With all that she had going on, between Scootaloo and an uptick in winter-themed orders, Rarity could use a day at the spa with her friends. Not only as a stress relief, but also to tackle her newest task: find her sister's friend a home; because it was obvious hers was not it.

The unicorn was pleased to see everypony, except AJ, though that was a given, to be there already immersed in conversation. Relaxing into the bath was sublime.

“Oh, hello Rarity.” Fluttershy greeted her, “Long time, no see.”

“I know, I know, it’s been weeks since we last did this.” Rarity replied.

“It sure has,” Twilight agreed. “Though, I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my hooves full with some, very interesting research.”

“Oh? And what might that be?” Rarity asked. More than willing to indulge in other ponies pursuits for now.

“Spike and I uncovered a loose page from some unknown book while tidying up the archives.” Twilight began, “Between myself, Rainbow Dash, and some others in Ponyville; I’ve been able to track down even more of them.”

“May I ask what they concern?” Rarity found herself genuinely curious, as did the others.

“I haven’t been able to sink too much time into it; with getting ready for Winter and all, but it seems to be some fascinating accounts of the pre-Equestria era. Tons of details about the Age of Discord.”

“How fascinating!” Rarity responded, “Have you spoken to the Princess about any of it?”

“Eh, I’ve been a bit busy as of late, no real time to do that; though I plan on it. A lot of the information could be very useful for the Canterlot Archives.”

All nodded in agreement as the four enjoyed a brief moment to sink into the bath.

“What about you, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh, I’ve been...busy as of late.” Rarity sighed,

The hesitation elicited concern from both mares.

“This time of years is a busy one for you, isn’t it?” Twilight said.

“It isn’t just that dear,” Rarity frowned. “It appears I have inadvertently agreed to take in a filly.”

“Sweetie Belle?” Fluttershy asked, concern shifting to the state of Rarity’s parents.

“Oh no my parents are back this evening; she returns home after school.”

Rarity paused for a moment, “It’s Scootaloo, dear.”

Rainbow Dash had been noticeably quiet since Rarity arrived, enjoying listening more than anything. However, upon hearing what Rarity just said, she lost it to a fit of laughter.

“Seriously?” The pegasus howled, “Oh, that must be all kinds of fun.”

Rarity let out a sigh. “I’ll have you know it is anything but. She isnt much for conversation, and she obviously has no intention of making her stay any longer than it has to be, She would be much more fulfilled in a home with a pegasus, somepony she liked, who shared similar temperament and interests...”

Rainbow Dash was quick to catch what she was hinting at. “Look, Rarity, I get what you’re saying; and I’m gonna have to be honest with you: The last thing I want to do is take care of a filly.”

“And why not?” Rarity quipped. “Of the four of us, you know you would be her first pick, and the best candidate. She needs somepony she can identify with, who she respects--it certainly isn’t me, but it most certainly is you.”

“I’ve got too much going on.” Rainbow at first seemed to be scraping for an excuse, but seemed to find one. “I already have enough on my plate with weather duties; not to mention my dreams of becoming a Wonderbolt. You see them with fillies or colts? Didn’t think so.”

Rarity knew at this point, that Rainbow Dash was absolutely off the table. How she was going to break this to her admirer was left to be seen. She then turned to Fluttershy, who winced.

“I would love to, really I would. but...I wouldn’t even know where to begin. With all my critters, my house isn’t made for more than myself. I would be more than happy to foalsit her on occasion...I’m really sorry Rarity.”

Rarity let out a sigh, this wasn’t going at all as she had hoped. She didn’t even turn to look at the Element of Magic, but got an answer anyway.

“Spike is enough of a chore as it is, and with my obligations to the princess, among other things; I’m afraid I wouldn’t be of much help either. I can certainly talk to some friends back in Canterlot to see if I can find her a home, though.”

Another sigh from the purple-maned unicorn. “I would appreciate it dear. I just hate seeing her so unhappy. It’s clear as day she is. Not so much I fear she’ll run away to the clubhouse, but that this next week isn’t going to be pleasant for either of us.”

“I’m sure she’ll warm up to you, Rarity.” Fluttershy assured her, “You just need to give it some time and patience. I’ve had more than a few cranky critters who turned out to be as lovely as the rest of them. You just have to figure out what makes her happy.”

