The silence was broken by Maud clearing her throat. “Pinkie, pass the pepper, please?”

Pinkie smiled and grabbed the pepper shaker in both hooves, passing it down to her sister. “Here ya go!”

“Psst,” a voice whispered.

Rarity turned to her right, seeing one of the Pie twins...

Limestone, that was it.

Limestone was talking to her. “Um... yes?” Rarity whispered back.

“So... how did you and Pinkie... you know...” Twin spots of pink shone out clearly on the ashen face.

“Um... I’m not sure what—” Rarity stopped abruptly as she realized what Limestone was asking. “Ah, how we met?” The other mare nodded. “Well, I’ve known her for ages and ages, and one day, something just... happened. Now I just can’t imagine being without her.”

“That’s so nice...” Limestone remarked, her eyes shining. “I always worried a little about sis... She’s kinda—”

“Different?” Rarity supplied, a little smile on her face.

“Yeah. She doesn’t think like most ponies.” Limestone twirled her hoof around, making googly eyes. “Makes her ask weird questions.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true. But they have a saying in Prance.” She took a deep breath, and deepened her voice slightly, affecting a french accent “‘Vive la différence!’” Even saying the phrase made her chuckle just a little. “Granted, they are usually dirty-minded stallions sneaking peeks at pretty mares, but the principle remains. I love her because she is different, not despite it.”

Limestone worriedly made shushing motions, much to Rarity’s consternation. “Don’t be too loud. Pa gets upset when we talk at the table.”

“Oh? I didn’t know,” Rarity replied, keeping her voice very low.

“’S’ok, I don’t think he’d try to tell you to keep it down, but I’d probably end up with more chores.”

“Lime,” Pa said, startling Rarity, since she expected silence from that corner of the table.

“Yes, Pa?” Lime replied meekly.

“Show proper manners in front of the guests.”

“Sorry, Pa.” Limestone went back to eating, taking a moment to mouth a silent ‘Sorry’ to Rarity.

Rarity wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that exchange, but noted a marked increase in the tension at the table.

She watched carefully for any further comment, but Pa seemed to have gone back to eating. Very, very quietly, she dared speak once more. “I hope our visit doesn’t cause you trouble.”

“’S’fine,” Limestone whispered back. “Pinkie... always brings a surprise with her. It’s just this one was a bigger one than usual.” She sighed just a little. “Big sis always seems to shake Ma and Pa up. We all love her, o’course, but... she’s kinda hard on the nerves.”

Rarity shared a knowing smile with Limestone, then did as instructed, finding the food very well prepared, and quite flavorful.

“Rarity?” Fluttershy said from her other side. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, sweetness,” Rarity replied. “Everything is fine. Just enjoy your lunch. The Pies aren’t the type to talk over a meal, it seems.”

“Just Ma ‘n Pa,” said a voice coming from her right. At first Rarity assumed it was Limestone once again, but turning towards it she found Marble was addressing her from a little further down the table. Limestone appeared to be preoccupied with desert.

“I mean,” Marble’s eyes glanced at her mother and father to make sure she wasn’t going to be disciplined as her sister had been. Satisfied, she continued in a low tone. “Maud doesn’t say much anyway, and me and Lime tend to talk all the time, so we don’t need to talk while we eat...”

Her eyes flicked guiltily to her father, then back to Rarity. “Pa... used to be more strict about it. Then Pinkie...” Marble trailed off, eventually shrugging with a sheepish look. “Nevermind. Point is, they don’t talk much.”

Rarity’s eyebrows rose high upon hearing that little snippet. Pinkie had been notably closed-lipped about her falling out with her parents and the subsequent reconciliation that had followed.

So, they changed because of Pinkie...

By itself, it meant little, but she filed it away as one more piece of the puzzle that was her darling.

The tension hung about the table like a low fog, seeming to make everypony but Pinkie a little nervous. Pinkie, of course, was simply enjoying her meal. Rarity tried to ignore it for now; there was little she could do about it, after all. She couldn’t help but be a bit irritated that none of her invitations had made it to the Pies, though. That might have made a difference. Although... she hadn’t exactly mentioned in any of those invitations that there was a third pony involved.

