Intimate Details - Part 15 “The Best Night Ever” - Part 1

“Oh darling.” Rarity sighed as she slowly sank down into the cool embrace of the mud. “This was exactly what we needed.”

“I told you.” Octavia groaned next to her, slowly lowering her own well-endowed body into her own tub of chilled mud next to Rarity.

“Indeed you did.” Rarity moved slower, seeking the stone bench hidden through the layer of mineral-packed earth. “Aah…” She met the shelf and slowly lowered herself until she rested her back against the wall. Everything but her neck and shoulders rested beneath the mud, and she watched as Octavia’s breasts disappeared beneath the surface as well.

“Would you rather be doing this,” Octavia moaned. “Or fretting over the table spread back in Canterlot?”

“Shush you.” Rarity smiled nevertheless, lifting one muddy arm to reach across the short span of tile floor to Octavia’s own tub. Octavia met her hand halfway, the two of them gazing into one another’s eyes. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Rarity would have kissed her then, if there wasn’t two feet of stone, tile, and mud separating them. Still, she smiled at Octavia, and the two of them settled in for a long soak. It had been three months since Octavia proposed to her. The two of them were enjoying the engaged life, and since then, Rarity had gone with Octavia to all of their social functions. Octavia told her time and again how at previous functions she would be the brunt of many jokes about her figure or her well-endowed hips. Her previous wardrobe malfunctions were the stuff of gossip legend back in the day, and even Rarity had to laugh and blush at several of the stories her lover shared.

But with Rarity at her side, Octavia soon became the prime source for a new sort of gossip. Rarity had all but overhauled Octavia’s old wardrobe and had substituted it with custom-tailored clothes for all occasions. Rarity worked hard and in one month had given Octavia all the garments she would need, and was on standby to make more as time went on. Pajamas, formal dresses, informal and casual wear, even lingerie. There wasn’t a stitch of clothing in Octavia’s wardrobe that Rarity hadn’t made with her own hands and magic. Even the deeper, more intimate pieces were wrought with a fair blush and plenty of intimate measurements. But the crown jewels of Octavia’s new wardrobe were the custom-made dresses for each new social function. Rarity had her own repertoire of dresses ready to be showcased, but making new ones for each of Octavia’s engagements was an exciting experience.

The Canterlot elite were treated every time the famous couple showed up to a ball, or a charity function, or a fancy dinner. Rarity would make stunning pieces, and stand at Octavia’s side as the two of them were surrounded by admiration. Perhaps Rarity was acting vain, but she began to look forward to each new formal ball and charity dinner more and more. Octavia seemed like she could do without the limelight, but she handled it gracefully. It was maybe the one point of contention in their relationship. One short month into the engagement, and they had had a small argument about one particular formal dinner that Octavia didn’t want to attend. It was then that Rarity saw she was pressing her social engagements on Octavia, and she backed off. Since then, the two of them attended sparingly, and enjoyed their time pursuing other avenues of entertainment - much to the disdain of Octavia’s bedsheets.

Rarity was happy with her new life. Sweetie Belle’s schooling was going marvelously, and she had even bridged the gap between her and her old lover Scootaloo. Rarity’s work kept her occupied, while Octavia began working on a solo album, recording much of her own work from home. But there was some stress, to be sure… Twilight’s return to Ponyville heralded a new wave of grief from her old friends. None of them took too kindly to Twilight’s lies. A frown crossed her face as she remembered meeting them all in a small Canterlot café.

Canterlot wasn’t terribly far from Ponyville by train, so the five of them had agreed on a short lunch date. Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all met up shortly after noon. At first, things were nice. There were plenty of tearful hugs to go around, and everyone seemed happy with one another. Until the topic of Twilight came around.

“I just don’t understand.” Fluttershy muttered. “Why would she lie to us?”

“Well…” Rarity tapped a finger on the table they were seated at. “She was afraid of what you’d think. In any situation, cheating on a loved one isn’t very nice. Friends or not, it was wrong of her to go behind my back and do what she did with Rainbow Dash. No offense, darling.”

“Hey, none taken. It was all in the past anyways. I was so busy with Wonderbolts training, I never saw you. But Twilight told me you were okay with it. I wanted to see you and talk to you about it, but any time I was free, you were busy… It never worked out.” Dash leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms beneath her breasts with a small frown.

