Chapter V

Rarity licked her lips, the glow from her horn shone too much.

“Get me a towel.” She said from beneath the haze of her focus.

“What? Why? You’re not sweaty.”

“I need to darken the glow from my horn, it’ll mess up my strokes.” The brush was one hair, Rarity didn’t even know they made brushes that small. However, it was the only size small enough to paint individual letters on a sign less than an inch in size.

Rainbow Dash dropped a worn blue dishrag beside Rarity.

“There you go.”

“Ok listen, you need to CAREFULLY cover my horn with that towel. Don’t get it in my eyes.” Rarity instructed. “Or my mane.” She added. She wasn’t going to have a newly trimmed mane infused with whatever had been mopped up last in Rainbow Dash’s kitchen.

“What?!” RD asked in disbelief.

“I’m on A here, I can’t break my concentration, we’re in too deep!” Rarity shouted.

“Well, alright, if you say so.” Rainbow Dash answered skeptically, lifting the towel tentatively. In a second the cloth touched her mane and judging by the odor, Rarity guessed that Rainbow Dash had been cooking with garlic when she utilized this particular dishrag.

“Get it off, get it off!” She protested.

“Quit twitching!” Rainbow Dash replied through clenched teeth, which held the offending cloth. Rarity sucked her breath in and made herself a statue. She felt the dishrag settle onto her horn, the glare dimmed and she exhaled fully. With the same precision that had scored the letters: L O N E S and T, she crossed the center line in A and dipped the single-haired brush in the miniscule paint dish by her nose.

“Ok.” She licked her lips again. “One more.” Dash watched in apprehension as Rarity slid the hair down the grey sign. The base line stood strong Rarity noted. Now for the tricky part, she curved the P-like portion of the letter R. With a decisive swipe, she finished the R and pulled back quickly so as not to mar the perfection she had just authored. “THERE WE GO!” Rarity declared as she tossed the brush triumphantly across the kitchen.

“Let me see!” Rainbow Dash craned her neck to inspect the minute lettering. She whistled. “You’re good Rarity.” Dash said with the upmost respect. Well of course she was good, anypony who looked closely at her work could see she made a habit of the highest quality.

“Well, I try.” Rarity smiled with overestimated modesty. Rainbow Dash carefully lifted the paint dish and set it in the sink.

“That’s the end of that.” She stated proudly. “I think my next area will be the clock tower.” Rarity looked at the rough wooden rectangle which indicated the large clock tower in the center of Ponyville.

“You’re going to need the dimensions.” She noted.

“Yeah, I haven’t gotten that far.” Dash picked up the paintbrush, which had left a threadlike trail of paint on the floor from its impromptu flight.

“You’ll have lots of time after tomorrow.” Rarity pointed out.

“Ha, yeah, you’re right.” Her friend didn’t sound overly excited, Rarity couldn’t blame her. They had gotten pretty close over the past week, and actually managed to make the work fun.

“I’ll probably have to take like, three trips each time I come over to detail the buildings.” Rarity reminded optimistically.

The two weeks had gone fast and Rarity’s chest felt a world better. She had stopped the pills and was pretty much able to carry out business as usual. Tomorrow Rainbow Dash left the bakery and neither pony was enjoying that prospect. Rarity stood and yawned. They had been painting the model for two hours.

“You got anything to drink? I’m thirsty as heck.” Rainbow Dash gestured to the refrigerator.

“Yeah, help yourself.” Rarity hunted around in the cold chamber and managed to recover a container of milk. Pouring herself a glass, she quaffed the creamy liquid and smacked her lips.

“There we go.” She said in satisfaction. “I would have really preferred something stronger though.” She said with a grin. Rainbow Dash giggled in embarrassment.

“Sorry, I don’t have any of that.” She said apologetically.

“Yeah I know I know.” Rarity pointed a hoof at her. “But I’m going to win you over, you’ll see. I’ll make you fill your fridge with the hardest cider Sweet Apple Acres has. You’ll see, all it’ll take is one Friday night at Hennessy’s with me and Applejack.” Rarity predicted. The Pegasus looked at her model.

“Yeah.” Her voice was subdued. “We’ll see.”

It had been two weeks and Rarity had gotten to know the new Rainbow Dash, well, better than she had before at least. While she was quiet as fuck, RD still had that snarky sense of humor that Rarity recalled fondly. They had spent some truly fun hours in the oven room together, talking about everything from stallions to the state of Equestria. Activities were pretty much hit or miss, as Rainbow Dash politely refused many ideas for no better reason than simply “No, thank you, I don’t feel like it.” The model had at least proven to be a connecting point and Rarity had made it a point to aid her in painting the rapidly materializing work.

“So, do you want me to pay you in ones or something? Make you feel rich?” Rarity asked in an entirely random thought. Dash giggled, this time in actual humor.

“No, I was actually thinking you could just keep helping me with the detail painting and we could call it even.” Rarity shook her head.

“Not gonna happen. You’re getting three fourths of my pay for two weeks and I’m helping you for free.”

“I can’t just take service from you that you would have charged for.” The light blue mare said in quiet indignation.

“Ha, that’s advantage of being the only player in the market, you get to set the price however you like.” Rarity laughed. Dash said nothing, but looked back at her model.

There was still that shitty streak of charity that everypony had, it always fucked things up.

“Well, uh, I better get going. Don’t want to be late for work.” Rarity forced a smile and walked to the door. Rainbow Dash followed her.

“Thanks for coming by and helping with my project.” The Pegasus said gratefully as she stepped into the cool night.

“Yeah, no problem. I’ll stop by again soon and help you with the tower.” Rarity said with a smile.

“It’s fine, I can do it myself. I don’t want to make things awkward by continually offering you money.” Rainbow Dash said as she gave Rarity a light hug. Rarity couldn’t think of a reply, what the hell could she say to that? She simply departed with a nod. Things hadn’t ended on a high note tonight.

The air was perfect and Rarity walked through the fields of grass at a comfortable pace. The heat of the day had cooled and the grasses gently swayed around the unicorn.

Ah Rainbow Dash, you don’t make things easy do you? They were friends, well, most of the time, Rarity thought. But there were times, like tonight, when the blue mare would have some bizarre or stupidly inconvenient idiosyncrasy that made things unbelievably difficult. Rarity took a deep breath and let it out slowly, she was still going to be Rainbow Dash’s friend. It was still pure joy hanging around the Pegasus, she was still quick on the draw, not full of shit and a smart pony. In a strange and probably twisted way, Rarity kind of enjoyed the shy new Pegasus. In a messed up way, Dash was sweetly adorable and unassuming, which made Rarity feel morally rewarded every time she hung out with her. As far as something that “the new Rarity wanted”, spending time with Dash was pretty fun. But there were still occasions when the forcefully introverted Rainbow Dash retreated back into her shell of submission with seemingly no provocation and left Rarity awkwardly searching for a means to gain her back. Rarity would still take the brash old Dash back in a heartbeat. But it was now clear that she had died in the Blast. New Rainbow Dash was quiet and shy and there wasn’t a thing Rarity could do to change that.

At any rate it was a start, a start on the path of finding the new Rarity. A Rarity that cared for her emotionally scarred friend. The unicorn had decided that the new Rarity was going to just start with caring, then see where she could go from there. It was a good plan and Rarity was sure she was on the right track to finding something that she would truly enjoy as her life purpose. Seven months after the Blast and she was starting over.