It wasn’t relevant, she thought defensively. There was only Pinkie and myself to consider, since we were the only ones getting married at the time.

The thought made her eyes shift guiltily to Fluttershy. It... was just a ceremony, after all. And it was her day! And Pinkie had been first, even if she could no longer even think about being happy without both of them...

Why did everything have to get so complicated?

She imagined this scene without the addition of Fluttershy, and saw it being... well, slightly less awkward. They were still two mares, and that was going to raise eyebrows regardless.

But that wasn’t possible. There was no turning back the clock just because things were inconvenient. She loved Pinkie and Fluttershy both, and for better or worse, wanted to make a life with them. She also wanted to get married, in a large and elaborate ceremony, and that meant their families needed to be there. So she would navigate this social situation like any other, with grace, and pure determination.

A clank of silverware on a plate broke the silence, causing Rarity to look away from her own plate. Pa was getting up, collecting his dishes as he did so. He deposited them into the sink, and spoke up for the first time in several minutes. “A word, Ma?”

Ma Pie nodded, getting up from her seat as well. “We’ll be a moment. Girls, could you keep the guests company?”

Limestone and Marble exchanged a worried look, quickly gathering the plates from the table. “Yes, Ma!” they said in unison.

Maud stood as well, motioning for Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy to follow her into the family room.

“Ma?” Pinkie asked, suddenly concerned.

“Never you mind, ‘Mina,” Ma said as she followed Pa.

“Maud, do you know what’s happening?” Pinkie asked as she scampered after her sister.

“Pa wants to talk to Ma.”

From upstairs, raised voices could be heard. Pinkie’s ears went flat as she heard this, her smile faltering. “Did... did I do something wrong? I thought we were having a nice time...”

“We are having a nice time, Pinkie. Pa is just Pa.”

“—told you this would happen!” Pa’s voice rang out from the upstairs bedroom as a door was opened. “You said yer Ma would straighten her out, and she only got worse.”

“Enough, Pa,” Ma’s voice replied.

“I never should have let her leave home. Not before we taught her right from wrong! Getting married and dating another one!”

“I said that’s enough.”

Ma came back down the stairs, sweeping her eyes to the family room. Her expression softened when she saw Pinkie’s hangdog look, and immediately gathered her in when her foal rushed forward. “There, there, ‘Mina. It’s fine.”

Rarity’s face darkened. “Pardon me!” she said as she strode forward, intent on rushing up the stairs. She was stopped short by a tug on her tail, and turned back to see that Maud had its curls clamped firmly in her teeth. “Will you please get your mouth off my tail?”

“Rarity, I really think it would be a bad idea to go talk to him,” Fluttershy said worriedly. “Can’t we just... go? I’m sure we could come back some other time.”

“Oh, we’ll go, but not before I tell him exactly what I think of his ‘right and wrong’ nonsense. I can understand being a little shocked, but there is no call for that!” Rarity said through gritted teeth. “Now, Maud, will you please let go of my tail so I can go yell at your father for a bit?”

“You wanted a word with me?” Pa asked as he came down the stairs.

“Several, as a matter of fact,” Rarity said, pulling her tail from Maud’s mouth with a flick and stomping her way over to Pa, stopping just short of being nose to nose with him. “I am terribly sorry if you disapprove of your daughter’s choice in partners, but we didn’t come here for your opinion; we came to invite you to a celebration!” She held his gaze with her own, unwavering and determined. “So, are you coming, or not?”

“That’s not a celebration. It’s a farce, and I won’t be a part of it,” Pa said firmly.

“A farce?!” Rarity repeated, mouthing the words to herself in indignation. If looks could kill, he would have been dead on the spot from the one she gave him. “I love your daughter, sir! I sent you no less than five invitations because we want you and your family to be there!”

“I didn’t see one of them,” Pa countered. “Care to explain that?”

