Beauty Like Yours Is A Rarity

The calm midday sun hangs directly overhead Ponyville, sky speckled by but a few small clouds. A pair of curious passersby let out small, disappointed sounds to the 'Closed' sign hung in the Boutique window. Muttering assurances about coming back later and wonderings as to why the usually punctual Rarity has yet to open, they instead head on their way. The town is softly bustling with yet another calm, usual day.

Inside said Boutique, a quiet, awkward silence hangs over the pair of inhabitants, as anything but the usual has occured.

Rarity

When Rarity awoke, dry lips smacking and peeling her sweat mane from her face, she was confused how it could possibly be the middle of the day. She was further perplexed as to why she was lying on a messily-made bed, laid on fresh, typically unused spare sheet from her closet.

She didn't wonder for very long, as things are swiftly made clear when she sees--and subsequently smells--her usual bedding politely folded in the corner. They reek of a particularly carnal endeavor, and the fluids staining them correspond to such an act.

Right.

She had invited Anon over, and he, ever the sweetheart, had agreed to help her with her whole 'pretend to be her Partner' for the upcoming Canterlot Couples Event little mess. He came over... brought her coffee, very sweet, and he was to get measured and fitted for a suit, of her design. She started measuring him, and...

Right. And then she jumped his bones.

Her face hits the mattress, groaning loudly as she promptly begins recalling the entirety previous hours -- especially the dirty bits. Every pang of hope she had that it had merely been an out-of-sorts heat-induced dream of a weirdly exotic 'stallion', was further shattered by each little messy, stained evidence.

Half of which was on her.

Her mane was a matted mess, her mascara stained her cheeks, and she could still taste... him, past her parched, dry lips. It wasn't an unpleasant taste, but this was not the time. The only upside is he had thoroughly rutted the heat out of her, and she was thinking straight. Which, in the sober aftermath, wasn't really an upside... just a brutal confrontation to consequences.

Because she couldn't control herself, her own fear of a Stallion making this whole thing 'messy' for her had been done in by herself -- before the event even started. She felt a heavy mixture of dread, guilt, and a good other helping of emotions that made her not want to leave the bed... or worse yet, confront him about what happened. Maybe if she stayed like this forever, she could just avoid it. The Boutique closed down, her dignity softly buried. Maybe even skip town. This would be... ugh.

She knew better, of course. There was no running away from this messy... well, mess.

Speaking of things that make an absolute mess... where had he gone? He'd folded up the used sheets, laid out new ones and even laid her atop them...

Rarity's ear flickers, listening. She can hear a noise downstairs. Good, he hadn't left. Well, not good because she'd need to face him after... a rather unbecoming behavior from herself that was FAR from the usual, and try to handle it with grace, but good that he hadn't simply absconded.

For a moment, Rarity tries to mentally formulate how she'd even break the ice. Oh, apologies, dearest and kindest Anon, I don't normally swallow the cock of acquaintances. Totally an accident. I hope this won't affect our professional relationship, your opinion of me, or the plans we have going forward.

She groans into the fresh linens again, hoof making a soft 'pap' as she hits the mattress out of frustration. She needed a minute to clean up, before she faced this disaster. Or several minutes.

Anon

Downstairs, Anon had left Rarity to her rest near half an hour ago, tucked in cleaner sheets on her bed. They'd spent the afterglow in each-others embrace, something that took some careful maneuvering to peel himself out of. After taking a moment to clean himself in the bathroom, trying to tackle some of the latent smell and stains that came with that particular... brand of activity they'd gotten up to, he'd redressed in the same clothes he came in. Still clean, considering it was the suit she ripped off him, not his usual outfit. He'd taken that off... in front of her. Hrm. Did he strip-tease Rarity by accident?

He'd set what was left of the suit back on her workstation, carefully folded. Anon had remade the bed, taking as best care not to disturb Rarity as he could, and set the... used sheets aside, folded, unsure of where her laundry was. She probably used magic, considering.

