Rarity's Herd Question

Five Months ago

Everything was perfect.

They were all quietly resting in the large houses drawing room. Three mares, and a stallion. Two worked steadily on a project, while the others lounged gently across the room reading and idly chatting about nothing in particular. Older classical music, chosen by the stallion today, filled the room quietly from a small record player.

And despite two working, all were happy. The master of coin, the mistress of thread, her young seamstress and a world-renowned model.

Rarity quietly worked at a sketch, her magic pulling her pencil quickly and purposely around the body of a mare. After a few lines, she paused, her blue magic floating the drawing over to her fellow working mare. Coco Pommel looked up from her own work and scanned it over, giving it a nod of approval. The magic fluttered sheet across the room, letting the other two in the room gander upon her progress.

Fleur Dis Lee, looked up from a Prench romance novel, and humming at the sketch before peaking around sheet to the fashionista, “Sweetie, are you sure about sash? It maybe… hmm.” She tapped a hoof against her chin, pondering the right word, “Gauche?”

“Normally, darling, I would agree,” Rarity nodded before letting the last in the room, Fancy Pants take a look, “However, this is a specific request for the lady, and apparently, it’s a family tradition, so I filled it out with other touches.” Her pen gently floated over, tapping near the flank and shoulders, “Should pull the eyes of the less experienced away from the sash.”

“I see, well, if that is what the customer wants,” Fancy commented, “It is a shame though. I’d say it sullies your wonderful work with that rather unfortunate addition.”

The dress sketch returned to her, laying back upon the drawing table. Fleur had began to suggest alterations, to help make the sash more palatable, while Fancy — roused from his book — made his way over to ‘assist’ Coco Pommel with her own work.

This had been their lives for the past two years, and something Rarity never imagined she would have achieved.
Their little unofficial herd had started when Coco Pommel had begun to ask a number of questions of Rarity. Favourite food, colours, perfumes, and so on, much to Rarity's bemusement at the time. It was near Hearth's Warming Eve when this had all started, and Rarity had increasingly spent more and more time in Manehatten to help Coco with the greater workload.

And at the time, Rarity would never have admitted to herself she found Coco Pommel rather appealing. If anything, she would have never said that about any mare prior to such events. Sure, among her friends she had those who were more kind on the eyes, Fluttershy and Applejack came to mind, but she had always had her mind set upon stallions for her romantic endeavours.

But Coco Pommel had started this little tryst into love. Her assistant had given her quite the Hearth's Warming Surprise by springing an extravagant dinner upon her, with gift and evening out. Rarity had truthfully at first thought it was simply her showing appreciation for her as present boss in her life, but the evening had ended on that final surprise.

Reminiscing about that night as she idly worked, she had wished she could have simply stated that she immediately returned Coco’s feelings. But that would be a lie, and Applejack would disapprove of her doing such a thing.

It wasn’t a disaster by any means, as she hadn’t rebuffing Coco’s feelings. It took some time, and a few simpler dates, but she did eventually let Coco ‘sweep’ her off her hooves, as it were. It was inelegant, filled with fumbles and mistakes over the next few months, but in the end, they had started on this romantic journey together.

And then the hiccup of Fancy Pants and Fleur dis Lis entered the scene.

Fancy Pants was the epitome of a courtly stallion, approaching Rarity with the proposition at a Canterlot Ball a few short weeks after she had just cemented her relationship.

It had taken Rarity quite by surprise, and left her rather flustered. He was handsome, Fleur was the pinnacle model of beauty, and both were interested in her shortly after meeting her. He had provided some funds to help her Manehatten branch, as well as set her up to meet her current head of the Canterlot branch of her Boutique, Sassy Saddles.

Keeping her head focused on the sketch, she quickly glanced over to Coco and Fancy, admiring how well those two were getting along. When this proposition had happened, she had held off, requesting some time to consider, and rather quickly, broached the topic to Coco. Coco had been similar to Rarity, never really having considered a stallion lover, but much as Rarity had tried for her, she was at least willing to try for Rarity. They agreed to at least attempt the courtship but to keep it rather on the down low. What resulted was a rather unique date, which Rarity discovered a rather tasteful truth about her other two lovers.

