Chapter XVI

“I would like to lend a hoof, this is a good country.” Ana cut Mr. Salukas off.

“NEYT! You are a sucker to them Sonny, they grow their eyes and you offer them your livelihood!” Rarity was glad she and Applecrisp were sheltered from the tempest in the front end.

“Ana, listen to me-”

“NEYT! You cannot excuse idiocy with emotions. It will not happen, stop pushing this on us.”

“What do you think they’re arguing about?” Rarity asked as she stirred the thick rye dough.

“’Been doin’ this on and off both days ya’ll were gone. I think Sonny’s thinkin’ ‘bout hirin’ some new pony.” Applecrisp conjunctured.

“Who?” Applecrisp shrugged.

“Beats me, though ah’m pretty sure it ain’t gonna happen.” Ana shouted again and Rarity chuckled.

“Yeah, seems pretty unlikely.” Applecrisp took a box of baking soda from the shelf.

“So y’still free t’come bah on Friday?” Rarity nodded.

“Yup, you want me to bring anything?”

“Just a case of somethin’ that’ll impress my sobriety.” Rarity laughed.

“Got it.” Sonny poked his head in the door. His brown face was flushed a little bit.

“I am going to the hardware store.” He shouted back to Ana. “Yes, I am going to the hardware store!” He turned back to them. “Rarity, can you watch the front end while I am gone?” She nodded and gave the dough one last stir.

“Ah gotcha.” Applecrisp said, taking the bowl. Rarity walked out to the front end. Ana was seated at one of the tables, she looked pissed. Rarity quietly took her place behind the register, she was careful not to so much as scrape the tile or bump the counter. Even still, Ana looked up as she took her position. The chestnut brown mare looked tired and frustrated, she gave Rarity her usual look of general disapproval.

“If any giddy ponies come in here asking for a job, tell them we are not interested.” She said to Rarity. Rarity didn’t answer, she wasn’t sure if she should. Ana sighed and looked out the window. Per norm, the bakery was silent. Rarity looked around for something to do. There was a mop and bucket in the corner.

“I do not understand this town.” Ana said, still looking out the window. “All big eyes and bright colors, no brains or muscles. At least we had muscles in the North.” Ana looked back at Rarity. “You are the root of the problem Rarity. You were the first pony that my husband met in this town, he thinks all ponies are like you. He thinks he must lavish on them the love he shows you.” She shook her head. “Trotsky is gone, but my husband is still a fool.” She said with a distant remorse. Rarity was unsure of what to say, was she being insulted? The door tinkled and Rarity looked up. Bonbon approached the counter.

“Hi there! Can I get a doughnut?”

“Yeah, there’s cranberry, crabapple and pumpernickel walnut.” Bonbon peered into the case.

“What?! What kind of flavors are those?” She asked with a laugh. Rarity heard Ana suck in her breath.

“They’re really good if you try them.” The baker offered. Bonbon was still giggling.

“I’ll have the pumpernickel.” She said, handing a bit to Rarity. Rarity exchanged it for a doughnut. Bonbon took a bite. She rolled her eyes in thought.

“No way!” she studied the doughnut as if it were some sort of phenomena. “It’s actually pumpernickel!” she took another bite. “This is awesome! I’m gonna bring my friends by, they aren’t gonna believe there’s a place that sells pumpernickel doughnuts!” She exited the shop. Ana got up and started for the back room.

“I hate ponies like that.” She said darkly as she passed Rarity.

Rarity left the bakery at six, darkness had been coming sooner and sooner for the past week, and the time was nearing where she would have to wear a coat going out. She was feeling good, grace was awesome. These days, her work was just a conversation between her and Applecrisp, and even on days like today when Ana was around, it was just a minor inconvenience. Grace made everything more bearable.

The Straw Purchase was just closing up. She walked into the warm restaurant and took a seat at the bar. She rang the silver bell that summoned Posh.

“I’m sorry, we’re closed!” Called the waiter from the kitchen.

“Aw, I wanted some vegemite!” She called back. He came out of the kitchen.

“Haha, sorry, thought you were a customer. Just let me get some stuff put away back here and I’ll be right out. Dad’s just dropping the trash off out back, he’ll be in in a minute.”

“Hey no rush, I’ve got nothing else this evening.” She said casually. Posh reentered the kitchen and Rarity looked over the tables. Stains and spills were present on most of the tablecloths; the Straw Purchase was doing well. The older stallion entered through the front door.

“Brr, getting to be fall out there! Oh, hello there Rarity!” Pish said amiably. “How was your week?”

“Good.” She replied. Posh exited the kitchen. He jumped the counter and took a seat next to her.

“Yeah! How has it been going?” Asked the younger stallion.

“Well, I finally got moved in.” she began.

Meeting with Pish and Posh was the high point of most weeks. At the grand re-opening Posh had suggested that they talk to discuss her life. She had taken them up on the offer; the two stallions held a curious view of life that drew her back. They had taught her about grace, about what it was and wasn’t. It hadn’t taken long for her to realize that they were proselytizing her, but she didn’t mind.

The only thing harder to grasp than a conversation with Pinkie Pie was what Pish and Posh actually worshipped. It was apparently a Love of sorts, Love and grace seemed to be the only two attributes of this Deity that the two stallions agreed on. Rarity wasn’t sure if this was a sign of weakness or a sign of strength in their faith.

