The cascade of outfits threatened to drown them, from formal gowns to summer dresses to sexy nightclub minis. Sunset grumbled and groaned as minutes turned to hours, hours turned to days, an endless whirlpool of cloth slowly drenching the floor of Rarity's studio. Even through gritted teeth, she still took the time to admire herself in each transitory getup. Sunset did look damn good, and her grumpiness was hard to hold on to when she remembered that this was all for her benefit. Not that Rarity wasn't taking part.
"Do you think this is more of a 'Summer Sunrise' or 'Springtime Sunlight?'" Rarity twirled, the bright yellows and oranges of her gown spraying around her hips. She threw her pale arms wide to show herself off, a scarf of fiery silk looped around her otherwise bare forearms.
Sunset gave her a cursory glance, and answered on instinct, unable to drum up much effort for dress number five-hundred and one, or whatever they were on. "Seems more like a 'Peerless Sunset' to me." She took a second to wink at Rarity before snugging her leather jacket more tightly over her shoulders, giving her reflection another stare.
Rarity rolled her eyes. She twisted and turned in her own mirror for a few more seconds, watching all the angles, then shrugged. "I'm sure I'll think of something suitable, eventually."
Before Sunset could blink, Rarity was down to her plain purple undergarments, or her 'dress up lingerie.' It was the five hundred and first time Sunset had seen them today, give or take, but her eyes still tracked Rarity's legs in the mirror as they paced closer. Now if only she had a tail...
Rarity started to pull Sunset's jacket off. "Come on, dear. Next one."
Sunset tried to grab at the jacket, but it was difficult with her arms tangled up behind her. "I like this one." It was a beautiful thing, soft and brown, all brass buckles and zipper pockets. It said 'I look great, and I'm a bad ass. Fight me.'
"Yes I know you do. And you'll like the next one too, so stop fighting me." Sunset watched as her new third-favorite jacket was swept into the sea of clothes around them. She muttered a brief prayer to the fashion gods that they would be reunited one day. Then Rarity started pushing her into a modified Prom dress, tentatively titled 'Radiant Starlight on a Winter's Night.'
This was what Rarity did to make herself feel better. Apparently she had noticed that Sunset wasn't exactly feeling like herself. So Rarity had taken it upon her self to provide a healthy dose of fashion therapy. "In order to feel good, you must look good," she'd said. So here they were.
Sunset wasn't sure how much effect it was having. Normally, just spending time with her girlfriend was enough to make her feel good, and this wasn't the first time Sunset had witnessed fashion therapy in person. Usually it was for Rarity, when she had a huge deadline looming or an especially frightening encounter at the coffee shop. Usually, they both came out of it laughing. But today, Sunset felt grumpy and annoyed, no matter how many winks and smiles she put on for Rarity. Probably because the source of her anxiety and upset was the very girl trying her hardest to relieve them. That kind of made the whole process moot.
Rarity had her hands on Sunset's shoulders, and they both admired the dress in the mirror. Sunset tried to push her thoughts aside, so that she could relax and enjoy the dress, the closeness, Rarity. But she'd never been good at reigning in her emotions. When the two girl's eyes met in the mirror, Sunset wore a small frown she couldn't quite wipe away.
Rarity's eyebrows raised, and a flicker of concern ran through her eyes. "What's wrong?" Rarity paused. Sunset tried to come up with an answer, and settled for bringing her face back to neutral. "Is it the dress? I know you usually go for jackets but really you do have a great figure for dresses and-" Sunset reached up and put her hand over Rarity's. Their eyes met in the mirror again, and Rarity's word tumble pulled short.
Sunset tried for a smile, and found one this time. "It isn't the dress Rarity. The dress is beautiful. They always are."
Rarity sighed. "I know it isn't the dress. I just..." She waved her free hand, grasping at the air. "This is all I know how to do," she muttered, glancing down.
Sunset turned to face her, placing her hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. "You're the greatest dressmaker in the world Rarity, but that isn't everything. You're beautiful, and classy, and a damn sexy capital 'L' Lady." Sunset cleared her throat. "Just you being here is enough to make me happier than is reasonable, okay?"
