on the couch drawing a soft glare from Rarity. "Your music is filled with such beautiful things. Why my favorite is Second Time Around."

"That one!? Why?" Mayes chortled as a smile graced his face.

"I felt a super sensation from the second I laid eyes on you. Never gave into temptation because I didn't want to lose my cool." Fleur began to sing softly as she closed her eyes and bobbed her head gently. "With a late night call mixed with alcohol we connected right where we left off. If we start as friends and live it up again maybe we can make it through longer lasting, brand new."

Mayes stared slack jawed as the ivory unicorn sung his music back to him.

"Apologies, I probably did not do it justice." Fleur whispered as she covered her muzzle with a hoof. "I love the energy you put into a song about second chances, starting something new. Something exciting."

Rarity felt her cheeks heat up as she thought on the lyrics she had never heard. Was he singing about her? No it couldn't be that.

"No, that was amazing Fleur! You have quite the voice." Mayes gushed as his smile widened even more.

Fleur smiled and tossed her mane from her eye as she watched him up and down.

"I don't know why a stallion such as yourself doesn't have a very lucky mare on your arm."

Mayes lost his smile as he looked away.

"I'm not a stallion Miss Fleur. I'm not from your world."

"Well all the more reason to want you!" Fleur cooed softly as she pressed the side of her head into his shoulder. "Perhaps you would be willing to give a mare a chance then, hm?"

Mayes stared at her with a blush as his body went stiff.

"What exactly are you saying?" Rarity interjected drawing stares from both of them.

"Well... I hate to be so quick, especially with your arrival and shock to the culture. Perhaps you would... go on a date with me then?" Fleur whispered as she batted her eyes at the awe struck Mayes.

"You... want to go on a date... with me?" Mayes stuttered as the mare nodded her head with a smile.

"I wish to court you Mr. Mayes. If you will allow me to of course."

Rarity stared with her jaw hanging loose. She couldn't believe what she was witnessing. She couldn't believe the feeling in her stomach as she watched Mayes smile brightly.

"I... I... Yeah! I'd love to go on a date with you." He gushed before regaining his composure at the unicorns giggle. "If you would really like to that is."

"Oh Mayes," Fleur began as she kissed his cheek quickly "Nothing would make me happier."

She wiggled her rump slightly as she walked back to the kitchen to deposit her empty wine glass before coming back.

"Would tomorrow night be sufficient time to prepare? I know of a fine restaurant near the edge of the city. We can have our privacy there."

Mayes merely nodded with a glowing blush as Fleur walked towards the elevator.

"Tres bon! I will pick you up tomorrow at seven. Oh and have a wonderful evening Ms. Rarity. I apologize that I was giving my full attention to this handsome stallion."

Rarity felt her cheeks growing hot as she tried to give a reply.

"You too Fleur. Please have a pleasant evening." She replied finally before whispering. "Fall down a flight of stairs while you're at it."

After Mayes gave the details to a smiling One Shot and Coloratura he had opted to bathe and go to bed. With the sun long set Rarity decided to talk to the two ponies since Mayes was busy in his room.

"Can you believe Fleur De Lis asked Mayes out on a date?" One shot chimed as he shook his head back and forth. "The hottest mare in all Equestria next to the princesses and she asks Mayes on a date!"

Coloratura took a deep drink from her stein and yelled back with a drunken blush.

"And he said yes! Faust above I can't believe he got the balls to actually do it!"

Rarity stared at her straws and spun the umbrella in her daiquiri with her magical touch while trying to find out what she was feeling. She had never seen Mayes so excited, so happy, so...

"Rarity?"

She perked her ears up and saw One shot and Coloratura staring at her expectantly.

"Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought. What was the question?"

One Shot let his smile falter as he cocked his head to the side.

"We asked what you think about Fleur courting Mayes."

Rarity couldn't find it in herself to answer the question promptly rather she continued to nurse her drink as she tried to think clearly.

"if he's happy then I'm happy. I just can't help to think Fleur might be using him for her own gain."

Coloratura groaned and stood from her seat as she walked right up to Rarity.

"You're jealous."

Rarity stared wide eyed and stuttered.

"I most certainly am not, Mayes has the choice to-"

"To what? Keep pursuing a mare that doesn't even like him?" Coloratura growled as she swayed back and forth. "You. shot. him. down. He spent weeks refusing to get into a studio because he kept saying, oh what's the point. Why would anypony want to hear songs about heart break? You wanna know the first song he wrote, I'll SHOW you."

Coloratura grumbled over to her pack and brought out a very well used blue notebook before skimming through to thrust a page at Rarity. Rarity looked to the angry Coloratura before looking at the page in front of her face.

If you only knew
I'm hanging by a thread
The web I spin for you
If you only knew
I'd sacrifice my beating
Heart before I lose you
I still hold onto the letters
You returned
I swear I've lived and learned

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight, bring me
Back to life
Breathe your breath in me
The only thing that I still believe
In is you, if you only knew

If you only knew
How many times I counted
All the words that went wrong
If you only knew
How I refuse to let you go,
Even when you're gone
I don't regret any days I
Spent, nights we shared,
Or letters that I sent

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight, bring me
Back to life
Breathe your breath in me
The only thing that I still believe
In is you, if you only knew

If you only knew
I still hold onto the letters
You returned
You help me live and learn

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight, bring me
Back to life
Breathe your breath in me
The only thing that I still believe
In is you, if you only knew

Rarity read through the lyrics once more before looking to Coloratura without any words to say.

"He... He wrote this?" She whispered as she looked to One Shot who merely nodded.

"All of his first songs were like this. Don't get me wrong they're good but...." He paused to shake his head. "It took us weeks to get him to try and write something more upbeat. We wanted him to get out of his rut so when he wrote "July and "Second Time Around we stopped worrying so much. Hell he helped write 24k Magic and that was a damn good piece."

Rarity felt anger rise inside her gut as she stood to get in Coloraturas face.

"Then why did you drag him to my boutique? Why even drag me into this if you... you... hate me so!"

Coloratura recoiled and pinned her ears down with a sigh.

"I ddn't drag him there.... He did."

"What?" Rarity asked with a look of shock.

"He told me if he was going to tour with us then you were his first pick to do his costumes. He said that he wanted to see you one more time." Coloratura explained as she sat on her flanks with tears forming in the corners. "So when I brought him back to Ponyville he just seemed so... distant. He went to the pub, gave half of his earnings to the bar keep for hiring him, gave some of his earnings to the school, to Fluttershy, then he gave another chunk to Applejack for helping him get back into shape. When we walked to your boutique he kept talking about your hospitality and kindness."

Coloratura cried quietly before putting a hoof into Rarity's chest.

"All I see is a mare that dragged him around because she didn't know what she wanted. So now when he is doing better and finds a mare that actually wants him you get jealous? What in Hades is wrong with you?"

Rarity sat on the chair and looked away as she tried her best not to cry as well.

"Rara that's not fair. She's not the only one that dragged him around..." One Shot began as he got up to let Coloratura lean against him.

"Do NOT get me started One Shot. This is not the place." She began to say before shaking her head. "You know what, no, it IS the place. I actually LIKE Mayes. He's sweet, kind, handsome, and worth more than a thousand of you." She hissed as she looked at Rarity dead on.

"All he wanted was you. All he cared about was you. It's... it's not fair." She finally whispered.

Rarity felt true defeat as One Shot escorted the drunken mare to her room. Alone, and left to her thoughts, Rarity aid on the couch with an open bottle of wine and for the first time in her life looked at everything she could have done.

Everything she could have said.

All long gone and far too late.