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Twilight's Treatment Volume 2 - Chapter 10 - Things Unsaid

Even though sleep had been difficult to come by Rarity had eventually managed to fall into a comfortable slumber. The addition of her friend under the covers provided peace of mind to the young woman. Fluttershy had a way of making Rarity feel at ease even when she wasn't doing much at all. Perhaps a good friend nearby really was a magic all of its own. The comfortable sheets did the rest to take her off to Luna's realm as she slept. That is till the sound of a beating fist upon the door started to bring her back to the waking world.

"Rarity, are you up yet?" Rarity grumbled at the noise, refusing to open her eyes in as she remained in a half awake state. "Rarity? Come on you can't possibly still be asleep." The words were heard clearly though the door but the only way Rarity could process them was by rolling over away from them. All in hopes she could drown the words out by ignoring them. Still the beating fist against the door insisted. "C'mon, breakfast is being served. I don't wanna have to come all the way back out here for you." Impatient, violent and loud; it had to be Rainbow Dash. That didn't inspire Rarity to want to get out of bed any faster. Eventually the beating against the door stopped to Rarity's relief but was soon replaced with annoyance when she heard the door open. "Rarity, are you in here?" She was indeed, something Rainbow Dash would learn quickly along with the lesson of not to wake the seamstress by force.

"Rainbow Dash, do you mind!?" Rarity said with enough aggression in her voice to make the girl jump. Not to mention surprising her as Rarity sat right up in bed to deliver her message eye to eye. "If I'm in bed and I don't respond it means I'm sleeping! That is not a hard concept to grasp." Rainbow Dash froze for a second as the two friends were looking at each other. Eventually Rainbow's eyes drifted down and caught a sight of something more than she planned on finding.

"Whoa." As clarity began to return to Rarity she looked down and recalled that she hadn't worn any pajamas to bed last night. Blushing a little she pulled he covers up over her chest and sighed. It wasn't like it was such a big deal for Rainbow Dash to see those but it wasn't exactly proper. Besides unlike Fluttershy she hadn't shared a dressing room with Dashie repeatedly in the past.

"Now do you see the importance of knocking first?" Rarity asked with a lecturing tone.

"I did knock." Rainbow responded. "I knocked like crazy but you didn't ever answer." Well... yes that was true but Rarity didn't have to acknowledge it right away. Besides she'd been sleepy after everything that happened last night. "It's like nine in the morning already, I thought you'd have gotten all dressed up hours ago."

"Well... I haven't yet. It was a long night. I'll get started though if you don't mind giving me some privacy."

"Yeah, sure thing. I have to try Fluttershy's room again anyway. She didn't respond either for some reason." Funny how Rainbow Dash didn't barge in on Fluttershy's room, though she didn't mind doing it to herself, Rarity thought. As if it were on cue though Fluttershy mumbled and sat right up in bed, wiping the sleep from her eyes as she tried to get the words out.

"Mm... Rainbow Dash?" The Rainbow haired girl's mouth dropped open. Less from the sight of Fluttershy giving her a similar show as Rarity had and more to the fact she'd suddenly caught the two in bed together. Rarity reached over and pulled the covers up over Fluttershy's chest for her, which woke her up enough to let the pink haired girl realize they weren't alone in the room together. "Eeep!" She suddenly clutched the blanket to her body as Rainbow Dash made for the door.

"S-sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to walk in!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy called out but it was too late, she was already on her way out and gone in a second. Rarity sighed and got out of bed daintily after their visitor had left.

"Well that was a rude awakening if I've ever had one. I suppose that's Rainbow Dash's style though." Rarity stretched her body and yawned, then went to taking inventory in her head as she looked over the vanity in the room where her make-up sat. She didn't want to not spruce up but whatever she wanted to apply she'd have to do quickly. "We won't want to keep everyone waiting. It seems we've both slept in too long after our escapades last night. After everything that happened I was completely exhausted. How do you feel darling?" Rarity looked back to her friend to see Fluttershy with her knees tucked up against her chest under the covers. Her head was down and her hair draped around her. "Deary? What is it? Do you feel sick?"

"She saw us." Fluttershy squeaked out quietly. Rarity walked over to the bed again and sat on the edge.

"Who saw us?"

"Rainbow Dash. She saw us... in bed together. Like this." Oh, so that was what she meant. Well maybe it would look bad to some people but it wasn't like there was something scandalous going on in this room. "I can't believe I just showed her everything like that. She must think I'm-"

"A good friend." Rarity said as she got closer to Fluttershy and rubbed her back. "To have kept me company all night after I'd asked you to." Fluttershy slowly looked up at Rarity, her eyes didn't look any more assured. "Oh come now darling there isn't anything to fuss over. So Rainbow Dash saw us in bed, all that happened was you had a sleep over in my room. Nothing more or less. If she has some other ideas in her head we'll clear them up right away. Okay?" Rarity kept an arm around Fluttershy who let out a breath as she fought back the threatening tears and nodded. The pink haired girl leaned on her friend.

"Okay..."

"Good. So let's get ready to have breakfast." It was exhausting sometimes with just how fragile Fluttershy was. Rarity loved her to bits but the girl could be a handful when she was upset. At least that situation was diffused with little effort. Rainbow Dash probably did leap to some conclusion seeing the girls together like that but she'd be sure to sort it out. "You can borrow one of my outfits if you like, darling. I have enough to share. Did you want to use the shower first or should I?"

"I guess I will." Fluttershy said in a rare move of taking the initiative. Rarity took it as a good sign that maybe she was feeling better after their slightly unusual morning. Taking a seat in front of the vanity she let Fluttershy pass her by to the shower. "I won't take long though so you can get in too. I bet you want to see the Prince to apologize while we still have time." She'd forgotten about that actually. Her embarrassing end to last night in the garden. It was annoying to admit but Blueblood had behaved for most of the night and Rarity was completely at fault for what had transpired. She hoped he'd forgive her. "I wonder if Mr. Heavystep will be at breakfast too?" Fluttershy opened the door to the bathroom to get the shower ready.

"I can't imagine he would. Being a royal guard wouldn't he have to work today?" Rarity responded as she was looking her face over in the mirror.

"Oh, yeah, you're probably right. But um, maybe he's assigned to guard Princess Celestia? She's probably going to be there since Twilight will too, I think." That might be true, Rarity considered. "If anything she'd probably want to ask him about last night since Mr. Heavystep kept taking all those notes about The Prince." Rarity had forgotten about that little detail too. In fact if he was recording everything from last night that meant he had to report it to Celestia eventually, to be sure Blueblood had behaved himself. Which meant Celestia would probably talk with Blueblood herself at some time today, if she hadn't already to ask about things. That meant she'd probably hear about the embarrassing kiss and shove incident in the garden. As awful as all that had been the only saving grace was that Spike wasn't anywhere near the capital to have seen or heard about it.

Of course maybe neither Blueblood or Heavystep had spoken to Princess Celestia about last night yet. Maybe it was like Fluttershy had suggested and either one or both of them would be present at the breakfast table. Where they could give their report in front of all her friends... including Twilight.

The severity of this news becoming public finally dawned on Rarity and she realized she had even less time than previously thought. Rising from her seat at the vanity Rarity rushed towards the bathroom where Fluttershy was getting ready to close the door. "It just dawned on me we've been keeping everyone waiting so long! How about we shower together to save time?" Fluttershy had a shocked expression similar to Rainbow Dash's from moments earlier as she suggested they bath together.

