Small Dark Lines

by Mystic Mind

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Romance, Coco Pommel, Original Character, Rarity
Length: 5335

After breaking up with Applejack, Rarity finds herself stuck in an endless cycle of self-hatred. Can Coco Pommel help her to break the cycle, at last?

Relationships come, relationships go. But for Rarity, breaking up with Applejack was the hardest thing she has ever done. Shutting herself away in her Manehatten boutique, she finds herself in an endless spiral of self-hatred, manifested as her own little Tantabus.

Can the intervention of one of her newest friends, Coco Pommel, help her to find a method of breaking the cycle?

Content Warnings: Depression, Self-hatred, References to Emotional Abuse, Bullying, Blackmail, Gaslighting

Inspired by the cover art and the song of the same name by progressive metal band Threshold. Alternative title: Idiosyncrasy.

Published 2021-02-12 17:40:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-02-12 17:40:00 UTC

Idiosyncrasies

“One chocolate latte, please. No cream.”

“Comin’ right up, Miss Rarity,” said the barista.

The simple formality felt like a slap across the face. Rarity had been one of Canterlot’s most prominent businessponies for almost a year, and she still hadn’t gotten used to it. The title carried extra weight now, and she couldn’t figure out why.

You know exactly why. You just won’t admit it,avoice sneered in the back of Rarity’s mind. Her own personal Tantabus had been giving her so much grief lately, a continuous berating for every little thing. Stupid little filly.

She bit her lip. That coffee couldn’t come soon enough.

“Here you go, ma’am.”

The barista’s words broke Rarity’s trance. That had been happening a lot these times. Whenever she felt close to achieving her dreams, the cold harshness of reality was there, ready and waiting to drag her back to Equestria. It was the way of the world, she supposed.

“Uh, Miss Rarity?”

Yet again, she was half-way to her table, drink in magic, and she’d forgotten to pay. “Oh, sorry,” she chuckled, her ears lowered. “My mind is all over the show today.”

“It’s no problem,” he smiled. Espresso Roast was always such a kind lad, Rarity wondered why he hadn’t been promoted already. Then again, he was the only employee she saw at this café, so maybe he owned the place. “Sounds like you need that drink. Anythin’ I can help with?”

“Oh, no, dear,” Rarity smiled back. It was a false one, the kind shown to children to put their young minds at ease. Yet another thing for her Tantabus to insult her over. “It’s quite alright. I just had a late night working on new dress orders, you know how it is. How much did you say the drink was, again?”

Another lie. You’re quite the chronic fibber, aren’t you?

“Just seven bitts, ma’am. Though tips are always appreciated,” Roast held out his hoof expectantly.

“Of course,” Rarity gave him a sympathetic look. “Just let me put my drink down and I’ll fetch my coin purse.”

“Sure thing, Miss Rarity.”

There he went with that title again. If she didn’t hear it for another thousand years, it would still be too soon. Today, out of any day, she wanted to just be Rarity. Placing the drink on her table, she picked up her small, royal blue velvet purse and opened it with a small click.

Now, how much should I tip? She wondered. She was the element of generosity, so there was no chance she’d skip on giving a little extra, especially to somepony who worked such a thankless job. Still, the precise amount of it would carry a long list of implications. Too much and Roast would worry she was being financially reckless. Too little and she’d come across as stingy. Oh, if only she could remember the amount she gave last time…

Dammit, Rarity! This is not the time for such petty decisions, her darkness snapped. There’s no need to keep the boy waiting.

“Oh, do shut up,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m getting to it.”

“Sorry, did you say something?” Roast’s smile momentarily faltered.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing, dear,” Rarity answered quickly, trying to remain upbeat as she levitated over a twenty-bit note. “Keep the change.”

At last, she could sit down. She’d been on her hooves all day, tending to her Manehatten boutique, Rarity For You. Ponyville was still her home base, and she usually had a small group of employees to manage her bigger city shop, as Sassy Saddles did in Canterlot. Right now, however, she needed the extra work. It was the best distraction she had from… recent events.

