Author's Note

Woooo Got it done on Saturday!

Wait...what in the hell do you mean its Monday?! Where the hell did my weekend go?!

Anyways here is the next chapter. Sorry about the delay but I find it difficult to stop and actually write out something. Too much going on at home.

Hope you liked the description I put into this chapter. I am going to try and do that level of detail for other chapters as well. I want y'all to feel it. To be there.

Anyways Thanks so much for reading!

Peace!

Painful Hope

The sudden sound of splintering wood and shattered tile broke Rarity’s concentration like a dinner plate. She had been working on a customer's dress for the better part of three days, and the sudden and violent noise had caused her to prick her finger with a needle.

She knew she should have just used magic to do the work rather than her own hands, but needlework was rather intricate and she wanted to be precise.

The pricked finger had leaked a drop of blood almost instantly into the white cashmere that made up the majority of the wedding dress, which caused her to tisk in frustration as she used a low level charm spell to clean the spot before it became a stain.

She personally liked charm spells herself as they were easy to learn and less mana draining then other more formulaic spells that required more focus and discipline. Charms like the ‘deiectionem’ often saved her in her early days, as it did so today.

Sunny Day would not have so sunny a disposition should something befall her wedding dress after all.

Putting away her equipment for the time being she rose calmly from her stool and marched toward where the sound of destruction had come from. She suspected the guest bathroom judging from the impact and sound of tile breaking.

She sighed. Rarity knew it was going to happen eventually. Too many near misses by her athletic housemate in the past couple of months to even be surprised it happened. If anything she was astonished it took so long.

Despite Rainbow Dash’s immense speed and agility in the air, the cerulean pegasus had an almost comical and often clumsy touchdown strategy. It often involved extreme speeds of which left very little room for deceleration.

Today was the day she had finally paid for it.

Rather than be upset, Rarity could only laugh. After the first close flyby that had rattled the windows and scared a customer out of the changing rooms, she had begun putting the weekly rent money aside for such an occasion that she knew would one day arrive.

This, however, was not the only issue she had had with her guest.

The mare was notorious for leaving her dirty laundry all over her room, and just outside her door as well. Rather than complain with no solution, she had purchased a hamper from Barnyard Bargains and placed it inside her room.

Surprisingly Rainbow Dash had used it, though the morning after when she had walked into the kitchen she bore a sheepish expression. At least the mare was not slow to take the hint.

Walking down the hall she opened the door into Rainbow’s room, marched around the unkempt bed, and then opened the door into the bathroom. She almost guffawed to the sight that she beheld, hand tightly over her mouth till she regained control of herself.

The prismatic speedster had managed to bury herself through the wall from the outside. She hung from her waist up into the bathtub. Remarkably, she was not bleeding, but she must have been going faster than normal for her to plow straight through the wall like that. Still the scene did leave her with some giggles at the mare’s misfortunes.

“Well Rainbow, dear.” Mirth was heavy in her voice as she tried to sound stern. “Per-perhaps you should have paid more attention during basic flight training.” She struggled to hold her laughter in as the mare could only glare in frustration as pieces of tile continued to drop unmercifully onto her head as she struggled to free herself.

“Oh ha ha, Rares.” She deadpanned. “Could you give me a hand, my flank is stuck…”She shimmied her hips in a vain attempt to dislodge herself. “I’m so stupid. The ‘Double Double Barrel Corkscrew Supreme’ was not ready yet, and I let that little filly talk me into showing it off to her friends anyway….”

As Rainbow complained, Rarity encircled her hips in her magic and tugged hard, with their combined strength the plaster covered mare finally popped free and landed on her face on the tile floor.

“Well my dear, I hope you have learned the lesson of peer pressure and its ills. I know you like the attention, but I hope the embarrassment has shown you it is not worth it. Although I must advise, the next time you decide to pull off one of your stunts, do it outside and away from town. Not everypony is going to be as understanding as I am.”

“Yeah yeah. Though I’m surprised you’re not more pissed off. I thought for sure that you would be yelling at me by now.” Standing up she started to dust herself off, as futile as that was considering the plaster was literally everywhere.

“Language Rainbow Dash.” Not the first time, nor would it be the last. She was just grateful that Sweetie was never around when the colorful mare decided to be well, colorful. “As to your question. I am frustrated with you. But yelling at you will accomplish nothing other than cause a rift between us that should not be.”

“I know you are practicing to get into the Wonderbolts. But you need situational awareness when performing your stunts and tricks. But while we are on the subject, would you kindly stop ‘buzzing’ my home when you are working?” She was more than a bit peeved by that. It happens at least twice a week.

