Days of Change

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Day It Begins
Chapter 2: Pre-Launch pt 1
Chapter 3: Pre-Launch pt 2
Chapter 4: The Dress
Chapter 5: Date and Danger
The Morning After
Prologue: The Night Before Everything Went Wrong

Chapter 1: The Day It Begins

The Day it Begins

Today did not start out like the day before. No, today the pegasus ponies had a storm coming in with strong winds and later on some moderate to heavy rain. Rarity did not like these types of days, if simply for no more reason then it didn't allow her to wake up peacefully. Even in a sturdy wood house, there were still the minor squeaks that came when it was windy. Not to mention lack of customers, but alas, these dull weekdays are great for getting work done unhindered and without interruption.

As the wind picks up, it rattles the windows to her room. Rarity decides she won't be getting any more quiet sleep for this morning and lazily gets out of bed to head straight for the bathroom. A nice shower is a nice start to any morning. Now with the chance of customers being very slim, she doesn't have to go all out like she usually would. She still pampers her mane and tail, but the makeup will be light.

After she finishes, she heads over to Sweetie's room and knocks. "Sweetie, it's time to get up." Nothing. Rarity gives an exasperated sigh and opens the door. Still happily sleeping in her bed is a messy maned filly, already half out of her covers.

Smirking, Rarity makes her way over to her sister. Ever so quietly she leans in and nudges her. Sweetie's only response is a quiet grumble. Another nudge, a little harder this time, and Sweetie rolls over, putting her head under her blankets.

Oh? So it's going to be like that today. Very well.

Rarity leaves the room and heads down to the kitchen. Once there she charges her horn, opens the freezer and pulls out a good sized ice pack. With the perfect alarm clock in her grasp she heads back to her sister's room. Sweetie is still under the covers, warm and comfy to be sure.

That is about to change. With skill matching that of her own mother, Rarity effortlessly pushes down the bed underneath Sweetie with her magic and slides the ice pack under her. She sits down and waits.

5...4...3...2...1.

EEEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

"Good morning dear, it's time to get up. Now go wash and get ready for school. I'll get breakfast ready." With a poorly disguised smirk, Rarity retrieves the ice pack and leaves the room, purposely not seeing the glare being given her and heading back down to the kitchen.

By the time she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she can hear her sister slam the bathroom door. She'll need to talk to her about slamming doors, but after she gets back from school. Rarity did the same thing when her mother first did that to her, but with ice water. Opening the freezer, she places the ice pack back in its place. That done, the fridge opens and she picks out a few eggs, butter, lettuce, sauce, cheese, apple juice and bread. From the cupboard comes a pan and a small sack of sugar. With everything ready, Rarity gets to making breakfast. Stove on and pan getting hot, she places a bit of butter in and twirls it around. One good thing about cooking as a unicorn is you don't need to use every utensil you have to cook, especially with a hot pan. With the butter melted the eggs are cracked and emptied into the pan and scrambled with a satisfying sizzle. Separating the bread from the rest of the food, she selects four pieces, places them in the toaster and turned it on. While those are cooking Rarity prepares the plates and glasses. Pouring the juice into the glasses, she checks to see if the eggs are ready for the cheese. They are. She flips the eggs over then adds the cheese to the top of the eggs, cooks them a moment then she folds the eggs, creating a cheesy center in the omelets. Ding! Toast is done. Taking the toast out she places them on the plates and adds a light layer of sauce and sugar to one and lettuce to both.

Sweetie enters the kitchen greeting Rarity with a heartfelt "Good morning sis."

"Good morning, Sweetie. I'm sorry you had to wake up like that but we can't have you sleeping in when it is a school day."

"But couldn't you have woken me up with something less cold!?" Sweetie sits down at the kitchen table. She is still angry about that.

"Hmm. Well I guess I could have tilted the mattress so you roll out onto the cold, hard floor." Rarity had gotten that too, though her blankets were taken first.

Sweetie renews her glare momentarily at Rarity before turning away. "Is breakfast almost done?"

"Almost dear." Rarity carries the cups of juice over to the table and checks the eggs, opening one to check if its cooked all the way. Perfect. Taking the omelets, she brings them over to the plates and places them both on their respective pieces of toast. Making an omelet sandwich. Using her magic, she cuts one into four pieces. The easier for a young filly to eat with her hooves. And sets both plates on the table.

Sweetie was surprised. Usually Rarity would make something less messy, and more flair. Oh well, she'll think about it later, she's hungry. She grabs a piece of the sandwich and takes a bite. Sugar. Is that sugar? She takes another bite. It is sugar! She looks over at Rarity taking a nibble out of her breakfast.

"I suppose I can forgive you for waking me up so abruptly." Sweetie takes the last bite of her piece.

"I'm glad to hear that." Rarity looks over at the wall clock. "Hurry up Sweetie, you're going to be late getting to school."

Sweetie glances at the clock and sees Rarity is right. She abandons all lady like behavior and scarfs the rest of the food down. Rarity did say to hurry up. With breakfast done she rushes to her saddlebags, then out the door, hurriedly biding Rarity a good day.

With Sweetie gone, Rarity can finish her meal at her own pace in relative quiet. The only sounds being that of the wind and shuttering of distant windows.

After cleaning up breakfast and everything was washed and put back in its place, it was time to start the day. Starting with inventory. Rarity is use to finding that a bolt of cloth has mysteriously disappeared, usually her crimson or gold bolts. Which is why she now has a hidden compartment with her more valuable cloth hidden within.

Hmm. Cobalt, indigo, sunshine yellow, evergreen. Good, those are here. Lace is undisturbed, my needles and thread are in their drawer. My ponequins are still standing. Seems Sweetie didn't raid my workspace overnight.

With everything where it should be, Rarity brought out the design of the dress she was commissioned to create for a pony in Las Pegasus. Placing it on her podium, she studies the design and determines hoe much cloth and time she'll need to complete the dress.

While doing that a strong gust of wind shakes the house slightly. Looking up and over her shoulder she waits for the gust to subside.

"Goodness, that was a-"

Crash

Before Rarity can finish, the window in her work room shatters and a winged grey and yellow pony passes right in front of her and into her cloth-filled shelves, breaking one shelf. The pony gets wrapped up in cloth of gold, yellow, and some lace, falling to the floor. Rarity can't believe what she's watching. The unknown pony is struggling to get out of her clothe prison, ripping a few strands in the attempt.

"Stop!"

The unknown pony stops her struggling, breathing hard.

"Don't move. I'll get you out of there in a moment." Rarity brings herself closer to the bundle of pony and cloth, studying the best way to get the pony out and save her cloth. After a look over, Rarity uses her magic and begins to unwrap the cloth away from the pony's head. A grey muzzle appears, then the rest of the head. A mare's head. But who is this pony? There are a few grey pegasus mare's around town. As Rarity continues her unwrapping a lock of pale yellow is freed.

Ah, Derpy. I should have known.

"You can open your eyes now, Derpy." Ditzy does so, bringing her head up close to see Rarity standing there with her horn aglow. Rarity has a bit of red on her cheeks and steps back.

"I'm so sorry Miss Rarity. I didn't expect strong winds this early."

Rarity sighs, continuing to help Derpy. "It's alright, Derpy. I can get Twilight to help me fix the window." At this a remnant of the window flew into the room a few feet before crashing down. "Or perhaps shield the window til the storm is over." Ditzy looks back down.

Rarity has gotten the lace and yellow bolts off of Derpy, saving most of both and placing them temporarily next to her shelves. Looking down she sees Derpy still covered in gold silk. But she doesn't take the cloth off, instead she looks at the still trapped pegasus.