Taking off her mint green scarf, Rarity took out a small, black notebook from her purse. This was where she kept all the logs of her daily sales, calculating the profits of her labour against the running costs of the shop. Setting up the place had been a stressful endeavour, but she got there in the end.

Sipping on her latte, a slight smile grew on her face, like the first hints of plant life blooming through the cracks in the concrete pavement. Manehatten was her home away from home, especially during the winter. Fashion enthusiasts would flock to her from all over the city, searching for the perfect apparel for the special someponies in their lives – be they friends, family, or lovers.

She glanced out the window, the shallow winter sunlight shining over her at just the right intensity. Perhaps it’s time to invest in a camera? she pondered. Sweetie Belle is always begging me to send more postcards. I could craft some myself, so my friends can see what they’re missing.

Alas, as much as she wished for them to visit, Rarity knew they were all too busy with their own responsibilities. Twilight, of course, had her annual hearth's warming speech to take care of, while Fluttershy now had an entire sanctuary’s worth of animals to look after. Not to mention Applejack—

She placed her cup down and let out a long sigh, the fleeting smile vanishing. It’s no use, she lamented. It doesn’t matter what I do, I just can’t let go of her. I’m so pathetic.

That much is obvious, the Tantabus went for the kill. Your obsession with her, against all logic, killed her love for you. Stupid filly.

Tears welled up in Rarity’s eyes and she buried her face in her hooves. She couldn’t force the barista to become entangled with her drama, that wasn’t his job. Even so, she yearned to talk to somepony, anypony about the lingering feelings for Applejack. She was a walking contradiction, simultaneously craving familial support yet unable to seek it out.

It wasn’t supposed to end like this, she thought, feeling her inner darkness creep further across her mind.

What did you think was going to happen? You act all high and mighty, like the arbiter of good manners, yet make such ridiculous demands. You are such a fool, stupid filly.

Now she was crying, barely able to keep her sobs quiet. This was ridiculous. All this stress, all this effort to focus on her work, and she still couldn’t distract herself. What was the point in trying? Her creativity would forever be eclipsed by her inability to hold a relationship.

“Ah, welcome, Miss Pommel!” Roast greeted. “Will you have your usual today?”

Miss Pommel? Isn’t that…? Oh no, she can’t see me like this!

“Yes, please, Mr. Roast,” replied Coco Pommel, adjusting her necktie. “White hot chocolate without cream.”

Rarity grabbed the notebook between her hooves and buried her face in it, hoping to Celestia that Coco hadn’t seen her.

“Rarity? Is that you?”

Oh, fiddlesticks. She sat bolt upright, pushing her facial muscles to force a genuine-looking smile. “Oh, hello, Coco. Fancy meeting you here!”

“What a coincidence!” Coco’s voice was soft, yet boisterous. “I was just on my way to see you.”

She had just a hint of make-up dabbed on her face, accentuating the creamy complexion of her cheeks. As always, she wore a bright red rose in her mane, an accessory which, to Rarity, was a vivid representation of her untouched potential as a fashion designer. Far from being a rival business, she was a fellow artist, imprinting her own designs and ideas into fabric form.

“How’s business?” Coco asked. “I would’ve offered to help, but I’ve had my hooves tied with my own creative works. Your dresses must be flying off the shelves, what with the pre-Hearth’s Warming rush and all.”

“Why, yes, it has been booming! And in fact, I’d best be getting back to that, nice meeting you, good day!” Bundling up her stuff as fast as she could, she dashed for the door, almost spilling her coffee in the process.

“Rarity?” Coco’s words struck her like a thunderbolt. “Is everything okay?”

Slowly, she turned around in a jerky, almost mechanical motion. She avoided eye contact, fixing the happy façade to her face instead. “Whatever do you mean, dear?”

Coco raised an eyebrow. “Alright, Rarity. You can drop the act now.”

“Act? What act?” Rarity’s smile was starting to hurt, but she maintained it anyway.