“Pinkie... was worried about exactly this happening, actually,” Rarity replied, her eyes flashing to Pinkie with a guilty look. “So she never actually sent them when I gave them to her. But she thought you might actually be happy that she was getting married, since you appeared to be rather concerned with it. It seems I owe her more than one apology, because I assumed our meeting would be a happy one.”

“Happy?” Pa repeated.

“Pa, can you please settle down just a bit—” Ma attempted to interject.

“Not now, Ma!” Pa said, cutting his wife off. His eyes locked with Rarity’s once more. “I ain’t. I raise my daughters to be hardworking, respectful, and morally sound. Pinkamina has become everything I feared she would, even after we sent her to Granny Pie to help her learn discipline. And now this? It’s bad enough that she isn’t doing good honest work anymore, but now she wants to have her cake and eat it too!”

His eyes flicked to Pinkie. “Ya don’t marry one while dating another, ‘Mina. It ain’t right, and unfair to both of ‘em.” His expression softened slightly as he continued. “Look, Miss Rarity, I can tell that you’re a decent enough mare, and I’m sorry, but I can’t—won’t—condone anything like...” he made a gesture with his hoof indicating all three of them. “Anything like this. It’s wrong.”

“You don’t think I had that very argument with myself?!” Rarity shot back, her eyes flashing in anger. “My best friend fell in love with my fiance, and I very nearly drove her away because of the type of morals you’re talking about. Your daughter is every bit the moral pony she should be. She was the one who insisted that it didn’t have to end in heartbreak for any of us, that love is more important than anything!” She huffed and puffed angrily as she caught her breath. “So you can stuff your wrong, thank you for your hospitality, goodbye and good riddance!”

She turned on her rear hoof, stomping out of the farmhouse as she left.

Once she’d gotten outside, she took a deep breath, and proceeded to scream her lungs out for what seemed like forever. When she was done, she stood, gasping for air, staring at the ground tiredly. It had officially all gone wrong. Pinkie’s family wouldn’t be coming, and would likely never speak to her again.

Fine. Good. At least it’s settled.

“Feel any better?” Ma asked from behind her.

Rarity turned her head to regard the older mare. “No. Not particularly. I didn’t come here to yell at your husband.” She sighed deeply. “Is Pinkie all right?”

“She’s fine. The other filly set her down, hugged her. They’re talking a little. Nice to see, actually. I figured I’d come check on you. How you doing?”

Rarity laughed mirthlessly. “I feel like a complete idiot.”

“Wouldn’t go that far,” Ma replied with a very small smile. "Pa can be a little coarse at times. Drives the neighbour up a cliff everytime they see one another."

“That doesn't excuse me losing my temper," Rarity said with a sigh. "Nor does it make him any less right. Pinkie said it as well. Getting married... while we’re only dating Fluttershy... it feels wrong. But I’ve wanted this for so long, and... I don’t know if… I don't think I could stand waiting another day to officiate the love I share with your daughter."

“So what about the other one?” Ma asked

“Fluttershy,” Rarity said, putting emphasis on the name. “She is a very dear friend of ours, and recently, even more than that. I know you and I have just met, but she is important to Pinkie, and... if Pinkie is important to you, please remember her name.”

“Missy, I know you’re upset, but if you imply my daughter ain’t important to me ever again, you ‘n I are going to have a problem,” Ma said, her voice turning colder. It was then that Rarity noticed that Pinkie had her mother’s eyes. She noticed because up till that moment, they had been warm and sparkling with suppressed merriment, but now, they were quite the opposite.

“Forgive me,” Rarity said quickly. “I just don’t quite know how to feel about how you both treat her. I suppose you must love her, but it’s a very strange way of showing it.”

“And that means?” Ma demanded, those penetrating eyes seeming ready to peel back the layers of Rarity’s soul

“She told me how things ended with you,” Rarity said, her voice devoid of any emotion, though she imagined she would have been intimidated if she wasn’t so very drained. She did not really want to start another fight, but at the same time she was too exhausted to be diplomatic with this mare who had hurt Pinkie in the past, even if Pinkie had forgiven her.