Ditzy looks back up to Rarity to see her standing there, with a look of deep thought. But before she can ask what's wrong, Rarity suddenly gasps and call out "Idea!" Before Ditzy knows whats happening, she finds herself free of the cloth and placed on a raised platform with Rarity a few feet away drawing. Confused, Ditzy steps down and looks around Rarity to see a dress being drawn.

Rarity is in the zone. She hasn't had a chance to design a gold dress in quite some time, and to find a mare whose eyes match perfectly with the color. What are the chances? She finishes her design, happy with the way it looks. She turns around and almost presses her face against Derpy's, not expecting the pegasus to be right behind her.

Bringing her head back with a blush on her cheeks she tells Derpy to go back onto the platform. Derpy complies and Rarity gets started with the measuring. She has never had Derpy in her shop before, so she doesn't have her measurements.

"So Derpy, what were you doing before you came to my shop?"

"Oh! I was delivering today's mail...where are my saddlebags anyways?"

"They're over there." Rarity says pointing in the direction between her work desk and bolt shelves. Ditzy viably relaxes. "Now hold still or I won't get accurate measurements."

Ditzy didn't realize she was moving. So she stops and stands still. It didn't last very long til she started to look around. She's only ever seen the inside of Carousel Boutique from the front door and a flyby across (and now into) a window. Everything was tidy, placed for easy access. And the colors. So many colors! She couldn't name many of them.

Before she could get to excited she felt something roughly hoof shaped smack against her flank. "Stay still," says a slightly annoyed Rarity. It wasn't very hard, more like what you would give to a pet for disobedience. It was more of the act than the actual effect. So facing forward, Ditzy stayed perfectly still. Unbeknownst to Rarity, Ditzy eyes starts to water. What did I do? I was only looking at her shop, she didn't have to hit me.

"Thank you. I'll be done in a moment." Rarity says while jotting down numbers in a notepad and moving the measuring tape around the pegasus.

"And done." Rarity hovers her notepad, pencil and tape over to her desk. She'll get started on this project after today's orders. She comes around to face Derpy, finally noticing the water in her eyes.

She brings over a hoofkerchief and begins dabbling at Derpy's eyes. "Oh Derpy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you that hard."

"It's okay Miss Rarity, I know you just wanted to get done quick."

"I'm sorry all the same. It wasn't right of me to do that to you."

Ditzy nods. She looks over to her saddlebags. Rarity looks over, seeing the saddlebags as well. Grasping them with her magic she bring them over and give them to her. Ditzy begins to shuffle through the mail. Finding Rarity's mail, she bring them out and hoofs them over. Being thanked for the mail, Ditzy slings her bags onto her back and turns her back on Rarity to leave.

Before she could get far, her front hooves slip on a bolt of cloth. Her front falls forward while her backside stays up. Embarrassed, Ditzy rushes out of the building without hitting anything, flying off to the next house.

Rarity is now left alone in her workroom stunned with a deep blush on her face. Had she just seen what she thought she saw?

Best not to think about that. I have to get Twilight before the rains come. It's going to be a long day. With that thought, Rarity gives one last glance at her new dress design before putting on a scarf and leaving her store, heading for the library.

Author's Note

This took a bit more than I thought it would. For those confused by Derpy/Ditzy's naming, my view is that her real name is Ditzy and only those close to her know the name.

Chapter 2: Pre-Launch pt 1

Pre-Launch

It is the weekend, the Boutique didn't open up til 11, but Rarity awoke with a bang. Quite literally. She barely remembered the last time she woke up like this. It was when Sweetie Belle's friends Apple Bloom and Scootaloo come over a few months ago to make a mess...of...her...shop.

Now wide awake, Rarity bolts up out of her bed only to get caught on the corner of her red silk sheets, making her fall flat on her stomach, making a splendid belly flop to wake up with on any morning. Still on save the shop mode, she frees her leg, running out of her bedroom to the shopfront. A little winded, she prepares to give her sister the talking to of the week. The talks don't seem to last longer than that. However, there's nopony there. It's quiet. She knew the noise was the sound of something crashing into another but everything was where she left it the night before. Standing there, Rarity perks her up, swiveling them around at the slightest noise. Soon there was another crash, but it didn't come from the bottom floor. It came from upstairs. In Sweetie's room. Slightly relieved she makes her way up the stairs.

Determined to find out what caused her early start, she enters her sister's room. Inside she sees Sweetie on her bed, looking to the left side where the destruction is most apparent. Next to the bed where the nightstand use to be, was now empty space. The nightstand in question was knocked over, moved a few feet away with its contents and lamp now scattered or broken on the floor. On the left wall the dresser wasn't flush, seeming to be pulled out with the side closest to Rarity angled towards her. Between the dresser and the bed were two fillies grunting and squeaking.

"Why are you two wrestling so early in the morning!" Startling the fillies, they all look at Rarity with a nervous blush. It was like this for a few seconds til Sweetie spoke up.

"They are having a disagreement." Apple Bloom looks over to Sweetie, moving her hoof closer to Scootaloo in the process. Scootaloo grunts, then glancing over to Rarity she quietly says "That's my wing."

"What could those two be arguing over this early?"

"Who's cutie mark idea we should try today."

"Pardon?" If this is going where I thinks this is going, I am going to be a little angry.

"Well Scootaloo wanted to go hang gliding, but Apple Bloom wanted to go try athletic swimming. Apple Bloom doesn't want to go into the air today while Scootaloo hates the feel of wet feathers. They decided on a little competition of who can pin the other for eight seconds." Sweetie beams a small innocent smile up at her sister.

Yep, they are doing nothing but horsing around. Can't they just behave til I get my beauty sleep. Rarity gives her sister a forced smile.

"Sweetie. I want you and your friends to stop playing so rough in here, then you should clean up before either of you has a chance of hurting yourselves on those broken shards of your lamp. Could you three do that?"

With a practiced monotone, all three answer "Yes, Rarity."

"Good. I'm going back to bed. I don't want to hear any more noise til lunchtime. Okay?"

"Yes, Rarity"

With that Rarity gives one final look around before leaving. Before leaving earshot, she hears Scootaloo say "That was a close one."

I'm letting you three get away with this since there was little damage. Just clean up quietly.

The bed is in disarray, but it looks so inviting right now. With a swish of her magic, she fixes her covers to their proper position. Shuffling in, she sighs in bliss of the renewed warmth, quickly falling back to sleep.

Two and a half hours later, Rarity wakes up with a dainty yawn. It's nearly 10 in the morning. Much later than she would normally get up on the weekday. But could she be blamed, anypony would want a nap after dealing with the CMC that early. Speaking of the little fillies, there appear to be no noises except hers in the house.

Getting up, Rarity shambles over to her door. When she gets to it, she looks down to see a piece of paper shoved underneath. Picking it off the floor she reads it. 'Went swimming. Be back in the afternoon. - Sweetie' Well at least she was considerate. Knowing what her sister was up to she went on routine, starting with a shower, then down for brunch.

Just as Rarity was preparing herself a lilly sandwich and peppermint tea there was a loud bang at the door. Seeing the clock she gave a smile. Derpy is right on time. When going to the door she stopped at the mirror she lets customers use to see how their dresses fit to fix her mane, even though it didn't need it. She reached the door and opened it. Indeed, there was Derpy, laying down in front of her rubbing her head. She looks so cute when she rubs her head like a filly rubbing an owie. She looks down at her with concern.

"Are you alright Derpy?"

"Yea, I'm okay." She goes to look up at the mare in front of her, not realizing how close they are.