“Yeah, I suppose that's fair. Well better take off and find Scoots and her friends, make sure they aren’t causing any trouble. I will pay for this to be cleaned up and fixed. I’m really sorry Rarity…” She stuck her hands into the pockets of her loose capri pants.

“You already have, Darling. That is what your rent is for after all. Now go make sure your cousin and my little sister are not getting into any mischief. Oh and Applebloom I suppose, though she is the more responsible of the three.” She mused.

“Che’yeah right. That’s like saying Derpy is always on time!” Rainbow chortled to herself.

“Hush, Derpy is a good mailmare. She may not get your package to you right on schedule, but she always gets your package to you without fail.” She liked the pony, but she did have to agree that delivery through her tended to be a longer affair then one would desire.

The soft bong from the clock in the room made her jerk in surprise. It was half past eleven.

“Drat. It seems that is all the work I am going to get done with today.” She grumbled.

The prismatic mare looked at her puzzled. “What? Why? There's still plenty of time in the day. Aren’t you still working on that dress for Sun Spot?”

“Her name is Sunny Day, Rainbow. I swear you never listen in the morning when we talk of our plans. I was hoping to get most of the embroidery done this morning. However, with your ill-timed stunt pulling me away, I will have to shelve the project till tomorrow. I have other things that must be done before the day is out.”

Both walked out of the guest bathroom to stand in the hall. “Like what….OH! You got a hot date dontcha!?” Exclaimed Rainbow, a sly grin plastered onto her face.

Rarity could only blush a little from embarrassment. Mostly because her love life had not gotten the traction she wanted despite the many admirers and offers for such events and more.

Most stallions, and a few mares, were just so boring. Not that she tried to be rude about it, a lady should never be rude after all. But if she were being completely honest, they lived linear lives with no clear goal other than enjoying themselves. It was nice, but it wasn’t what she was seeking.

“No Rainbow, not a date. I do have an appointment however. Well, Opalescence has an appointment to be accurate. I have put it off long enough and she must have her check up.”

The mention of the feline’s name made her friend’s face scrunch up in disgust. “Oh you talkin’ about ‘The Beast’!” She waved her arms dramatically.

She hated when Rainbow Dash disparaged her precious kitten like that. Opalescence was just a bit of a moody feline is all. Though she did wonder what put the two at odds.

“Don’t call her that!” She had proceeded to retrieve her cat carrier, with her housemate in tow, from the attic and began to shut the curtains with her magic as she passed in search of the other elusive housemate.

Her fluffy snuggly kitten was in the kitchen at her bowl waiting to be fed. Just as originally planned.

Opalescence was definitely a creature of habit. Two meals twice a day without fail, and she would always be near her bowl when it was feeding time. However, today she didn’t get her morning meal as her veterinarian advised against it.

So that forced the poor feline to come back again and again for her food that was sadly not there.

“I’m so sorry my Opal-wopal!” She could hear gagging noises from behind her that she chose to ignore. “I have to take you to the veterinarian now. Mrs Dew Drop asked me not to feed you for your check up.”

At the word ‘veterinarian’, Opalescence went into panic mode and tried to scamper, claws fully extended, out the smooth tiled kitchen. Wise to the feline’s tactics, including what happens if she picks her up by hand, Rarity smoothly levitated the fleeing kitten right into the carrier.

Ignoring the low yowls of anger coming from within the container, she turned to address Rainbow Dash.

“Now Rainbow, I expect you to clean up the rubble from the bathroom as soon as possible. After I drop off Opalescence at her appointment I will be stopping by ‘Ponyville Accel Construction’. I have to commission them to rebuild the wall you so thoroughly destroyed. So make sure to cover up the wall to keep the elements out as I have no idea how long it will take them to make time in their schedule for me.”

The mare sighed in exasperation. “Fine. Yeah I know it's my fault in all that. After that I hafta find the fillies. No telling where they went off to.”

“If anypony could find them quickly, it’s you Miss Dash.” She smirked at her irked friend. She hated being called by a title. With that she was out the door with the cat carrier in tow.

“I am sorry Dear, but what do you mean she is out? I made this appointment three weeks ago?”

While not quite the wail she could produce, the question still made the poor purple stallion behind the reception desk cringe slightly.

“I am truly sorry Miss Belle, but unfortunately Mrs Drop hasn’t been into the office in over four days. Nopony knows where she has gone to. Her family hasn’t seen her, nor has any ponies in Ponyville to be honest. She's just…..gone.” There was more than a little fright in his eyes at the idea.

