Intimate Details

Intimate Details - Part 10 “History”

There was an impact to the air, like thunder without lightning. Rarity watched as all of the flimsy paper napkins and menus were flung off of the tables through the air. She half expected to see the lower half of her body, or maybe a long tunnel with a light at the end. Instead, Rarity saw every fine detail in the diner as the air around her pulsed and moved with a ferocious shockwave. Napkins and silverware shot through the air, tumbling over and over, catching the flat light and throwing it back like glimmering snowflakes.

“Stop this madness, Vinyl!” The voice was not unknown to her. Amidst the chaos of the shattered air in the diner, she heard a familiar tone and inflection.

“Step aside, Twilight!” Vinyl’s gruff, tomboyish voice met her ears. Rarity blinked absently and brought her gaze around to the scene before her at last. The spell had faded away, leaving in its wake two magi with glowing hands. Both of them had different colors. Vinyl’s was not unlike Rarity’s, though perhaps a little darker, and more dense.

Twilight’s, however, was violet, and dense. She stood opposite Vinyl Scratch, her expression drawn down seriously. “I’m not moving until the authorities arrive, Vinyl.” Twilight growled. “ You've committed a serious crime today.”

“YOU THINK THAT MATTERS?!” Vinyl roared, leveling her hands at Twilight, and Rarity standing behind her. “She threatened me first! SHE THREATENED TAVI!”

“Calm down.” Twilight lifted a single hand, deflecting the next shockwave that came from Vinyl. It ricocheted into the ceiling, dropping dust and plaster onto their heads. By now, every other patron in the diner had ran away. Rarity could hear sirens in the distance.

“I’m not going to calm down until I have that bitch’s head on a platter!” Vinyl pointed at Rarity, the finger shaking with her pent-up anger.

“Rarity.” She heard another voice reach her ears, Glancing to the side, Rarity saw Octavia, her brow drawn in an intense frown. “Come on. We should leave.” Rarity’s legs finally began to work as Octavia pulled on her arm. She stumbled a few steps away.

“Oh no you don’t!” Vinyl stomped one foot and thrust a hand towards them. A brilliant bolt of crackling blue energy shot out, arcing through the air. Twilight deflected it with a deft flick of her wrist, sending the bolt of energy shooting through one of the shattered windows and out into the night. Octavia tugged her along more insistently, even as a second bolt impacted the linoleum tiles at their feet. Twilight was doing everything she could to cover their retreat. Rarity watched as her hands waved and swayed to and fro, perfectly countering each spell Vinyl was shooting their way. From what little Rarity knew of combat magic, the two appeared evenly matched. But she was soon proved wrong. Twilight began to turn each spell back on Vinyl, putting the blue-haired DJ on the defensive. As Octavia pulled her through the front door of the diner, she watched Twilight turn two more bolts at her assailant. The first missed but the second caught her in the chest, making her stumble. Vinyl came back with another larger bolt, which Twilight made vanish into thin air with a loud, whip-like crack.

“Come ON!” Octavia’s insistent tug snapped Rarity out of her reverie. She stumbled but picked up into a run as Octavia released her arm. Following the cellist away from the diner, the two of them sprinted a short block to a parking lot Rarity hadn’t seen. Both Octavia’s and Twilight’s cars were parked there.

“Did you two follow me here?!”

“Twilight overheard Vinyl when she called you!” Octavia flung the driver’s side door of her car open, while Rarity slipped into the passenger side. “Why didn’t you tell me?!” The engine roared to life, and Octavia peeled out into the street, jamming hard on the gas to avoid being rear-ended by the car she cut off.

“Tell you what?” Rarity clung to the handle above the door as the car shot off down the road, screeching around the next turn.

“That Vinyl had called you out.” Octavia’s voice dropped as the roaring engine shifted gears, dying down in intensity as they joined the normal flow of traffic, albeit with a few angry gestures from other drivers. The diner was two blocks behind them, but they could still hear the sirens. “That she wanted to meet with you. You should have told me. I’d have stopped you from going.”