“So she lied to both of us…” Rarity mused.

“Wow, that’s like, way uncool!” Pinkie Pie offered, standing up. “It actually makes me really angry! I mean, we’re her friends, right?!” She curled her hands into fists, looking around at the rest of them. “I oughta give her a piece of my mind!”

“Calm down, sugar.” Applejack cut Pinkie off, reaching a hand across the table. “It sounds like Princess Celestia already did that for ya. Ah mean, it ain’t very nice of her either way, but it sounds like Twilight learned her lesson in the end. Y’all shoulda seen her when she got back, Rarity… She looked miserable, and the way she begged each of us… Tell her, Fluttershy.”

“Oh, it’s true!” Fluttershy squeaked. “She looked absolutely dreadful, and her eyes. Why, they were so red… I felt sorry for her.”

“I think we all did.” Rainbow Dash concluded. “But still. I never meant for things to go that far. She should have come clean when you moved to Canterlot.”

“Keepin’ it a secret for all them years… Ah’m ashamed to call her a friend anymore.”

“Now girls.” Rarity smiled. “Don’t be so hard on her. Like you said, Applejack, she learned her lesson.”

“Ah’m still angry with her.” Applejack crossed her arms stubbornly.

“Me too!” Pinkie Pie chimed in. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash shared a look. Rarity almost felt bad for Twilight. But one thing was certain: All of her other friends were still there for her. The talk moved on from Twilight and to a new topic: Rarity. Everything from her exodus to her engagement to Octavia was the new topic of conversation, and Rarity smiled and laughed the rest of the lunch away. When her friends left, it was with a promise that they would return as often as they could to visit. Rarity was excited to be with her old friends again. But she was also saddened at Twilight’s loss. Despite how close she was to the four of them, Twilight could never hope to bridge the gap she had made.

But those things were all weeks ago. Now, Rarity’s primary concern was enjoying this spa. One week at Le Magnifique’, the same spa Twilight had almost taken her to, was Octavia’s wedding gift to her. To make up for the wardrobe overhaul, she said time and again; though it was as much for Octavia’s benefit as it was Rarity’s. Both women had spent the last six days being waited on hand and foot, with every luxury available to them. They hadn’t settled on a regular suite, either. Octavia had purchased the master suite, and the grandest package the spa offered. Day one consisted of mineral springs bathing and a full-body massage. Day two was spent scrubbing every last inch free of dead skin. The process had hurt a little, but Rarity swore she and Octavia were radiant in the mirror. Day three had been mineral wraps and some healthy exercise. Day four was spent in the mineral springs for the first half, and the second half was spent on the town, wining and dining to their hearts content. The last three days, they were allowed to pick and choose their treatments. Now, on the evening of the seventh day, they were to enjoy one last mud soak, a full-body massage, and their last night on the massive, soft down bed of the master suite.

All of this, of course, was to distract Rarity from the real present.

Back in Canterlot, Octavia had a full team of professional designers, planners, and an all-too-eager Pinkie Pie preparing for their wedding.

Rarity had made a massive fuss over not being present for the preparations. It had almost come to a point of contention between her and Octavia, but the cellist had explained how she would rather see Rarity rested and relaxed. The last thing she wanted was Rarity overdoing the preparations and being too tired to actually enjoy her own wedding. Admittedly, Rarity was bad at overworking herself.

So here they were. Six days into the most luxurious spa trip of her entire life, with the seventh nearly done and over with. Day after tomorrow, Rarity would be married to Octavia. As she closed her eyes and reclined in the mud bath, A warm smile crept over her face.

The next morning dawned bright and airy, with just a ghost of winter’s chill on the last tendrils of night. It was March, and the next day would be the first of spring. Octavia had planned it all in advance, it seemed. She would joke with Rarity late at night about their relationship, like it was from some ancient tale of old.

“We were cold and broken when we came together,” She would tease, kissing Rarity’s neck. “But we hunkered down for the long winter, and our love blooms in the first light of spring.”

