State of Attraction

by Mike_Tubapun

Rating: everyone
Tags: Comedy, Equestria Girls, Twilight Sparkle (EqG), Slice of Life, Fluttershy (EqG), Romance, Rarity (EqG), Pinkie Pie (EqG)
Length: 8942

Twilight wants to confess to Rarity, but strugges to find the words. Thankfully the upcoming Talent Show offers an opportunity, if only she can make it.

Twilight has been crushing on Rarity hard for a long time. Enlisting Pinkie Pie as her winggirl, she plans to woo Rarity through the use of an 80s hit. But is asking your crush to perform your confession alongisde you the best way to ask her out? Probably not, but it's not like you can just say your feelings!! That's why music exists!!

Inspired by a thought I had listening to Paula Abdul, as well as a conversation with SanyBaby in a RariTwi Discord server. Cover art by me!!

Published 2024-09-15 07:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-09-22 01:01:05 UTC

Next To You

“Pinkie Pie, these lyrics are really forward for me.”

Twilight looked down at the sheet her best friend, and current winggirl, had handed her. Paula Abmule was not an artist she had much familiarity with, outside of a brief fascination with the special effects techniques used in the video with the animated cat, but a read through of the song provided enough context for the plan that had been formed.

“Twi-Twi. Look me in the eye-eyes. Has a single one of your more ‘subtle’ hints gotten through?” Pinkie Pie said, grabbing Twilight’s arms and boring into her mind with her own large “eye-eyes.” Twilight pulled her arms out of her friend’s grasp and crossed them across her chest, puffing her cheeks out and looking to the side for good measure.

“Not that she’s shown. And given the number of attempts it’s statistically even odds that she has been noticing and just isn’t interested and is trying to let this stupid crush of mine run its course. I mean she didn’t even comment on the element I discovered and named after her!!” Twilight threw her arms up to emphasize the ridiculousness of her situation.

“Twi, me and Sunset already told you that was because you named it ‘Pauctiasum’. She doesn’t speak Equin!!” Pinkie threw her own arms up to match her smart-but-not-in-the-way-it-mattered friend, then grabbed her hands and started swinging their arms back and forward.

Not bothering to stop the new motion, Twilight grumbled something about being told not to buy her crush a latin dictionary despite them being on sale and very useful, eliciting a giggle from her winggirl. “Look Twi, I know the whole ‘Talent Show’ idea is a little nerve-wracking, and it’s obvious you can’t just spill your own guts directly. But that’s why I chose this song for you two love flamingos, Paula is basically saying it for you!! And when I made that Pinkie Promise to help you confess to her, I meant it, this is the best path forward!!”

Twilight let out a little sigh, “Plus if she reads the lyrics when I hand them to her there’s a chance she’ll get the meaning right away?”

“Exactly!! She’s a smart girl, like you, though more on the fabric of fabric end than the fabric of spacetime end. Plus, I’m sure she’s had a story like this in one of her romance novels, she’ll recognize the trope for sure!!” Pinkie switched their still swinging arm movements into a crushing trademark Pinkie Pie hug to further assure her friend of their guaranteed success.

Twilight hugged back, though looked at Pinkie a little questioningly, “Do a lot of her books involve inviting someone to do a talent show as a confession of love?” Pinkie shrugged while maintaining the hug, a shr-hug maneuver, and simply said, “How should I know? I’m a cookbooks and Greek Epics kinda gal, nowlet’sgo!!” Twilight was glad she was still in the hug as her legs whipped out underneath her, Pinkie Pie running at the speed of sugar to the classroom they knew Rarity liked to practice her keytaur in.

Rarity deeply enjoyed her time spent playing with the Rainbooms, she really did. But their particular brand of Pop, with occasional punk and rock elements brought in by the lead singer, just wasn’t her favorite. She had always been more of a BABA fan, as well as the Bleatles, though of course they were both different genres entirely. Regardless, this meant she liked to spend the occasional free period not spent practicing with her band (or designing wonderful new dresses) practicing covers of the synth lines in “Waterbuffaloo” or “Take A Chance on Me!” just to get a better feel for them, in case she ever got to do a solo deal. She’d never abandon her friends, of course, but an occasional album not split 7 ways would do wonders for her bank account. She loved giving her designs to her friends for free, especially Twilight who was oh so fun to design for (even if she never recognized the extra time Rarity spent on her outfits in comparison to her other friend’s ones), but she could always use a little extra funding.

That line of thought was slammed shut when the door to her side slammed open, Pinkie Pie style, naturally. The minor annoyance that flashed across her face quickly abated as she noticed her friends, Twilight in particular. She gave them both a dainty wave and asked them to come on in, no it’s fine darling, I was just noodling around.

“Hiya Rarity!! Twi here has something she wanted to ask you!!” Pinkie Pie said with her usual flair, though Rarity could sense something beneath it. Pinkie was always excited of course, but the determination in her eye seemed slightly more than usual. Above the standard line but slightly below having just found a new recipe to try. Her attempt to analyze was ironically cut short by Twilight.