Rarity sniffed, then met Sunset's eyes. "Well, alright. It's true, I am all those things, and more. And as your girlfriend, it is my privilege, nay, my duty, to bring my, my, fabulousity to you and the world." She spun away from Sunset with an incredible flourish, and Sunset pretended not to notice her briefly wipe at her eyes. Sunset also pretended that Rarity's regal air was in no way hampered by that fact that she was still in only her underwear.
"I am the beautiful Rarity, and you are the beautiful Sunset. Nothing can stand in our path that we can't defeat with our sheer fabulousness." Rarity flung out her hand to Sunset, her flushed face and smile showing how much she was getting into her act. "Join me!"
Sunset smiled and took her hand, and together they stood, side by side, ready to face the world. Or at least Rarity's rows of mannequins.
Rarity shivered, and looked down at herself. "Oh goodness." She pulled her hand from Sunset's and covered herself, blushing slightly. "You might have reminded me I was grand-standing in my underwear."
Sunset laughed. "But you were on such a roll. I didn't want to ruin the moment. Besides," she grinned. "I can't complain about the view.
Rarity turned away, blushing more deeply. "Lecher."
Sunset shrugged. "Guilty as charged, dear."
Rarity snorted, then huffed mightily. Head held high once more, she stalked out of the room to find herself some clothes. In private. Still laughing to herself, Sunset stripped her own dress off, and started hunting for that leather jacket. It seemed that their fashion therapy session was now closed.
Dressed and ready to go, the two girls jumped into Rarity's car and left the still messy studio behind. Their dress-up session had ended just in time, both of them nearly forgetting that they were meeting their friends at the Pegasus Club, a rare night when all seven of them were free for a night of friendship. And partying.
Rarity drove, wearing a simple dress, white at the top and blending into ever deeper shades of purple toward the hem, cinched at the waist with a thin black belt. Sunset had found her leather jacket, and wore it over a beige blouse and blue jeans. Comfortable and simple.
The car ride was silent. Sunset caught Rarity eyeing her during the drive, but chose not to speak. Eventually, Rarity gave up, giving her full attention to the road. Several minutes passed before she began to drum her fingers along the steering wheel, a simple, familiar beat. Sunset's ears perked, but she continued to stare silently out her window, watching the sun set behind Canterlot.
The drumming got louder, more insistent, and Rarity's voice rose softly behind it, humming prettily. It was one of Fluttershy's old songs. Despite herself, Sunset drummed softly under her window, complimenting Rarity's own. Then she smiled, and started to get more into it, strumming more loudly.
Rarity kept her eyes forward, but she wore a smile of her own as her humming turned to words, and the soft first lines of "Shimmering Twilight" broke the silence. Sunset took over the role of drummer, using her door and the dash as her instruments, tapping her feet as necessary.
By the time they arrived, both were singing at the top of their lungs, Sunset's alto complimenting Rarity's more dynamic soprano, Sunset losing herself to the music, Rarity thankfully keeping most of her attention to the road. The last lines of their song, the third or fourth by Sunset's count, faded out as Rarity pulled into the last spot in front of the club, and both took a moment to catch their breath, hearts beating to the tempo of their song.
Sunset was the first to laugh as they recovered, and they both subsided into giggles as they watched passerby enter the Pegasus Club.
"Man, I haven't sung like that in a long time." Sunset rubbed her throat. "I forgot how much it can hurt."
"Only if you're out of practice," Rarity said, though Sunset noticed her voice was a bit scratchy.
Rarity was staring at Sunset again, and this time Sunset stared back with a small smile.
"What?" Sunset asked.
Rarity shook her head, and pulled down her sun visor, using the mirror there to touch up her makeup. "Nothing, dear."
Sunset shrugged, and settled back to wait for her girlfriend to finish up. Pulling lipstick from her purse, Rarity applied a bit more, rubbing her lips gently, dabbing with her fingertips. Then she sighed.
"Sunset?"
"Yeah?"
"You know you can talk to me, right?" Rarity folded her hands in her lap, and didn't look at Sunset.
"What are we doing right now?" Rarity shot her a look, and Sunset bit her tongue regretfully. "Yes, I know."
"I just- I've noticed that things haven't been quite normal between us lately. Ever since, well, my acceptance letter."
