Chapter XXI

Rarity was sick the next day. It had to have been that cold water. As she lay in bed, a foul nausea sitting at the bottom of her stomach, Rarity realized that she had nothing to do. She eventually got up. Pinkie Pie was off at the Lone Star and the tower was quiet.

The ring lay beside her bed. Rarity picked up the little golden ornament and gazed lovingly at it. The inscription read “To my beautiful Rarity, a stronger mare none can find.” She recognized Brilliance’s hoofwriting. She blushed, Spike had gone to Brilliance! She loved Spike.

Rarity carefully set the ring atop her desk and looked around her room.

Little Black Dress! The magnificent dress still lay exactly where she had placed it the night before. Carefully lifting it from the floor, Rarity inspected it for any damage. It appeared unscathed, she had better get it back to Angora before anything Pinkie-related happened. She bundled up in a brown cloak and kept the masterpiece close to her as she walked to the shop.

Angora was with a customer, Rarity politely took a seat and watched the young dressmaker attempt to sell Mayor Mare’s son a suit. Unfortunately she lost him with the accidental usage of the phrase “a pony of your size” and he left the shop in disgust. Rarity smiled as she set LBD down on the counter.

“It’s ok, fat ponies always end up busting a seam and returning what they bought anyway.” Rarity informed her. Angora giggled.

“I’ll have to remember that. Oh! How did it go with your man? Is he devoted now?” Rarity nodded.

“Sure is!” She gave the dress a pat. “Thanks so much, I made sure it was safe.”

“Oh no problem, I’m glad it helped.” Angora thought for a second. “Say, can you help me with a cross-stitch?” The young designer asked.

Of course she could! After they finished the complex stitch, Angora and she perused Esoteria’s latest offerings.

The works from Vanity were in and of course Rarity had to see them as well. They were gorgeous and Rarity ran a reverent hoof over the slick fabric of each dress and scarf.

“Vanity is a genius.” She breathed. “You must love having him as an uncle.” Angora nodded.

“Yeah, he’s, well, I wish you could meet him. He says he just does fashion for fun, and when it isn’t fun, he won’t do it anymore. He always told me to do what I thought was fun and not care about being paid for it.”

“Sound advice.” Rarity agreed.

“So what’s fun for you Rarity?” The sickness of the morning gurgled unexpectedly in her stomach and it took Rarity a moment to respond.

“Well, fashion of course. I’m, thinking of getting back in the game, I’ll have to see of course. And, well, of course my man. If nothing else, I think it’ll be wonderful to be a spoiled housemare and not have to do anything but look pretty.” She giggled.

“Sounds like you have a lot going for you either way.”

“Took me a long time to get where I am, but I think I do too.” Rarity agreed. There was a moment of silence and Rarity noticed that it was already midafternoon. “Oh, well, I should go, I’m sure you have things to do.” She said.

“Oh yes, I suppose I do.” Angora said wistfully. She walked Rarity to the door. “Please stop by again, even if you just want to talk fashion.”

“I will.” Rarity said with a smile.

She walked down Mane Street, her cloak billowing in the wind. What a lovely day! Aside from the light bout of sickness, Rarity couldn’t imagine anything more perfect in the world. She passed the Lone Star, Applecrisp was hunched over on the stoop, eating her lunch. Rarity walked up to her and gave her a gentle kick.

“Sorry.” Applecrisp mumbled as she stood up.

“Hay! Applecrisp!” Rarity gave her a hug. “I haven’t seen you in forever!” The blue mare saw that it was her.

“Yeah, y’been gone awhahl. Ah hope t’Gawd y’come back soon. That pink pony, she ain’t, well, ah ain’t gunna be liable fer whut happens t’her next time she launches onea them songs.” Applecrisp admitted. Rarity laughed.

“Yeah, Pinkie’s, she’s different.” She remembered Applejack’s invitation. “Oh! Applejack invites you over on Saturday! She sounds like she wants to move on!” Applecrisp looked up. Her green eyes were fierce. “Come on.” Rarity said before the Apple refused. “She wants to move on, now if you want to too, you should work with her.” Applecrisp spoke quietly and Rarity watched as she fought within herself.

“Ah don’t want to.” She said stubbornly.

“Hey, you gave me a chance, give her one. I’ll go with you tomorrow and we can work it all out.” Rarity wheedled. Applecrisp shook her head and cleared her throat.

“Naw, I gotta, gotta. Y’know.” She sighed. “Gawd dammit, it ain’t rahght a’me t’go on hatin’ mah own kin.” She dropped her shoulders in defeat. “Yeah, ah’ll go with y’tomorrow. Whut tahm do ah gotta be at yer place?”

“Oh well, you can drop by in the morning and we can walk over to Sweet Apple Acres together.” Applecrisp sucked in her breath upon hearing that the meeting would take place at the farm. “It’ll be ok, everypony wants to work it out.” Rarity affirmed.

“Yeah, whutever y’say.” Applecrisp said, turning and entering the shop.

The Apple cousins were on their way to an understanding; today was looking good. Rarity’s stomach seemed to ease and she strolled casually down Mane Street. The retirement home was out for their monthly walk. The long grey line of elderly ponies and horses clopped wearily through the street. Rarity remembered delivering pretzels to them. It seemed so long ago. Applecrisp was now on her way to setting things straight with Applejack. She herself was getting married. Rainbow Dash was-a wave of sudden nausea enveloped her. Rarity shook her head, she shouldn’t think about sad things while sick. Dash would have the operation soon and they could move on. She continued through the town. The white unicorn passed town hall. She paid it no mind until she heard the doors burst open.

