For Her Favor

“So that sums up pretty much my activities the last couple of weeks,” Rarity looked to her audience, only to be met with a dead stare from Macintosh.

“Umm, Macintosh, is everything alright?” She asked the stallion.

“Eeyup, just thinking,” he replied simply.

“Thinking about what?” She again asked.

“About how grateful I am.”

“Grateful for what?” Rarity’s voice filled with mild annoyance at Macintosh’s vexing vagueness.

“Grateful I didn’t take Applejack up on her offer to go on a date with Fluttershy, now that I know she had secret bodyguards with the fury of a viper that’s been stuffed in a pillow case,” he replied with a smug grin on his face and a wink in his eye.

Rarity returned a deadpanned look and turned away from him with her muzzle turned up, and a “hmmpf”.

“Ah Rarity, I’m only teasing, I know how it feels to be concerned for somepony, especially if it’s somepony you love. You forget I have two sisters; one is a headstrong, stubborn as a mule mare that for years caught the eye of every colt in Ponyville. Fortunately, Twilight Sparkle came along and took care of that. Still there were a few times a couple of years back where I had to set some ponies straight.”

Given Macintosh’s infamous size and his well known strength, Rarity assumed some poor colts were scared half way into an early grave, but she could not help but laugh at the mental image of Macintosh terrifying some poor young pony.

“Well, I can assure you Macintosh, had you gone out on a date, nothing unfortunate would have most likely befallen you since I always thought of you as one of the few true gentlecolts there are, and I’m sure you would have treated Fluttershy with respect,” said Rarity with a smile, before adopting a hard look and added, “wouldn’t you?”

Macintosh only responded with a vigorous head shake.

Rarity immediately put her sweet smile back on, “Excellent, I would so hate for anything to happen to my dear Fluttershy, and I’d hate what would happen to the pony responsible even more.”

Rarity then gave Macintosh another look that hid an edge, before quickly breaking it with a smile and laughter, which Macintosh returned. Heaving a heavy sigh, Rarity addressed Macintosh again, “Perhaps that was why I started doing all this silliness to begin with. I guess if I could not have Fluttershy’s heart myself then I would at least ensure the pony that did would be only the best.”

“But is that really your place to be doing? I mean I know your heart is in the right place, but it just seems… dishonest. If you truly feel for Miss Fluttershy like you say you do, I think she deserves the truth. Who knows, maybe you’re throwing the towel in too early, maybe Miss Fluttershy has feelings for you too,” Macintosh offered.

“Wishful thinking, also I can’t exactly waltzed right up to her and divulge all this information, the poor dear is so sensitive she’d probably just shut down from it all, and once she finally did get over the initial shock I think she’d be… less than thrilled that I’ve been essentially spying on her,” Rarity’s mind then became a jumble of images of Fluttershy having various reactions to Rarity confessing to her.

“I must confess Fluttershy secretly I’ve had feelings for you,” Rarity said as she held the other mare’s hoof, looking over the balcony of the tower that overlooked the sea.

“What!?” Fluttershy replied, her brilliant blue dress gown flowing from the breeze brought on by the roaring ocean below.

“Also, I have been watching you from afar for quite some time as other suitors attempted to win your favor,” the unicorn added.

The pegasus then fainted.

“Fluttershy?”

There were of course other possibilities that did not involve Fluttershy falling into various stages of panic or shock.

“Also, I have been watching you from afar for quite some time as other suitors attempted to win your favor,” the unicorn added.

“What!? But, Rarity how could you, now I can never trust a pony such as you,” Fluttershy cried out.

“But, but I,” Rarity attempted to stammer out, as she back away, nearly tripping over her scarlet dress.

“No excuses, I’m sorry my dear Rarity, but I’m afraid you give me no other recourse, a crime such as yours is only punishable by one method: The Stare!” Fluttershy thundered out, as she looked Rarity in the eye, as if she were looking completely through her.

“No, not that, anything but that!”Rarity cried out as she attempted to avoid the crushing glance from the pony of her desire.

Rarity shook her head to break up such an absurd delusion, she knew Fluttershy, and she knew she was a perfectly reasonable pony. If Rarity were to just confess the truth, she would be completely understandable, and perhaps even have a confession of her own.

“I must confess Fluttershy, secretly I’ve had feelings for you,” Rarity said as she held the other mare’s hoof.

“What!?” Fluttershy replied.