“Stop that,” Rarity would squirm and pant, and Octavia would continue to spin tales, until their mouths became busier with more important things. They had made love last night, a wild and passionate ordeal that left the both of them sweaty and flushed. After a long and luxurious midnight bath, they changed sheets and slept until it was almost lunch time. One last visit to the salon in the spa before they left, and the betrothed women boarded the train for Canterlot as radiant as either had ever been.

“We’ll have to go again on our anniversary.” Octavia said, sitting opposite Rarity in their own cabin of the train.

“That’s got to be too expensive.” Rarity’s brow furrowed. “I mean, it had to have been at least four th-“

“Aah.” Octavia cut her off with a finger. “Don’t worry about the price.” She smiled. “That’s going to put a damper on our spirits.” Her smile slowly turned into a grimace.

“That bad, huh?” Rarity quipped.

“I hope you have some tighter belts is all.”

They laughed at that. Rarity knew that, no matter what befell the two of them, they would be happy together. Octavia had plenty of money to pay for everything, and with the publicity she was getting from the social functions, Rarity’s own boutique was swollen with requests for high-priced dresses. They never were want for food or comfort or home.

The ride back to Canterlot was peaceful and full of sights to see. Rarity seldom travelled, so going to the mountain city had been a treat, and coming back was just as sweet. Octavia smiled and humored her. Rarity remembered Trottingham was where the symphony would go to record studio sessions or practice whenever they were away from Canterlot. Octavia had probably taken this trip half a hundred times in her career. Still, she looked out of the window with Rarity, pointing out trees, lakes, and winding mountain passes.

Canterlot emerged from the mountains at last, and the train descended towards the sprawling capitol. Before long, they were among the streets, moving through the industrial area, then a large residential area, then the tall skyscrapers of the business district, and finally coming to a stop at the train platform on the far side of the city. “Goodness,” Rarity breathed deep as she stepped off of the train with her luggage. “You leave for one week and the whole city changes.”

“I think it’s just us that’s changed, love.” Octavia kissed her cheek as she led them to the parking lot and her car. The drive back to their apartment was quiet, and they arrived mid-evening. After leaving their luggage in the wardrobe, a spare bedroom Rarity had converted for both their collections of clothes, they retired to the kitchen.

“Want to order something?” Octavia asked, slipping into the breakfast bar’s high chair with a glass of water.

“On the eve of our wedding? Hardly.” Rarity smiled and cracked the fridge. She was in somewhat of a mood. “I’ll cook for you.”

“Us.” Octavia corrected. She was always critical of those sorts of things. Cutely so.

“It’s a wife’s duty to cook for her-“

“If you say husband, I’ll whip you.” Octavia growled playfully.

“We never did talk about that.” Rarity brushed her off, straightening from the fridge with a bundle of green onions. She felt like making shrimp scampi. “Which one of us is which?”

“We’re both wearing a dress to the wedding.” Octavia was more serious now, but she spoke with a contemplative look, like some old philosopher pondering the meaning of life. “Wouldn’t we both be wives?”

“I think that’s most proper. It’d be odd if I introduced you as my husband to my friends.”

“There you go with that word again.” Octavia’s smile was dangerous, and made Rarity’s heart pound. She began dicing onions, while she warmed a skillet on the stove. “I could always introduce you as my concubine whenever we go out.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Rarity feigned shock. “I don’t think I could handle the embarrassment. Why, I might just have to make the hem on your next dress a little less strong…”

“You wouldn’t.” Octavia paled visibly. Canterlot’s high society had been aflame with a picture of her scanty black lingerie at one point after a particularly nasty wardrobe malfunction.

“Ooh, I’d make sure you wore the custom piece I made you. You know, the one with the cute pink bow right below your belly button.” Rarity grinned over her shoulder. “And garters. Scandalous.”

“Oh, what have I gotten myself into?” Octavia groaned. Rarity laughed and leaned across the counter to give her wife a warm kiss.

“Something wonderful, I’d hope.” Octavia grinned at that, pulling her closer for a deeper kiss.

“Something wonderful indeed.”

“Wake up, sister.” Sweetie Belle’s voice ought not to belong in Octavia’s bedroom. Rarity blinked heavily, her vision still blurry with sleep.

“Sweetie?”