The next morning came with a sprinkle of rain. Just great, now her sheets were wet. Rarity slung the damp sheets over a tree branch and picked the mold from her breakfast muffin. Given that seventy five percent of her pay was going to Rainbow Dash and that she had spent twenty bits on the molding muffins, Rarity didn’t have a lot of breakfast options available. Predictably, the muffin tasted like snail scum and she quickly downed the foul breadstuff. On her way to work, she happened across Spike, who was carrying a satchel full of books. He spotted her and jogged over.

“Hey Rarity! Twilight says we’re going to take that trip in like three weeks! Can you make it?” He asked in excitement. She had forgotten about the trip. Another great surprise for new Rarity.

“Heh, yeah, I think I can clear off my schedule.” She replied with a grin.

“Hey, did you get in a fight or something?” He asked in curiosity. “I remember a few weeks back and Twilight said she had to get you out of a fight or something, I was asleep I think.” She laughed and slapped him on the back.

“Yeah, it was no big deal, I’ll tell you later. I gotta get to work now.” She started again toward the Lone Star, leaving him in the street. There was no way she was going to risk telling Spike about her altercation. He was too innocent for that.

“Oh, ok then, I’ll just update you on the trip status some time.” He called to her. She entered the Lone Star. Applecrisp was in the oven room with Rainbow Dash. They were mixing an inordinate amount of dough.

“Ah’m here to help with pretzels, retirement home ordered 500 by the day’s end.” Applecrisp said blankly. Dash smiled to Rarity.

“Looks like Sonny is going to get one more full day of work from me.”

“Ha, yeah. He knows he’s not paying you, better get as much out of you as he can.” Rarity joked.

“Y’call him Sonny?” Asked Applecrisp abruptly.

“Yeah, sometimes. Kinda depends.” Rarity answered. Applecrisp shrugged.

“Ah’m gonna get the salt.” She said with disinterest. Rainbow Dash and Rarity exchanged surprised glances as she left. Applecrisp had asked a question, which technically counted as engaging in a conversation. The mute blue mare that they worked with had proven to be an inexhaustible source of conversation for the pair.

“Found out where she lives?” Dash whispered.

“Not yet.” Rarity replied.

For seven tiring hours they made dough, folded dough, and salted dough. Rarity’s horn became weak and sluggish and at about hour five she went to her hooves. Rainbow Dash kept licking her lips, which were chapped from the salt dust that saturated the air. And even stoic Applecrisp wiped some sweat from her knit brow, a sure sign of a heavy workload. The last of the pretzels were browning in the oven and the three bakers were slumped tiredly over the counter when Mr. Salukas popped his head in the door.

“Ah, girls, the three of you need to get those pretzels over to the retirement village now. Ana and I will manage the shop. Saddle up and get them there before they are cooled.” He said with urgency.

Fuck, why didn’t anypony ever pick their order up? Oh that was right, no Ponyville pony wanted to pick up something that will be delivered for free. Rarity knew that pennypinching was the only counter that Ponyville took to the recession. She really hated Ponyville.

They packed their saddlebags with the still-hot pretzels and exited the oven room. Ana halted the procession by the door.

“Hold on.” She pointed to Dash. “Your last day will no doubt be the day you steal something.” Rarity looked on in horror as Ana literally reached down and picked up the little Pegasus and looked over her entire body. She held the blue pony up and looked over her underbelly, giving anypony walking by outside a view of Dash that other businesses would have charged for. A sickly embarrassing pause descended as they waited awkwardly for Ana to finish her inspection. Dash’s cheeks turned bright red and Rarity frowned, as if to say that she held no power in the situation. Sonny was in the back, he probably didn’t want to be around for the shameful inspection. Rarity glanced over at Applecrisp, there was the slightest indication of a smirk on her face. Rarity blinked, was that a smirk?

“There isn’t enough of you to hide something.” Ana said with a chuckle as she set Rainbow Dash back down. She slapped the “clean” worker across the back. “I’m pleased Rarity chose such a good worker. But in any case I hope to not see you again in my kitchen.” Rainbow Dash looked about ready to cry. “Go, this is your last work here.” She pointed to the door and the all three beat a hasty exit.

“I’m really sorry.” Rarity put a hoof around her humiliated friend. “She’s fucking crazy, she did that to me when I started.” Applecrisp spat some hay she was chewing onto the gravel road.

“Ah don’t remember that.” She said flatly.

“It’s ok, it’s fine.” Rainbow Dash sniffed. She wiped her eyes and straightened herself. “So, is your chest all better?” Rarity proudly thumped a hoof into her side.

“Like ninety percent better.” She grimaced. “Doing that still hurt and I’m now regretting it, but you get my point.” Rainbow Dash laughed and the new Rarity felt wonderful for cheering her friend up. Applecrisp yawned.

“Hey, did you ever buy that stock from Sugarcube Corner?” Rarity asked. The confectionary seemed to bother Rarity less when she was with Dash.

“Something lahk that.” Came the curt reply.

“Did, did uh, it turn out to be a good investment?” Rarity asked.

Applecrisp was indifferent, even more so than usual. She didn’t even reply to this.

“Maybe you should get some, might help you afford expensive help like me.” Dash teased.

“Oh no, I have too much money actually. That’s why I work at the bakery, it’ll reduce my excess.” Rarity responded sarcastically. Applecrisp walked a little faster.

“Heh, you should try cutting manes, that’ll probably reduce your extra cash even faster.” Their banter continued. Something about her gait gave Rarity the impression that Applecrisp was pissed about something. But, per norm, the deep blue mare said nothing and kept pace as usual.

They came to the retirement home. Rarity had never been inside of the institution before. The walls were white vinyl and there was a musty and shitty odor to the place. It was sort of like meatloaf and some industrial soap or something. Rarity approached the check-in desk or whatever it was.

“Hey, um, got some pretzels.” The attendant looked down, she was a plain grey mare wearing a white overcoat. “We, er, we’re from the Lone Star bakery?” The attendant waited a second after Rarity finished, making Rarity feel like she had misspoken.

“Yes, I’ll escort you to the kitchen, this way please.” The grey mare said primly. The attendant, clearly not a social pony, led them down the ghastly halls with no further explanation. Rarity hated retirement homes, they had absolutely sickening decoration and the residents were all old and nasty. Applecrisp didn’t seem to care, that surprised Rarity as much as it ever did. Dash however, seemed on edge and kept looking into rooms as they passed them. Most were empty, apparently a lot of ponies had died this week. A few rooms held bed-ridden horses and ponies, they looked like multicolored prunes staring out of white bed wrappers. Rarity was glad when they finally reached the aluminum doors of the kitchen.

“Place them in the bin marked specialty breadstuffs please.” The attendant said tartly as she unlocked the door. An industrial kitchen, Rarity looked about her, everything was geared for generating mass meals. All around her sat giant mixing bowls, massive metal refrigerators and of course, palates of pudding cups. A milky white bin with the label “Specialty breadstuffs” scrawled in sharpie sat next to an oven. It reeked of old bread and probably mold. Rarity began to pour her saddlebag into the bin.

“This place is awful.” Dash said dolefully as she handed Rarity her pack.

“I know, let’s just get this done and get out of here.” Rarity agreed urgently. They emptied both of their packs and turned to Applecrisp. The blue pony was leaned against a metal table and chewing a drinking straw she had evidently picked up. Without a word, she dumped her saddlebags into the almost full bin. With a deft flick of her head, she tossed the straw into the bin amidst the pretzels.

“Hey, why’d you do that?” Dash asked in surprise. Applecrisp shrugged.

“Wai not?”

“Because ponies are going to eat those pretzels!’ Dash protested meekly.

