Crystals Grow on Rainbows

"Slumber 101: All you ever wanted to know about slumber parties but were afraid to ask. Hey, I have a copy of this book too!" Trixie began flicking through the pages eagerly while brushing her hair. The other unicorns were busy mixing up the facial masks in the adjacent kitchen, all of them eager to get started following the party earlier in the night.

"Aheheheh, yes I remember it well..." At least Twilight this time around wasn't so insistent on going by the book. While there was no rain for Rarity get her mane wet in, she didn't particularly like the idea of another bad round of Truth and Dare. Though they were decent ponies, and very considerate of her condition. She just needed to calm down and enjoy the night like it should be, rather than fretting over past mistakes.

Soon, they were settled down in front of the fireplace, hair and faces both done up. This was all a new experience for Trixie, and she enjoyed it very much so. Being able to look past her assumptions on how things would go this time allowed Rarity to do the same. While it might have been better if all of their close friends were there, it just wouldn't be right without Rainbow Dash too.

"And, done! Let's see how it turned out." Twilight passed out the face towels before cleaning up her own mask. Rarity's new recipe certainly did the trick, now free of the mask her skin felt amazingly clean and soft. "Ooh, this is great work Rarity; you've really outdone yourself this time." A blush came from her direction Compliments for her dressmaking she didn't mind too much, but for a simple facial mask recipe?

"Oh Twilight, you're too eager to show gratitude you know. It isn't necessary to put huge emphasis on a simple facial." Twilight nudged her shoulder insistently. Rarity had become so modest lately; it was almost worrying to see her tone down compliments. Then again, everypony lately seemed to agree that her maternal side was really starting to show now.

"I'm not just saying that, I really mean it." Twilight settled back down in front of the fire, such a nice and peaceful party. "This is great, just sitting here, talking about ourselves without worrying about tomorrow. You're such wonderful friends, and I don't say it anywhere near enough." Rarity chuckled again, they had all changed now. And it was so pleasing to see Twilight back to being her kind and grateful self.

The door opened at that moment, much to the surprise of the three ponies in front of the fire. That was quickly put out by the gust of wind let in, sending the whole place into darkness. Panic set in. Hardly the typical way that a slumber party should go. "Stay here Rarity, I'll check it out." Trixie was the one to get up, lighting her horn dimly to allow her to see just ahead of her. The tension in the air built with every trembling, hesitant step.

"Hey girls, what's up?" Trixie tripped herself up in panic at the sudden presence in front of her. It took a few moments for Rarity to recognize the voice. Trixie probably wouldn't have recognized it well at all, since Rainbow Dash had been gone most of the time she had been in town.

"Rainbow Dash?" Rarity hurried into the main room, almost knocking over her mare in the process of embracing her. Now wearing the full Wonderbolt uniform, Dash looked quite stunning with her mane in a blazing streak. Of course, the first question on everypony's lips was quite clear. "But don't you still have a month to go?"

Dash hugged her mare back tightly for the moment it lasted, such closeness that she missed sorely. "Marks came back soon after I sent the letter, and I got through! A month in Canterlot for the real deal of races, agility flight paths and performances, and I'm officially in!" Rarity hugged tightly again, Trixie and Twilight soon joining in once the effects of Dash's dramatic entrance had passed.

"Ooh, I'm so happy for you. So how long do you have before you return to Canterlot? Twilight invited us over for another slumber party you see." Rainbow Dash was about to respond when the reason for their gathering came out. A slumber party... Putting on her brave smile, she quickly began thinking of something that could let her escape the inevitable. It was still undecided if slumber parties were cool or not for Wonderbolts to attend.

"Well, I am kinda tired from the flight home y'see. And I was kinda hoping to get some rest, but I guess I can take a nap here if that's okay." Gradually edging herself towards the beds at that point, it seemed for a moment that she could actually get away with much needed rest. Of course, she wasn't anywhere near as tired as she implied, but napping was a speciality of hers.

"Great! Then you won't mind if we catch you up on the night." Dash didn't have time to react before Rarity pulled her hood off, ready for Trixie to begin smothering the facial on. Twilight brought all of them back into the kitchen with a quick sweep of her magic.

"This is great! You'll see just how relaxing it is Rainbow Dash, and lots of fun!" At that point, Dash knew she was completely at the mercy of the unicorns. Her new mane style was the first to fall victim. It had taken thousands of laps to get it into the blown back look, and now it was being turned into The Great and Powerful Brush's running ground. At least they had the decency to cover her eyes, sparing her some of the nightmare.

*

"I look... like Rarity." It was an exaggeration of course, though it wouldn't be completely untrue. The make-up she had been fortunate enough to avoid, but it didn't make up for her 'fancy' hair do and smooth face. Rarity seemed overly pleased in comparison, clinging to her mare without fail. The only small scrap of consolidation left was that no other ponies were there to see it.

"Is there anything wrong with that Dashie? I do recall you saying you missed those belly rubs." Rainbow Dash blushed again, she mentioned getting the letter at the party, and undoubtedly everyone had heard its contents. Not that she minded about the main part of it, but the rubs were kind of something she preferred to keep secret. Probably for the best that she wasn't there at the shower after all.

"Nonono. But it's just... not me. I thought you'd find the new look cool, but instead you turned me into a fashion pony..." Retrieving her Wonderbolts headgear, she threw it over her shoulder in defeat. Some surprise it had turned out to be, she'd ended up as the recipient of a joke. While that was fun at times, it didn't make up for having her plans ruined in one go.

All three unicorns quickly began having second thoughts about their idea to include Dash. For Rarity, seeing her disappointed was nothing short of terrible. "Oh Dashie, come on, it was just a little harmless fun. We didn't think you'd..." A sudden shift inside her caused a stumble when following Dash. Everypony quickly rushed to her side, moving her to the nearest bed.

"You okay Rarity?" She nodded in response with a slight giggle, hoof resting on her body. Naturally, everypony was quick to ensure her wellbeing. Each asked at a slightly different time, leading to a garbled mess of the simple question.

"She moved again, that's all. Who knows, she may not have wanted you to leave." A small smile returned to Rainbow Dash's face. As always, Rarity had a good point, she had made the trip to see her, and it wasn't fair to walk out just because she was upset over a ruined surprise. Her own hoof rested down beside the Rarity's, soon accompanied by Twilight and Trixie's too.

"I'm sorry for overreacting, you're really sweet. But can we lay off on the spa parties, at least until I'm not short on time?" This time they all felt the movement, Rainbow Dash and Trixie backing away for a moment. Twilight had a bit more experience with infants, hatching Spike from his egg after all. Rarity sat up again in slight nervousness at the attention being given to her.

"You're making me the centre of attention again you do realize. We still have s'mores to make after all, so why not make them?"