Crystals Grow on Rainbows

Five months in, and just about everyone in Ponyville now knew that their clothing designer was having a foal. Not as many knew however, or guessed even, that the pegasus who kept the skies clear was the biological father. Both took to avoiding the question if asked anyway, things of that particular nature were rather awkward, not to mention difficult to explain. In the meantime, Rarity went about her daily routine, cleaning the next lot of clothes with Twilight, preparing food for the elderly home with Applejack and Pinkie Pie, and in this case doing her market shopping with Fluttershy.

"Oh, you have the potatoes, that’s okay." Rarity placed the remaining two in Fluttershy's saddlebag with a kind shake of her head. Fluttershy had become even more so concerned for her, and the foal of course. Such kindness, through the best and worst of her behaviour. Though out of everypony, she knew that Twilight was under the most stress with her advancing lessons, and the fact that she still made time to help the fashion pony meant so much.

"Now dear, I do have food at home you know. There is no reason why you shouldn't have these potatoes, besides I find that they are not the ingredients I prefer for my particular cooking." Rarity began humming a tune Fluttershy taught her as a way of helping sleep to arrive on restless nights. The mood of the day seemed appropriate for the soft and cheerful melody. Fluttershy was pleased by it as well, joining in with her own vocal version.

Purchasing the remainder of their needs with the tune going, it ended with a burst of laughter between them. Those rare moments of simple joy that Rarity could share with her close friends were just as precious as the gems she collected. They had been brought closer together by her task; things that they used to conceal for their own reasons didn't seem that bad to talk about any more. And of course, there was the very special bond that had formed between her and Rainbow Dash.

Unaware that her face had shifted down into a dreamy state over how much her life had improved, a blue hoof waving mere centimetres from the tip of her nose brought Rarity into consciousness again. "Rarity, what did I tell you about going to bed late? You've been daydreaming like this for the past few weeks, it's not cool! Ponies kinda notice when somepony's just standing there with a blank expression y'know."

She shook her head in surprise at the interruption. Oh the irony, Rainbow Dash had just interrupted a dream about her. "I've been sleeping fine I assure you. It's just; the sight of you makes me lose all thought..." Dash gagged at Rarity's overkill on the romance. It was all in jest of course, but it seemed to work better if she kept her usual mood up in public. Nopony could know she found her mare's words of admiration cute!

"Uhm, girls, I'd really hate to interrupt, but you know how you mentioned ponies noticing?" The pair flicked their eyes around in perfect union. Snips and Snails seemed to be watching the pair from a distance. Dash took off awkwardly at that moment and flew out in the direction of the Carousel. Her absence didn't seem to have any effect on the unicorn pair, still staring at Rarity. It occurred to her that they were once again wearing their Trixie fan shirts.

"Fluttershy, please tell me that Trixie's behind me, and they're not looking at my, uh... generous size?" Fluttershy idly glanced over Rarity's shoulder to please her; it seemed highly unlikely that the egotistical unicorn would be back without making a huge deal of it. Thus, her expression was nothing short of surprised as Trixie approached Rarity slowly. There was no sign of fireworks, she wasn't wearing her cloak and hat, and she certainly didn't have the appearance of somepony who was full of herself at all.

"Rarity? The humble and sorrowful Trixie found herself in Canterlot when news came of a special unicorn with foal, and... felt it necessary to congratulate her. Though Trixie did expect it would be Twilight Sparkle..." Rarity glanced around again in fear that something would happen to her hair. Every time the magician was around, her mane seemed to be the first victim.

"Well, thank you. I'm glad that you made such a trip, so long as it isn't a disappointment that I am the one in question." Trixie shook her head with a smile; it wasn't her typical behaviour at all. It had been a while since their last encounter, and Rainbow Dash had been forgiving of Gilda. It was only fair that she be forgiving of Trixie. "Twilight has been busy with studies lately, but if you came to see her in particular, I think she can take a break."

There was still a lingering doubt about her, the fear that at any point her mane would be ruined again was rather strong. Instead, she found Trixie's hoof on her shoulder. "Of course not, the humble and considerate Trixie is very happy that Rarity is so lucky. May she ask who the stallion is?" Dash seemed to be choosing the more awkward times to make appearances, landing down beside her mare after she failed to appear at the Carousel. While she hadn't recognized Trixie at first, she was quick to put her hoof around Rarity protectively.

Fluttershy backed away before heading back home. She didn't want to interrupt their inevitable conversation, and she had finished her shopping anyway. It didn't stop her from catching a glimpse of Rarity's face as she looked at Dash. "Well, not really a stallion you see." Rarity removed herself gently from Rainbow Dash's hold, encouraging the group to begin moving again.

Trixie was of course utterly confused at first, how Rainbow Dash could possibly impregnate Rarity eluded her entirely. But there wasn't much doubt that they were a couple now. She knew the typical behaviour of performers, there was none of that in Rarity's behaviour. "Trixie doesn't quite understand, but that is alright. I am glad for both of you."

Between the market and the library door, it became quite apparent from conversation that Trixie had been through a lot since her last time in Ponyville. However, as the door opened to the three, Twilight reacted much the same as every other pony at first. Blinking at the sight of Trixie, without any of her usual stunts or clothes. "Well, they say life is full of surprises." Given the perfectly calm expression that Rarity and Rainbow Dash shared, it didn't seem too unreasonable to give her a chance to explain what she was doing back in Ponyville.

"Trixie heard that a unicorn of Ponyville was expecting, and came as soon as possible. Though she must admit that she anticipated it would be you." Twilight blinked again. Her? There was a good reason why Celestia chose Rarity instead of her for the task, several in fact. One of them was not having intense studies to keep up with. Another was the fact that she actually had an interest in being a mother in the near future.

"Well uh, I don't really know what to say, Trixie. I guess it's great to see that you're well and okay. But is that all? I mean you've come quite a long way, anypony would probably assume there's other things you wanted to do while you're here." Rainbow Dash pulled out chairs for all of them in the meantime. Rarity was still capable of sitting down without too much trouble, but still accepted the help her mare offered.

Trixie in the meantime was unsure of what Twilight really meant in her question. Whether it was a genuine inquiry, or another way of saying that she expected her to do something bad again was unclear. "Well, the humble and considerate Trixie has travelled far across Equestria, and still has not found a home that does not look at her as a negative influence." To be safe, she assumed that Twilight really meant it, either way it couldn't do that much harm to what remained of her reputation.

Twilight pondered on what she was trying to get at. "So, you want a place to settle down, retiring from being a travelling magician? That's a pretty big change in lifestyle, are you sure you wanna stay in Ponyville though? There's still a few ponies who are uncomfortable with talking about the Alicorn amulet incident." She herself was still unsure about Trixie; even now, there was still a lingering doubt about her radical change of personality. And the way she talked was always unnerving, though now she seemed to refer to herself in the third person all the time.

Rarity was still struggling to settle down with her growing body. It was only a little more weight to balance, but it threw off her sitting position entirely. Dash was doing her absolute best to avoid saying anything; the huff became a necessity to keep her sanity just barely intact. As the conversation between Trixie and Twilight continued, she discreetly switched Rarity's chair for a cushion.

Trixie glanced at the floor in a clearly nervous way. Rarity recognized it; she had seen Rainbow Dash make a similar gesture. It would probably be better to inform Twilight first, but there was no reason to assume that it meant the same thing. Though, the way she proceeded to lift her head and look at Twilight seemed to confirm what she was suspecting.

"Trixie was really concerned, that you had found a pony of your own... But since that is not the case at all, would you consider accepting me as a special pony? I really have tried to change my ways, if you would just give me a chance to prove that to you."