The idea was unsettling for her as well. She said a small prayer for the mare, hoping for her safe return. But now she was out of options, unless she wanted to go to Manehattan just for Opalescence to get an appointment.

Noticing the down look that she bore, the stallion spoke up. “There is somepony else that might be able to take a look at Miss Opalescence.” Her ears perked up before her head, hope gleaming in her eyes. He smiled. “This mare is a licensed veterinarian as well, however she tends to take care of wild animals as opposed to domesticated house pets. But she may be willing to help you. I hear she has a soft heart for animals. Though she is very shy around ponies.”

She only hoped her prayer for Mrs Drop was answered as well as this one was.

“Oh thank you so much. Where does this mare have her office?”

“Oh she lives on the southern outskirts of town, near where the Everfree and Whitetail woods nearly meet. You remember the old cottage out there?” A nod. “Well apparently she bought it in loose bits and fixed it up. So it looks brand new. I think she moved in at the beginning of spring.”

Ah one after her own heart. A shrewd businessmare that looked for the deal and struck true. Though she wished her place of business and residence didn’t reside so close to that ghastly forest. It should be safe enough.

“I feared I would have to leave Ponyville for her appointment! I do so hope they find Mrs Dew Drop soon, but if you would excuse me.” He nodded with a smile as she briskly walked out of the reception office. “Thank you again!” She shouted as she exited.

On her way back across town, she decided to take a side street and get that request in. Accel Point should be in her office this close to lunch time. Her and her brother had organized the work crews that helped reconstruct her home and business, and she couldn’t imagine anypony else doing the much needed repair then them.

A quick stop and a just as brief discussion and she was back on the march across town. Now with a receipt and a time when they would come out and take care of the hole in her home. It was going to be in the afternoon. Much to her joy.

As she was passing across the market district she could easily spot Applejack sitting at her stall. It was the low point in shopping as most ponies were either working, or out getting lunch. So the market held only a few ponies that were looking through wares.

Another quick decision and she turned to have a chat with her longtime friend.

Of the pair, Rarity believed Applejack had been the one to change the most. Still shorter than her brother, the mare stood tall over most other ponies in town. Her manner of dress had largely stayed the same, despite the white mare’s best efforts, and she still wore her father’s hat. Though she had certainly grown into that.

The real change had come in her manner of speech and the raw muscle that she had put on her body in recent years. Both a product of her visits to Appleloosa during the winter months.

Applejack took Orion’s disappearance particularly hard. Her whole family did, though that was not surprising considering the close bonds they had formed with him. From what she could squeeze out of Big Mac, Granny Smith had actually tried to sue the throne for negligence over it all. Of course nothing came of that.

But for her friend, she threw herself into farm work with abandon. It was months before she came into town again, and her mood had been dark and angry. Many ponies avoided her all together, and more often than not her brother attended the stall instead of her.

It had finally come to a head one day after Applejack had nearly beaten a stallion into unconsciousness. Straight Steel had always been a pernicious colt growing up, and it was no secret he wanted to bed the mare since they were teens.

From what Rarity could later gather, Straight had made the grievous mistake of speaking ill of Orion in front of AJ. Before anypony realized what happened she had grabbed the stallion and proceeded to make him one with the apple stall. It was not a pretty picture.

That summer she was sent to Appleloosa. The Ponyville Guard had been understanding of the situation, but had demanded some kind of punishment, so off to the desert town she had been sent. After she had been thoroughly chewed out by Granny Smith, of course.

When her friend came back the spring of next year, she was very different.

The morning the first train had pulled into the station, out had stepped Applejack. Her fur had been bleached somewhat, another byproduct of working in the hot sun of the south. But what really caught the attention of everypony was her build. The baby fat was gone. In place was an intimidating looking mare.

It had been told to Rarity that she had marched from the train station directly to Straight Steel’s home, and apologized to him, leaving him baffled to say the least. After that things seemed to settle down for the cow mare.

However, every winter she would leave Ponyville for Appleloosa once more, right after Hearths Warming.

It was then that she had learned that her friend had become quite the pugilist. Her cousin, a stallion named Braeburn had helped her get over her anger and resentment by teaching her to box, and she would often return to learn new techniques and brush up on her talent with somepony that could take a hit from her.

This had actually prompted the fashionista to look for her own method of self defense education. Not wanting to bulk up like her friend, she chose the path of nobles and spent a great deal of both money and time learning to fence. At first she had wanted nothing to do with the dirty mess of self improvement, but the more she had thought about it, she began to see why her friend had done it.