"T-together? But... but then we'd be completely... you know... showing everything."

"Trust me deary I don't have anything you haven't seen before."

"But-"

"Hurry along now, I'll scrub your back for you. Let's get clean!" Rarity closed the door up tight as she ran Fluttershy through one of the most turbulent mornings of her life.

Celestia was in fact at the breakfast table already. As the one that raises the sun every morning she had a habit of being awake long before anyone else had a chance to rise. Her breakfast usually came much sooner in the day but she'd put it off for some time now to accommodate her special guests. Despite this it seemed she'd have to wait a while longer. The Princess wouldn't have wanted to admit it but her legendary patience was wearing slightly thin as they were two thirds short of expected attendees at the table.

Celestia had positioned herself at the head of the long table with another lavish chair at the other end for Luna when she chose to arrive. Aside from herself was her faithful student Twilight Sparkle and her student's good friend and fellow element of harmony Pinkie Pie. They both still had fresh bandages over their necks to cover up the marks and bruising that Devour had given them the day before. Aside from the similar wounds and bandages the two young women were as different as night and day. Pinkie had spent the last few minutes finding the perfect balance to keep a spoon hanging off of her nose. Even though The Princess was used to Pinkie's eccentric behavior after all this time Twilight would usually still lecture her to behave better in the presence of royalty. Instead the lavender haired girl just sat at the table and looked down at her empty plate in deep though.

The revelations of yesterday from Twilight's talk with Cadence had been weighing heavily on her mind. Not just the idea that her physical attraction to Spike had rooted from some sort of mental issue she had with her brother, though that was enough to deal with honestly. It was also how Cadence had so easily peeled back Twilight's mind and seen through everything without difficulty. She'd been aware of what Twilight did and even who she did it with. Then there was digging up that old memory of what she'd done that night years ago as just a young teenager. All those private moments laid out bare before someone she loved like her family.

It had been hard to get to sleep after all of that. She was bothered of course but it was more of the concern that she knew Luna had free passage into her mind through her dreams. How much could the Princess of the Night see through just your dreams alone? She'd finally passed out from exhaustion after assuring herself that Luna would have been too busy with Devour anyway. But now that she had dwelt on the fact Cadence could look into her heart, and Luna could look into her dreams, she was brought to only one last Princess. Celestia had always been very well organized and a brilliant planner. Taking into account nearly all things and guiding her kingdom accordingly to their current prosperity. But just how much could she know? Furthermore how could she come to know it in the first place? What secrets did Celestia hide?

"Twilight Sparkle?" The motherly voice called out to her and Twilight jumped a little in her chair. Her teacher was looking her way with a troubled expression. "Is everything all right? You seem preoccupied with something."

"Oh um... everything is fine your highness." Her lie sounded as fake as it was. "I just couldn't sleep very well last night."

"Do your injuries still bother you? Having to heal from being manhandled by Devour and then restoring your magic would tire any sorceress." She looked over at Pinkie who despite her neck injury was managing to upgrade from balancing a spoon on her nose all the way to a cup on her head with a plate and another cup on top of that. Celestia didn't seem bothered by her antics though. "I've been cursing my judgement to let you girls go in there ever since yesterday. You would have been fine had I just taken action myself."

"It's okay your highness." Twilight tried to comfort her teacher but Celestia let out a rare sigh in return. "Really, we're both fine. I mean Pinkie is doing even better than I am. I promise you I'm okay."

"Sure she is!" Pinkie chimed in, suddenly slamming her fist down on the end of her other spoon and causing it to flip up over her head and into the top glass on her head, balancing there perfectly with everything else. Twilight had to begrudgingly admit that was pretty impressive, even if she shouldn't be acting like this at the table. "We're both gonna be just fine Princess. Besides I bet it's something else that's got Twilight down in the dumpsies."

"Pinkie, you know too!?" Twilight said a little louder than she wanted to, gaining a surprised look from Celestia. But if Pinkie somehow managed to figure out all of Twilight's secrets as well then she was going to teleport out of the castle and into a cave somewhere for the rest of her life.

"Of course, you're just annoyed cause everyone's making us wait for breakfast." Pinkie said with a smile.

"Oh. Yes. That. That's it exactly." Twilight tried to calm down and look completely normal now that she knew her cover wasn't completely blown. Which just made her look stiff and even more suspicious.

"Don't worry though Twilight." Pinkie said. "I'm sure once Rainbow Dash gets back with everyone else we'll have a delicious breakfast with juice and fruits and cereal and bagels with that cream cheese spread, you know the strawberry kind cause that's the best kind cause it tastes like real straaaaaww!" Pinkie winced as her enthusiastic movements caused her neck to twinge with pain. She would have felt even worse with the tower of plates, glasses and silverware coming down towards her if Celestia had not raised a hand and caught it all in mid-fall with her magic. "Owwwwwie. Thank you, your highness."

"You're welcome Pinkie Pie. Do be careful though, like Twilight you'll need lots of rest to recover and be back to your old self." Pinkie glumly calmed herself as her injuries reminded her that she needed to reign in her more outlandish behavior. With a few finger movements Celestia had re-set all of Pinkie's dishware to its proper locations.

"Looks like ya got lucky with Celestia watchin' out fer ya." A kind voice with a southern drawl commented as it approached the table.

"Applejack, yay!" Pinkie exclaimed happily, seeming to forget her injuries altogether at the sight of their friend. The farmer was brought in by a nurse as she reluctantly sat in a wheel chair the doctors had insisted upon. Applejack was dressed back into her normal attire from yesterday with the exception of her hat, which rested safely on her lap. Once she was to the table Applejack sprung to her feet, earning a glare from the nurse.

"Ms. Applejack, please. The doctor warned you to be careful while you recovered." The farmer sighed and shook her bandaged head.

"Ah keep tellin' ya'll ah feel fit as a fiddle. Mornin' yer highness." Applejack bowed to Celestia who waved for her to rise.

"Good morning Applejack. I trust our castle physician saw to you before dismissing you today?"

"Like ah had a choice in the matter." Applejack commented looking at the nurse as she took her seat at the table next to Pinkie Pie. Their eyes pretty much told the story and Twilight was able to fit the pieces together just from the time she'd spent around her blonde friend. She doubted the farmer had been very cooperative with her caretakers when it came to taking it easy.

"Applejack you really shouldn't be so stubborn. They're just concerned for your well being is all. We all are." Twilight tried to soothe her, relieved secretly that the focus of attention had shifted from herself and onto AJ. Applejack sighed out loud over it all.

"Ah know ah know, and ah appreciate it. Jus' wish people would believe me when ah say ah'm fine." Applejack directed that last statement to the nurse, who was turning the wheel chair around back towards the exit of the dining hall she'd come from.

"Your highness." The nurse bowed to the princess and dismissed herself, clearly having had enough of fighting with the farm girl over this issue. Once she was gone Applejack seemed to loosen up more.

"So what ah miss?"

"Twilight's grumpy cause everyone is taking so long to get here." Pinkie suddenly answered and Twilight felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

"Really Twi'? Shucks ah know breakfast is important an all but ah'd expect ya tah be a bit more patient than that." Applejack looked on with an empathetical expression and Twilight felt more on the spot than ever.