Taking a deep breath, Coco’s expression turned sombre. “Rarity, I think we need to talk,” she trotted back over to Rarity’s table. Taking a seat opposite to where Rarity had been sitting, she gestured for her to return.

“Oh,” Rarity said flatly. It was no use. Coco saw right through her disguise. “Of course.”

“Rarity,” Coco kept her tone even without raising it. “Neither I, nor your friends, have heard from you in weeks. We’re all worried about you, and I can tell something isn’t right. What’s going on?”

“I guess there’s no fooling you,” Rarity replied, letting her intricate masking crumble into void. “I’m not in a good place at all. Fool that I am, I broke up with Applejack, and have been avoiding her ever since. I was not just a rotten marefriend, but a rotten friend in general. Now I cannot focus on making dresses and all I can think about is how much of a stupid, stupid mare I’ve been and how much I need Applejack back and…”

With no energy left to keep herself quiet, Rarity bawled her eyes out. Despite the unfolding drama, Roast chose not to intervene. Instead, he turned off the stove and headed into the back area, allowing his troubled customer her privacy. Celestia knew she needed it. Meanwhile, Coco just sat there, her expression neutral as she patiently listened to Rarity pour her heart out.

Once the flow of tears halted, Coco spoke up. “My goodness, Rarity. You really have been going through a lot, lately.”

“You can say that, again,” Rarity blew her nose on her handkerchief. “I don’t know what to do. Marefriend or not, I can’t go on avoiding Applejack forever.”

Coco closed her eyes and clopped her forehooves together, taking another deep breath – an action which Rarity mimicked to regain some level of composure. “If you’re comfortable telling me, maybe it would be better to start from the beginning? I knew you and Applejack were dating, but nothing else.”

“Well, I suppose it would help you understand my predicament,” Rarity leant back in her seat, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Our friendship had a rocky start. We are quite different ponies, and rarely talked much prior to Twilight’s arrival in Ponyville. We got into far more squabbles than I care to admit. However, as time went on, I began to see and understand more of her. Though she much prefers the hard, dirty work of Sweet Apple Acres to my neat and tidy hobbies—not to mention her being stubborn as a mule—she has a certain earnestness to her workaholic attitude that I relate to.”

She sipped her coffee. It was still warm, but not hot, having cooled to match her more temperate mood. “She doesn’t mind dressing up occasionally,” she continued, staring into her cup as she swirled around the latte a little. “She enjoys the Grand Galloping Gala as much as anypony. But in general, clothes aren’t her thing, as they get in the way more than they express or protect. Once I’d stopped pining for every high-class stallion that crossed my path, it dawned on me that the real special somepony was right under my nose.”

“Yep, that sounds like Applejack, alright,” Coco chuckled, blowing on her hot chocolate. “Dedicated to a fault. Though it was that same dedication which made the Midsummer Theatre Revival such a success! I can’t thank either of you enough for your help with that.”

“It was our pleasure,” Rarity smiled. She’d come to adore that little theatre group. Every year she would design a new set of costumes from scratch, before auctioning them off to further aid in the development of community projects. It warmed her heart to see the ponies of downtown Manehatten come together for the common good, of which she was essential in facilitating. “I asked her out shortly after that. What started out as a childish rivalry had blossomed into something bigger. We complimented each other, each making up for our own shortcomings.”

That’s a laugh, grunted her Tantabus, but Rarity ignored it.

“Our relationship wasn’t perfect, of course. We had our share of arguments every now and again. But whenever I looked deep into her eyes, I could tell she loved me with every fibre of her being. Every time I found myself in a creative rut, she would kiss me and remind me why I make dresses at all. They are made to reflect a pony’s character, something that expresses the essence of who they are.”

“I wholeheartedly agree!” Coco shot forward, grabbing Rarity’s hoof between hers as her eyes sparkled with wonder. “In fact, if it wasn’t for Suri Polomare, I would’ve totally freaked out when we first met. Even before you hit the big time, you’ve always been my biggest inspiration, as well as a great friend.”