“Come on, get up!” The sound of a woman’s laughter stirred her further, to say nothing of the insistent tug at her arm. Rarity groaned at the chill early-spring air inside the apartment. She was loathe to leave her warm bed, with Octavia keeping her safe from the nightmares. But the bed was empty, and she was being hounded by the most devilish of creatures some hellish person had seen fit to name sisters. “You’re getting married today~!” If nothing else, that woke her up. Rarity couldn’t help but smile as she slid her bare legs from underneath the heavy comforter and stood in the chill spring air. Sweetie Belle gave her rear a swift smack, the hot flash of pain serving to burn away the morning grogginess.

“Ow! Sweetie!”

“Haha! That woke you up. Come on, I’ve got breakfast ready for you. And put some pants on, you’ll catch a chill.” Sweetie Belle shoved a pair of pajama pants into Rarity’s hands and skipped out of the door, leaving a grumpy Rarity behind. She stepped into the pants and straightened the loose t-shirt she had worn to bed. Padding barefoot into the hallway, Rarity stretched the last of her fatigue away and followed the scent of breakfast.

“Where’s Octavia?” Rarity groaned, scratching an itch on her neck as she sat at the breakfast bar.

“Left about ten minutes ago.” Sweetie Belle said, setting a steaming plate of eggs and hash browns in front of her. “She said it’s bad luck for the groom to see his bride on their wedding day.” Her devious smile mirrored Rarity’s as the bride-to-be set in on her breakfast. Sweetie Belle busied herself with dishes while Rarity ate, and after her plate was cleaned, her little sister urged her down the hall. “Now go shower. And take your time! Remember, you’re getting married today!”

The hot water was bracing, and Rarity took plenty of time scrubbing herself clean. Today was her wedding day. In retrospect, Rarity could hardly believe it. She had known Octavia maybe a month before they were engaged, and had only lived together for three after that. Now she was getting married, and things were finally looking up. The long years she had spent surviving on one loaf of bread at a time, working her fingers to the bone seemed almost like a dream now. Some grey haze between Ponyville and Canterlot.

She was in the city now, her boutique was prosperous, her fiancé was radiant, and her sister was happy. That was the most important part. Sweetie Belle was prospering in her studies, and visited frequently. The trial was over. Now, Rarity could be happy. Now, she could live her life.

The bathroom was laden with steam as Rarity emerged from the shower. She hastily toweled her hair as dry as she could, lest the air drying leave it frazzled and unkempt. While her body air-dried, she began working sprays and gels into her hair, getting it to a workable state. When she was dry enough, she changed into pajamas and left the bathroom. Sweetie Belle was waiting for her.

“I’ve been studying beautification lately.” She said meekly. Gone was her exuberance, replaced with an odd sense of solemnity for such a young woman. “I know today’s important, but I feel really confident. I’d be happy if you would let me work your hair and makeup.”

“Sweetie,” Rarity smiled, laying her hand on her sister’s arm. “I’d be happy to.” Her smile returned then, and she took Rarity’s hand in her own.

“Come on!” Sweetie tugged her into the bedroom, where Rarity’s vanity sat next to the small dresser. Beautification was a vain magic, but rumor had it there were magi who used spells to change flesh and bone, not just manipulate ink into and out of skin. It was a magic that wove hair into magnificent tapestries and painted makeup in such fine detail that no hand as steady as hers could ever dream of accomplishing. There was a point long ago when Rarity had tried to weave gems into Princess Cadance’s hair… The scroll she had was an old beautification spell, and while Rarity was an amateur at the language of magic, she was still in awe of the beauty the spell wrought.

Sweetie Belle worked similar spells now, though she didn’t have precious gems to work with, and she certainly didn’t brand Rarity’s skin with lewd ink drawings, as gossip had said beautification spells often did. Instead, Rarity watched her freshly-scrubbed face transformed into a thing of beauty. Her hair was smoothed and evened out, and then woven into an intricate braid, the kind that zig-zagged back and forth as it fell past her shoulders and tapered into a figure-eight turned sideways, fixed with a small red bow. Sweetie Bell worked for an hour, casting spells and guiding her glowing hands over Rarity’s face and shoulders. When she finished, Rarity looked stunning. She wondered how Octavia would react when she saw her bride looking so radiant.

“We should get going.”