"I wasn't upset or anything! I mean I'm not even that hungry yet." Twilight responded but Pinkie looked at her curiously for the statement.

"But earlier you said that the reason you looked all grumbily grump was because you wanted to eat breakfast ASAP." The baker interjected and Twilight funny enough grumbled in response.

"I didn't say that. I just agreed with you when you said it." Pinkie looked on confused to Twilight's response.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Twilight sighed as she just wanted to subject to change to anything else at all but her. Thankfully her wish was granted as a rainbow haired girl walked into the dining hall next.

"Hey everyone, Rarity and Fluttershy are on their way." Dash said abruptly as she walked up and sat down at the far end on Twilight's side of the table. All the girls and even Celestia looked on surprised as Rainbow Dash didn't say anything further and just looked down at the table. As if she were in deep thought over something important. When it was clear she didn't plan to elaborate further Celestia decided to break the uncomfortable silence that seemed to be constantly invading her table today.

"Were Fluttershy and Rarity well, Rainbow Dash?" Celestia's comment seemed to go ignored by the rainbow haired girl, an act that was surprising even for the Princess herself. She just kept looking down at her plate as something was clearly weighing heavily on her. "Ahem, Rainbow Dash?" When she didn't get a response a second time Twilight panicked a little and leaned over, giving Rainbow Dash a whack against her shoulder with her fist.

"OW! Twilight, what the heck!?" Dash looked up to realize that everyone at the table was looking her direction. Twilight tried her best to force calm into her voice as this breakfast was turning into one big ball of stress for her.

"Rainbow Dash, Princess Celestia asked you what had been keeping Rarity and Fluttershy?" The purple haired girl was motioning with her head to the Princess who was looking on with genuine concern for her subjects today. Rainbow finally got the hint and responded.

"Oh, um... yeah, they're uh... they're okay. I guess they're just y'know... doing their thing! You know what I mean." No, not a single person there had any idea what she was talking about. It didn't help matters when Dash laughed uncomfortably. "Like it's, y'know... girl stuff."

"Fru-fru stuff?" Applejack offered and Rainbow seized upon that.

"Yeah, like dresses and make-up and stuff? Sure." Even Pinkie Pie looked confused as to what the heck Rainbow Dash could have been referring to but no one pressed the matter further. Celestia chimed in after to try and assist Rainbow Dash with her explanation.

"I suppose they may be tired after going out last night. I know Luna asked for some assistance to ensure they'd enjoy themselves." This was news to Twilight. She knew they'd gone out together after everyone had called it a night but she wasn't aware of who else had gone along with the two of them.

"They had a special party without us?" Pinkie Pie asked sounding a little upset she may have gotten left out of some sort of celebration with her friends.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to go because their kind of party wasn't your kind of party?" Twilight asked Pinkie but it didn't make her any less depressed that she had missed out.

"Well yeah but I didn't know it was going to be a party party. Princess was it a party party? I thought it was just going to be dresses and proper etiquette stuffs."

"Heck, ah woulda took a fru-fru party over being laid up in bed all night any day." Applejack commented jokingly and got a smile out of Celestia. Rainbow Dash was still being oddly quiet though, Twilight had noticed. Celestia finally informed all of them just exactly what she'd been referring to before Pinkie got herself any more worked up.

"Well I don't know if they had a 'party' party last night, but I do know they were escorted so they wouldn't be alone. Luna requested our nephew Blueblood ensure they have a good time." The table went silent as the girls looked on horrified at the revelation. Twilight couldn't even imagine what a night with Prince Blueblood would have been like for Rarity. No wonder she was exhausted. "Is something the matter?" Celestia asked with a bit of playfulness in her voice. Twilight was the only one that had the courage to answer her teacher's question.

"Nothing is wrong your highness. Why I'm sure that Prince Blueblood was a... a..." It was odd how hard it was to call him a gentleman. Twilight had of course met the prince more than a few times and she'd have been happy if they'd been fewer.

"A complete gentleman?" Celestia offered.

"Yes, that exactly." Twilight agreed and Celestia continued to smile in that knowing way of hers.

"I have confidence my nephew would have been nothing less." Celestia said pleasantly, leaving the entire table to wonder just how well the Princess knew her own nephew. "Though if we want to find out I believe we can learn first hand." Celestia motioned to the entry way Rainbow Dash had come from earlier as two more ladies made their way into the dining room.

"Hello darlings, so sorry to keep you all waiting." Rarity and Fluttershy walked in, Fluttershy in a much more unique white dress than the outfit she'd been wearing yesterday with the small accessories to go with it . It was the kind of thing that wasn't too flashy but still an eye turner. A classic Rarity ensemble. Rarity herself was wearing a pants and blouse combination similar to what she'd had yesterday. The women bowed to Celestia as was the norm and she motioned for them to rise. When they approached the table Rainbow Dash got wide eyed.

"Oh sorry, let me make some room!" The girl said suddenly, her magical wings sprouting from her back as she literally flew over the table and dropped in the seat directly across from her on the other side. Sitting next to Applejack, Rainbow Dash left open seats next to Twilight as the only options for the two to choose from. Everyone looked a bit surprised by the outburst from the girl, aside from Fluttershy who seemed worried over it.

"You know darling there were already two open seats." Rarity corrected her as she took the seat closest to Twilight and Fluttershy sat across from Rainbow Dash. Dash seemed to go out of her way not to make eye contact with either of them. "It really wasn't necessary to move."

"Yeah well I guess I just... didn't want to be a bother." Rainbow Dash's reply didn't make the action any less odd to Twilight and the rest. Despite this being the most awkward breakfast ever Celestia was determined to get some food in her stomach. With everyone here she rang the small bell by her side and thankfully the waiters began to bring out some bread, muffins, butter and jellies to tied them all over while their individual orders were taken. With that done Applejack got conversation flowing again.

"So ah heard ya'll had an evenin' out with Blueblood?" Rarity's expression became more alert but she didn't seem especially startled.

"Oh you did, is he here? Did he already speak with everyone?" Rarity asked while looking a bit tense.

"Blueblood won't be joining us this morning." Celestia answered. "He chose to take his breakfast in his room today and had an appointment at the salon earlier. I do believe we may not see him before you depart."

"Oh, really? Well that's too bad, isn't it?" Rarity responded and seemed to let out a breath and relax more. "Did he happen to mention anything? About last night?" Twilight was watching Rarity curiously now that the focus was off of herself and Rainbow Dash and over to what it was Rarity was so uptight over. Celestia seemed curious too but didn't express it with her face like Twilight did as The Princess spoke.

"I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to talk to him directly." Celestia was sipping her tea now and enjoying a small personal cake that had been brought out to her while she waited for her proper meal. "Was it a fun date?" The Princess asked and Twilight watched her purple haired friend closely.

"You went on a date with Blueblood!?" Pinkie Pie asked in disbelief. "I thought you said you didn't ever wanna spend time with that dumb meanie pants again for as long as you live!?" Applejack put her face in her hand and shook her head as the baker openly insulted The Prince in front of Celestia. Oddly enough Celestia didn't seem to mind the comment. Even more odd was Twilight's lack of reprimand on Pinkie for such an insult, the scholar far more interested in Rarity's answer.