“Well I can read a map, which is more than I can say for you!” She looked back. Hoity-Toity and some other stallion she had never met were arguing as they descended the steps.

“Can you? We’ve been at this an hour! And we haven’t seen so much as a wall clock!” The other stallion shot back. Rarity wasn’t sure if she should approach them or hide. Were they here to demand a refund from her? It didn’t matter anyway, because Hoity-Toity caught sight of her. He dropped the map and raced toward her, his Victorian pompadour flapping in the wind.

“Rarity! Halt!” He cried. She started to sweat and her stomach again turned as he reached her.

“Yes?” She tried to sound professional and not at all aware of the sloppiness of her work. For a moment, the short stallion merely hacked and gasped, as he was not accustomed to running any sort of distance.

“You, your work.” He began breathlessly.

“I still had a few days! I could have made it better!” She started to explain.

“It was one dress!” He shouted unexpectedly. “How could you?!”

She wanted to cry. It wasn’t her fault he had changed the deadline. She had done her best.

“I’m sorry ok?! I did my best!” She sniffled. “Don’t ask for anything more from me!”

He ripped off his glasses.

“What?!!” He demanded in outrage. “I’ll ask you for a hundred more of those dresses!” He screamed furiously. “Don’t think that just because you’re endowed with talent that you can just balk out of your duty to me!” Rarity looked up.

“W-what?” She asked, wiping some tears from her eyes.

“Damn it Rarity. You’re a sly mare.” He said in frustration. “Fine then.” He pulled out his pocketbook. “Name your price.” He said flatly.

“What?” She asked in confusion. He threw his hooves up.

“My God, is this some kind of act? Rarity, those dresses, where have you been hiding all these months?”

“You.” She paused. “Like them?” His mouth fell agape.

“Like them? Rarity, I asked for some garishness to fight those bastards out of Manehatten with. You gave me WMDs, everypony on the scene is thinking I’ve hired some fresh new face. Rarity, I need you with me, you’ve started a trend, and there isn’t a thing those Manehatten pirates can do about it.”

“A trend?” She asked in disbelief.

“Look.” He pulled out a copy of the Cantorlot Short-Sheet, the premier Equestrian fashion magazine. The four dresses were on the cover.

“Flashy Floods of color floor fashion. Faceless designer from the workshop of Hoity-Toity surges past competition, counter-offers expected.” Hoity-Toity covered up the last part.

“Now Rarity, I know you think this is just a game, but there’s loyalty here. I want you to repeat after me, you will not consider any other offers.” He said sternly.

She struggled to comprehend it all. She had started a trend? With four dresses?

“I didn’t think they were that good.” She explained. “They seemed, well, mediocre.” Hoity-Toity laughed.

“That mediocrity just made me eighty two thousand.” He guffawed. “In fact, oh where is he?” Hoity-Toity looked around. The stallion accompanying him had since joined the two. “Oh there you are!” Hoity-Toity said in surprise to the mystery stallion. “Rarity, this is Polk, he is president of Greenwich’s affairs during his incarceration.” Polk flicked his head to her. Hoity-Toity gave him a thump on the shoulder.

“This stallion here is going to get us all rich. You see, I know you can’t put out as many dresses as we’re going to need. Polk here has agreed to lend forty of his apprentices to you. And along with my financial backing, we’re going to set up a workshop for you.”

Never in her dreams had Rarity considered running a workshop; it was an honor bestowed upon only the greatest and most frivolous of designers. Her stomach churned and she began to hyperventilate. It was unbelievable.

“You got a problem lady?” Polk asked as he watched the overwhelmed unicorn begin to slip into a faint. She looked up, a sort of daze had come over her.

“N-no, but, where is this workshop going to be based.” She asked dreamily. Hoity-Toity snickered.

“Don’t think you’ve earned a place in Cantorlot.” He pulled some keys out of his plush pocket. “Your old Boutique will do just fine.”

The rest of the day was a blurry memory for Rarity. She remembered walking to the Boutique along with the two stallions. She remembered unlocking the doors. She remembered Polk complaining that the place smelled of cats and Hoity-Toity asking about the empty chandelier sockets in the ceiling. And Rarity remembered crying. It had taken a terrible summer, a lot of lessons learned and many mistakes, but she was truly back and better than ever. Posh had been right. All she needed to do was be herself.

“Now the whole thing is still in the works. Nopony owns this land.” Polk related as they started back for the town. “But the papers’ll go through in a couple days and I’ll have the place. I’ll call you to arrange delivery of the apprentices.”

“One hundred dresses Rarity, that’s our goal this quarter.” Hoity-Toity added. The In stallion ran a hoof through his 500 bit hair. “Ah what a plan. Those Manehatten scumbags will be crying uncle once we’re done.” He chuckled. “You know, I had a lot of trouble convincing my secretary to draw up the contract. She kept asking if it was the same Rarity that was involved in that terrible explosion from a year ago. I told her. “Whatever that mare did this past year, she’s still the same mare I want working for me.” He laughed. “That shut her up.”

Rarity forgot everything else about that day.

