Balance within Harmony

The next day, at the hastily arranged party that Princess Celestia wanted to personally thank the Bearer Six (as they had named themselves)

Twilight was spending a fair amount of the party with Celestia and Luna, discussing any progress towards the reversal of the elements impact on him(her?), Rainbow and Applejack. But the Princess's research was at a dead end.

"There are just so many ancient scrolls to check, but most are written in codes that have long been forgotten" Celestia apologised to her student "But you and your friends are welcome to come and visit Canterlot Library any-time to investigate yourself, there will always be a room for you at the castle"

Twilight gave the princesses a salute (He wasn't in the Royal Guard but it felt more appropriate then the curtsey she used to do) and walked away to give Mayor Mare a chance to speak to the Royals. Looking around the room to decided where he would go next, Rarity suddenly pounced in-front of him

"An invitation to Canterlot, how wonderful. Sorry to overhear you, but I've always wanted to visit Canterlot, for the fashion, glamour..."

"And libraries" Twilight joked, enjoying the look of absolute delight on Rarity's face

"Well, not really the Ancient library and powerful spell type. But I would love to visit someday, especially the shopping malls"

"Well, my little pony, you are welcome to stay any-time." Luna said strolling past, looking for some of those delicious cupcakes the pink pony had made I had nothing this tasty on the moon for a thousand years, and I NEED them...to regain my strength of course "Obviously you will be visiting for the Grand Galloping Gala at the end of the year?"

"Oh why yes. And Twilight, that reminds me that I've finished some designs for you outfit, perhaps you could pop over tomorrow  and we can sort out an outfit"

"Thanks, Rarity, sounds ideal"

Meanwhile across the room a yellow pegasus watched intently, but with a heavy heart, as Rainbow Dash talked to a group of fillies regarding the latest trick he was trying to learn.

***

The next day twilight cantered round Ponyville for some exercise, as his spirits and energy levels were high. The party and the royal visit had gone off without a problem. Obviously the element of laughter had been a nightmare around the two princesses, treating everypony as if it was a six year foals birthday party, but the princesses seemed to love ponies having fun. And he was off to see Rarity in a few moments which put some extra bounce in his step.

The sign on the door of Carousel Boutique said open, so Twilight went in looking forwards to seeing the designs for some colt-wear. Rarity was busy putting the final touches to the outfits and Twilight gave an audible gasp.

"Rar.. Rarity, they look wonderful" Twilight stammered as he looked over the hoof-full of designs Rarity had pinned together. There were some party outfits, and a couple of more formal outfits. There were mostly simple designs which was his/her previous taste, yet had some interesting details and patterns based on his cutie mark and the Element Tiara. "I love them"

Rarity blushed as she saw how the Lavender Unicorn looked so happy. "I've also designed something for Rainbow Dash and Applejack for the Galloping Gala, so they won't be left out"

"Generously, thy name is Lady Rarity" Twilight giggled.

They then needed to go through the steps trying on the outfits and making minor adjustments. The two unicorns started off very nervous around each other and both seemed a little uneasy as they spent a lot of time close to each other. Measuring around the flank and tail just felt awkward and they kept meeting each others eyes. It took Rarity twice as long as usual to get the job done and the tension was building. Just as the job was being done, Twilight started to get a little nervous and Rarity noticed he was thinking about something.

"Ummm, Rarity, there's something I've been meaning to ask you"

"Yes Twilight?" she replied with a flash of her eyelids, exaggerating her fake lashes

"I've noticed that you have, erm, bridles on some of the ponyequins" Twilight said reservedly, sweeping his hoof round the room. "Now, I've noticed you don't have them out when Sweetie Belle comes over, which is good, but why are you making such things?" he gulped.

Rarity looked a little surprised, and blushed a little "Well, they are for my customers of course" and said with a business like tone.

"I appreciate its not my place to ask, and understand why you might make saddles. Afterall I have one for spike and I guess you would have used one when Sweetie was a foal. But bridles haven't been used for thousands of year, since the dark ages of equine slavery. And these don't look like simple ones, they are very ornate?"

Rarity continued to blush whilst she looked at the colt who was looking uncomfortably down at his hoofs "Now Twilight, you can't be that naive? These are for some rich Canterlot and Manehattan clients, and match some wonderful outfits I design. You must be aware of how some ponies like some of the more unusual things in their love-life" Particularly one Princess and her new Colt-friend allegedly she thought to herself based on the gossip she had heard.

"You work for those sort of customers?"

"Oh why yes. I may be a Lady, but business is business. All sorts of ponies like that sort of thing and at least I make them look nice and matches the rest of their outfits. And these aren't ordinary ones, they are magical. This is why they are out so often, as I have to layer the magic slowly each day and it reminds me to do. Afterall, I'm not an expert caster such as yourself"

"Magical, how exactly?"

Rarity gave a giggle "Now Twilight, surely if you didn't know this sort of thing you should be able to easily detect the magic in the gems. I mean, I've hidden this from the other ponies in town, but I thought if anypony you would know all about it from both the big city view, and the magical."

Twilight looked at Rarity who seemed to be enjoying the conversation I guess this is a bit of a relief to have somebody talk to. But not everypony in the big city's like that sort of thing. Wait, is that why she wanted to go? Shaking the last thought out of his head, his horn started to glow and reached out to feel the enchantments.

"This one is designed to stop a Pegasus from being able to fly? This is an anti-magic charm..." Twilight suddenly stopped and looked over to Rarity "...and this one? Really?"

Rarity blushed as Twilights magic glowed over a special enchantment "I guess there was more to me that meets the eye" she stammered.

"I would like to get to know you more" Twilight responded distractedly, and suddenly blushed as he released what he just said.

"Twilight, do you mean that how I think you mean that...how I hope you do" Rarity said coyly.

"No, I just meant that I've just found the magic of friendship and want to get to know you all..." twilight stopped jabbering mid sentence. The two unicorns looked at each other, there eyes transfixed. There was something in the air, and unbeknown to the two ponies the elements of Magic and Generosity started glowing in Canterlot Castle.

Twilight gulped, but then stood up tall "Yes Rarity, it does. I mean, I've felt this way for a couple of weeks every since the change! I wasn't sure what to do about it in case we were to change back..."

"But now you're thinking you're not?"

"It seems unlikely, the Princesses have got nowhere. And I don't want to wait my whole life, when i could be spending it living with friends...with you!"

Rarity jiggled a little on her hooves "Twilight, are you asking me out"

"Yes Rarity, I am! Would you join me for lunch on Saturday?"

"Oh yes, and I have the perfect outfit for a late summer date" Rarity's eyes sparkled at the thought of her date outfit

"Does that have a matching Bridle?" teased the colt

"What sort of lady do you think I am?" she fake scowled back with a smiled

"Not sure, but I can't wait to find out" Twilight teased but then suddenly looked a little sad "What are we going to tell the others?"

"Oh, I don't think we need to tell them straight away. Lets just take it slow and see how things go!"

"But what about spike...you know he has a bit of a crush on you"

"FOREVER" Pinkie suddenly popped out from behind a ponyequin

Shaking off the random interuption "Yes I know, from the minute he saw me!" As soon as Pinkie heard that a promise hadn't been broken, she slowly retreating behind a curtain back into nothing. Pinkie is so random they both thought.

"Oh dear, I'm not sure how Spikey-Wikey is going to handle this. He's only a baby dragon, he'll be heartbroken"

"I'll guess I'll have to handle this Colt to Dragon...and that's a phrase not many filly foals ever suspect they will say!"