Sunset sat silently, looking out her window again.
"Sunset if you're worried about anything, we can talk about it. I mean it's not so far, we can-"
"Let's not." Sunset's voice was sharper than she intended, and she winced along with Rarity. "Can we not talk about this right now?"
Rarity's eyes flashed. "Then when, Sunset Shimmer, can we talk? I've been patient, but it seems like no time is a good time for you. Maybe you're hoping to put it off forever?"
"Yeah well, never talking about it is starting to sound really tempting." Sunset slapped her hand onto the dash. "Damn it Rarity." She closed her eyes, trying again to get herself under control. She reminded herself that Rarity wasn't to blame for her own feelings. Part of her disagreed. "I'm sorry Rarity. You're right. We'll talk about it, I promise. But not right now. I just want to go out with our friends and have a good time. Let's delay this for just one more night, alright?" She reached towards Rarity's hand, and hesitated, stopping at some invisible line between them.
Rarity took a deep breath, and met Sunset's gaze with an almost scary intensity. "Fine. Nothing more tonight. But." She grabbed Sunset's hand. "This is a promise. We will be speaking in the future." Sunset nodded quickly. Rarity's glare softened, and she laced her fingers through Sunset's. "Okay then." She leaned in, and softly kissed the tip of Sunset's nose. "Let's go have fun."
The Pegasus Club was packed, as usual, and the party was already, as Pinkie so helpfully put it, 'bumping.' Crowded was this place's normal, and even showing up as early as they did the couple nearly lost each other in the crowd the second they set foot inside. They managed to get their bearings, stick together, and locate their friends. Then came the problem of carving out a space for the seven of them. Thankfully, Pinkie knew the place like a 24/7 partier must, and soon they were all pressed tightly into a round table booth, saying their hellos and catching up. Comments on the crowd and noise followed, and soon the subject of drinks was brought up. Sunset offered to grab something for everyone.
Fluttershy raised her hand. "Nothing too strong this time, Sunset," she demanded softly. Twilight nodded beside her.
"No worries. I'll take it easy."
"I'll come with, just to be sure." Rainbow Dash edged out of the booth towards Sunset.
Sunset spread her hands. "Sure."
They pushed their way through the crowd, Rainbow perhaps a bit rougher than necessary. Sunset waved down the bartender, then turned to Rainbow. "Were my drinks really that bad last time?"
Rainbow shrugged. "Fluttershy's a light drinker. Though if I remember correctly, which I might not thanks to you, Applejack was the only one left standing on 'Sunset's Whiskey Night.'"
Sunset rubbed the back of her neck. "Oh yeah. I do remember that."
Rainbow put her arm around Sunset's shoulders. "Listen Sunny, I got no problems with drinking myself under, over, or onto a table. I just prefer not to do it out in public, ya know?" She gave Sunset a friendly poke in the ribs. "Besides, who do you think has to carry Flutters home when she drinks too much? I'm tough, but I don't want to invite pain on my future drunken self."
When the bartender showed up, Sunset ordered a bucketful of beers (carefully curated by Rainbow) and ordered a shot for the two of them. They clinked their glasses together.
"To getting drunk and staying off the tables."
"To getting carried instead of carrying." They laughed, downed their drinks, and wound their way back to the booth.
When they got back, Pinkie was already standing on her seat, gesturing wildly and chatting with a bemused Twilight and Fluttershy. Applejack stood to greet them, and pulled the first beer for herself.
Sunset nodded at towards the table. "What's Pinkie talking about?"
Applejack shook her head, cracking open the can and taking a long sip. "Can't say I really know. Sometimes just listening to her is enough to make my head spin somethin' awful." Sunset chuckled, and sat down beside Rarity as Rainbow shared the bucket with the rest of the girls. Rarity snuggled closer, and Sunset wrapped an arm around her waist. Resting her head on Sunset's shoulder, Rarity nearly purred with contentment.
Drink in hand, Pinkie Pie resumed her pronouncements. "So then, a party cannon comes out of the party cannon! Two times the party!"