“Ah,” Ma said, her face clearing of the building anger. Her gaze now soulful, full of remorse for her poor foal. “Wasn’t much else to be done. Pa wouldn’t ease up on her, and she stuck out like a sore hoof here. I missed her something fierce, but if she’d stayed... She would’a broke.” Ma shook her head. “Couldn’t have that. I asked my Ma to take her in.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Rarity turned fully around to regard the mare. “She told me how you caught her... doing something private, and shamed her for it.” Rarity cut herself off there.

Ma simply regarded Rarity for a time, at a loss for words. “Yeah, that happened.”

“How could you do that to her?” Rarity demanded. “Why would you do that?”

Ma simply looked at her impassively. “Raised many foals, have you, child?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Rarity replied, testily.

“My ‘Mina... was always a hyperactive child after she got her cutie mark. And she was always looking for new fun things to do. Trouble was... she doesn’t have much shame to her.” Ma held up a hoof to forestall Rarity’s protests. “I don’t mean it’s shameful. But it’s supposed to be private.”

“She said you called her horrible.” Rarity snapped back.

“I told her what she was doing was a horrible thing to do where other ponies can see you,” Ma replied. “She was in the middle of the gol’danged field. I woulda let it go at that, but Pa was coming back from chores and saw her like that and... he turned it into an object lesson for the rest.”

“She didn’t take it that way. To her, you were essentially saying she mustn’t do it ever.” Rarity muttered. “I can see how you meant well, but that hurt her badly.”

Ma sighed heavily, glancing back to the farmhouse. “She always took admonishments too hard. An’ she never understood why things were as they were. My Ma... She was a good ‘un. Always knew what to say to make me feel better. I figured... I wasn’t doin’ right by Pinkie, keeping her cooped up here. She was like a hare trying to live with a bunch of tortoises, bless her.” Turning back, Ma looked at Rarity expectantly. “So, we done questioning whether I love my daughter?”

Rarity slumped back onto her haunches, a haunted look in her eyes. “I... I’m deeply sorry, Mrs. Pie,” she said quietly.

“Don’t be. Takes guts to ask that kinda question, 'n that means you care that she was hurt. I like knowing she’s marrying somepony that will stand up for her when it counts.” Ma’s face broke out in a very small grin once more. “But you didn’t ever answer me about the other filly, Fluttershy. How’s she fit in?”

“I love her, and Pinkie loves her, and she loves us,” Rarity said, waving her hoof about vaguely. “It’s complicated, but that’s the simplest way I can put it.”

“Love’s certainly got its strange ways...” Ma replied, shaking her head.

“You don’t know the half of it! You know, before Pinkie, I had no idea I was... that way? I mean in retrospect, it does explain a few things. I’ve always admired long manes on stallions, took it as a sign of virility...” Rarity trailed off, blushing. “Sorry, I am over-sharing.”

Ma didn’t comment on whether she felt Rarity had gone to far or not. “What was you planning, exactly? Marry ‘Mina, keep seeing the other’un on the side?”

“Not... my ideal choice, no. If I was certain of Fluttershy’s feelings, I’d want her there, with both of us, exchanging vows as well. I had thought we might just have a second ceremony when we were sure.” Rarity grinned nervously. “I really only came by to talk to you about the ceremony between Pinkie and myself.”

“Why bring the other’un at all, then? Just made things harder on yaself.” Ma looked at Rarity pointedly. “If ya ain’t sure what ya want, probably means you should hold off. Marriage’s a one time thing.”

“I know that!” Rarity snapped back. “That’s why it’s complicated!”

“Ah’right, ah’right, calm yaself.” Ma laid a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder, rubbing it gently. “Look, I can talk to Pa. He’s a stubborn’un, but he loves Pinkamina somethin’ fierce, even if he don’t get her. The girls seem to like ya jus’ fine, and if you make ‘Mina happy, I feel the same. If that’s all you want, I’m pretty sure I can get everypony there. But you need to ask yerself some hard questions. And... probably ask Butterfly one, too.”

“Fluttershy,” Rarity said, absently. “And what would that be? ‘Do you love us?’ We know she does!”