“Thatta fact.” Applecrisp turned to leave. She was definitely pissed about something and Rarity knew that the rich blue mare was waiting for Dash to cross the line. Rarity tossed her head in the direction of the door to signal the proper course of action for the dismayed Pegasus. Yet Rainbow Dash still looked to Rarity, her violet eyes were unsure and pleading. Rarity dropped the lid firmly, nope RD, not going to happen. Rarity refused to piss of her co-worker over moderately unsanitary conduct. Applecrisp opened the door and Rarity followed her. From behind them there came the squeak of a plastic lid and Dash returned to Rarity’s side in a moment. Rarity looked up, Applecrisp continued walking down the hall at her regular pace. Had she heard? Rarity had no idea what Applecrisp was like when she was mad and she really hoped she wouldn’t find out, at least, not in a retirement home with a vulnerable Pegasus beside her.

They shuffled past the desk and to the doors. In a second they were outside and walking back down the road. Rarity still worried about Applecrisp and her unknown temperament. Yet for the entire return trip Applecrisp was silent and kept perfect pace with other two bakers. Her anger seemed gone and it was as if she had never been mad.

In a few minutes they reached the bakery and Applecrisp took the empty saddlebags inside. It was that time.

“Well hey, thanks so much for helping me out.” Rarity said to the discharged Pegasus. Dash nodded and smiled back.

“It was really fun. Thanks for asking me.” They stood for a moment.

“Well, uh, I gotta get back inside. I’ll get your money in like a day, you said you wanted all ones?” Rarity poked. Dash laughed a little.

“Yeah, that’s right.” She turned and started home. Rarity watched her for a moment, then entered the bakery. New Rarity was missing Dash even before she got to the oven room.

Applecrisp wasn’t mad, or if she was, it didn’t matter. She did her job as she always had and communicated properly with Rarity. Things got back to normal after Rainbow Dash left, with Rarity working anywhere she was needed. With her firefighter’s breakfast bonus and a few weeks of normal pay, Rarity purchased actual groceries. Things were still pretty much the same in shitty Ponyville, but Rarity’s life was slowly getting more bearable.

Spike dropped by her crates one night. He trotted up to her as she sat juicing an orange for an herbal cleanse.

“Knock knock!” He said playfully. She looked up, the purple dragon pushed his way through the grass that was nearly as tall as he was.

“Hey hey! Look who it is! Twilight finally let you off the chain?” She laughed. He rubbed his neck.

“Eh, yeah. Anyway, I just dropped by to see if you were ready, you know, for the trip.” She nodded.

“Yep, got all next week off!” She hopped off of her crate and put an arm around him. “So tell me, how are things going in the royal office?” She asked amiably.

“All right nothing really big. Just plugging along I guess. We’re done with ledgers now, thank God. Just, I dunno, trying to figure out how to run a country.” He looked up at her. “Twilight’s really getting burned out, I want this trip to be something special for her, you know?” She pursed her lips knowledgeably.

“I know what you mean. Yeah, we’ll make it special for her, we’ll take her to dinner or something. Maybe the Crystal Café, it’s really good.”

“Mmhm, we’ll do that.” He paused as if trying to decide on something. “I, uh, what I wanted to know is, could you?” He stopped to think. “Could you, just, be careful? I mean, it’s great having you come along and we really want you, just, please be careful.” Rarity was confused by the dragon’s obfuscated request.

“What?” She asked. He looked off into the forest with the expression of someone looking to avoid hurting feelings.

“Just, don’t get in any trouble. I know you don’t go looking for trouble, but, I dunno, just be careful.” She pulled her arm off of him.

“What are you saying?” She asked quietly. He swallowed and scratched his arm.

“Just, I dunno, please-”

“You think I’m going to get into trouble.” She was incredulous. “You think I’m going to embarrass you and Twilight, don’t you?”

“It’s just-” Her voice got louder.

“You didn’t worry about me acting differently back before Twilight was queen.” Spike avoided her gaze.

“A barfight isn’t silly.” He said softly. He had found out. Goddamn it he had found out. Rarity knew she would never hear the end of it.

“Sure isn’t, but I don’t make it a habit of getting into barfights, that was one fucking time.”

“Hey I know, I know! I just wanted-”

“You wanted to be extra careful that I didn’t embarrass you or God forbid Twilight. I guess whatever bad behavior you suspect me of isn’t as big of a problem if you and she aren’t involved.” She interrupted angrily.

“No! No! I just mean that Twilight has been under a lot of stress, and I didn’t-”

“Didn’t want her to have to worry about me getting into mischief.” She finished. “Don’t worry Spike, you won’t have to worry about that. You can take her to Cloudsdale and have a nice vacation all by yourself, I’ve got mischief to get into.” She spat the words with all the gall she could summon. He stepped back. His eyes were full of tears.

“Ok Rarity, ok, you don’t have to come.” His words were choked and he started to run after saying them. She watched him flee, he still ran like a baby dragon, with that cartoonish hop. In a few moments he had vanished into the tall grass.

Goddamn it, he really liked to feel good about that royalty thing didn’t he? She kicked the orange off of her crate, splattering sticky juice everywhere. He had actually come here to ask her to behave, he had. She was Rarity and he was Spike, she had spent four years in the Goddamn Academy of Advanced Arts taking classes on how to behave sociably. He was a fucking dragon, one known for his uncleanliness and bluntness no less. With a sudden onset of rage, she punched the side of her crate. The blow sent shards of agony up her arm and she recoiled back from the pain. Her eyes began to tear, this wasn’t a problem seven months ago. Seven months ago nopony would have worried about Rarity the unicorn acting badly. What happened?

Warm and humid, warm and humid, warm and fucking humid. Ponyville had one kind of summer weather. Actually, stormy as shit was in there too, so there were two kinds of weather in summer for Ponyville. Today was warm and fucking humid and of course, today was Thursday. Rarity was carrying a light load of crates, but it still weighed her down and made the trip substantially worse. Her mane dipped into her eyes and she swatted it angrily. Why the hell did manes grow so fast?

It was two days before the trip and she didn’t give a rat’s ass. After Spike’s little inquiry about her manners, he could go and have the shittiest trip ever. She would have no part in a trip with such an intolerant jackass. She trotted along in her usual misery and came to the gate. Bent on avoiding all manner of cuts, she gently prodded the button of the intercom with her hoof.

“Heyit’sRaritywiththewood.” She recited.

“Hay there Rarity with the wood. Lemme jus’ buzz y’in.” Applejack replied perkily. Rarity walked into the courtyard, Applejack emerged from her house. “Light load?” She asked. The white mare nodded tiredly and made for the barn. She dumped the wood and started back toward the exit without a word to AJ. “Hold on nao.” Applejack put a hoof in her shoulder. “Sumthin’s up, innit?” Rarity sighed and slumped her shoulders gloomily. “Alraght, ah got a new cider in the mah office ah need ya’ll t’try out. Ya’ll come in and tell me whut’s goin’ on.”

“No, I gotta get back to work.” Rarity answered emptily. AJ stood in her way, Rarity was too tired to want to fight the adamant farm pony. She nodded complacently and unhitched herself from the cart.

“Malt cider, ain’t never been done befo’. Should be a game changa. We’re gonna open up a whole new market.” Applejack declared proudly as she handed Rarity a snifter. Applejack collapsed into her leather chair. “Nao what’s eatin’ ya?” Rarity set the glass on a cork coaster atop the stylish leather coffee table and took a seat.