Fancy Pants, though was rather the model of a modern gentle colt, expressed love in the older formers. Paying for meals, materials and decorum for their tasks, publicly keeping to his rather reserved manner. Once they were in private, however, he was much more physical. He loved to have his manner near him, to be dotted upon, sneaking clever kisses and flirtatious comments when he was away from the public eye. He was the gentle loving head of the herd. Fleur on the other hoof was coyer about her love, teasing out comments and flattery with quick and leading comments. She preferred her subtly to Fancy’s more out and out love, sending surprised gifts, usually small wonderfully detailed letters, much to Rarity’s embarrassment for the first time. Though it took some work, they fell into a wonderful cadence with each other. Fancy made a show of this herd in public, Fleur always pulling out the best of the others, and Coco was the warm marshmallow for her when working aboard or away from the greater herd.

It was perfect.

Four Months Ago

Rarity scowled as she looked over the latest commission she had taken on, gently guiding the pristine white fabric through the sewing machine with careful consideration. The thumping beat of her machine was consistent, and with practiced careful attention, finished another section of this new rather bothersome dress.
It was a wedding dress for Yona, one of her beloved former students. The yak had requested a rather mish-mashed combination of Yakyakistan cultural tradition and Equestrian elements in one dressed. It presented a rather unique challenge of making the greens, browns and other earthy tone not clash with the rich whites. Never mind that it was consuming more fabric than Rarity truthfully would have liked. Though Coco Pommel was to be arriving this afternoon with more fabric.

It was a wonderful challenge.

Before she could start into the next segments, the bell above her door rang as someone entered, pulling her away from the work.

“Coming~!”

Her magic enveloped the measuring tape she had discarded earlier, and pulling off her dress making glasses. The former draped around her neck, and the later placed next to Yona’s dress.

“Welcome to-” she began, beginning her well established manner of greeting new customers before stopping as she welcomed the rather wonderful sight of three familiar faces.

The largest of the three was a well-built dragon, his shining purple scales telling her he was still eating well despite being sent all around the world. His strong arms rested on the back of those with him, a perhaps a small part of his draconic heritage coming out in a small possessive display. To his left, a charcoal grey gryphoness smiled cheerfully at Rarity, her deep but vibrant turquoise eyes lighting up with barely contained excitement. Hundreds of questions seemed ready to burst forth, as the reliable mailhen danced giddily on the spot. The final of the three, but most certainly not the least present, was a smaller off-white mare, her pink and lavender swirled mane done like soft tuffs of cotton candy.

“Hey Rarity,” Sweetie Belle greeted, pulling away from Spike’s claw to come over to hug her. She had grown quite a bit in the last few years, and had become a beautiful mare in her own right, though wisdom was still something still beyond her little sister at times, “Sorry to pop in unannounced, but I something super important to tell you.”

“Oh, that is quite alright, Sweetie, I should be quite experienced with you arriving unannounced but you rarely come with this company,” Rarity said, reciprocating the hug softly before looking to the other two at the door.

“Well, that’s what this is about, is these two. And me,” Sweetie gave her a sheepish smile.

“If that’s is the case, then we can have it over some tea and sweets, Spike, would you be a dear and change the sign to closed, please,” Rarity directed, guiding her sister toward the pleasant kitchen. As they entered, Rarity’s horn lit up, placing a kettle on the stove, while pulling out a small prepared bowl of sweet cookies out of the cupboard and placing it down on the table.

“We appreciate, but we really nee-” Gabby started, catching up to be next to Rarity interjecting herself.

“Oh nonsense Gabby, it would quite rude of me to not do such a simple thing for my guests. Besides, it's quite the rumour going around our lovely little town,” Rarity interjected, taking a seat, pausing to notice as Spike pulled over her fainting couch, “Spike, what ever are you doing?”

“Oh just, I have a feeling you’ll need this Rarity,” he chuckled, leaning on the door frame, a knowing smirk spreading across his face.

“Whatever do you mean? You and Gabby are talking about marriage, yes? And I presume Sweetie Belle will be performing there?”

“Oh well, yes, but that’s not what we wanted to talk about,” Gabby nervously started, her talon fidgeting as she sat next to Sweetie Belle.

“Do you mean the fact you three have been together for a little over… what is it, four months?” Rarity asked, holding up a hoof to keep Sweetie from interrupting, “Oh I knew a little a week after that, but that’s doesn’t matter to me, I’m quite happy for you three, though I hope you-”
“Rarity, I’m pregnant.”