Their lips meet. They both freeze, glancing into each others eyes. There was nothing but the others eyes, not realizing the blush on eithers faces or a traitorous set of wings. Rarity and Derpy stay like that for a moment before Derpy jumps back, both slightly out of breath. Rarity puts her hoof to her lips. She's soft, and was that cinnamon I tasted? It was...good. Derpy bites her bottom lip lightly, successfully getting her wings under control before Rarity notices. That felt nice. I hope she's not angry with me.

An awkward silence follows. Ten seconds, twenty, thirty. Nervous, Derpy makes her way to Rarity.

"I'm sorry Miss Rarity. I didn't mean to do that." She was still blushing, but trying not to look at the white unicorn.

"It's alright darling, you didn't do anything wrong." Says Rarity after registering the apology. Truth be told, she didn't find the experience unwelcomed, just unexpected.

"Well here's your mail. Sorry for flying into your door." Derpy hands the parcels over to Rarity but before she could turn around she was told that they were the neighbors mail. Now embarrassed over being nervous, she goes back to her saddlebags, bringing out the right mail while putting the wrong ones back in. Apologizing for that she prepares to fly to next house.

"It's alight. Oh, do you think you can come over tomorrow? We'll need to do a fitting for your dress. I would love to see you in it."

Thinking a moment she looks back at Rarity, "Yea, I can come over in the afternoon. Would that be good?"

"Yes it would. I'll see you then."

"Okay, I'll see you later." Turning, she flies off with a small smile on her face.

Rarity looks on after Derpy left. She couldn't get the taste of cinnamon or the image of Derpy out of her mind. She didn't realize somepony was calling to her.
*************************

Applejack was having a good morning. Apple Bloom left early to play with her friends, breakfast was delicious and overall it was a beautiful fall morning. Autumn was her favorite season. Not just because of the harvests, but because of the cooling mornings with warm breezes. It always felt good to her. But her peaceful world ended abruptly when Apple Bloom and her friends came back wet. After a little interrogation, she discovered they went to take a dip in the spring out back. The spring was cold year round, being deep and covered by a maple canopy. So of course all three of them caught a cold. Applejack ushered them into her home, drying then wrapping them in warm blankets. She then went to make some hot soup for them.

After that debunkel was over, Big Mac came in grumbling. When asked what happened, he tossed over the strap from their new small corn harvester. Snapped in two. Then he went to fetch some water before telling her he needed her to get a replacement while she was out while he goes and digs out the demon rock he snagged the plow on. Agreeing she listened to him grumble as he left for the shed containing the shovel. "Dang rock wasn't there last year. It's a bit to smooth to be a natural formation." More grumbling she couldn't hear.

Well it's a bit late, but no time like the present to get to the farmers market with the goods she baked yesterday. Making sure the fillies would be alright she left with her cart and headed into town.

On the way into Ponyville, Applejack was coming up to Carousel Boutique. The home and workplace of her best friend Rarity. On any other day she would stop by to say hello, but she had to get to the farmers market, as well as the errands she needed to run afterwards.

Looking back over the road, she notices the mail pony, Derpy. Hmm, she's going a little fast today. Continuing to walk, Applejack watches as Derpy comes flying right into Rarity's door. Ouch, hope she ain't hurt.

Suddenly Rarity is at her door, looking down at the mail pony. She asks her something and Derpy answers, but Applejack is to far to hear. Still she continues her walk on the road.

Derpy kisses Rarity. Applejack stops, wide eyed at the scene. She doesn't move. She can't. Not after seeing that. She watches as Rarity and Derpy stare at each other. She snaps out of it as Derpy's wings start to rise.

Unhitching herself from the cart, Applejack goes to the side of the road, making her way over to the buildings side just as Derpy hops back. Now close enough, Applejack listens in on what is said, only seeing Derpy's tail from the angle she is at. Neither notice her.

After everything is said and Derpy flies off, Applejack heads back to her cart and harnesses herself again. Once the harness is set, she makes her way in front of the Boutique as if nothing just happened.

"Hey Rarity. How ya doin' this mornin'?" She give a welcoming smile to the white unicorn. It doesn't take her long to see that Rarity is staring off into space. She calls again, louder this time. "Rarity, ya there?"
*************************

"Rarity, ya there?" Rarity snaps out of her thoughts. She looks to the street and sees Applejack looking at her.

"I'm sorry darling. I've been distracted all morning." Rarity gives a little sigh at remembering the mornings events.

"Oh? What happened if ya don't mind my asking?"

"Well my morning started a bit abruptly when I heard a loud crash in my home. I remembered the last time that happened with the crusaders." Applejack gave Rarity a sympathetic look, knowing just what kind of damages the crusaders can cause. Rarity sees this and assures Applejack that it came from Sweetie's room and that nothing of importance was damaged. Then tells Applejack that they went to get some swimming cutie marks.

"Well that would explain why they were swimming in the spring. By the way, was that Derpy that just flew away." Rarity gives Applejack a nod. "How is she doing?"

"She's doing as well as ever. Though I do hope she's alright. She did slam into my door pretty hard." Rarity looks back to her door blushing, pretending to check for damages.

Applejack gives a slight frown but gets rid of it before the unicorn notices. It's not as easy to be rid of the sting in her chest. "Well I should get goin' to the market. Got lots to sell today."

"Don't let me keep you. Have a good day Applejack." Applejack nods then heads to the marketplace. Rarity watches her a moment before looking back over the roof where Derpy flew out of sight. Seeing nothing of interest, she re-enters her shop. There is still a lunch to prepare.
*************************

Ditzy was flying to her next destination, which happened to be the last person on her route. She didn't care. She'll work her way backwards from her down to Rarity's neighbor. Ditzy was feeling quite happy. She wasn't told off because she handed out the wrong mail, and Rarity invited her back tomorrow, even after the embarrassing kiss she had with her.

Still she had to get through her route before attending to grocery shopping today. The best foods were sold today, and like all the other ponies in Ponyville, she attended the farmers market.

Since leaving Rarity's, she got through the day in the blink of an eye. Not once having today's mail returned to her. Not once flying into anything or anypony else, until Rainbow Dash somehow managed to crash into her while flying between stops.

After her route was over, she headed home to begin the rest of her day. Dropping off the mailbags, she sees Dinky finishing up her homework. Thinking of what a good filly she has, she picks up her saddlebags, gathers up her bits and gives her daughter a small hug before leaving to the market.

Author's Note

I challenged myself to use as few "and"s as I could. Got stuck quite often. Also having difficulties figuring out the direction I want to take this story. Haven't planned further than chapter 4 as of now. We'll see what happens

Chapter 3: Pre-Launch pt 2

Pre-Launch pt 2

Applejack walks away from the Boutique, carefully listening for Rarity to go back into her home. After walking a block with nothing happening, Applejack looks out with the corner of her eye. Rarity is sitting there on her porch looking out over the homes of Ponyville before turning back around and entering her home.

What's with Rarity? What's so darn special about that pegasus? She's clumsy, accident ridden, practically eats only muffins and can't mail a letter for a hoot.

It took a moment of her stewing in her own thoughts before realizing what she was thinking. She was jealous, she knew this immediately and she didn't like the feeling. With a shake of her head she focused solely on today's market, forgetting Derpy for the time being.

When Applejack made it to the market, there were only a few spots to set up. She missed the morning rush so had to settle for the afternoon shoppers to arrive. With practiced hooves a stall was set up and laden with produce and baked goods in no time. With time to spare, she talks with her neighbor Golden Harvest.