Religion was something Rarity had never really thought about. Indeed, religion wasn’t something anypony really thought about. Most Ponyvillians had no concept of God, or they just thought Celestia was God. Like most ponies in Equestria, they thought things would get sorted out after death. Rarity herself wasn’t sure where she stood with this strange and faceless God, but it didn’t really matter. She came to Pish and Posh to learn about grace, maybe someday she would understand more about where it supposedly came from.

Grace was what kept bringing Rarity back to the Straw Purchase. She had learned that accepting and not forcing herself, was the first step to enjoying life again. She had taken a while to accept the notion that she could and even should show forgiveness and love to the ponies of Ponyville. The idea of altruistic acceptance and kindness had caused a complete departure from her previous lifestyle of cynical apathy and she struggled to keep temper in check. Yet with grace, the odd leniency that now permeated her life, Rarity was actually starting to see some hope for a new life after the Blast.

“I have a date with my friend, the one who I thought I didn’t love.” She added after she had finished relating her week.

“Do you?” Pish asked. She nodded.

“Yep, took me a lot of years, but I think the feelings have actually started to blossom. I kept telling myself I didn’t love him, but then it just sorta happened and I can completely understand. He’s been a great friend, and he loves me, and he is such a gentleman. I can honestly imagine spending the rest of my life with him.” Posh smiled.

“Good! I won’t lecture you on being intentional with him or anything like that, you probably already know what to do and not do with men.”

“But do be careful Rarity.” Pish advised. “Not that I think he’s unsafe. I only mean watch how you make decisions with him, especially when you are under heavy emotions.”

“Dad, I think she knows what to do.” Posh chastised.

“Oh no no, thank you Pish, and you too Posh. I know you’re worried, and you probably should be, I’ve never really dated anyone, just flirted and such. But I want to know where everything’s going with him, you know, have plan.” Rarity agreed. Posh nodded.

“Good good, sounds like you really have it down. Any problems this week?”

“I just got moved in, so it’ll be a bit before I look for anything new for work. I’m still working on finding places to give ponies more grace, but I think you’d be proud, I haven’t gotten mad as much as I usually do.”

“Don’t forget to give yourself some grace, that’s what will help you persevere.” Pish advised.

“I know, I get discouraged some times. It’s been three weeks since the opening and I haven’t gotten any contracts or offers. I know it’s wrong, but that bothers me every now and then. The bakery is nice, but I do want to be doing something more fun.”

“Give it time, you spend a lot of time thinking on your life and what you want to happen, sometimes you need to sit back and let things happen as they will.” Posh said comfortingly.

“And try and see other ways you can help yourself and others, not just in work. Grace is about more than just being easy on yourself, it’s about being willing to accept new ways to live. Grace postulates that you don’t have to be doing paid work to have meaning, there’s a million ways to have relevance and meaning in everyday life.” Pish added. Rarity nodded.

“That makes sense, I’ll try that this week and tell you what I find.”

She saw it was late and rose to leave.

“Any time, I’m really happy to see you feeling like you have control of your life.” Posh said as he walked her to the door.

“Well I wouldn’t be where I am without you, so, thank you.” She said as she gave each a hug.

“Any time Rarity, you’re family to us.” Posh said as he hugged the unicorn.

Rarity had never known ponies like Pish and Posh. But she liked them.

The night was crisp and cool, and the wind made her walk quickly for home. New ways to show ponies grace, like being a friend to Applecrisp? She was already doing that though. She could do more, she could ask about Applecrisp’s problems and try and help out, that would be good. What other areas of her life could she find meaning in? Rarity had planned out a few ideas by the time she had gotten home. Grace was awesome.

Rarity walked carefully to the library, trying to avoid tripping on her prim blue dress. She hadn’t remembered her formal/flirty dress as being quite this long. Tonight was the first warm night of the week and she was glad for the lightness of the fabric, even if it did drag a little. Reaching the library, Rarity made certain she had not stepped in anything and that her dress hadn’t stained. Upon confirmation of cleanliness, she rang the doorbell and waited anxiously for her date to begin.

She hadn’t realized she would be this nervous. It was ironic, for all of her knowledge of men and seduction, Rarity had next to no real world experience with actually dating. Should she act like a friend? Maybe add some flirting, or some innuendos? Was Twilight home? Would she be dining with them? Rarity realized she was underdressed for dinner with the queen and began to panic; she looked back toward home, maybe she had time to change. The door opened, that new guard, Brute or whatever his name was frowned down at her.

“Rarity?” He asked shortly.

“That’s me.” She said with nervous confidance. He said nothing, but simply stepped aside. She cautiously walked past him. “Thank you.” She related to the tall Pegasus. He closed the door and shuffled off without another word. She felt unnaturally small in the giant library. A few tense seconds passed as she stood alone in the giant room. Had she gotten the wrong day? The door to the basement opened and stressed Spike appeared. He caught sight of her.

“Oh! Rarity! You, you’re here!” He shot a glance at the clock. “Oh shoot! I didn’t even notice it was six!” He had some grease on his claws, which he hastily wiped on his scales. “I’ll just be a minute, let me.” He leaped up onto the spiral staircase that ran along the wall. “Get cleaned up.” Rarity watched as he sprinted up the stairs and into Twilight’s room. In a few seconds, he called down. “I’m really sorry, I’ve never done this before, what should I wear to first date?” She laughed.