“Just, well, I was going to go on this trip with Spike and Twilight to Cloudsdale. I wanted to get out of Ponyville for a while you know.” AJ nodded. Rarity tossed her mane out of her eyes. “Well, last night, Spike drops by my place.” Her blood began to heat. “He actually asked me to behave on the trip. Like, ‘don’t get into any mischief Rarity’.” She bit her lip in resentment. “Shithead has the balls to tell me-”

“Rarity.” Interrupted Applejack. “Y’can’t fault him. Nao hear me out!” Rarity held her protest by a thread. “Nao, ya’ll gotta realize, yer’ getting’ rough around the edges. First it was yer accent, then it was yer swearing, hell, with that mane y’aint nuthin’ lahk y’were. Getting’ into barfights, hell, even goin’ to a bar; those ain’t things most ponies take to. Nao personally ah don’t mind atal, and if somepony looks down on y’fer fighting or drinkin’, then that reflects on them as much as it does ya’ll. It shure as hell don’t matter t’me how rough of a pony y’get t’be.” She shrugged. “But for Spike, and Twah, they gotta be moar civil ‘bout things, Lord knows they must not lahk always bein’ s’proper, but the system says they gotta be all snooty cause that’s how it works.” Rarity was unconvinced.

“But I KNOW Spike had to feel pretty good about getting to talk down to me. He must have fuckin’ loved getting to tell me to behave. This whole damn town loves being able to look down on me.” Rarity spoke with certainty. She knew that everpony in Ponyville relished her undignified end and of course went to great lengths to condescend her for it.

“Aw, nao, ya’ll know that’s not true. Hell, the boy’s had that crush on ya’ll for the longest time. An’ ah know royalty does funny things to a body and ah bet he’s gotten his fair share a’ power trips, but y’don’t really think he’d enjoy saying that to ya’ll do ya? Ah mean, did he look like he was having fun?” Rarity recalled the events of the prior night and realized just what had happened: he had been crying, she had made him cry. Spike hadn’t enjoyed any of it.

Rarity sighed again.

“I just, I, I’m pissed cause they don’t think I can handle myself when I should. When we go out together, you and me, we kinda accept that something stupid might happen you know? But come on, I know better than to get drunk and act out if I’m with the High Queen of Equestria. I mean, maybe I do screw things up.” The image of her poorly received transcription joke entered her mind. “But I do my best to be as proper as I should with them. I figured they knew that so it hurts to have them remind me.” She said in dissatisfaction. Applejack nodded knowingly.

“Ah know that and ya’ll know that. Y’gotta show the brass that. Wai not use this trip as a way to show how responsible y’are? If they’re worried, y’can use this trip to show them yer class. Make em’ remember ya’ll still know how to behave!” Applejack suggested. Rarity twisted her mouth.

“Kinda told Spike to go fuck himself.” She looked at Applejack. “I don’t think I can just walk back up to him and ask to come along again.”

Applejack laughed.

“Rarity, this is the boy who offered to give y’his kidney in advance, should yers ever fail.” She put her hooves behind her head and leaned back in her office chair. “He’s pretty much the definition of unconditional positive regard. Ah bet if y’let him lick yer hooves and touch himself he’d forgive ya’ll.” Rarity chuckled.

“That is both disgusting and probably true.” She smiled. “God, you should go into psychology or something, you’d be awesome at it.”

“Heh, sweetheart, ah’m just remindin’ y’of things half the time.” Applejack said with a grin. Rarity stood, encouraged and ready to show Twilight and Spike her good side.

“Guess I have some apologizing to do.” She said simply. Rarity turned to leave.

“Wait! Y’ain’t tried my cider!” AJ protested.

“Heh, forgot about that.” Rarity turned back to the coffee table, lifted the amber glass and downed the contents. She coughed and struck her chest. “Ack, what the fuck is this?! It’s like rotten wheat pancakes!” Applejack threw up her hooves in defeat.

“Well, if ahron stomach Rarity won’t drink it, then nopony will.” She said with a grin.

“Just stick to apple cider ok?” Rarity advised jokingly.

“And ya’ll stick to behavin’ like a civil pony ok?” AJ pointed back.

Rarity would, she was new Rarity now, one who cared for her friends and who acted courteously and in a dignified manner. Life was going to get better for her. New Rarity was going to be MUCH more mature, when she needed to be.

Rarity raced back to the bakery in a dead sprint. She had wasted a long time at AJ’s and she knew Mr. Salukas would be pissed if she were late. On the way, she thought about talking to Spike. Poor little dragon, she’d gotten to him more than she had thought. She would lay out a complete and sincere apology for her wanton unkindness. It wouldn’t be easy, but the new Rarity was going to be less of a bitch. She would go to Cloudsdale with Queen Twilight, absolutely awe her with a top floor seat at the Crystal Cafe. She would fucking kill anypony in a battle of manners no question.

She was already practicing her cultured voice when she entered the building.

“Oh, that’s simply the darnedest thing.” She said as she opened the door and beheld an imagined dress. No, not darnedest. What did one say to a good dress again? Mr. Salukas looked up as she walked to the oven room.

“Ah, Rarity, I will need you to cover for Applecrisp up front, she has called in sick.” Sonny tossed her an apron.

Well shit, the one day Applecrisp called in sick was the day she needed to be back in the oven room practicing her manners. Rarity donned the apron and positioned herself behind the register.

“Yeah ok, that’s fine.” She conceded.

“I am going to get Ana, we need all hooves on deck. Keep an eye out.” The brown horse gave her a look of solemn confidence and departed. She heard the back door close and waited for a few seconds. The only noise came from the clock ticking and the crackle of the oven fires.

“Why hello, I am Rarity, I simply adore your shoes.” She spoke to the empty shop. No, complement the clothing. She knocked a hoof against her head, how could she forget so much in five months?

For the next ten minutes, Rarity attempted to practice her culture.

“Why hello, I simply adore your dress, by the way, I am Rarity.” That wasn’t it, name first, then complement. “Why hello, I am Rarity, I simply love your dress!”

“Uhhhhhhh, thanks? I, uh, just, uh, just wanted to see if you guys had any protein breads.” She looked up.

From across the counter, a fire red Pegasus stared at her in confusion. Her mouth went dry.

“I, uh, am glad you like my dress.” He laughed nervously. “I’m Audacity, I just moved here, I was looking for a place to buy protein bread, I work out a lot and thought maybe this place would have some good after workout recovery bread.” Rarity blinked.

Audacity was sleek and smooth, his wings were preened and glossy. He was muscular, but not so much that he looked like one of those veiny workhorses. His Cutie Mark was a spark of red-blue flame that sat on a deliciously firm flank. He sported an unbearably wispy mane that drove Rarity mad for a reason that escaped her. His mane was like Dash’s, except his started red at the base and grew to an orange hue near the end. His eyes were liquid and a pair of deep blue irises sat like two ice cubes floating amidst a flaming complexion of total masculinity. Rarity stared at him with a feeling that would only classify as pure lust. Audacity was cloppable without imagination.

He looked at her in uncertainty.

“Hello? Um, is this place a bakery?” He asked.

“What? Oh yes, sorry!” She laughed loudly.

“Not a problem.” He smiled congenially, barring perfect teeth of course. “It’s probably been slow here.” He surveyed the bread offerings. “Do you carry any high protein breads?” He asked again.

“Ahhh, no idea.” She laughed again. A sort of daze had fallen over her. He knelt and pointed to a generic birdseed style bread.

“That one looks good, can I have a sample?” She nodded vigorously and hacked off a generous slice. Rarity made sure to brush his hoof as he took the sample. He chewed it thoughtfully.

“That’s pretty good.” He said in satisfaction.

“Let me know if you want anything else.” Her voice was breathy and pleading.

“Haha ok!” He took another bite and strolled about the shop. Rarity swallowed, something, no, everything about this stallion was irresistible. She had to know more about him.

