Pinkie stepped forward, gently touching the remains of the dress where it hung from the dressform. “I... I don’t understand,” she said, slumping back on her haunches. “Why would she...”

Fluttershy embraced her silently, simply holding her for a time. Pinkie kept staring at the dress, apparently not quite wanting to accept what she was seeing.

Fluttershy could understand the sentiment. The dress was in ruins. It looked as if it had been slashed over and over again, most likely by the same pair of shears which had been stabbed into the chest of the ponnequin. She gently turned Pinkie’s head away from the wreckage, towards her own. “Pinkie, it’s going to be okay. I’m sure Rarity had a very good reason for this. We just have to find her and everything will be wonderful.”

“But...”

“C’mon, let’s check upstairs. Maybe she’s just taking a nice nap, dreaming up a brand new design for the dress since this one clearly had something wrong with it.”

“But it was wonderful and perfect and she was gonna look so good in it—”

Fluttershy hurriedly guided Pinkie away from the dress. “Yes, it was very nice. But maybe too nice? I’m sure she had a reason. Let’s go ask her.”

They made their way upstairs, Fluttershy’s mind racing. Rarity had utterly destroyed her wedding dress. She had no idea why she would have done such a thing, but it did remind her of something Rarity had mentioned months ago when she had first recounted what had led to the tryst with Pinkie that had started their relationship.

“It was... a combination of stress, sexual frustration, and apparently mild starvation, but at the time I was convinced that dress was out to get me, and I was going to get it first.”

At the time, Fluttershy had laughed along with Rarity, certain that her friend had just been exaggerating. Now, she wasn’t so sure. Maybe... maybe something was wrong with Rarity? The other dresses had all been fine, so it was not very likely that she thought all the dresses were out to get her.

They found the bedroom dark, and empty. Fluttershy had hoped Rarity was maybe on her bed, staring at the ceiling, but the bed was made, and nothing else in the home seemed to have suffered from Rarity’s bout of possible insanity. The only thing that seemed wrong at all was the dress, and the fact that Rarity had missed their spa day. But those were two very wrong things.

A very annoyed meow from the bedroom door announced that Opalescence had walked in, and was demanding attention from one or both of them.

“Hey, Opal!” Pinkie said excitedly as she scooped up the cat as it attempted to pounce on her tail. Opal let out a huff as Pinkie snuggled her in her forelegs, reluctantly purring. She looked at Fluttershy and meowed plaintively.

“Oh? She didn’t feed you?” Fluttershy replied, surprised. “Of course, Opal.”

They took Opal downstairs to the kitchen, Pinkie fetching the cat food with a cheerful look on her face. Fluttershy envied her. She didn’t know how Pinkie could be sad one moment, and happy the next. But then... maybe she wasn’t? Not completely, anyway. Pinkie seemed to be happiest when she was helping somepony, and feeding Opal counted. If it allowed her to smile, Fluttershy was happy for her.

The dress and the spa day were one thing, but this in itself was very very troubling. Rarity loved Opal, so for her to have ignored her pet’s needs was not a good sign at all. Opal was upset, of course, but didn’t seem especially grouchy about it (Well, not grouchy for Opal), which likely meant it was only one meal missed. The water dish seemed fine as well. Rarity might have just forgotten about Opal in her haste to go somewhere, then.

So, there was the dress, forgetting about Opal, and the spa appointment missed. Three worrisome, but not necessarily connected, things. Rarity could have gotten upset with the dress yesterday, and then subsequently forgotten about their spa appointment. But Opal’s meal had only been missed this morning, which meant Rarity had remembered two meals in between. She might have just gone out this morning, and forgotten about Opal in her rush.

But she hadn’t gone to Fluttershy or Pinkie, and if she’d missed the appointment yesterday, Fluttershy couldn’t imagine her going to the spa, at least not without stopping by to see her first to invite her along.

Maybe Rarity had gone to see her family for a while?