Rarity was still sick the next morning, but she didn’t feel it, she didn’t feel anything but joy. She was going to run a workshop! Pinkie Pie made her a medicinal milkshake, and Rarity was gulping down the pepperminty concoction when Applecrisp clomped up the stairs.

“Hey, ah’m ready t’go.” She said gruffly.

“Oh, goodness! I forgot all about you!” Rarity said, tossing the glass into the industrial sink. Applecrisp sighed.

“Yeah, wish ah coulda done the same.” She said miserably.

Rarity tried to get her to cheer up on the way over to the farm.

“It’s a beautiful farm! And there’s so many kinds of apples! Applejack makes some great cider.” Applecrisp noticed her radiant happiness.

“Whut’s gotten into ya’ll?” Rarity giggled.

“Oh I just got another job is all!”

“Great.” Applecrisp said unenthusiastically. They reached the gates and Rarity poked the intercom button.

“It’s Rarity! And Applecrisp!” She said perkily. “May we be allowed entrance?”

“Wai shure!” Applejack sunnily replied. Applecrisp took a deep breath as the gates swung open. Rarity put a hoof around her, today was going to be great!

Applejack walked down the stairs of the farmhouse, she had braided her mane and her hat had been cleaned. She walked past Rarity and stuck a hoof out to her cousin.

“Howdy, ah thought it was tahm ah had my cousin t’the fam’ly farm!” She said with a friendly grin. Applecrisp looked at her, then shook the farmer’s hoof cautiously. “Nao, if ya’ll head over here! Ah can show you just whut makes Sweet Apple Acres such a dandy enterprahs!” Applejack said proudly, leading them toward the main barn.

Inside it was the same sweet, sweaty cavern that it always was. The worker ponies swarmed to and fro around seven giant stills placed around the interior.

“Nao ah hear yer a champion with yer liquor.” Applejack said, grabbing an armful of mugs from a shelf. “We’ll just see if ya’ll can hold the family brew!” She filled each one directly out of a stack of jugs sitting atop a palate and held them out to her guests. Applecrisp took the mug, she looked down into the dark liquid. “Still a bit warm.” Applejack said as she took a sip. The blue pony tossed her beverage down in a single gulp. She cleared her throat.

“S’okay.” She said shortly. Rarity took a sip of hers and coughed sharply.

“Damn AJ, you keep making it harder and harder!” The unicorn protested. Applejack laughed.

“Tha’s whut the customers are wantin’. In fact, ah was talkin’ with Fritter ‘bout that the other day. Speakin’ a which.” She looked around. “Where’s that lil’ filly? Oh yeah, she’s inside designin’ us a new bottle!” She lead the two back toward the farmhouse. “She’s a darlin’ at whut she does well. An’ all ah gotta do is make shure she don’t do nuthin’ else!” Applejack said with a laugh.

Applecrisp tensed up as she entered the deathly farmhouse. Rarity knew she should have explained about Granny Smith before they entered the crypt of a home.

“Fritter! Get yer rump down here! We got visitors!” Applejack hollered up the stairwell. She turned to the two. “Darlin’ little filly.” Applecrisp was silent and Rarity hoped she didn’t still hate Fritter. In a few seconds the young pony bounded down the stairs.

“Who’s here?” She asked, then saw Applecrisp. Remembering their first encounter, the filly took a few steps back from the silent swamp pony.

“Wai go on!” Applejack said, giving her a push. “Tha’s yer cousin Applecrisp! Don’t be scared a’yer own fam’ly!” Apple Fritter started forward nervously. She looked up at her cousin.

“N-nice to meet ya’ll.” She said fearfully.

“Yeah, same t’ya’ll.” Applecrisp mumbled. Applejack seemed pleased that the two were getting along.

“Fritter, wai don’t ya’ll show us whut y’been workin’ on?” She suggested.

“Well, it ain’t gonna be done for another week ah reckon.” The filly’s face brightened. “But ah can at least show ya’ll whut ah got!” Apple Fritter led the party down to Applejack’s office. Rarity saw the awe rising on Applecrisp’s hardened expression as they entered the sanctum of her cousin’s wealth and success.

Atop the desk were about seven or so different bottles. Fritter bounded up to them. “These ar’ the fahnal contestants!” She displayed each with a sweep of her arm. “Onea these is gonna be the new cider container!”

Applecrisp picked one up, she studied it for a moment, but said nothing. Apple Fritter watched anxiously as she set the bottle down and picked up another. She set the second bottle down and picked up another. Rarity heard a chuckle. Applecrisp turned, bottle in hoof.

“Y’spelled Apple with one P, y’think ponies are gunna pick up on that?” She asked. AJ laughed.

“Forgot ya’ll were related to them Aples. Yeah, ah don’t think ponies are gonna understand that, but ah felt like it was only fair to give a little tribute to ‘em.”

“What are you two talking about?” Rarity asked.

“Aple family was the first a’ the eventual Apple familes to make alcohol.” AJ explained.

“Moonshine down in Hayseed.” Applecrisp said, setting the bottle down. She was smiling now. “Course it ain’t this cider nonsense, this stuff’s a little harder.”

“Yeah well, can’t sell more than one bottle to somepony if they got a hole burned in their gut now can ah?” AJ said with a grin. Applecrisp laughed. A sort of calmness settled over the room, as if they were old friends returning after a long hiatus.