“So, uh, you just moved here?” He turned.

“Oh yeah, from west Fillydelphia, born and raised.” She cocked her head, Fillydelphia?

“Yeah, hanging out on the tarmack is how I spent most of my days.” Tarmack? This stallion was a professional flight pony?

“You know, I did a lot of races and got some offers for various things.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “None of ‘em really appealed to me. I really wanted to find a nice place to settle down more than anything.” Wait, he flew races for a living? Rarity felt the ground start to give way beneath her, he was too good to be true. He continued, seemingly uninterested in his story. “Anyway, I had a few runs that went over Ponyville.” He chuckled. “It looks awfully nice from a hundred yards above. So I decided to move here.” He concluded.

“Wow, so, you fly races for a living?” She asked in wonder. He shrugged again and gave her a disinterested frown.

“Yeah, when there’s one that interests me. I do some flight tutoring for some private clients and every now and then I’ll do a bit at a flight show or something.”

“Excuse me? Did you pay for that?” Rarity nearly had a heart attack, Ana was in the doorway. Was everypony sneaking today? Ana approached the Pegasus. “I do not know what my employee may have told you about samples-” She began, preparing to decimate the attractive stallion.

“Oh no, it’s my fault! I just bought that loaf of bread and I wanted a slice before she wrapped it for me. I’m sorry if that’s against the rules.” He said innocently. Ana halted her advance.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry.” She bowed her head apologetically. “I did not know you had purchased your bread.” Rarity stared at Audacity. No way, no pony anywhere could play off Ana the terrible.

Mr. Salukas entered the room carrying a large crate of apples.

“And who is this?” He said cheerfully as he set the heavy crate behind the counter. “Somepony who likes Kachapuri?” Audacity nodded.

“You bet, it’s got enough protein to last an entire day right?”

“Of course! It’s the bread the working pony eats!” Mr. Salukas declared.

“Haha excellent! I burn up a lot of calories in a day and I need to keep going on less food. More hearty stuff!” Rarity watched as Mr. Salukas fell in love with this mysterious pony.

“You are athlete, you have the look of a strong flyer. Wonderbolt, no?” Audacity shrugged.

“Well I fly some, but I’m not into professional stuff. I told them it’s a great program, but it’s just not for me.” HE HAD TURNED DOWN THE WONDERBOLTS? WHO WAS THIS PONY? If Rarity was near to passing out before, she was on the cusp of swooning now. Audacity checked the clock above the menu.

“Well, hey, it was good meeting you guys. Sorry I have to run, I have a tutoring session in fifteen minutes. I’ll be sure and drop by again for some more, Kacha, er, protein bread.” He dropped some money on the counter. He was smart, sexy and could make anypony love him. Audacity was perfect.

“Rarity! Serve your customer!” Ana chastised. Rarity was still staring at the fantasy pony before her. She awoke from her lustful haze and quickly wrapped the loaf in waxed paper and handed it to him.

“Please come again.” She begged the red Pegasus.

“Haha, sure will!” He waved and walked out of the door, taking both a loaf of “protein bread” and Rarity’s heart with him.

The rest of the day was shit and Rarity didn’t care.

She walked out of the bakery carrying some Bobka, the fiery stallion still toying with her mind. The heat of true summer hung thickly in the air. She walked through the sweaty town, considering the burning stallion that had breezed into the bakery.

He was a snake, he couldn’t be anything but a snake. Rarity knew he was a snake, nopony in Equestria could be that smooth and not be a snake. And there was nopony anywhere who turned down the Wonderbolts. Maybe he flew well, but nopony could be good enough and dumb enough to decline an offer from the Wonderbolts.

She shook her head. Of course he was a snake.

Yet delicious Audacity still held with her. She reached her crates, his sleek body still prancing through her mind. She tried to get a hold of herself; he had just been a pony she had met for like five minutes. She splashed some water over her face at the stream. The sun was beginning to set and she watched the firey ball of gas descend into the hill before her.

She had never heard of anypony who turned down the Wonderbolts and certainly not any pony who would want to move to Ponyville based on a view from one hundred yards. He was definitely a snake. She laughed to herself. Audacity, if that was his name, was just blowing through town and was just looking to score some fun for an evening. He had searched for a bit, looking for an attractive mare to “spend some time with”. She smirked to herself, he had tried to go for her. She was just as attractive as the day she stopped spending 300 bits a month on grooming. She returned to her crates and started juicing an orange for another herbal cleanse. She’d see if Mr. Audacity dropped by again tomorrow.

GOD FUCKING DAMN IT! Rarity sat up in bed, she had forgotten to talk to Spike! Stupid Audacity the snake had made her forget about her plans. It was seven in the morning and she had to be at work in an hour. She wolfed down an apple and raced to Twilight’s tree.

Shit shit shit, they were leaving today and she still hadn’t apologized. She flew through the waking town, dodging benches and light posts in her mad dash toward the queen’s home. She needed a miracle. Hitting the door at about fifty miles an hour, Rarity clopped furiously against the bullet-proofed metal. She continued to beat her hoof into the solid surface for some time. Eventually, the door swung open, revealing one of Twilight’s guards. He wasn’t wearing his armor and looked as if he had just been awakened.

“Miss I am going to have to ask you to stop that. Queen Twilight needs her rest.” He said tiredly.

“You don’t understand, I need to talk to her secretary! It’s important!” He looked down at her. Something in his expression suggested that he didn’t trust an unkempt and breathless unicorn demanding an audience with the secretary of the queen at 7:07 A.M.

She awaited a response but instead the door simply drifted closed.

“Let me in dammit!” She shouted as she again pounded against the door. It flew open, revealing a much more pissed off guard.

“Miss I am going to have to ask you to leave now before you cause a problem.” He said severely. “And besides, the secretary to the queen is in Cantorlot, he won’t be back until four this afternoon.”

Her heart dropped, gone till four? Rarity realized she was beaten. She nodded miserably and walked away in dejection. Spike was getting back when she was on shift, they were probably leaving right as he got home. They wouldn’t even know she wanted to go with them and make up for her mistake. She wasn’t going to Cloudsdale, she was stuck in fucking Ponyville.

Rarity kicked a rock across the street in helpless rage. Why did she have to fuck everything up? Why couldn’t she have foresight? She didn’t used to do stupid stuff like this. The projected rock skittered across the cobblestone ahead of her, but in a moment it shot back past her head. Rarity looked up in surprise.

“Now it’s your turn!” Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. “Betcha can’t beat me!” There was no earthly reason for party pony to be at that exact street corner at that exact time. Rarity glowered at the pink mare. She was in no mood for her former friend’s bullshit.

“I’m not playing.” She growled as she started for her work.

“Oh ok!” Pinkie skipped alongside her. “Watcha doin’ today?” She asked perkily. Rarity wanted nothing more than for Pinkie Pie to fuck off altogether.

“Nothing, just working.” Rarity answered.

“Oooh, that sounds fun! Are you going to make any sweets today?” Pinkie asked excitedly.

“No idea.”

“I bet you are!” Pinkie’s voice drifted into a horrid impression of Mr. Salukas. “I bet you are making some beeg harty sveets.” Rarity ground her teeth together, that Goddamn pony was a walking pet peeve.

“Hey Pinkie! What are you doing up so early? Shouldn’t you be back at Sugarcube Corner?” Rarity asked in false interest. Party pony bounced into the air again.

“Nope! Mr. Cake is meeting with some investors today. He said Sugarcube and I could have the day off! Do you want to hang out with us?!! We can-”

“No.”