Rarity froze. Her mouth hanging open, stunned into silence by Sweetie’s interjection. The kettle on the stove slowly began a soft whine.

“You’re… pregnant?” Her sister shifted nervously as her face slowly turned beet red, slowly nodding.

“And you’re the…” Spike gave her an affirmative nod.

The kettle slow whine turned to a gentle whistle. Rarity’s eyes panned to each member of this little herd. Sweetie Belle was nervous and embarrassed but she was hoping for Rarity’s approval, Gabby reflected the nervousness, but was fidgeting excitedly, ready to tackle her and hug her. Spike maintained a cool expression, but he was biting his lip a little, like he was did when he was nervous or worried he was gonna be in trouble.

The whistling peaked, squealing furiously. She took a deep breathe.

“Several things,” Rarity began, magic taking the kettle off the stove to pour a rather generous cup of tea for herself, “Spike, out of wedlock really?” Her draconic friend opened his mouth to respond but she continued, “And you! I thought you knew better,” she scowled at her little sister, who winced, “Mum hammered that point into my head, and I made sure to nail it into yours. And I know for a fact Twilight did so for you as well, mister. AND why would either of you risk it during that time of the year? Yes, I know young mares have the itch but we have civilized solutions for that problem, one that both of you know about, and that one of you I’ve helped cover off on before. Oh dear, do our parents know? What about Twilight? Does she know?”

The two shrank back a little at the verbal lashing, knowing it was just beginning. Spike cringed at the mention of Twilight, while Sweetie Belle hid her face. Gabby, thinking she got off scot free, flicked her eyes back and forth between her two lovers.

“AND you, Gabby, are not blameless in this, though I certainly hope you’ll take some responsibility in this. HOW does this even happen?” She glared at the three of them, putting her hoof up and stopping Gabby before she began, “No, do NOT answer that, I do not need those details.”

She finally stopped, taking a moment’s pause and took a deep breath, through her nose while a hoof ‘pinched’ the bridge of her nose, “Alright,” she took a slow sip of her tea, “Now with that out of the way, actually answer me this: When is the wedding planned?”

The three looked at each other and back to her, “That’s it?” Sweetie asked, nervously, “Just a tongue lashing?”

“Oh we will have words later, but truthfully, I’m a little jealous at this revelation, surprised it took so long for you all to get together, and unfathomably happy I’m going to be an auntie now,” she answered, a small smile tugging at her lips, “Though I will be making your gowns for you… and of course your suit, Spike.”

She watched as her guests finally relaxed, Spike releasing the breath he didn’t realized he had been holding. Slowly Rarity began to get them to simply chat and inform her of all that had led up to this, and her impromptu lunch started to go into her afternoon schedule, much to the chagrin of Coco when she arrived in the early evening, signalling the end of their gathering.

“When you and your group intend to make it official?” Sweetie asked Coco and Rarity as they walked her out, Spike and Gabby outside preparing to head to see Sweetie’s parents this evening and give them the good news.

“What do you mean? We are official,” Coco asked, blushing, “Or well, as official as we’d like to the public.”

“Well, yea but,” Sweetie paused, tapping her hoof against her chin, “Don’t you want to be married, have kids and be given away?”

Both mares looked at each other, not sure how to really answer that question. Rarity knew Coco’s parents were still in her life, but she suspected that she had never broached the topic to them. And for herself, Rarity had always dreamed of marriage, being a beloved mare for a rather strapping stallion, but since the herd had started, the thought had nary crossed her mind.

She was happy and it was quite the perfect little life now. Right?

“I hadn’t considered it myself, but I…” Coco started but frowned and tapered off, looking for the words.

“We are quite happy, darling, but perhaps it will happen in the future,” Rarity finally answered.

Mechanical, Rarity realized, even political in a sense. Fancy Pants was rubbing off on her.

Sweetie Belle’s soured expression told her that wasn’t the answer she wanted, “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, I… it might sound silly but I was hoping you could walk me down the aisle. But, that’s only for married mares or mothers to do,” she meekly answered, “You know, have my big sister see me off on my next big adventure?”

“I… I’m flattered, but I can’t give you an answer right now, so give me some time to think on it okay?”