Ma rolled her eyes. “That ain’t the question.”

“Then what is the question?”

“Same one ya asked my daughter, o’course.”

Rarity raised her eyebrows at that. “What, no lecture about how a marriage is between two ponies?”

Ma cuffed the side of Rarity’s head with enough force that Rarity saw stars. Even then, she could tell the matriarch was capable of far worse. “Stop being so danged foolish. Yer talking to a farmin’ mare. You really think the Pies’ve never seen a herd? We helped found this town, and lemme tell ya, three was the smallest number for some of the branches o’ Pies. Pa’s family’s the same. Just because it ain’t been done in a while don’t mean it ain’t done.”

The ride home was a quiet one for them all. Rarity sat by herself and brooded while Fluttershy sat with Pinkie, murmuring words of encouragement to her downtrodden friend. Visiting Pinkie’s parents should have been a happy affair, a cause for celebration, but now Rarity found herself questioning whether the wedding had any significant meaning any more.

All Rarity could think about was Ma Pie’s very straight-forward answer to something that had been bothering Pinkie and herself for some time. She had said it as if the prospect were the simplest thing in the world! And... perhaps it was, but that didn’t make it easier. Some small part of her, some spoiled, selfish part, wanted to go ahead as planned, and not change the status quo. It was just a ceremony, not terribly important in and of itself. But it was her ceremony, and she wanted to get married to Pinkie. She wasn’t sure at all about adding another name to those invitations like some plus one to an important event—

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Perhaps Ma was right. She did need to ask herself some important questions.

“Rarity?” Fluttershy said, breaking the silence.

“Yes, sweetness?”

“Is... is everything okay?” Fluttershy blushed, quickly adding: “I mean, I know it’s not—everything went wrong and I’m very sorry about that—but are you okay? You haven’t said a word since we got on the train and I wasn’t sure if I had done something wrong—”

“Everything is... fine, Fluttershy. I’m just wishing things had gone better,” Rarity replied with a long-held exhalation.

“Well, at least Limestone and Marble and Maud were nice?” Fluttershy offered. “And... Ma and Pa Pie seemed nice as well. I suppose I can’t blame him for feeling the way he does.” She clung tighter to Pinkie, and it was at this point that Rarity finally realized that Fluttershy was crying. “B-but it’s not your fault I came along and ruined your marriage plans—”

“Shy-shy, no!” Pinkie exclaimed quickly. “It’s not your fault my Pa is a stuffy meany-pants! He’s always been like that! This is my fault, I should have told them a long time ago so you two wouldn’t have to go through this—”

Rarity listened to both of them, getting more and more frustrated until she finally screamed out in frustration: “Both of you, enough! If anypony is to blame, it’s me, but that’s not the point!”

Pinkie and Fluttershy were both silent for a time, until Fluttershy finally found her voice. “Then... what is the point?”

“I don’t know!” Rarity replied vehemently. “I don’t know if any of it is worth it anymore. I just wanted... It was so simple a thing! A celebration, family there, friends, cake, a lovely dress, but maybe they’re right!” She slumped down. “Maybe it is wrong. A great big farce celebrating something that isn’t even so anymore.”

“Rarity, you can’t mean that—”

“Not worth it? Are you loco?!”

Rarity simply stared at the floor of the train. “Sorry, loves. I didn’t mean that. Just...forget I even said it, please. Everything is going to be wonderful, I just know it.” She raised her head up, putting on a brave smile. “Thank you.”

She found herself surrounded on both sides by warm feathers and hugs, and only then did she she allow herself to cry.

Pinkie nuzzled her on her cheek, getting out some tissues from her mane. “Rarity, it’s gonna be so great, you’ll see! Everypony will be there, and the cake will be ginormous, just like you wanted!”

“Please don’t cry?” Fluttershy asked, quietly. “You shouldn’t have to cry. This is going to be your day! You worked so hard. Don’t be sad.”

Rarity simply held them both tightly, willing her tears to stop. She had to be strong, for them if nothing else. The wedding would go on, for Pinkie, and for Fluttershy.