“T-thank you, Coco,” Rarity blushed and looked away. Was it her, or was Coco a touch more assertive today? Then again, after everything she’d done for her, she supposed some enthusiasm was inevitable. “The compliment is welcomed, but…”

Coco’s expression dropped and she pulled back her hoof. “Oh, sorry. Did I go too far?”

“No, it’s quite alright,” Rarity sighed and shook her head. It felt good to hold another pony’s hoof again, though she likened it to a fan’s enthusiasm toward their favourite celebrity. Coco was abuzz with excitement, but her feelings were ultimately shallow. “You are a generous soul, not unlike how I used to be. Besides, we’re all a little touch-starved these days.”

“Yeah, I think we are,” Coco fiddled with her forehooves, her ears flattening. She relaxed back in her seat, picked up her cup and downed the remainder of her drink.

“In any case, your kind words are greatly appreciated. Alas, I simply cannot accept them. I am far from the shining star you think I am. No offence, of course.”

“None taken,” Coco shook her head. “I’ll be straight with you: I don’t think you’re a bad friend, not by any stretch. I figured you were just absorbed in your work."

“Believe me, there’s little I wouldn’t give to be distracted by my work,” Rarity leant on her forehoof and rubbed her temple. Back at her shop, her trashcan was overflowing with the crumpled-up blueprints of unfinished and rejected projects. “No matter how hard I try, my creativity just will not stick the landing.”

“That bad, huh? I figured something was wrong. Since you last left for Ponyville, you went completely dark. No visits, no letters, not even a postcard,” Coco crossed her forehooves and bit her lip. “Heck, I didn’t know if you were in Manehatten, let alone this little coffee shop. Finding you here was a lucky guess. I have to admit, I was scared.”

“See? Therefore, I’m a bad friend,” Rarity felt her stomach churn, like she’d just swallowed a rotten apple whole. Why was Coco wasting time with her, anyway? “When I’m in a bad way, I close myself off to the world, like the selfish mare I am.”

“That’s not the Rarity I know,” Coco proclaimed in a brash voice, puffing out her chest and thumping her hoof against it. “The Rarity I know is always open about her feelings. If you weren’t, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”

“Well, I, um, guess… so?” Rarity stammered, her heart now beating at an uncomfortable pace.

“Oh, sorry,” Coco slinked back into her seat as her cheeks darkened. “I’m getting carried away again, aren’t I?”

“It’s… alright, dear,” Rarity sighed. “I wish I had your level of confidence. If my relationship with Applejack has proven anything, it’s how hopeless I really am.”

“In any case,” Coco cleared her throat. “What I’m trying to say is that you’re being so mean to yourself. From what you described, it sounds like you and Applejack had a great dynamic going on. If you’re okay to continue, may I ask what happened?”

Rarity rubbed the back of her head, muttering as she tried to pinpoint where the cracks had begun to widen. “I suppose it started with a few little idiosyncrasies here and there. They were petty differences which never got in the way before. For instance, once I’d started expanding my business, it became a greater challenge to find time for Applejack. I did suggest she set up a stall in the Manehatten market, but…”

“Did she not want to move away from Ponyville?”

“Well, technically speaking, I haven’t done so, either” Rarity fiddled with her mane, feeling her chest tighten. “I shouldn’t speak ill of her, anyway. Big city markets aren’t always kind to small town folks like her.”

Coco blinked and tilted her head. “I didn’t mean you should insult her. You just had a disagreement over time management, right?”

“I suppose that’s one way to put it,” Rarity stared into her drink. “I don’t blame her. I asked too much of her.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s a terrible suggestion. Her apples are her livelihood, as fashion is ours. What’s wrong with making money further afield?”

“It’s not just that,” Rarity shook her head. “I tried to expand my horizons in terms of leisure, making compromises with camping trips and all that. I’ve never enjoyed camping in the slightest, but sleeping under the stars with Applejack by my side… I could manage, so long as I brought a few luxuries. But then, over time, those luxuries were no longer enough. The longer our relationship went on, the more I started to notice all the things I didn’t like. Soon, I had a plethora of small dark lines, eclipsing the love I had for her. I’m such a spoiled brat, pampered in the extreme in my sheltered little life. Not like Applejack. She’s the real hard worker between us and I’m just… pathetic...”