After a while the first shoppers came to market. The first few being ponies that usually came in the mornings, all wanting a pie. Pretty soon there is a line of ponies waiting to get her apples. In the back of that line there stood Derpy, with one of her saddlebags laden with what Applejack could only guess as having fruits and berries for muffins. That didn't stop a frown from coming on her face. She had forgotten about her since this morning, and Applejack could feel her chest tighten just looking at Derpy.

After a few more customers saw Derpy at the front of the line, looking over what was left.

"Hey Applejack, nice day we're having." Derpy's bubbly way of talking would usually remind Applejack of an excited filly. But today it just sounded annoying.

"Howdy Derpy. What can ah get for ya?" Applejack didn't want to be rude, but being completely polite was a little beyond her at the moment, a slight firmness in her tone of voice. Derpy didn't seem to notice.

"Could I get a bushel of apples and two fritters?" Obliviously happy. Some ponies around the two took notice.

"Sure thing. That'll be 14 bits." Applejack brings out the goods while Derpy hoofs over the bits. Putting the goods away, Derpy bids Applejack a good day. Applejack only nods and quietly stares at Derpy leaving, the frown returning to her face.

A moment passes before she looks back to her stall, a sour expression on her face. The ponies in front of her are quiet until one comes up to order. The rest of her sales are this way. Quiet and quick.

She finishes up early, so she packs up and does her own shopping. That goes by quickly, mostly because very few ponies needed what she did. With everything taken care of she heads back to her home.

Coming up on the Boutique Applejack decides to pay Rarity a visit. Unharnessing the cart, she leaves it in front of the steps. Before she could knock though, she hears Rarity singing inside. Forgoing the knock, she instead goes over to a window and peers inside.
********************

With lunch over, Rarity goes to work on the unfinished dress of Derpy's. All the while imagining how gorgeous she would look in it. Not realizing where her thoughts are going, her needlework slows down as she begins to imagine Derpy at first wearing the dress, to there being less and less fabric that she's wearing. It wasn't until she imagined Derpy in a red satin saddle that Rarity gave a start with a heavy blush that she stopped her daydream.

Come on Rarity, it's not like you to get so distracted by a single pony. Even if that pony has some soft lips and a nice fla... She shakes her head furiously. Stop that. Can't you wait even a day before going into the gutter.

So with a sense of purpose she goes back to work, making sure every detail is just perfect. Before long she starts to hum. Soon after she begins to swing her hips side to side, a tune going through her head. It was a song she heard in her youth, and strangely it fit her mood. After a couple run throughs in her head she started to sing.

Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Rarity doesn't see the cowboy hat, nor its owner looking through the window of her shop. She continues to sing, letting her body move on its own.

Forgetting all I'm lacking, completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation, you take all of me now

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you

Rarity started to get lost in the music in her head. Doing a spin here and there around the ponyquin, all the while continuing to bring the dress together.

There's nothing else to lose, there's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world that can change my mind
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
There is nothing else

Desperate for changing, starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started, I'm chasing after you

Rarity does one final spin before stopping in front of the dress. With a forehoof, she brings it up to the ponyquins head and rubs where the cheek would be.

Just hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment
I'm hanging by a moment
Just hanging by a moment here with you

Hours pass with Rarity making remarkable progress on the dress after her little solo. Her workroom is bathed in the gentle orange glow of the setting sun.

The quite is destroyed by her shop door opening and slamming shut. Followed by the high pitched annoyance of Sweetie Belle. Preparing to ask what's wrong, Rarity glances at her sister and sees what has her in such a huff. Sweetie is covered in tree sap...again. Chuckling softly, she doesn't say anything, just lets Sweetie go to the bathroom.

Looking back to the dress for the final time today, all that is left is to do a fitting, which will be happening tomorrow. With that, she puts everything away, cleans up the scraps and heads to make dinner for her and her sister.
**********************

After watching Rarity do her little song and dance, Applejack decides it would be better to go home. She didn't want to interrupt Rarity when she was in the zone. With a sigh she moves back to her cart and continues home.

After dropping the supplies in front of the house and putting the cart in the barn, Applejack returns to put everything in her home. After everything is put away she begins dinner, but not before Applebloom comes marching in covered in sap and dirt.

She greets her sticky sister with a chuckle, which Applebloom responds with a grunt before going to clean up.

It's a good thing Rarity found a shampoo that gits rid of tree sap like it was never there. Must be more common then I thought. The thought of Rarity brought her out of her amused mood. She goes back to cooking to distract herself.

Author's Note

The song is 'Hanging by a Moment' by Lifehouse.

Chapter 4: The Dress

Chapter 3 - The Dress

Sunday. A day to prepare for the coming business week, where ponies go out and gather their supplies or get the last day of play before going back to school and running shops. This day, unlike any other day, we find Carousel Boutique the center of a unicorns hussel very early in the morning, going from one corner of the shop to another making sure everything is in its place and every place has its thing, even going so far as to add some items to make the room more inviting by adding some vases of tulips and putting up drapes that when the sun shines through in the afternoon gives off a warm inviting color. Rarity is usually not a pony to bother cleaning up her organized chaos, but today she was expecting her guest to appear in the early afternoon.

Over in the corner was the focal point of today's events, hidden underneath a sheet and out of the way til the time was right. Rarity herself was looking rather haggard. Small bags under her eyes and her hair, once coiffed was now what she would deem a mess and will need to be fixed soon. Shes been up since well before daybreak and in her rush wasn't always the quietest.

Upstairs in a room directly above was a very tired Sweetie Belle, having been listening to her big sister making noise half the night. She tried blocking it out with her pillow, thinking of ways to get a cutie mark, she even went so far as to go downstairs and scream at her sister to be quiet. Of course Rarity apologized and was quiet for some time. But soon enough the noise came back, just when Sweetie was about to fall into dreamland. And so Sweetie stayed up, half awake, doing what little homework she had left. Eventually she noticed the noise below has stopped, deciding to final attempt some sleep.
***

It is now in the early afternoon and Rarity is sitting on her couch, reading the latest fashion magazine (again) waiting for Derpy to come over. She would read a little, look at the clock and see only a few seconds have gone by. Realizing this was useless she tossed the magazine onto her end table and got up. She started to pace.

"Why does it feel like today is going so sloooooooow!" whined Rarity, trying to vent her annoyance the only way she knew how, before looking over to where she put the dress in the center of her shop after cleaning. I hope Derpy gets here soon or I will go insane from this waiting. But before she could do anything more there was a knock on the door. At last!

"Be there is a moment," Rarity calls out with a bit of nervousness in her voice. Once reaching the door she opens it to see Derpy, though not exactly what she was expecting. Derpy looked worst then she did this morning, her mane frazzled as if it hadn't been brushed yet today, same can be said for her coat and tail. She had some twigs sticking out from under her hooves which Rarity could only guess as being attached from the all sticky tree sap. Looking into her face she saw an embarrassed smile adorning the grey muzzle.

"I'm sorry I'm late Miss Rarity, you see ther-,"Ditzy starts to talk but is interrupted when Rarity puts her hoof on her mouth.

"It's perfectly alright darling, and you aren't late, but I would suggest you have a bath. I have a shampoo that will get those twigs and sap right out." Turning around she motions Derpy to follow, which she does up to the bathroom. Rarity shows Derpy which shampoo to you and the proper way to scrub.

Derpy gets into the shower and turns on the water. A moment passes before she realizes that there is an extra pony in the bathroom sitting down, biting her lower lip, watching her. Derpy blushes heavily.

