Intoxicating Scales

Rarity stared out at the night sky, the crescent moon glowing a soft blueish hue tonight. Groaning she looked down at her notebook.

Ways To Make Up For My Blunder

Create a new ensemble for her to wear to re-excite her for the Reunion

Bake her a chocolate cake-her favorite- that says sorry and throw her an appreciation party

Help her with her chores

Pay for a year pass at the spa and gift it to her

"Gooh! Why's this so hard!?" she whined, shoveling in some coconut mini donuts into her mouth as she rested her hooves onto the kitched table.

"Rarity, what're you still doing up?" Sweetie Bell asked, clad in purple pajamas. "And why are you yelling?"

"Sorry dear, it's just-"

Her sister glanced down at the page and back up to her. "Oh, I get it now. Would you like some help? Perhaps you could tell me what happened?"

Rarity stiffened, before sighing. "If I do, you can't tell anypony, alright?"

"Of course!" she piped up, levitating a donut her way as well.

"Now you must know I am not proud of this and it was wrong of me. But, well..." her eyes flitted to the side, "The um, when me and AppleJack were in the steam room we-"

Sweetie Bell's eyes widened with realization, though she said nothing.

"You get what I'm saying?"

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Yeah, you mean...?"

Rarity nodded "And well...I kind of...you see... I hurt her in an emotion and...intimate sense."

Her sisters eyes became static.

"And well... Oh Sweetie, always think through your relations before you go through with them! I believe she thought it was much more serious, and when she realized it wasn't- and she's so fragile emotionally- and...What have I done!?"

The two sat in silence, eating donuts and tapping their hooves on the table.

"Well," Sweetie said, clumsily breaking quiet, "At least I know the Apple Family seems to have a thing for unicorns. So my chances with Apple Bloom would be a lot better."

Rarity's face confoundedly twitched before she cracked a light smile. "I suppose that is the best take away you could receive. Please don't ask me for details, however if you ever need advice on how to be safe-"

Sweetie awkwardly rose from the table, "Dully noted. Though...I'm not sure I'll be needing it for mares."

"Oh Sweetie, what makes you say that?"

The unicorn grinned, "Because me and Spike are going on a date this weekend. Though that doesn't mean we're official-yet."

Rarity stared in astonishment as her sister left her alone once more. The silence deafening as a tidal wave of white noise filled her head.

Rarity charged forward, jealous fury weighing heavily in her chest. Looking through the hobby isle of the store, jaw clenched as nothing caught her fancy. The basket on her back containing a few balls of yarn that were on sale.

"I must find something to distract myself. Surely there's more to me than creating sketches and clothes that take my mind off things."

Anxiously she pulled down a book on potion making, biting her bottom lib as she rubbed behind her neck.

"Ah, what a, Rarity to met you here." she heard a hearty voice breath behind her.

Turning, her eyes met with Zecora, who met her gaze with a smile. She was wearing a dazzling purple dress with gold highlights. "I can see why, there is not much clarity where things are without a long leer."

"Oh? W-What brings you here?" she nervously grinned at the zebra. "My, I haven't seen you in a hot minute, how've you been?"

"I have been a little troubled, as my clientele recently has doubled. It would appear there is more to me than potions-" she saw the book the unicorn was levitating. "Though you sharing this interest, I hadn't the slightest notion."

"Oh, pphhf, I haven't even begun to dabble yet. "Thought it does look interesting."

"Hmm, I see. Then perhaps a novice as you would benefit from a mentor, I presume? Today has been a quiet day, and oddity for late June."

"Oh my, well I am quiet behind as is on my work," she hesitated, remembering where her mind would wander if she returned. "But perhaps it would benefit us both! I could do something to show my gratitude."

"That sounds pleasant, shall I meet you at my residence?"

Rarity gritted her teeth as she trekked into the EverFree. Dragon flies and nats invested the air space above her, creating a cacophony of buzzing in her ears. The forest floor was always damp with moist soil and moss, even when it hadn't rained recently, something she grimaced at with each step. Thankful she had chosen to wear her pink summer dress that shielded most of her body from insects, however her thighs were vulnerable as it ended there.

"Why is it always so dark here?" she gripped at the trees in the distance, "Honestly, I don't understand how anything can grow here- or who'd want to for that matter."