Pathetic is one way to put it,Tantabus chimed in, at the request of no-pony. She had wondered where it’d got to. You are the epitome of dishonesty, the opposite of everything Applejack is. What did you expect to happen, dating someone like that?

“I guess... those do sound like small problems,” Coco admitted. “Were there any others?”

“Believe me, that was just the start,” Rarity’s voice dropped to a monotonous tone. She no longer looked at Coco. Instead, she stared off into the distance, her eyes wide and her expression blank as if she were under a dark spell. “From then, the cracks just began to widen. We got into more arguments, started seeing each other less. Even the physical intimacy just didn’t feel right. In the end, I had to let her go. She was too good for someone like me. I’m such a fool. I’m—”

“Enough!” Coco slammed her hooves on the table, pushing herself up. Rarity jumped in her seat, caught off guard by her friend’s sudden flash of anger. “That’s my friend you’re talking about, Rarity, and I’ve heard you badmouth her for long enough!”

Rarity’s jaw dropped. See?Her Tantabus poured more venom onto her wounds. It was only a matter of time before you pushed her away, too.

“I-I’m… s-sorry,” she stammered. “I knew I was a terrible—”

“No,” Coco cut her off, leaping over the table to her friend’s side.

Rarity shut her eyes tight. She probably wants to slap me silly. I deserve as much. Just get it over with and leave me to—

The impact never came. Instead, Coco wrapped her hooves around her and hugged her tightly. “You are my friend.”

Tentatively, Rarity opened her eyes. There was Coco, resting her head on her shoulder as if she were her own child.

“I… well… but…”

“Hush now,” Coco’s voice dropped to a gentle whisper. “I don’t believe for a second you’re a bad pony. You’re the Element of Generosity, a gift that keeps on giving to Equestria time and time again. There’s just one, specific pony that you’ve forgotten to be generous to.”

“Huh?”

“Yourself.” With that, Coco gave Rarity a gentle kiss on the cheek.

It’s raining again, Rarity thought. The pitter patter of tears hit the table as all her tempestuous emotions surged to the surface once more.,

“Why?” she croaked, that single word which carried with it more baggage than she could possibly express. For as long as she could remember, she had channelled her pride into her physical appearance, all to ensure she was as presentable as a pony could be. But it was never enough. The snobby Canterlot elite would always find some way to look down on her. After all, she was just a country bumpkin, masquerading as the pony everypony should know. She could never really be like them. When Twilight came into her life, she finally felt like she belonged somewhere. She had fulfilled her dreams, gone on adventures most ponies could only dream of.

So, why wasn’t she happy? Why wasn’t friendship enough? Why couldn’t she and Applejack just work as a couple instead of winding each other up?

It’s simple,her darkness often insisted. You are a fake.

It all seemed so obvious. Yet here she was, being gently rocked back and forth by a friend she rarely got to see. Sure, she had done her share of good deeds. But was Coco serious when she said her life had changed for the better? Why else would she hold her in such a tender embrace?

“Why am I a fake?” This was the hardest question Rarity had ever asked out loud, as if she spoke with a mouth full of nails. “I throw m-myself at p-ponies. Shower them with affection, enter their hearts. Then I spit them out, all because I lied to myself. Applejack deserves better.”

“I wish you two were still together,” Coco said, the gentle rhythm of her heartbeat dulling the edge of Rarity’s volatile emotions. “I really do. You two did seem happy together. But sometimes… I guess it’s not meant to be.”

“It is never meant to be,” Rarity bawled. “I’m so pathetic. I should’ve learnt from Prince Blueblood, I’m terrible at choosing who I love. Whenever I feel happiness is within reach, it slips from my grasp, forever out of reach. I can’t do this anymore.”