The drink bucket sat in the center of the table, surrounded by purses and jackets. Sunset finished off her third beer and placed it back into the nearly empty bucket. Fluttershy sat to her left, taking small sips from what Sunset was pretty sure was still her first drink. They were alone at the table. Everyone else was out on the dance floor, each with their own distinct pocket of waving limbs. Sunset was the current table babysitter, making sure they didn't lose it to anyone else, and Fluttershy was resting from her own dance floor escapades. She was a quiet girl, but out on the dance floor she couldn't be tamed. Her lack of endurance always caught up to her though.
"You and Rarity seem happy."
"Huh?" Sunset had been watching Twilight, whose dancing could at best be described as a health hazard to those around her. There was nobody within a foot of her, despite how crowded it was. Sunset turned to Fluttershy, her brain quickly processing the question.
"Oh, yeah. We are." It was a lamely empty response, but Fluttershy didn't seem to mind. She took another sip.
"She must be very excited for the end of summer. Oh but, I'm really going to miss her."
Sunset bit her lip, and felt something hard in her throat. She pulled another beer from the bucket, and washed the lump down. "Me too."
"I mean, I'm happy she got into the school that she wanted to but, Prance is very far away." Fluttershy hesitated, then continued. "Have you girls, you know, talked about what you'll do?"
The lump came back, but Sunset laughed it off weakly. "Oh we're figuring things out." Fluttershy continued to stare, her eyes filled with concern. "You don't have to worry about us, seriously. We are going to figure things out. It's gonna be tough but, we can do it together." Sunset hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. Her voice felt weak, and her heart fluttered, but she met Fluttershy's serious eyes with her own.
Fluttershy nodded, seeming satisfied. "I just wanted to make sure you girls were okay. Rarity hasn't really said anything. Worrying about my friends is what I do." She laughed sweetly. "I feel much better now. I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Thanks Fluttershy." They fell back into silence, Fluttershy humming to herself and watching the dance floor. Sunset fell back into her thoughts, thoughts she'd wanted to keep avoiding. They didn't have a plan, didn't even have a plan for a plan, just a fragile promise to talk. They were running out of time, and Sunset knew it was mostly her fault. She shook her head. Tonight wasn't the night to figure this out. Tomorrow was another day. She raised the beer to her lips, and found it was already empty. Sunset winced. She was going to pay for that one.
She threw the can away and scanned the crowd, searching for Rarity. And found her, dancing with a stranger. As usual, she tensed up with a flash of jealousy, but forced herself to relax. Rarity did not consider dancing to be a solo activity, and she wasn't picky with who was around to join her. There was nothing wrong with her having fun, and Sunset pressed down hard on the feeling of jealousy she was very much not having. It wasn't like that gangly boy was some tall, leggy Prench girl.
Sunset stood up abruptly. "Fluttershy, would you mind watching the table? I have a sudden urge to dance."
"Okay, have fun."
Sunset pushed her way across the dance floor, trying to walk normally. She made her path as straight as she could manage, dodging limbs and muttering apologies where appropriate. As she got closer, Rarity saw her coming, and winked playfully in her direction. Sunset stopped a short distance away, crossing her arms waiting somewhat awkwardly for the song to end. Thankfully, the song had already been just about finished, so she wasn't waiting long. Rarity smiled and thanked her partner before sending him on his way.
Sunset watched him stumble away in a daze, a contented smile on his face, and snorted. Rarity did that to you. Or he was just drunk. Sunset moved closer to Rarity, and they both stood a step apart, neither moving.
"Hey," Sunset said.
"Hey," Rarity returned, smiling. Sunset put her hands on Rarity's hips, and pulled her closer, so that only inches remained between them. "Mind if I have this dance?"
"Of course darling." Rarity closed the distance, placing her head on Sunset's chest and wrapping her arms around her waist. Sunset's arms tightened in response, and they held each other close, swaying to the slow beat of the music. Sunset brushed a slow hand through Rarity's hair. Rarity giggled.
"What?"
"You're so affectionate when you're jealous."
"Sunset stiffened. "I'm not jealous."
Rarity laughed again, more loudly. "Of course you aren't." She hugged Sunset more tightly. "Perish the thought."
"I can want to dance with my girlfriend," Sunset grumped.