"Rarity." Derpy says embarrassed, drawing the shower curtain between them while her head and eyes remain focused on Rarity.

Rarity looks back up to the embarrassed pony in the shower before realizing what she did and stammers out an apology, hurrying out to leave Derpy to her shower, feeling a bit warm herself.
***

Downstairs Rarity is on her couch with her hooves over her eyes (and conveniently covering her blush). She continually saw the image in her head. I was staring at Derpy. In the shower! How improper of me, but I couldn't help myself. The way her mane fell against her neck, the water washing down her body, her peaceful expression... The bubbles on her flank. She looked so beautiful in there. On and on her mind went on, never lessening the blush she was covering. It wasn't until she heard the sound of her staircase creaking that she gandered a look up.

There was Derpy, coming down the stairs, cleaned and groomed. Once down she made her way over to the couch, looking anywhere but at the white pony.

A moment passes. A minute. Two. Rarity feels ashamed. She was about to speak but then Derpy looked up into her eyes. Rarity was surprised. She saw embarrassment, but instead of hurt or shame she saw... excitement. No that wasn't it, it was a want. She has seem stallions and mares give that look to one another, even she has received a few, but never from a mare. And it was directed at her. This was strange to her, somehow she didn't feel disgusted. She felt acceptance, that she wanted this mare to look at her like this.

Rarity stared into Derpy's golden eyes. Before her mind could catch up to what she was doing, she brought her head over to Derpy's and locked lips with her. Derpy didn't back off or even flinch. She only closed her eyes and pressed into the kiss.

By now Rarity caught up with her body and suddenly pulled back. Looking at Derpy open her eyes in confusion, she went to make an apology.

"I'm sorry Derpy, I don't know what came over me. I swea-." Rarity was cut off when Derpy pressed her own lips back onto Rarity's, only this time it was Rarity that closed her eyes and pressed back. She brought her hoof up to Derpy's cheek, opening her mouth and pressing deeper into the kiss. Her hoof slowly made its way down Derpy's neck and unto her back. She was bringing her second forehoof up when something interrupted.

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

The sound of the young filly brought both ponies back to their senses and both pushes away with equal amounts of force. Rarity tumbling back and over her couch to land behind it legs up, not believing she didn't hear her (loud) sister come down the stairs. Derpy was several feet away from the couch on her side looking embarrassed to be caught by Rarity's little sister.

"You two are so cute together. How long have you been dating? When were you going to tell me? Will there be a wedding? Maybe I can be a flower girl again? That was fun."

Rarity found her way from behind her couch, bringing herself to stand in front of Sweetie Belle.

"Now Sweetie, we are not dating, she's just here to get a fitting for her dress." Rarity hopes she could keep her sister from getting any wild ideas, even though she knows it is too late to hide this.

"But you two were kissing. And I don't mean a little filly kiss, but an adult kiss. That's something only dating ponies will do."

Sweetie Belle I love you, but you can be to smart for your own good. "Yes, well...fine. But can you keep this between the two of us. I don't want this getting around til I'm ready."

"But!"

"Please Sweetie?"

"Fine." Sweetie says, giving a huff afterwards.

"Thank you dear. Now why don't you go play outside with your friends, I really do need to give Derpy here a fitting for her dress."

"Okay Sis." Sweetie says, looking back and forth between Rarity and Derpy before a mischievous smirk appears on her face. "Have fun." Then she rushes out the door towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Rarity and Derpy shoot nervous glances at each other. "Well dear, we better get you into your dress." Derpy nods and gets directed over to the covered ponyquin. Once there the cover is taken off and there in front of Derpy is the most beautiful golden dress she has ever laid eyes on. Both eyes came into focus on it, that's how gorgeous it was. It had a square cut top with a blue sapphire chain necklace, sleeves coming down to her elbow with a skirt that hung down over half her tail with a thin golden train that covered the rest of it.

"It's beautiful Rarity. I-I mean Miss Rarity."

"Its alright darling, you don't have to address me as Miss. Well, lets get you in it and see how you look." With this Rarity takes the dress and puts it on Derpy. She goes to check it over bu putting her right hoof on various parts starting at the neck and rubbing it slightly to make sure its not too tight on the mare. She made sure the wings fit into the holes on the back with adequate space for flying with. Then she moved over to the flank and gave it a little rub. It doesn't have as much freedom as the rest of the dress it appears.

"Mmmmm." This brought Rarity out of her focus onto to see Derpy with a small blush and biting her lip to be quiet. Rarity gave a small smile. She brought her hoof to the top of Derpy's flank and gave it a long caress down. This caused Derpy to give another quiet moan.

"Well dear, it seems everything fits, but why don't you walk around, see if anything isn't to your liking." Nodding, Derpy starts to move around the shop, twice wiggling her hips.

Coming back to Rarity, Derpy gives one more wiggle. "Well it seems to be a little tight on the flanks, but other than that it feels great."

Nodding, Rarity tells Derpy she needs to get the dress off and she'll widen the flanks. It'll only take but a moment.

At her sewing machine, Rarity gets to work, singing a little tune to herself. In the middle of it she glances back to see Derpy watching her, or more accurately her flanks. Giggling to herself Rarity continues on as if she didn't notice. When she was finished she gave herself a little forward stretch. She turned around with the dress in her magic to see Derpy with a pair of half raised wings. Tsking to herself, she puts the dress back on Derpy.

With the dress on, Rarity gives the flanks another innocent pat, bringing Derpy's wings up a little more. "Well it seems like it will fit better now. That will do for today." Rarity takes off Derpy's dress, folds and puts it into a box nearby for Derpy to take home with her. Looking to the clock she sees that she will almost be late for a get together with her friends.

"I'm sorry dear, but I'm about to be late for a prior engagement, so you'll have to leave." Rarity gives the box with the dress inside and nudges Derpy towards the door. Before Derpy can leave she turns around to look at Rarity.

"Rarity, do you think we could go on a d-date sometime?" Derpy says nervously, scoffing a hoof across the floor.

YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES

"I don't know dear, I'm awfully busy the next few weeks." Rarity looks up as if to ponder. "But I can make time this Saturday, if that's alright with you."

Derpy gives an ecstatic smile. "Saturday is good. My shift ends at 1."

"Then how about we meet here at say 6?"

"6 is good, it'll give me time to prepare." Her smile falters a little. "But Rarity, nothing to extravagant, I can't really afford the high class places."

"I can cover for you if-"

"No, I don't want you to pay for my half of the meal. I would like to split the bill."

Rarity looks at Derpy a few seconds. "Ok, but no fast food or family restaurants, I want the day to be about us with little interruption."

Derpy smiles again. "You got yourself a date." She looks around her then gives Rarity a small kiss before flying off waving back to Rarity, with Rarity waving back.

With a sigh Rarity heads back into her shop to get her saddlebags before leaving to meet with her friends.
**********************************

Sweetie Belle is in a happy mood, even if she still feels tired from staying up so late. She's currently walking through the gate to Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack is currently sitting on the porch watering some new saplings that will be transplanted come spring.

Sweetie makes it to the porch. "Hey Applejack, do you know where Applebloom is?"

Applejack looks around to see her sisters friend. "Well hello thar Sweetie. Applebloom should be in her bedroom doing some homework. What'cha doin' here? Don't ya usually have your own homework to do?"

"Ugg. I couldn't get to sleep with Rarity up all night cleaning. So I did my homework then."

"I'm sorry sugar, I won't keep ya from your friend." Applejack turns back around to finish watering the last sapling.

