Rarity

“Oh my, whatever am I going to do?” The fashionista paced around her room, magicking dresses around herself franticly. “He’ll be here soon, and I still don’t know what to wear.” Should I even be wearing anything? Rarity asked herself. She bit her lip as she held a fleece dress up to herself. Of course I have to wear something. It would be rude not to.

Rarity levitated another dress over to her, hanging the other one back into her wardrobe with her magic. She couldn’t remember the last time she was this frustrated and frazzled about what she wore. It was truly absurd to her. Her dream had been at fault for making her nervous about this whole ordeal.

The alabaster unicorn had woken up from her dreams early, even before the sun was rising. Rarity now sat on her haunches, in front of her closet, trying to think of what to be wearing when Spike came for a visit. It had started out as her usual unbidden nightmares did. The fashionista had fled from Ponyville, and into the Everfree Forest, finding shelter from the fires in a dark, dank cave. Rarity was crying softly into her hooves when she heard the all too familiar rumbling of the earth, the horrible sound of sniffing and growling, seeming to come from just atop her head.

The beast had followed her. It let out a terrible roar that caused some stalactites to fall from the ceiling of her cave and crumble on the floor. Rarity shivered and curled up tight at the very back of the cavern, fearing what the creature would do once it captured her. A racking sob erupted from the unicorn and tears began to run down her cheeks. However, in that moment, she had felt a claw rest on her shoulder.

Rarity had recoiled instantly, gasping, her sapphire-coloured eyes shooting open at the contact.

The seamstress gazed at a piece of cotton fabric absentmindedly as she recalled the dream. Her vision had caught her off guard. She had assumed that the beast had finally seized her, grabbing her in its ferocious claws. It was over. It was Spike who had placed a claw on her shoulder. Rarity had glanced down and seen the dragon, who was wearing that tuxedo and bowtie she had made for him years ago.

She awoke shortly after. Rarity had been sweating from the previous vision, sitting forward in her bed, but the change in the outcome was far better than it had been before. The unicorn still felt dazed and confused, her hair soaked and matted. It had taken her a few moments to recall where she was, so enraptured in her dream sequence. It felt so real, she thought, placing the dress back on its hanger in her wardrobe. It was like I was…back four years ago, with little Spikey-Wikey smiling up at me.

She smiled gently, and magicked the closet door closed. Rarity made her way over to her mirror, her mane and tail already perfectly curled for when Spike arrived. Birds chirped outside her opened window, looking for worms or fruits or, singing sweet serenades for their mates. The sun was rising above the tops of the trees, Rarity noticed. Light radiated into her room, catching a facet of Rarity’s favourite gemstone, still resting in the gold necklace on top of her dresser.

It made her smile as she picked the precious jewel up in her magic. ‘This beautiful gem was meant to be with you’. Rarity’s eyes watered, gazing at the lovely gift. She brought a hoof up to her eyes and wiped the tears away. “Oh, Spike, you’re too generous to me.” The seamstress stared at herself in the antique mirror once more, and fastened the jewel around her neck. “This will be enough for now. A dress would simply be too much like a date anyway. I’m still not sure…but…if last night was any indication of how things might change; I will give it a chance.”

Feeling confident in her choice, Rarity magicked all of her dresses and necklaces back into their rightful places and proceeded down the stairs. Sweetie Belle had since awoken and was already on the first floor. Rarity saw her open the front door when her little sister glanced back at her.

Sweetie Belle waved politely as the violet-maned unicorn descended. “Oh, hi, Rarity. I’m just about to leave for another cooking lesson with the Cakes. We’re making aubergine parmigiana this time.”

Rarity sighed in remembrance at the name. An all too familiar dish, truly lovely as I recall. At the Red Garden restaurant in downtown Ponyville, Rarity had had a wonderful rendition of the meal served to her. Delectable to a fault. If only my date that day had turned out to be as wonderful. Rarity growled inwardly at the memory of yet another awful courtship. “Sounds heavenly, dear. I can’t wait to try it myself.”

Sweetie Belle smiled in thanks. “Cool necklace, Rarity. Is that what you’re wearing for when Spike gets here?” Her smile became a smirk suddenly, eyes growing lidded. Rarity had told her about how the dragon was catching up with her and her friends and must have been interested in this little get together the most.