“Please, Rarity,” Coco tightened her hug, a small trickle of tears dampening her face. “Stop hurting yourself like this. How can you love another pony when you refuse to love yourself?”

Rarity opened her mouth to object, but she could not. Somehow, Coco’s words had pierced the darkness and silenced the Tantabus’ rancid voice.

“I… I don’t understand,” her voice was weak. “I always doll myself up because otherwise, I’m unlovable.”

She felt a sense of freedom somehow, for her answer wasn’t a simple retort, but an admittance - an admittance to what her self-made prison was. It was one of the many small, dark lines chaining down her heart. Saying it out loud, however, seemed to make far less sense.

“Remember what I said before, about bringing out the best in everypony?” Coco started explaining. “Every one of your dresses contains a little piece of your soul. Your element of harmony isn’t just a fancy gem; it’s a fundamental aspect of who you are. You said it yourself: you not only make ponies look beautiful, but feel beautiful. It’s the kind of passion a pony cannot fake.

"I’ve always loved that about you, Rarity. You changed my life not as a plea for attention, but because you inspired me to be better and stand up to my abuser. I can’t stand to see you sabotage yourself.”

When Coco put it like that, somehow it all started to make sense. Rarity had done her absolute best to make Applejack feel special, and the feeling was mutual.

“When I started dating Applejack,” Rarity began again, “we felt like we could overcome any challenge together. I thought we could set aside our skin-deep differences, and instead look at the ponies we wanted to be.”

And here it was. The core reason Rarity and Applejack split. Until now, she had avoided the topic, but at last the time had come to rip the plaster off, no matter how much it stung. “Remember what I said before, about idiosyncrasies? Well, our differences weren’t so trivial after all. Either I was too fussy, or she was too stubborn, or a million other things that could possibly go wrong. It was destroying me to love her so. Even now I feel trapped, desperate to love a pony whose lifestyle is opposite to my own.”

“Can I be honest with you about something, Rarity?”

Coco’s face was redder than it had ever been, and Rarity could feel her heart beating faster. In some ways, she already knew what she was going to say. Even through the twisted bramble maze of her own thoughts, it was impossible not to notice the hair-trigger release of Coco’s affection.

“I-I mean, not that I haven’t been honest with you until now. I just haven’t said what I’ve really I’ve wanted to tell you for so long, as I didn’t wanna get between you and Applejack—”

“You have feelings for me?” Rarity’s expression remained neutral. Her eyes were already puffing from tear-stained soreness. She was a mess, and hiding from the truth was the last thing she needed.

“It’s that obvious, huh?” Coco chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of her head. “It seems neither of us are good at hiding our emotions.”

“No, we aren’t,” Rarity bit her lip. Once again, she had been so busy chasing after ill-begotten romantic interests, she had completely missed the lovestruck ponies right in front of her face. “I won’t lie to you, Coco. I am extremely flattered, but I’m not at all ready to be in another relationship. My heart still yearns for Applejack, despite knowing it’s a lost cause.”

“Oh... I- s-sorry,” Coco blurted. “I didn’t mean to suggest we hook up now! That’s, um, not the reason I came here today. Gosh, you must think I only helped to hit on you.”

“Not at all, darling,” Rarity made a fresh attempt at smiling, of which she was partially successful. “While that wouldn’t surprise me either, I know you better than that…”

She trailed off, letting the words sink in for a moment. There was not a shred of doubt in her mind over Coco’s intentions. While they weren’t as close as Applejack or Twilight, Rarity knew Coco well enough to recognise her sincerity. The idea that Coco Pommel, of all mares, was out to exploit her was laughable.

Perhaps, she wondered. I’m not quite the spoilt drama queen I think I am.

Don’t be stupid!the Tantabus snapped back. All you have ever been, is a tool for other ponies to get what they want. The moment your usefulness ends, they throw you away.

Rarity bit her lip and tensed her forelimbs. Oh, how she wished she could slap the little monster inside her head. She could think of nothing more cathartic than telling it to buzz off. Alas, she could not. If Princess Luna had taught her anything, there was only one way to defeat a Tantabus. She had to accept it.