Her eyes lit up with gratefulness as she spotted the Shamare's hut. She broke into a gallop, ignoring the undignified squelches of the soaked ground underneath her. The further she advanced towards it, she noticed familiar masks that had been there since the first day she came here, but also some of different creatures. As well as shallow planters hanging from the windows bursting with silvery-blue bioluminescent plants with sharp leaves.

Surrounding the area of the hut were smaller plants of different sizes, colors and shapes. Ivy with purple highlights on its dark green leaves consumed the right side of the hut. From it flowers of every hue could be seen, the younger soft and light colored, but as they matured they darkened and revealed angular petals unfurling not unlike a rose.

"Oh my." she uttered to herself, taking it in as she knocked on the door. "Pity I didn't grab my sketch pad or a camera."

The door smoothly glided open, unleashing conflicting scents ranging from sweet, sour, and spicy. Through it all she could distinguish a few lavender and lily incenses attempting to provide some closure to the nostrils from the onslaught of stimuli. The Zebra had changed into a more traditional looking brown hooded shirt with dark gray pants, different colored stains apparent throughout it, some still sparkling.

"I am glad you could make it! Though are you sure that dress can take it?"

Rarity bashfully observed her ensemble, "Rookie mistake I suppose. If I could inquire of you have-"

The zebra had already offered her a crisp set of creamy brown robes, which she graciously accepted. Tying back her mane and tail before pulling it over and following her deeper into her house. Noticing a new basement door that had been installed towards the back.

"I do apologize, how've you been?" Zecora asked as she carried materials to a nearby empty table, "After we departed, I've been bothered that I hadn't inquired since then."

"That is quite alright," Rarity consoled, "And I've been... Well, would you like the honest answer or-"

"Why Rarity I am shocked, why would I desire anything but honesty? You know I forsake farcety."

Rarity frowned at first, ashamed that if anypony would be able to see right through her even if she lied, it was her. She then let out a comforted smile and nod. "I do. I suppose it is hard for me to honestly face what's been bothering me more than anything. I always like to think it is others who don't want to hear the truth, but perhaps I am more of my own problem than I realize."

Zecora gave her an approving grin, "Sometimes the hardest to face is yourself. Trying to hide problems away in mental shelves. Though it will do nothing but to make you cry, as you try to hide it behind boxes of reasons why."

Rarity felt her bones and muscles relax. "Well spoken. And if I am being crystal clear, I think my main problem is not that I am lonely like I thought, though it is still very much a reality. But rather knowing that in the end all the creatures we care for, and care for us will be hurt one day. And there's nothing we can do about that. Which is the real reason I think I've been avoiding new relationships of any kind, especially in a romantic sense. I just don't want to be hurt by any one, I know that is selfish, but sometimes I wonder if not being selfish sometimes is the least kind thing you can do to yourself and others. I've tended to hold onto the more idealized versions of others, though that's only ever crushed me. And I can still see that I do it sometimes."

"Hmm, sounds like to me you needed to get a lot of that out. It sounds like getting others to accept and be interested in you is not the problem, it is getting you to do that is what it's about."

Rarity titled her head and scrunched up her muzzle, then sighed, "As much as that makes me sad, I can see how that may be my reality. Sure I have confidence in myself in other areas. Though sometimes I have to wonder if I am really all that, you know? I am always complemented on my talents, appearance and generous and kind spirit, but I have to wonder if I am really worth all that praise?"

"I understand that feeling too. I think we tend to forget others have doubts in themselves, making our emotions feel taboo. And that can be a truly lonely feeling, like you are the only one hitting this self doubt ceiling. Staring down and thinking all of your friends and partners are grounded, though I think looking deeper, we can find those assumptions are unfounded."

"Would you mind if I came to visit more often Zecora? Honestly, I haven't felt this much relief and understanding in...I can't even fathom how long."

"It is no problem dear, now did you still want to learn about potion making while you're here?"

Rarity nodded, "I'll go and wash up my hooves before we begin then?"

Zecora reflected her nod, grinning and continuing to bring things over.