“Okay,” Sweetie quickly embraced her sister in a hug, “And thanks for not chewing me out too badly earlier. Love you, big sis.”

“Love you too,” Rarity replied, smirking, “Though that chewing out will be coming from mother I suspect when you tell her tonight.”

Breaking away with a nervous giggle, Sweetie left, catching up to her two partners with a quick canter after them. Now alone with Coco, Rarity turned and trotted over to her fainting couch, and flopped down, a long-frustrated sigh escaping her. She stewed there, thinking on Sweetie’s final comments and questions, staring at her ceiling for a long time.

“You’re going to get wrinkles if you keep that frown, babe,” Coco Pommel said, resting her hooves on the armrest of the couch to look at Rarity, “And we both know you’re far too fair and beautiful to look like an old hag already.”

Rarity gave her a smile, but it dropped as she considered marriage or foals again.

“You’re thinking about bringing this up to Fancy, aren’t you?” Coco asked, slipping off the armrest to climb on top and snuggle up to Rarity.

“I’m considering it, but, I don’t want force you into something you may not want to do, love,” Rarity started, “I mean, I have no doubt Fleur would absolutely be interested in finally tying the knot, and Fancy I can see agreeing to it fairly quickly, but what do you want? Ugh I just want to be there for my little sister. She seemed so hopeful for me to give her away instead of mum.”

“Well, there’d be a few conditions to me doing the marriage, but I wouldn’t be against carrying a foal or two… especially with you and Fleur to help me raise the little trouble makers,” Coco answered, “Thooooough, I wonder what a mix of me and Fancy would look like. Imagine a little me with his lovely mustache.”

Both giggled and sighed, cuddling there for a moment.

“Thank you love, I greatly appreciate the support. So, we shall broach this to them,” Rarity said with a soft nod, kissing Coco’s forehead, “I don’t remember, when will they be back in Canterlot?”

“Two, maybe three weeks?” Coco answered, without a pause, “Fancy will be back in two weeks for sure, he’s only going to deal with some gold mine near Fillydelphia. Fleur is a little more fluid visiting her cousin while he’s in Yakyakistan.”

“Ugh him. I’m glad I don’t have to associate with him, after what HE did to me,” Rarity grumbled, frowning for a brief second, though Coco kissing the tip of her nose softly dispelled those thoughts quickly, putting back on track, “Very well, we shall head to Canterlot in two weeks. In the mean time, lets get back to work and get ahead of schedule so we can take that time off.”

Two Months Ago

“Oh absolutely,” Fancy replied. They were at his estate, a mug filled with steaming hot coffee floated just in front of his face. His mares sat around the small dining table; this conversation having been delayed by complications in his duties afar in the realm while Fleur de Lis hadn’t returned till two days ago because of freak ice storms in Yakyakistan. It had left Rarity positively frantic, keeping herself busy as she fretted over this conversation. Had Coco not been around to distract her and pull her away from this, Rarity was certain she would have worked herself ragged. Coco had even taken her travel work-kit, which included her sketching and measurement tool.

But now, posing the question, the small cream mare was the one stumbling to propose the course of action. Rarity took the lead, explaining the situation, and finally asked if both her Canterlot lovers would be interested in officially herding.
“That’s quite wonderful, and yourself Fleur?” Rarity excitedly asked, looking at her fellow alabaster mare who, throughout all the prior conversation, had been quietly picking at her cucumber sandwich. Lounged across her chair, she finally gave her answer, a coy smile on her face.

“No, not till you do something for me, my fluffy little marshmallow.”

“Great, that’s perfect to-bwhu wait what?”

Fleur sat up more properly, placing her hooves on the table as her coy smile became more mischievous, “I said no. This isn’t an impossible no, nor do I want to delay this plan of yours more then necessary,” she began, “Without a doubt in my body, I will say yes, since I’m quite happy with all of you.”

“I am sensing a ‘but’ coming to this comment, Fleur,” Fancy said, smiling as he put his coffee down on the table.

“Indeed, love,” Fleur said giving him smart look, flipping her head to look at Rarity with her determined model look, “But, I also want you to have a great connection with my favourite family member.”

Rarity sputtered for a moment, “But Fleur, your parents love-”

“No, not them, but my favourite cousin.”

