As the weather began to slowly warm up on the Canterlot University campus, Chrome Shield was still feeling the heat in Twilight Sparkle’s class.

Though he had promised to improve after his after-class meeting with the Princess of Friendship, the next few pre-class sessions had found him still struggling to properly complete his weekly magic assignments.

Each “attempt” had ended with Twilight politely thanking him, but he couldn’t help but notice concern in her lavendar eyes.

One distraction in class, turned out to (naturally) be Sweetie Belle. Out of all the students, it was Sweetie who seemed to be one of the most attentive and vocal, answering a number of the questions that Twilight posited to the class. Though she was quite talkative to her teacher, Chrome hadn’t spoken to her in quite awhile, leading him to make a snap-decision one day after class.

As Sweetie slung her bookbag over her shoulder, Chrome mustered up his courage, and followed her out of the building.

“Hey, Sweetie,” he called out, causing her to turn around slowly (most likely to keep the weight of her breasts from pulling her off-balance).

“Oh, Hi Chrome,” she smiled. “Been a while since we talked.”

“Yeah, I’ve, had a lot going on lately.”

“I’m sure. Cadet training going well?”

Oh yeah, yeah,” he smiled. “Going…really well.”

“Good to hear,” she said, before licking her lips. “Say um, I was actually hoping to talk to you.”

“Y-you were?” asked Chrome, trying to keep calm.

Yeah, there’s something I wanted to ask you. You probably don’t remember, but I mentioned how my sister Rarity has a boutique here in Canterlot-“

“Oh yeah, I remember,” he blushed slightly.

“Yeah, well, she was supposed to visit around Hearts and Hooves day, but there were some urgent matters at her Manehattan boutique she needed to work out. However, she’s finally got that situation under control, and she’s going to be in Canterlot for a few days next week. And…well…I told her a little about you when I went back home for Hearth’s Warming, and…she wants to meet you.”

“She does?” he responded, trying to keep his emotions under control (at the thought that he had been a topic of conversation with Sweetie Belle!). “Which day next week?”

“Wednesday.”

“Well, that works fine for me.”

“Okay. You don’t need to dress up in anything fancy, but Rarity is probably going to find some place that is pretty upscale.”

“I can manage. Any idea how many bits I’ll need to bring?”

“I’m pretty sure it’ll all be on her. She is the element of generosity, remember?”

“Of course!”

“Well, I guess that takes care of that,” said Sweetie, shifting her book bag slightly. ”Once I get more information from Rarity, I’ll drop it off at your dorm room. Gotta run.”

“Sure,” said Chrome, watching her bounce off down the sidewalk, as he wondered what was in store for him next week.

As he stood under the streetlight, Chrome tried his best not to run his hand through his hair. He had never used stying gel before, and it was a strange sensation, feeling like his hair had turned into porcupine quills.

Even though Sweetie Belle had said “casual,” he had found himself going to a secondhand store off-campus, and purchasing what he felt had been clothing that had belonged to some upper-crust students at the university (probably cost me way less than they paid in the first place, he thought to himself).

The sidewalk outside the restaurant was relatively quiet for a Wednesday evening, and there was still a chill in the air which his winter coat helped to ward off.

As he glanced down the street towards Canterlot Castle, Chrome saw a lavendar balloon suddenly emerge from a side street. A split-second later, he realized it was Sweetie Belle’s chest in a lavendar coat. Next to her was a white pony with a swirling purple hairstyle, in a white coat. As Sweetie caught Chrome’s eye, she gave him a big wave of her hand.

“Hope you weren’t waiting long,” said Sweetie as she got closer. “My sister couldn’t find the scarf to go with her coat.”

“Oh Sweetie Belle,” sighed Rarity, “Let’s not make a big deal about who misplaced what. Now, why don’t you introduce me to your b-“

“Chrome Shield, this is my sister, Rarity. Rarity, this is Chrome Shield.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” smiled Chrome, shaking Rarity’s gloved hand. “Sweetie Belle showed me some of your handiwork last fall.”

“Oh really?” smiled Rarity. “And what pray tell was it?”

“The bridal veil from Princess Cadence’s wedding.”

“Oh yes! I hear that the Princess still has the dress in her Crystal Empire wardrobe, but she loaned the headpiece to the castle for its display. Did you know that after the royal wedding, I heard a few high-profile Canterlot weddings based their stylings off of my designs? But of course, I’m sure you are well aware that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery-“

“If you don’t mind,” snorted Sweetie, “maybe we can continue this inside? Where it’s warmer, and there’s food?”