“You really think so?” Rarity asked, almost whining.

Twilight nodded. “She seems like a good filly, she’s probably just a little confused, conflicted. From what you say, it sounds like she’s been living by the beat of her own drum To suddenly be put under someone’s roof, and their rules, probably is a new thing for her.”

Rarity resigned to the fact that Scootaloo’s stay was going to be longer than she would have liked...more, than Scootaloo would have liked. Regardless, she knew she had to give it an effort. With Sweetie Belle gone she figured, tonight would be a great chance to try to break the ice and make some gains in making Scootaloo feel a little more at home.

Though, one word did seem to bring about another topic, which was welcome.

“Speaking of the clubhouse…” Rarity started, and wasn’t sure how to finish. Fortunate for her, she didn’t have to.

“The last I’ve heard, is that they’ve lost her.” Twilight said. “One of the Apples was at the post office today, and was sending a letter to somepony in Appleloosa.”

“Oh dear, that’s horrible.” Rarity replied.

“Still haven’t heard a word from Applejack or Big Mac...this must be really difficult for them.” Twilight continued.

“The girls haven’t seen Apple Bloom either. The poor thing.”

“Wait...what happened?” Rainbow Dash found herself totally unaware of what they were talking about.

“Granny Smith passed away this weekend...she was very sick.” Twilight informed her. “AJ had been having tea with me a few weeks ago; she seemed to know that it was coming--she just wasn’t sure how to handle it. Why with what happened to her parents and all…”

The four grew silent thinking about how this will affect the Apple Family, Applejack, Big Mac, and especially the youngest of the family. Unlike her elder siblings, Apple Bloom was a newcomer to the trials and turmoil that came with the passing of a loved one. They could only hope that the elder siblings would help her make it out of the inevitable rut of depression she would find herself in.

Exiting the schoolhouse and making her way towards the boutique, the pegasus filly was in the worst of moods. Between the frenzy that was last night, the prospect of that becoming the norm; as well as the continued absence of her friend, compiled into a heap of stress and angst that certainly took its toll on the filly.

Sweetie Belle had been rather evasive today. It seemed to Scootaloo that her friend wasn’t too happy with her. So much so that Scootaloo found herself alone during recess. Using the solitude to reflect on the day before, and the day ahead.

She hesitated as she approached the front door of the immaculate house. She contemplated simply returning to the clubhouse and bringing this inconvenience to an end. Looking at the dark clouds on the horizon though, she judged that another night here wouldn’t kill her, while a night at the mercy of those clouds certainly could. Scootaloo opened the door and fully intended to make a beeline to the guest room with no intention of intercourse with the elder mare with whom she thought next to nothing of. Much to her chagrin, that wasn’t happening.

“So I see you decided to come back,” Rarity said with a smile. “How was school?”

“It sucked.” Scootaloo spat. Failing to look at the mare. “What do you care?”

While she was happy to get more than one word out of the filly, she was less than thrilled with what those words were.

“No need to be rude, dear, I was just asking how your day was is all.”

“Who said I wanted you to ask? I didn’t, so leave me alone!” With a huff, Scootaloo made her way to the guest room. Being sure to slam the door behind her.

Rarity initially thought of a retort. She had to nip this in the bud at some point; but figured the filly was just having a bad day. She had to ask for her thoughts on dinner later anyway.

In the meantime, Rarity elected to finish up her final holdover from the less than generous queue of preemptive winter orders. Her clientele seemed to be a bit early on demanding winter fashion, but if the weather in Ponyville was in any way indicative of the rest of the empire, she could understand their haste.

It wasn’t too laborious, just finish cross-stitching, examine the items and ensure they were of the quality she was known for; and making sure her postage was addressed properly. She wasn’t going to go to the post office tonight, not with the dark clouds rolling in; she figured tomorrow would suit that errand, as Rainbow Dash did mention there would be a brief let-up midday.

Checking the clock, it still wasn’t quite time to begin dinner, nor solicit a certain filly for her thoughts on the evening meal; so she decided to busy herself tidying miscellaneous sections of her workroom. Sorting fabrics, cleaning her sewing machine, rewinding spools; things she normally reserved for the weekend when she was closed, but figured it would buy her some time whilst she could ponder how she was going to approach the abrasive filly who still was making it more of a fight than a favor to keep her sheltered and fed.