Pinkie woke up from a restless sleep, sitting up and blinking crud out of her eyes.

The first thing she saw was a single eye, blinking very slowly. The other eye was of course looking in another direction.

“Hey, Gummy! Good morning! You hungry?”

The alligator blinked his left eye, then his right. He opened his mouth and snapped at the end of Pinkie’s nose.

“Gwess tha’s a yeas,” Pinkie said, pulling him off of her face and setting him down on the far side of the bed.

She got up and stretched, shaking off the achies and owies. It was weird sleeping in her own bed again. Weird but good. She did miss waking up beside Rarity, but it would be nicer when it was time for the honeymoon.

“Just a few more weeks!” she said excitedly. “Then all the stress will be over and I’ll have my Rarity again!”

A loud snap and a pulling on her tail announced that Gummy was reminding her he still needed to be fed. She turned around, furrowing her brow when she couldn’t find him. She turned around again, then a third time, before realizing she couldn’t find him because he was holding onto her tail. “Silly Gummy, hide and go-seek comes later! It’s time for yummies!”

Having detached her pet from herself, she filled his food dish and skipped out her bedroom door.

The sun was just beginning to peek over the windowsill as she made her way to the stairs. Already she could hear stirrings of activity. Mrs. Cake was waking up the twins to get them dressed and fed, much to Pound’s evident disapproval, and Pumpkin’s amusement, if the crying and laughter was any indication. Pinkie’s mouth quirked up a little herself. Pound always was hard to wake up.

From the kitchen, she could hear Mr. Cake preparing for the morning rush. She could already smell the oil from the friers heating up, and the first batch of croissants were already baking. She inhaled deeply. It was going to be a good morning.

Rarity had said they should try not to see each other before the wedding, partially because of it being unlucky, which Pinkie didn’t understand, but mostly because she was very busy finishing the bridesmaid dresses for their friends and making sure all the plans were just perfect. That Pinkie understood.

This was going to be like a fashion show for her, after all. All of the princesses were coming, and everypony’s family, even Pinkie’s! Not to mention all of Ponyville, and lots and lots of ponies who Rarity knew from her work! It was going to be a great big to-do! And so Rarity had to go over all her dos and don’ts to make sure it didn’t become one big kerfuffle!

Pinkie, for her part, was planning the biggest and bestest parties for the reception parties, one before the wedding and one after. Also, she was planning bachelorette parties, one for Rarity, and one for herself, and finally a practice reception party for the practice wedding! Practice made perfect, after all, and everything had to be extra extra perfect.

In the back of her mind, something was bothering her. It had been bothering her for about a week since they had gotten back from her family’s farm. A little worry that made her toss and turn.

What made it worse was she didn’t know what it was! She’d gotten a letter from Ma saying they were all coming. Even Pa! That officially made everything as perfectacularly perfect as it could be! So why was that worry there?

Go away! Nopony has time for you right now! she told the worry, frowning. It remained defiantly there, sticking its tongue out and knocking over her protests like cardboard cutouts. It seemed it was here to stay, and she’d just have to deal with bad sleep until she found some way to dismiss it.

She stuck her tongue out at it right back and went back to ignoring it for now. Worries only got worse when you kept thinking about them.

“Hey, Mr. Cake!” she said cheerfully as she entered the kitchen.

“Morning, Pinkie! Sleep well?”

“Yeppers!” she lied, wincing internally. The Cakes were super nice, but she didn’t like to worry them with her Pinkie Pie problems, not when she could take care of them herself. And ignoring was sort of like taking care of it. “Did you remember—”

“I already have them ready,” he said, gesturing to a basket full of piping hot croissants and a little bowl of butter to spread on them.

Her smile was much less forced when she saw the basket. She knew Rarity wanted her to stay away from the boutique for a little while, but she was sure she would be forgiven for risking bad luck if she brought breakfast along. And maybe if she saw Rarity was doing okay, that nasty worry would go away and leave her alone to get some rest.