“Anything you want.” She heard him ransacking the cabinets and drawers. In a minute, he dashed back down the stairs. He was wearing an adorable black suit. Stopping before her, he made an elegant bow and took hold of one of her hooves. Kissing it politely, he motioned to the dining room. Rarity giggled, Spike was everything a gentleman should be. He seated her at the marble table.

“What would my lady like for dinner?” He asked graciously.

“Hmm, Neigharan salad sounds fine.” She giggled. He opened the refrigerator.

“Well, I’m afraid I don’t have that. But I could get you some fresh hay, or oats, or I could go to the market, see what they have there.” He offered. Rarity smiled.

“I don’t care what you have, just throw it on a plate and sit down beside me.”

“Of course my lady.” He said quickly.

Her nervousness faded somewhat, Spike was clearly as inexperienced at this as she was. It was a relief not to have to worry about impressing him. Rarity fervently hoped Twilight wouldn’t appear out of somewhere and complicate matters by adding royalty to the mixture. The dragon set a plate of hay and wildflowers before her.

“Is this ok?” He asked. “If not I can make something else.”

“Spike, it’s fine.” She said soothingly. He nodded and took a seat himself. He had a few diamonds on a small saucer.

“I’m sorry Rarity, I’ve never dated before, there’s probably a million things I need to know.” He said, wiping his brow.

“I feel the same way.” He looked at her in surprise.

“Really?” She chuckled.

“Yeah, I know, I never really dated anyone before today. All I know is basic stuff, like seduction and forcing marriages. I really don’t know the first thing about just having a date.”

“That makes me feel better.” He sighed and adjusted his collar. “Can we, maybe just try to act like friends, and that can be a date?” The dragon asked hopefully. She smiled and put her hoof into his claw.

“That’d be perfect.” She whispered. They ate for a few minutes.

“Is Twilight here?” Rarity asked as she ate the last of her hay. Spike shook his head.

“No, still off in Cantorlot. It’s just been me and Brutus.”

“What do you do all day?”

“Some bookwork, there’s always more filing to be done. Other times I read, or organize. Earlier I was working on some of Twilight’s machines.”

“Machines? What kind of machines?” Asked the unicorn curiously. Spike swallowed the last of his diamonds.

“I’ll show you if you’d like.”

The basement was lit by a single blue bulb that cast an icy glow over the bunker-like room. There were no cobwebs, and there was a slight hum in the air. Rarity followed Spike down the solid concrete steps. She had forgotten that there was a basement to the library.

“Most are unusable without Twilight’s crown, I can sorta work a few.” Spike explained. They reached the bottom of the stairs. They stood in a bare concrete room, about forty feet by forty feet. Arranged in a circular fashion, sat four or five metal cabinets. Spike led her to one. The front was a maze of dials and switches. A round black portal sat in the center of the machine.

“This one’s pretty boring, it only turned on for a second when we put it together. It’s like a radar or something, but Twilight’s never used it. Now this one.” He brought her over what appeared to be a basic printer. “This is something to write home about. Watch this.” Spike dialed in a number on the keypad atop the printer and in a moment, the machine predictably spat out a page covered in numbers. Rarity giggled.

“I’ve seen a printer before Spike.” He turned to her.

“One that can detect Princess Luna?”

“What?! How is that possible?” She asked in astonishment. He grinned.

“Well you see, the Princess gives off an energy signature, this machine picks up energy from all around. These numbers indicate what kind of energy.” He pointed to the page dangling from the mouth of the machine. “No threes.” He pretended to be serious. “If there were a three on this page, we’d both be in serious trouble.” She giggled.

“What’s so scary about Princess Luna? I mean, besides everything?” He became a bit more somber.

“Well, since she’s disappeared, the Senate voted to arrest her upon return to Equestria. It’s just a suspicion arrest, but it’s still scary.” Rarity felt her skin crawl, she hadn’t realized how serious it was that Luna had vanished after the Blast.

“What about all the other villains out there?” She asked, her fear now whetted. Spike pointed to the other machines.

“Well those two over there pick up Discord, but he’s in an underground statue garden right now. Chrysalis is undetectable, but Twilight says we don’t need to worry about her. That one picks up anything crystal related, but I can definitely say you don’t need to worry about Sombra ever again. Aaand the rest of these machines get readouts every now and then for Twilight on other stuff. They’re coded, and I’m just saving them for her when she gets back. That’s pretty much the long and short of it.” The giant metal boxes now scared Rarity, the thought of Luna and Chrysalis and Discord terrified her. She was surrounded by the possibility of tyranny.

“It must be scary thinking about those evil people all of the time.” She said softly. Spike shrugged.

“Not really. All of this looks really cool, but nothing ever happens, I wish I could tell you a story about how these machines went crazy one day, but it’s never happened.” He started back up the stairs. “Celestia did a good job, she got rid of most of the bad guys out there.” He paused. “Except for maybe her sister.” He said softly.

“Do you think she had a part in the Blast?” Rarity asked. Spike sighed.

“I don’t know, but I don’t think it makes a lot of sense for her to disappear like she did.” Rarity nodded in agreement. Luna had always been a mysterious and somewhat sinister character to Equestria. “Hey! This is a date!” He said with a laugh. “What’s with all of this heavy stuff?” Rarity giggled.

“What do you have in mind mister Spike?” He thought for a second.

“Ice cream!”