“Pinkie, I can tell her why I’m here myself. I can also stand on my own feet, please.” Pinkie Pie set her friend down, though both were giggling the whole way through. Twilight turned to Rarity and smiled, “So I was thinking!! Since Rainbow and AJ are joining the Talent Show together to figure out who can break the most boards in a minute, and there’s the rule about only one entrant per student, we can’t go up there as the Rainbooms. But I really was hoping to get the chance to perform, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to, y’know, do a performance with me? Oh, and Pinkie Pie of course!!” She said the last part quickly, and Rarity would have noticed the surprise on Pinkie’s face if not for the music sheet being presented taking her attention. The title “State of Attraction” by Paula Abmule was what caught her first.

Very Twilight, picking something like this. I suppose it’s about magnetism or some such force.

What caught her next though was just how complex the accompanying sheet music was.

“Darling, not to belittle your choice, but this seems like every part of the song at once, minus the drums. Did you make this arrangement yourself?”

Twilight grimaced at this slightly, “Well Pinkie Pie helped, but the song is from the 80s, so it’s rather synth-heavy. I thought that would be a good fit for you, given the keytaur and all. We could try some-” Twilight was cut off by a raised finger from Rarity. The Index, to be specific.

“It’s quite alright, darling, I wouldn’t want you to change the performance on my account. I can achieve this with my usual perfection and flair, I shall simply put my all into it. You would do the same for me, after all!” Rarity flashed one of her trademark grins at Twilight, the kind that showed the perfect amount of teeth while emphasizing the lipstick that she’d applied in a way that flattered both. Well okay it wasn’t trademarked yet but she at least had a patent in review.

“That’s great!!” Twilight jumped a little and clapped her hands, “We can practice now if you’d li-” The school bell rang, signaling the end of the only free period they would have together until the day before the show.

“Darling, I’m afraid we shall have to continue this later, one more tardy with Mr Magnet and I fear I won’t be allowed to design costumes for a month. But I shall master this part before we perform, you have my honor!” She packed up her keytaur and curtsied in a ladylike manner before using her diamond shields to make her shoes into rollerblades and skating off, in a manner that was still rather ladylike given the action.

Twilight sighed. “How did it get to the end of the period so fast?” she asked, before looking over at Pinkie, who was eating some vending machine snacks. “Oh yeah, we stopped on the way over.”

“Don’t worry Twi, I’m sure by the time we get to the performance the message will be loud and clear. That said, I don’t remember being part of the group in our game plan. Kinda defeats the point of the mission if she doesn’t think it’s just the two of you togther.” She gestured pointedly at Twilight with the double-berry swirl twist cupcake muffin she had started on.

“Sorry Pinkie, I just couldn’t do it without you. I need some moral support I think. Besides, once she reads those lyrics, your plan is sure to go off without a hitch!!”

Author's Note

Been a little bit since I've written!! The plan for this story is 3 chapters, and I have them rest planned out, I just need to write them. But I really wanted to commit to it, hence uploading the first chapter so I have an audience that I know (or hope) will want to know how it ends. Gotta keep the RariTwi nation strong!! Also even though this is a fic based around a song, I obviously won't be skirting the site rules regarding copywritten lyrics, so I suggest looking up the title song itself, just without the Mule pun in the singer's name, cause there will be some specific references down the line. Also it's just a good song, sound of the summer even.

Opposites Attract

“Fluttershy darling, this is the Best. Possible. THING!” Rarity twirled as she entered her seat at the local tea café she and her friend frequented before their spa dates. Fluttershy smiled back as Rarity brandished the sheet music in her hands, giving it a little shake.

“Goodness Rarity, I haven’t seen you this excited since they mislabeled the silk taffeta as being 50 cents a yard instead of 50 dollars,” she put her hand to her mouth and giggled at the memory of needing the entire group to push the cart her friend had left with, “What’s this? A Paula Abmule track? I never knew you enjoyed her music!”

“Yes, my dear Fluttershy! A Paula Ab-whatever her name was. I admit I’m not quite familiar, but the exciting thing isn’t the track itself, but who gave it to me.” She put her hands under her chin and flashed a different trademarked smile of hers, the one in which she looks sideways at the receiver, “Our very own Twilight Sparkle has invited me to play alongside her and Pinkie Pie in the upcoming talent show! I can see it now!! We perform this track about magnetism or whatever, win the show, and she realizes we are perfectly compatible and we hold the trophy together and our hands meet and we kiss on stage and become the darlings of the school, voted cutest couple by all!” She leaned back in her chair, hands raised above her head as she threw her head back on the last phrase.

“Oh? Pinkie Pie or Twilight?” Fluttershy smirked.

Rarity gave a false laugh in kind, “Now darling don’t tease! It’s unbecoming of a lady of your stature. Just look at the music with me.”

Fluttershy looked past the title on the sheet she had been handed now and gave a start. As a tambourine player most sheet music seemed far more complex than it was worth, but this was on a new level. She wasn’t entirely unconvinced that Spike hadn’t been given a crayon and told to go to town. “Rarity, the talent show is only a week away. Are you sure you can manage this?”

“That’s just it Fluttershy! I shall work harder than I ever have before, and in doing so Twilight will finally notice my devotion to her and fall as hopelessly in love with me as I am with her.”

Hopeless is right, Fluttershy kept that thought down low, choosing instead to say, “If you’re already going to all this trouble, why not just tell her? I know I couldn’t, but you’ve always been so much more sure of yourself than I am. Not to mention she didn’t get the hint when you found a way to dye fabric in two-tone swirls without any bleed or mixing and ‘just so happened’ to pick colors that matched her hair stripes. Why would you risk being missed again?”