Rarity had the decency to blush. She was standing in front of the cooking prodigy as she touched a hoof to the fire-ruby necklace. “Why yes, Sweetie Belle. I haven’t worn it in many years. It was a gift from Spike to me, so I thought I would wear it for his little visit.” The fashionista took a deep, calming breath, and exhaled, relaxing herself into the conversation.

“It looks great, Rarity,” Sweetie Belle intoned. “I’m sure he’ll like it.”

“Oh, you,” said Rarity, bringing her sister in for a tender hug. “Now run along. You shouldn’t keep your teachers waiting now.”

“Bye Rarity!” Sweetie Belle magicked the door open and waved back at her older sister, before closing it behind her. She’ll be quite the cook someday, thought Rarity. She began to hum a little tune as she made her way into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The white unicorn found a bowl of oat bran and peach slices waiting for her, still nice and hot from the pot. There was peach juice in the bowl as well, to add to the taste and cool the breakfast down to an appropriate temperature. Who’s looking after who now? she wondered briefly. Rarity took the bowl in her magic and brought it over to the table. She then opened up the fridge and poured herself a glass of mango juice.

“I still have some time before he arrives. This should tide me over until lunch,” she said to herself. Rarity tried to imagine what Spike had planned out for them today. She levitated a spoon up, filled with her breakfast, to take the first bite. The seamstress moaned her approval. As she ate and thought, Rarity only caught glimpses of the ambassador’s expression from the day prior. When she had spoken to him in the streets of Ponyville, he had dodged the question about their plans for today, and that only built up the anxiety that she was feeling now.

She let out a besetting moan of frustration and panic. “What is wrong with me?” she asked herself. “I’ve never had this much doubt when with any stallions. This…this isn’t even a date.” He’s not a stallion. Rarity sighed, and scooped another spoonful of oats out of the bowl.

She hadn’t gone out on many dates since Spike left. Not many ended well for her anyway. Most of the stallions that asked Rarity out only wanted a chance to sleep with her, and the others only wanted to know her because she was so popular with the high class Canterlot ponies. It annoyed her. And on the rare occasion that she had been close to ending up in bed with a stallion, she felt guilty about what she had said to the purple dragon. About waiting. It has been a while. Eventually, she stopped dating altogether. He’s going to ask me again today…and I…I don’t know what my answer is. She brought her hoof up to rest on the red gemstone. “If he asks me…what do I say to him?”

Rarity ate the rest of her meal in silence. When she was finished, she cleaned the dish and spoon, and went to sit on the family room couch at the back of her home. It was up against the wall, facing the kitchen; a luxurious red couch, with varnished oak wood legs and a strand of purple along the rim of the back board. Opalescence was already splayed across the right end of it, bathing in the sunlight streaming in from the back, so Rarity took the left side. She gazed out to her yard through her glass door, stroking her cat’s fur gently. Opalescence purred in response, eliciting a small smile from the mare.

“I suppose…now…all I can do is wait,” said the fashionista. Her cat looked up into her eyes and meowed, making her owner chuckle. “Look at me Opal. I’m not sure whether to be proud of myself for my control, or ashamed for just wanting to have a male in my house again.”

Hours passed by in her shop, Rarity just scratching her cat behind the ear, and having a little nap to calm her nerves. Her pleasant slumber did not last very long. In her dream, Rarity had made her way from Ponyville and into the Everfree Forest, thinking that she would be able to wait out the creature that seemed to be mercilessly hunting her.

She envisioned the twenty foot monster digging its claw into the small cave she had hidden herself in. It growled and grunted as it dug deeper. The cavern was beginning to feel like a furnace, the beast’s breath causing Rarity to sweat and pant profusely. It didn’t take long for its claws to reach her, but from her horn Rarity shot a concentrated burst of magic at the beast’s wrist. It recoiled out of the cavern for a moment. The ground began to shake again, causing Rarity to lose her balance and fall.

The creature roared in agony and anger. She covered her ears as the tumultuous sound continued, reverberating off of the cave walls. Rarity felt the ground rumble as the beast lowered its arm into her hiding place once more. This time though, it sounded more like knocking. A tapping on the rock face.