Part of her was sympathetic to the filly. As Twilight said, the abrupt transition to independence and autonomy, to dependence and cooperation couldn’t be an easy thing for Scootaloo to cope with. At the same time, she was being uncharacteristically disrespectful. Her temperament towards Rarity was one that was reserved for somepony who had crossed them, gave them no reason to endeavor towards any kind of understanding and respect. Which, so far as Rarity was concerned, she had done nothing to earn that kind of treatment, and wasn’t about to tolerate it.

There was one thing in the way though. The reason Scootaloo acted this way, was because she saw this tenance as temporary, that this was simply an impediment on the inevitable path to living in a cloud house with the greatest pony in the world; the yin to her yang, the peanut butter to her jelly. Or, as Rarity knew her as of this morning: That inconsiderate brat what couldn’t burden herself with making a filly happy. It wasn’t to say Rainbow was the unitary target of her disappointment, all of her friends copped out somehow, as if to ensure that she would continue this predicament for their own amusement.

Finally, Rarity had brought her workroom back to a pristine form, and decided it was time to make dinner. Which meant that it was also time to once again, bask in the warm glow and the infinite rays of sunshine that was Scootaloo.

Letting out a sigh before opening the door, Rarity noticed the filly was at the desk, drawing something. She stopped. Clearly noticing that somepony was there, but never bothered to turn around to acknowledge the intruder.

“You find me a home yet?” Scootaloo asked.

“We--no...I was just curious on your thoughts for supper.” Rarity felt a lump in her throat. This was going to be anything but easy.

“So I’m here for another night, huh?” Scootaloo spat. Still not turning from the desk to face her. “Great.”

Rarity struggled to mask the anger in her voice. “I can’t say I’m a fan of the way you’ve been treating me, Scootaloo” Rarity began. “I most certainly don’t have to give you a place to sleep, I don’t have to feed you; and frankly, had it been Sweetie Belle acting this way, she would’ve been out the door before she could utter another word. I understand this isn’t what you want; I get that I am far from the first choice when it comes to living arrangements; but I’m afraid as of right now, this is all you have. I would like it if you could at least act like you appreciate what I’m doing for you.”

Scootaloo was silent for a moment. Seemingly parsing some of the more refined vocabulary to verbiage she could comprehend. Not that this helped any.

“I thought you were going to talk with Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo said in a slightly accusatory tone.

“I did.” Rarity replied quickly. “She unfortunately declined my offer, and showed no interest in reconsidering.”

Scootaloo finally turned around, and dismounted her chair, making a few steps towards the mare. Her tail was swishing, and the look on her face was one of disgust.

“Don’t lie to me, Rarity.” Scootaloo growled. “You didn’t talk to her, did ya? You just want to keep me here so your sister forgets how crappy of a big sister you are, huh?”

Rarity was caught off guard but nonetheless fired right back.

“How dare you accuse me of such a thing!” She felt her voice growing louder, and her displeasure becoming opaque. “She said that she didn’t want a filly, Scootaloo. She doesn’t have the time for it.”

Scootaloo pondered this for a second. Decided it was nonsense, and continued her standoff.

“Look, Scootaloo. There’s no other place for you right now. All that I ask is that you show me some respect. Is it really that hard? What did I do to be treated like this?”

“I don’t like you.” Scootaloo teethed, “I’ve never liked you. I only put up with you because you’re Sweetie Belle’s sister; I have t--”

“Enough!” Rarity barked, causing the filly to wince slightly. “I’m hurt that you would say something like that Scootaloo….I’m not willing to believe you truly feel that way. I don’t know what kind of facade you’re trying to put on, but it isn’t going to make things better for you. Please, just tell me what you want for dinner.”

“I want you to fuck off, how about that?” Scootaloo nearly screamed. The filly’s tail began swooshing, and her fur stood up. It was unmistakable, the filly was within inches of attacking her.

“No. No, I will not put up with this!” Rarity was no longer putting an effort to control her volume, or her vitreal. “Get out.”

Scootaloo suddenly left her fighting stance, seemingly bewildered.

“Leave. Now.” Rarity said, anger and disgust very clear in her voice. “I’m done dealing with your disrespect, You know where the door is.”