If that was the case, it would make Fluttershy a little bit happy, despite the other troubling things. Rarity had seemed inordinately unhappy with her mother for a while now. It would be nice if she spent some time making peace with her past. Fluttershy well understood unhappy foalhoods, but she still loved her mom and dad, even if they were difficult to be around.

Even Pinkie made up with her family, and they hurt her in a very real way, even if they meant well.

Fluttershy dismissed that thought as being unfair, it was hard for her to make any sort of judgement on either of Pinkie’s or Rarity’s upbringings. Rarity’s mother had hurt her just as assuredly as Pinkie’s parents had, just in a different way.

By comparison, her own parents were rather normal. Her father’s worst problem was he was a little smothering, and her mother’s worst problem was not being able to relate very well to her daughter. Not that she blamed her mom for that, she wasn’t exactly the ideal daughter for a military mare, and that was a very big part of who her mother was. But she knew her mom loved her, even if they were two very different ponies.

She was equally sure Rarity’s mom loved her, even if Rarity wasn’t very happy with her. And Rarity surely loved her mom as well, even if she was upset. Nopony was perfect, after all.

Pinkie trotted back to her after tending to Opal, an expectant look on her face. Fluttershy was confused for a moment, until she realized Pinkie was looking to her for what they should do next. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but she had come to understand Pinkie a lot more in the last few months. Pinkie needed to keep moving when she was sad, it was part of how she coped. It was as if she felt she could outrun herself, and much of the time, it worked. But when it didn’t work, she tended to run herself ragged trying to pretend it was working anyway.

Fluttershy had learned the warning signs for when Pinkie was approaching her breaking point, and tried to help her however she could when she saw them. She took a deep breath. She had to be strong for Pinkie, and not succumb to worry herself. Rarity was likely fine, if a little off-center. They would find her, and help her. Just like Pinkie and Rarity had helped Fluttershy during some of her lowest moments. It was what they did for each other.

“Um... okay. I think we should maybe check with Rarity’s parents? Maybe... maybe Rarity went to go visit with them?”

Pinkie’s eyes shot wide open, and she flashed Fluttershy a bright, dazzling smile. “Hey! That’s a great idea! You always have the best ideas, Shy-shy!”

Despite how horribly untrue that statement was, it did have its intended effect on Fluttershy. Her mood was lightened slightly, which made it just a little easier to pretend everything was okay. It also made her a little more confident that everything would be okay, as long as they were together. It was a nice feeling.

“Okay, Pinkie, let’s go find our Rarity,” she said with a smile that was only a little unsure.

“Yeah!”

After ensuring that Opal’s food dish was refilled and her water topped off, the two of them made their way to the cottage of Cookie Crumbles and Hondo Flanks. Fluttershy wasn’t entirely certain she would find Rarity there, but after checking all of the places she normally would be found, her parents’ home was the next most likely location. If she wasn’t here, they would check with their friends next. But hopefully, she was here.

Pinkie waved excitedly to Hondo as she saw him fishing off the pier, and he smiled back at her, waving good-naturedly.

“Mr. Flanks!” Pinkie called out. “Have you seen Rarity today?”

He cupped a hoof up to his ear, shaking his head to indicate he hadn’t heard her.

“I said, have you seen Rarity?” Pinkie called out in a voice that carried halfway across Ponyville.

He smiled even bigger, and pointed a hoof towards the house.

“Thank you!” Pinkie shouted once more, then gave him an enthusiastic goodbye wave and began hopping towards the house.

Fluttershy followed, a look of bemusement her most prominent feature. Mr. Flanks hadn’t looked worried about his daughter when he’d indicated she was in his home. Granted, he was sitting a little away from them, so she could have misunderstood his reaction... but she didn’t think so. Body language was easier to read in animals, but she could usually make it out in ponies, if she knew them well. And she’d seen Mr. Flanks often enough to know him well.