Pinkie stopped. Her usual smile was suddenly shaky.

“Oh, ok.” She smiled to Rarity. “See you around.” Rarity didn’t reply but kept walking, she was glad Pinkie had finally fucked off. She didn’t even look back to see the disconsolate pink pony standing alone in the middle of the street. She was just happy that Pinkie had fucked off.

She reached the in Lone Star in a few minutes. Mr. Salukas was just opening the door and he held it open politely.

“Rarity, coming in early before your vacation?” He asked good-naturedly. She shook her head.

“No, my plans changed.” Rarity said softly. He cocked his head in confusion.

“Will you be working this week then?” She sighed.

“Eyeah, no, I don’t know. I’ll get back to you.” What was she going to do about her vacation time? She was too miserable to think about it now. The two entered the darkened bakery. Rarity was getting sick of the odor of flour, it just smelled like shit. Mr. Salukas tossed his keys onto the counter.

“We have a few minutes. Tell me how you are. It’s been an eventful past few weeks.” He said, propping himself up on a chair. Rarity sighed again and took a seat.

“Ah, it’s been ok. Just had some hangups in my plans, had my trip fall through.” Mr. Salukas rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

“Sorry to hear that. What are you going to do instead?” He asked. She shook her head and picked at the gum under the table.

“I dunno, probably just organize my crates again.” she said listlessly. Sonny sat for a moment.

“You are not a happy pony Rarity.” The statement came from nowhere. She looked up in surprise.

“Uh, why do you say that?” She asked. He chuckled a little.

“You wear it like a coat.” Rarity was confused, was he chastising her?

“Uh, yeah, I dunno. I guess maybe.” She said cautiously. Sonny’s usual expression of stern authority was now reserved and thoughtful. He titled his head and dragged his hoof across the suface of the table.

“You are a good worker, you and Applecrisp are the finest bakers I have ever employed.” He sounded like he was reciting something. He looked up at her. “But you are unhappy.” She paused, unsure of his meaning. “You have no purpose.” A small chill went through her, there was an unsettling sobriety to his words. “You are not a baker at heart Rarity.” She began to worry about where this was leading. “You work to survive, not to live.”

“Uh, it’s really not a problem working here.” She began. “I just ran into some bad luck I guess, I’m probably just depressed or something. I just need to move on I think. I’m sorry for being a little moody.” He shook his head.

“You are always stormy. This is not the life you are meant to live.” She swallowed, was she getting fired?

“Hey, look, you’re a great boss. And baking isn’t a problem for me, I really don’t mind. It pays the bills and I can still hang out with my friends.” She offered. Sonny looked out the front window where a few ponies were starting to walk up and down Mane Street.

“Do not worry, I will continue to employ you as long as you wish.” He said reassuringly. Rarity breathed a silent sigh of relief. “But I know that your days here are numbered.” He added ominously. A quiet fell in the dark shop, Rarity was exceedingly uncomfortable and still not sure what Sonny was saying. They sat in the silent shop and Rarity wished she hadn’t come in so early.

“Where were you going on that trip?” He asked presently.

“Uh, to Cloudsdale, with some friends.” She answered. He thought for a few moments while Rarity waited uneasily.

“Have you been to Cloudsdale?” He asked distantly.

“Yeah, a few times, I went to school there.” She replied.

“How is it?” It took her a moment to process a response, the conversation was so disjointed that she had no idea what to say.

“Uh, it’s really nice. Very pretty, they make the weather and the rainbows.” The burly baker chewed the inside of his cheek.

“Why are you not going?” Rarity paused, how should she answer this?

“Ah, well, I kinda said something mean to the friend I was going with. Basically told him I didn’t want to go because of something he said. I wanted to go and apologize to him today before work, but he’s busy until four and I’m pretty sure he’ll have left before I can talk to him.” She said carefully. Sonny nodded and rose from his chair.

“Go, it is your day off.” He walked behind the counter and unlocked the register. Rarity’s heart missed a beat. But she knew that this was just pity and she did not partake of pity. There was no day off for her.

“It’s fine, I’m scheduled today and it was my fault for getting mad at my friend.” She rose from her chair and started for the oven room. Sonny was counting bills.

“Rarity, it is my business, I assign schedules. I’m giving you today off. You will have one less sick day later this year.” He stated.

“No, I didn’t ask for today off. I don’t have the right to leave.” She refused. He looked up sharply.

“You work for me, I determine your rights in this workplace. Now, today is your day off, you can spend it here working, but you will not be paid. You will have one less sick day this year regardless of where you are today.” He went back to counting money.

Rarity was baffled by Mr. Salukas, he would not allow a batch of muffins to go to waste, he locked all the foodstuffs in a safe to prevent thieves from stealing raw materials, he mashed all the extra dough from each workday into a frankenloaf and sold it as “Mesanina”…and he was giving her an unscheduled day off. Why was he suddenly concerned with her interaction with friends?

Rarity wanted to protest, she wanted to protest more than anything in the world. No doubt he thought her a manipulative little slacker and so would Applecrisp when she came in for work. Ana already thought that and doubtless this would solidify her belief. And to top it all off, Spike might not even want her to come along anyway. The only certainty in the situation was the downside. But Sonny Salukas had made a statement about his business and nothing would contradict him. She would have to partake of pity.

Rarity retreated from the bakery after a second of reckoning, there was no reason to exacerbate matters by hanging around. The sun was up and the business day had just began for Ponyville. She looked about her, what now? She had to get away before Applecrisp showed up and saw her. But Spike wasn’t going to be home before four, where should she go? She needed to get her mane cut, regardless of her potential trip. A walk out to her favorite barber would kill some time.

It did. She walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air and the warm Equestrian summer. The grass drifted by at a leisurely pace and she stopped every now and then to smell a wildflower. By the time she had passed the malevolent wheel barrow, the prairie was already becoming uncomfortably warm from the risen sun. She reached the little house and rapped gently on the front door. There was no response. Rainbow Dash had better not be sleeping in. She knocked properly. A wind passed through the meadow, rustling the grass. Rarity clopped her hoof against the door. The hollow knocking went apparently unheard. The white mare stepped back to survey her options. Maybe Dash was in the backyard. She walked around behind the little building.

It wasn’t really a backyard per say. It was a little dirt clearing spanning maybe thirty feet. A little shed sat at the edge of the dirt, some firewood was stacked neatly against the house and an axe leaned on the wood. Rarity went to the back door and clomped her hoof against the unfinished wood. Nothing, just great.

She sat on the stoop and thought for a moment.

She’d have to go home and come back later, but home was such a walk. And she would have to come back and then go back home again, no way in hell she was doing that. It was settled and Rarity let her breath out slowly; she would wait the Pegasus out. And wait she did. Rainbow Dash took her fucking time too. It had to have been like an hour and Rarity was drawing stick figures in the dirt when she heard stirring inside the house. She jumped up and knocked furiously against the back door. She heard a small yelp from inside and then it was quiet.

“Hello?” Came an awfully nervous voice. Rainbow Dash sounded even more timid than usual and Rarity hoped she hadn’t seriously startled the little pony.

“Hey Dash! It’s Rarity, heh, sorry for coming so early. But I had nothing to do and I need a cut for a trip.” She said as casually as possible.

“Oh, ok.” Dash paused. “Just give me a minute.”

After a few minutes, the door slid cautiously open and a not so bright eyed and bushy tailed Rainbow Dash peeked out.