Scootaloo sat on her haunches. A very different look on her face. She was now faced with where to go. She could hear the pounding rain outside, and the distant thunder. Her memories flashed back to the night before. The cold, the loneliness. She knew that there was no alternative…

...That Rainbow Dash wasn’t going to take her under her wing.

She fought hard to keep the walls of her facade intact, yet the torrent of realization, acknowledgment that the words of her friend, and the account of Rarity were true refused to let up, cracks beginning to become pronounced and indicative of an unavoidable collapse. She panicked.

“Please, Rarity. Just one more night.” Scootaloo plead.

“No. Absolutely not.” Rarity firmly retorted. Coming behind the filly to prepare to throw her out.

“Please! Rarity, no!” Scootaloo’s voice began to crack.

“You’re so confident that she’ll rescue you from this hell I’ve trapped you in. I wouldn’t want to prolong your misery...and you will not prolong mine. Out with you.”

The walls crumbled, the wash of emotions dominating her psyche. It seemed her attempt to utter another plea to stall her eviction, only served to trigger the unstoppable tsunami of anguish, of fear.

The filly grew hysterical. First came the tears, then the audible crying. Followed by the filly throwing her hooves around her antithesis, and burying her head into the mare’s chest; saturating her coat with her tears.

“Please...let me stay...I’m sorry. I’m really sorry!” This sentence in and of itself proved to be an endeavor to say; fighting against the sniffling and sobbing.

Rarity once again found herself caught off guard. This sudden inversion of emotions and presence was unexpected. Realizing it was indeed real, she put her hooves around the filly, pulling her closer with no resistance.

While she did not verbalize the thoughts which drifted atop the waves of guilt, betrayal, and sadness; their presence within her mind only ensured her crying would endure. “Why did she not want me?” “It’s because I can’t fly, isn’t it?” “Why didn’t my parents want me?” “Why did nopony ever notice I was alone?” These among a similar array of unanswerable grievances and inquisitions continued to break free from the cages which held them. Had she had any thought of reigning in these thoughts for the sake of saving face, she realized that it was too little, too late.

Rarity kept the filly in her arms as she gently began to shush her, as she would with her sister in her bouts of anguish. She began to slowly rock the filly back and forth as she could begin to notice Scootaloo’s tense grip begin to soften, the tears lessening in volume, and the crying turning to sniffling, the occasional whimper.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Rarity released her embrace, with Scootaloo looking up at the mare, making direct eye contact. The expression she wore was one Rarity had never seen before from the filly that was now under her care. It was one of understanding, one of acknowledgment that Rarity, the boutique was the best she was going to get. And that she was totally fine with that.

Rarity looked at the clock which sat on the side of the guest room above a closet. It was getting late, and they both were hungry. She turned to Scootaloo who seemed to be watching the mare, looking anxious.

“It’s getting late, dear.” Rarity began, clearing her throat. “What would you like for dinner?”

Scootaloo snapped out of her fixed gaze, and produced a smile, another new sight for the elder unicorn.

“Whatever you make is fine.” Scootaloo answered. A genuine tone about her voice.

Rarity couldn’t help but grin herself. “There must be something you would prefer, you can tell me. If it can’t be done, then it can’t be done.”

“Well…” Scootaloo found herself nervous, looking down at her fidgeting hooves, “I remember one time when I was here for a sleepover, you made these really good casa-whatever. The lumpy cheese thing.”

Rarity thought for a moment as to what she was thinking of. “Ah, the cheese and rice casserole? I most certainly believe I have the staples for that, Is that all?”

“Yeah, that’s it.” Scootaloo nodded enthusiastically. Unable and unwilling to suppress her anticipation.

“Very well then, darling.” Rarity started out the door, “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

“Okay.” Scootaloo replied. “Thanks.”

“You’re most certainly welcome, Scootaloo.” Rarity replied as she made her way downstairs.

Scootaloo sat where she was for some time. Many thoughts about her. Obviously there was remnants of doubt and dismay over her circumstances; these would have to be addressed, along with the fact that her idol was unwilling to take her under her wing. Though, these unsettling bits were countered for the time being with content ones. Rarity seemed to genuinely care about her; much as Sweetie Belle did when she convinced her to stay with the mare who was now making one of her favorite dishes.