So, she took a deep breath and relaxed against Coco. Friend or lover, she was her beacon of hope, anchoring her to reality amidst the sea of self-doubt. “Thank you,” Rarity said.

“Glad we cleared that up,” Coco exhaled in relief. Holding her close, she leant in, her voice soft. “Um, I know I kind of did it before without asking, but… Is it okay if I kiss you?”

Rarity thought on the question for a moment. Coco had already gotten closer to her than most, both physically and emotionally. She acknowledged her boundaries, and that alone revived some warmth to thaw her frozen heart.

“Yes,” she replied. “I would like that.”

Tentatively, Coco gave her another light peck on the cheek.

“Thank you, again, Coco. You are an amazing friend.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied. Then, to Rarity’s surprise, she gulped. “There is one other thing I want to tell you, and I’d rather keep between you and me – for now, at least.”

Rarity looked at Coco with a blank expression. What bigger secret could there be than a confession of love?

“Of course, dear,” she answered. “I shall not tell a soul until you suggest otherwise. That’s a pinkie promise.”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake on my eye?”

Rarity chuckled. “Exactly that.”

“Okay, here goes,” Coco shut her eyes tight, puffed out her chest and took a deep inward breath. “I’m a trans mare.”

Rarity blinked. “Pardon?”

“I’m transgender. I was assigned a colt at birth, and I transitioned when I was fifteen. It’s something that Suri Polomare dug up when we started our partnership, and she threatened to make it public if I didn’t help her steal.”

“My word!” Rarity exclaimed, though quickly covered her mouth with her hooves. “Sorry. I knew Miss Polomare was an awful individual, but I never imagined she’d sink to such depths. That’s horrific.”

“Thank you,” Coco melted into Rarity’s embrace. “It makes me so happy to hear that. She made me feel anxious beyond words about coming out to anypony. Heck, I wasn’t planning to do so when I arrived. It just felt right to tell you now.”

“Wow, Coco,” Rarity carefully moderated her tone to maintain a high level of sensitivity. “I must admit, I don’t know what to say. I’ve never questioned your gender, and it seems that was for the best. Now that I think about it, perhaps my next fashion line should reach out to trans and gender non-conforming ponies. I’ve never discriminated against ponies of any gender from wearing my clothes, so if fashion helps you to express your gender, I can only imagine how it could help others.”

“See? That’s the Rarity I wanted to see,” Coco booped her on the nose. “The pony who finds new and inventive ways to be generous.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Rarity took her scarf in her magic and dried her eyes with it. “Thank you, Coco. You are an exceptional mare in every way. I cannot promise you romantic investment, as I still have my little Tantabus to deal with. But it would be my pleasure to spend more time with you.”

“More than good enough for me,” Coco leant in and rubbed her cheek against Rarity’s. “One question, though. What’s a Tantabus?”

“Well, to explain that would be a much longer story,” Rarity chuckled. “If you have the time, we could discuss it on the way back to my shop.”

“I like that idea.”

As if on cue, Espresso Roast returned to the shop floor, his hoof wrapped around a mop. “Sorry for my absence, ladies. You wouldn’t believe how I was looking for this thing! Anything more I can get for y’all before I close up?”

Rarity and Coco looked at each other, somewhat surprised at Roast’s incredible sense of timing.

“No, I think we’ll be okay,” Rarity started packing up her things and wrapping her scarf around her neck. “Thank you for the service, as always.”

“It’s my pleasure, ma’am,” Roast bowed, only to shoot back up again, his face lighting up with recognition. “Gosh darn it, I forgot the bucket again. One of these days, I’ll lose my head if I’m not careful. You two have a fine evenin’, as I’ve still got work to do.”

Sharing a small giggle, Rarity took Coco’s hoof in her own and left the cafe. Though there were many small dark lines left to erase, she was confident that, with such amazing friends to guide her, she would be rid of them. Eventually.

The End