Intoxicating Scales

Clouds swept under Rarity's hooves once they reached the top. Inside smelled like the garden below; earthy but with a sophisticated redolent. Fur on her back prickled from the unanticipated chill, dreading wearing something so breezy.

Her deep indigo bun bobbed as she looked around, eyes widening at the shelves full of breathtaking potted plants. Housed under them were long tables strewn with paper work and science equipment. She pursed her lips at a jug that appeared to be full of shimmering stars.

"My, this is inspired," she breathed, trotting closer to his side, "I hope you didn't lug all of this up those stairs by yourself?"

He shrugged, "Most of it. I had a few lab partners help. Thankfully most plants aren't as heavy as they look. How've you been lately by the way? I know I shouldn't asked that by now, I apologize."

"It is quite alright dear. And I suppose I've been alright. Yourself?"

"Just alright?" he raised an eyebrow.

She furrowed hers and titled her head, "Yes, something wrong with that? And you didn't answer my question."

WolfBane smiled, "I've been frustrated and worried, a few panic attacks here and there. Which makes me feel exhausted most of the time- you'd be surprised how much work and research I have to do. Once you make in into the Canterlot Archives, you become an asset to developing Equestrian medicines whether you think you can handle it or like it. But I have managed to see you again, and to secure the possibility of a sleepover if you'd still like."

Her ears pinned up and eyes softened, "I never realized you were so stressed and your work was even more important than I thought. N-Not to say I didn't think it was important before."

His gentle gaze washed over her, "You don't have to pretend, when I say I work with plants, I can see how most would roll their eyes and not take it seriously. And there are others more stressed than me, so don't feel too sorry. Rarity, please answer me honestly, have you been crying?"

"I haven't actually, why?"

"Your eyes are bloodshot and-" he glanced around, "You might be allergic to something here."

"I didn't really sleep last night, which is probably why. I feel fine other than that."

"Are you absolutely sure?" he firmly pressed.

She gently nodded, "I don't intend to be rude, but do you think we could get started on the french toast? My blood sugar is actually low now and-"

"Now?"

"I-I mean-"

"This is bold for me to assume, but did you trail behind to...check me out?" he furiously blushed. "I know I'm really not all that atttr-"

Flushing pink, she blurted "You're gorgeous actually. I am sorry, should I not do that? I couldn't help it."

His blush deepened, "O-Oh no, you can if you'd like. I'm sorry, I'm not used to that happening and we seem to be progressing rapidly to.."

"We can slow it down dear, this is fast for me too. We'd need to get to know each other much more before that."

"I'm glad we're on the same page," he sighed, "Let me get changed out of this, and I'll make the french toast for you."

"I can help if-"

"I have a satin memory foam sofa in the living room- just keep walking straight and you'll hit it. I know the walk here was long, please rest."

Grinning, she galloped forward. The room was tidied much more than she'd anticipated. The rich-chocolate sofa matched the glossy coffee table, providing a dark contrast to the periwinkle blinds. A tall, black-cherry bookcase reached the ceiling, books organized by subject. An end table housed a bright yellow hyacinth, the only plant in the room for that matter. The other housed books he must still be reading. Smiling when she saw they both read the same romance book series, Mare Amare .

Scanning over the other books, she froze. Underneath the pile, one had a onyx stone binding. Carefully pulling it out with her magic, she read the cover. Her heart felt like jagged pillars of glass burst through her heart:

Guide to Drake Courtship:Attracting a Mate

"What?!" she seethed under her breath, "Why...?"

White noise filled her head as she cracked it open and deposited herself on the heavenly sofa. Noticing a few pages were bookmarked, she began to read one over.

Recent studies have concluded that Drake's can be very susceptible to certain vegetation and gems increasing their sex drive while in heat. Crystalic-Yohimbe, Skullpaz, and Oatstraw are a few examples.

