White Veil

It took a week for Spike to Finish the novel. The fantasy elements intrigued him to an extent, but the raunchier text made it difficult for him to want to progress. For a book of Rarity's caliber, from his perspective, it was underwhelming. When he stopped by the shop to drop it off, he was surprised to see Rarity's husband. They had passingly acknowledged each other before, but never formally spoken.

"Hey! Spike, right?"

"Yeah."

"How's it goin'?"

"Just stopped by to return something."

Rarity exited the back room and joined them in conversation.

"By the look on your face, I assume you've finished it," she noted.

"Hey, isn't that that old book you threw me for a loop with," the stallion asked.

Spike raised an eyebrow.

"You read it, too?"

"Oh, man! That was the strangest experience of my life, and probably the most hilarious!"

"Can someone please explain?"

"We met three years ago," Rarity began, "I was selling some of my newest dresses, and he was looking for something for his daughter's prom night. Like you, he was extremely nervous and uncomfortable in social environments. I helped him pick out a dress. At the time, I had just purchased that book you're holding there. We started chatting casually, and I came up with a brilliant, albeit devious plot."

"She lent me the darn thing, and boy, let me tell ya', was that somethin' else!"

"I'm still lost."

"Simply put, it's a psychological shock," Rarity continued.

"Psychological shock?"

"Do you know what I heard in your voice when you called me last week? It's something you've been lacking for quite some time."

"I have no idea."

"Passion, dear! You were passionate about defending your ethical position and maintaining your good standing with Twilight."

"Passion, huh..."

"Think carefully. For that one moment, when you lost your patience with me, your desire to preserve life and limb made you forget your initial reservations about our friendship, did it not?"

"Well...I guess so..."

"Twilight wasn't the only one worried about you, you know. We've all been wondering where that spark of life has been. You were living the existence of a ghost in a flesh suit."

"I know..."

"Why?"

"I don't think there was any real reason. After a while, I just kind of pulled back from society. Didn't really feel like there was anything left for me to do."

"That's absurd! There must be something for you to do in the outside world."

"Honestly, Rarity, who I was as a kid and who I am now are two totally different people. The version of me you were most familiar with isn't around anymore. I'm not enticed by high class society or concerned with winning affection like I was back then, and I'm not sure this new me is someone you guys would really care to be around."

"You changed. It's a normal part of growing up. It doesn't mean you should retreat into apathy and wait to die. You would be wasting the most precious gift anyone can receive: the gift of life - the opportunity to achieve happiness with the limited time you have."

"Have I really been wasting my life...?"

"You have."

"...You're right. How could I have been so blind...?"

"It's not too late. You can still turn things around."

"But how...?"

"Why not start small? Have you thought about finding a new hobby?"

"Not lately, but when I was fifteen, I did think about doing some skating for a while."

"Did you?"

"No. It was just a passing thought at the time."

"I wholeheartedly believe you should pursue it. There's nothing to lose by trying."

"You know what? Yeah. I'm gonna' go for it. Worst case scenario, I break something and have to call it quits, and my scales are pretty resilient, so..."

"Do what you feel is right. You're a mature adult now with a strong moral compass. Concentrate on your goals and your life. There's no telling where it will lead and what it will lead to."

"...Thanks, Rarity..."