If he wasn’t worried about her, she likely wasn’t in her old room consuming gallons of ice cream and bawling piteously... So, maybe... maybe everything was okay, and destroying the dress was just a very odd thing Rarity had done, and everything else would be just fine. She cautiously allowed a smile to replace the bemusement. Maybe it was going to be okay. That would be nice.

She followed Pinkie after waving shyly to Hondo herself. He was a very nice stallion. All of Rarity’s family was nice, actually. Sweetie Belle especially was nice, if just a little loud. But that was okay.

Pinkie knocked politely on the door, and in due time it was answered by Rarity’s mother. “Hey, Cookie!” Pinkie said with a grin. “Mr. Flanks said Rarity was visiting with you?”

Cookie Crumbles smiled back warmly, gesturing inside. “She’s playing a game with Sweetie, yes. Would you like to—” She blinked as Pinkie dashed inside, her eyes shifting to Fluttershy as the pink blur left her field of vision. “Hello, Fluttershy. How are you today?”

“I’m fine, ma’am.” Fluttershy replied, shifting nervously. She didn’t feel comfortable just dashing inside as Pinkie had. Pinkie had a place in this home, and was shortly going to be family. She was merely along for the ride, trying to help her friends with whatever was wrong this particular day. She couldn’t make assumptions even if she was every bit as anxious as Pinkie to see if Rarity was okay.

“Would you like to come inside? I’ve already fed Hondo and the girls but I could whip you up a nice omelet if you’ll wait a moment.”

That was a very nice thing about Cookie. She loved cooking, and always offered a meal or a snack to a guest. Fluttershy didn’t feel right about declining, especially when she knew the offer came from a place of love. It was another reason Fluttershy found it hard to understand Rarity’s grudge against her mother. She was a very nice mom, a very warm and happy mare.

It was very difficult to not wish her own mother had been a little more like Cookie. She apologized silently to her mother, though she thought Posey would understand. Her mom was aware of what she was, and what she wasn’t. But sometimes it was nice to be mothered, and Cookie liked mothering ponies.

“Yes, please.” Fluttershy said with a little grin. She was beginning to think this day was going to turn out nicely after all. They had found Rarity, and nopony seemed upset. The odd things surely had very good explanations.

“But why?” Pinkie said from the other room.

“Please don’t be upset, darling.” Rarity replied. “I just don’t want anything to change.”

“But...”

“It doesn’t mean I love you any less. It... it was just a bad idea. I can’t in good conscience go through with it anymore.”

Fluttershy’s ears perked up. “Um... Cookie, I think I’d like to check on Rarity and Pinkie, is that okay?”

“Go ahead, dear. I’ll go make your omelet.”

“I’m not taking mine out!” Pinkie proclaimed vehemently. “Forever, Rarity!”

“I’m not asking that you do.” Rarity replied with a heavy sigh. “It was a gift, after all. But... I can’t pretend that it’s not a symbol of something that isn’t true anymore. It’s not fair to her, don’t you see?”

“But how is this fair to you?” Pinkie demanded.

It was then that Fluttershy entered the room and understood what her two friends were arguing about: Rarity had removed the engagement earring from her ear and was extending her hoof to Pinkie with the golden band in it for her to take.

Oh.

Today wasn’t so very nice after all.

“I’ll be fine, love. It’s... just a silly little ceremony. I’ll be sending out apologies to everypony, of course. Wouldn’t be proper to have anypony waste their time.”

“Sis, what’re you talking about?” Sweetie asked from the other side of the chessboard.

“Never you mind, Sweetie. I’m just having a conversation with my marefriend.”

“Fiance.” Pinkie said with something Fluttershy only rarely saw her display: Pinkie was angry!

“That doesn’t apply anymore, Pinkie.”

“Yes it does!” Pinkie insisted. “You asked me, and just because you’re getting cold hooves doesn’t mean—”

“This is not cold hooves, Pinkie.” Rarity said quickly. “I thought long and hard about this. I won’t change what we have for anything. But he was right, don’t you see? It’s not fair, and I won’t go through with it.”