It a bit of an awkward first date, first the momentary pondering of unspeakable evil and eternal enslavement, then a bowl of striped Neapolitan. But Rarity had fun. For about an hour, the two joked and talked like they always had. The pair were at ease with one another and the date, as it were, seemed to flow perfectly. Only at the door did things get a little awkward, Spike didn’t make any attempt to kiss her and only gave her a chaste hug.

“Well, thanks for coming Rarity.” He said giving her a proper embrace.

“I had a great time, thank you for inviting me.” She replied formally. A stillness settled, she had to remind him that this had been a date. Rarity lunged out and caught Spike around the neck. For a brief second they locked lips and she could feel the blood surging to his face. She released him and opened the door. The dragon swayed in blindsided affection.

“Give me a call some time.” She casually offered.

“Y-yeah, I will.” He dizzily replied.

The next day, her life officially returned to normal. She didn’t have any dates planned, she was all moved in, and there was no restaurant to fix up. Rarity was glazing some poppyseed muffins in the oven room, she felt alright. Life was still looking up, but she did feel a little stagnant. Applecrisp topped off her glaze bowl.

“So, Applecrisp, how’s it been going?” She asked her co-worker. She had remembered grace, life was about more than work. The Apple shrugged.

“Fahn, ain’t used t’the cold though.” Rarity nodded.

“Does it ever snow in Hayseed?” Applecrisp shook her head.

“’S always muggy.” Rarity wondered what perpetual mugginess would be like.

“So, how is your family? How often do they send you letters?” Rarity saw Applecrisp halt. She had asked the wrong question. “I’m sorry, I’m just asking random questions, I don’t mean to pry.” She added.

“Naw, yer good. They.” Applecrisp paused. “They ain’t sent me one inna whahl, ah’m not worried though, it’s gator season, an’ they pro’bly got their hooves full up.”

“How big is your family?”

“Just one, mah brother Thomas.” Rarity wondered what Applecrisp’s brother must be like. Sonny opened the door and looked in on them. He didn’t say anything, just looked them over.

“Y’need sumthin’ boss?” Applecrisp asked. He continued to study them.

“No, I, am going out.” He said, he looked like he was thinking about something else. “Rarity, please watch the shop. If Ana comes by.” He thought for a moment. “Tell her that I am at the hardware store, you do not know which one.” He added cryptically.

“Um, yeah, ok.” Rarity said.

“Good.” He nodded to them. “You are both good workers, continue your excellence.” He said in a peculiar appreciation. In a second he left.

Rarity turned to Applecrisp.

“The hell was that?” She asked. Applecrisp chuckled.

“Sonny’s gettin’ screwed from both sahds. That bitch a’his ain’t gonna let him hire nopony, but he’s gonna have a helluva time tellin’ that Cake guy t’fuck off.”

“What? What does Mr. Cake have to do with this?” Rarity asked in confusion. Applecrisp shrugged.

“He’s been pokin’ ‘round here, all those days you were gone at yer other job, he was in here having coffee with Sonny, think he was tryin’ t’get a job.”

“Ok yeah, that’s bullshit.” Rarity scoffed. “Ponyville would go to hell before it let Sugarcube Corner close.” She laughed and opened the door. “He’s probably trying to get Sonny to carry his cupcakes, maybe hire out Pinkie as a salespony.”

She shook her head in disbelief as she took her position at the register. Sugarcube Corner was not closing. For the rest of the day, she tried to guess the real reason for Mr. Cakes’ apparent business negotiations with Mr. Salukas. He was here to sell cupcakes, he was here to try and buy out the Lone Star, he was here to try and unload Pinkie Pie; that last one was the most logical.

Sonny didn’t return until the end of her shift. He thanked her for watching the front and said nothing else. Rarity was intensely curious about the negotiations as she left that night. Sugarcube Corner and the Lone Star weren’t fierce competitors, both were doing fine financially, so why would Mr. Cake want to talk to Sonny? Pinkie Pie was probably the source of the problem, either her or Sugarcube. She walked toward her tower, her head swimming with possibilities.

“Rarity?” Rarity considered the possibility that thinking about Pinkie too much made her appear. She sighed and turned around.

“Yeah?” Pinkie Pie stood in the street behind her. She wasn’t smiling and her blue eyes were wide and wondering; Rarity was afraid that maybe she had walked in on the Cakes doing the nasty. Wait, where the hell was that yellow one that had hit her with the chair?

“Sugarcube is in bed.” Pinkie said, as if she knew Rarity’s next question. “I know you don’t like her that much.” Rarity blinked, what did Pinkie want?

“Uh, yeah, what’s up?” Pinkie Pie continued to stare at her without saying anything. Rarity became intensely uncomfortable standing with the solemn pink mare. “Do you need something Pinkie?” Party pony stared at her for another moment.

“You’re my friend, right?” She asked quietly.

“Yeah, we’re, friends.” Friends had a lot of meanings, Rarity was sure that wasn’t a complete lie.

“Do you mean that?” Pinkie asked softly. Rarity sighed.

“Yeah, I do Pinkie.”

“You’ve been avoiding me all summer.” Pinkie said innocently. Fucking shit, she had known that Pinkie would eventually notice.