Rarity froze, mortified as she realized exactly who she was talking about, “No. You can’t mean-”
“But I do,” she said, keeping her expression, “And, he’ll be the one to walk me down the aisle, as I promised him I would let him long ago.”

Rarity, trying to look for a way out, to find a more appealing solution to this situation, stumbled over her words nervously smiling, “Please, make it something else. I-I can make you a new set of dresses, or even talk with my friend to see if they can get him posted to a diplomatic posting in a place that’s easier to get to so you can visit him, OR even-”

Rarity trailed of as Fleur's expression hardened, going from determined to a hard scowl, making Rarity shrink for a brief moment. She sighed looking at Coco, “Any help here, love?”

“I got a feeling she’s going to ask me for a similar task, babe,” Coco answered nervously, looking at Fleur, who’s eyes flicked to, but softened when looking at her, “Right?”

“Yes, but that’s mostly I want you to help me find a number of good seamstresses whom we can trust not to make a show of doing our wedding apparel,” Fleur replied, ignoring the aghast gasp from Rarity at the statement. She continued, “When we do this, we will not be making our own wedding dresses. It's unprofessional, and makes us look incredibly vain, regardless of how amazing Rarity’s work is.”

Rarity began to protest but Fleur put a hoof up to stop her, “I’m asking this of you for one very big reason. I want you to get to know him rather than this boogeyman you’ve created, since anytime I mention him, I have to walk a minefield. He’s like a big brother to me. So at least try?”

Rarity finally looked to Fancy for assistance, getting a look of sympathy, but she could already tell, he wasn’t going to help her get out of this situation. Finally, with a disgruntled sigh, she gave Fleur a rather pitiful look before nodding, “Okay. Fine, I shall meet with him.”

“Oh excellent, he’ll be back in town in a few weeks he told me when I left,” Fleur explained, “And I will say, you’ll also be going to his estate for this. I want you to meet some else.”

“Who else?”

“Oh, you’ll see love, I have a feeling you and her will get along, quite nicely,” Fleur said, clapping her hooves softly together.
Rarity and Coco shared a confused look but agreed not to pursue it. Instead, they turned their attention to Fancy.
“So, Rarity and myself have tasks to get you to agree to marrying us, why doesn’t he?”

“Oh, I do, my dear Pommel,” Fancy said, looking at Fleur and flushing softly, “She gets to be the first to bear a child for us. She is the head mare of our herd after all, and who am I to say no.”

They started to challenge him on that, but a quick glance at Fleur told them both that he was right.

Three Weeks Ago

Rarity had found the home of her quarry far more confusing than what she had originally imagined. It was standard to all upper Canterlot nobles and elite, a large mansion walled off from the others around it, but in truth it was smaller than Fancy's, and built into the cliff face much unlike those next to it. It had the staple lavender roof, round towers, white stone walls accented by a golden yellow limestone, and even the family crest painted above the main doorway was there, but everything felt, smaller.

To add to this, his mansion had peculiar additions.

To the south, given the most light in Canterlot was a small number of fruit trees, something she could tell as there was some house servants pulled form fresh fruit from a tree far away. After entering the main building proper, Rarity noticed a number of uncovered struts, built into the high ceilings, giving the interior a gothic look. Armour of ancestors past lined the halls as she was guided into main dining hall, to finally meeting her quarry as he waited politely at the intimate dining table.
When she was younger, she would have absolutely been ecstatic to meet him here and now, and to have a private audience to win hoof in marriage with her wit and marish features. But after the Grand Galloping Gala, where he used her as a shield from cake, had long since tarnished her views on him.

Blueblood, Earl of the Vanhoover, and Prince of House Blood, stood next to her chair, waiting for her.

Despite her best effort, she gave a small harumph as she walked up to take the seat, letting him seat her in front of her plate full of fruits and a small salad. Quickly he took his place across from her, with absolute practice precision.
“I believe we have the pleasure of having met before, but not in a manner befitting of yourself, Miss Belle,” he began, his horn igniting as he lifted up a large pitch filled with something, offering to pour her some, “I do apologize for such unfortunate event happening that mired your opinion of me so.”

Rarity nodded, accepting him pour her so- wait was that fruit punch? Her poise and form broke for a moment, expecting something much more fancy or high end, not something so simple.