“So whut, ya’ll still shinin’ down in the swamp?” Applejack asked. Applecrisp nodded.

“’Bout once a month, or whenever we git a good-size gator.” Apple Fritter’s eyes widened.

“Gator? Lahk, alligator?”

“Eyup, Thomas an’ ah hunt ‘em. Sell the hahd an’ make candles outta the rest.” Applecrisp related.

Apple Fritter was spellbound.

“How do ya’ll hunt them?” She asked in wonder.

“Harpoon and knives.” Applecrisp said with a shrug. “Mosta the time they don’t take much.” The filly was both terrified and in utter awe of her cousin with this revelation.

“Hehe, ya’ll got a strong cousin Fritter!” Applejack said appreciatively. “Ya’ll couldn’t get me anywhere near onea those things, ‘cept maybe that baby one a’ Pinkie’s.”

Applecrisp smiled in embarrassment.

“Aw there ain’t but nuthin’ to it. This whole farm is more complicated than the likes a me could understand. All them apples and machines and whutnot.” It was AJ’s turn to blush in good-natured self-consciousness.

“Oh nao course ya’ll think that, give ya’ll twenty minutes and y’could do it no problem.”

They were becoming friends, Rarity knew they would. The two cousins talked of their livelihoods for a while, then Rarity suggested they go see the orchards.

Applecrisp was amazed at the length of the rows of trees that ran alongside the path.

“Nao how in Gawd’s name d’ya pick all them apples?” She asked in wonder.

“Used t’be me an’ Mac buckin’ the damn things down. Then we got word a ‘some ponies just leavin’ the Badlands lookin’ for work an’ a place t’stay. Nao all ah do is run the show.” Applejack said with a shrug. Applecrisp looked back toward the barn.

“Ah wouldn’t trust anypony like that with a toothpick.” The swamp pony said, shaking her head. AJ chuckled.

“Yeah, ah gotta keep an eye on ‘em mosta the time, that’s fer shure.” She cleared her throat. “So, uh, how’s everythin’ down in the swamp goin’?” Applecrisp shrugged.

“Been better. Thomas says we’re havin’ a bit of a tahm with the huntin’, ‘parently them gators ain’t been around much.” Applejack processed this for a moment.

“So, it’s kahnda lahk if my trees were havin’ an off year then?” She said slowly.

“Yeah, tha’s ‘bout it.”

AJ thought about this for a second.

“Guess we ain’t too different after all. Ah mean, we both depend on nature ah guess.”

“That’s ‘bout rahght ah suppose.” Applecrisp agreed. They walked in silence for a few minutes. They stopped at the edge of the fence, near where Rarity had uncovered those gems for Audacity.

“Applecrisp, ah know we ain’t really been on the best a’terms.” AJ said as they looked off at the forest. “Ah dunno, things’ve been pretty crazy since Celestia, well, ya’ll know.”

Applecrisp nodded.

“Ah didn’t know a damned thing ‘bout whut happened, news don’t get far in Hayseed.” She sighed. “But ah heard from Rarity that ya’ll lost a friend, ah can understand how that might make things complicated.” There was silence.

“Look ah’m sorry.” Both said simultaneously. The Apples blushed.

“Uh, well, ah am sorry, probably wasn’t right a’me t’be s’cold t’ya’ll.” Applecrisp said softly. “Ah hope ya’ll can forgive me.”

“If ya’ll can forgive me.” Applejack said, taking off her hat. Applecrisp lifted her hoof, spat into it, and held it out to her cousin. Applejack grinned, spat into her own, and slapped her hoof against Applecrisp’s. It was straight out of storybook and Rarity felt warm and happy inside at the sight of the two reconciled Apples.

“Oh shit, we got lunch at the farm, c’mon, Fritter’s dishin’ it up nao!” Applejack said suddenly. They galloped back to the farmhouse. Macintosh was just pulling the screen door open when they arrived.

“Seems ahve got a promenade of mares!” He said jokingly as he held the door for them.

“Say hello to yer’ cousin!” Applejack said, putting an arm around Applecrisp.

“Applecrisp, eyup, ah remember you. Ya’ll live down in Hayseed Swamps don’t ya?”

Applecrisp laughed.

“Ah did, but then ah moved here.” She put an arm around Applejack. “Somepony’s gotta check up on this filly!”

The muscular stallion chuckled.

“Gonna take more than ya’ll t’keep her outta trouble.”

The table was laden with all foods apple. Apple tarts, apple strudel, an apple with an arrow stabbed through it, and of course, chilled cider. Applejack offered Applecrisp a seat beside her and Rarity sat next to Macintosh. Apple Fritter was just starting down the stairs to the basement when they entered.

“It’s all ready, jus’ make sure the apple stew don’t run over!” She advised as she shut the door.

“Where’s she off to?” Applecrisp asked.

“Labels, ah told ya’ll, that filly’s committed. She’s gonna have us a new label by the end of the month. An’ Applebloom’s settin’ up the distribution center out in Cantorlot. If all goes well, there’ll be Sweet Apple Acres cider on the shelves of every grocery in Cantorlot before snowfall.”

“Damn.” Applecrisp said, serving herself some apple pie. “Yer really movin’ on this here farm.”

“Yeah.” Applejack said with a sigh as she poured herself some cider. “It’s been a helluva long haul, but ah think we’re on the upswing nao.” Rarity chewed a bite of apple crisp.