“I didn’t think it was anything you wanted to involve yourself in… Not anymore.” Rarity admitted with a blush. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Rarity…” Octavia looked at her sympathetically. “I’m a human. It takes a lot to make me bruise. The ones you healed weren’t inflicted by Vinyl’s fists. She’s a loose cannon. She can’t control herself when she feels so passionately about something. She was ready to kill you back there. You’re lucky Twilight and I followed you. You’re lucky we were there.”

“Why were you there?” Rarity asked, narrowing her eyes across the console at Octavia. “Twilight I can understand. But why did you come along?”

“I assure you,” Octavia sighed as she changed lanes. “It was purely out of interest in your well-being. I didn’t want to see you covered in the same bruises I wore. Or worse.” She glanced across the console at Rarity, who was still looking at her darkly. “Oh fine. I wanted to know what you two would talk about is all…” She smiled faintly then. In the aftermath of the life-threatening experience, Rarity thought it was remarkably out-of-place. But it was also rather welcome. She felt her heart return to a somewhat normal pace. “I’m happy, Rarity.” Octavia continued. “You stood up to Vinyl for me. For us. What’s more, you told her off… I… I haven’t had anyone fight for me in a long, long time…” Octavia’s sad smile was almost painful to see. “It feels good to have someone on the home team, as it were…”

Hesitantly, Rarity reached her hand out, taking Octavia’s off of the wheel. The cellist clutched her hand. Like it was her last lifeline.

“The diner’s owner is pressing charges against Vinyl.” Twilight sighed as she pushed through the door to Octavia’s flat. Both Octavia and Rarity shot up from the couch, rushing forward to her with concerned frowns on their faces. “The authorities have her in custody, but she’s cooperative, so they’ll likely release her with a court date. And no, neither of you will have to be present.” Twilight raised a hand, cutting Rarity off before she could speak. Octavia took her coat, going to hang it up as Twilight leaned against the closed door with a sigh. “As far as they’re concerned, neither of you were even there in the first place. I doubt you’ll have to even stick your heads into this matter.” Twilight groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Octavia offered meekly. Twilight looked up at her, her eyes hard with the pain of a migraine.

“Gin. Triple. If you have it.”

“O… Okay.” Octavia gave Rarity a concerned look, but Rarity nodded it was okay. For magi, alcohol helped dumb down the brain’s impulses, which had effectively been shot into overdrive from using magic. It helped them relax and recover from the painful headaches of excessive magic usage. What Twilight needed at that moment was a strong drink and a long night’s rest. As Octavia left for the kitchen, Rarity and Twilight sat in the living room. The fire was crackling merrily, but Twilight winced at the flickering light. Rarity doused the flames and instead turned the lamps on low.

“How bad was it?” Rarity asked gently, leaning forward towards Twilight.

“Ugh… We were both using suppression auras. It wouldn't look like much to you two, but inside that diner, we were giving it our all… I’m exhausted.” Twilight sighed and buried her face in her hands, rubbing away at the bags beneath her eyes. “She’s so powerful, but so unpracticed… If she just applied herself, she’d be every bit as skilled as I am.”

“Is she really your sister?” Rarity asked. That had been the question plaguing her mind for the last few tentative hours. She and Octavia had returned to the cellist’s flat, fearing the police would come knocking at any moment. The entire time, Rarity ran through Vinyl’s words. Her death threats. What was her relation to Twilight, exactly? Why would they even have reason to lie to her about Vinyl being Twilight’s sister?

“She is.” Twilight nodded. Rarity watched as Twilight struggled with a way to word the next few sentences carefully. In that time, Octavia returned, sporting three glasses and a full bottle of gin.

“I just brought the bottle. I think we could all use a drink.”

“Thank you.” Rarity poured them all three tall glasses. Twilight took hers and downed it with a grimace before refilling the second. Octavia and Rarity sipped idly at their own, waiting for Twilight to continue. On her third glass, Twilight slowed down, enough to talk.