“Right.” Rarity managed to tear her gaze away from the mirror as she dressed in something other than pajamas. She would change into her wedding dress at the castle with Amethyst’s help, a scant hour before the ceremony. For now, she wore slacks, tennis shoes, and a loose-fitting blouse. The dress was waiting for her at the palace. Sweetie Belle drove them, and Rarity felt the first tendrils of apprehension and nervousness wind their way into her breast. As they turned down the main road, with the seat of the princesses looming before them, Rarity began to breathe a little faster. It had all been a fancy dream until now. Before, she and Octavia had joked about their wedding arrangements, how miffed Octavia’s dour-and-devout father would be that his daughter had taken a lesbian lover for a wife. They had shared jokes back and forth about how they would be in the tabloids as Canterlot’s most famous lesbian couple, and more. But now, things were serious. She would be saying her vows in just a few hours’ time.

As they approached the castle’s gates, Rarity remembered another wedding that had taken place in this very palace, back when things were much more different than they were now. After the whole changeling ordeal had happened, Rarity had the pleasure of speaking with Princess Cadance about marriage. Being a lesbian, or at least bi-sexual, for most of her life, Rarity was curious how the throne condoned same-sex marriage. Cadance had told her something that still stuck with her to this day.

“Love doesn’t care about gender, or race. Love isn’t biased by beauty or ugliness. It isn’t some judgmental thing, cruel and hard with its iron rules and regulations. Love is free and open-minded. All that matters is that you care as intensely for the other person as you do for yourself. That’s what love is. Sharing your life with someone. Every detail of your waking day, from the first bite of your breakfast to the most shudder-inducing throes of orgasmic bliss, you and this person, whoever it may be, will share everything.”

Rarity had been in love with Twilight then. Now, things were only slightly different. She was to wed Octavia, and she felt the same way she had about Twilight. Stronger, even. She had had four months to be with this woman. They lived together, ate together, slept together, even bathed together. To say nothing of the other things they had done. From the emotional highs she had shared, listening to music and making love, to the mundane little things like sitting in the den and reading one book or another across from one another; Rarity shared everything with Octavia. And Octavia shared everything with Rarity. The two of them were compatible. They clicked. Like two gears turning together.

As the gates to Canterlot Castle opened to admit Sweetie Belle’s car, Rarity no longer felt apprehensive or nervous. Instead, excitement welled up within her chest. Amethyst was waiting on the front steps for her, all smiles and warmth.

“Are you excited?!” She bubbled, wrapping Rarity in a careful but passionate hug.

“You don’t even know.” Rarity grinned back at Amethyst as Sweetie Belle joined them.

“Let’s get started. Wow, you look incredible. Don’t tell me, Sweetie Belle… You’re studying Beautification?”

“Indeed I am.” Sweetie grinned. She and Amethyst were taking lessons from the same teachers, though Sweetie Belle was a little bit ahead of her.

“You’ll have to show me some tricks.”

“Oh Amy,” Sweetie sighed. “I’ll show you more than a few tricks.”

Laughing, the three of them ascended the steps into Canterlot Castle proper, where Rarity would be promising the rest of her life to the woman she loved. The guards showed them to the ceremony chamber, where Rarity found her breath taken away. Pinkie Pie had out-done herself. Normally, her forte’ had been confetti and streamers and balloons. But here, everything was elegant and graceful. Pinkie Pie’s style had graduated to something beautiful and heartfelt. Rarity was to be wed in the same room Shining Armor and Princess Cadance had been married, but Rarity wouldn’t have guessed it. The decorations were in red and white; red for the passion that she and Octavia shared, and white for the traditional wedding overtone.

Sixteen columns lined the approach to the round dais that they would say their vows upon, each one of them draped with rich red curtains with white trim. Brilliant bouquets of roses were affixed to each column by a wide belt of red -and-white lace, the whole setup giving the approach to the dais the appearance of a hallway of sorts. There was plenty of room for guests, with rows of chairs on either side of the columns, but with an unimpeded view of the dais. Soon enough, Rarity would be walking down that aisle, with Canterlot’s high society to left and right, and Princess Luna presiding over the ceremony.

“Rarity? You’re gawking.”

“Sorry.” She closed her jaw and forced herself to take a few tentative steps into the lavishly-appointed chamber. “I am so glad I went to Trottingham.” She would never have been able to pull this off. Pinkie Pie had performed magic here, despite her being human.