“I think it’s the same for me. I got an offer yesterday to reopen the Boutique, and run a workshop for Hoity-Toity.” She said.

Applejack spat out her cider.

“Are ya’ll serious? Rarity! Tha’s incredible! Wai, ya’ll are back t’whut y’wanted t’do rahght?” The unicorn nodded. Applejack laughed. “I’da thought ya’ll’d be havin’ conniptions over that.” Rarity giggled.

“Oh I’m excited, don’t worry about that. I just don’t really feel like conniptions is all.” Applecrisp sighed.

“So ya’ll won’t be comin’ back t’the Lone Star?” She asked quietly. Rarity hadn’t considered that. She thought for a way to explain herself when Applejack interrupted.

“Wai ya’ll can come an’ work fer me at the farm!” Applejack offered to her cousin. Applecrisp looked up and the room became quiet.

“Ah mean, if y’want a change a’pace.” The orange pony cleared her throat. “Uh, y’know, we, we got some positions that need fillin’. We need a foreman for the crews in the distillery. Ain’t that rahght Mac?”

Applecrisp said nothing and Applejack worried she had offended her.

“Ah didn’t mean nuthin’ by it, y’don’t hafta work for me. Ah just thought, y’know if ya’ll didn’t lahk whutever ya’ll were doin’ nao.” Her voice trailed off. The dining room was silent. Rarity thought for something to break the awkward silence.

“So, uh, AJ, Dash is going in for her operation.” The unicorn offered.

“Heh, yeah?” Applejack asked in relief.

“Ah dunno, maybe.” Applecrisp interrupted. “Ah’d just hafta see.” They looked back at her. The blue mare frowned and pushed at her plate. “Gawd dammit, ah came t’this town t’make sumthin’ outta myself an’ bakin’ shure ain’t it.” She looked up at Applejack. “Ah’ll take the job.” Applecrisp said decisively.

Applejack blinked for a few moments; she was not familiar with her cousin’s thought process.

“Well, uh, come on bah t’morrow an’ we’ll get ya’ll set up!” She said in surprise. It was stunning, a few hours earlier, the two cousins were enemies, now they were co-workers. Rarity wasn’t sure if it was the almighty hand of Pish and Posh’s God at work, but in any case, it was nothing short of a miracle.

“Y’got a lot t’learn.” Big Macintosh said as he took his plate to the sink.

“Well ah reckon if she’s our kin she’ll do just fine!” Applejack said confidently. Applecrisp’s cheeks turned a slight twinge of pink to this and Rarity squeed inwardly with delight at the scene. AJ spat again into her hoof and presented it to her cousin.

Just as Applecrisp extended her hoof to seal the agreement, a sharp beeping noise punctured the moment.

“Aw shit hang on.” Applejack said, hopping up from the table. She searched the wooden counter for a second, then located the source of the noise, an egg timer. She gave it a slap and the noise stopped. “Apple Fritter!” She shouted. “Y’gonna tell me ya’ll’ve gotten Granny her meds?”

The room was quiet.

“Aw, eh, yeah! Just, uh, it’s Saturday rahght?” Called the filly from the basement. Applejack sighed.

“Tha’s right.” Apple Fritter burst out of the door to the basement.

“Yeah, uh, jus’ forgot the Tranquorol is all!” She said as she raced upstairs to her bed-ridden matriarch. Applejack shook her head and resumed her seat at the table.

“Sorry ‘bout all that. Fritter’s good, but she ain’t got the best mem’ry, an’ there’s things that ah can’t have her fergettin’.” She took a deep breath and turned to her cousin. “So where were we? Foreman position? Well ah can tell ya-”

“Granny?” Applecrisp asked. “Granny Smith?”

Applejack nodded.

“Yeah, tha’s her. Nao, it ain’t a backbreakin’ job strictly speakin’-”

“Are, are ya’ll serious?” Applecrisp asked a little louder. Applejack nodded slowly.

“Yeah, Granny Smith Apple, mah granny? Sumthin’ wrong?”

“Mah Gawd, how.” Applecrisp stopped to calculate for a few moments. “How old is she?”

Applejack shrugged.

“We’re estimatin’ round hundred and fahve. But she’s a spirited old buzzard ah tell ya’ll that!” She finished with a good-natured laugh.

Applecrisp stared at her.

“She ain’t dead?” She asked bluntly. Applejack became a little indignant at this.

“No, she ain’t. Nao, like ah was sayin-”

“How ain’t she dead Applejack? Ah ain’t never heard a pony that age!” Applecrisp demanded.

“We got a hundred years a’ medical science up there keepin’ her strong.” AJ said angrily. “Nao, like ah was sayin!”

“Are ya’ll fuckin’ serious?” Applecrisp stood up. “Y’got black magic or somethin’ keepin’ that mare alahve when she’s rahghtly dead?” Rarity stood up to ask Applecrisp to please stop, but it was too late.

“Rahghtly dead?!!” Applejack shouted furiously. “You thinkin’ yer’ Gawd nao?”

“Not in the least, but ah know there ain’t nuthin’ natural in whut ya’ll are doin’ with yer’ granny.” Applecrisp shot back.

“Ya’ll better shut the fuck up! That mare ain’t no problem t’nopony! She’s alahve and tha’s all there is to it!” Applejack shouted.