“I’m afraid it’s true, but I cannot withhold my feelings from you any longer.”

“Oh fairest Rarity, I must confess something to you too,” said Fluttershy as she turned away from her admirer.

“You do? Well, please do confess it so that we may begin on our journey together down the road of life,” Rarity begged of her soon-to-be beloved.

“I’m half-dragon,” Fluttershy answered.

“Umm Rarity, earth to Rarity,” Macintosh called out.

Rarity shook her head to find she was no longer in the tower, nor wearing her Victponian-era dress, and hopefully Fluttershy was still in fact fully a mare.

“Oh sorry, what were you saying Macintosh?” Rarity asked as she attempted to get as mentally far away from her imagination as possible.

“I said that you might be thinking too much about this, listen I don’t know all too much about romance and the like, but I can kinda guess what I like and what I think most ponies might like too, and I think honesty is one of them.”

Rarity found the stallion’s harping on honesty to be ironic given who his own sister was, but she also had to admit there was a bit of wisdom to what he said.

“Once again, I suppose you’re right, I need to at least tell her the truth, and then see where it all goes from them. I swear Macintosh if not for your name and cutie mark, one might be able to mistake you for quite the advice expert.”

Macintosh then blushed, which was an accomplishment for a pony with a red coat, “Aw shucks Rarity, just trying to help a friend is all.”

“Well I’m quite fortunate to have friends that will help me so,” she said, giving Macintosh a warm smile. “I say Macintosh, sometime or another you really do need to let me design something nice for you, perhaps a handsome vest or some sort.”

As Rarity eyed the large stallion, Macintosh did his best to ignore the mare’s eyes. “Well uh, I’m not entirely sure I really would need such a thing, I mean it’s not like I ever attend any fancy Galas, or Weddings, and the like.”

“Nonsense, every stallion needs a smart dress vest at the very least. Who knows, maybe next time the girls and I are invited to some another major royal event you may get asked to come along. Celestia’s knows with how much trouble we always bump into we could use a strong, dependable stallion to come along,” Rarity then tries to move into Macintosh’s line of sight.

“Well, uh, I would certainly consider going with y’all if you asked me to. Otherwise I think I’d be fine staying behind. Y’all seem to be able to handle yourselves just fine on your own, and well I’m not so sure I’m cut out for any of that fancy ‘saving-the-world’ business,” he says, borrowing Rainbow Dash’s air hoof quote technique.

“Yes, well sometimes I feel not so quite up for it myself,” Rarity then gives a small laugh.

“Well Rarity, I sure do appreciate the offer, and if you insist it’ll be no trouble then sure, I’d love you to make me a dress vest,” Macintosh said, caving into the mare’s insistence.

“Thank you, now see dear that wasn’t so hard now was it? I swear you stallions always make such a fuss about the silliest little things,” said Rarity, her head raised in victory as Macintosh simply soled his eyes.

As Rarity turned back towards the main road leading out of the farm, Macintosh turned and ask, “Well hey Rarity I don’t think there’s a need to rush, I mean Applejack should be back from her trip into town with Twilight, and I’m sure AJ invited her to dinner, would…would you like to stay too?”

Rarity considered the stallion’s offer briefly before giving the visibly worried pony a smile as she said, “Sure I’d love to.”

...

Rainbow Dash could only stand in silence, which for the normally overly rambunctious pony, this was quite the feat. Fluttershy wasn’t quite sure what she was supposed to do now, so she continued to stand awkwardly, until Rainbow Dash finally responded.

“Well cool, so yeah Saturday, me and you, will be going on the coolest date ever!” Rainbow Dash said with an unusually high level of zealousness, even for her.

Fluttershy, still a little unsure of what to make of all this, merely gave a meek nod.

“So I’ll fly by your cottage at six thirty then, and I promise Fluttershy you won’t regret it.”

“Oh I’m sure it’ll be just lovely Rainbow Dash, so six thirty Saturday night, see you then, sorry to leave so soon but I have to go take care of Angel bunny and the other animals so bye,” Fluttershy spoke as she turned to fly away back to her home and the needy animals that awaited her.

Once the distance had become great enough Rainbow Dash took a quick glance to ensure no other pony was around, and proceeded to do a victory dance in the air, striking one overly dramatic pose after another.

“Awwww yeah, she said yes! Heh, but of course she did, like she could say no to The Dash!” Rainbow spoke aloud, no doubt addressing herself.