"Oh no no no no! It wasn't a date, exactly." Rarity declined forcefully. "It was just an evening out with friends. That's all, there wasn't anything more to it than that. Just walking around and seeing the capital's sights and stores and all of those fun things. That was all, quite a calm affair really." Rarity's insistence was a curious thing and something Twilight couldn't stop fixating on. It was a bit shameful but Twilight was wishing she had Cadence's powers to find out what was really going on in the woman's heart at the moment. "Isn't that right Fluttershy?" Fluttershy looked up suddenly as she'd been looking across the table at Rainbow Dash for some time now trying to read her expression. She looked around the table shyly seeing everyone's attention on her and cleared her throat.

"Yes, it was nice." She let the words hang a bit before Rarity motioned with her hands to elaborate further. "And um... Mr. Heavystep was nice too. He stayed with us all night and didn't complain once about anywhere we wanted to go, even if we did go out of the way. I'm glad we're friends now, if it's not a bother to him." Fluttershy said with some genuine happiness to her voice. "I especially enjoyed seeing all the animals in the garden last night. He spent time with me while I got to know them a little bit better." It certainly went better than the last time she was there, an event she didn't want to repeat.

"I'm surprised Rarity wanted to see the animals in the garden too." Twilight commented.

"Oh she was off with Blueblood in the garden while I was feeding the animals." Fluttershy responded innocently and everyone's eyes turned to look at Rarity after hearing that news with the exception of Celestia who was enjoying her personal small cake at the moment. Rarity nudged Fluttershy with her leg and the girl suddenly backpedaled on her words. "Oh I mean um... we were all in the garden together, and I was feeding the animals and... what do I mean again?" Fluttershy said looking at Rarity for help.

"What Fluttershy means is that we were all there at the garden together. While she was feeding the animals I requested to look at the flowers for some ideas for new designs for my dresses. Then we all said good night and went to bed. Separately, I mean. Separate beds. Not all together of course, that would be silly." Rarity smiled nervously and Fluttershy looked back to Rainbow Dash who decided not to make eye contact any longer with the two ladies. "How about you Twilight, how was your night with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?" Rarity said eager to get attention deflected off of herself and onto someone else.

"Oh it went um, fine." Twilight said a little too quickly. Celestia looked upon her student curiously.

"I'd meant to ask that earlier myself, Twilight." The Princess commented. "It's been a long while since you and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza had been given some time to just talk. I'm afraid I keep her and your brother quite busy around the castle. I'm sure you were happy to have time with them again." Twilight's fingers laced together in her lap as she was trying to not only control her words but also her thoughts, suddenly wondering if maybe Celestia could just look right into her mind similar to the way the other Princesses could and pick out what information she wanted. It left Twilight with an odd grimace as she concentrated. "Twilight, are you feeling alright?"

"Just fine!" Twilight responded. "It was a... good evening..." Happy thoughts, concentrate on happy thoughts. Puppies and kittens and books. "We had a very... nice dinner and then... I went to bed... early." Thoughts about books about puppies and kittens. Sunflowers and dandelions. Make a mental block to keep everyone else out.

"Twi', are ya havin' one of them aneurisms?" Applejack asked seriously confused about her expression as Twilight was attempting to block her thoughts from potential royal psychic probing.

"I'm good!" Twilight said. "Pinkie, how was your night!?" Blocking thoughts about your potentially incestuous childhood memories of your brother and damning conversations about your sexual promiscuity with your sister-in-law was a lot harder than Twilight thought it would be. Best to direct attention elsewhere.

"Like the worst night ever! I couldn't get these cupcakes to come out right at all!" Pinkie said holding up the letter she'd received from Discord the day before. "I even baked them with Rainbow Dash's help like it told me to but we couldn't get it to work right."

"It wanted you to put me IN the cupcakes Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash said with the most emotion she'd mustered since arriving at the dining table. "Why don't you understand that part?"

"That can't be it." Pinkie said reading over the letter again. "I mean that would be like gross and icky if I made cupcakes with a person in them. Plus they wouldn't even be cupcakes anymore that's like, tiny meatloafs or something."

"Well I wasn't about to let you use me as an ingredient for your tiny meatloafs." Rainbow Dash remarked and loosened up a bit as she spoke with her curly pink haired friend.

"Oh don't worry. I'd do anything for a lovely cupcake, but I won't do that." Pinkie replied. "In the end we just used some of Rainbow Dash's hair. Worst cupcakes ever." The entire table gagged at the thought of it. "Discord may be the personification of all of chaos but he doesn't know how to make a baked good." With that fresh thought still in their minds of Rainbow Dash Hair Cupcakes the waiters began to bring out their meals. Everyone ate happily as it was a nice distraction from the very awkward and confusing conversation they'd all gone through this morning. Their meal continued in relative silence until the final guest arrived.

"Sister, I'm so pleased you could make it." Celestia said in joyful greeting. Luna entered the dining hall causing all the girls to rise to their feet and bow in respect to the night princess. Luna thanked them all and permitted them to continue while she took to her own chair and placed an order for her breakfast. Once that was done Luna sat at the table looking downward in much the same contemplative way as Rainbow Dash had earlier. Her sister looked on most curious. "A bit for your thoughts, Luna?" The starry haired princess looked up with a bit of confusion and Celestia smiled. "My apologies, it's a common expression of today. I was simply asking what you were thinking on."

"Oh, my own apologies for not understanding." Even though Luna had been ruling beside Celestia for some time now since her transformation from Nightmare Moon she was still a bit ignorant of current phrases and slang. It could be embarrassing at times when a countries ruler wasn't familiar with its own culture. "I was contemplating the events of last night."

"You are up awfully late, aren't you Princess Luna?" Twilight said looking down the table towards her. "I would have expected you to be in bed by now." Luna watched her with a tense but somewhat innocent gaze. It was unsettling sometimes for Twilight to keep eye contact with Luna. She was nice enough but her eyes were piercing, as if they could see into your soul. Which for all Twilight knew with last night's revelations she could.

"Yes, normally I would. However thou was having thine breakfast in the morning. So I postponed my own meal." She was slipping back into her old way of talking again as well Twilight noticed.

"Well that's right kindly of ya." Applejack expressed to Luna between mouthfuls of her breakfast. "Sorry tah keep ya waitin' so long. Not all of us we're up as early as we'd like."

"Well we all head quite a day yesterday." Rarity said through dainty bites of her own food. "Also your highness I attended your nightclub while in the capital. Very chic, you must be proud to have such a popular establishment." Luna looked at Rarity with the slightest hint of uncomfortable embarrassment at the praise.

"Thank you, thine words of gratitude grant me much joy. I must confess though that I am still unfamiliar with most common acts of recreation our subjects prefer in this day and age."

"Oh yeah, speaking of yesterday!" Pinkie said out loud through mouthfuls. "What ever happened to Firebreath McMeanie-Pants? Did he skip outta town already?" Luna blinked in utter confusion at her question and Celestia held back a giggle. She couldn't blame Luna for being a bit lost when it came to Pinkie Pie.

"I believe she's referring to Devour, dear sister." Celestia clarified and that certainly sparked a memory.

"Oh, yes, King Devour." Luna laced her fingers together and rested her arms on the table as she thought on that. "I do believe he's left the capital as of this morning."

"You mean you met that big jerk?" Rainbow Dash asked as her adrenaline kicked in thinking of how she'd missed the chance to lay into that guy. "Who does he think he is sticking around here all through the night? After what he did he should have kept on flying and never come back!"