“Girls, please, let’s-” Rarity was cut off by Applecrisp, who was enraged with her cousin.

“Gawd all fuckin’ mahghty Applejack!!! Yer’ goin’ against nature keepin’ her livin’! She’s past her years, let her die!”

“Who the fuck are ya’ll t’tell me who lives an’ who dies?” Applejack demanded.

“Ah know whut’s not natural Applejack, an’ keepin’-”

“Natural?!! Ya’ll are one t’talk! Yer’ a Gawddamned monstrosity! Ah suppose you ain’t told Rarity ‘bout yer’ parents!” The orange farmer said, pointing to the white unicorn.

“This ain’t got nuthin’ t’do with mah folks, it’s ya’lls-”

“Siblin’s.” Applejack spat. “Yer’ a Gawddamned inbred swamp stinkin’ gator-huntin’ judgmental piece a shit who thinks she can lecture her cousin on lahf. How’s that for natural?”

Nopony spoke. Rarity sat frozen at the table. She knew a line had just been crossed.

“Fuck yew, fuck yew yew arrogant, apple-buckin’ piece a trash. Ya’ll are nuthin’ but a self-raghteous whore who thinks she’s above the rules a’lahf.” Snarled Applecrisp. She gave the table a sharp kick, upsetting it. Food and apples tumbled to the floor. “Ah’ll see ya’ll in hell.” She said in a low voice. The blue mare walked out of the room and in a moment there came the loud slam of the screen door. Rarity still sat frozen at the bench.

“Fuckin’ piece a’ shit.” Applejack muttered as she reached down and righted the table. Rarity stood up and mechanically assisted her, she was still in shock from the nearly instantaneous about-face. Applejack picked up dishes and bottles and slammed each down angrily onto the table.

“Fuckin’ piece a swamp shit thinks she can speak for granny.” She muttered.

“You guys were getting along!” Rarity said, dumbfounded at the scene.

“Well we ain’t nao!” Applejack shouted. “That hyp’critical piece a’ shit ain’t welcome round here no moar!” She sighed. “Thanks fer’ tryin’ t’make it work Rarity, ah’m much obliged.” She picked up a couple of Zapp apples and set them back in their bowl. “But Applecrisp’s dead t’me nao. Ah ain’t forgivin’ her no moar.”

“But you two-”

“But nuthin’ Rarity. Y’kin stahp tryin’ t’make her look good. Ah think we’ve seen just whut kahnda pony she is.” Applejack said, wiping the spit from her hoof.

Rarity left the farmhouse feeling awful. Awful that she had witnessed the destruction of the last of the good feelings between the two ponies and awful that she knew Applecrisp’s secret of birth. Her sickness returned and she spent the rest of the icy trip home holding back the nausea.

Pinkie was inside, blowing a giant bubble of gum. It burst as Rarity entered and party pony was momentarily encased in the floppy film.

“Hi Rarity! How’s it goin’?” Rarity took a seat on her bed.

“Fuckin’ horrible ok?” Pinkie wrestled out of the gum.

“What does thanking have to do with-?”

“God damn it Pinkie! Fuck is a curse word ok?!” Rarity snapped.

Pinkie was quiet.

“Oh.” The pink mare said softly. Rarity sighed.

“I’m sorry Pinkie, I shouldn’t have gotten mad. It’s not you, I didn’t mean it.” Pinkie sat down on the bed, a little bit of gum still clung to her body and it stuck to Rarity.

“Can I help?” Asked the cottony pony. Rarity shook her head.

“No, it’s.” Rarity sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“Oh.” Pinkie said. She turned to Rarity. “Why is everything complicated now?”

“I don’t know Pinkie, I really don’t know.”

Pinkie thought for a moment.

“I wish things were like they are with you and me.” Rarity sighed.

“Me too.”

She decided to go to Spike’s, he could cheer her up. As the two cuddled up on the couch, Rarity related the events of the morning (excluding the portion regarding Applecrisp’s parents). She hadn’t planned on crying, but something about the two cousins’ hate for one another made her sad inside and she cried as she spoke of their enmity. Spike listened to the entire thing and when she finally finished, he held her a little closer.

“Wow, that’s awful. I’m so sorry for you.” He said tenderly.

“It’s not me, it’s them. I wish they could get along, they’re really similar to each other and they should have gotten along today.” She said tearfully. He nodded.

“But you can’t blame yourself. It’s their problem, you need to let them deal with it.” She sniffed.

“I guess so, but it’s just so sad to see.” He kissed the top of her head.

“Well, there’s plenty of things to be happy about too. You got the boutique back! You made up with Pinkie Pie! You’ve got a great future!”

She squeezed his claw.

“And a great dragon to spend it with.” She whispered. He chuckled and squeezed her hoof back.

“That’s true too.”

They snuggled on the couch for a time.

“It’s five o’ clock master Spike.” Came the deep voice of Brutus; Rarity nearly fell off of the couch at the unexpected presence of the royal guard standing behind them. How did those giant stallions move so quietly?

“Oh geez, I thought it was earlier!” Spike said in surprise. “Rarity, Rainbow Dash is coming over. She has some legal papers to sign before her operation.”

Her stomach tightened, she had forgotten about Dash’s operation.

There was a jingle of keys outside the door and in a second, the armored door swung open. Rarity didn’t have time to stand up and bow.

“Twilight!” She said in shock. The queen smiled to the couple.