Not just for a way to vent her anger and frustrations, Applejack blamed herself for the injuries that Orion had sustained that night against the timberwolves. She truly believed it should have been her to seek vengeance for her family and not him.

Her own feelings on it had been the same. A lady does not allow a stallion to get hurt like that after all. Thus she hired the services of Keen Edge and had begun her own training. The results were more pleasurable than she had ever suspected.

She smiled as she approached the stall, Applejack had just finished receiving payment from a customer and grinned broadly at her white friend.

“Well howdy, Rarity! What brings you to my stand? Looking for some delicious apples straight from the farm?” She belted out in a thick southern drawl.

And there was the other change. She had always held a twang of the south in the manner of her speech, but since her regular visits to Appleloosa had begun, the accent had thickened. Internally anytime she heard her speak she cringed. She just sounded so undignified, though she never judged her friend for it.

“No Applejack, I am just visiting you today, and perhaps inviting you over for dinner this weekend so we can catch up. It has been ages since we last sat down together and I miss that.” She smiled broadly herself.

“Well shucks, I think that would be a swell time. Haven’t had your home cooking in a coon’s age. That sounds mighty fine time indeed. Should I bring anythang?”

“Oh just yourself, and maybe some of your grandmother’s pie. Does Saturday afternoon sound good to you?” She stood off to the side so other ponies could approach the stand. No sense in impeding commerce after all.

“I think I can get ya some of that fer sure.” Just then she noticed the cat carrier held in Rarity’s telekinetic grasp. “What’s with the ol’ cat cage? Opal finally made you madder than two badgers in a sack?”

“Why does no pony like Opalescence?”

“No dear. I’m just taking her in for a check up. But my usual veterinarian Mrs Dew Drop is missing. Has been for four days. Nopony knows where she has gone. Nor have they seen her leave. It is quite concerning.”

“Huh, well don’t that beat all. Last time I was down in Appleloosa, some folks had gone missing as well. Nopony had seen anythang then either.” Both mares grew quiet from that little revelation. “Well, where ya off ta then is not the vets?”

“I was informed that there was another with a license and practice. She lives south of town toward the Everfree.”

“Oh yeah! I know her! She’s a real quiet type. Don’t get along with ponies that well, but loves animals. Beware she has a bear over there.” She chuckled. “I just made a rhyme. Anyway, just speak real soft like, she's pretty timid but she gots a way with animals. Even Winona pays attention when she speaks. Really strange if I’m bein’ honest.”

Alarmed at the thought of a wild bear living in residence she had to ask. “Shouldn’t I be concerned about the bear!?”

“Naw. Harry is harmless. The only thang you gots to worry about is him sneakin’ up on ya and giving you a hug. Heh! For you that would be a death sentence for your fancy clothes.” She could barely contain her laughter at the idea of Rarity attire getting a hairy mauling.

The fashionista’s stomach sank. Maybe she should just make the trip to Manehattan instead.

The cottage was gorgeous. Not something Rarity herself would wish to live in herself, but it was wonderfully scenic.

Just over a short bridge that crossed a small stream coming out of the Whitetail woods, was a deceptively small home that seemed to have been grown from the hill itself. The path from the bridge to the home was gravel with a mix of larger stones for stepping on in regular intervals.

Around the side there was a small chicken coop, complete with its complementary assortment of chickens and a rooster. They clucked away pecking the ground as the rooster stood guard. Little chicks running about beneath his bulky body.

Dug into the hills were a myriad of dens and holes she had noticed before the crossing of the bridge, but now they were in abundance. Rabbits, stoats and even a few foxes played around with each other. A true miracle considering the predatory nature of the foxes.

The house itself was lovely, looking almost as one with the hillside, it had tan yellowish walls with wood beams as support. The windows were rounded, one being left open as birds zipped in and out. The door was also rounded with a doorknob right in the center gleaming brightly.

The roof was verdant green, and on a closer inspection, she could see that it was actually grass that swept back into the hill itself, a novel concept but she couldn’t help but wonder how the home stayed dry. It must leak terribly.

Intermingled with the grasses on the roof were more windows, in half shapes, and birdhouses in a plethora of colors and designs. With the birds flitting about it set such a wonderful scene. Like something out of a fairytale, and for a moment, Rarity was taken back to her childhood.

As she steadily approached she noticed all the animals had stopped to look at her. No. That's not right, they were looking past her. A white rabbit amongst them seemed to be, was it grinning?