That very same mare had provided Scootaloo what seemed to be unwavering love and consideration. When she was wrapped in those hooves, pressed into the warm, soft fur of the unicorn who embodied her element; generously allowing Scootaloo a bed, food, and a home; despite the filly’s initial resentment.

“Home”. The thought of this word, associating it with these four walls that surrounded her, and the ones external; her ego tried desperately to revert this attribution, but it was futile. The idea that home was four walls, solitude, and sadness was an obsolete notion.

Lost in her thoughts, she was startled by a knock on the door, to which Rarity poked her head in to inform her dinner was ready. With a near-gallop, she bounded down the stairs and saw before her a plate furnished with the casserole she liked, some hay fries, and, what appeared to be a cupcake. It was.

Scootaloo took her seat and stared at this assembly of delicious with absolute glee, with a tinge of shameless glutton.

“I haven’t had this in some time to be honest with you.” Rarity said as she herself sat down to eat. “I think you’re the first to speak fondly of it.”

“It looks amazing, Rarity.” Scootaloo mused as she began to eat.

“Well then, here’s to hoping it tastes as good as it looks.” Rarity smiled as she watched the pegasus help herself. She seemed to like it.

Contrasting her anticipation from earlier in the day, she couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant evening. Scootaloo seemed to come to terms with her situation, and, to Rarity’s surprise, embrace it. The filly was a filly after all; her simple needs of food, sleep, and affection were more than met here, and she seemed to recognize that.

Rarity hadn’t even noticed that Scootaloo, and her plate, were gone. She had been lost in thought for some time. Hearing running water, she poked her head into the kitchen to witness Scootaloo cleaning her plate off.

“You don’t have to do that, Scootaloo.” Rarity assured the filly.

“It’s the least I can do.” Scootaloo said as she placed her now clean tableware on a drying rack. “It was delicious Rarity, thank you so much.”

Rarity couldn’t help but get a tad misty-eyed. Though if the filly saw this, she didn’t show it.

“What do you have planned for the rest of the evening?” Rarity asked. Curious to see if conversation was another privilege she had earned.

“I’m gonna probably go to my room and color for a little bit.” Scootaloo reasoned. “What about you?”

“I think a book and a fire sounds quite nice.” Rarity replied. “Twilight did lend me some novels, and I promised her I would give her my impressions.”

“Sounds fun.” Scootaloo smiled. Rarity watching her as she trotted out of the kitchen, and up to the gue-- her room.

Rarity thought to herself, she might have to go shopping for some decorations, possibly paint; Scootaloo surely could think of some things to personalize the room. Sweetie Belle and her own decorations were probably a bit frilly for the filly’s tastes.

Needless to say, she was beyond fine with that.

As Rarity had said, she was well involved in a book which Twilight had lent her: The Grass Menagerie. The fireplace fulfilled its duty of containing the calm, warm embers, whose radiation were a source of comfort and consolement to the mare who was curled up on the sofa.

A page turner it was: It detailed the trials and tribulations of a young stallion living with his mother, and sister in a Baltamare apartment. His toil at a horse shoe factory, his sister’s Lameness and the social implications; as well as his sporadic mother, made for an engaging read.

As she adjusted her posture, she felt a slight nudge. Looking down she saw Scootaloo, curled up, sleeping peacefully. Beside the filly, was some paper with a childish drawing on it. In crayon, showing Scootlaoo, Rarity, and the words “Thank You.” scrawled across the top. Rarity couldn’t help but grin ear to ear as she levitated this picture before her. Placing it on an end table nearby, she made a mental note to put it in a safe place.

The mare continued her reading for another hour or so before putting out the fire and deciding to retire to bed. A blue aura envelope the sleeping filly as Scootaloo was levitated to her bed. Tucking her in, Rarity sat beside the bed, watching the filly sleep, her breathing causing a subtle rise and fall of the comforter she was wrapped in.

Turning to look out the bedroom window, the moon casting the same brilliant display on the floor, Rarity was looking forward to tomorrow, and the days to come. Not even 72 hours prior the thought of taking a filly, let alone one such as Scootaloo, under her care would’ve been the most illogical propositions she could muster. Now, Scootaloo called this room her own, atoned for her disrespect and apprehension; and seemed to accept and embrace Rarity for who she now found herself to be.

Her guardian.

Author's Notes:

That was...sure a thing to write. Let me know what you think so far. Thanks for reading. :)