As they spoke, the music had been steadily gaining tempo. By now it was clearly not slow-dance music, fast paced and exciting. Rarity pulled back, and grabbed Sunset's hands. Her eyes sparkled. "Then let's dance."
It was on their way back to the table that Sunset made the mistake of bringing up Prance. Her head was spinning, from the alcohol, from the dancing, from Rarity. She was dizzy, and her heart was pounding, and the hard gate over her throat was closing. Rarity was ahead of her, holding her hand and leading her through the crowd. Sunset stopped, and pulled on Rarity's hand. Rarity turned around, a question in her eyes, and Sunset said it, right there in the middle of the Pegasus Club dance floor.
"Don't go."
Rarity's eyes widened, then narrowed. "Oh no. You do not get to do this, not here, " she hissed. "You said we weren't talking about it tonight, and I agree." She tried to continue on, but Sunset held her in place. Rarity turned back, the annoyance clear on her face. "Sunset. I have tried to talk to you about this, many time. In private, at home, in the car. And you refused. And now, in the middle of the damn night, in the middle of the damn club, in public, now you think we should talk?"
Sunset knew she was right, and knew that she really didn't want to talk about it, here or anywhere. Bu the lump in her throat threatened to break into tears, and she couldn't stop thinking about beautiful girls from Prance. "I do. I think that here, now, is the best possible place for us to talk." Sunset barely notices the circle forming around them. Rarity's statement hadn't been quiet, and Sunset had raised her response to match. They were drawing eyes.
"Well that's just wonderful Sunset, it's just wonderful that you've finally found the place you're willing to talk. But guess what? I'm not having this discussion with you right now." Rarity pulled her hand out of Sunset's grip. "You don't get to make this about you. You aren't the only one who is drunk, who is upset and unsure. And yet I'm the one who has to be the adult? Stop being so damn selfish." Rarity turned away, then turned back. "And don't bother coming home tonight." And Sunset was left staring at the after image of Rarity's tearing eyes, holding her own tears back in stunned silence.
Somehow, she made her way back to the booth. She sat down heavily, and listened numbly to Fluttershy and Applejack discussing animal care. She reached for the beer bucket, hoping at least one was left. He hand brushed against a purse. Rarity's purse. The purse that had the keys to the car she shouldn't be driving drunk anyway. Sunset cursed, grabbed the stupid thing, and stood up. Applejack and Fluttershy were staring at her, but she had no explanation. She lifted the purse in her hands, and said simply, "Rarity." Then she ran towards the exit.
Sunset followed Rarity's path in her mind, from running to her car and finding it locked, to running towards the road to hail a cab before remembering her purse held all her money too. To where Sunset found her, sitting on the sidewalk with her head in her hands, sobbing loudly.
There was no easy way to approach Rarity when she was like this, even at the best of times. Knowing that she was the cause made the whole endeavor even more difficult, and put a twist in her stomach. In the end she decided to sit down, put the purse between them, and wait out the storm.
Eventually, Rarity calmed down enough to speak in sobbing jerks. "I don't. Want to talk. To you."
"I know."
"It's not fair. What you did. In there."
Sunset rubbed the back of her neck, and fought the lump. "I know."
"I tried. Talking about it. And you wouldn't listen."
Sunset said nothing.
Rarity stood up, and snatched her purse off the ground. She stalked away, marching quickly and with purpose. Sunset trailed after her. They walked in silence for a bit, Rarity's sniffles fading and Sunset a few steps behind.
After several minutes passed, Sunset couldn't hold her silence. "What, are you going to walk all the way home?"
"I don't know Sunset. Maybe I am."
"That's gonna take a while."
"Yes, I suppose it is."
They fell silent again.
"Rarity." The girl in question whirled on her heel and closed the distance between them faster than Sunset could believe. She stumbled back as Rarity jabbed a finger into her chest. "What do you want from me?"
"You're being ridiculous."
"Oh I am?" Rarity laughed viciously. "I'm being ridiculous. Then I am really curious as to how you would define your own behavior in there."
Sunset took another step back, then held her ground. There was something bracing about the cold night air, clearing her thoughts of some of the alcohol around them. "Yeah Rarity, you're right. I fucked up. I'm sorry. But you can't walk forty minutes home in the middle of the night."
