Intoxicating Scales

Rarity curled tightly under blankets, forcing her eyes shut and attempting to calm the panic bubbling in her chest. But why was she so anxious? Her head pinged with dull pain, wringing out a small groan as she heard hooves clicking on the other side of the door.

Clenching her jaw, she kept her ears down to not give herself away. Pushing deeper into the pillow, she tried to relax her tense muscles as the door creaked open. The hoof-falls gliding across the floor with a anxious demure.

"Darn," a silvery voiced moaned, "Already asleep."

"It's alright, WolfBane, it would mean a lot to her just knowing you came to check up on her." Fluttershy breezily comforted.

"I suppose. I hope all of this isn't caused by something I've done." the stallion grumbled.

"As do I, but I doubt it. It sounded like something that happened while she was out. Rarity doesn't usually go to bed until late, so I am sure she just went on a walk to try and tire herself out."

"I am still culpable for what happened though. I should have stayed up a bit longer, this is my fault."

"You can't blame yourself for what happens to others," Fluttershy softly scolded, "Nothing good ever comes from that, does it?"

WolfBane sighed in reply, ruffling his wings and pacing out of the room. The yellow mare's gentle hoof-steps trotting after him. Kneading her forehead with the pillow, she forced her nerves to stop jolting and tried to relax. The mind, as she saw it, was useless if too stressed and upset. This didn't offer her much comfort as she mulled over recent events in her mind, a heaviness called guilt weighed on her, forcing her into a light slumber.

Rarity fluttered her eyelids open just a crack, surveying the empty dark room. Her chest heaved as she took in a cold breath, puffing it out of her mouth and attempting to sit up. Beads of moonlight danced below the drawn curtains, her gifts casting a shadow over her.

She stared out into the darkness for a few more moments, though unsure why. Nothing was keeping her awake, nor did anything catch her attention, so why was she so alert? Shaking her head, she pulled herself out of bed and walked over to the window.

Ebony clouds devoured the majority of stars, the few that were out flickered dimly. Restlessly, she propped her head against the sill, waiting for something. Watching as the soft breezed tugged crisp leaves from the trees and scattered black grass.

Am I waiting for a sign? A sign for what exactly? She asked herself in frustration after a few minutes passed.

"You've gotta be the sign!" she could hear all of her friends chanting in her head. Unable to see how to do this as well, it caused irritation rather than relief.

Grunting, she climbed back into bed. Chewing her lip and fussing with the blanket as she turned on her side.

Morning tests and breakfast hustled into a dreary afternoon filled with rain. Gripping Onyx Sunrise with her cerulean magic, she sipped tea as she waited for her results. After fervent attention directed at her the past day, she found comfort in her solitary company.

After a nurse dropped off her pre-lunch salad, she allowed herself to stare blankly at the wall as she ate, trying to discern what Spike's letter meant. Troubled by the unknown, she conjured up unsavory examples in her mind that painted either her sister of the drake in an unsavory light. Furrowing her brows as she tried to remember if she had been upset with either before?

Her stomach dropped upon re-digesting the words: We have not slept together and I just don't know if I can. I know it is selfish, and I am not sure why I am this way. I accept I may have already broke Sweetie's heart with my actions recently. I'm unsure how to make up for what I did.

A twinge of jealousy pricked her heart, but rage rapidly surmounted it at the thought that he'd hurt Sweetie Belle. On one hoof, it was fantastic he knew what he did was wrong. On the other, it made her blood boil knowing he was, in a nutshell, trying to get an older adult to clean up his mess.

"Hmpf, she and I deserve better than that," she scoffed into the spinach. Frowning, she still accepted her ignorance, and would try to gather more information before casting too much judgment. She rustled her shoulder to unburden them of tension to no avail. Sighing, she tried to distract herself with the book once more, when a light cough sounded at the door.

Lowering the novel, the doorway revealed a drenched WolfBane.

"Sorry, I meant to arrive earlier," he sputtered, "Should I-do you want me to go? I wouldn't want to impose of course, I-"

She chuckled, "You know as well as I that I wouldn't want that."

"But I don't, actually," he shyly started, "Look, I am sorry if I did anything that made you run. Have you remembered anything from the other night?"

"Vaguely, though not as to why I left," she couldn't help but lie as she stared into his concerned orange eyes, "But I remember very much wanting to stay."

"While that's a relief, that's still a lesser worry of mine. I just hope your'e okay is all."

"I'm sure I'll be fine, dear. The doctors don't think it's anything serious. And I don't feel dreadful, other than not being able to remember a few more things before last night of course. But it's only one-"

WolfBane's eyebrows jumped, looking as though his heart had been ripped from her chest, "It's gotten worse? Have you told anypony?"

"Not yet, I was only just realizing it."

His eyes raked her head, bottom lip trembling, "I really should let you get some rest, and shouldn't be overworking you with questions. Head injuries aren't something to be taken lightly. I could go and tell somepony if you'd like? And come back tomorrow?"

"That sounds lovely," she smiled. Feeling awful that him checking up on her didn't touch her more, and that she wanted him to leave just so she could get back to reading a book he had brought over for her.

"Oh, before I forget- oh never mind. Now's not a good time and I'm getting help." he stammered, shuffling towards the door.

Frowning, she knew she owed it to him to listen a little more, "No dear, it will be alright. I am here."

His gaze softened as he edged back into the room, staring irresolutely at the ground before trotting to her side.

"Well, I was hoping you'd come to see the Qurbatz migrate to their neighboring cave with me in the Crystal Empire. They are an endangered species, as you know, and even ponies in the Equestrian Wild Life Society have a hard time getting in, and most go their entire lives never glimpsing one. It-it's just something I have been imagining doing with you, you know? I'll understand if you aren't interested though, I'm sure I could give away my extra ticket to somepony else by next month."

Rarity's eyes widened, heart fluttering painfully in excitement and nervousness. "Wh-Why of course I'd love to darling! I can't believe it! H-How didn't you stumble across this opportunity, perchance?"

"Oh, you know," he tiredly sighed, "Working and researching all day, writing a thousand papers and publishing one. Then you're told your research on crystallized flowers is ground breaking and they want to showcase your work in the Empire Statue of Notoriety."

"But, your not excited?" Rarity asked, nudging his shoulder sympathetically.

He jolted upright in surprise at her touch, but then leaned in to welcome it. "Of course I am. That just could mean they would want me to move there, since that wasn't it. They want to place me on as a botanical researcher there. Which would be a grueling workload and...well I don't know how often I could see you. And I wouldn't be nearby in case anything happened, or if you needed me."

"Now 'Bane," she cooed, "What did Asterllius tell Waterfall Pearls when they parted? Though our hearts shall be far away from another, they shan't be any less intertwined and our bond shall only strengthen by the mile."

WolfBane weakly smiled at her, "Asterllius betrayed her though, didn't he?"

"He did? I haven't gotten there yet!" she hissed, playfully pushing him.

"Alright! Alright! Sorry! I'll go and let you see his downfall!" he called as he scurried out of the room, "But also, I'd keep an eye out on Monkshood, her new love interest. It is his rising."