The violet-maned pony sat up on her couch and rubbed her eyes. Rarity was still breathing heavily. She was shaken, but Rarity took a deep breath and called out, in as sweet and sing-songy a voice as she could manage, “Come in!” She heard the bell over her front door ring and the door shut softly a few seconds after. “I’m in the family room, Spike.” When Rarity opened her eyes and looked to the left of her, she spotted Spike walking into the kitchen. Fundamentally, the house had the same design it had since he was here, the rooms only being larger in size to accommodate for her expanding business, so she didn’t think that the dragon would have any trouble finding his way around.

She felt a sensation, seeing Spike as he walked toward her. A heat developed between her legs abruptly, warmth that Rarity vehemently tried to ignore. Control yourself, Rarity; this is not one of your stallion friends. It is Spike. She shifted in her seat to ease the heat she felt in her haunches.

“Hi Rarity-” Spike began, but he halted a few feet before the side of the couch Rarity was using. He stared at her silently, slowly setting down the clawed hand he’d used to wave to her with moments ago. She glanced down at the necklace and felt her heart beat quicken underneath it.

“Oh, this?” She smiled, standing up to show him the jewel properly. “I haven’t worn it in a few years. I thought it would be nice for our day together. Do you like it?”

“I, uh…yeah. It…it looks great on you,” said Spike, a goofy, somewhat uncomfortable looking grin plastering itself on his face. She blushed at the compliment and stepped down from the couch.

“Why thank you, darling. You look quite handsome yourself.” Easy, Rarity. Be careful what you say around him. “Well, shall we have something for lunch?”

Spike cleared his throat. “Sure. I can cook something for us.”

“Oh no, Spike, you don’t need to. You’re my guest.”

“I don’t mind, really, Rarity,” said Spike, his pleading emerald eyes staring at her. “I have a meal planned out for us. It won’t take long.”

Spikey-Wikey…cooking something for me? She breathed in deeply, willing her heartbeat to slow down. Rarity recalled that none of those stallions she dated ever offered to cook anything for her. Rarity smiled at the dragon ambassador. “Oh, alright. It is unladylike to deny an offer so sweet. Go ahead, Spike.”

He grinned again, showing off those teeth. Within a few moments, Spike seemed to see that he was simply staring at Rarity. Spike’s cheeks flushed deeper as he turned to start with the meal.

Rarity chuckled quietly, basking in the attention that Spike was giving her. But when she caught a glimpse of those teeth, she felt uncomfortable. Just remember, it’s little Spikey-Wikey. He wouldn’t hurt me, he adores me. She smiled at that thought, and turned back to her couch. Opalescence must have moved on sometime after Rarity fell asleep, giving her more room to stretch out on the cushions.

She still felt anxious, the heat rising between her legs. In fact it only became worse as she lay on the couch, unmoving. The fashionista stepped off of her furniture once more and walked over to the counter, where Spike was preparing their meal. The movement of her hips seemed to quell the discomfort Rarity was feeling, allowing her to breathe. I have two chefs who care deeply for me. What more can a mare ask for? Rarity took in a deep breath to smell the delectable scent of lunch in the air. For this heat to go away. For this not to be happening right now.

“So Spike,” said Rarity, clearing her throat calmly, “how did your day go yesterday?”

“Oh, it was alright. I had a great time with Fluttershy, and Applejack and Rainbow Dash were fun to catch up with too.” He seemed tense as he answered, but Rarity did not think that it was because of her standing there. Spike was holding back something that had happened that day.

She found it difficult to not inquiry further into his nervous reply. “Wonderful, darling. I’m happy it all turned out well.” Perhaps later I will ask him, she thought coolly.

“Yeah, uh…Rarity?” he asked, bringing a pan out of one of her cupboards and placing it on the stovetop. He filled the pan with water and shot a small green flame underneath it, boiling it almost instantly.

“Yes dear?” she said. Her legs felt wobbly suddenly, remembering being surrounded by that same green flame in her dreams. Rarity sat down and placed one of her fore hooves over the other, to stop her shaking. Though through her fear, the seamstress was also a little intrigued by his breath of fire being used to prepare a meal.

Spike slowly turned around, grinning brightly at the seated mare. “What did you do yesterday? Did you collect a ton of jewels for your dresses?”

Rarity chuckled and covered her mouth with a fore hoof, settling in to a familiar topic that they shared an interest in. “Well, not a ton. That wouldn’t be good for my back.” She hesitated, remembering what happened with her gem collecting when she wasn’t careful. The unicorn smiled through her shame. “But yes, I did manage to find a large amount of gemstones that should carry me through this week.”