“My dear, I know you have not branched out into this sector yet and I of course respect that you haven’t done so. But you simply do not understand how it feels to be in this situation! I can’t just lay out my feelings as is, for if she doesn’t feel the same then I simply couldn’t move on. I need to show her my affection while earning hers in one fell swoop!” Rarity gave a large swoop of her arms for emphasis, inadvertently knocking some hairs loose from her curls. Fluttershy smiled sympathetically at her friend, and moved to tuck them back in.

“I know you think I don’t understand Rarity, but being nervous is one thing I definitely get. I’ll help you out however you need, I just think-” She was cut off by Rarity grabbing both her hands and clasping them together.

“Brilliant, darling! I know the first thing I need to get through this plan, a nice spa day with you.” Rarity removed one hand to dig in her purse and drop payment for the tea (generous tip included) and then ran with Fluttershy in tow off to the spa for their appointment.

Twilight fell face-first into the floor while Pinkie Pie laughed maniacally.

“Pinkie, could you stop reading Oatfield and help me with this choreography!!” Twilight definitely didn’t yell or sound even a little frustrated at her friend.

“Oops, sorry Twi! He just hates Mondays so much...” She grabbed her friend by the forearm and helped her to her feet from the carpet in Pinkie’s room, adjusting her glasses for her, “besides, the whole idea is that you’re gonna be need to be able to do this on your own, cause we don’t have time to get any moves planned for Rarity.”

“And we can’t just improv it because?”

“Because you and the other you both dance the same way; like a jellyfish who was given bones and then tazed. Twice.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be good at making others feel good?” Twilight shot a glare Pinkie’s way as she moved back to her starting position.

“Yes, yes I am. And imagine how ‘good’ you’ll feel in that little anatomically correct heart of yours when you groove so right that she joins you for the night.” Pinkie punctuated the last clause with a smolder combined with a kissy face and hand resting flat under her chin.

Twilight spluttered, “Kguh, Pinkie I’m not expecting to get anywhere near that far from one performance together!!” Pinkie tilted her head quizzically, “What? I meant like you’ll go out to Five Stallions after for dinner, what did youuuuu- oh you are down BAD girl!!”

That netted Pinkie a pillow in the face, but the momentary blockade couldn’t hide the blush on Twilight’s face. “It’s not my fault!! These dance moves are all body-rolly, and hip-shaky, and sensual!! Do I have to do these in front of the whole school?”

“Twi you barely shake your hips once, there’s no body rolls, and the closest to sensual it gets is that you get kinda close to Rarity and put your hand on her arm while going behind her to pop out the other side. It’s more stomp based than anything. But regardless!! This is gonna work, and you may not even have to do it if she catches the meaning in the lyrics!! I mean the song literally says it’s a ‘love science’, she can’t miss it!!”

“Yeah you’re probably right. I just hope it’s in that ‘Always-seem-to-know-a-little-more-than-you-should’ way like when you predicted my brother and Cadance having that baby.”

“Sorry girl, no such guarantees this time. This is jut pure-Pinkamena-Dianne-Pie confidence!!” Pinkie’s phone buzzed, “But if that isn’t enough, Fluts just texted me that Rarity is gonna use some of lunch to practice, so you can ask her about the lyrics then!!”

“Does Fluttershy know about your plan? I thought I asked you to keep it secret.”

“Well, duh, clearly Rarity told her about the performance while they went to the spa, and they read the lyrics while in the mud bath and realized what they meant, and now she’s hoping to meet with you tomorrow, so she had Fluttershy text me so that I could tell you that Rarity told her about the performance while they went to the spa and they read the lyrics wh-” Sensing the loop Twilight had thrown another pillow at Pinkie.

“Any chance that’s the ol’ Pinkie Sense?”

“Not a bit!! Just -fidence, not Sense!! Now back to the top, I don’t believe I’m wrong but it’s best to be prepared.”

Author's Note

So this was initially a 3 chapter fic but after getting this all done I think it's gonna be closer to a 4 chapter one!! Which hopefully will allow more time to breathe and, hey, more to read!! Yay!! I really hope you're liking this so far, especially now that the Fluttershy tag has been fulfilled (she's in all of my fics, go back and check if you don't believe me.) I wrote her a little snarkier than I might usually think of her, but she's always had a decent ability to fire little shots, and she's so close with Rarity I can't imagine she holds back as much as she does with the rest of the world. Not to mention she's seen as much from Rarity and Twi as Pinkie (and the rest of the girls) have, so a little frustration at the missed connections is due. Slow burn is nice in fics, but irl in your friend group? Maybe not as much (not to say this fic is slowburn. Not by a longshot) But anyways that's enough of a note, tune in hopefully before Wednesday for Chapter 3 where we get into the meat of it!!

Cold Hearted

Next lunch period found Rarity in the same room as before, having eaten her salad as quickly as her whole deal allowed, and staring in frustration at the sheet music in front of her. She’d spent 15 minutes so far stumbling through the melodies, and 10 interspersed within figuring out how to get her instrument to shift midi sounds with the speed she would need. For the first time since she’d be invited onto the project she was glad that Pinkie was also in the band, because there was no way she would be able to use any of her drum settings to provide percussion on top of the rest of this.