"But he doesn't have a home anymore." Fluttershy offered to Rainbow Dash who looked over for a moment and then couldn't meet Fluttershy's gaze any longer. That was disappointing to the pink haired girl but she continued in respect to Princess Luna. "Um, if you don't mind me asking, where would he even go to? I thought all his family and friends are from so long ago in the past?"

"King Devour declared he would travel south to thine homeland." Luna answered. "Back to the territories of the Dragon-Blooded clans. He stated his curiosity to see how thine society had grown in his absence." The way Luna had said that caught Twilight's attention.

"So you talked to him directly? Actually spoke with him?" Twilight Sparkled asked the princess and she seemed once again a bit lost as to why that would be important.

"Indeed. We spoke." Luna said simply, which sparked interest from Celestia.

"And? What did you think of the former king when you discovered him, sister?" Luna didn't meet Celestia's eyes but she did manage to answer.

"King Devour was very... different from what I had remembered him to be. His strength did not fade with the years but he is certainly changed. I do not believe he shall be the threat he was to the kingdom in the past."

"I should hope not. Otherwise the effort that was put forward to allow him to remain free would have gone to waste. Speaking of which, Fluttershy." The pink haired girl perked up and looked down at The Princess. "I've already spoken with some of the guards about what is required to transport your new friends to the Everfree Forest. Arrangements may take some time to prepare but I believe we can get them all moved within the week if that is fine with you?"

"Oh um... of course, your highness. Thank you so much for your help." Fluttershy bowed her head to the ruler.

"Not at all. Were it not for your bravery, things may have ended much differently. You all have my thanks for that." Celestia said appreciatively to her subjects around the table. "Now then Luna, did you have any other tales to entertain us with of your evening out with the king from a far away land?" Celestia had a slight teasing sound to her voice as she addressed her sister and Luna stared back hard.

"Dear sister, I feel as thou art implying events which have not transpired in the evening past during my encounter with King Devour." It was quite a ways to go just to tell Celestia that she hadn't been flirting with royalty from another nation.

"Oh no, not all. Just looking to entertain you and everyone else until your meal arrives." Celestia said cheerfully.

"It cannot arrive soon enough." Luna sighed.

Breakfast passed with all of its colorful conversation and eventually ended with Luna excusing herself to sleep for the rest of the day. Shortly after Celestia excused herself as well to attend to her own royal duties and thanked all of her precious subjects for all their support. Twilight was always sad to depart from her beloved teacher but now more than ever she needed some time away from the castle and back home to get herself situated. So the girls got their things packed, had their belongings taken for them to the train station and all easily boarded without incident. Thankfully the entire process was very smooth and easy. Now it was time for the comfortable train ride back, which left a few of the girls to pick their moments for what they'd been individually planning since breakfast.

Despite her protests that she was fine Applejack was happy to be seated on the train as her muscles still ached something fierce from her little exchange of blows with Devour. It hadn't even been a full day yet and her leg, head and most of her back still hurt. Maybe she had been lucky to walk away as well as she did. Rainbow Dash sat next to the farmer and Pinkie was one seat up so she could easily talk with her friends. Twilight had taken a seat across the aisle from Pinkie and was looking out the window, mind still heavy with her own concerns. This left the worried couple of Fluttershy and Rarity to take the seat directly behind the librarian.

They exchanged some idle chit chat as they waited, feeling the pull of the train when the engine started and the cars began to move along the tracks. Applejack adjusted her hat and leaned back to be more comfortable. "Woo-whee, am ah glad tah be headin' home. The capital is nice an all but it don't have the homey feel of the farm. Sides ah'll need to get tah the fields soon as ah can."

"Are you sure you're okay for that with all those owie's all over you?" Pinkie asked concerned as she sat on her knees to face backwards in her seat towards her friends.

"Heck, even if ah ain't ah can still help out somehow. Big Macintosh can't handle the farm all by his lonesome and Applebloom still needs some direction. Every little bit helps, right RD?" Applejack asked as she nudged Rainbow Dash, who seemed to be thinking about something else.

"Hm? Oh uh, yeah right. Say guys I think I'm gonna get some air." Rainbow Dash suddenly declared and stood up, getting some confused glances.

"Git some air? We all just got on the train." Applejack asked but it didn't alter the rainbow haired girls intentions.

"Yeah but I'm feeling kind of cooped up. I'll be back in a while, okay?" With that Rainbow Dash headed for the back of the train to the caboose. They all watched her depart curiously and everyone was quiet for a moment after she left. With a nudge to her side though Fluttershy suddenly stood up as well.

"I um... I'm feeling kind of... cooped up too." She said shyly.

"Really?" Applejack asked unconvinced.

"So um, I'm gonna just head outside. I'll be back... bye." The pink haired girl backed out of the train car slowly and awkwardly as her friends watched her go and close the door between the cars behind her. Pinkie and Applejack were left with suspicious expressions.

"Well that was kinda weird." Pinkie said bluntly.

"Ah'll say, kinda like somethin' is goin' on around here. What's yer take on all this Twi'?" Applejack asked towards Twilight Sparkle, who had been keeping her gaze out the window this entire time. "Twilight? Earth to Twilight, do ya read me?" The librarian looked around surprised suddenly and realized she was the center of attention.

"Oh sorry Applejack. Did you ask something?"

"Twilight, are you okay? Ya'll been actin' kinda funny since we left breakfast this mornin'."

"Oh I'm fine! Just fine right over here, nothing wrong with this girl. Though I'm kind of getting a headache so I think I'm going to get some of that headache medicine I put in my bag."

"Wait a minute, how come the doctor didn't give me or Applejack any special medicine?" Pinkie asked as she tapped her chin, a clear indicator when she was trying to unravel a mystery before her.

"Well that's because it's... for magic! Yeah it's magic based medicine, to recover my magic. And right now I feel like I could use some so I'm just going to head right on back there. Be back in a moment." Twilight said picking herself up off of her seat and heading the opposite direction of Rainbow Dash as she went to the baggage car. Once she was gone the baker and farmer looked over at Rarity awaiting the next excuse. Funny enough they weren't disappointed.

"You know applying magic medicine can be difficult, what with it requiring magic and all to do it. Quite an oversight considering what it's supposed to treat." The two girls didn't look very convinced as Rarity's lines sounded completely made up. Which to be fair, they were. "I should help the poor dear out, after all I'm the only other magic user here. Tah tah for a moment darlings." Rarity said and daintily picked herself up off her seat and followed after Twilight. When the passenger car door closed it left the two girls alone together where there was once six.

"Ya'll ever get the feelin' that yer a side character tah someone else's story goin' on around ya?" Applejack asked sounding annoyed.

"Maybe they all took off to make out with each other?" Pinkie suggested, then leaned over the seat and smiled at the blonde farmer. "Or maybe they left US alone so we can make out with each other?" She wiggled her eyebrows at Applejack and both girls laughed out loud.

"Oh yeah, that'll be the day, when someone in this posse decides tah start knockin' boots together."

As Rarity made her way through the other passenger cars to the luggage area she noted the train was somewhat deserted. A few individuals here and there, mostly dressed as if they had a business engagement to catch but it was nearly barren of anyone outside the main six of her and her friends. This wasn't something that bothered her though, in fact she was happy there wouldn't be anyone to interrupt.