Rarity herself wasn’t sure as to why Pinkie had suddenly become annoying. After she had heard of the news of Celestia and Fluttershy’s death, Pinkie had suddenly become the most maddening pony in all of Ponyville. Her jokes and parties were now enraging and grating and Rarity wanted nothing to do with her. Rarity held nothing personal against Pinkie Pie, she was just fucking annoying.

“I’m sorry Pinkie, I’ve just been under a lot of stress you know? My business closed and I lost everything, it’s been rather tough to get back on my hooves.” Rarity attempted to explain.

“But you’re my friend?” Pinkie asked with the same wavering voice. Rarity sighed.

“Yes Pinkie Pie, I am your friend.” Pinkie Pie nodded.

“Ok.” She looked into Rarity’s eyes and for a split second, Rarity felt as if it were Rainbow Dash standing before her. Pinkie’s clear blue eyes mirrored Dash’s, for an instant, Rarity felt a disturbing sense of familiarity.

“That’s all I wanted to hear.” The pink mare turned and started back down the street. Rarity watched her for a few seconds, she shook her head and made for home.

The rest of the week was pretty boring, Mr. Salukas continued to take more trips to the “hardware store” and Rarity watched up front. It was Friday afternoon, Rarity was thinking about what she should bring to Applecrisp’s as she watched the front end. A few customers came through the store and Applecrisp was in the back baking some sweet rolls. It was a sleepy fall day, brisk and cold outside, but warm and cozy in the brick bakery. Rarity was slumped over the counter when the back door slammed. She quickly pulled herself to attention as Mrs. Salukas strode into the bakery.

“Where is my husband?” The foreboding mare demanded.

“The hardware store.” Rarity promptly responded. Ana glowered at her, as if she were trying to spot deception. She walked carefully over to the counter.

“Which hardware store?” The brown mare asked suspiciously.

“I don’t know, he just said he was going to the hardware store.” Rarity offered. Ana watched her for another second.

“Go. And tell the other one.” Ana said. “We are closed, come back tomorrow.”

“What?”

“Go. We are closed today.” Ana said crossly. “Am I not speaking clearly?” It took Rarity a moment to see that she was serious. The unicorn stepped away from the counter. Ana waited for her. Rarity stuck her head into the oven room.

“Um, Applecrisp? We’re closed today. You.” She looked back, Ana was watching her. She actually meant to close the bakery. “Want grab some beers and head to your place?” Applecrisp looked up from her work.

“Uh, yeah, lemme finish this.”

“Leave, now.” Ana called to her. Applecrisp emerged from the oven room, her hooves were white with flour. “Do not return until tomorrow. Do not tell my husband I have closed the store.” Ana advised as she led them outside. She slammed the door behind them.

Applecrisp looked at Rarity.

“The fuck was that?” She asked.

“I have no idea.” Rarity said in uncertainty. “But we should not be here when Sonny gets back from the hardware store or wherever he is.”

“Ya’ll want to head over to my place early?” Applecrisp suggested.

“Sure!” They left the bakery, a sense of impending doom stained the air as Rarity took another look at the building. She had no idea what was going on with the Salukas’, if it had something to do with Mr. Cake, or if it had anything to do with Pinkie. All Rarity knew was that she did not want to be at the bakery when Sonny returned.

“S’you moved into the clock tower?” Applecrisp asked as they walked down Mane Street.

“Yup.” Rarity laughed. “Cheapest place I could find.”

“Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that. When ah first moved here, ah got mah ass kicked by the rent. Didn’t know Ponyville was prime land.”

Rarity snorted.

“Yeah, they jacked up the property taxes to pay for the remodeling to the train station. That was one of the things that killed my business.”

“Ain’t nuthin’ more offensive than an overreachin’ government.” Applecrisp surmised. They walked through the town. They crossed the bridge that lead out to the expanse of fields. Rarity looked around, there weren’t any houses out here that she could see. Where did Applecrisp live?

“This way.” Applecrisp lead her along the bank of the stream. “Yeah, ah got pretty fed up with normal housin’ like ya’ll.” She stopped and pointed upward. “Guess great minds think alahk.” They had stopped at the dam.

Atop the hydroelectric dam that powered the town sat a control room; being a control room and not a proper home, it had always been vacant. Applecrisp pointed to a ladder that led up the side of the dam. She did not live in the dam’s control room, that was absurd. Rarity followed her up the ladder. At the top sat a grey metal door emblazoned with a crimson warning skull advising fillies and colts to avoid the electrical hazard. Applecrisp produced a key and unlocked the door. Rarity followed her into the control room. It was a tiny room, maybe twenty feet by ten feet. Of course it was tiny, it was a control room, not a living space. True to description, there were two rows of control panels that ran through the room. A few knobs and levels stood out on the panels and about twenty LED lights blinked rhythmically. Applecrisp could not live here.

“Make yerself at home.” Applecrisp said as she tossed her keys onto a chair. Rarity saw a small card table on the other side of the room, a plate and fork, along with a mug sat atop the table. There was a butane stove and another chair, some bread and hay sat under the chair. Rarity saw a blanket and a small blue pillow lumped up on the floor. Applecrisp really did live here.

“Yup.” Applecrisp said, watching Rarity look her home over. “Not a fahv star hotel, but it does.” She reached under the control panel. “Here, this makes it look better.” She tossed Rarity a bottle of cider.

“Heh, never thought to check the price of this place.” Rarity said as she twisted the cap off of the brown bottle. Applecrisp took a swig and nodded.