She had never heard the bear approach. The advice Applejack had given her had fled her mind the moment she laid eyes on the gargantuan beast that was already on his hind legs, paws outstretched.

Rarity didn’t know what happened next though surely she did scream. As her heart decelerated from its rapid beat she noticed a solid wood ceiling above her head. Sitting none to quickly she held her head with a hand as she gazed about the surprisingly large and comfy looking living room.

She had been laying on a large green upholstered couch with simplistic wood trim and feet. A matching green chair in a similar style sat adjacent to it with a large coffee table between them.

Behind the chair was a moderately sized fireplace, its firebox and grate clean with a pile of wood sitting just ready to be lit. Her eyes were drawn to the walls next as she slowly rose to her hooves.

Said walls had bookshelves set inside them as one with the structure. Painting of animals and a few pictures of what she suspected was the owner of the home’s family was all around her. She noticed the round door and managed to put two and two together to realize she had not been eaten by the beast, but whisked away inside the home after she had likely passed out.

She blinked, the door actually sat a few feet off the ground, a set of stairs leading up to it. That did explain why the windows were set so high, and why the house seemed bigger than normal at first glance. It was because it was literally built into the hill itself.

Rarity shook herself from her musings and inspection.

It was time she found her saviour, and belatedly realized that Opalescence was nowhere to be found either. She reeled in panic as she felt the desire to faint away wash over her. Steeling herself she set out to find her lost kitten.

She gently walked around the coffee table and toward an open portal that she found led into the kitchen. The scent of fresh mint tea being brewed wafted into her nose. The kitchen itself shared the same motif as the living room. An all wood table sat with a tea set and cookies upon its surface, four green and brown kitchen chairs sat around pushed in.

A noise brought one of her ears around, tilted back. That came from above if she was not mistaken. Walking back out of the kitchen she noticed another set of stairs, this one ascending to a second floor. Set under those stairs was a door she could only presume went to some sort of cellar or basement.

She decided to take the stairs up and see what she could find on the floor above.

At the top of the stairs she heard voices. Well one actually, it was soft and melodic and was punctuated with giggles and soft coos. “Is there a foal in the house?”

As turned around looking for the source, words began to reach her constantly moving ears.

“Oh my, that must have been very silly. But again, I’m sorry about Harry. He didn’t mean to scare your owner. Oh sorry. I mean your servant.” Another giggle.

“Just who is talking and to whom?”

She approached a door on the far end of the hall, now ignoring the environment around her as she crept as quietly as she could. The door was cracked open and she peered in.

There sat Opalescence on a small cushion, a dish that looked to have been full of cream in front of her. She looked quite content and purred and meowed regularly as a slender butter yellow furred hand petting and scratching her head.

“I really should be checking on her, Miss Opalescence. Yes I know she was planning to take you to a veterinarian. Technically, I’m a veterinarian.” A pause and a low meow from Rarity’s companion. “Oh no I would never use needles unless you were sick. I know it hurts but sometimes they’re necessary.”

“She….she’s talking to Opalescence?” The one sided conversation began to replay in Rarity’s head and something stuck out to her. “Servant?!”

Shifting her weight to the other hoof her view panned until she spotted the owner to the hand.

Her breath caught. She had been expecting an earth pony, as most veterinarians were. It was theorized that because of an earth pony’s nature to be one with the environment, rather than controlling it like the pegasi and unicorns do, that made them better animal caretakers as well as harvesting crops.

Instead, sitting next to her kitten’s makeshift bed, was a demure yet tall pegasus mare. Wearing a cream colored blouse that was conservatively buttoned to the top and a long ankle length green skirt. Despite the somewhat thicker clothing, Rarity could tell that the mare bore a svelte form over all, but she could not help but notice the flared hips and broad chest that the chosen outfit was trying in vain to hide.

Taking her face in she had a flash of jealousy rip its way through her. The pegasus was absolutely beautiful. Where the fashionista had to work, not much mind you, to gain that extra bit of beauty she always bore, this mare had it in spades. The long curling mane, and rich butter cream fur complimented her apparent gentle nature nicely.

“Some mares just have all the luck do they not? Not even a mar or blemish. No makeup even!”

She shook her head and silently chastised herself. Those were not the thoughts of a lady, the admitted veterinarian didn’t have a personal hand in the genetics lottery. She was just blessed.

The creek under her left hoof made her want to curse, and of course the subject of her examinations just had to notice that.

The butter yellow mare had gone from a relaxed pose to wide eyed fright, wings extended and pupils the size of pinpricks.