Rarity had been hoping for an opportunity to talk to Twilight alone. Fluttershy and her had planned to find an opportunity to discuss with their friends their own individual issues when the opportunity would arise. Rarity was surprised to see that Fluttershy's prediction that Rainbow Dash would be the first to flee had turned out to be true. She didn't really understand what could be bothering the girl so much though. Even if Rainbow Dash did suspect Rarity and Fluttershy had spent the night together for more adult purposes than what had transpired. The seamstress couldn't put together what about that would cause such a reaction in Rainbow. It was as if she was scared of the very idea of the two of them having sex, or even sex in general. Thank goodness Rainbow was ignorant of what Rarity and Twilight had already done together.

It was just that kind of relationship between them though that Rarity needed for a confidant. She had to tell someone she could trust about what happened with Blueblood at the garden and also knew about what was going on with her and Spike. It wasn't lost on her how unseemly this all was; hiding secrets from her friends about her relationships with the various men she'd kissed recently. It was the kind of drama she normally enjoyed in her romance novels but never saw herself becoming a part of in real life. Yet her she was sneaking, around and looking to confess her affairs to her friend, who lets not forget was someone she'd had a moment of passion with herself not that long ago. When did things become so dreadfully complicated?

Rarity had planned to pin Twilight down while she'd be searching for that medicine she claimed she needed. However Rarity was surprised to find Twilight just sitting in one of the seats in the first passenger car, all alone. She was looking out the window in much the same way she'd been in the passenger car they had all loaded into together. She didn't know why Twilight would have lied to get away from everyone else but she hoped it wasn't serious. "Twilight?" She looked up suddenly as she was drawn out of her daydream by the seamstress.

"Oh, Rarity. Hi. Um I guess I just... kind of forgot to get the medicine. I should go and find it." Rarity's eyes softened seeing her obviously in distress and sat down next to her before she could escape.

"Darling, why don't you instead just tell me what's eating away at you? Somehow I suspect it's something more than your recovering magic." Twilight let out a sigh and looked at the floor.

"Am I that obvious?" She asked disappointed.

"Well you don't think you can fool your friends so easily when something is wrong, now do you?" Rarity said and hugged Twilight against her with one arm. "Come now, tell me all about it. We've both confessed our problems to each other on more than one occasion." Twilight raised a hand to put over Rarity's as it was slung around her, giving it a small squeeze.

"Rarity? Am I a bad person?"

"Heavens no!" Rarity said with confidence and hugged her a bit closer. "Twilight you're one of the sweetest darlings I've ever known. You always think of others."

"I think of problems and solutions, but not always people." Twilight said glumly. Maybe there was a little truth to that. Twilight didn't have the best history when it came to interacting and thinking of other people. But that was in the past as far as Rarity was concerned. She'd come such a far way since she'd taken up residence in that little library.

"The solutions you think up are to help with other people's problems, there's nothing wrong with that." The rephrasing of her sentence didn't seem to cheer Twilight up any. "Darling, I feel like we're dancing around the real issue." Twilight held Rarity's hand tight in her own and took a deep breath as she braced herself.

"Okay. You see Rarity I... I... I can't do it." She said and closed her eyes tightly. "I can't tell you. I'm sorry but I just can't share this. Not with anyone!" Rarity was taken aback by how upset this had made her friend and tried to calm her down.

"Shh, okay then, no need to raise a fuss. Well if you can't tell me then is there anything I can do to help? You know I'm here for you, Twilight." Twilight opened her eyes again and looked at Rarity's which much to her relief made the girl smile at her.

"Yeah, you are, aren't you? I can really rely on you, just like all my friends." Twilight let go of Rarity's hand and turned to face her head on now. "Rarity, if anything should ever happen can I ask a selfish favor of you?" Rarity nodded her head reassuringly. Even if she didn't know what would be asked of her she wouldn't hesitate to live up to her friend's needs. "If anything should happen with me, can I leave Spike to you?"

"Oh... I didn't think it had to do with Spike... wait a minute darling, what do you mean if anything happens to you? Are you sick? Are you ill!? Should we go back to the doctor!? Do you need money for the hospital bills, I can cover you. Never fear, Rarity will be sure to have you nursed back to health!" The seamstress grabbed Twilight in a crushing hug against her chest, which actually made the girl wince as her neck was pulled hard with the embrace. "Oops, um... my apologies."

"No no, it's okay." Twilight said as she rubbed her sore muscles with a groan. "Besides it's got nothing to do with my health. Rarity if anything like... well like what happened last time with me and Spike happens again..." Twilight lowered her voice now to be sure no one else could hear. "If I 'hurt' him again like I did before and can't be around him, can I rely on you?" Rarity could scarcely believe what it was she was hearing.

"Twilight, I know there were some issues before but I'm confident you and Spike are-"

"Rarity, I'm serious. If anything happens, anything at all where you can't trust me... can I rely on you?"

"I... yes. Yes Twilight, you can rely on me." She wasn't sure what exactly she was agreeing to and that was a little unsettling. But she did hope that it never came down to whatever it was Twilight was proposing would happen. "I will always do what's best for my friends. You can count on it." Twilight nodded and the two girls hugged each other, Twilight letting out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness I have friends like you Rarity. No matter what I know you'll never hurt Spike." It just dawned then on Rarity what her original reason for following Twilight in the first place had been. "I mean out of all of us you're the one that thinks of everyone's feelings first." The librarian said and released the embrace she had on her friend with a smile. "Honestly sometimes I wish I could be more like you. You always seem to know what to do when it comes to other people's feelings and relationships and all this sort of stuff. I mean bookworm Twilight here can't even figure out how to talk to guys let alone treat one right."

"Come now, I don't really deserve all this praise." After all she'd only kissed another man behind Spike's back without anyone else catching on. "I'm only human after all. There's really nothing to just being respectful to another person." Why it was so easy Rarity managed to mess it up on the very first opportunity when she had left town, she thought disappointingly to herself.

"Being respectful... I guess I have a lot more to learn after all." Her head was dipping down but Rarity caught her chin and made her pick it back up.

"You're farther along than you think, darling." Rarity said reassuringly. "Don't doubt yourself so much." Twilight glanced away for a moment but nodded her head.

"Alright then. Thank you for following me all the way here. I'd left to get away from everyone so I could think but having you here to talk to actually made things a lot better."

"Well you know me, always willing to help." Rarity was wrestling internally with what to do next. Should she still confess the little incident in the garden to Twilight? After all it was just a kiss, nothing more and she'd regretted doing it instantly. But she was so worried now of shattering all the confidence Twilight had placed in her. Honesty was the best policy though, right? Right? "Actually Twilight, I'm-"

"Fluttershy?" Rarity looked at Twilight confused. At the very least she was confident she was Rarity and indeed not Fluttershy.

"Come again?" Twilight pointed past Rarity and she turned to see the pink haired girl standing in the aisle by their seat, her arms hugging herself tightly. "Oh, Fluttershy, are you alright deary?" The expression on her face was enough of an answer to that.

"Twilight?" Fluttershy asked meekly. "Can I borrow Rarity for a minute?" Twilight was on her feet in seconds and offering the chair to her friend as Fluttershy sat down in her place. Twilight began to head back towards their original passenger car and placed a hand on Rarity's shoulder before she left.