“Yeah, it set me back ‘bout three grand, but ah don’t have t’worry about roaches, just an asshole once a month who comes and checks the dials and screws mah bed up.” Rarity chuckled.

“So, does the noise of the dam keep you up a night?”

“It did, back home there ain’t no noise at nahght ‘cept the peepers. But ah got used to it, ah got used to a lotta things since ah came here.” Applecrisp took a sip of cider.

“So why’d you move here?” Rarity asked. Applecrisp took another draught of her cider.

“Tha’s a long story.” Applecrisp said with a sigh. “Git me drunk an’ ya’ll might hear it.”

“Haha ok, I get you.” Rarity said casually; she knew better than to press Applecrisp on a subject she did not freely speak of. “Anyway, what do you think of us closing today?” Rarity asked lightly.

“Whut the fuck, ah can’t just piss everypony off.” Applecrisp said lobbing the bottle out the open door. She dropped her hooves into her lap and looked up at the unicorn. “Rarity, ah’m gonna be honest with ya’ll. Ah trah an’ not, but seen’s how ya’ll been betterin’ yerself’ an’ bein’ all honest with me, seems like ah can do the same.” She picked up the cap to her bottle and flipped it into the air. “Ah came here t’make sumthin’ outta mahself, y’probly know that.” She chuckled. “Y’kin probly tell ah ain’t the most sociable pony out there. Pro’bly make mah lahf better if ah made some friends.” She mused. “Anyway, ah came t’Ponyville t’make sumthin’ outta mahself.” She tossed the cap in the air. “Ah.” Her shoulders dropped and she thought for a second. “Ah ain’t got much in the way of fam’ly. My parents died when ah was a filly, alls ah got’s mah brother Thomas. Anyway, we did what everypony in Hayseed does, hunt gators.” She sighed. “But Thomas, well he thought ah’d be better off goin’ an’ makin’ sumthin’ outta mahself, somethin’ more refahned. Ah picked Ponyville cause ah could get a round trip if things didn’t work out.” She explained.

“Ok.” Rarity said softly. “I get you.”

“Yeah just ya’ll at that.” Applecrisp said bitterly. “Ah don’t really hate anypony, but ah don’t like none neither. Everypony ‘round here is either a moron or fuckin’ big eyed. That rainbow pony y’hired, Gawd ahlmahty if ah didn’t want t’smack her fer’ bein sucha little miss perfect hooves.” She shook her head. “Ah dunno, ah just can’t understand anypony. Yer the first pony that ah really git, or ah think ah git.” She sighed again and took out another bottle.

“Yeah, I get what you mean about Ponyville. The ponies here are sometimes really hard to get and I haven’t been too good about getting along with them either.” Rarity offered.

“Saw ya getting’ friendly with that red Pegasus.” Applecrisp said with a rough laugh.

“Heh, well, he turned out to be a bit of a douche, so yeah.” Rarity paused. “I do have a few friends, Rainbow Dash, I get why you don’t like her, she’s different, she had some stuff happen to her and that makes her a bit hard to understand some times. As far as the rest of my friends go, it’s really just you and Applejack.” Applecrisp drank some cider.

“Fuckin’ Applejack.” The blue mare said darkly. Rarity hesitated, she decided to ask Applecrisp.

“Look, what’s your problem with her?” Rarity asked bluntly. Applecrisp took another draught of liquor.

“She’s a spineless soulless cunt, tha’s about it. She thinks she’s above me.” Applecrisp threw her bottle across the room, it shattered loudly against the metal wall. The brownish liquid splattered across the grey surface and trickled down the wall. “Ah’m a loser an’ ah work at a bakery, but ah ain’t beneath her. Not after the things her clan’s done.” The blue mare said, her voice wavering with animosity.

“What do you mean?” Rarity asked.

“She looks down on Thomas an’ me, our whole fam’ly. Her clan of apple-growin’ famers think they’re better ponies ‘cause they don’t hunt gators. Bunch a pretentious shitbags, alla them.” Applecrisp said hatefully.

“Applejack really doesn’t say anything about your life, she just badmouths you like you do with her.” Rarity said quietly. Applecrisp snorted.

“Jus’ ask her ‘bout gators, she’ll become a rahght animal lover. Jus’ ask her ‘bout mah Cutie Mark an’ hers. An’ nao that her farm’s taken off, she’s more fulla herself than ever.” Applecrisp kicked the chair over. It struck the control panel opposite the room and fell with a clatter. “Well it ain’t mah fault nopony gives awards for killin’ gators.” The Apple pony muttered. They sat in the control room for a couple of minutes, listening to the soft roar of the water beneath them.

“I’m sorry about everything.” Rarity said gently. “But I’m glad you’re here, you’re a good friend. You’re a smart pony, what’s your plan for the future?” Applecrisp shrugged.

“Dunno, was sorta figurin’ on makin’ some money, maybe bringin’ Thomas up here. Ah gotta fahnd another investment opportunity.” She looked toward the mess on the wall. “Ah’m sorry, ah’m not a very social pony, ah ain’t never had a friend past a teddy bear and Thomas.” She knelt over the broken bottle and started picking up the shattered pieces. Rarity walked over and helped her.

“Hey, you’re my friend, you’re a good friend. You and I, we have a lot in common, you know?” She said to the swamp pony.

“Ain’t nopony payin’ me t’fix up a restaurant.” Applecrisp remarked sarcastically.