It wasn’t even that any individual melody was difficult, as much as it was the layering of quite a few throughout. She’d looked up an instrumental of the song the night before and almost panicked at the inclusion of a guitar at a few key parts, but thankfully some texts between her, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset Shimmer had found her with a decent sample on her keytaur she could use to replicate it. Another fortunate stroke of luck was the band having bought duplicates of most of their instruments, since so often shows were interrupted by attacks of various magicks and monsters. This allowed Rarity to use two of her keytaurs on stands, to hopefully reduce the amount she would need to switch, though playing two keyboards one handed was still plenty challenge on her coordination.

She hoped deeply that the raw determination she was displaying would key in Twilight to her feelings. She’d actually had a nightmare the previous night with her living through a situation in which somehow it was interpreted as devotion to Pinkie, and as much as she loved the dear, that wasn’t what she was hoping for at all.

It was at about 25 minutes into her personal practice session that she heard the door open to the room. Given the lack of Pinkie’s distinct flair, she wasn’t remotely surprised to see Twilight standing there, giving a light wave and a gentle if nervous smile. Rarity was almost tempted to start playing again, but given she’d lost her place, decided against it.

If I play it for her before it’s perfect, she might think I’m not trying. Of course if I play it for her perfect the first time she may think it so easy that I had no need to put any effort in at all...

Unknowingly breaking into her friend’s thoughts, Twilight spoke, “Hiya Rarity,” the small smile she gave almost seemed accompanied by a noise of latex inflating. Which was odd as Twilight was more plastic than rubber, but that’s because of the microplastics she had warned me about when we debated the issue of leather, so even then only a small amount, but that’s another issue, “I was wondering if you’d had a chance to look at the lyrics for the song yet?”

Rarity was startled out of her second Twilight-based thought of the minute by that, stuttering almost like she did when a client’s commission had been given a last minute note on the type of fabric they wanted.

“I-I’m sorry darling, I didn’t realize I was supposed to do any harmonies, o-or I would have, I just was so focused on the music I-” she stopped when she noticed Twilight’s head tilted quizzically at her.

“Harmonies?” A look of understanding crossed her face, as well as a slight blush that Rarity took as embarrassment for causing her to panic. “Oh! I didn’t mean for anything like that Rarity, I just. Thought you might have read the lyrics. You texted me saying you listened to the song right?”

“Well yes darling, but an instrumental, I simply must get these melodies down or-”

“YOU HAVEN’T HEARD THE LYRICS??” Twilight clapped her hands to her mouth with such speed Rarity thought it sounded like a balloon popping, “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to yell, I-”

Rarity put a finger up and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s quite alright darling, though I can’t see why you’re quite so upset. Any lyrics would sound good with your beautiful voice.” She sent a wink Twilight’s way, but it fell on deaf eyeballs.

Mouth agape and hand to her forehead, Twilight half mumbled, “I just don’t get how you weren’t even a little curious about the song you’ll be attached to...”

Rarity giggled heartily, “Well it’s not like you or Ms Pie would choose something vulgar or inappropriate, I trust the both of you for this. I figured rather than waste time with the magnetism or whatever it is the song is about, I could use that effort to perfect the music itself. Speaking of, I really must get back to my practice darling, we have but a few days. Perha-” Rarity gestured beside her, but Twilight failed to see it through her arm holding the hand to her head. Rarity didn’t fail to see her expression darken though, another popping noise accompanying it.

“No, it’s fine. I need to study for a test now. Have a good practice.” She said in monotone, the walked out, no wave or gesture to indicate emotion at all.

On the outside of the room, Twilight prepared to fight back tears both frustrated and sad, but quickly found herself distracted by the sight of the corpses of about 100 balloons and an oddly deadpan Pinkie Pie.
“What happened here, Pinkie?”

“Premature celebration, but that’s not the point. Plan A.1 failed, so now we work harder on A.2. This is gonna work because you two deserve each other!! Also because if I break a Pinkie Promise I guess I have to go after myself, and unless we get the pony version of me involved I don’t even know how that would work. Now come here, Twi.” Pinkie scooped her friend up into a big hug and squeezed gently, “After school, we DANCE!!”

Back inside the room, Rarity stood still with her arm gesturing beside her, mouth open from her almost executed offer to stay. Her brow furrowed, and despite her intent to practice she whipped out her phone, pulling up the text chain labeled “Spa Sister 🦋” I really ought to change that. What if I accidentally texted Aloe and Lotus?

Shaking that thought from her head, she sent the message:

(R) i cannot BELIEVE Twilight

(F) Oh no.

What happened Rarity?

(R) I make it as cleaer as crystal the weork i am doing for her and she talks to me about knoiwing the lyrics AFTER mind you AFTERi have more than once expressed the shear EFFORT I am taking in the miusic and then gets huffy and storms out whn i clearly am intnding her to stay and listen to me practice

*when

(F) so you asked her to stay and she didnt?

(R) well i did not quite say, but i gestiured quite obviously

she did have her hnd on hr head but there was tone and everything! It should have been obvoious

(F) Rarity....

(R) yes i Know darling i just. I thoght this would be such a good chance when she walked in the door.

(F) i wish it had gone to your plan rarity. maybe she was just thinking about something else? or misremembered what she had asked you to do?

(R) No., she seemd qwuite intednd on me knownfing the words. but nontheless I cannot blame her. maybe the elody on the voacls is jsut as hard. ill apologize for being uncouth at the rehearsfl. i really shoufld get bak to ut

(F) good luck rarity! it’s all gonna work out in the end 🦋🌷

Rarity picked herself off the case she had sat down on in her anger, and dusted herself off. Not that she would ever let dust get on her, it was a purely symbolic gesture. She then cracked her knuckles and started back on her practice of the melodies, determined to make Twilight notice her effort.