“That’s great,” he replied, slicing the ingredients with his claws and dropping them into the pan of boiling water. Again, Rarity just watched as he worked. She was still fearful of those talons, but seeing them used in such a fashion was pretty innovative. The two friends stayed quiet for a few moments, allowing Rarity to relax.

She began to pace quietly, back and forth across the kitchen. Rarity kept an eye on Spike’s back, in case he looked over and caught her wandering. Rarity wondered where those wings of his had taken him throughout the years. She found herself missing him even more than when he was actually gone. Does that mean I missed Spike as merely a friend, or that I simply missed him? After a while, she settled her nerves and took her previous seat on the floor just behind the counter.

“Um…so, do you mind if I ask you something, Rarity?” asked Spike, still keeping his back to her.

“Not at all. Go ahead.”

The dragon turned and tapped on the counter with his claws nervously. “W-well…you see- I…okay, I have to know. Which Power Ponies comic do you like the most?”

Spike’s trepidation seemed to dissipate within seconds, appearing more like the little dragon Rarity remembered from four years ago. The violet-maned pony laughed. “Oh, that? Well, there are quite a few good ones. I would say the first battle between Radiance and the Red Wizard.”

“Really?” He leaned over the counter, all ears open to Rarity. It was terribly amusing.

“Why yes. She is my favourite character after all, and until that point in the comics she did not receive proper development as a super hero. That five-part miniseries really brought her up to the front. Truly some excellent writing went into that plotline. I just love how she has the power to form anything from her imagination into a solid object; prisons or a hammer, an iron anvil, scissors, whatever she needs to defeat the many evildoers of Maretropolis.”

Come to think of it, Rarity didn’t quite know why she remembered all of that. It was interesting to read about, but just being trapped in one of the comic books years ago couldn’t have been enough to have her agree to read it, let alone continue and recall it. Rarity lowered her head and raised an eyebrow. Maybe because Spike really enjoys them? Is that why I tried reading it in the first place?

“I can’t believe I’m hearing you talk about this.” Spike placed a claw on his head, turning back to the stove to continue his meal preparation.

Rarity couldn’t help but find his fascination with her opinion on comics to be hilarious. “I know. It was rather silly to me at the beginning to read something like that. I usually read romance or mystery novels, but I must admit a strong female lead is a good change from my usual genres.”

“Yeah, she is pretty great. Though I rather like the Masked Matter-horn.”

She was a little disappointed to hear that, though she didn’t understand why. The Masked Matter-horn was the leader of the group, and a powerful spell-caster, so Rarity supposed she would be more popular among fans. “How do you feel about Humdrum after our little adventure into that comic book?” Four years prior, Rarity and her six friends had found themselves inside one of the Power Ponies’ comic books. Spike had unknowingly cast them within the story as the colourful team of super powered equines.

“Well, I guess he’s not so bad. He’s helpful when they really need him.”

“Hm. I think he’s cute,” Rarity stated plainly. The dragon spun around, a somewhat unbelieving expression on his face.

“You do?”

“Yes. Just like I thought you were four years ago. But you were cuter with Humdrum’s costume on than he is. Of course, you still have your moments.” Rarity giggled at Spike’s silent reaction. His jaw hung open slightly, as if he were looking for something to say. “Like right now.” Although on the outside, she most likely seemed calm and was just teasing Spike, in her mind, Rarity was panicking. Why do I keep saying such things? How would this even work between us? And those claws. Those long, sharp, terrifying claws.

“Rarity?”

The seamstress jumped a little as she sat by the kitchen, and turned to look at her guest. He was startled by her reaction, showing clearly on his face. He had moved while she was thinking, Spike now holding one bowl in a claw and the other balanced deftly on one of his wings. Rarity managed a timid smile. “Sorry Spike. I…I see you have the meal prepared. Well then, shall we?”

He nodded wordlessly, appearing nervous again. Spike turned on his heels and carried the two bowls over to the dining room table. Rarity squirmed in her seat, feeling uneasy. Now stop it, Rarity. It’s only a pleasant meal with a dear friend of mine. She stood up from her seat behind the counter and made her way over to the table. Spike pulled a chair out for her, and took his own place on the floor opposite her once she was comfy. Still the gentledrake I remember. “So what do we have here, Spike?”