A paramount thing to note is a Drake's greed can be switched over to coitus with too much application of these, which can potentially be harmful to them and others around. Drake's Greed is insatiable once-

"Sorry I took so long. I tried to get out some of the muck in my hair and fur." WolfBane announced, now garbed in blue pajamas with a light green robe, a blanket of the same color on his back.

Rarity snapped the book shut, wincing and the clank of stones. He flinched, stepping back at the noise. The two stared at each other for a moment, before his eyes drifted to the literature she was levitating.

Chuckling, he sat down beside her, offering her the blanket. "Don't worry, I got that as a gift while I was studying in the DragonLands for research on how certain herbs affect them. Now that more creatures are widely accepted here, I needed to brush up on how to treat them and not just ponies. Dragons weren't interested much in medical practices- their immune systems are immensely strong actually- so this was the closest guide they had. I've also got books on yaks, kirin, hypogriffs. Dragon vegetation itself is a fascinating thing to study."

"Ah yes, it just looked so peculiar I had to look at it." she lied.

"I understand," he said with a bright smile, "Especially since you have a dragon friend, right?"

A cool breeze relaxed her mind when she thought of a scheme, "Why yes. Coincidentally, he's been having a hard time attracting another female dragon. I understand you may need this for your work, but do you think I could perhaps lend this to him? He lives in a library, so he is tremendously good with books."

"My research has been more pony based recently, so I don't see why not, so yes."

The duo chatted about Mare Amare over french toast as the moon rose. Rarity couldn't help but feel guilty with each bite, as he had a true talent for not only making decadent culinary pieces, but also made them look stunning. Intricate trails of powdered sugar were darkened by rivers of syrup, and the half-strawberries decorating the edges were some of the reddest she had seen. He airily waved a hoof in the air every time she offered a compliment, though the smile on his face was priceless.

"I don't know, I just don't think it's fair to Waterfall Pearls."

"How so?" Rarity beamed.

WolfBane rubbed his chin, "Well, Robin Thorn is still in love with Countess Blanche. So he isn't with her from a place of honesty and is still pining after somepony else. He's only with her because she's so insecure that she doesn't feel like she deserves better."

The unicorn tilted her head, nodding for him to continue.

"That's a running theme in this story I suppose- we only allow ourselves to be as loved as much as we think we deserve to be, but I feel like there is more logic behind love. And Waterfall Pearls is still hoping Duke Spinel will see that Madame Album isn't right for him. She's supposed to be seen as a selfless character, but I can't help but find her selfish. So they both aren't being fair to one another."

"I think being selfish is necessary sometimes. And they are both making the best out of their situations. You can't always get with the pony the pony you want- like the last lines say: Twas a tragedy all mine, heart shattered though I acted fine. Thus the harshest truth of life dawned on me. One day you'll meet a pony who ignites a fire in you that cannot die, but they are not always the equine to whom which we will spend our with lives."

"You actually memorized that?" he gasped, "And I thought I was a Mare Amare fan!"

"I've read the series a couple dozen times," she smiled, rubbing the back of her head. "It's always been a guilty pleasure of mine."

"I only picked it up last summer, after the rock slide took out most of my house."

Rarity's ears stood up, putting an elbow on the table, she leaned in sympathetically. "What happened with that? I've heard about it taking our your house, but well, that's it."

"There's not much more to tell," he groaned, looking down at the table cloth, "When you live on the side of a mountain, it's to be expected. I came home from getting some of my papers peer-approved and showing them how to set up the tests, only to lose most of what I had. Thankfully I was already in the processes of moving plants over there."

"I'm sure you've already been showered with condolences, but I am so sorry that happened to you. I have no idea what I'd do if my Boutique was destroyed."

"You could always crash here. If you were comfortable with that, I mean. I know how rough it is to go without a home."

She grinned at him, "And if your house ever got destroyed, you could always crash at mine. Perhaps you could come over for tea sometime?"