It was finally the day before the performance, which meant it was the first time the three members of the makeshift band were all able to play together. Rarity came in a little after the other two, Pinkie already working on setting her drums up.

Rarity rushed to Twilight and grabbed ahold of her hands.

“Darling dearest Twilight, I must say I’m dreadfully sorry for getting upset at you the last we talked. I had no intention of making you think I didn’t care about the song, I was just so focused on my part, I didn’t meant to imply I wasn’t interested in yours.”

“You were mad at me?” Twilight looked surprised, then shook her head quickly, “No of course you were, I walked out of there in a huff. I shouldn’t have expected you to look at the lyrics, especially after I saw you having to duel wield keytaurs just to handle what I gave you. I’m sorry.”

Rarity tilted her head and smiled, a tear in her eye. She seemed about ready to say something more when Pinkie Pie joined in.

“Okay cuties, this is all well and good, but we have barely an hour to get this show road ready for tomorrow!! Let’s get it going!!”

Twilight turned and glared slightly at Pinkie, but Rarity nodded at her, not noticing the look.

“You’re quite right darling, let me just set u-” She turned around, breaking her and Twilight’s hand hold, only to find her instruments ready to go. Pinkie sent a wink and a tounge out toothy smile her way.

“Now how did you?” Rarity started but Pinkie simply giggled, saying “It’s just the way I do my friend!!”

Rarity settled in and started setting her midis before popping up one more time.

“Now wait darlings, is there any sort of choreography? I know with 7 of us there’s limited movement, but surely with just 3 they’ll expect some dancing.”

“Doncha worry one bit Rarerare,” Pinkie chimed in, “Twilight and I planned for that, she’s gonna dance and use you as a sort of anchor. You just focus on the music and her timing, and we’ll be as fine as 0.1 point font and as dandy as a lion.” She gave a big goofy thumbs up to emphasize her statement.

Rarity and Twilight both giggled then settled in, ready for the countdown.

Twilight danced around the room, stomping at the beats, twirling when appropriate, and save for a few false starts where they had to adjust tempos to match, all was going well until after the long synth solo. As Twilight came back into the song, she had to circle Rarity, and as the lyrics became more spoken word she laid her hand on Rarity’s shoulder, causing her to jump, knocking her head into Twilight’s glasses, sending them tumbling off her face.

The song having ground to a halt, Rarity sheepishly picked her friend’s glasses up off the ground and placed them on her face. Thankfully no damage had been done, but she still began to apologize profusely.

“I’m so sorry Twilight dear, I was just so focused on the beat and my part that when I felt your hand it startled me quite fiercely. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine Rarity, you didn’t make contact with anything but them, and I built these to be super tough for lab safety. Are you okay?”

“Yes dear, just a tad embarrassed is all.” She shrugged lightly and smiled as dazzlingly as she could with her blush as intense as it was.

“Well since we’re about to have to reset, might as well ask. What did you think of the lyrics?” Twilight grinned widely, hoping her and Pinkie’s plan had finally started working.

“I’m sorry darling,” Rarity said, working to reset her instruments, “I must admit I was so focused on the beat Pinkie provided and matching the tempo of your singing that I didn’t quite catch the actual words. Once we have it set in stone I’ll be sure to give you a review.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“What did you think of my section dear, was it quite alright?”

“Uh, yeah. It sounded like the song at least. I was a little too focused on the words and the dancing. I guess.”

“Oh. Well.” They both stood awkwardly, not quite able to meet the other’s eyes until a loud drumming bang caused them both to jump. They looked over to find Pinkie facedown on the middle drum, gripping her sticks rather intensely.

“Are you okay Pinkie?” they both asked simultaneously

“Fine girls,” she said, though it strangely sounded like her teeth were gritted, “just. Passed out for a second. Or something. Happens sometimes.”

Rarity and Twilight both looked at each other, then back at Pinkie, Rarity speaking up first. “Are you quite su-”

Pinkie shot her head up with an intense look in her eye, though it was more at the sky than the other girls, and grinned determinedly.

“Absolutely!! Now let’s get this part-ay started!!”

“Right!” the other two said, once again simultaneous, fists pumping. They reset to the beginning and managed to get a few good run-throughs of the song, though neither talked much between other than to discuss timing and outfits (luckily when Pinkie had asked for her 80’s pop outfit a while back, Rarity had gone ahead and made some for them all.) As they packed up to get to their next classes, they all seemed confident in the song itself, but each one of them were feeling their plans starting to flounder.

Author's Note

Ah miscommunication induced frustration, the key to any good romance. I think. Anyways, I really hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!! The next one is gonna be the Big Show, so let's hope the broadcast signals stop cancelling each other out with these two soon.

Wanted to give a shout out real quick, I basically yoinked the typing style of Rarity from Evelili's The Twilight Effect because I found it so endearing. She's a confident woman, why should she let her brilliance be filtered by any auto-correcting software, those who know her will know what she means, she shouldn't need to clarify!! I wonder if there's any way this is affecting her in the story :raritywink:

Anyways barring any sort of epilogue, the next chapter should be the last!! It's planned out as best as I can, but I probably won't be able to devote the time needed for it til closer to the weekend. Job and all that. But I'm gonna do my best to make it worthwhile for y'all!! And thanks for the nice comments so far, you're all so lovely!! Really!!