“It’s one of the best pasta salads I’ve ever had. Not sure of the name though. The head chefs in Canterlot taught it to me, while I wasn’t off on assignment. I’m glad that you had all of the ingredients necessary, it wouldn’t be the same if anything was missing.”

The best chefs in the land teaching Spike this recipe? Rarity stirred the pasta in her bowl with her magicked spoon, smelling the fragrant aroma emanating from the meal. Chopped tomatoes, olives, chives, cucumbers and basil were mixed in, cooked to perfection, with a creamy stock in the center. Crushed garlic cloves, vinegar and olive oil added to the seasoning of the delightful looking dish. Semi-melted butter floated in the stock as the fashionista took some pasta in her spoon and dipped it into the small amount of liquid.

She brought it up to her nose and breathed in gently. “Lovely,” Rarity said, blowing on it before taking the first taste of the meal. “Oh my goodness. This is heavenly. I have had a meal such as this at a high-class restaurant before, but…it simply does not compare to this.”

Spike smiled bashfully. “I was hoping that you would be the first to taste it. I learned it so I could make it for you.” He scratched the back of his neck, his whole face crimson. “Nopony else has had any, well…except for when I taste tested it. Do you really like it?”

She gaped. For me? He made this for me? Rarity smiled tenderly at the dragon seated before her. Of course he did, you silly girl. “Like it? It’s magnificent!” After a moment, Spike responded to her with a heartwarming grin, utterly goofy and incredibly innocent. She loved it. It made the seamstress’ day, to be the pony to give him that smile.

“I’m so glad you like it, Rarity.” Spike’s wings shuffled around on his back. They were quite large, now that Rarity could have a moment to appraise them. It reminded her of a long purple cape; leathery and thick, they carried on from above his shoulders and down over half his tail’s length, roughly six feet-long folded up. He draped them over his sides and let them hang down to touch the floor of her boutique.

Realising that she had been staring, Rarity coughed into her hoof and dipped her head to look at the bowl in front of her. The violet-maned unicorn sat in silence for a while, continuing to eat the lunch Spike had prepared. She glanced up occasionally, to smile sweetly at the dragon. He was gazing back at her at one point, and turned away when she noticed.

Rarity became flushed, blood rushing to her cheeks. His insecurity around me never drew out this feeling before. I-I’m simply unaccustomed to having a male in my home. Or a dragon with a tail like a trident. She bit down on her lip and shifted in her seat again. “So, Spike…what do you have planned for us today, if I may ask? Surely you have some idea as to what we might catch up on?” She stared at Spike optimistically; equally hopeful that he did not notice her nerves and her stress overcoming her as she spoke.

“Actually, Rarity. I didn’t really plan much else out for us today, other than the lunch. I kind of had another reason for wanting to see you.”

“Yes?” She blinked a few times, surprised at his sudden change in posture. He sat upright now, almost stiff in his pose; it made her all the more fearful of the coming topic. Is he going to ask me on an actual date now? Her eyes struggled to stay focused on the dragon before her, willing herself to give Spike the utmost courtesy she could. It was difficult with her marehood going unsatisfied.

“It’s difficult to say, I know I did this before, but this time I think I’m old enough.”

He…he is. What am I going to say? Rarity’s eyes deflected from him in that moment, ashamed that she hadn’t come to a firm conclusion about her feelings. This…this isn’t love…it’s just…lust, yearning.

“I’ve been looking for my dragon roots again. I know what happened last time, but I thought…maybe now that I’m older I’d be able to manage.”

What? Rarity looked back up in shock at the dragon, finding him stern in expression. Not a smile, not a frown, just waiting for a response. She simply gawked at him; perhaps for a full minute before finding her voice once more. “Why, Spike, I…I’m surprised. I thought you said you wouldn’t look again after your encounter with those ruffians.” She huffed indignantly as the vision of those bully teenage dragons returned to her, the fear of answering that troubling question dissipating for now.

He was struggling to stay tall, she could see, but Spike still managed to look Rarity in the eyes when he replied to her concerns. “I know…just…call it instinct…I have to know who my family is.” The purple dragon recoiled, seeming to have been struck. He placed a clawed hand to his chest. “…I mean, I know Twilight raised me and took care of me, and you guys did too. I just have to try and find them.”