"Looks like everyone needs a bit of your help today." She said with a smile as she left. It was troubling for the seamstress that her opportunity was passing just as her confidence was enough to allow her to confess but she let it go. Someone else needed her right now after all. When she turned to Fluttershy the girl was sitting up straight and rigid with a worried expression, her hands folded together on her lap. Rarity put a hand out on top of Fluttershy's.

"It didn't go well?" Rarity asked and Fluttershy shook her head in response. "Okay darling, tell me what happened."

After Rainbow Dash had dismissed herself to the caboose as predicted Fluttershy was in pursuit. Even though this had been her plan she'd suggested to Rarity the girl didn't really know what she was going to say. Rarity had told her to just tell the truth but would Rainbow Dash believe her? She would believe her right? Not think that she was that needy or easy that she would just jump into someone's bed when they asked? Well, okay maybe that is exactly what she did but she didn't do it for naughty reasons. They were just naked because they didn't have pajamas, and they weren't even completely naked together because they still had their panties on. Although they did get in the shower together but that was completely explainable too and Dashie didn't need to know about that anyway.

Fluttershy took a moment to catch her breath, she was getting herself worked up before she had even gotten to where Rainbow Dash was. All she had to do was walk up to her, tell her what she'd seen wasn't what she thought, and it would be done. After all they were friends so there wasn't any reason for her to think they were lying. Rainbow Dash wouldn't think she was a liar. She wouldn't, so there's no reason to be so nervous about thinking about her thinking that about herself. No reason to think at all.

When she finally got the courage to open the door to the back of the train she found the rainbow haired girl leaning on the back railing and watching the landscape go by. She had noticed the door open of course as Fluttershy made her way onto the small ledge that was just big enough for about three people total to stand on. When Rainbow turned to see her and then looked away Fluttershy had to fight every instinct to go some place else and hide instead of having an uncomfortable conversation. Walking forward she put her hands on the railing too and broke the ice. "H-hi."

"Hey." Rainbow said in response. Which to Fluttershy's dismay was followed by dead silence between them for a full minute with the exception of the train's engine. Fluttershy was racking her brain for the right way to start but it was Dash that broke the silence next. "I think I'm going to go flying for a little bit." With that her magical wings appeared on her back and the girl took off from the ledge. The pink haired girl stood there motionless for a while before mustering up her strength and producing her own magical wings, taking off after her friend.

Clearly the weather girl didn't expect her friend to pursue her in the air, but thankfully she didn't try to out fly her. There wouldn't have been any way for Fluttershy to keep up had Rainbow Dash really wanted to lose her in the skies. "Are you sure you should be out flying?" Rainbow Dash asked as they followed along with the train in the sky. "I mean you're wearing a dress."

"I'm fine!" Fluttershy said knowing full well wearing one of Rarity's dresses was far from the best attire for flying but she needed to do this. "Rainbow Dash, can I talk to you?"

"Well yeah, sure, why not?" She was looking straight ahead still despite there not being any real obstacles in the sky where they were flying.

"Okay, then. It's just that um, well I'm worried you're avoiding me." Fluttershy responded to her question and didn't get much of a reply in return. "I just wanted to talk to you... about this morning. Cause um... I just don't want you to think-"

"It's okay Fluttershy." Rainbow cut her off and it gave the pink haired girl a little hope.

"It is?"

"Yeah sure, it's completely fine. I mean yeah I was a little surprised but it's all okay. There's no reason to feel weird or anything."

"Oh, good. That's such a relief, I was worried you might have gotten the wrong idea."

"No, I mean I understand if you don't want me to tell everyone." Fluttershy wasn't really sure what that meant but she supposed that would be best.

"Well I guess so, if you don't mind that is. It is a little embarrassing."

"It's none of my business anyway, right? I should have been more supportive from the get go. But you must have your reasons."

"My... reasons? I guess so, I mean it wasn't expected." Fluttershy asked not really sure where this conversation was headed anymore.

"So it was your first time?" Rainbow Dash asked surprised.

"I guess it was... but it wasn't a big deal or anything. Rarity just asked me to spend the night with her after what happened last night." She'd never shared a bed with another girl like that before it's true. But it wasn't any different than any other sleep over she'd had as a child. Rainbow Dash seemed impressed by it though.

"Oh, yeah, right. No big deal at all. That's all kinds of normal for us, huh?" Rainbow Dash laughed it off nervously.

"I-I guess so?"

"Okay then, so don't you fear. You're secret is safe with me." Fluttershy was really confused now and unsure if they were on the same page.

"Rainbow Dash, about what you saw last night..."

"I said it's okay, when you and Rarity are ready to tell everyone then I'll support you guys then to."

"No, that's not-" She tried to protest but her voice was being drowned out as Rainbow Dash was picking up speed with her flying.

"I mean I didn't think you'd want to do anything like that with anyone but Rarity is like you're best friend right? So I guess that it all makes sense." She was starting to fly past her now and Fluttershy was pushing herself harder just to keep up.

"Rainbow Dash please, I'm trying to tell you about last night."

"It's okay, I don't need details. I mean I don't need to hear about them or anything. I already understand what you guys want. I'll be there for you guys every step of the way. Mountain!" Rainbow Dash shouted back as they started to come upon a large mountain that the train tracks had a tunnel built in to go through the inside and out the other. "You better head back into the train, okay? I'm going to fly over, I'll be in soon!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy shouted but the rainbow haired girl was already heading up higher into the clouds. She could probably chase her down but it would have been difficult for her. Besides Rainbow Dash had made up her mind so completely that she didn't know how to argue with her. Defeated the pink haired girl flew downward towards the train and carefully landed onto the caboose. She was safely inside before the train was even close to approaching the tunnel, wondering if maybe Rainbow Dash had flown away just to escape their conversation.

When she returned Applejack and Pinkie Pie tried asking her what was wrong but she managed to deflect their concern with a put on smile and just asked where Rarity had gone. The two seemed oddly disappointed she wanted to talk to her instead of them but regardless gave her directions. Shortly there after she found Rarity talking with Twilight Sparkle who gave up her seat for the pink haired girl.

"It didn't go well?" Rarity asked and Fluttershy shook her head in response. "Okay darling, tell me what happened."

So she did, as darkness consumed the train when they finally entered the tunnel. Letting Rarity know just how badly she'd managed to steer the conversation and how Rainbow Dash had an even worse idea of her than previously. They had cleared the tunnel by the time she was done and Rarity let out a sigh.

"By Celestia, I knew that girl could be thick headed but to hold onto a speculation like that." She shook her head. "Okay then, I'll just go clear the air myself."

"Wait, no, I should do it." Fluttershy protested and Rarity looked on with a bit of pity in her eyes. "I have to do it."

"Deary, no you don't. There's no reason you have to put yourself through all of this. I'll just let her know exactly what happened and everything will be crystal clear." Fluttershy pouted a little.

"But if I don't do it... I'll look like I'm spineless." She said sounding depressed. "It has to be me because if it isn't then how... how will I ever be able to tell her how I feel?" Rarity put an arm around Fluttershy similarly to how she had earlier around Twilight, Fluttershy however took to it more gratefully than the librarian had and leaned on her friend for support.

"Okay then, I won't say anything." Rarity conceded and held her friend to help comfort her. "But I'm only going to let this go on for so long, you understand? If it seems like Rainbow Dash really does have the wrong idea about things I'll at least set her straight on us." Fluttershy nodded and still leaned into her friend. "I still can't believe we have to do even that much."