Now, he was in her kitchen. It was noon on the dot, according to this cute little cat-shaped clock sitting in her kitchen. Oh, there's a real cat. It blinks at him. He had no idea Rarity had a cat. It paws at its food bowl, staring expectantly at him. It gives Anon the idea that maybe they could also use something to eat, before the inevitable discussion. The one about... them.

So, after pouring nameless cat a bowl of it's food, Anon starts making them both the non-cats, himself and Rarity, a sandwich. He's hoping Rarity wouldn't mind his liberal use of her foodstuffs, nor potentially overfeeding her cat... but the furball probably deserved it, after listening to them this morning. It's a pony-sized kitchen, so he practically squats down to reach everything properly. It's not too bad since ponies tend to prop themselves up to do things, so not as short as it could be.

Of course, his mind keeps floating to what had happened hours prior, and the looming talk, as he uses one of her rather opulent looking knives to slice bread. She'd probably like something light in the stomach, or outright hydrating even. Shove some freshly rinsed salad between the bread, cold water in the fridge until she's down. That'll work.

Of course, Anon could actually cook, but he doubted either of them was in the right mindset for a proper meal right now. Plus, they had dinner tonight, if that actually kept. Why had he asked?

Rarity was... a nice mare. Very nice. Lived up to the Element of Generosity, absolutely. They'd had several good interactions before. He wanted to do right by her, with... whatever she was going through. He never had heat himself, obviously. But this... hm. Was it even helping her out? Or was he at fault somehow?

Anon pauses for a moment, hearing water run upstairs. Oh, good, she was up. Hopefully they could talk and... clarify some things. The ship had sailed. Only thing now was to weather the storm.

It's about another half an hour before the familiar stark white-fur of Rarity appears oncemore, joining Anon downstairs. He'd been expecting her to fully reset her look, redo her makeup, come out blazing with the standard Rarity fashion and confidence, like she had this morning.

Instead, she quietly enters the main room of the boutique, nary a confident trot to her step. Her mane is still up in a towel, and she lacks her usual, energetic spunk. Rarity even wobbles a little as she walks -- though that's probably more his fault than her's.

"Hey, Rares." Anon greets softly, leaning against the kitchen countertops.

"...Hello, Anon. Mind if we... have a talk?" Rarity responds, glancing up. She's washed up, but re-applied nothing. No makeup, no eyelashes... she looks vulnerable. Open. Real.

"Of course. Figured we'd want to chat after. Made you a uh... sandwich. Not sure what kind you like, but I thought you'd like something at least." Anon mentions, reaching into the fridge to pull them out.

Rarity smiles weakly as she settles at the kitchen table.
"That's... very sweet of you, Anon, but you didn't have to."

"Yeah, sorry. Just kind of... needed something to do. Nervous, you know?" Anon chuckles, placing both plates, followed by both chilled glasses, on the table.

The glass of water is quickly drank by a quite thirsty Rarity, who huffs softly.
"Good to know I'm not alone in that feeling. Sit?" She asks.

Anon nods, sitting across from her. A little awkward, considering it's pony sized, but he makes do.

"Oh... we can go somewhere else, if you need--" Rarity starts, watching him try to get comfortable.

Anon waves a hand dismissively, settling.
"Nope, I'm alright."

She nods.

...

Both quietly glance around, the food going uneaten.

Not that it was bad, she assured him. It was just...

Well, neither had been in this situation before. Awkward was one of the many words that could be used here.

Anon purses his lips.
"...Still on for the event?" He asks suddenly, catching Rarity's attention.

She's quick to shake her head. She messed up, and needs to own it.
"No, no. I'll fess up. I couldn't ask you to, after this."

"Are you sure? I don't mind at all." Anon prods softly. He didn't want to push, but he didn't want to just bluntly accept her worried backpedalling, either.

"Anon, I... I'm sorry. What happened was not at all my original intention, and... I feel like I tricked you." She refutes again, firmer.

"Rarity, you didn't trick me. We're both consenting adults--" Anon tries to retort.

"Please, Anon. I can't... I can't have your help, because now I'm the one who will make this messy. This... I hope you can --" Rarity starts to speak faster.