Anyways, I've had to use anyways twice now so its time to end these notes!! Byeeee!!

Straight Up

The backstage of the Canterlot High Auditorium resembled the inside of Twilight Sparkle’s mind. Which is to say it was chaotic and full of noise.

“Okay, so we’re on after Trixie finishes her act. There’s about 3 minutes of vamping from Veep Lunes to let us get all our stuff set up, but we need to do a huddle before then to get into ‘te zones’, as one says.” Pinkie Pie slid her right hand in front of her like a turtle’s back through water, the other hand gripping the schedule sheet she was staring at. Twilight took the sheet to double-check, finding it covered in doodles of her classmates in admittedly impressive caricature form.

“One) No one has said that in like 4 years, Two) God I hope this works.” Twilight shook both of her hands, trying to stim the nerves back down, “I’m confident I can sing and dance and all that, but I haven’t gotten a single bit of evidence that Rarity gets that any of the emotions in this song are directed at her. I don’t mean to doubt you, but are you really still sure this is going to work?” She looked over to Rarity across the backstage, who was helping Fluttershy with her hair and fussing over her costume accessories.

Pinkie popped to the side of Twilight, putting her arm around her comfortingly. “Twi, I’m going to be completely honest with you. I have no freaking clue at this point. The only guaranteed way to make her know you love her is to tell her, straight up. But this probably still has a decent chance in terms of ‘plans where you don’t have to actually express your emotions directly and clearly’, so you’ll have to take what you can get. If you don’t think it will work as is, you can always improvise something on top. And regardless, I enjoy performing with you two cuties, so at least there’s that!!” She emphasized her point with a squeeze of the hug and a hip bump.

“Once she’s done with Fluttershy’s hair we can do our little huddle, then rock the stage. Well, synth pop it.” Pinkie said with a wink, then waved wildly at Rarity, pointing at her wrist once she got her attention. Rarity held up her index finger in the universal “One minute, darling.” gesture, though the “darling” part was implied more just by it being her doing the gesturing.

Rarity turned back to Fluttershy, tucking one more strand of hair into her braid for her. “Well, my dear, it seems the time is almost upon me. I do hope she finally sees me and knows why I put all this effort in for her.” Fluttershy leaned her head back, meeting her friend’s eyes with a quizzical look in her own.

“Rarity, I know love can make folks nervous, but I’ve never seen you nervous about anything like this. Why? You know that you’re beautiful, successful, smart, and the most generous person around. Twilight knows it too. So why can’t you just tell her, straight up?” Her gaze never wavered, and Rarity found herself almost unable to look away from the intense stare. After about 30 seconds, she managed to close her eyes and turn her head to the side.

“Darling, Fluttershy, I am not nervous because of who I am. I am nervous because of who I need to be. She deserves utter perfection in any potential beau. I am many things, but perfect is not one. Not unless I put everything I can into it. A simple confession won’t do, I won’t be satisfied just stating my feelings. I need to make her feel them, and know them, and believe them. I need to give her what I myself would want, and not a drop less. Do you understand?” Rarity finally looked back at her friend, determination in her eyes.

“Oh Rarity, I do. But know this, you don’t need to be anything or anyone but who you already are. You’re already her friend. I get the feeling she’s already accepted you, no matter the context of your relationship.” Fluttershy reached her hand out, head still upside down. Rarity grabbed hold of it, and felt the reassuring squeeze, before turning it into a hug.

“Thank you darling, truly. I will do my best to believe you on this front. But I really must get going. Based on the oohs and ahs, Trixie is likely almost done.” She picked up her instrument cases and walked to her bandmates, looking back at Fluttershy’s wave and strengthening smile.

The three of them were gathered in a circle, arms over each other’s shoulders. Each member looked each other in the eye, unsure what to say, but doing their best to project confidence. Finally, Pinkie spoke up.

“After we crush this I’m baking a slew of treats based on each and every Paula Abmule song and making you two taste test them while listening to the songs. Also I love you both you’re the best and this is going to go so well they’ll give us medals.” Twilight and Rarity both nodded seriously at this. Then they all broke into a wild giggling fit, only slowing down as the wave of cheers accompanied Trixie walking in from the curtain, carrying a box with the top half of Muffins, a box with her legs following after. They seemed in high spirits, though Trixie’s smile wavered as her assistant asked when she could be put back together.

As Vice Principal Luna started her introduction for their group, Twilight helped Pinkie push her drums into the back, while Rarity plugged up her keytaurs to the speakers and set up her stool. The curtain started to raise up, and they all looked at each other one last time, nodding in sync. Twilight looked dramatically down at the ground, both hands clasping the microphone, tapping her foot to the beat. Rarity’s keytaur came in loud and clear, and Twilight shot her head up with the opening line, followed by Pinkie’s drum work kicking in.

The audience was on their feet as the song was played out. The girls had naturally ponied up, but thankfully their outfits remained unchanged, it just gave them their bigger hair and pony ears. But that wasn’t as impressive to the audience as the sheer emotion embedded in the music itself. Twilight and Rarity were both clearly putting their all into making this the best performance possible. Pinkie was too, though in a different sort of way than the others.