"It did sort of look like it when she walked in though." Fluttershy confessed and got comfortable against Rarity.

"Oh pish posh, darling. If people though every time beautiful women were together that they were fooling around then no one would ever stop talking about all of us." Fluttershy giggled a little which made Rarity smile. Everything would work out okay she was sure. Maybe their plans had fallen apart on the train ride home but it was only a temporary set back. Before long everything was going to be okay. So they sat there together alone in the first care for a while longer, just chatting while they got themselves collected emotionally. All the while unaware of the rose colored eyes that watched them from outside the train through their passenger window.

When the train pulled up to the town station all the girls were very relieved to be back home after their little adventure in the capital. Well most of them were anyway. Pinkie Pie had informed them all right after they departed the train that one day her and Applejack would be the main characters of their own story. Also when it happens that all of them would be their side characters for their amazing adventures. Naturally no one had any idea what she was talking about but they dismissed it as Pinkie being Pinkie and all headed home. Applejack wanted to check on her family and Pinkie Pie needed to get back to work. Fluttershy was worried about the animals that needed her care and Rarity had said she needed to be ready for a bunch of packages that were supposed to arrive at her home. That left Twilight and Rainbow Dash as the last two to leave.

"Well I guess I should get back to the library. If Spike slept in then I'll have to get a move on to open it." Twilight said and got ready to leave.

"Hey Twilight, can I ask you something?" Rainbow suddenly said as she floated in the air on her magic wings. "And don't think too much about this question or like there's more to it than what I'm asking. Cause there isn't anything more to it you know. It's just a question." Twilight was looking on with a waiting expression.

"And that question is?" She asked to get things rolling forward at little faster.

"Oh, yeah right. Well do you think that... sex can ruin a friendship?" Twilight's eyes widened with panic as she suddenly wondered if Rainbow Dash knew everything she'd done too. How the heck was everyone able to see into her private life like this!? Was someone writing and distributing all of her dirty little secrets down for everyone to read?

"What friends are we talking about exactly here?" Twilight asked and kept her voice under control as she did.

"No one. No one at all. I just was wondering if you knew anything about it. Like from all the people you knew in the capital or the books you read or something?" There was a clear tension between the two girls as they tried to talk without revealing anything they didn't want the other to know. "So what do you think? Just like an opinion, but it's about no one in particular." Twilight tried to control her heart rate as she attempted to answer her friend's question accurately.

"Well, lets consider it for a moment. I guess something as serious as that could cause some damage. It all depends on what those friends are doing and who they're doing it with. More so how what they're doing is going to effect each other emotionally."

"Oh. Yeah I guess it would be a big deal, huh? Sorry, this was a dumb question. I shouldn't have wasted your time." Rainbow Dash started to float a little higher as she prepared to leave, though it didn't stop Twilight from her lecture. Few things could when she got started.

"But you know..." The librarian said to catch her attention. "If friends are strong enough, care about each other enough, I don't think something like that is insurmountable. I think deep down friendship can take on any problem. Even if it's a problem between those friends themselves. Don't you?" Rainbow Dash thought on her words for a moment before nodding.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right Twilight. You have to be there for your friends when they need you. Hey, thanks for talking about this but uh don't mention it to anyone okay? Later!" With that the girl was off into the air, most likely to check the weather scheduled for the coming week. Twilight let out a breath of relief as it seemed whatever it was Rainbow Dash had been talking about it didn't have to do with her. Though it was kind of odd. Rainbow Dash was a tomboy no doubt but she wasn't what Twilight would consider ignorant about boys and girls or the things they get up to. It was just rare for her to ever talk about such things. Twilight couldn't remember a time Rainbow Dash had ever had a conversation with her about relationships before, let alone sex.

As uncomfortable as all that had been Twilight pushed passed it and headed for the library. She had enough of her own problems to deal with, not the least of which the uncomfortable revelations from the night before. She was a bundle of nerves. On the one hand she was almost scared to see Spike as she wasn't positive what her own emotions were anymore when it came to him. Of course she loved him but how did she love him? On the other hand his letter written in blue lipstick that he'd sent to Celestia was still nagging at her and she was both curious and suspicious why he'd have replied with that. Who was he with while both her and Rarity were gone?

Twilight shook her head. Spike wouldn't do anything like what she was suspecting him of. First of all she had no right to be upset and second he wouldn't do anything to betray his feelings for Rarity. Just like Rarity wouldn't have done anything to betray his trust in her. She was just being paranoid.

Though he was having those issues lately with his emotions and hormones. Then there was that night he'd gone wild and chased after all the girls when he'd swallowed that magic coal. Not to mention she'd removed his medicine away from the house during her fight with Devour, so he wouldn't have had access to it if anything happened. Spike wasn't at all ignorant of sex. Or how to talk to girls. Plus he'd sent her a letter written in lipstick. While no one was around to supervise him.

Twilight was marching now by the time the library came into view. Oh she had questions and that boy was going to answer them directly. If he'd been anything other than a well behaved gentleman while she was gone she was going to... to... she didn't know what but you better believe she was angry enough to do it. Marching up to the door Twilight swung it open as it was unlocked, catching Spike right in the middle of the library for anyone to see.

The boy had a mop in his hands and was leaning against it, his eyes closed and his head hanging. It looked like the mop was the only thing keeping him up and somehow he'd managed to prop it against the ground where it wouldn't slip away form him. Snoring could be heard through the library. He was asleep. "Spike?" Twilight called out and his eyes shot open, causing him to slip with his sudden awakening and fall, arms waving into a heap on the ground.

"Owwww." The boy grumbled and Twilight hurried over to his side to help him up. "Ugh. Morning Twilight." He yawned loudly as he got to his feet, wiping the sleep out of his eyes. "What time is it?"

"It's almost eleven, Spike why were you asleep in the middle of the library?" Twilight asked as all her built up anger from earlier had dissipated when she found him performing his chores while passed out.

"I couldn't sleep last night so I started cleaning up. Guess I finally did pass out at some point, huh?" He said jokingly as he became more aware of his surroundings and looked at her. It was then Spike began to notice a big difference in Twilight Sparkle from how she had left yesterday morning. "Twilight, why do you have bandages on your neck? Are you hurt? What happened!?"

"Calm down Spike, I'm okay, honest." Twilight said trying to reassure him but the look in his eyes showed that he wasn't any less concerned about her. Despite his panic it made her feel good to have that kind of concern coming from him. "It's not as bad as it looks."

"Okay but what happened? Are you hurt anywhere else?" Twilight couldn't help herself and gave Spike a great big hug. It managed to stop him from panicking and asking so many questions, the boy hugging her back in return.

"Better?" She asked cheerfully.

"Yeah, but I'm still worried." He said and they gave each other an extra squeeze before letting go.

"Okay then, I'll tell you all about it. I had a big breakfast so I'm not hungry but want me to make you some lunch and tea?" To answer her question Spike walked to the table and pulled out a chair. Then he directed the young scholar over to it by the hand and made her sit.

"Uh uh, I'll make the tea and I'll get myself a snack. You rest right here, okay?" Spike said and proceeded directly to the kitchen. Twilight did as she was told but shook her head with a smile.

"Really Spike I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me."

"Okay, then you can sit there and humor me while I worry about you." So she did, even if it was just for his sake that she took it easy. But somehow in her heart it made her feel better too.