“Well you two look cozy!” Spike jumped up and rushed over to her.

“Twilight! What are you doing here?” Asked the dragon in astonishment. The purple mare gave Spike a hug.

“Can’t a queen come see her number one assistant?”

“Yeah sure! I mean, absolutely! But what are you doing here?” Twilight walked over to the table and laid her bags down. Her two guards followed behind.

“Well, I heard you were administering some release of consent forms for Dash. I wanted to see what she was up to.” She slapped him on the back. “And Brutus told me you proposed to Rarity.” She said with a grin. Spike blushed.

“Uh, uh yeah. I was going to write you a letter, you know, to see if it was ok.”

“Oh Spike, you don’t have to ask for my permission to get married!” She giggled and turned to Rarity. “So Rarity, you’re going to marry this little guy?”

“Yes!” Rarity said quickly. “I’m doing very well by the way!” Twilight nodded.

“I was reading in the papers about some dresses from Ponyville shaking things up, I knew it had to be you.” Rarity blushed.

“Well, I wouldn’t say shaking things up, well, maybe a little bit.”

“Rarity’s getting the Carisol Boutique back!” Spike said excitedly. “She’s going to have a workshop!”

“Well.” Twilight said. “That’s actually one of the reasons I came back, Rarity, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.” Oh no, she was still angry about Cloudsdale. Rarity began to frantically think up another heartfelt apology.

“Uh, hello? Spike, is this the right time?” Everypony looked back. Rainbow Dash peered into the doorway. Twilight galloped over to her.

“Dash! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! How are you?” She asked as she hugged the little Pegasus.

“Pretty good.” Replied the blue pony. “I haven’t been to Ponyville that much.”

“Spike said you were going to sign some release of consent forms, what’s that all about?” Rainbow Dash shrugged.

“I’m donating my wings, to a sick kid.” Twilight took the news much better than Rarity had.

“Oh! Great!” She her surprise was only momentary. “That’s wonderful! Let’s get you those forms!” They walked over to the table. “Spike, have you gotten them made up yet?”

“Not yet Twi.” Spike said as he gathered two parchments. “It’ll be just a sec.” Rarity had a seat at the table next to Rainbow Dash.

“Hi Rarity.” Dash said with a smile. “Were you and Spike planning your wedding?”

Rarity giggled.

“Something like that yeah.”

“Well, I hope I’m invited is all.” Twilight joked. “My little helper better get me a good seat too!”

“Of course!” Rarity said instantly. “You’ll be right beside my parents. You too Dash, you can sit with Twilight.”

“Well, it’ll be about a month before I’ll go anywhere, the recovery from the surgery is apparently pretty long.” The nausea jumped in Rarity’s stomach but she muscled it down. She wasn’t going to get sick in front of Twilight.

“And here you go!” Spike said, laying the freshly-written papers before the rainbow pony. “I underlined the places you need to sign.” He gave her a pen.

“So Dash, what made you decide to donate your wings?” Twilight asked as the Pegasus started to write her name on the first line.

“Well, Rarity and I had some talks about life and how to move on after everything. I decided after a while that I wanted to be a better pony and donating my wings is a good start.”

Twilight nodded.

“It sounds like you and Rarity had some good talks then. And by the look of things, you both made some progress.” Twilight said kindly.

“So, Twilight, how is Cantorlot?” Rarity asked.

“Good. The banks are starting to open up again, we’re getting money moving.” Rarity had hoped that she would let her know about the terrorist. “The budget is mostly ironed out.” She continued. “We trimmed a bit off, mostly magic research.”

“Done.” Dash set the pen down on the countertop.

“Ok, great!” Spike looked the pages over. “So we’ll keep this copy.” He gave the other paper to her. “And you give this to your doctor.”

“Thanks Spike! I appreciate all of your help!” Rainbow Dash dismounted the chair. “Well I gotta get home. The surgery is on Tuesday morning and I’m supposed to get lots of rest over the weekend. Bye guys!”

“Good seeing you Dash!” Rarity said, ignoring the illness in her stomach.

“I hope the surgery goes well!” Twilight called as the Pegasus exited.

As the door closed, Twilight turned to her number one assistant.

“Spike, why don’t you go grab me the readouts from the radar?” She asked politely. “All of them please, I want to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary in Ponyville.” The dragon nodded.

“Yes ma’am!” He said as he dashed down to the basement to collect the results. Twilight watched him slam the door.

“I just wanted to get rid of him.” The Alicorn explained. She looked over at Rarity. “There’s a lot I wanted to talk to you about Rarity.” Rarity’s heart began to race with preemptive fear and shame.

“Nightmare Moon too?” Spike called from the stairwell.

“Yes! Yes!” Twilight shouted back. “Just, er, all of it!” She turned back to Rarity. “He’s a great little helper, though I suppose he’s not so little anymore.” She sighed and pushed at the pen that sat atop the marble table. “Rarity, I, well, I wanted to say that I’m proud of you. Ever since you lost your business, when you stopped acting like a lady and started getting into fights, I basically thought you weren’t going anywhere. I thought that you’d just given up after the Blast. When I heard that you were engaged to Spike, I was pretty upset, I thought you were taking advantage of his feelings. But then I heard you were back on your hooves.” She stopped. The queen looked at the unicorn who was now engaged to her number one assistant. “Rarity, I’m sorry. For not helping you as much as I could or should have. It wasn’t very friend-like of me to just tell you off in Cloudsdale, or to be so passive aggressive at your party. I know you hurt just as much as I did when Fluttershy died and it wasn’t easy losing your business. I can see now that all of your past mistakes are behind you and that you’re moving on. That makes me both very proud to call you my friend, and very sorry to admit I didn’t treat you like one.”