“I… I am so sorry, Darling. I did not mean to frighten you, however, when one wakes up in a place they were not before they tend to investigate.” Which was true, to an extent. She should have called out the moment she woke up, but nerves and suspicion kept her lips sealed as she skulked about.

“Skulked. Such an awful word.” But she would not deny that was essentially what she had done.

Standing up she slowly pushed the door all the way and looked at her kitten. “There you are, Opalescence. I was worried when I woke up and you were not there. Or anywhere I looked.” She turned back to the mare, her stance more relaxed but she had taken time to draw her mane over the majority of her lovely face. “Thank you as well for taking such good care of her. I take it you are the veterinarian I was told about?”

For a long moment Rarity wasn’t sure she would get an answer. The pegasus mare had almost recoiled when she had spoken to her.

“I am…”

She blinked, she thought she had heard something.

“I’m sorry, Darling….but did you...say something?” She wasn’t sure she did, but she wanted to be safe rather than sorry in assuming.

“I am a veterinarian….”

So she was speaking, it was just so quiet she hadn’t been sure. She smiled carefully, she was beginning to suspect this mare was of a fragile constitution. No sense in frightening her after coming this far.

“Oh, I am very happy to meet you. Again, please excuse my snooping from earlier. I was just unsure of what happened after that bear had sprung up behind me. I must have fainted dead away. I do apologize for any inconvenience I might have brought you. Could I have your name dear?”

“Oh...um...I’m Fluttershy..”

“Drat. She has gotten quiet again.” She smiled as jovially as she could.

“I am truly sorry to have to ask, but would you repeat that. I cannot hear as easily as Applejack’s Winona, I am afraid.”

Mentioning the mutt’s name seemed to have drawn her out of her shell a little. She seemed to perk up.

“You know Winona?”

“Yes Darling, I do. She is a bit….more rambunctious for my tastes but she is a companion to my best friend after all, so of course I would know her.” She smiled. The mare was smiling back a twinkle in her eye.

“Oh yes, she is such a good dog. Oh...um my name is…” She squinted her eyes for a moment. “Fluttershy.” She smiled hesitantly. “I’m not very good with other...ponies. I...I have a hard time talking to them. Forgive me.” She bowed her head.

Rarity softly laughed. “ A lovely name Miss Shy, and do not apologize. I have learned a long time ago that others grow up differently. That not everypony can be boisterous. Or quiet in a couple pony’s cases.” This was good, she had her talking now, and with each sentence Fluttershy’s rather shy nature was being pushed back.

“Oh, well...I...I didn’t have a good time in school when I was growing up. I’d rather not talk about it…” She looked away.

“And I would not expect you to. We’ve just met after all. Tell me, Miss Shy, have you ever been to a spa?” She smiled as the other mare’s ears perked up and turned toward her.

The plan had been three-fold.

First and foremost, get the mare out of her home and amongst the ponies of Ponyville without putting too much stress on her. Which meant very few ponies about.

It was clear to her that Fluttershy was more than a bit of a recluse, judging the low stocks of tea and food for herself that she had in her pantry.

It couldn’t be more obvious that the mare took infrequent trips for herself. As they were getting ready to leave, the mare had actually donned a headscarf that covered up most of her mane and face. A true crime, but one she could not dissuade her from hiding her beauty.

Second was actually rather strange to her. As the idea had blossomed into her mind, Rarity realized that the actual thought came more as a feeling, a feeling that sprung from inside herself. The same feeling she had when Rainbow Dash had showed up on her doorstep two months prior. Her instincts never proved her wrong so she went with the feeling and decided to ask her to the spa. On her of course.

And finally, she REALLY needed to destress after the crazy events of the day. Nearly ruining a dress, having to find a new vet, getting the hole in her house repaired, and then meeting a bear face to face was more than the fashionista could take and she was looking forward to unwinding. The Ponyville Day Spa practically shouted her name.

While that may have been the plan, which was going well, a small complication had appeared.

“Fluttershy? Is that you?” A somewhat scratchy and familiar tomcolt voice sprung up as they were slowly removing their clothes. Slowly, because the named mare was having trouble getting over undressing in front of others.

“Oh...oh my Rainbow!” That had to be the loudest sound Rarity had heard from the mare. “Why are you here?” Both mares embraced laughing joyously.

“Duh, I work in the weather team! Why else would I be here? I see you met my roommate.” She laughed.

“Roommate? I’m sorry Darling, I am your landlady.” She sniped playfully back. “Has Accel and her brother already fixed that little accident of yours?”

