×✖× ×✖×
This wouldn't do. Rarity's gaze trailed up and down the fabric, her blue eyes narrowing in a frown. It was a fine enough piece, up to the quality of what one could expect from any well-esteemed store in Canterlot, and even something she wouldn't be above selling at the boutique under different circumstances. Alas, it was meant to be fabulous, and fabulous it was not. It would simply not do; she wouldn't put an item for sale that was a failure, even if she herself was the only pony who would see it as such.
A sigh escaped her lips, and she knew she wouldn't try for another attempt today. What she desired now was relaxation, a good night's sleep that would put the disappointment behind her. Every day, so she knew, had the potential for beauty, and while to today she had failed to unveil it, tomorrow, sky was the limit.
A lavender bath was now in order, a special treat after a day of work, or perhaps a leisurely stroll instead? A walk across town at late evening, to enjoy summer while she was still with them? ... but no, no, she would meet other ponies that way, or else have to go out farther than she wanted. This wasn't the time to socialize; instead it would be a night of solitude, and-
Rarity turned her head at the sound of the doorbell ringing. It was long past business time! Who could it be? Even on weekdays, she would have closed over an hour ago.
As she opened the door, her jaw dropped. Any semblance of normalcy was washed away, and suddenly she was acutely aware of her own heartbeat.
"Skỹ..."
In the entrance stood a pegasus mare with a gray mane and sky blue coat.
"Rarity. It's been a long time."
Rarity nodded. A few needles she was still levitating were shaking in her grasp.
"I knew you'd be back," she whispered, "I knew it, always. But I did not think that... that the day you return... would be this one."
Skỹ shrugged, a shy smile on her face. "But I'm here."
"Yes. So you are. Well, do you want to come in, darling? I have made tea, there is still a bit left, or you could have some treats if you want, or even a proper meal?"
Skỹ nodded, examining the room as she entered.
"I'll try your tea, I'm curious what it will taste like."
"Certainly." Fine silverware was summoned from the kitchen, kettle and cup with matching trivet. Her visitor was still facing the room, but she took the tea as Rarity was done pouring.
"This looks like a nice place to come to."
"Thank you."
"How are the other elements?"
"Oh." Her smile flickered, but only for a moment. "They, um, they are doing well. We see each other at least once per week, and have all become close friends."
"That's great." Skỹ brought the cup to her lips, taking a sip. "This... it has a really distinct taste, actually. Not what I expected. I like it."
"A gift from Twilight," Rarity said, "this tea, I mean. A special one, even, the only gift I ever received without an occasion demanding for it. Twilight one day just gave it to me, saying she thought I'd like it." A shadow hushed over her face and she cleared her throat, perhaps to fill the silence. "Well," she added, "there have been other presents from admirers, of course, but a gift is no true gift if you expect something in return, now is it?"
"No." Skỹ shook her head. "No, it's not." She took a few more steps around the room, examining further details of Rarity's workplace. "Did you ever fall for one?"
"Fall for an admirer, you mean?"
"Yeah."
Skỹ finally looked at Rarity, who shook her head. After a few more moments, she offered the tea back to her, making a gesture for the door.
Rarity nodded, taking the time to put the cutlery into the kitchen before they both stepped into the warm evening air.
"I'll see..."
Skỹ nodded. She frequently cast glances around as they followed the road along the southern side of Ponyville, yet never asked for a pause to examine anything further.
"Tell me about your friends again," she said at one point, thereby breaking the silence. "I barely remember."
"Well, there is Twilight, to start with, a good-hearted mare and strong magician, and the princess' personal student. I'm guessing you remember that part?"
Skỹ nodded.
"She is the one who brought us all together. Then there is Applejack, a pony who is managing her family's apple farm. She lacks a sense for the finer details of life, one could say, but strong and loyal no matter what comes her way. And Rainbow Dash, just as loyal, likely the best flier the world has ever seen. And-"
"-Pinkie Pie? The one with the jokes?"
"Ah." Rarity chuckled. "I had forgotten that I told you about her. Yes, the one with the jokes, indeed. Her fire still burns every bit as bright as when we last met."
"They sound like a real group of friends."
"Yes," Rarity said, her voice firm, "yes, they are."
Skỹ cast her a smile, followed by a stretch of silence lasting the remainder of the way, until Rarity stepped up to the entrance of a familiar building on the outskirts of town.
"Fluttershy!" she called through the door as she knocked, "Fluttershy, open up, darling!"
There were steps from the other side, then Fluttershy opened. Her body froze as she saw the pegasus, and slowly, moisture gathered in both of her eyes. Suddenly, she and Skỹ were in each other's arms, a scene which Rarity watched with a solemn smile.
"I'll see..." Fluttershy breathed, her voice barely a whisper. "Goodness. Goodness. Skỹ... it's been so long." She gulped, drawing back. "Just give me a moment." She turned around, disappearing into the cottage, where the rummaging of items being moved around could be heard. At her return she looked determined, and no more words were spoken as the group headed eastwards.
Eastwards. Further east than Fluttershy's cottage, along the edge of the Everfree Forest and further still. As the splashing of waves could be heard, night had already fallen.
"Together," Rarity said, who was walking in the middle. In slow succession, both Skỹ and Fluttershy extended a wing, aligning them to touch both the unicorn and cross each other. They all could feel each other's heartbeats as they took their first step into the water.
"When I woke up this morning," Fluttershy said aloud above the sound of the sea, "I didn't think this would be the day that I die."
"Now we meet for real," Skỹ responded, whose long mane was first to touch the surface. "Are you ready?"
"I am." Rarity's voice was firm, and as Fluttershy echoed her words, so was hers.
"Three," Rarity counted, "two. One."
"Open your mouths!" Skỹ shouted, as they ran into the sea in unison. The subsequent wave hit them full force, pouring water into their lungs as it carried the weight of their bodies off shore. Tumbling, splashing, they drifted out further into the waves, until water was all around them. That was when their hooves found each other, and they didn't let go even as everything turned into anything, cold water and salt, seeking the flow which was above and all around them, as they were pressed under the surface, as the sea took them in, as the air left their lungs, when their old eyes went blind, until all life was drained, their bodies drifting apart, floating towards the sea's boundless horizon.