Rarity sniffed. She had not expected this.

“I’m sorry too. I never should have done what I did, and I’m very sorry. I want you to know that I’ll take good care of Spike! No matter what happens!” She promised. “I’m going to be the best mare I can for him! I’m going to have a new life and not be such a terrible pony.”

Twilight smiled.

“I know you will.” She said kindly. The dragon burst out of the basement door with an armful of papers.

“Got ‘em all! Where should we start?” Twilight giggled.

“Oh Spike, let’s take a break for tonight ok?” He scratched his head.

“Uh, yeah, ok.”

Rarity realized she was interrupting their reunion.

“I should go, I have to make sure Pinkie hasn’t filled the tower with whipped cream or something.” She said hastily as she made for the door.

“Oh, uh, ok!” Spike ran to open the door for her. “It was great seeing you!” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“You too dear!” He blushed and Rarity thought she caught an “aw” from Twilight.

“Oh, there was one other thing I was going to ask you for!” Twilight said, unseating herself and running past Rarity.

She rummaged through her chariot until she found a tiny chest no bigger than herself. The Alicorn set it before Rarity. The lock of the chest was magic and it cast out a few misty beams as the queen opened it. Rarity gasped. A rich black dress lay folded inside. Twilight lifted it out carefully. Robe-like and billowing, the shadowy dress seemed to still the air around them.

“It was Luna’s. I found it in her wardrobe and I really like it.” Rarity touched the cloth and it seemed to flow like liquid around her hoof. It was unlike any fabric she had ever seen. Twilight turned to Rarity. “Can I commission you to add some colors and a little something to it?” Rarity stared back at her.

“Me?” She looked back at the majestic garment. “I don’t know, I’ve never done anything like this before. I mean-” Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder.

“I trust you.” Rarity felt the tears beginning to pop in her eyes. Twilight trusted her. Brushing away the tears, the unicorn took hold of the dress.

“What do you want done?”

Twilight looked back up at the dark garment.

“Well, I think some purple would look nice. And I want this around the neck.” She held out a gold necklace; Rarity recognized it instantly, it was her Element of Harmony. “Can you do all that?” Rarity looked up at the dress, then back at Twilight.

“Give me a few days dear.” She said with a grin.

As she carried the royal dress home, Rarity began making mental notes for what she would do for Twilight’s commission. Of course it would be bold, something that really burned the eyes. And her Element would be the main focal point.

It was about seven, and the wind had picked up. She pulled her cloak tightly to keep from freezing in the icy wind. Her stomach still hurt, but she was too happy to care.

“Hehe, where’s little Rarity going on a night like tonight?” Asked a jeering voice from behind her. She stopped, though a smarter Rarity would have ignored him.

“Oh just on my way back to my home after talking with the queen about her commission.” She said casually.

Snips was instantly beside her.

“Oh, a little bit of reconnaissance before you blow her up too?” He asked darkly. She began to walk again.

“No, just some questions for my new client.”

He laughed, a forced, mocking laugh.

“You’re so full of shit Rarity, I could kick you and get my hoof dirty. Don’t try and convince me you’re anything but a whore who thinks she’s a bigshot.” Rarity smiled to the disgusting stallion.

“A whore who wouldn’t even fuck you, how sad is it that even whores don’t want to be around you?”

“You’re so smart Rarity. You really think you’re something don’t you?” He hissed. “Well I can tell you one thing, you’re pathetic. Only thing more pathetic than the whore Rarity is her lonely little friend Rainbow Dash.” She stopped. He knew this had struck a nerve and pressed harder. “Hehe yeah. I was out at that yellow Pegasus’ house one night havin’ a good time with some fillies from Las Pegasus and that sad little pony came around.” He chuckled. “I offered her the ride of a lifetime but she just ran off crying.” He cocked his head. “Maybe you oughta ask the doctors to put her down when she goes in to get those wings clipped. Probably be best for the poor thing.” Rarity took a deep breath. The blood pounded in her temples and she clutched the chest so tightly that she feared it might break.

“Have a good time jerking off with that retard Snails. I’m sure you can find a pinup that cares.” She said nonchalantly as she continued on her way.

“You’re still a whore Rarity, and you’ve got a brain-damaged Pegasus for a friend. Only thing that loves you is a fag of a dragon.” He called after her.

She didn’t care, Snips was just a pathetic loser that didn’t even annoy her. She had a business and a life ahead of her; she wasn’t angered at all by his insults. With the grace to accept herself, she wasn’t even ruffled by Snips.

As she unlocked the door to her tower, the sickness exploded within her and she dropped the chest. Retching violently, she fell to her knees in the doorway. She coughed, then gasped for air, the violent discord ravaging her stomach. She knelt for a few minutes, dry heaving onto the first stair. Finally, the sickness seemed to tire of her and left her trembling and sweating. Picking herself up off the ground, Rarity caught her breath and wiped some spit from herself. She should probably get checked for pneumonia; best head in tomorrow. She picked up the commission and entered her home.