Even so, as she danced and stomped around the stage, Twilight stole a glance at Rarity, and disappointment flashed across her face. Rarity hadn’t looked up from her instruments once since the start of the song, and it didn’t seem from the look on her face like her thoughts had left her performance at all either. Twilight knew on some level this was a good thing for the show, but she would have given anything to be able to break through with her message.

As Rarity broke into the solo following the second chorus, Twilight danced her way over closer, setting up the part of the choreography where she’d have to dance around Rarity and lay her hand on her shoulder. She caught Pinkie’s eye on the path, and the wink she sent set Twilight’s brain into overdrive. The phrase “you can always improvise something on top” circled around her head. She knew what she had to do.

The spoken word part with the kiss noise at the end of the line. I can use that. It’ll throw her off and the song will probably end, but I don’t care if I lose so bad they ban me from the stage forever. I have to show her how I feel.

The solo ended and Twilight came back in, the same part where she had put her hand on Rarity’s shoulder the day before, but no startle this time. She steeled her nerves as the song shifted into a few lines of spoken word, and where in rehearsal she had kissed her hand and blown it at her friend, she this time kissed Rarity directly on the cheek. She quickly turned back to the audience as joy overwhelmed her, and they had broken into a frenzy. Bulk Biceps and Flash Sentry put their arms around one another tightly and cheered wildly (They had recently gotten together and were known for enjoying double dates.) Applejack, Sunset Shimmer, and Rainbow Dash all high-fived each other (Rainbow noticeably wincing) and whistled while Fluttershy smiled brightly and clapped. Principal Celestia had covered her mouth with her hands folded together, joyful tears in her eyes. Twilight continued her part, so it would be even more obvious when Rarity dropped out in revelation and shock and joy and....

Rarity didn’t drop out. Twilight couldn’t believe it. No reaction to the kiss at all. If anything, Rarity seemed more honed in. Twilight’s part ended, and Rarity’s second solo kicked in. Rarity jumped up, kicking her stool back and dug in to her keys with a level of commitment usually reserved for her most complex dress designs. Twilight was impressed at how well she had gotten the melodies down, but keeping the disappointment away from her expression and dancing at the same time kept her from focusing on it that too much.

Thankfully, the rest of the song was written to be sung/spoken in such a way that her slightly somber tone didn’t seem off at anyone in the audience. Instead of the actual songs fade off, Rarity and Pinkie Pie played one last repeat of the song’s recurring riff followed by a note/beat to resolve the chord. They all took a bow as the curtain lowered, the cheers and whistles from the audience the loudest they’d been all night, then rushed to move their equipment backstage for the next act.

Pinkie swept Rarity and Twilight up into a spinning hug, which they gladly returned. Setting them down, they both did their best to give her the most authentic smiles they could. She said something about a prize that was too quick to parse then ran off with her usual aplomb and speed.

Neither of the two remaining bandmates looked at the other. Twilight had her arms across her chest and was looking slightly towards the floor, meanwhile Rarity fussed with her keytaur cases. Twilight finally looked back up towards her friend, “I’m gonna go grab some water. It was a pretty intense performance. Thank you for being part of it.” She then walked to the cooler that she knew to be around the corner.

There is absolutely no way she missed that kiss. Even if she has something that keeps her from feeling sensation on her face, the crowd cheering like that or just how close I was in general would have tipped her off. I just have to accept that this wasn’t meant to be. I should let Pinkie know that she can nullify her promise, however that works.

She had poured herself some water and slumped against the wall by the cooler, not as careful with her outfit as she would usually be. As she sipped through five of the frustratingly tiny cones, hugging her knees, she tried to theorize on the ritual Pinkie would have planned to undo the promise. I hope I don’t actually have to stick a cupcake in her eye, that could lead to some serious infection. Then, Rarity walked around the corner, causing her to shoot back up to stand.

“Well darling, that was quite the performance. I dare say we were a crowd favorite!! Though, I cannot say I remember that kiss in the rehearsal. A last minute addition?” Rarity quirked her eyebrow up and there was something in the flatness of her tone and the look of her eye that left Twilight almost trembling.

“Rarity I am so, so, sorry, I didn’t meant to make you uncomfortable or cross any boundaries or-” The index finger cut her off once again.

“Oh it’s no trouble. I understand entirely,” Twilight’s pupils widened at that, “The audience, on the other hand... I dare say that kiss had them thinking we were together somehow. A silly thought, of course. You were simply having fun with me. A joke gone too far. I suppose that’s worth the applause and the trophy.”

Twilight tilted her head, though her curiosity this time was of a different flavor, “What do you mean by that?”

“Never you mind, Ms. Sparkle.”

The ice in those words could have frozen Twilight to the spot, but the anger in her kept it at bay. As Rarity turned to leave, Twilight rushed forward and grabbed onto her sleeve. “Tell me what you mean, Now, Ms. Belle.” she growled.

Rarity twisted her arm to free her sleeve as she turned back to face Twilight, who flinched back at the overwhelming sight of running mascara and fury on her friend’s face.