"Thanks Applejack." Sweetie headed up to Applebloom's room and entered. There laying on the bed with her back turned is Applebloom, in front of her is a math book. Her nose scrunched up trying to figure out her current problem. She doesn't notice when Sweetie enters until she feels her jump up onto the bed with her.

"Geez Sweetie, you almost gave me a heart attack." Giggling, Sweetie lays down next to Applebloom.

"You won't believe what my morning was like Bloom." Sweetie says with a small yawn.

"Oh? What happened?" The math book joyfully forgotten as Sweetie retells the events of the morning, including the kiss she say her sister and the mail pony have.

What both fail to realize is that the door wasn't closed and at the bottom of the stairs was Applejack with tears in her eyes with the watering can laid forgotten at her hooves.

Author's Note

I've been thinking of a HiE story. May write it. What do ya'll think?

Chapter 5: Date and Danger

Chapter 5 - Date and Danger

Monday is arguably the worst day of anyponies week. Not because you can't sleep in, but because you now have to deal with the stress of work and in Rarity's case on this fabulous day, having to smile and nod to a pony with no sense of fashion. She learned her lesson since she made her friends their original Gala dresses. Thank Celestia she knew how to get the pony to see things her way while still leaving enough of the originals design to keep everypony happy.

Rarity needs some tea...And an ibuprofen.

Wasn't long after the pony left that there was a knock on the door. While preparing her materials for her new order she speaks loud enough to be heard, inviting her next guest in.

"Hey Rarity, I have some mail for you." Ditzy says as she spot her marefriend. Maybe it was to soon to consider Rarity her marefriend, but at the moment she doesn't care, it sounds nice to her.

Turning around and forgetting about her work, Rarity give a welcoming smile and moves over to the mailpony. "Oh thank you Derpy, I can say my day just got better." Taking the mail in her magic, she gives her marefriend a peck on the lips before setting her letters down near her work.

The two talk for a moment before Ditzy has to continue her job. With a good bye kiss, Ditzy leaves, letting Rarity continue her work for the day.

Tuesday is almost as bad as Monday, except for the normal mail deliveries, which just happens to be the highlight of Rarity's day. After the now expected morning kiss, Rarity gives a present for Derpy. A new bigger saddlebag with velcro instead of a strap, since Derpy tends to forget about securing her mail. Derpy loves it, transferring the mail to her new bag then giving a it little test. She lifts herself up to as high as she could go then dropping down for a simulated crash. The mail stays where it is. They let a few moments of chatter pass between them before Derpy leaves again. The departing kiss lasted longer then the last days.

Wednesday started good and only got better. Rarity had no orders to fill, allowing her to relax at her convenience. Even Derpy had few deliveries for today, allowing her to spend more time with Rarity. At the end of the visit, Derpy found herself pinned between the door and Rarity giving her a very needful kiss. Derpy returned the affection before going away for the rest of her route.

The rest of the week continued like this until Saturday. It was agreed by both of them that it should be spent apart til their date, giving both time to prepare and refresh themselves. Inside of the Boutique, Rarity and Sweetie are just finishing sharing an early lunch.

"Sweetie, do you think you could spend tonight with your friends?"

Looking up to her big sister picking up the plates, Sweetie answers. "I guess I could, but what's happening tonight?"
Shuffling her hooves a moment, Rarity decides it would be best not to make a silly excuse. "Well, um, I have a date tonight. I don't know when it will be over and I don't want to worry about you." Or my home.

"Really!? Are you taking Miss Derpy out tonight? That's so sweet." Sweetie giggles then starts to bounce around her sister excitedly.

Rarity was surprised her sister figured out it was Derpy, though she should have seen it coming, Sweetie can be quite perceptive when she wants to be. "Yes, I am. So could you do this for me?"

Stopping her bouncing, Sweetie looks to her sister with her best smile. "Sure sis. I can probably stay with Applebloom for the day. I'll head over there in a bit."

"Thank you, Sweetie. Now I must prepare. Tell Applejack I said hi when you're there."
***********

At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack had forgone her lunch break. Ever since Sweetie visited her sister she has been out of sorts. Going from breakfast to the fields and not coming back til dinner was almost over. But today Big Mac told her that he'd take care of the fields today. So she busied herself around the farmstead, going from cleaning house to replacing the weave in damaged apple baskets. Now finally with nothing to do, Applejack finds herself just sitting on the porch, with an untouched plate of apple slices her grandma placed nearly an hour ago and Winona lazing under the porch.

Giving a drawn out sigh, Applejack turns into her home before being tackle by a beige and red blur.

"Applejack! Sweetie says her sisters got a date tonight! Can ya believe it?" As subtle as a ten horse carriage carrying Discord being chased by a flock of dragons that one is. But that's not what's happening in Applejack's head. No. It was a complete blank at what Applebloom said.

Rarity's got a date? Tonight? Why now of all times? "Uh, I didn't know. Say, what time do ya think her date is?" Please don't ask questions sis.

"Oh, uh, I dunno. Isn't there some sort of rule for times to date." Applebloom ponders a moment before looking behind her at her friend expecting an answer.

"6 or 7." Sweetie says in a huff then grabs her friend by the tail and drags her back inside.

Looking up into the sky, Applejack realizes she only has a few hours til 6. She gets up and runs out the front gate, down the road and into Ponyville.

***********

One usual with extra pampering later gave Rarity a chance to calm her nerves and look truly special for this night. After all, it's not every day a mare like her has a date. And it's been so long since her last one she worried she will find some way to mess tonight up.

Before her worries could get the best of her, there's a knock on her door. Her heart feels like it's in her throat knowing who it is. Putting on her best smile, she goes to greet her date.

Standing there on the other side of the door, Derpy looks truly radiant. In her golden dress with her mane in a bun and a pair of decorative chopsticks stuck in with a pair of bangs framing each side of her face. She looked straight into Rarity's eyes and gave a small smile.

Rarity this night was in a lavender dress with blue trim and a slit on her left side. Her mane and tail were her usual coiffed style. A swish of magic brought over a matching purse that carried her bits.
Giving her date a kiss she steps out of her home.

"Are you ready to go dear?"

"Y-yes." Derpy replies moving next to Rarity. After locking the door, they both proceed down the road into the night. Behind them in the distance a pair of green eyes follows.

***

Some would think a Prench restaurant was a romantic place to go on a first date, and so would be more crowded. But there's another place that serves olde Equuish food, the 'Olde Golden Plain," which serves food whose recipe is hundreds of years old. Not like its neighbors deep fried or pre-cooked\assembled variants.

Within the establishment the atmosphere is relaxed, couples can be seen around the place talking in hushed voices and a few even getting closer to each other as their night winds down. In the corner window booth, Rarity and Derpy are getting to know each other better while waiting for their dinners.

"So Derpy, how is your daughter? From what Sweetie says of her she is quite smart for her age."

"Yes, my muffin is quite capable." Says the proud mother. "Though I wish she would go out and play with friends more often. How are you handling Sweetie and the Crusaders."

A small twitch in her eye gives away her feeling on that matter. "Oh they're not to bad. Sweetie Bell is a handful by herself and together they are so energetic that I hope they get their marks soon." Derpy give a light chuckle, remembering her time as a filly.

"So Derpy-"

"Please, call me Ditzy."

"Ditzy?"

"Yes, it's my name. Derpy is a nickname I was given because of how clumsy I am."

"Oh I didn't know that. I like it better than Derpy." Rarity lowers her voice as she said that, with a hoof caressing one of Ditzy's.