“Ah ha, heh. Yeah they did. Came over as I was about to shower. Found the girls by the way, they are over at Applebloom’s. But they, the construction ponies you hired, got it done quick as lightning.” She had the good grace to look ashamed.

“Rainbow Dash. Did you break another pony’s house?” Rarity blinked. The demure and quiet mare was gone. While still not loud there was a strange authoritative posture the mare had taken on.

“I only broke a wall! These are not Cloudsdale homes after all! They’re not gonna break that easily!” Blink. The brash pegasus was meekly, if loudly defending herself from the now upset pink maned mare.

Clearly there was a history between the pair. A cheshire like grin blossomed on the fashionista’s face. She could not wait to hear the juicy details.

Oh what history it was! Turns out, both mares grew up together in the city of Cloudsdale, and had gone to school together. The conversation began in the showers as the mares got ready for their treatment, and continued as they all slid into the hot tub to soak.

To hear Rainbow Dash tell it, she often defended the timid mare when classmates would start to pick on her.

To hear Fluttershy tell of it, in her quiet manner, the very same prismatic mare would often accidentally destroy entire homes in either the defense of her or practice.

That started an argument. Mostly the cerulean mare almost shouting that it wasn’t her fault when it came to property destruction. It was all very fun to hear, and made her thankful her home was made with brick, wood, and mortar instead of flimsy clouds.

But it wasn’t the only reason that Rarity smiled and laughed. Between the pair she could see years of friendship that bonded them together. It was a wonderful sight. In it she could see herself and Applejack, maybe not in attitudes and personalities, but in spirit.

“Ladies.” Both mares looked at her, one grumpy, the other attentive. “I have a proposal for you. This coming Saturday in the afternoon, I am having dinner with an old friend. Now normally I would not alter plans like this, but I think you two should come. It will be great fun and I think you would enjoy meeting my friend AJ. What do you say?”

“Free food? You know I’m down!”

“Are you sure...I don’t want to be a bother…”

“Of course you would be eager for the food,” she smirked, “I would hope you would be just as eager for the company. And no Miss Shy you wouldn’t be a bother at all, in fact I am positive Applejack would love the company as well.” She smiled at the hesitant nod she received.

“Now if you will excuse me Darlings, I just want to drift for a bit,” and with that she settled in and let the steamy water take her cares away. Forgetting that her clothes were still laden with bear fur.

“I wish ya had gone and told me you was having more ponies over, Rares. I could have brought some more of Granny’s pie with me.” Applejack was more than a bit upset. She didn’t like not having enough for everypony.

Alright, so Saturday dinner could have started off better in Rarity’s opinion.

“Oh….I could leave if that's what you want. I don’t want to be a bother.” Spoke up Fluttershy. The mare had decided to wear a short sleeve pink shirt and a white skirt that was still conservative. The white mare had begun thinking of the outfits she currently had in stock that would compliment the busty mare the moment she stepped through the door.

“No way Flutter! You have got to try out her Rata-tao….something I can’t pronounce the frou frou name. But it is delicious! You can’t leave now!”

“It is fine Darling, I made plenty of extra, and Rainbow it is Ratatouille. I chose to go with a Prench cuisine for the night. I thought it would-” Rapid knocking from downstairs gave her pause. She smiled. “Excuse me a moment would you?”

This wasn’t the first time, and she wasn’t surprised. Pinkie Pie stood at her door, arm full of party supplies. “Right on time Miss Pie. But I am afraid this isn’t that kind of party.”

In the past year or so, any time Rarity and Applejack got together, Pinkie was not far behind in her arrival. Always with supplies for a party in tow. She had built a reputation on being the premiere, if not the only, party planner in Ponyville.

Her parties were actually quite good if everypony was being honest.

“Awwww….Okay!” She just casually tossed her things to the side and slipped past Rarity to dart upstairs. The fashionista took a look to see where her supplies had landed, only to find nothing.

“Do not think about it, you will only drive yourself insane.”

Coming back into the third floor dining room she was met with a strange sight. Rainbow Dash had started bantering with the farm mare as poor poor Fluttershy was being bombarded with the standard thousand questions from the Pink Menace.

“That was fast.”

The strangeness came from Fluttershy, who warmly responded to each question without too much hesitancy.

“Alright everypony, we can continue as we eat. Rainbow? Would you set the table?” She asked politely.

“Awww yeah! You got it, Rares!”