"RARITY." Anon suddenly speaks up, loudly and firmly, cutting her off.

"...Please. You know how I feel about... getting cut off." She says quietly, almost a whisper.

"...I don't think this approach is working. Mind if I do something dumb?" Anon asks, looking to her face.

"...Hm?" She hums back, confused.

Rarity watches as Anon rises out if his chair. She half expects him to simply leave, but instead finds herself being scooped out of her chair, carried towards the lounge. She was startled at first, but sighs heavily now that she's in his arms again. This was going to make letting him down harder.

Anon slowly sinks back into the larger of the lounge chairs, resting Rarity on his chest. She sighs, looking to him.

"...What were you hoping for with that little maneuver, Anon?" Rarity mumbles.

"Something that didn't feel so awkward as sitting across the table from one another, ignoring our food, like we were discussing funeral plans. I'd rather discuss what we want for dinner tonight." Anon chimes, holding her close.

"...I forgot about that. Well, that isn't true. I remembered, but..." Rarity sighs softly.

"Mind if I just blab for a bit, and you feel free to cut in where you want to?" Anon asks, tilting his head back to look at her.

Rarity looks back at him, meeting his gaze. She looks... sad.
"...Okay." She nods.

"Well... first of all, you're a beautiful mare, Rarity, inside and out. We might not hang out all that often..."

"...If at all." She hums.

"...If at all, but that doesn't mean I don't know that about you. The way you're so kind to everyone you meet, the way Sweetie Belle gushes about how cool her big sister is, how she wants to be just like her when she grows up... you've done a lot of kind things for me, too, you know. I care about you a great deal." Anon explains quietly, idly stroking along her side. Her fur is still damp from her second shower of the day.

Rarity sighs, further leaning into him.
"If your goal is just to butter me up, Mister Muss, you're getting a little redundant."

"Yeah, guess I am. You've a bad habit of making me fumble my words."

"Truly? You sound so concise when you speak, if a little... lax."

"Nah, still nervous. Only around you, though. You've got this... mature air to you. Makes me forget I'm talking to a colorful pony half my size. It's nice."

Rarity looks like she's about to say something, but sighs, lifting her head.
"Anon. Last night... I don't do that kind of thing, even with my heat. I've measured Stallions while deep in the thick of it before. So... my conclusion is that you and I have... an odd chemistry. Which is why I can't have you be my pretend partner. I can't... afford to have this event go messy for me, especially when I'm the one liable for it. I put you in a position where you could hardly say no, and I pounced you, Anon. I'm sorry. I... am deeply appreciative that you've been so kind about it. Even... during it, as dirty as that is to say. But I have to put my hoof down." Rarity explains, lifting herself to lean against him proper, staring at Anon.

...Time for a soul read.

Anon leans up, and kisses a startled Rarity on the snout. He then places a single finger to her lips, before she can object.
"You don't need to apologize, Rarity. I don't do that kind of thing, either. If I wasn't interested in something more, I would have said no. You're not nearly as predatory as you pretend to be -- and I would know. My species is carnivorous, so stop worrying that you somehow took advantage of me. It was mutual." He teases playfully, smiling. "No, I asked you to dinner because I accept you, Rarity. You asked me to be yours, and I agreed. As 'messy' or non-standard as this was, I didn't ask you to dinner for nothing. You're a wonderful mare, and you deserve the best. And... I'd like to be the lucky guy that gets to give you that. So, I've got a proposition, if you'll hear me out." Anon continues, lifting the finger off her snout, though his face stays close to hers.

She purses her pretty little lips, uncolored from her usual lipstick, but nods, silent. Waiting, with baited breath.

"I know you're a busy mare. Your work is your first love. But... I wouldn't mind being your second. You know I'm not up to much beyond fishing and grilling, and I wouldn't expect anything that isn't Miss Rarity from you. So... let me take you to dinner, and let's see if by the time the event rolls around... if we even need the word 'pretend' in front of Partner. A non-standard relationship, for a couple of non-standard individuals?" Anon offers carefully, following it with a gentle smile. Probably about as good of a translation he'd get out of the jumble of words knocking around his brain.