“Come on. The guests will start arriving soon. We have to get you changed.”

“Right…” Rarity allowed herself to be led away from the chamber, and into a small office that had been re-purposed as a changing room. Both the gowns for the ceremony had been made by Rarity well in advance, but she still managed to get choked up when she looked at them. Octavia’s was in the office at the other side of the marriage hall, where she most likely was as well. But here, Rarity’s stood, waiting for her to put it on.

The fabric was white as a freshly-fallen snow, and fell down to the floor in long, flowing skirts of silk. The bodice was fastened with mother-of-pearl buttons, and left her shoulders bare. The arm-sleeves stopped short of her wrists, and the veil was long enough to brush the floor. Rarity undressed, and with a blush on her cheeks, let Sweetie Belle and Amethyst help her into the gown. She finished with a garter belt, white hose, and simple heels. She felt fresh. Clean. And as she turned to look at the mirror, beautiful.

But she wasn’t the only one in the room just then. Behind Sweetie Belle and Amethyst stood someone else. With a soft gasp, Rarity whirled to look at her.

“Twilight.”

“Hello, Rarity.”

She was smiling.

Smiling.

“You look incredible.”

“Wh-what are you doing here? Today? I don’t-“

“Relax.” Twilight opened her hands in a friendly gesture. “I wanted to give you my blessing.”

“Y-your… Really?” Rarity’s heart stopped pounding, replaced instead by soft whimpers from the two women beside her. Twilight wore a simple dress that fell past her knees, black heels, and she was carrying a small box, wrapped in white paper, topped with a small red bow.

“I brought you a gift.” She said meekly, handing the box off to her. Hesitantly, Rarity took it and pulled the paper apart. Inside was a small glass case, and inside the case was a red rose fixed to a corsage.

“Twilight,” Rarity breathed. “This was your mother’s. I couldn’t possibly-“

“Something borrowed.” Twilight said sadly. “Your dress is something new. Your heels are something old.” She pointed to the case in Rarity’s hand. “There’s something borrowed. Now you just need something-“

“Blue. Right.” Rarity delicately held the case, looking up at Twilight with wide eyes. “Twilight, I’m still not sure why you’re here.”

“Like I said, I came to give you my blessing… And, to beg your forgiveness.” Twilight’s sad smile turned into a frown to mirror her voice. “I’ve done something terrible, and I see now the consequences are too much for me to bear. I’ve lost all my friends, Rarity. Word of what I did has gone around town, as you know it would have, and now everywhere I go, I’m all but ignored. I’m a stranger in my own home, Rarity…” When she looked up from the floor, Rarity could see the tears in her eyes. “I never wanted it to be like this. I know I hurt you, but in doing so, I’ve hurt myself more than I ever thought possible.”

“Well that’s what you get.” Sweetie Belle spat. Rarity glanced at her sister to see the young woman bristling with anger. “What you did was unforgivable. It’s about time everyone else sees that.”

“Sweetie!” Rarity’s anger cracked like a whip, cutting off everyone else. Sweetie’s anger turned to meekness as she looked up at Rarity. “That’s enough! Can’t you see how hurt she is?” Twilight sagged with relief, while Amethyst’s hands still hovered over her mouth. Sweetie withdrew into seething silence, while Rarity turned to the tearful purple-haired magi. “As for you,” She stepped forward, advancing until she was a few short feet away from Twilight. “What you did was terrible and hurtful.” She glanced back at her sister for just a moment. “But not unforgivable. I think it’s been long enough, and you’ve suffered plenty. I forgive you, Twilight.” Rarity smiled then, offering a slender hand to Twilight. “And I would be happy if you would attend my wedding.”

“Rarity, I couldn’t.” Twilight whimpered, looking fearfully at the two women behind Rarity. “That’s too much to ask.”

“From a jaded ex-lover, maybe.” Rarity said softly. “But not from a friend.”

Author's Note

So for my first chapter back from a month-long break, I don't feel too happily about this. I'm still kind of anxious and I feel like this isn't a very good chapter... In fact, I get the feeling many of you will hate the way this one was done. So I'm crossing my fingers on this one.