“My mother and father had Shining and I after they were married. Vinyl was born from my father’s first love. He had her at a very young age, and her mother looked after her for the most part.” Twilight finally began to explain, nursing her glass of gin. “Neither Shining nor I even learned about it until shortly before his wedding. She actually kind of bridged the gap by DJ-ing the reception. After that, we started talking more often. Got to know one another. Apparently her mother was kind of abusive, and didn’t really like her magic. She seldom used it. But when she was a teen, she discovered music, and began using her magic more often in making it. That’s when she discovered she had the talent. Shortly after that, she met Octavia… The rest is history.” Twilight’s explanation sure seemed to fit. But Rarity was still frowning. An abusive history was no reason for her to act the way she did. The three of them were silent after that, each one nursing dark thoughts and bitter gin. Rarity was halfway through her second glass when Twilight spoke once more.

“Octavia, I’d hate to ask, but can I-“

“No, of course.” Octavia gestured to the hallway over her shoulder. “I have plenty of guest rooms. I can’t expect you to drive out of here after all this anyways.”

“Thanks.” Twilight muttered. She shot a quick glance towards Rarity, who lifted a shoulder indifferently. She didn’t feel all that strongly either way, whether or not Twilight stayed the night. What mattered is whether or not she did. Octavia met her eyes across the coffee table, and that one look betrayed the same thoughts. Each of them was wondering one thing and one thing only:

Where did they go from here?

“Poor thing. She’s out cold.” Octavia said quietly. Rarity sat on the edge of her bed, looking out of the windows at the leaden sky, the glimmering lights of the city below.

“Yes… Using a lot of magic takes it out of a magi… She’ll be asleep for close to ten hours.”

“That’s fine. I don’t have anything going on for the next few days anyways.” Octavia slowly approached. Rarity listened to her bare feet pass over the carpet until she sat next to her. She snapped out of her reverie when Octavia rested the side of her head on Rarity’s shoulder. Almost out of reflex, she wound her arm around Octavia’s waist, drawing her closer to her side. Octavia responded by nuzzling closer, sighing contentedly. Rarity found herself pleasantly distracted from the dark, cold thoughts that had been plaguing her mind ever since the diner. She turned her head to the side and kissed Octavia’s temple, heaving a gentle sigh of her own.

“Our life is crazy, isn’t it?” Octavia mused.

“We have a life?” Rarity asked absently. Octavia sat still for a few moments before reaching out to take Rarity’s hand in her own.

“I’d like to have a life with you…”

“You barely know me.”

“And the same goes for you.” Octavia sat up then, turning towards Rarity. Tears glimmered in her eyes, but she wore a happy smile. “That means we should spend some time getting to know one another, right?” Rarity searched her eyes for a long while. In those glimmering amethyst depths, Rarity saw Octavia’s true intention. She didn’t want someone to share her life with. She wanted an anchor. A rock. Someone to keep her grounded in reality.

In that moment, Rarity needed the exact same thing. While she might not be the anchor Octavia needed, they could at least be lost at sea together. Gently, Rarity took her other hand.

“Right.”

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Rarity smiled as Twilight padded out of the hall and into the kitchen. She yawned wide and slipped into a seat at the breakfast bar. Hair frazzled, bags beneath her eyes, Twilight looked terrible. “Coffee?”

“Water, please…” She muttered. Rarity obliged by pouring her a tall glass with plenty of ice. Twilight gulped at it eagerly. She looked marginally better.

“I’m making eggs. Want some?”

“If that’s okay…” Twilight said guardedly, looking around. “Is Octavia awake yet?”

“She’s showering.” Rarity gestured with her spatula back down the hall, her attention still fixed on the peppers and onions on the sizzling pan before her. “She’ll be along momentarily.”