Rainbow then found a nearby pond and looked herself over in the water’s reflection, seemingly very pleased with what she found.

“So yeah I was totally ‘So yeah Fluttershy, you, me, Saturday night, best date ever,’ “ Dash spoke aloud, she then replaced her confidant smirk for a much softer, “ ‘Oh why that sounds super amazing Rainbow Dash, why of course I’ll go with and let you blow my mind away,’ which I of course will.”

With her one-mare performance over, Rainbow headed back for her home, feeling lighter than she had ever felt before.

Just you wait Fluttershy, I promise this will be a night you’ll never forget.

…

Applejack’s life in recent years had become a roller coaster that ranged from the supernaturally epic to the surprisingly ordinary. Such enormous threats like changeling armies, resurrected magical empires alongside their former dictators, and living spirits of chaos were quite impressive, but Applejack still allowed the more mundane things to make her eyebrow rise. Having Rarity over for dinner, as a guest of Big Mac’s, certainly lifted that eyebrow up. She remembered her confusion upon seeing Rarity trotting up to farmhouse from the fields; she had apparently been out there having a talk with her brother.

Twilight, just as surprised by Rarity’s presence, decided to attempt some light dinner banter. “So umm, Rarity how were those charms I made for you?”

Rarity nearly spat out her drink at her friend’s question. She then put her napkin to her snout and gave a small, polite laugh as Mac and Twilight gave her confused looks, while Applejack only continued to give a suspecting glance.

“Oh, well those charms yes, they worked quite well Twilight, and again I must say thank you, and are you absolutely certain I cannot somehow compensate you for them?” She asked sweetly, hoping to get off the subject quickly.

“Oh no Rarity it was no trouble, I’m just glad they worked is all. Transformation magic can be a tricky thing you know, especially when using it on others.”

“Oh, Twilight made you charms for disguises? I want one!” Said Apple Bloom, her face lit up with delight.

Each of the adult ponies at the table gave a look that told each other they agreed that would be a bad idea.

Twilight was the first one to address it, “I don’t think you’re quite old enough to be trusted with something like that. Magic is a very tricky and potentially dangerous thing Apple Bloom. Remember when you got Cutie Pox?”

The guilty smile and the dropping of her bow told Twilight that she had indeed not forgotten.

“So that reminds me Rarity, we exactly did you need those charms in the first place?” Applejack asked.

Had she been taking a sip, Rarity would have almost spit her drink out a second time, only now she just simply gave a look that reminded Applejack of being a filly with her hoof caught trying to steal an apple fritter.

“Oh well, you know whenever I’m designing new outfits, I sometimes need to see how the colors might match or clash with a pony’s coat. So it helps to change my appearance and try them on myself, or if I have a model,” Rarity then deiced it was safe to take a drink to wet her now parched mouth.

“Well that sounds like a lot of work, though I suppose t helps your best friends with Fluttershy, what with her being a former model, you might wanna try and get her to model your clothes for you.”

Unfortunately, Rarity had picked an inopportune time to drink, but she had prepared herself now and was able to maintain her composure at the mention of Fluttershy. Sensing that the conversation was heading into territory it did not need to be in, Mac turned to ask, “So umm Twilight, how are things with the library?”

Twilight and Applejack had not “been together” long, but Mac had learned rather quickly that if ever needed somepony to talk about anything for whatever reason, all he had to do was mention either magic, any combination of books and libraries, or Princess Celestia and Twilight would do just that.

After about ten minutes of Twilight going on non-stop about her new shipment of books, Applejack finally made an attempt to derail this speeding train, “Twilight, sugarcube, that’s very nice about your new fifth edition…”

“Sixth edition,” Twilight corrected.

“Sixth edition copy of Dr. Hay’s Guide to Magical Horticulture, but I think we might want to wrap this up,” said Applejack as she pointed her hoof to Granny Smith, who had fallen asleep, and Apple Bloom, who looked soon ready to follow her. After helping to clean up the kitchen, both Mac and Applejack walked Twilight and Rarity to the door, Rarity and Mac allowed the couple some space to say goodbye in a more intimate manner.

Mac, not sure what to do, merely rubbed the back of his head with his hoof before finally saying, “Look, I’m sorry about dinner being awkward.”