“Hey Rarity.” She said sleepily. “Come on in.” Rarity entered the house. It was dark and cool and that indescribable feeling of sleep still hung in the air. Rainbow Dash yawned and tossed her bed-head mane out of her face. “Sorry, I just got up.” She cracked her neck. “You’re here for a cut? Why so early? Don’t you work now?” She asked, wiping the sleep from her eyes. Rarity chuckled.

“Let me get in the chair. There is a lot of explanation to this.”

“Uh, sure, ok.” The rainbow pony replied. Dash fetched her scissors and apron as Rarity pulled up a kitchen chair.

“So, uh, what are we thinking today?” Asked her barber, positioning herself behind Rarity. Rarity paused. In all likelihood she was not going to Cloudsdale and a garish and beautiful mane would be the epitome of fashion faux pas for a blue collar baker. A shorter cut was far more practical.

“Let’s go.” She stopped, the old Rarity would go with the Ponyville solution, the new Rarity was going to look ahead. “With the best damned impression of my classic fashionista look you got!” The new Rarity finished triumphantly. Dash hesitated.

“Uhhhhh, yeah, ok. I am not the best at complex cuts.” She admitted.

“Oh who cares?” New Rarity said optimistically. “Practice is the best teacher around.”

“Well, all right then.” Dash began to snip doubtfully and Rarity squeed with inward delight. She was going to look marvelous and she was definitely going to take that trip!

“So, you said you had some long explanation for why you’re here at eleven in the morning looking for a professional mane cut?” Dash asked after a few minutes.

“Haha yes, so, well, I guess it all started like two nights ago.” Rarity proceeded to bring her stylist up to speed on the events of the past few days. “So, yeah, pretty much going to just walk up to him and tell him flat out that I’m really sorry. That’s my plan.” She concluded.

“Do you think he’s going to say yes?” Dash asked softly. Rarity shrugged, dropping purple mane onto the slick wood floor.

“Yeah, I mean, probably. Like Applejack said, he’s really good about not getting mad over stuff.” Dash nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, that’s right. But he sounded really hurt, do you think he still wants to hang out with you?”

Rarity sighed sadly.

“There isn’t a rational pony around who would want to hang out with somepony who says and does stuff like I do.” She thrust her nose into the air, much to the chagrin of the barber pony who was attempting a difficult cut. “But the new Rarity is going to be fun and not be such a bitch. I’m going to be the most polite and distinguished pony in all of Cloudsdale, I’m going to show Twilight and Spike just how refined new Rarity is. And all of that starts with a gorgeous and refined mane!” She finished triumphantly.

“Well, uh, have a look then, I’m pretty much finished.” The Pegasus said nervously. Rarity lifted the small mirror on the table and brought it before her face.

Oh dear. It wasn’t bad, Rarity would never consider any cut by Rainbow Dash to be bad, she wouldn’t allow it. She surveyed the “extent” of the work around her head. It was certainly…extensive. Her barber certainly gave her clients their money’s worth of effort, a noble business practice to be sure. Dash swallowed anxiously.

“How did I do?” She asked.

“It’s quite pretty.” Rarity treaded carefully. “Very complete.” She struggled to make an opinion. It wasn’t ragged or anything, more like the start of something that could turn out wonderfully. She turned to face Rainbow Dash. “Thanks so much, I know it was a pretty sudden request.” Dash smiled.

“No problem, I’m glad you like it. I was a little worried you’d think it wasn’t very good.” She admitted.

“Oh no, it’s really all I need. I was a little afraid you’d go over the top and make it something that would stand out in a crowd. What I wanted was something like what I had. You really got that I think.” She mustered as much appreciation as she could. Rainbow Dash put back her scissors and brushed the purple hair from Rarity’s shoulders.

“Well, I hope it helps you in Cloudsdale.” Rarity rose and hugged Dash.

“It’s exactly what I need. Something to make me look good, but not so much that ponies only notice my style and not my courtesy.” She lied. Not that there was anything wrong with Rainbow Dash’s work, Rarity would never have any problems with her work.

“I’m paying you fifty bits.” She raised a hoof to block her stylist’s refusal. “No, don’t say a word.” She slapped the bill onto the mane strewn table. “It’s what I paid my last stylist. Of course I know you think your work is worth hundreds, but I am a working pony, I can’t pay top dollar for your art. I’m sorry.” She said with a smirk. Dash sighed, a crushed sort of sigh, and took the money.

“I hope everything goes well with Spike and Twilight.” She offered. Rarity grinned proudly.

“You know how the new Rarity is!” She paused. “Actually you don’t. No pony does, that’s the magic of her. She’s polite and refined and somepony you want to get to know!”

“Haha great!” Dash affirmed. Rarity, the new one, strolled out the back door and into the sunlight. She had packing to do.

What to do about her mane? It had potential to be sure, Rainbow Dash had NOT done a bad job. But even still, Rarity didn’t have time to make an appointment with a professional stylist, or rather, a trained professional stylist. She stopped at the stream and looked herself over. Ehhhhhhhhhhhh, there was a LOT of “potential” to her mane. She looked up, maybe she could patch, er, finish it herself.

She walked through town. Giggles and whispers emanated from an alley behind her, she ignored them and continued. Rarity passed the Café, she heard some conversations switch to hushed tones. The “styled” mare pressed on. Passing Sugarcube Corner, Rarity was relieved to see Mr. Cake standing alone at the register. Pinkie was no doubt having an adventure filled with parties and giggles somewhere with her yellow cousin and was thankfully not around to make a comedic simile.

Rarity approached the bridge. Fisher ponies were usually the type who were always laughing at some obscene joke anyway and she paid them no mind. Rarity neared the bridge, yeah, they were laughing at her. Their bellows and guffaws emanated from beneath the cobblestone bridge. The new Rarity held her head high, she was not going down there to tell them to fuck off.

“HAW! Like the bleedin’ Cantorlot ‘edge maze!”

New Rarity stopped herself a foot from side of the bridge. She kept herself from poking her head down and making a comment about their ignorant immigrant circle jerk through sheer will. She pulled herself back and ignored the uproar beneath her. Continuing on her way, the unicorn let out a tired sigh. It was hard being new Rarity.

She twisted the phone cord in her hooves.

“No, it has to be a window seat. No, not the 12th floor, the top one. Yes I am serious.” Rarity was speechless. The owner of the Crystal Café had known her for years and had always made it a point to cater to her every whim. “Yeah, three seats. No, just three. No, no fillies or colts. A deposit, are you serious?” She wasn’t dropping five hundred bits for a window seat, hell, she probably wasn’t even going to be picking up the tab for the meal. “Look, Trance, it’s me, Rarity.” Her voice became honey. “What would Rarity have to do to avoid that deposit?” The answer came in a moment. “Yeah no. Yeah no. Yeah not going to happen Trance. Trance, you know I won’t do that. Tran-” She gave up. “Fine, you know what? We’ll compromise, it’s thirty seconds and over the phone. Yeah, fine whatever.” She held the phone away from her face. “Mmmhmm, oh yeah, me too. So hot, just.” She bit her tongue. “So hot. You’re such an animal Trance. What? YES I AM TOUCHING MYSELF!” She said angrily into the phone. “All right, there, thirty seconds. Now make the damn reservations.” Her voice became soft again. “And Trance, those reservations better be there on Friday, if you pull out on me, I’ll never forgive you.”

He wasn’t going to drop her from the list, not after that. She hung up the now filthy phone and took a deep breath.