Chrome noted that the restaurant was definitely fancier than the last one he and Sweetie Belle had been in, as was noticeable by the coat check once they had gotten through the door.

Naturally, most within viewing distance couldn’t help but try to hide their stares as Sweetie removed her coat. Her mid-thigh length dress was hard not to be noticed, but more noticeable was her v-neck top, which seemed in danger of spilling out its round, navel-concealing contents (and was making Chrome feel decidedly larger in his loins).

Next, it was Rarity’s turn. Even though she was “smaller” than her little sister (her own breasts each barely larger than her head), the purple-haired pony was wearing a professional-looking skirt that hugged her curves and seemed to synch in her waist, accentuating hips decidedly wider than Sweetie’s. Unlike her sister’s top, Rarity’s was allowing for much more cleavage to be displayed. It could have been Chrome’s imagination, but it did seem that Rarity might be wearing a push-up bra to make herself seem larger.

They were soon escorted past a number of tables, and seated by a large picture of a pastoral setting.

“Oh, they have that wine I do love so,” said Rarity, looking over the list. “Sweetie Belle, why don’t you and Chrome order some too?

“I’ll, consider it,” replied Sweetie. “Care for some wine, Chrome?”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” he said. “I’ll just stick with water tonight.”

“Oh come now, live it up a little,” smiled Rarity. “I’m covering our meal tonight, so go right ahead and order whatever you wish.”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“How, gentlemenly of you,” replied Rarity, as she gestured to a waiter. Several minutes later, a fresh bottle had been opened up, and she raised a full glass, along with Sweetie and Chrome’s waters.

“To a lovely evening,” smiled Rarity, as they clinked their glasses. “Now Chrome, I am curious, just how did you and my sister meet?”

“You really don’t need him to go into detail, Rarity,” replied Sweetie, picking up a roll from the basket in the center of the table, and beginning to butter it.

“Oh darling, you shouldn’t fill up on bread,” said Rarity.

“Why not?” replied Sweetie. “It’s right there.”

“Well, I’ve heard that for some girls, it can maybe…inflate their condition?”

“…and what are you implying?”

“Implying!? I’m merely looking out for my sister.”

“I’ll be fine,” responded Sweetie, all but stuffing the whole roll in her mouth, before realizing what she had done, forcing herself to chew and swallow in small increments.

“Well, since you asked,” said Chrome, “I did run into her…by accident.”

As Sweetie Belle recovered from almost choking, she listened as Chrome recounted running into her that first day back, and encountering her during Nightmare Night. Her heart did thump a bit more fearing he would relate how he helped her when she needed to be milked, but she breathed a sigh of relief (internally) when he glossed over that. Instead, he then moved onto talk about his time in the Cadets, and being in Twilight’s class.

“Quite a busy one, aren’t you?” giggled Rarity, taking a sip of her wine.

“I do the best I can,” he replied. “So, Sweetie Belle mentioned you spent quite a bit of time in Manehattan recently?”

“Oh yes, it went quite well. The boutique is still taking orders, and I have been asked to design ensembles for 3 new shows that are gaining traction in the fashion world…though the Hoofsteaders could have given me more notice.”

“Who?” asked Chrome.

“The Hoofsteaders, dear. They’re, ‘new bits’ in the city. No one really knows what they do, but apparently they’ve been creating quite a stir, making rather high-end purchases. And it just so happens, a large number of them were through the boutique…which turned out to be…quite an ordeal-“

“Rarity, I think we should order,” said Sweetie, gesturing to a waiter, who was looking rather impatient standing next to her.

A few moments later, their orders were in, and the conversation had turned back to the Hoofsteaders.

As Chrome kept asking more questions (and Rarity kept drinking more wine), he could feel something knocking against his leg. Glancing over to Sweetie Belle, he saw her slightly shaking her head, and looking at him.

“I hope I’m not asking, too many questions,” he said to Rarity, before glancing over to Sweetie, who was rolling her eyes.

“Oh, nonsense,” replied Rarity, going for the bottle, and refilling her glass. “In fact, I’m happy you are so concerned. Sweetie Belle, you could learn how to listen more from this handsome stallion.”

Sweetie just sighed and went for another roll, as Chrome asked for Rarity to tell him more.

“All that effort, just for them to cancel at the last minute!?”

Sweetie Belle took a deep breath, trying to keep herself composed, as Rarity took another drink from her glass…or attempted to, as most of it ended up on her dessert.

After she had revealed that the Hoofsteader’s had cancelled their order, the fashionista had soon gone through several extra bottles of wine.