Rarity sniffed. "Don't doubt the leg strength of a lady. And you're right. You fucked up." She turned away and kept walking, but more slowly. Sunset followed, then made a decision. She started walking next to Rarity.
"I really am sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did."
Rarity didn't answer, but Sunset could see she was listening. "Tonight really isn't the night to talk about this, but obviously we, I, do need to talk. I've been avoiding it for too long and it just kinda... came out." She glanced at Rarity, who was still silent, trying to read her thoughts. She pushed on. "I don't want you to go Rarity, because I can't follow you to Prance. I don't know the language, or have the visa, and my roots and dreams are all here in Canterlot." She sighed. "But I also know this isn't about me, this is about you, and you're dream, and figuring out you're own life. And I want to help you through that, whatever it takes." They had both come to a stop. "So, like I said, now isn't really the time to talk about it, but if you want to, I want to. Let's talk soon, okay?"
Rarity sniffled. "Well. That wasn't so hard was it?" She turned her tear-filled eyes on Sunset. "All it took was a huge fight and a chase through Canterlot to get us to talk." Her laugh turned into a hiccup. She rested her head on Sunset's shoulder, and Sunset wrapped her arms around her. A cold breeze rocked them both, and they shivered. "We'll get through this, right Sunset?" Rarity's voice was muffled in Sunset's jacket.
"We always do." Sunset laughed, with relief that it was over, at least for now. Then she was on the ground, and it was her being held by Rarity as the tears she'd been holding back finally broke loose.
Sunset opened her eyes. Her mouth was dry, her back stiff, and her butt wet. She blinked, and glanced around, trying to figure out where she was. The she glanced down, and remembered. The tears, the consoling, the cold and then, apparently, falling asleep. Rarity lay in her lap in a very uncomfortable looking position, her hair splayed out like violet rays of sunlight. After taking a minute to admire her sleeping girlfriend, beautiful even in the dark, Sunset started lightly tapping her fingers along Rarity's cheek.
Rarity frowned, and slapped Sunset's hand away.
"Mm," she said, unhappily. One eye cracked open. "Where am I?"
"In my lap."
"And where are you?"
Sunset glanced around her, feeling the bricks through her jacket back. "Sitting in an alley, I believe."
"Mmm." Her eye closed again. "Well, good night."
"Oh no." If Rarity fell asleep again, she wouldn't wake till morning. Sunset would be forced to carry her home on her back, something she really didn't want to do. She started to juggle her legs, and blow cold air into Rarity's face and ears, making her lap a very inhospitable place. Rarity's eyes remained stubbornly closed, but she began to squeak and grumble, and Sunset knew she had won.
Finally, Rarity shoved herself up with a huff, holding herself steady with an arm across Sunset's legs.
"Alright, alright," she said. Her hair was loose and wild, framing her face with random, curving lines. She blinked and squinted, and didn't bother to cover her yawn.
Sunset leaned back with a smile. "You're beautiful."
Rarity grabbed Sunset's shoulder, using it to lever herself to her feet. "Of course I am. A Lady is a Lady, wherever she finds herself." She stumbled a few steps, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, then slumped against the alley wall. "Sunseeet," she moaned.
"Rarity?" Sunset was struggling to stand. Her feet had fallen asleep.
"Take me home."
"Yeah, that's the plan."
"I mean now. I can't walk anymore, I just can't. I want to be in bed."
Sunset ran a hand through her own tangled hair, finding it damp with what she hoped was rainwater. "Well, unfortunately teleportation isn't really a thing here so."
Rarity moaned again.
"Are you stomping your feet?"
"Oh shut up Sunset. Let me have my tantrum at least!"
Sunset chuckled. Then she wrapped her arms around Rarity's waist. She buried her face in Rarity's hair, and kissed the back of her neck, below her right ear. Rarity sighed, and leaned into her.
"Hey Rarity?"
"Mm?"
"I love you."
Rarity turned in Sunset's arms, her eyes wide and beautiful. Her voice was low, husky, seductive. "Sunset..."
"I'm not carrying you home."
"Damn you Sunset Shimmer."
Eventually they started to walk, making their slow way back to the Pegasus Club, towards home, and towards Prance.