Soon enough all five mares were sitting around a smaller than Rarity would have liked table, passing around food and chatting away as if they had done this every Saturday. She couldn’t help but smile. This felt almost right somehow.

They talked about all manner of things from future goals to what they did in their lives before meeting each other. It was all so much fun.

A quiet moment in the conversation brought up somepony she hadn’t thought of in awhile.

“Hey what’s up with that statue in the park? I saw some old mare cleaning it and putting down fresh flowers the other day. Is it some Ponyville hero I never heard about?”

Ah, of course Orion would just have to pop up.

Applejack chose to answer.

“That mare were more than likely Granny. She ‘ften goes there inna afternoons every month. The statue...well...that's Orion Falls.” Her mouth drew thin and she said no more.

“I’ve heard of that name before...I think mom and dad talked about him. I don’t remember why? It was a few years ago.” Fluttershy chimed in. “Who was he?”

“A very brave and foolish colt is who he was.” Rarity began. She ignored the look from the farm mare. Applejack didn’t like the idea of him actually being dead, but the more the white mare had thought about it, the more she had come to accept that he in fact died in his mad escape plan.

“Orion Falls had more courage than wits, and a mean streak larger than any pony had a right to have. He was rude, and crass. Had absolutely no fashion sense….and be foolish enough to jeopardize his own life for the sake of others.” She sniffed. “And the more I think on it, the more I realize that he is likely never coming back.”

“Rares. There's just no way he could've died. That rascal is about as stubborn as they come. I refuse ta think that some stupid waterfall had gotten the best of him.” Applejack glared.

This had been a point of contention with them. She was ready to admit reality and move on, yet her friend refused to concede that he is anything but passed on. It was the whole reason they hadn’t spent much time together and she had been hoping this little get together would rekindle their relationship.

“Hold up! He’s dead? You all make him sound like an idiot. Why? If he is some big hero, why is he an idiot?”

Applejack sighed, and told them. Rarity chimed in where she thought appropriate but otherwise kept silent.

“Wow…. He sounds like he was a total badflank of a stallion.” Rainbow’s eyes were as wide as the dinner plates they had finished washing. “It sucks that he’s dead, would've been awesome to meet him.”

“Oh my, he sounds dangerous.”

“He’s not dead silly fillys!” The pronouncement silenced the entire living room where they had retired with cups of tea and Granny Smith’s apple pie.

“I’m sorry D-dear….but how could you possibly know that?” Rarity stuttered. Applejack gripped the arm rest to her seat so hard the creaking would likely be heard outside.

“I saw him when I visited Applejack’s farm after I arrived. He was in the trees of the Everfree watching! He looked like a baboon all the way up there!” She giggled. No one shared in her humor.

“Ya tellin’ me. That-that lowdown scoundrel of a stallion was right across from muh farm and didn’t bother ta tell me!” The arms of the chair snapped violently. Rarity tisked vexedly.

“Why would he? He was on the run from the authorities. Why would he want to risk getting you in trouble?” The response was so logical in it’s delivery that Rarity had to do a double take to make sure it wasn’t another mare sitting in Pinkie’s seat.

“Well I...that is...hmm...buck I don’t know but here I’ve been worried sick about em and he was up in a tree and couldn’t even bother telling me.” There were tears in her friend’s eyes, and to her surprise, her own.

“He’s been alive this entire time?!” Both relief and anger flooded through her.

“Wait.” Her more rational mind forced a thought through. “ How do we know he is still alive now? Something could have happened.” She ignored another glare from Applejack. She did not want to get her hopes up.

“Oh he almost wasn’t. I told him to watch out for those sea monsters, but he still took the boat anyway. But he’s alive. Somewhere out east now. Though he was stuck on an island or something for a while.” She smiled brightly. “Don’t worry he’s not in a herd or anything like that yet.”

“You haven’t answered how you know that.” If she said Pinkie Sense, she might lose it.

“If I tell you how I know, you’ll just get angry. My left ear is twitchy and my tail wants to wag up and down.” Technically an admittance, but not an outright confession of it.

The revelation that he was still out there. Alive and safe, did little to comfort her as it might have. He wasn’t here, and the odds are he wasn’t coming back.

Everypony went home or to their rooms after that.

Climbing into bed, Rarity tried to capture in her mind the feel of his arms wrapped around her like that night so long ago. It amazed her that her heart still yearned for the idiotic colt. Maybe it wasn’t other ponies being boring, maybe it was her wishing for the right one that had been long gone.

“Damn you Pinkie.” She snuggled into bed, tears in her eyes as she slowly drifted to sleep.