Just then their food arrived, ending the conversation for a time. Outside across the street and outside of the streetlamps light is a very familiar stetson.
***

After the meal and splitting their bill, Rarity and Ditzy take a stroll through the park. This gave Applejack the opportunity to get closer to the two without being noticed. Which wasn't too hard since they weren't paying attention to anything but themselves and the path in front of them. Rarity leans on her date claiming it got colder.

"I think I love you Ditzy." Rarity can't believe she said that. She's only been doing this for a week. I hope I'm not going to fast. What if she doesn't like me now? What if-

"I love you too, Rarity." Ditzy nuzzled Rarity then gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Applejack, hidden within her bushes, is furious. She has had enough of this. She leaves the bushes to confront the two. Or just one grey pegasus in particular.

"Who do ya think ya are ya hussy. Rarity is my mare!" Applejack shoves Ditzy away from Rarity, never noticing the shock her 'love' is expressing. "You come out of nowhere, steal her from under me, seduce her, and ya think you deserve her?"

"Applejack, I do-"

"Yes you do!" Applejack rushes Ditzy and slams into her, knocking her to the ground.

"APPLEJACK, STOP!" A voice screams out, echoing out into the night. Applejack looks back to see a distressed Rarity, tears lining her eyes.

"Applejack, why?"

"Rarity, I...I mean..." Takes a deep breath. "Rarity, I love you. I have for a long time."

"You do? Why didn't you say anything?"

"For the longest time you would talk about your Prince Charming. I'm a mare, I didn't have a chance. You wouldn't have responded to my feelings." Applejack looks away and sees a movement in the corner of her eye. "Then her."

"You leave Ditzy out of this!"

"Ditzy?"

"She did not steal me from you! I am not anyponies trophy. She did not seduce me, it was my choice to fall for her. And she does deserve me Applejack, she doesn't go charging helpless ponies into the ground from jealousy!" The venom in the air was getting thicker by the word.

"But she-"

"No. She did nothing to you. You couldn't just sit back and be happy for me. You want me all to yourself. You are just a stalker. I am not a possession, your possession, that is not love Applejack." Rarity gives a few deep breaths to calm down after her rant at her supposed best friend.

"Lets go Ditzy." Turning around, Rarity helps her date back to her hooves before leaving the cowpony behind.

"Rarity!" Rarity continues walking. Ditzy looks back with a sad frown. Applejack has her hoof raised toward Rarity, saddened at how this night had turned sour so quickly.

"Rarity!" No answer. Both ponies are almost out of sight around the trees. "Come back."

The two ponies went out of sight. Applejack collapses on the ground, hooves over her eyes and cried, alone, in the middle of the park.
***

Back at the Boutique, Rarity invites her date in. This night didn't end how she wanted it to, but at least it wasn't her or Ditzy's fault.

"I'm so sorry Rarity."

"Why should you be sorry Darling?" She didn't do anything wrong.

"You had a fight with Applejack. I didn't mean to come between you and her."

"There's nothing to be sorry for Dear. You did nothing wrong. It's Applejack's fault." "I'll go talk with her later, but right now I just want to forget about that incident." Perhaps I can make this night end on a high note.

Rarity walked over to Ditzy, giving her a long kiss. "Could you stay the night Dear." Another kiss.

"I should go-" Another kiss. "-go check on-" Kiss. "-Dinky." Rarity goes in another time, giving the most sensuous kiss she can give. After breaking it, she turns to walk over to the stairs and looks at Ditzy with needful eyes. When Ditzy opens her eyes Rarity gives a smile and shakes her hips before walking up. After a moment Ditzy quickly makes her way up to the only open door with a candlelight room. Rarity was out of her dress, on her bed looking straight at Ditzy. Dinky knows what to do when I'm out for overnight deliveries, this will be like one of those nights. Ditzy enters, using her back leg to close the door.

Author's Note

If any artist want to fill a request for the cover art, I would like one made of them in their dresses at the Boutique.

The Morning After

I don't want to get up. Rarity thought as she snuggled deeper into the covers while bringing the grey mare next to her closer. But she knew she will have to get up sometime. Rarity thought of what could be done today. Breakfast for her and Ditzy. Perhaps some eggs and toast with...

"Rarity, I'm home." The young voice downstairs yelled out, breaking Rarity from her breakfast fantasy. With a ladylike huff, she looked towards her clock on the wall. Past 10 in the morning, much later than she expected, though she could guess why she woke up late.

I'll just have to make lunch for 3 instead of breakfast for 2. Giving a sigh she groggily got out of bed making sure she didn't wake up her marefriend. Marefriend. She liked that word. With a last glance she went and opened her door only to find her sister on the other side with a too large smile.

"What are you doing here Sweetie?" Rarity asked with a hint of nervousness. She knew that smile, though she never expected to see it on her sister.

Sweetie gave a giggle. "Did you have fun last night?" Her eyes roamed over Rarity for a brief moment.

"Er, What do you mean dear?" Now Rarity was very nervous. The idea that Sweetie knew what had happened popped into her mind but was quickly banished. She's too young to know anything.

"Have you looked in the mirror yet." Relief poured out of Rarity. Sweetie was commenting on her appearance.

"No, I haven't been able to. I was sleeping til you called. Now why don't you go to the kitchen and prepare some food for us." With this she turned and headed to her bathroom to freshen up.

"Ok sis. Oh, and don't forget to clean extra well." Rarity whipped her head around to see her sister smirk and glance at the lump in her bed before heading off. Dear Celestia she does know!

*************************************************

This is not going to end well, I can just feel it. Sweet Apple Acres. The home of the best apples in all of Equestria and of her best friend Applejack. After last nights encounter, Rarity was not looking forward to this, but the sooner it was done the sooner it was over with. Looking around she tried to find the orange mare. Nothing. The farm was unusually silent. So she went to the house to see if anyone was there. As luck would have it Big Mac was.

"Morning Mac, I don't mean to be a bother but would you know where Applejack is by any chance?"

Mac looked at her for a moment. "Eyup."

Silence.

"Could you tell me where she is?"

"Eyup."

..."Do you know what happened last night?"

"Enope." But it was clear he knew something. Bless him he wouldn't come to conclusions without the full story.

"I'm here to come to an understanding with her. Please Mac, where is Applejack?"

Another moment of silence before he points upstairs. "Her room."

Giving a thankful smile Rarity heads up the stairs. One obstacle down, one to go.

*******************************************

"So how'd it go Rarity?" Ditzy asked as Rarity came though her door looking tired.

"Better than I expected. We're still friends, but I'll give her some time to herself." The talk lasted til after their normal dinner times, with the first 20 or so minutes trying to get Applejack to talk to her then the next hours was pouring her heart out, crying or Rarity comforting her. In the end they agreed to still be friends and an understanding of each others feelings.

"Well that's good. Are you hungry? I brought over Dinky for dinner and Sweetie helped me with making it." Rarity's eye gave a twitch at that last bit. She gave a few glances around the shop. No smoke, no fire...no burnt anythings?

"Yes I am a trifle hungry. What shall we be having?"

Ditzy gave a smile and proudly proclaimed, "Flambe!" Well some burning.

Rarity looked around and brought her head closer to Ditzys. "And it's edible?"

Ditzy gave her a crossed look. "Rarity, I know your sister burns everything she cooks, but that doesn't mean you can put her down because of it." After a moment of Rarity looking chastised. "But yes, it is."

Both mares giggled. "Then let us eat."

As both mares sat down with Sweetie and Dinky at the table a sound pierced the quiet air.

**********************************************
Meanwhile at Golden Oaks Library

EEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.

"What did Princess Celestia send you Twilight?"

"A book!"

"A book?"

"Yes!"

"What book?"