“Look, you’ll make it work, you’re a smart pony, just give it some time.” Rarity said reassuringly. Applecrisp shrugged.

“Maybe ah will.”

Rarity helped Applecrisp clean up the mess. She walked home afterward. The wind was cold now, fall was fully arrived and Rarity was glad for her warm tower.

She thought about Applecrisp as she walked home. She felt sorry for the lonely blue mare; Rarity wished she could help her more. She passed the Straw Purchase. Grace, she had forgotten grace. Rarity sighed, how had she forgotten grace? It had been a perfect opportunity to give her friend some helpful advice. What had she said? She had tried to instill confidence in Applecrisp, and let her know she had a friend. Rarity smiled, that was probably grace; she had given grace and not even known it. She spent the rest of the walk home and all of her time until bed pondering other times she might have given grace without knowing it.

Rarity knew she had to pay Rainbow Dash back for her painting, she packed her saddlebag full of cookies along with some of her bath salts and headed out for the little Pegasus’ home after work. Sonny had watched the front today and Ana had not been around. Rarity and Applecrisp hadn’t asked any questions and Sonny hadn’t given any indication that anything had happened. It was weird, the Lone Star was the most drama-devoid place Rarity could imagine, and now it was full of apparent secrecy and hidden strife. That was another thing to talk to Dash about; Rarity had decided that her display of grace to Dash would come in form of supporting her and just being her friend.

She knocked on the door of the little cottage and took a deep breath of the fall air. Per norm, it took Rainbow Dash a few minutes to answer and Rarity waited outside savoring the beautiful fall night.

The door creaked open.

“Rarity! Good to see you! What are you here for?” Asked the blue Pegasus cheerfully.

“I wanted to hang out and you know I don’t like making plans.” Rarity joked.

“Well come in!” Rarity stepped inside. The entire room was clean. Sterile was a better descriptor actually. The walls were spotless, the white paint was unblemished like snow, the grey fabric of the sofa was pressed and unstained; even the dirt floor was packed down and impossibly swept.

“Whoa, going OCD?” Rarity asked with a laugh. Rainbow Dash smiled.

“Just a little bored, I never kept my cloud clean.” She looked around. “I guess I went a bit overboard.” Rarity ran a hoof over the mantle, it returned to her covered in a light layer of wood oil.

“You can never go overboard with cleaning and I wish Applejack could understand that.” Rainbow Dash giggled and hopped onto the sofa.

“So what’s up?” Rarity tossed her the saddlebag.

“All yours. I know you didn’t want to be paid for that menu painting and I don’t mind not giving out money.” Dash opened the bag and peered inside. “There’s some bath salts in there, drop those in a bath and your body will feel like it will on your wedding night.” Rarity said with a grin. “Just don’t eat ‘em or they’ll turn you into a zombie.” She added. Rainbow Dash stood and hugged her.

“Oh Rarity! Thank you, but you didn’t have to pay me! It was great helping you out, and I got some painting practice!” Rarity laughed.

“Practice or not, that was a shit ton of painting, how the hell did you even stay up that late?” Rainbow Dash shrugged.

“I stay up a lot.”

“Well shit, you must be really good at painting by now. I mean, your work on the sign was better than mine for God’s sake. How is the model?”

“You want to see it?” Rainbow Dash asked eagerly.

“Absolutely!” Rainbow Dash led her into the kitchen, she had clearly been waiting to show her work off. It was great to see her excited over something. A smile from Rainbow Dash was worth a lot to Rarity.

A white canvas covered the model, and Rainbow Dash’s violet eyes shone with excitement as she took hold of a corner of the cloth.

“Go for it.” Rarity prompted. The cloth cascaded down the wooden buildings. Rarity gasped. Rainbow Dash blushed and stepped back in self-consciousness.

“I still have some parts to smooth out.” She quickly explained.

The model was, in a word, perfect. Ponyville, an exact likeness of it anyway, sat in miniaturized form before Rarity. Every single building, Rarity made a quick count, at least thirty, was on the ten foot board. The streets were painted in the correct mixture of cobblestone and gravel. The alleyways were detailed and complete with the accurate trash cans and graffiti. Her own tower, Rarity realized, held details that she herself had not noticed. The entirety of the work was breathtaking, to the point of being encyclopedic on the details of Ponyville.

“Do you like it?” Dash asked anxiously.

“Rainbow Dash, this, I don’t even, I mean.” Rarity looked at her in disbelief. “How in the hell did you ever find out what Ponyville looks like? I mean.” She pointed to a random sidestreet. “This, how did you find out what this little street between the doctor’s and this apartment looked like?”

“I surveyed it.” The Pegasus said in embarrassment.

“All of it, all of Ponyville.” Rarity said in disbelief. Rainbow Dash blushed.

“I have a lot of free time now.” Rarity shook her head and took another look at the model.

“God, Dash, you have a LOT of talent with painting. And model building, and whatever else it takes to make a scale model of something. This is amazing.”

“Well, there isn’t a lot for me to do, so it’s good to find something to occupy my time.” Rarity couldn’t believe the magnitude of the model, or that Rainbow Dash had actually put the time in to make it. As proud of her as she was, Rarity still had trouble comprehending how the little Pegasus had created the work.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you the best part!” Rainbow Dash said suddenly. “I got a letter from Scootaloo!”

