The ringing in her ears finally died down. Rarity flicked an ear at the sudden lack of noise. She was finally able to pay attention to her surroundings, no longer overwhelmed by the lights, or the incessant blaring that only she seemed to hear.
There was a moment of confusion. Her senses were thrown out of wack, and for a split-second, Rarity didn’t know where she was. Her eyes scanned around her, piecing together what she needed to know. How could she have ever forgotten where she worked? It was second nature to her. It was her home. Rarity shook her head slightly. How completely ridiculous.
But what was she doing? Rarity pondered and looked to the shape next to her. Ah, right. She had been asking somepony something.
It was a simple, straightforward question. Or at least, that’s what she thought. Nevertheless, she looked at the mare opposite to her and cocked her head. “Pardon me, but, do I know you?” It had to have been the fifth time she asked, although the pony in question did nothing but gape at her. She had tears in her eyes for some reason.
“Do… do you really not remember me?” the nameless pony asked.
Rarity blinked. “Should I?” She frowned at the pony in front of her. Perhaps she should know who she was. There was an inkling of a name in her mind. A tiny scrap, an idea, but no matter how much she focused on it, Rarity couldn’t grasp it. She chided herself for being so silly. How could she be so rude?
Many ponies came to her Boutique, and while she often prided herself on knowing most faces from around Ponyville, there were occasionally ponies that came from other towns to visit Carousel Boutique. Even despite its slight differences; it was no longer as colourful as Rarity remembered. Did she remodel? She must have. Perhaps that drew attention from other ponies; maybe even ones Rarity had met on her previous excursions.
However, this pony was different, Rarity knew. She had to be someone important. There weren’t many ponies around with both a set of wings and a horn. Something tugged at Rarity. It was definitely somepony important. Was she a Princess? Rarity blinked, suddenly focusing on her surroundings. White walls loomed over her. A blinding white light basked the purple alicorn in front of her, making her appear to be glowing. Rarity blinked. Who was this? The mare’s lips moved, but Rarity couldn’t make out the words.
The unicorn leaned forward in her bed. “Hello, darling. Is there anything I can get you?” The purple mare took a step back. She appeared to be a Princess! Rarity squeaked as the alicorn sat down on the hard floor.
“Rarity, come on, you have to remember me!” the alicorn pleaded.
Remember her? Surely she’d remember meeting a Princess. Regardless, Rarity attempted to stand up, but found herself unable to. She looked down at her body. She sat in a bed, with IV tubes attached to her forelegs. Was she sick or something? More importantly, why was a princess here? Had she done something wrong? Rarity turned to the alicorn and studied her. She seemed familiar. “Do I know you?”
The other mare stepped back. Her mane flowed beautifully in the light of the room. The Boutique looked… odd. Rarity didn’t remember it being so white. Perhaps she was just misremembering. She had repainted recently. Rarity settled back down into her bed and sighed. Her eyes lingered on the woven blanket that rested on top of her. It was colourful, a beautiful quilt of patterns. Apples, balloons, and butterflies adorned the side closest to Rarity, while a lightning bolt, a little green flame, and a six-pointed star decorated the other half.
Rarity squinted. Her friends had made this for her. She reached forward with an aching, shaky hoof and caressed the soft fabric. Had her friends come to visit her? She couldn’t quite remember. Their faces flashed in her mind; an image of a photograph of them standing together at… some kind of ceremony. Rarity blinked and looked to her left. On the bedside table was a framed picture. The one she had thought of. Her friends! There they were. But they looked… off. Since when did Rainbow Dash cut her mane? And as much as Pinkie liked foals, she never had one of her own. And Twilight. Twilight was… so tall.
Rarity turned silently back and gazed at the blanket. It seemed old. Something about it drew her eyes to that six-pointed star…
“Rarity?” a voice squeaked. “Are you there?”
The unicorn looked over and blinked. “Oh, Twilight! Hello, darling. Whatever brings you here today? I would assume you would be busy with your new royal duties, as it were.” She punctuated the sentence with a lively giggle.
Twilight frowned. Her eyes were… puffy? Had she been crying? “You… remember? Me?”
Do I remember her? Rarity clicked her tongue. “Well, of course, darling! I don’t think I could forget you even if I tried.” She tittered and waved a hoof dismissively. “You are one of my closest friends, after all. And this lovely memento you and the girls—and Spikey Wikey—have given me is such a lovely gift!” She smiled warmly and drew her hooves over the fabric. It was soft to the touch.
Twilight blinked. “The blanket?”
“Oh, just how is he, by the way? Still trying to get used to those wings, I presume?” Rarity smiled at the thought of a little Spike floating around Ponyville with Twilight as he learned to control his new pair of wings.
“Spike?” Twilight asked incredulously. Her mouth tightened into a frown as she squinted at Rarity. “He’s… he’s already grown into his wings. He’s even... He’s even bigger than I am…”
Spike? Is bigger? Than… than Twilight? Rarity recoiled and looked down at the blanket. The patterns on them blended into just colours. Shapes. “Oh. How silly of me. I must have… forgotten…”
Rarity’s voice trailed away. How could she have forgotten? Spike was big now. He had grown. They all had. It had been so long. Just how long had it been? Rarity studied the IV that connected to her. A cold chill ran down her spine. She helplessly looked around, but all she saw was white. White walls cascading around her, and the muffled noise of a vinyl player.
Or was it speaking? Yes, it had to have been speaking. Had a nurse come to bring her food? Her stomach rumbled in anticipation. Rarity shook her head briefly and focused her ears on the noise.
“—been getting worse,” the voice spoke clearly.
Rarity looked at the source of the voice. Someone had come to visit her. Strangely, she seemed familiar. The white unicorn smiled apologetically. “Do I know you?”