"Oh sorry Spike. Ehem. Your First Familiar And You: A Summoners Guide."

"So like Celestia's pet phoenix?"

"Yup. Spike, could you make a pot of tea? I think it's going to be an all nighter."

***********************************************

Back to dinner

"That sounded like Twilight. Must be excited over something."

"Knowing her it's probably a book. I fear Spikey Wikey won't be getting any sleep tonight."

Glancing back to Ditzy she finds an amused smile. "Spikey Wikey?"

"Hehe, yes. Now lets have some dinner."

It was surprisingly good. Perhaps she can teach Sweetie to make other flambe dishes. Starting with Crepe Suzette.

Author's Note

So. Over a year and I finally got off my rump to finish this.

Prologue: The Night Before Everything Went Wrong

The Night Before Everything Went Wrong

It is night time in Equestria. All through the land ponies were closing shop, ending the days work, heading home, making dinner, doing homework, or being a nuisance to their big sisters.

In the town of Ponyville, many were already in their homes, enjoying the little family time left before heading off to bed for the night. In the building of Carousel Boutique, two ponies are winding down after a nice meal of tulip casserole. The elder, Rarity, a snow white unicorn mare with a royal purple mane and tail with three diamond gemstones as a cutie mark is still in the kitchen, finishing up the dishes and wiping down the kitchen table. In a few more minutes it'll be time to put her sister to bed, the Princesses know she herself could use a good night sleep. The younger, Sweetie Belle, a young white unicorn filly with violet and pink mane and tail was up in her room doing the much hated math homework. Spelling and grammar she never got anything less than an A in, but math took it out of her. But at least she was on the last problem of the night. She'll have Rarity take a look at it in the morning, she was feeling exhausted.

At last the dishes were done and drying, the kitchen was clean and everything put in their place. Rarity moved on into the store front to make sure her dresses were neatly on display or folded carefully in their boxes waiting to be shipped to the buyers who ordered them in the morning. Once satisfied she turned off the lights and headed up to her sisters room. She knocks on the door only to be allowed entrance by a "huh" and enters.

"Sweetie. What have I told you about chewing quills? It's not good to ruin a perfectly good quill."

"I'm sorry, Rarity. But this last problem doesn't look right." Rarity moves to stand over her sister and leans in to view her homework. After a few seconds Rarity moves her head near Sweetie's ear and whispers "You forgot to carry the 1 over the 5." At this Sweetie looks back down to see that indeed, she did forget about the 1, and redoes the problem. Properly this time.

When Sweetie was finished, she put her homework into her book and stuffed it into her saddlebag for tomarrow. Rarity gets the bed ready and asks if she brushed her teeth and rinsed her hooves.

"Yes, Rarity." Sweetie gets up and heads towards her bed.

"Did you get all your homework done?"

"Yes, Rarity." She answers, getting up into her bed.

Rarity waits til Sweetie is settled before tucking her sister in and kisses her on the forehead, then heads over to the lights and turns the light off. As she makes her out out of the room she turns, with a magical hold on the doorknob.

"Good night, Sweetie dreams."

"Rarity!"

Giggling, Rarity closes the door and sighs in mirth before heading down the hall to her room. Once there she heads to the bathroom. An ordinary affair. White walls, white tile. Beauty products on the counter and expensive shampoos and conditioners in the bathtub cubbies. But she's here to remove her makeup she put on this morning, and to put curlers in her hair to help keep that bounce in it. It's hard work being beautiful. Expensive too.

When that is done she head over to her collection of novels. It isn't late enough for her to go to bed, but this is the only quiet time she gets when she's not working or keeping a watchful eye on Sweetie. Two books immediately catch her interest. 'The Prince and The Rose,' a story about a country mare getting lost in the Everfree Forest only to come across a castle where she explores and meets a fearsome looking creature. She runs away and is attacked by timberwolves only to be saved by the creature. In the end it turns out the creature is actually a cursed prince, where her love cures him and they live happily ever after. The second book, 'The Mare in The Tower' is about a princess foalnapped at birth and hidden away in a secret tower with an elden mare that uses a song to reclaim her youth. One day the elden mare goes away and a dashing rogue stumbles upon the tower. Curious he climbs the tower only to find a young frightened mare. A journey takes place and the young mare discovers shes a lost princess. She returns to her kingdom, the elden mare is defeated and she and the rogue get married.

Both books are two of her favorites but she's feeling a little roguish today. Oh to have some dashing stallion come and sweep her off her feet, wouldn't that be grand. As long as it doesn't ruin her mane.

Giggling at the thought, she retires to her bed, book in tow, and settles down for the night.

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In another part of Ponyville, a slate grey Pegasus with pale blonde hair and bubbles for a cutie mark is walking into her home. She is tired, exhausted after a day of mail delivery, or in nine cases, the lack of mail delivery. Then she was nearly an hour late finishing her route and strongly suggested to make up that time tomorrow by her manager. Tossing her saddlebag into the corner, she trots into her kitchen. There is a tray of six muffins on the table, and by the smell they are all different flavors. The note next to the plate reads "Dinner - love Dinky."

Taking the muffins onto her back she heads out into the living room and places them on the end table. Ditzy seats herself into her chair, extending a wing and lifts a muffin to her hooves. She takes a bite, only to groan in bliss at the taste of banana nut. This is what she has waited for the entire day. A moment lasts for eternity when you finally relax after a difficult day.

When all the muffins have been eaten, Ditzy heads over to Dinky's room and checks on her. She is asleep, her homework books and papers are done and set up next to her saddlebags, the room is clean and everything is peaceful.

Leaving her daughter's room, Ditzy goes to the bathroom and washes up. The dust of the day leaves her nice and clean. She dries up, not easily mind, towels aren't as dangerous as a hairdrier, but take longer. Leaving to the bed, Ditzy leaps up to flop down on the mattress, tossing the blankets into the air to have them cover her perfectly. Sleep takes her quickly.

**********************

Further from Ponyville, pass the many hills and fields of apple trees lies the home of the Apple family. Inside the old wooden house are 3 ponies finished up their dinner and a forth rocking in her rocking chair.

The old green mare was slowly drifting to sleep. The big red stallion, Big Macintosh, was setting the dishes into the sink and turned the water on. It was his turn to do the dishes today since he found the bay leaf in his stew. It seemed that lately hes been finding those leaves more often then not. The young beige filly with a red mane is heading up to her room to finish up her history assignment. The orange mare with blonde hair and three red ripe apples on her flank was carrying a few bags of flour from the storage closet. Today they finished harvesting the east field and tomorrow will be a bake day for the farmers market on Saturday. Moving the dry ingredients into the kitchen now means the baking can happen that much sooner. After depositing her burden, Applejack goes to leave the kitchen and notices Winona laying next to the couch, a smile on her muzzle and a big belly. She looks over to Big Mac only to see him quietly picking up a dish from the floor. It seems somepony gave her some leftovers. The big lug is such a softy to puppy eyes.

Up the stairs she sees Apple Bloom yawn and close her door. The filly has the right idea, it's time for some shut eye. Entering her room she takes off her hat and places it on her bedpost. Before she turns off the lights, she looks at a picture of her and her friends. Her eyes linger on Rarity for a second longer before moving onto her lamp. Grabbing the chain with her teeth, she switches the light off and gets in bed. When settled, Applejack calls goodnight to her family. Apple Bloom and Big Mac call muffled nights, and Granny Smith gives an extra loud snore as if she was sitting right next to her. Smiling, Applejack drifts off to sleep.

Author's Note

This is my attempt going into the world of writing fanfiction. Hope you all like.