Chrome could see a blush on Rarity’s white cheeks most likely caused by all the drinking, while next to him, he could see a faint blush on Sweetie Belle’s cheeks…though probably due to her older sister attracting attention due to the fluctuating pitch of her voice, making a number of patrons quietly eyeball their table.

“Can you pass me her purse?” whispered Sweetie, as Rarity took another gulp. “I need to get her card so we can pay and get out of here.”

Soon the three were walking the few blocks to the boutique, with Rarity stumbling along, squeezing Chrome’s arm.

“So firm,” she cooed. “I can see why my little sister took a shine to you. I admit she likes em’ big-whoopdownIgo!”

Chrome quickly reached down to help her up, as Rarity’s hands were grabbing around, and suddenly he felt her touch an “off-limits area.”

“Oh Sweetie Belle,” she slurred, “have you been keeping this stud’s secret all to yourself?”

“Will you please get up?” Hissed Sweetie Belle, as she squished against Rarity’s back, and helped hoist her up. “Last thing we want is Canterlot paparazzi seeing you like this-“

“THEY CAN’T PROVE A THING!!” yelled Rarity, as Chrome hoisted an arm under her, and Sweetie led the way.

A few blocks later, they arrived at the entrance of Canterlot Carousel.

“Good thing the boutique is so close,” sighed Sweetie, fishing her sisters keys out of her purse and opening the door. She led Chrome past shadowy mannequins and fabric samples to a backroom area.

It was apparent that this was where Rarity stayed when in town, as Sweetie opened a side-door, turned on the lights, and led him into a room with an ornate four-poster bed. Laying Rarity on the bed, he gasped as she threw her arms around him and gigglingly pulled him on top of her!

“Care for a threesome?” She cooed. “I think you’ve got enough to share down there. Why don’t we make a sandwich-?”

“Can you wait outside, Chrome?” asked Sweetie, disentangling her sisters arms from around the stallion. “Give me a few minutes.”

Chrome quietly left, and headed down a hallway into a back kitchen area. Some time later, Sweetie joined him, and got herself a water from the fridge.

“Well, she finally konked out,” she sighed. “Guess I’ll have to stay overnight and help her wake up.”

“Doesn’t she have an assistant or someone to help her?”

“No. Rarity likes to think she’s self-reliant…and in cases like this, she’ll need me to perk her up in the morning before she gets down to business, and she’s got quite a bit to take care of tomorrow.”

“Don’t you have classes in the morning?”

“No, my first class on Thursday is around eleven…Though really, did you have to go on about the Hoofsteaders? Why did you think I was kicking you?”

“I thought I was asking too many questions,” he replied.

“Asking too many questions when my sister is upset usually leads to this!”

“Well I’m sorry I don’t know your sister as well as you do!”

At the volume of his voice and hearing Rarity moan from down the hall, Sweetie shushed him.

“You’re right,” she said softly. “Sorry, I…I hoped this evening would have gone smoother. She’s, not usually like this, just…on special occasions.”

“So…does she really think I’m your-“

“She thinks a lot of things, Chrome. That’s the way it is with sisters. I’ve told her you and I are…just friends.“

An awkward silence followed, before she spoke up again.

“Look. Maybe we can, have lunch later on this week. I promise it’ll be less awkward.”

“Um, okay,” he replied. “Maybe we can go to that new place that just opened up.”

“I’ll think about it,” said Sweetie, before she suddenly snapped her eyes open wide. “I just realized, can you do me a favor? Can you drop off a note to Applebloom and Scootaloo? I don’t want them to worry about where I am.”

“Sure,” he replied. “You can depend on me.”

“Thanks,” she smiled, and pulling a notepad off the nearby table, Chrome watched as she scribbled down a message, and then handed it to him.

As he walked out onto the sidewalk, he heard Sweetie Belle lock the door behind him. Turning to see her dimly-lit through the door, they casually waved goodbye, before she headed to the back of the store, and all the windows went dark.

The wind rustled the boutique’s sign overhead, as Chrome collected himself, pocketed Sweetie’s note, and headed down the street.

Hopefully her sister won’t give her too much trouble in the morning, he thought to himself, trying not to think too much of how soft Rarity had felt when she had pulled him down onto her.

Author's Note

This chapter was awhile coming, as I struggled to figure out how much to put in, and keep it within the word limit.

Rarity is often fun to write character-wise, as her personality can be allowed to get naughty, as well as theatrical.

I’m sure I could have gone deeper into the dinner conversation, but I found it better to just let the reader speculate on what was discussed overall, and showing how much Sweetie Belle has grown accustomed to having to deal with Rarity on “special occasions.”