“What I mean Twilight, is that I devoted my entire self to this silly little endeavor. I delayed commissions, forwent study periods and hangouts, learned how to play two pianos at once, and within a WEEK mastered a song I had never heard before. All to impress upon you the level of effort I was and am willing to devote to you. To show you who I am, who I could be to you. And you never even acknowledged it, not even once. I tried to show you that I love you, Twilight Sparkle, only for you to attempt to throw me off on-stage with a kiss that I knew could never be real. And even after that, I tried even harder to make you see, but all I get is a ‘thanks for being a part of it’ from you. How could I see it as anything but a joke to be played on me. Is that what you and Ms Pie had planned all along? I know she loves her pranks, but this joke is beyond the pa-”

“IT WAS NEVER A JOKE YOU IDIOT!!”

Now it was Rarity’s turn to be taken aback at the furious tears on her friend’s face.

“I have been trying for AGES to show you how I feel. I could never tell you because the words never came to me, so I tried to show you in so many ways, but you never understood. So Pinkie helped me to pick out a song that told you for me, one that had already put my thoughts into words. But you never noticed that either, did you? All because you were to focused on your own plan to tell me.... that... tell me that you...” Her hands shot up to her face as she looked into Rarity’s eyes. Both of them stared at the other for a moment before, at the same time from each,

“Oh.”

They both moved to talk, but Twilight got there first, bolstered by the inertia and adrenaline from having just been ranting.

“Oh god, Rarity. I am so, so sorry. I, I never meant to make you do all that stuff for me. You’ve always been so impressive I just took it as you being the wonderful you that you’ve always been. I could have saved you so much heartache if I’d just been...”

“Now, now, none of that darling. I am equally guilty in this whole ridiculous mess. I could have told you of my own feelings and admiration so many times, could have listened to the words even once after you brought it up. I was just so swept up in making it the perfect moment, when it could have been perfect if I had simply told you-”

“Straight up.” They finished together. They looked surprised at each other, tears still in their eyes, then giggled, then embraced.

“God, for a teen genius I’m so stupid. I owe Pinkie Pie a party of her own.”

“Oh dear, it’s both of us in that position. Though, I fear I also owe Fluttershy the deluxe package the next spa trip. I’m sure dealing with me has been stressful on this matter.”

Twilight giggled once more, saying “Well if this means I get to ‘deal with’ you much more, like I hope, I’m sure she’ll appreciate the relief. They stared into each other's eyes, and went in for the kiss.

As they broke apart, cheers rang from their side. They quickly turned and saw the rest of their friend group there, Rainbow Dash and Applejack each carrying a stack of wooden boards.

“Um, how much of that did you all see?” Twilight asked, hoping to buy Rarity some time to wipe off some of her eyeliner.

Sunset smirked, “Well when we got in you two were linked at the face, so unless there was any preamble, I’d say we saw the whole thing. When did this all start?”

Twilight lifted her index finger nervously, about to spill the beans, but Rarity jumped in. “Now Sunset, darling, you must allow a girl some secrets. We shall tell you the story in due time, but for now let us cheer on our sisters in show here.”

Rainbow jumped in, almost losing balance on her stack of boards, “Yeah Sunset, I’m as glad as anyone that these two dorks figured it out finally, but I need you guys cheering for me to whoop farm girl’s butt.”

Applejack casually used a finger to rebalance Rainbow’s stack, “Now don’t go writing checks you can’t cash Rainbutt.” She glanced over to the couple and winked, “But congratulations y’all. I know you two’re made for each other.”

They walked onto the stage as Sunset walked back off to her seat, with Fluttershy following after giving a quick hug to the both of them. Twilight looked over to Rarity and smiled.

“Thanks for not telling them about any of. That.”

“It will come up eventually darling, but I’m hoping we can delay until it becomes a funny story. Tragedy plus time and all that.”

“You think it was tragic?” Twilight asked, a little fearfully.

Rarity smirked, laughing subtly, “Only in and that we couldn’t have started this endeavor any sooner,” She kissed her new beau on the cheek. “Now, let us go watch Rainbow get creamed onstage.”

Twilight laughed, “At least AJ left her geode off. It would be twice the massacre otherwise.”

They made their way to their seats, settling in a cuddle. And they continued to cuddle when Pinkie Pie brought them cookie in the shape of a heart with Paula Abmule on them. And still were cuddling when the sickening crack came from the stage. And through the last few performances of the night they cuddled. And they were hugging (which is a vertical cuddle) as they accepted the award for first place, a 35 dollar gift card to Applebee’s. And even in the ambulance ride with Rainbow to the hospital, they cuddled. Eventually, they did have to stop to go home, but they made sure to give each other a goodnight kiss each.

“I shall see you tomorrow, darling. But until we meet again, I shall be in such a state.”

“Goodnight Rarity!! I can hardly wait.”

Author's Note

AND IT'S FINISHED!! This story has been so fun to write, even if I have struggled to focus on the actual writing part of it. I really hope you all enjoyed these two falling into each other, and that it felt like a natural way for this to happen.

As I think I said before, this is my first time writing romance, and I think my first time writing Rarity now that I think about it. I tried to capture her perfectionism and make it clear that she's not without confidence, but instead held herself to an impossible standard. FYI, I write her as a trans girl, if that helps solidify my characterization of her in your head at all. And if it doesn't, it's still fun trivia.

Also, I never missed a deadline!! I said it'd be out in the weekend, and it sure is!! Even if it's almost 8pm on Saturday as I type this note lol. So I'm gonna pat myself on the back for that and then walk off into the wilderness. Join me for my next story whenever the fic bug manages to get its massive venomous pincers around me again. And thank you to any readers who have left comments, I would not have been able to finish this story without you!! Bye!!