Rarity merely gave a small smile and shook her head, “Oh think nothing of it dear, why I’m grateful you invited me, I’m sorry I wasn’t exactly a fountain of electric dinner conversation, I just have a lot on mind.”

Mac could only smile and give a soft laugh of his own, “Oh trust me I know now, listen if there’s one thing I can say to you it’s this. You need to stop being so hard on yourself, and I think honesty is your best policy, just tell Fluttershy how you feel.”

Rarity merely nodded her head affirmatively in reply before making her way towards the front door. After walking out into the cool night air, Rarity did her best not to notice Applejack and Twilight bringing their heads apart as she headed towards the main gate back towards Ponyville, Twilight soon caught up.

“So Rarity, sorry if AJ seemed a little off to you, I’m not entirely sure what was up with her at dinner,” Twilight said to her fellow unicorn.

“Oh it’s quite alright dear,” said Rarity as she looked away before adding, “So how’s it like, you know, you and Applejack?”

Twilight was fortunate that it was dark, so as to hide her blush, “Oh well, it’s, well it’s actually really great. You know I don’t like to brag, but I haven’t felt this way ever before.”

Rarity could indeed see what it was Twilight was talking about; there was this sense of happiness that came off her like a light glow. Rarity then only looked forward, unable to look at Twilight as she felt as if something from deep within her stomach was trying to force its way back up. Finally Rarity decided to just ask her friend what was on her mind, “So Twilight, do you think… I’ll ever find a special somepony?”

“Oh of course you will Rarity, I’m sure they’re out there right now, I mean I know your first prince might not turned out as you had planned, but that’s no reason to give up just yet,” said Twilight in her best attempt at lifting her friend’s spirits.

Rarity, while not entirely reassured by Twilight’s words, still put on a smile for her friend as they continued their journey back to Ponyville without any further noise shared between them.

…

Applejack headed back towards the farmhouse as she turned to catch a final glimpse of Twilight and Rarity walking back towards town, their figures growing smaller in the darkness. She then back to her brother still waiting at the door a goofy grin plastered across his face.

“Now what has got you all a twitter huh?” Applejack asked her brother.

Macintosh snapped out of his dream stance and looked over to his sister, his usual stoic face replacing his grin. He held the front door open for Applejack to walk into the living room, and then proceeded directly up the stairs towards his bedroom.

“Oh what’s the matter Mac, cat got your tongue?” She asked playfully.

Macintosh gave no reply and continued up the staircase, with Applejack following right behind. She was not entirely done with her interrogation. “That also begs the question, why did you invite Rarity to dinner? Also you and she apparently were ‘talking’ out in the fields all day, never took you for one to go shoot the breeze, especially with a young mare.”

Having finally made it to his room, Macintosh turned around to find his sister staring at him with a smug expression that suggested she had stumbled upon some secret. She only raised her eyebrow, suggesting she still awaited his answer, but Macintosh simply replied, “Good night AJ,” as he shut the door.

Hoping to find solace in the sanctuary of his own room Macintosh made his way towards the bed, but not before through the door Applejack’s voice broke through, “Well, good night then loverboy, if and when you’re ready to admit you’re head over hooves in love you can come find me and I’ll teach you the secret to wooing mares.”

Macintosh merely sighed as he went to bed, trying to drown out the thoughts now occupying his mind. Applejack headed back downstairs where Granny Smith was sitting in her rocker. “Uh Granny weren’t you asleep?” Applejack asked the wizened mare.

“Yep well not sure how a pony supposed to get any sleep around here with all you youngsters causing all this calamity,” said the matriarch with fire in her voice.

“Oh sorry about that, I was just teasing Big Mac is all,” replied Applejack as she headed into the kitchen.

Before she made it she heard her grandmother tell her, “Like sister, like brother, not sure what’s in the water that’s making you both so smitten with them unicorns.” Applejack was happy to be facing away from her so as to hide the blush on her face.

…

After a long day of confessing her secrets and feelings to Big Macintosh, followed by an awkward dinner with the Apple Family and Twilight, Rarity was certainly ecstatic to be home. She entered her boutique, and looked to find a lamp. After a few moments of blind searching, Rarity found what she was looking for and turned on the gas lamp, she then surveyed her studio. She was ashamed to admit that her ‘Fluttershy-related’ activities of the past couple of weeks had pulled attention away from her fashions.