“Yes,” she finally responded, “I appreciate the apology, but it doesn’t excuse you, a dashing prince from acting so rudely regardless of my lowly standing.” A veiled barb, she grimaced at her own words. She realized she could feel her temper already beginning to flare.

She held up a hoof for a moment, taking a deep and slow breathe, “I apologize, that was quite rude of me. I hope I caused no offense.”

“Oh none what so ever,” Blueblood gave a rather cool chuckle, pouring himself a cup of the juice… before pouring a third, “After what my lovely cousins have told me about yourself, I completely understand why you are so upset at me.” He placed the third cup of fruit punch down, bring Rarity’s attention to a third plate set with their meal. Was he expecting another to arrive? Surely Fleur wouldn’t have double booked her cousin she seemed to heap so much love on.

“Oh? And what has she told- I beg your pardon, cousins?” Rarity shook her head, slightly confused. The prince gave her a cheeky smile, sitting back in his chair and crossing his legs, resting his hooves on his thighs.

“Oh yes, Cadenza loves talking about you, and Fleur always tells me the most amusing stories, such as how you always seem the over dramatic about quite amusing things, like a ghastly colour mix up, or being told you had to meet me again,” he explained. With a bemused smile, “Or the fact you have quite the whinny whining act you can put on.”

“I am not overly dramatic,” Rarity countered, pointing a hoof accusatorily at him, “I am as dramatic as any an all situation, as required by a proper lady.” Putting a hoof to her chest she crossed her own legs, making her daintier, “And… okay yes I do have a whinny whining voice, even my younger sister makes fun of me for that.”

The both chuckled at that, before she floated a small piece of mango to her mouth, “I am still very upset at your treatment of me at that night, Prince, and I would at least like a proper apology.” She gave him a smile, playing to his noble nature that seemed to be coming out finally, “I’d hate to disappoint your cousin Fleur without us being able to let bygones be bygones, sire.”

Rarity closed her eyes, tasting the rich flavour of the mango, chewing it slowly as she waited for the apology to begin.
Instead, she got a bemused grunt, and opening her eyes up to see Blueblood stifling a laugh. Swallowing rather abruptly, she gave him a confused look, “What is so funny?”

He coughed, regaining control of himself, looking at her with that same coy smile Fleur could have when she knew she was right about something, “Oh, you expecting an apology, while also expecting me to consent to Fleur being your herdmate,” he answered, “I do approve by the by, that point is moot.”

“Well,” Rarity huffed, “I would think I, at the very least, deserve some sort of an apology. I was left rather embarrassed and ashamed after how you used me as a shield, and how I was ignored for the most part of the evening after you so graciously misled me with a polite introduction.”

“Like any good gentlestallions would?” he proposed, “Like a good and proper noble should act like in front of their citizenry?”
“Well… okay yes, but that still doesn’t excuse for sheltering behind me when I had pastries and cake thrown all over me.”
“And by whom was that cannonball of delicious confections caused by?”

She started to open her mouth, freezing as she realized where this was going. Crossing her hooves angrily, she gave rather unladylike harumph, scowling at one of the suits of armour along the wall of the room.

“Ah, there it is. That infamous pout.”

“Oh, you are insufferable,” Rarity snapped, “You hardly act the gentlestallion, let alone a gentlecolt, when needing to defend a mare from being made a mockery of at a THE social event, instead cowering behind her while she takes all the cake to the face. And arrogant disregard for me who was only trying to perhaps get meet and spend some time with you, maybe even make a connection, but instead you ignored me, belittled me and talked only with your cronies.”

To emphasize frustration with him, she tapped her hoof firmly on the table, rapping it with each point concluding with pointing it at him accusatorily.

And much to her surprised, he waited for her to finish, sipping from his cup. Wearing a fairly neutral expression, or as best as she could tell.

“Oh, come on, are you going to tell me off?”

“Oh yes, indeed I am. However, I felt you need to get all that out, since I feel you were bottling it up,” Blueblood answered, returning the cup to the table. Rarity rolled her eyes, scoffing at him.

“I doubt that, I have rant as such to my friends a number of times, but I will say it did feel rather cathartic to do it to your smug face.”

He sighed, “Would you like to hear it from my point of view?”