Trance was an interesting pony, owned the Crystal Café, most of the clubs in Cloudsdale, and was homosexual. Back in her heyday, Rarity had dined at the Crystal Café many times while courting high level contracts. Trance had taken a liking to her, as she was a cultured pony and a fashionista like him. Yet as time had gone on, she had noticed that Trance ALWAYS took great care to see that she was properly waited on. Refills were free and dessert expected. One day he had waived a thousand bit meal, and suggested they take a walk through the clouds. It was on this walk that he confessed his burning passion for just one bout of “normal breeding”. Nothing like cheating mind you, Alexander was the perfect partner and he would never seek to destroy their union. But there lingered in Trance the heartfelt desire to just once “get it on like nature intended.” Rarity was the only mare that he could ever imagine doing it with and he offered her as many free meals as she liked if she would afford him this one indulgence. It was about this time that Rarity ceased her working lunches and dinners at the Crystal Café and began meeting clients at the Boutique.

She exited the phone booth and returned to her crates to start packing.

“Alright, now we have the reservations. Let’s see, clothes for the trip.” She surveyed her options, nothing over the top, but definitely some outfits to show class. A nice formal dress for their dinner at the Café, perhaps something black for any sort of dance they should participate in. Oh! She lifted the dress she had made so long ago for her friends’ fashion show, it would go perfectly should they have any sort of meetings with any passing governors or senators. It was all there, clothes, toothbrush, and towel for the pool. The new Rarity closed her suitcase and rose to her hooves.

“Ok, that should be about it, Café, luggage.” She patted her mane. “Style.” She had fixed her mane as best she could, though there was little she could do to correct the “work”. It was perfectly presentable however and that was all she needed. Glancing at her alarm clock, she realized Spike was going to get home in just a few minutes. It was time for the new Rarity to ask for forgiveness for the actions of her older counterpart.

Starting for the town, Rarity began to plan her conversation. What should she say? Start with the apology, make things clear. She was very sorry for her callous words and wanted forgiveness. Then transition into how she still wanted to go with them. Even with her newfound persona and the knowledge that Spike would probably forgive her, the white unicorn was still terribly nervous. Rarity walked to the library and sat across the street on a bench, waiting for the arrival of the dragon. She clopped her hooves restlessly.

A few clouds drifted by overhead and she mistook them for a chariot. She rose and started for the tree. Looking up, she saw her mistake.

“Easy girl.” Rarity whispered to herself as she resumed her position on the bench. Where was Spike? A couple minutes passed by, maybe he was in the tree already. Rarity stood partially, knocking would compromise her position and she would look like an idiot if she asked for him again and he wasn’t there. Rarity took her seat again determined to wait for him.

Of course, he could be packing. Walking briskly over to the door, Rarity cleared her throat and tried to shake her anxiety. She lightly knocked on the door. Probably one of the guards would answer, or maybe they wouldn’t answer and wait for her to leave. Rarity knocked again. The door opened and Spike stood before her.

“Hey Spike.” She began waveringly. “Look, I’m really sorry. I won’t say what I said was anything short of tremendously mean.” She took a breath. “And probably, no definitely, for the past few weeks I’ve been a total pain in the ass.” She paused to gather herself, the dragon listening wordlessly. “And I am very sorry, please forgive me.” He said nothing and she remembered the last part of her speech. “I uh, I am, or rather, I would like to know if I can still come with you on to Cloudsdale. I know you might not want me to come and I understand that. But I really want to come and hang out with you guys.” She added. Spike was still silent. Rarity thought for something to conclude with. “I’m really sorry, I promise I won’t be such an ass if you ever hang out with me again. I’m trying to-” Her voice trailed off, she was rambling now. A stillness stood in the air. Rarity searched Spike’s face for any signs of emotion. The purple dragon studied her, his countenance suggesting nothing.

The dragon waited a moment, then took a deep breath.

“Well Rarity, I guess I can’t really say no.” He said softly. Her heart jumped inside her chest and she wanted to hug him tightly. But her voice was firm.

“No, you can. I only want to come along if you want me and you think it would be a good thing for you and Twilight.” A small smile spread over his face.

“Aw Rarity, we always want you.” He said warmly. “Even if you don’t always behave.” He added jokingly. “To be honest, I was really hoping you would reconsider, it’s really not that fun taking a trip with just Twilight, since she’s always working. We sorta need somepony to make things fun.” He conceded. Rarity was ecstatic and she hugged the adolescent dragon tightly.

“Oh Spike you’re so awesome! You don’t even know, I’m going to be the best behaved pony in all of Cloudsdale. I’m going to be full of manners and so cultured. You won’t be embarrassed at all by me, I’ll be the best royal guest ever!” She said excitedly.

“Hey that’s great! Just,” He paused and whispered into her ear. “This trip is still really about Twilight, I want to make her laugh and help her let off some steam.”

“Oh sure!” She whispered back. “I’ll make sure she has a good time.” She released him. “What time are we leaving?” She asked in ardent anticipation.

“Well like right now, are you packed?” She nodded vigorously.

“I’ll go grab my stuff!” She sped off toward her home.

Reaching her crates, she quickly lifted her suitcase and sprinted back toward the tree. Upon her return, Rarity saw that Twilight was loading some suitcases into the golden chariot, which had since landed before the large tree. The Alicorn heard Rarity’s flight and looked up.

“Oh hey Rarity. What are you doing here? Spike said you didn’t want to come.” Twilight said in confusion.

“Well, I reconsidered.” Rarity said breathlessly. “And more importantly, I apologized to Spike for treating him badly. I’m going to come along to show you and him that I can act properly.” Twilight cocked her head.

“Is he ok with this?” She asked suspiciously.

“Yep, sure am!” Spike emerged from the front door carrying a large case of papers. He grunted and tossed the case into the back of the gilded vehicle. Twilight looked back to Rarity.

“Well, ok…if you’re fine with it.” She said slowly.

“Just drop your stuff in the back Rarity, we have a lot of stuff we’re bringing.” Spike called to her. Rarity shoved her bag beneath some banker’s boxes.

“Where should I sit?” She asked. Twilight looked over the overfilled chariot.

“It’s not really made for three people.” She turned to Rarity. “Are you alright with sitting in the back on some boxes?” Rarity hopped onto a case of transportation bylaws. She was totally alright with that. “Ahhhhhhh, let me just move that. Those are kinda important.” Twilight quickly pulled the boxes from beneath Rarity and set them elsewhere in the cart.

“Hehe, sorry.” Apologized new Rarity. Spike forced the storage compartment of the chariot closed, probably crushing something important in the process and jumped into the passenger’s seat.

“Are we good to go?” He asked eagerly. Twilight surveyed the pile beneath Rarity.

“Yeaaaaaaahhhhh, oh wait!” And she dashed back inside. Spike gave Rarity a thumbs up and she put her hoof aside her nose knowingly. They were going to make this a great trip for the young queen. Twilight returned in a minute, carrying the crown. She blushed heavily when she saw Rarity looking it over. “Yeah, there’s some functions that require me to wear this.” The Alicorn said in embarrassment. Twilight searched for a place to put the awkward and bulky crown.

“I can hold it.” Rarity offered. She saw Twilight bite her lip.

“Uh, I think Spike’s got it.” She dropped the heavy ornament into her unsuspecting secretary’s lap. Rarity kicked herself, she shouldn’t just offer to carry the queen’s crown, what the fuck had she been thinking? “Praetorian, Maximus, we’re ready to leave.” Twilight called into the house. The two guards marched solemnly out of the house and took their positions before the chariot.

“The secondary security detail is in place.” The stallion who was probably Maximus stated. Twilight nodded.

“Good to hear, let’s get going.” The queen commanded. The guards lifted into the air and the chariot rose after them. Rarity looked down, she loved the sight of the little town growing smaller and then fading away as they ascended into the sky. She was leaving Ponyville!