Rarity, her mind now plagued with doubts, felt she needed something to pull her back from the odd double life she had been living recently. Following her friend around secretly on dates, tying up the other pony she had agreed to do it with, not telling anypony else about it aside from Applejack’s brother of all ponies. Rarity’s mind was buzzing with so many things that made little sense to her, she felt as if gnats were circling her, but she could not make them go away. As she walked over to her desk, where one of her last designs was left unattended, she took a needle in her magical grasp. Rarity then did something she had not done in days. She worked, and to her, the recent stresses of her personal were suppressed. They had certainly not disappeared, but they did feel forgotten. For now anyway, and for Rarity that was enough.

…

Fluttershy found herself in her usual position every week, sitting in Aloe and Lotus’ waiting room. Every week she had a spa date with Rarity, and most weeks Rarity would run late for them. Fluttershy did not mind, as it was at most ten minutes or so, this also gave Fluttershy a chance to read the magazines, which the spa was good about keeping updated, for advice about dating.

This was the other reason why she preferred Rarity being late. She feared that if Rarity found out she would feel like Fluttershy saw her as inadequate in providing advice, but for Fluttershy this was not the case at all. Growing up as a single child of wealthy parents came with several perks, her parents doted on her solely, and she never worried about being seen as lesser to any siblings. Fluttershy was not accustomed to having an older sister to come to with questions about boys and dating, which now left her severely lacking in both knowledge and experience in talking about it with other ponies.

A ringing at the door pulled Fluttershy’s attention from her article as Rarity walked through the door. Futtershy quickly put away her magazine and waved to her friend.

“Oh so sorry Fluttershy, I was up last night working on a new project, I’ve had a bit of a creator’s block the past couple of days and so I when an idea finally hit me last night I wanted to get as much done while it was fresh in my head,” said Rarity as she took off her baby blue cap and turned to the front desk where Aloe sat.

“The usual,” she said before the pale pink happily went off to prepare the bath for her two best customers.

…

Now submerged in the soothing bathwater, Rarity’s muscles began to loosen up, having been pushed to their limits after last night’s marathon dress making. Rarity stretched out her arms as she levitated a small bucket of soap and water, and began to wash her forelegs. Fluttershy inadvertently found herself staring at her friend, and looked away before she feared Rarity noticing. Rarity of course had noticed, but made fuss over it.

In an attempt to further distract herself, Fluttershy spoke up, “So Rarity, umm it seems I have another date planned for this weekend.”

“Oh, is it with Dr. Flummox?” Rarity of course had to continue pretending she knew nothing about how that night had ended, but her curiosity was certainly piqued by Fluttershy’s newest potential suitor.

“Oh yes, I had a wonderful night, but unfortunately she and I didn’t really feel a connection, but we’re going to continue to be friends. Also she said that she’d like to help me continue my training as a animal caretaker, and I’m thinking of taking her up on her offer.”

“Oh, well that sounds lovely dear, I think it might be an excellent idea to seek further training,” said Rarity as she forced back her true thoughts on the matter, but Fluttershy’s possible future, and Rarity’s role in it, were not the most pressing matter at the moment. “Now I hate to seem nosy, but you simply must tell me about this new date. Is it another mare?”

“Yes,” Fluttershy replied simply.

This was good news for Rarity, since it told her Fluttershy was still open to dating a mare, but she needed to know who this mystery mare was.

“Do I already know them?” Rarity asked, despite knowing the answer already, as she knew most of the ponies in the tiny town of Ponyville.

“Yes, actually you know her quite well.”

Rarity’s mind froze, she quickly put together the pieces and suddenly the answer came to mind.

However, Rarity did not wish to confirm her suspicions, and chose to play ignorant in hope she would receive a different answer. She shrugged her shoulders and gave a clueless look.

Fluttershy merely giggled as she said the name, “It’s Rainbow Dash, can you believe it, Rainbow Dash actually asked me out!”

Sometimes Rarity was convinced the universe knew exactly what she wanted, and then promptly proceeded to trample all over that. Her worst fear had been confirmed, her toughest, most dangerous opponent had made her move. Rainbow Dash would be taking out Fluttershy, and now the ball was in Rarity’s court. For the fashionista, only one option laid before her, even though she hated herself for choosing it.

For now though, Rarity put on her falsest smile, and looked to her friend and said, “Well that sounds lovely dear, I hope it goes well for you.”

Rarity was going to ensure it would.