“Right. Because I have a proposition.” Twilight’s statement made Rarity stiffen up, looking over her shoulder at the purple-haired magi with a concerned expression. Twilight just frowned at her in return, her expression serious. Even with her frazzled and unkempt hair, Twilight was an intimidating figure. Rarity turned back to the vegetables, though her thoughts were more preoccupied with whatever it was Twilight was going to propose. She served three plates of steaming eggs topped with mushrooms, peppers, onions, and diced celery. Twilight ate daintily, even though Rarity knew she must be ravenous. Octavia joined them after a short while. Twilight and Rarity shared a look, but the skilled magi let the other two finish breakfast before she began to speak.

“I have a proposition for you two.” Twilight sat back in her chair, draping one leg over the other knee. Octavia wiped her mouth and looked up at her, seeming rather shocked but open to her proposal.

“Okay… Let’s hear it.”

“Rarity comes back with me to Ponyville.” Twilight held a hand up, cutting her off before Rarity had a chance to open her mouth. “Temporarily. Until Vinyl is finished with the legal end of her little outburst. I dare say your friends would like to see you again.” At the mention of her old friends, Rarity flagged. Octavia didn’t miss the soft frown that crossed her lips, either. Twilight continued. “I’ll keep her protected, and it’ll serve as a pleasant distraction to all that’s happened recently.” Both the other women raised their heads at that last part.

“All that’s happened?” Octavia asked. Twilight didn’t miss the meaning, not any more than Rarity or Octavia had. She addressed the issue that seemed to be troubling her with a soft sigh.

“I’d be lying if I said this development between you two has rustled more than a few feathers across the board. Vinyl is, very obviously, distraught. Shining was rather excited to have an elder sister he was on good terms with, so seeing her so upset has got him in a tiff.” Twilight then turned her gaze to Rarity. “And the others assumed you were moving to Canterlot just to help Sweetie Belle get through her education. Only Dash and I know about…” Twilight caught herself, glancing at Octavia.

“She knows.” Rarity waved her off.

“Right.” Twilight’s frown intensified, but she went on. “They didn’t know you left Ponyville because of what happened. Between that and lying about you leaving for health reasons, to be closer to a better doctor, they don’t know what happened. In fact, as far as they’re concerned, we’re still together.” Twilight sat back in her chair, folding her arms across her breasts.

“Really?” Rarity arched an eyebrow. “You’re still keeping appearances? After all this time?”

“I leave on frequent trips. They think I’m coming to Canterlot to see you.” Twilight said softly, lowering her gaze. “I told them you’re in the hospital, still recovering from the mental trauma of the accident. They’re all rather busy, so they don’t come to visit… But they miss you like mad. We all do, Rarity…” Twilight’s expression softened, if only marginally. But Rarity couldn’t erase the frown from her face.

“You’re lying to them, Twilight. Where do you go on these trips of yours?”

“I come here." Twilight countered, frowning intently. "To look after Sweetie Belle's education. To take lessons from Celestia, or to visit the library. I have a temporary home on the North edge of the city. Rarity, I’m trying to keep the only friends I have left from falling apart. If I tell them the truth of what happened between you and me, they would abandon me. Just like you did. Now please, Rarity.” Twilight’s eyes were beginning to well up with tears. “Please. Just consider the plan. If not for yourself, then for them.” They all fell silent in that moment. Rarity and Octavia leaned back in their chairs, each of them considering the plan. Rarity was still in a daze, so her thoughts were all over. She hadn’t even realized it when Octavia padded to the console by the elevator.

“Hello?”

“Miss Delacroix here to see you.” Octavia looked up at them, a pleading expression on her face.

“We’re… Kind of in the middle of something.” Twilight offered. Rarity just looked blankly ahead. Octavia leaned back into the intercom.

“Send her up.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Octavia leaned against the wall, watching the elevator for a few long minutes. At last, it dinged and opened, and Natalie stood there.

“I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“I’ve been busy.” Octavia offered sheepishly, waving a hand at Twilight and Rarity. Natalie blinked, looking over Octavia’s shoulder at the two women.