“What about me, then?” Pinkie demanded, stomping her hoof down. “I wanna get married, and have our bachelorette parties, and the parties before and after the wedding! I wanted Dashie to catch the bouquet, and Applejack to get all embarrassed, and Twilight to blush and not tell anypony why, and—”

Rarity just shook her head, though Fluttershy could see the tears shaking loose as she did so. “I wanted all of that as well! But then what? We have this wonderful ceremony announcing two lives joined, but that’s not true!”

Fluttershy’s face fell. Everything she’d worried about was happening. “Rarity... I...”

Rarity’s eyes immediately whipped around to meet Fluttershy’s, and her expression became even more stricken. “Sweetness, please don’t start as well! I love you both, that will never change. I just can’t— I—”

Fluttershy regarded her for a moment more, and did her best to hide her dismay. Pinkie was on the verge of a breakdown, and clearly Rarity was as well. They didn’t need her to add to the problem. This was why she was here, why she was needed. Even if her mere presence was ruining Rarity’s wedding plans—

No. You can’t worry right now. They need you to be strong.

“Rarity, it’s okay.”

Pinkie’s head whipped around to face her. “No it’s not—”

“It’s okay.” Fluttershy repeated, just a little louder. “She’s scared, Pinkie. That’s okay. We’re going to go home, and we’re going to talk. But everything will be okay. All right?”

Pinkie opened and closed her mouth several times, her hair losing its bounce and her eyes flashing wildly between different emotions. Finally, she simply gave Fluttershy a long look, and when she didn’t flinch, she nodded, still looking unsure. But this was for Fluttershy alone, as the look she gave Rarity was filled with understanding, and love. “Okay! We’ll talk it out.” She then trotted over to Rarity, finally taking the earring. “I’m just going to keep this safe.”

Rarity looked ready to protest, but finally nodded tearfully. “Keep it safe, then. I love you, Pinkie.”

Sweetie gave her sister a cross look, pointing at the board. “Rarity, are you gonna go, now?”

Rarity turned in Pinkie’s embrace, smiling apologetically. “Sorry, Sweetie.”

The younger unicorn just rolled her eyes. “It’s fine. I just wish you could have waited until after we finished.” She narrowed her eyes, as she saw Rarity’s eyeshadow running down her cheeks. “You are okay, right?”

“I’ll be fine, Sweetie. Just a minor breakdown.”

Sweetie smiled brightly, her eyes no longer troubled. “Okay! Now, go already! My Luna is totally gonna trounce your Celestia!”

They stayed at Rarity’s parents’ home for a time, Cookie insisting on feeding them lunch before they left. During that time none of them said anything related to the wedding, or lack thereof. The only signs of stress were from Pinkie, who kept glancing up at Rarity’s ear, the little downturn in her smile growing each time. And of course, from Rarity. But then, for Rarity, stress was the norm.

Rarity noticed more than once, and squirmed in her chair unhappily like a disobedient child. But she did not relent, even on the one occasion in which Pinkie caught her eye, and held out the earring silently, just below the table, for her to take.

They walked home in what could have been mistaken for a funeral march. Anypony who caught sight of them waved, only to let their hoof fall in confusion as they passed. The trio had become known for lively and animated conversation when they were together, even Fluttershy managing to laugh at audible levels, but now they trotted in silence, none of them wishing to argue further in public.

Pinkie’s usual cheerful expression was replaced by firm determination. Rarity’s ears were laid back as if she’d added up her sales for the season and come up deep in the red, and Fluttershy was doing her best to betray no emotion at all save for her usual affected display of nonjudgmental caring.

As soon as the door was safely closed, however, that changed quickly. Pinkie rounded on Rarity and held out the earring. “Take it,” she demanded.

“Love, please don’t be like that—”

“Forever, Rarity. That’s what they mean! You don’t just say forever is up!”