On her way she spotted a peculiar looking book, looking as though it were binned between two slabs of rock. "Mating Habits of The Dragon: Guide to Drake Courtship for Successful Egg Production- Volume I". Rarity blushed a little looking at the book, before feeling a cold stone drop in her gut.

"Rarity? Weren't you-" Zecora looked down where her sight was before, "Ahh..? What a peculiar thing for you to take interest in. I bought it from the DragonLand's to help a female dragon nearby who feels intimately remiss."

"Well, yes I-"

"Say no more my friend, I'll lend it to you if you like. Though I can't help but wonder, has this something to do with Spike?"

"Oh yes, well you see-"

"Ah, poor thing would need help. Here he has little variety for mates of his kind, perhaps you were looking to assist this whelp?"

"You could say that. Thank you Zecora, you really are a gem."

"Hmm, well to help you set this in motion, perhaps I could help you understand some things in this book instead of potions? There will always be another day you could come along for this."

Rarity vigorously nodded.

"And I still do have some spare supplies, though I can give you a guide where the rest lye."

"I am ever so grateful for your assistance Zecora. And I will make sure to come by the next time our schedules permit. My life is always full of unexpected adventures though, as an Element." she said the last part with a notable trace of disdain.

"Ah, though it is easy to become stressed, I hope you'll find solace soon and get some rest. When life throws you a hectic curve, we must do our best not to loose our nerve. Our existence is full of thrills, try not to get caught up in the scrapes and spills. Enjoy the chaos and ignore the strife- my motto for life."

Rarity waved Zecora goodbye as she trotted off, bags heavy with the stone book in one bag, and supplies in the other. She had been a little disappointed to find half of the book was more about eggs than mating, though the zebra had given her a list of places where she could find the other.

Arriving home she carefully spilled the contents on the bed, staring out at them for a few moments before sighing.

"Honestly, what am I doing?"

Mulling it over in her head, she pondered the morality of this. On one hoof, the two weren't official yet. There wasn't anything that said she couldn't do this. Nor was she forcing him to make a decision- just tipping the scales in her favor. On the other, she could sabotage one of her sisters first relationships. If Sweetie ever found out she would be relentlessly resentful. And Rarity could empathize, as it could be a little rude to do after they had set up their date.

"I'll do it after their date then. So the playing fields more even and he will have already had time to think both sides over. And I suppose I could pass these onto her if-"

"Rarity, who are you talking to?" she heard her sister asked, poking her head into the bedroom. "And have you already been up? It's barely afternoon, you feeling okay?"

"Oh, Y-Yes dear!" she replied, doing her best to obscure her vision of the things on the bed by standing in front of it. "And I was just chatting with myself. You know I can't work without a conversation of sorts."

"That is true. Sorry, I just worried is all." the unicorn ducked back into the hallway, leaving Rarity to grin as she stared out at her spread.

She pulled up a small branch with a purple crystal steam and yellow flowers with metal-like shaving petals like that of a daisy. "Drake-Damiana" read a small slip of paper, "Found in clusters of bushes in the rockiest regions of the DragonLands after particularly dry summers. Heals/Assists with: Low Blood Pressure, Appetite Suppression..., Rarity let her eyes roll over the list until she grinned, "...and Aphrodisiac. (See Preparation Guide in Binder 29.) Warning: Using in large amounts can cause low blood sugar."

Rarity set that one aside, contemplating inviting Spike over for tea while Sweetie was gone perhaps? And slipping a small amount into his drink? It wasn't a horribly strong aphrodisiac, and seemed to overall improve ones quality of life, thinking she'd slip some in the non-arousing prepared way as well to promote health. She wondered if ponies had a variant of this that worked for them.

She placed a section of it in the freezer like the instructions Zecora had given her entailed. Trotting into her creation room, thinking of all the different ways she could mix other things she had been given to arose him. Perhaps she could even make him other things that didn't have to do with intimacy. Through her lust she still fantasized about caring for him- more so in the past until her feelings of loneliness intensified.

Thoughts of rubbing aloe on singed scales and feeding him hot soup and tea as he curled up onto her couch flooded her mind. Blushing as she envisioned his face flushed with a fever, not unlike how he blushed in her explicit fantasies. Mentally preparing a trip to the edge of the DragonLands to get more supplies as she hummed in tandem with the purring of her sewing machines.