“Oh. Rarity. Wow, you really have some intuition, eh?” Natalie cracked a smile and swept around Octavia, who opened her mouth with a protest. Rarity blinked as Natalie strutted across the flat to take her hand, leaning in to kiss her cheek with a wide grin. “We need to talk, darling. The entire city is ablaze with the need for another performance with one of your dresses.”

“We’re talking about something more serious than a dress right now.” Twilight interjected with a firm statement, drawing Natalie away.

“I’m sorry, and you are?” Natalie asked, arching an eyebrow at Twilight. Her eyes flickered up to Twilight’s hair. “Oh no…” She looked around to Rarity, who didn’t look quite her best. Then back to Octavia, who was frumpy herself. A sly grin spread across her lips. “Long night, Tavi?”

“Oh dear,” Twilight rolled her eyes, scoffing as she stood up. The stool at the breakfast bar nearly tipped over, but she caught it and righted it with a bit of magic. “When you’re ready to seriously consider my proposal, please give me a call.” Twilight nodded to Rarity. “You know my number, and I have yours. I’ll send you a text just in case.”

“R-right.” Rarity stuttered, still rather shocked. Twilight turned and left the flat in short order, giving a cursory nod to Octavia as she passed. When the door to the elevator landing’s lobby slammed, Natalie frowned intently.

“She’s awfully grumpy.”

Both Octavia and Rarity shared a look before answering simultaneously.

“You don’t even know.”

“So, have you considered my proposal?” Twilight asked. The three of them sat around a single table at some late-night restaurant, with glasses of water and menus before them. Rarity thought Twilight had invited them to dinner to chat amicably, and maybe get around to the topic later. It appeared she had nothing but business on the mind. They hadn't even ordered yet. Rarity sighed and leaned back in her chair. Underneath the table, she felt Octavia’s hand rest on her leg, giving her a reassuring squeeze. She returned the sentiment with a gentle smile.

“I have seriously considered your offer, and with all due respect, I refuse.” Rarity said confidently.

“Explain.” Twilight said flatly. Rarity cleared her throat and found Octavia’s hand beneath the table.

“I’m not running away simply because there’s some conflict-”

“Some.” Twilight scoffed. Rarity ignored her.

“I’m not giving up on something good. I will stay here in Canterlot. With your support, Sweetie Belle will continue her studies, but with the additional income I’m making, I’ll give her housing.”

“You can’t afford your own home and one for Sweetie Belle.” Twilight frowned intently. Rarity lifted a finger.

“Aah. I won’t be living alone anymore.” She shot Octavia a glance and a smile, and got a reassuring squeeze in return. “I’m moving in with Octavia.” Twilight looked at them incredulously.

“Really?”

“Of course.” Octavia leaned in, taking over the conversation. “I have too much space in that flat to have to myself. I’d be only all too happy to have Rarity living with me. Not to mention, the security is top-notch. Nobody gets in without my say-so. The guards at the desk are well-trained magi who can easily keep Vinyl at bay, provided she goes on another one of her… Episodes. It’s not far from the boutique, and Rarity will be saving plenty of money on rent. Enough to provide for Sweetie Belle. I think we can all agree that takes precedence.”

“She doesn’t even know what’s been happening.” Rarity muttered. “She thinks I’ve been sleeping at Octavia’s for the past few nights. She’s staying at my apartment for now. We really need to fill her in on all that’s happened.”

“I can take care of that.” Twilight said curtly. Octavia and Rarity both watched as she stood from her seat, frowning intently at them. “Enjoy, you two. I doubt you’ll see me again.”

“Twilight-“ Rarity raised her hand, but Twilight spun on her heel and left them both. In the stunned silence that followed, all Rarity and Octavia could do was look at the empty seat opposite them. It took some time, but Octavia spoke first.

“That was rude.”

“Tell me about it.”

“She didn’t even leave a tip.”

After a brief moment, both women burst out laughing. Not the typical jovial laughter of sharing a happy or funny moment. It wasn’t even nervous laughter. The two of them were laughing because they had no idea what they had just gotten themselves into. But whatever it was, they would have each other. And that was what mattered most.