Rarity looks away, taking a long breath. She purses her lips.

She looks at him.

She looks at her Boutique.

At the sandwiches still on the table.

She thinks of the sheets folded upstairs, and the new ones he placed under her.

At the suit, neatly folded on the workstation.

At the 'Stallion' tenderly holding her in his arms, after accepting her fervent advances... and doing so with love, not lust. It'd be big talk if he said it all after, but... he interrupted them to ask her to dinner before they got to anything.

At the way he held her close after, stroking her mane, pressing her to himself.

This... well, Rares, might be about as close as you get to those abhorrently cheesy romance novels you so love to binge, she thinks to herself. Out of the last couple of awkward confessions some of the plucky, single males have thrown her way in the last few years, this one had some heart to it.

Her response is to slowly wiggle forward across his chest, and press her lips to his, offering a quick peck.
"...Okay, Darling. I know a cute place in town, not far, that serves some things you may like..." She trails off, seeming to remember something. "...Would you mind if I looked?"

Anon smiles, but tilts his head.
"At?"

"Your teeth. I know you had them all over me hours earlier, but..." Rarity explains, biting her lip. "I'd like to... see them."

Anon's answer is to casually open his mouth.

It's not as bad as she was expecting. He brushed, thankfully, so it smelt minty. But he was an omnivore, half teeth similar to hers, half forming a sharper edge.

She remembers them pressing against her fur, her flesh, teasingly gentle.

A little shiver runs up her spine again.

Anon closes his mouth.
"Everything alright? Is it weird?"

"No, no. It's... truthfully, I'm more surprised by how much they're affecting me. I think I've discovered something about myself today." She relents, flopping against his chest, nestling her face against his. "I'd ask if I was being too forward, but... I don't think that's a discussion we're going to need to worry about, is it?"

"Kind of jumped the gun from intrepid, nervous newly daters? Yeah, we did a little bit. I'm alright with it if you are. I don't think either of us are the kind of ponies, or people, to do that kind dance anymore." Anon chuckles, getting a quiet giggle from a slowly feeling better Rarity.

"Afraid not. I think we both exude a little... passion. Too much of it, even. Actually..." Rarity trails off, pressing her nose to his neck.

Anon raises an eyebrow.

"...Darling, do your species have a heat cycle?" She asks.

"Mm? No, our women have an ovulation period, but...we're kind of just ready to go at all times." Anon explains. "Why?"

"Well, you certainly smell like you are. No wonder I couldn't think straight around you. Not that that's the only reason, of course -- you're a startlingly attractive male, tickling cross-species fevers I didn't know I was subject to... but goodness. If I sat here smelling you for too long, I might be ready to go again." She huffs, shaking her head.

"...Well, I'm flattered you think I'm pretty, for a non-pony. You're pretty scrumptious yourself, Miss Rarity." Anon teases back, grinning at the mare in his arms.

"Oh, enough, Nonny. I'm well aware of how much you appreciate my form... you made it very clear but hours ago, by just how thoroughly you... oh, I'll just be crass. Ravished me." Rarity teases back, patting his chest with a hoof. "

"...We do have some time before dinner." Anon says slowly, leaning to kiss the soft fluff of her neck. It got a little thicker closer to her chest, matching her natural, well-maintained chestal poofage.

Rarity's ears shoot straight up, perfectly pointed. He's kidding, right? Again?
"...Are you joking?" She mutters.

"Should I be?" Anon smiles, planting another kiss.

"...Darling, just how voracious is your species?" Rarity mutters accusingly, throwing him a stare.

"Want that answer in words, or in actions?" Anon retorts, pressing his teeth softly against her neck, nibbling.

Rarity bites her lip.

...Not how she planned this entire conversation or day planning out, but she could work with it.

Another round of dissapointed murmurs, finding that The Boutique remained yet closed. Assuming Rarity to be out or sick, the pair from earlier trudge home.

They miss an extra-wobbly Rarity emerge from said Boutique, leaning against Anon for support, on their way to a quiet dinner. Slowly, and sorely.