She picked up the basket in her teeth, intent on visiting that very instant. She paused, however, when she heard what may have been the quietest knock in the history of ever.

“Um... excuse me, are... are you open yet?”

Pinkie’s eyes widened, and she set down the basket, rushing to the front door. She flung it open, smiling at her marefriend. “Not yet, Shy-shy, but tell me what you want and I’ll make it for you lickety-split!”

Fluttershy smiled back shyly, though Pinkie could see a hint of panic in her eyes. This in itself was extremely worrisome, since Fluttershy usually kept her fears hidden away so they wouldn’t bother anypony else.

In Pinkie’s head, the worry clanged big symbols together and laughed hysterically. “Shy-shy? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, I’m sure it’s fine. I was just hoping maybe Rarity was over here, with you. But I’m guessing not.” Fluttershy put on a brave smile. “Could I maybe get something to eat? I sort of left the cottage without doing that.” She paused for a moment. “Actually, I think I was supposed to have lunch with Rarity after the spa, and since she didn’t come, I think I haven’t eaten since yesterday. So... maybe I should eat here, while I’m thinking about it. Would that be okay?”

The worry pulled a big red switch marked ‘Do Not Touch’ and alarms went off all over. Pinkie immediately slapped on Emergency Smile Number Seven and ushered Fluttershy into the kitchen. “Mr. Cake! I need a batch of muffins and a glass of milk, stat! We have a code F, and possibly a code R!”

“Blueberry okay?” he replied quickly.

“Yeppers! And I need another batch of croissants and a bottle of milk, just in case!”

“Pinkie? What’s a ‘code F’?” Fluttershy asked as she was pushed bodily into a seat.

“It means I need help with an emergency, and please pause everything for a second while I sort it out. F for Fluttershy, R for Rarity.” She nodded in thanks when Mr. Cake passed her the requested items, carrying them on a delivery tray. “Now, I want you to sit down, eat some muffins, and tell me why you have a crazy little pony mucking around in your head!” Pinkie said, setting the milk and muffins in front of Fluttershy.

“Crazy little—” Fluttershy’s eyes widened as a muffin was stuffed into her mouth, but she began chewing dutifully after a mere second. She had been dating Pinkie for a number of months, after all, and this was not very unusual.

“Talk later, eat first.” Pinkie explained. “You know you get really weird when you don’t eat. When your tummy isn’t as grumbly we’ll get it all sorted out.”

Fluttershy nodded, her eyes showing far less worry than before. The simple act of chewing and swallowing became her whole world, and when she finished, Pinkie could see that worry had given way to weariness. “Thank you. I’m sorry to be a bother, Pinkie.”

“Shush.” Pinkie replied, putting away number seven for number seventy-five, which was doing great ever since the overhaul. “You’re never a bother, Shy-shy. Now, Rarity missed a spa appointment? Do you know why?”

After drinking down her milk, Fluttershy set it down and shook her head. “I”m afraid I don’t. Aloe and Lotus hadn’t seen her all week, which was strange, since she usually goes in for supplementary visits when she’s under a lot of stress. I wanted to check up on her, but she wouldn’t answer the door...” Fluttershy blushed furiously as she admitted: “I even checked all the windows, thinking maybe... she wanted me to watch you two, but it’s all dark. So I thought maybe she’d come to you to visit, and I went home...”

“Dark?” Pinkie asked, flummoxed. As far as she knew, Rarity was still working on all the dresses for the wedding, so the boutique should have been lit up like the summer sun festival! She winced as the worry kicked something loose, hoping she didn’t need that.

In a sudden flash, she knew why he was there, and he ran away, cackling.

Last night, she’d woken up, needing some water, and had noticed something missing. Something that had been missing for close to a week.

Rarity hadn’t been singing.

She slumped down, number seventy-five experiencing a catastrophic failure. The red lights flashed everywhere in her head.

“Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked, scrambling from her seat. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to go find out why she isn’t singing,” Pinkie said with a dazed look in her eyes.

“Why she isn’t—”

“Rarity always sings when she works, unless she’s really unhappy, or she isn’t working.” Pinkie recited in a dull voice, looking far away into space. “If she isn’t working, she’s really really really unhappy.”

