"It still doesn't feel real."
Rarity hummed in agreement as she sipped her tea, watching as Twilight's wings fluttered by themselves once again. "I imagine it must be quite odd to develop a new pair of limbs. As beautiful and practical as they are, I don't envy you having to learn how to use them."
Twilight shook her head. "It's not just that," she said. "It's... everything. Two days ago I was just trying to figure out how Starswirl's spell worked, and suddenly I'm an alicorn and a princess!" She practically gulped down her own cup of tea, much to Rarity's disapproval.
"Do be careful," she chided. "You'll burn yourself."
"Nope, apparently alicorns have a wide range of comfortable operating temperatures," Twilight replied. She sighed. "Everything is going to be so different." Another gulp from her cup, and Rarity had to light her horn and refill her cup. "Thanks. And thanks for taking the time out to have tea with me. I know you're probably really busy too with making a coronation dress for me."
Hiding her smile in her own cup, Rarity replied, "Oh, it's no trouble, dear. We were already planning to meet this morning here in my boutique, and I know how much you like adhering to your schedules."
"Mhm." A grateful smile from Twilight. "Thanks for understanding. With all the insanity of planning my coronation and figuring out what my future is going to be, I needed something to ground myself."
"Hopefully you gain control of your wings before that becomes literal." Rarity took a moment to admire said wings. "Oh, but they really are quite beautiful."
Twilight shrugged. "I guess?"
"There's no need to guess," Rarity replied. "Most mares would kill for such soft feathers and such a sleek curvature. Myself included, if I'm to be honest." Already, her mind was filled with possibilities about what she could do to enhance the new princess' already prodigious natural beauty.
At those words, Twilight stilled. "You're not... you're not mad at me, right?"
The sincerity in her question caused Rarity to stop with her teacup floating halfway to her lips. "What?" she could only say, utter confusion blocking all her trains of thought. "Twilight, I was joking. Honestly, how shallow do you think I am?"
"No, not about that." Twilight quickly waved off her concern with a hoof. "Well, kind of about that. I mean, being a princess was your dream, right? And now I'm the one who's gone and gotten a crown. Or, well, another crown. Actually, am I going to use the Element of Magic as my crown or should I get another one made? It's probably not safe to be wearing one of the Elements around but—"
"Twilight." The words were said gently, but firmly.
"Right." A lovely blush coloured the purple princess' cheeks. "Sorry, I'm rambling. It's just, I feel like I've taken what should've been yours."
Rarity laughed. "Darling, you earned your ascension by doing what I couldn't even hope to do. And I know from the bottom of my heart that you deserve every accolade and honour and title bestowed upon you and more. Really, did you think I would truly be jealous of you? What kind of friend would I be if I was?"
"One with sense, maybe," Twilight muttered. Then, seeming to realize that she'd spoken out loud, cleared her throat and looked Rarity dead in the eye, their beverages long forgotten. "I'm scared, Rarity." The admission sounded ripped out of her very soul, and it chilled Rarity to the bone. "I spent most of my childhood avoiding balls and ceremonies and all that other stuff, and while I know a little about how high society works, I have nothing close to your expertise. Sure, I performed a great feat of magic, but that's not exactly the same as being fit for leadership."
"Skill in magic is hardly a substitute for the ability to rule, but are you truly telling me that Celestia hasn't been preparing you for this?" Rarity asked in return.
"I mean... I guess I do have some political training, and I've advised her on matters of governance and law before," Twilight allowed. "But... is that enough? Am I enough?"
"No," Rarity replied bluntly, ignoring Twilight's shocked expression. "None of us are. I certainly wouldn't be enough, and I doubt Celestia is either. But you don't have to do this alone. You have Celestia, and Luna, and Cadance, and your friends. We all believe in you, and we are all ready to help you become the ruler you can be."
"You're right." Twilight visibly relaxed, much to Rarity's relief. "I shouldn't ever forget that I have my friends with me. You're all taking this really well, considering how sudden it was. Pinkie's already off planning a party, of course, and Applejack's working out the catering menu, and so on and so forth, but I guess I was expecting a little bit more screaming and panicking considering this is Ponyville?"
Rarity laughed at the sheepish smile on Twilight's expression. "Oh, Twilight, you really don't understand, do you?" She set down her teacup and stood up. "Come, I have something to show you."
Confused, Twilight obeyed, following her to her workshop. When they arrived, Rarity pulled aside one of the curtains to reveal a ponyquin waiting for them with a lovely little ensemble of pink, white, and yellow fabric draped over its form, and a small crown sitting atop its head, giving it a very regal look overall.
As Twilight stared at the outfit, her expression grew even more surprised. "Wait, is that my coronation dress?" At Rarity's nod, her jaw dropped. "But it hasn't even been a day! Wow, Rarity, I didn't know you could work that fast and make something this good!"
Rarity shook her head. "Oh, I can't. This took me at least a month to perfect. A very trying, but very rewarding month, I might add."
Twilight walked up to the dress and inspected it more closely. "Wait, this has wing holes cut into it already. Only, they aren't cut, they're sewn in as part of the design." She stared at Rarity. "Why would you make a dress with wing holes for me before I even ascended?"
"Because, Twilight Sparkle, I believe in you." Rarity trotted up to Twilight and cupped her chin with a hoof. "Just as your other friends do. Rainbow Dash already has a training regimen prepared for you after a discussion with the Wonderbolts' physical therapists about how best to train an adult pony to fly, and Pinkie has the appropriate party favours stashed in a number of improbable places, and Applejack should have a list of possible menu items for you to look over this afternoon."
"But— but—"
"Twilight, you were the only pony who didn't think you weren't going to become something truly incredible one day," Rarity said warmly. "We're here for you, dear, just as we always have been, and just as we always will be."
Finally, Twilight smiled, though she still seemed dazed by the revelation. "I guess with friends like you girls, everything is going to be fine, huh?"
"Oh, I don't doubt we'll have to contend with our fair share of disasters in the future," Rarity said. "But so long as we believe in each other, I daresay that everything is going to be absolutely wonderful. Now then, I believe our tea is growing cold. Shall we return to the kitchen?"
With that, the two friends left behind the dress, ready to take on whatever challenges the world might throw at them together.
Author's Note
June 23rd is now unofficially RariTwi day, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to release this fic.