She scowled at him, preparing to reject him out but she paused. She thought back to her convo with Fleur, and looked back at Blueblood. Fleur felt like she was walking on landmines whenever she mentioned her favourite family member, and Rarity was the cause of it. She looked at him, and though he seemed rather unbothered by the past, he was trying to help make the connection.

“I would, yes, but before you start your story, I do want to say I apologize for my attitude today,” she started, “I’ve been terribly rude and hostile towards you even though Fleur wants us to at least be amical to each other for the healthiness of her relationship with me.”

“I appreciate the apology, Miss Belle, and I accept it wholeheartedly. If you wish, rather than me retelling you with that awfully boring and damning story, I think we’d do better to move on and simply let the past be the past,” Blueblood answered, letting the by-gone past slip away.

“Wait that’s it? No lording it over me?” Rarity tentatively asked, watching the princes face turn to a slight devious smirk.
“Oh no, you and I can have fun at each other's expense, but I believe it for the past devils to mull over, besides, I doubt my lovely lady would allow me to do so for very long,” He commented standing up as Rarity heard the door behind them open up again. Turn around, she was surprised to see a threstral stepping in, her rich lavender mane tied back in a pony tail, with her tail kept short and tidy, professionally. The bat pony light grey fur was much of that any of her race, but her cool silver eyes with the rueful smile upon her face told Rarity that she had been listening to the conversation for far longer then she had been in the room, “Miss Belle, may I introduce the lady of the manor, Major Silverblade, my wife of ten years.”

Rarity admired her, rising for her seat to give the mare a soft curtsy, freezing as she finally processed the statement Blueblood had said, “Wait, ten years?”

“Indeed, he likes to keep me a rather tight-lipped secret,” Silverblade commented, walking over, giving Rarity a soft curtsy back, “He very much loves what little privacy he has.” She was seated by Blueblood, where she snuck a kiss, “Such a rather handsome old stallion. Now, Miss Belle, tell me, what did my rapscallion of a husband say while I wasn’t here?”

Rarity cleared her throat, taking her seat again, “Oh I do believe we were about to begin talking about restarting on the right hoof, after he was going to tell me his side of the story. Especially now that I know he was a married stallion that night I feel quite too fool for how I acted.”

Blueblood complied, and told that evenings events rather artfully, even involving Rarity in the story by using her to help embellish or clarify mistakes in his telling, eventually arriving at the end. Rarity, as the story came to an end, laughed with them as she realized how disrespectful she had been that night, essentially forcing herself into his night at the Gala. What surprised her the most was how this rolled into a story about Blueblood’s disastrous first attempt to court Silverblade, into other stories, including Fleur’s weird childhood obsession with Minotaur culture, and a dreaded past of her trying to dye her coat from white to pink to match Cadence.

Eventually, Blueblood had to tend to his duties at the embassy, and excused himself, leaving the two mares to prattle on. Finally, after hours of delightful conversation, Rarity had to leave. She had approval, and thankfully had resolved the issue she had with Blueblood.

Now to tease Fleur about wanting to look like Cadence.

Present Day

“Oh, don’t you dare,” Fleur said aghast, point a hoof at Rarity floated up a Minotaur book out of her gift bag for Hearth's Warming. Since she had leaked the secret to the rest of the herd, the group had committed to simply flooding this year's presents with Minotaur memorabilia and literature.

Fleur buried her face in a pillow, trying to look mad, but Rarity knew that she was starting to giggle uncontrollably. Blueblood and his wife sat to the side, the former waiting to give Fleur his prank present and actual present, while the latter talked up Coco’s parents. In the background Sweeite Belle, Spike and Gabby enjoyed the gathering with their now extended family.

Coco Pommel had in truth done the greatest joke, creating a wonderfully excellent toga for Fleur to wear around the house after the holidays, complete with Cretetian crown to be placed atop her head and broche.

“I think, my dear little Fleur, that telling Rarity to get along with me has been your undoing,” Blueblood finally said, floating his gift over to her, earning a half-hearted scowl.

“Grew up with, kept your secrets, hooked you up with your wife, and this is how I am repaid, my wrath will be unending,” Rarity giggled at the playful promise of revenge, “You shall have first year nanny duties, my dear cousin.”

“Oh, I shall corrupt your foal like any good uncle does,” Blueblood, dodging the pillow thrown at him by her.

The manse was warm, their family all gathered together, and they were living it well.

Rarity's life was truly prefect.