"Oh." Fluttershy blinked, uncertain of what to make of Pinkie’s behavior. Then her eyes widened as the meaning of Pinkie’s words registered. "Oh! Um... okay! So... should we go now?"

“We need something for her to eat, and something for her to drink. When she’s that unhappy, she forgets she needs food.” Having said that, Pinkie’s eyes cleared, and she put on her serious business grimace, reserved for dire emergencies and poker games. “This is a full-fledged Code R. I’m going to need the emergency primping kit in my room. Can you get the croissants from Mr. Cake?”

Two ponies crept up slowly on the boutique, looking for signs of life. Pinkie darted from bush to bush in her stealth suit, motioning with a hoof for Fluttershy to follow along. Fluttershy bemusedly did so, dressed in the odd concoction Rarity had created for her when she’d needed to escape Trixie’s minions during that whole mess with the evil amulet thingy, which Pinkie had saved for reasons unknown to any but Pinkie.

Admittedly, the bunny ears were very cute. How they were supposed to help was anypony’s guess, but Fluttershy had given up on asking questions at certain times. The answers only served to further confuse her.

In a series of flips, rolls, and leaps that Fluttershy had no intention of imitating, Pinkie made her way to the front door, pulling out a set of lockpicks from her mane. Fluttershy watched curiously for several minutes as Pinkie painstakingly attempted to trip each tumbler, her face growing more and more grim as her attempts failed.

“Aha!” Pinkie exclaimed, pushing the door open triumphantly, only to be bowled over by a very irate housecat.

“Oh!” Fluttershy stepped back to avoid being caught in the tumbling ball of pink and white. “Opal, please calm down, we just want to check on Rarity—”

“Go. On. Ahead,” Pinkie said between tumbles. “I’ve. Got. This!”

Opalescence yowled, hissing as she lashed out.

“Yeowch!”

“Oh dear. Pinkie, I really think—”

“Go!” Pinkie grunted out from around a mouthful of the scruff of the cat’s neck. She held Opal fast, quickly scratching behind a key spot on Opal’s side while simultaneously rubbing between her ears. The cat glared bloody murder at the world in general, but eventually her eyes closed, and the extremely loud growling slowly gave way to equally loud purring.

Fluttershy watched for a moment until she was satisfied that Pinkie would be okay, then made her way into the dark interior of the shop.

“Hello?” she called out, her quiet voice being swallowed by the utter stillness inside. She fumbled for the lightswitch, sending shadows scrambling away as light flooded the room.

The salesroom was empty, and looked largely unkempt. Fluttershy didn’t understand. Both Pinkie and herself had been trying to give Rarity some space while she worked, but it looked as if nopony had been in here for days!

“Rarity?”

There continued to be nothing but silence in the boutique. Fluttershy made her way into the the main workroom, noting with trepidation the equiniquins draped with sheets, looking just a little like ghost-ponies. She was very glad she’d turned on the lights before coming in here.

“Did you find her?” A voice from behind asked, making Fluttershy jump up in a panic, her wings snapping open to keep her as far away from the threat as possible—

Only to look down and see Pinkie peering up at her curiously. “I don’t think she’s up there, silly! Let’s check the inspiration room!”

Fluttershy nodded quickly, slowly fluttering down to the floor. It was okay. No ghosts. Everything was fine—

“Oh, no!” Pinkie exclaimed from the other room.

Everything was horrible. Fluttershy rushed into the other room to see why it was horrible, but of that fact she was certain. “Pinkie, what is it?”

Pinkie just pointed at the finished dresses, looking horribly unhappy.

Fluttershy dutifully looked, seeing the bridesmaid dresses for Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack. Next to that was her own maid of honor dress, and Pinkie’s tuxedo. They all looked rather nice. Maybe everything was okay after all? Rarity must have finished the outfits and just felt too tired to go to the spa. Next to the tuxedo was Rarity’s wedding dress—

Oh.

No, she was right the first time. Everything was awful.