“I’m not saying that.” Rarity said firmly. “Forever is exactly what I will give you, I wouldn’t have it any other way. But a wedding is very important! It’s not something you just... do.” She wrung her hooves together, staring at the floor. “Especially if you’re not sure... and I’m not sure any longer.”

Her statement hit the room with a dull thud, with the weight of a lead brick. Fluttershy could hear Pinkie’s heart shatter as she watched the poor thing’s ears clamp tight to her skull.

“You... you aren’t?!” Pinkie finally replied in a whimper, letting out a great heaving sob.

Rarity’s head immediately whipped up, and she rushed forward to embrace the distraught mare, throwing both forelegs around Pinkie’s withers and holding her tightly. “Darling, I didn’t mean it that way! I...” She hung her head, and desperately stroked Pinkie’s mane. “I just don’t know about anything anymore,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, I tried to be strong, and ignore my fears. I failed you.”

“W-Why? Why aren’t you sure?” Pinkie bawled into her shoulder. “Di-did I do something wrong?”

“No, love. You’ve been wonderful. I’m the one to blame,” Rarity assured her. “I wanted this so badly, but it was so selfish of me.”

“But... why don’t you still want it?” Pinkie asked, pulling her head from Rarity’s shoulder to look her in the eyes.

“I do.” Rarity admitted. “More than ever. But I...” she glanced at Fluttershy, falling silent. “I can’t. Not if... I won’t let what we have change,” she finished, looking away.

“Rarity?” Fluttershy asked, still uncertain if she could intrude on their conversation, but unable to remain silent anymore.

“Yes, Sweetness?” Rarity replied, looking at her once more.

“Why did you ruin your wedding dress? Are...are you okay?” The words unspoken were: ‘Do you need help? Should we take you to the hospital?’

“I’m fine, Fluttershy. The dress simply needed to go.” Rarity replied in a tone that told Fluttershy very little about whether her friend was sane. “It was a selfish dress, born of selfish desires.”

“But... it’s your day.” Fluttershy said, confused. “It’s the day you’ve dreamed about. You’re supposed to be allowed to be selfish.”

Rarity laughed bitterly. “I suppose, but I’d rather not have one at all unless it is perfect. And... it wasn’t going to be. So... I am even more selfish now than I was.” She kissed the top of Pinkie’s head. “You were right, Pinkie. I’m sorry.”

“Huh?” Pinkie asked, her tears temporarily forgotten. “What was I right about?”

“It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I love you both. I don’t need a ceremony to prove that.” Rarity kissed the top of Pinkie’s head, motioning for Fluttershy to join in the embrace. After a moment’s hesitation, she did. “As for the parties... let’s have them anyway. We’ll come up with something else to celebrate. I’ll just send out new invitations for that instead.”

To Fluttershy, Pinkie still looked troubled, but the thought of parties with their family and friends seemed to cheer her up slightly. “Okie-dokie.” She said, very quietly.

Fluttershy shared Pinkie’s trepidation, but was less willing to accept that everything was suddenly all right. “Rarity, are you sure you’re okay? I mean, this was your dream, and... you shouldn’t just give up on dreams.”

“I haven’t.” Rarity said, simply. “I’ve just come to realize that I wanted something not to have changed, and my whole life has changed. That is a good thing, and shouldn’t be ignored because it doesn’t fit with my foalhood fantasies.” With that, she kissed the top of Fluttershy’s head, and smiled. “Now, do you suppose we could discuss something a little nicer? I found this lovely new restaurant on the edge of town and I’d love to take you both there.”

Pinkie’s eyes lit up. “Wait wait... No wedding means I can see you all the time again, right?”

“Of course, darling.” Rarity replied after a moment.

“Yes! No more sleeping by myself!” Pinkie hugged Rarity and Fluttershy all the tighter, her smile having returned to its normal ecstatic levels of happiness.

Fluttershy returned the hug, allowing herself a little sigh of relief. But as glad as she was that Pinkie was happy, she couldn’t feel the same. None of this was right. She just wasn’t sure what she could do. Or if she should do anything at all.