“Really! What did she say? How is she doing?” Rarity asked excitedly. Rainbow Dash pulled a parchment from the cupboard above her.

“Well, it says that she’s doing great in Las Pegasus, she says she’s found work at the Hoof and Halter. She doesn’t have her Cutie Mark yet. But she is making a few thousand bits a week and she loves what she does.”

“A few thousand bits a week?! Without a Cutie Mark?! How is that possible?!” Rarity demanded. Rainbow Dash gave the letter to Rarity. She read the entire document.

Dash had been serious, Scootaloo the filly was making a few thousand bits a week. There was also a line that Rainbow Dash hadn’t mentioned.

“She wants to see you.” Rarity said. Rainbow Dash looked away.

“Yeah, I read that part.” The Pegasus said softly. Rarity set the letter down on the counter.

“Do you want to see her?” Asked the unicorn.

“Yeah, of course I do.” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Do you want to go to Las Pegasus?” Rainbow Dash shook her head.

“No, I can’t go.” The room grew still. “Oh! I found a place to donate my wings. Well, kinda, there was a Pegasus born without wings in Cantorlot. They say they can take my wings and attach them to him. The doctors are still working out the operation, but if it works out, I can have the operation here in town by the end of the month.” The unicorn’s stomach turned, Rainbow Dash donating her wings, that did not sit right with her.

“Uh, are you sure?” The white pony asked carefully. Rainbow Dash nodded.

“Yep, it took me a while to come around to the idea.” She gave her wings a flutter. “But these are weak and gathering dust with me. If I keep them they’re just going to skeletonize without use and I’ll lose them anyway. You helped me make with the decision actually.” Rarity felt her nausea surge, she didn’t want to be responsible for Rainbow Dash having her wings removed, not matter how happy the Pegasus was about it.

“How, er, what do you mean?” She asked uneasily.

“You’re getting on with your life.” Dash smiled. “Rarity, you’re doing design work, even if it’s not what you used to do, you’re doing something you’re good at. When I got home after we tried to clean up Fluttershy’s cottage, I took a long look at myself in the mirror. I realized that even though you’re happy with who you are, it’s not who you were before the Blast. Well, it’s the same with me. I’m not the daredevil Pegasus Wonderbolt wannabe I was. I.” she frowned. “I’m Rainbow Dash. Just like how you aren’t old Rarity or new Rarity, you’re just Rarity. I’m finding that there’s a lot I like to do now, and a lot I don’t like to do. But one of the most important things is that I do some good. I lived my life very selfishly, and I want to be a good pony. Giving my wings away is something that I hope can mean something.” She sighed and gave her wings another flutter. “The Blast changed me a lot, in a way, it was a good thing that I lost my desire to fly, it made me stop obsessing over myself.” She looked at her model. “I don’t know what I want to do with my life, but I want it to be good. This model, I think what I like most about it is that it’s not me, I could never have done something like this before the Blast. I would have been too busy trying to learn a new trick to impress Spitfire or Soarin’.” She sighed. “I really feel bad about not being able to see Scoot, but, well, it’s more important that I do some good with my life, and that’s something that I can do.”

What to say? Rarity had no idea what to say. What could grace do, what could grace change for the better? As she looked at the shy little Pegasus, Rarity realized what grace could do: it could accept Rainbow Dash for who she was.

“You’re a great pony Dash.” Rarity hugged the blue pony. “I don’t know what to say, I really didn’t think that I could inspire anypony. I’m proud of you, you’re, well, you’re really morally minded, which is a damn sight better than me. The model, helping me out, being my friend, keeping me from fucking my life up, Dash, you’re already doing a lot of good things. I don’t really feel comfortable with you donating your wings, but I accept it. I want you to know that I accept you, whoever you turn out to be.” Rainbow Dash clutched Rarity. She sniffed and Rarity felt the warmth of tears against her.

“Thank you Rarity. You keep me here a lot. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” The two hugged for a few moments. The light outside was fading and the early fall night descended.

“Hey, did I tell you I’m dating Spike?” Rarity asked after a bit.

“Really?” Rainbow Dash asked in confusion. “But I thought you said you didn’t love him.” Rarity smiled sheepishly.

“Well, I finally came around. After we finished the work at the Straw Purchase, I kissed him.” She started to blush with the memory. “I know I can be happy with him.”

“Good for you!” Rainbow Dash said happily. “I’m so happy for you, he’s a great guy! Do you think you’ll get married?” Rarity shrugged.

“Well, it has crossed my mind. After we kissed, I finally realized how much he really means to me. We’ve only been on like one date, but I really really like him, it makes so much sense you know? He’s such a gentleman. But I suppose I should wait and see. It’s been a crazy past few months.”

“Yeah.” Dash said softly. Neither spoke for a few minutes and Rarity realized it was growing late.

“I oughta go.” She said. Dash nodded. The Pegasus walked her friend to the door.

“Thank you for coming by!” she called as Rarity embarked out into the darkness.

“Any time Dash.”

Rarity walked home under the stars that were beginning to appear in the black sky. She had inspired Rainbow Dash. How had that been possible? She pondered this; it seemed impossible that she was anything more than a self-obsessed friend to Dash. Yet somehow, she had inspired the Pegasus to live a better life. Somehow Dash had learned something from her. Yet Rarity still felt a twinge of sickness when she thought of Dash without wings. She ought to remember to bring that up with Pish and Posh.