“Well, I’m flattered that you would come to me and me alone,” Rarity said, and she really meant it. How can he still seek my help after…? Her face became flushed, realising how much trust and affection he still had toward her. “But why would you wish for me to know this?”

“Well, I…I couldn’t tell Twilight. But I just wanted to let you know what I was doing…before I left.”

Rarity was speechless. She hadn’t expected this. She was expecting him to ask her whether she liked him or not, but this. I’m still unsure of what I would say if he did ask me. He’s changed so much. The seamstress frowned. If he thinks I will stay behind and be the one who tells our friends what is going on… She swallowed hard. I refuse to be left behind again. “I cannot be your pillar of strength, Spike. I cannot stay here and suffer with these thoughts again.”

Spike flinched at what the unicorn thought was realisation. Realisation of what he was doing to her a second time. He had thought practically every bit of this through, she had no doubt, but not this. She breathed in gently and exhaled, staying calm.

“Rarity…I…I didn’t think…” He turned his head, clenching his teeth tightly. Rarity’s breath caught. He’s taking this out on himself. She stared at the floor of her shop and closed her eyes. Claws, fangs, tail…is it worth it? Rarity’s eyes shot open. She stepped out of her seat at the table and over to the dragon, her friend still tensed in anger toward himself.

“I want to join you.”

Spike turned to the unicorn, his large, leathery wings flexed slightly by his sides. “What? W-why?”

Rarity stifled a chuckle. “Somepony has to make sure you don’t do something silly.” She patted him on the arm. “You came to me and me alone. Do you think I would let you go by yourself? Not this time, Spike. It’s too dangerous.”

“But-but what about traveling? You don’t have wings.”

“Details. I’m sure we will be able to work something out. If you plan to leave very soon, telling me on our day together no less, it falls to me to look out for you. Of course, I could always ask for Twilight’s opinion on this matter.” She turned to the side and raised an eyebrow at the eight foot-long dragon.

“Please Rarity, don’t tell her.” Spike begged, leaning down to be more level with her. His emerald eyes matched with her sapphire ones. “O-of course, I mean…I thought about it, asking Twilight. But I don’t want her thinking I was still searching after all that happened. I don’t know if she’d let me leave if she knew what I was doing.”

Rarity stifled a chuckle. But Spike, she thought, you are an adult. I do not think she would be able to stop you, even if she wanted to. She kept that answer to herself though. “But Spike, this is Twilight we are speaking of.”

“Please, Rarity. Please don’t tell Twilight.”

Staring up at the foreign ambassador, Rarity saw the worry in those huge eyes of his as he pleaded with her. They reminded her of Sweetie Belle’s gaze whenever she wanted something or had done something wrong.

Rarity was always a sucker for those eyes. She sighed in defeat. “Alright, Spike. I promise I won’t say a word. I suppose that settles the disagreement we had about me joining you on your journey, yes?” Rarity waited, but found no further argument in Spike’s eyes or on his lips. “So if we are going to go, we must come up with a convincing reason for us to be leaving. We don’t want the girls to be suspicious, do we?”

Spike’s eyes lit up as Rarity smiled at him broadly. His own fang-toothed smile showed itself and glimmered in the light of the sun’s rays. Pearly white…teeth. “You mean…?”

Rarity laughed and placed a hoof on her chest, not just for emphasis, but to slow her rapidly beating heart. “But of course. If you won’t allow me to tell somepony, especially Twilight, about such an adventure, then I must be the pony to keep you out of trouble, and to do that, we need a reliable story for the both of us to be leaving.”

The purple dragon looked stunned, astonished, to hear her agree. He just sat there in the boutique with a wide grin on his face. Seeing Spike in such an elated mood, all due to her simple understanding and agreement, she felt warmth spreading outward in a way not wholly unpleasant to the unicorn.

“Spike,” Rarity spoke, reaching out and tapping Spike lightly on the arm to snap him out of his trance. “Don’t be staring off into space…or other things.” At that she winked, causing Spike’s cheeks to redden in the cutest way that she could imagine. “We still have the matter of an excuse to come up with.”

“Uh, right, sorry,” he said.

“Now then, come along, Spike.” She turned and made her way to the front of the house, walking a little more quickly than she would have liked. “We should discuss this upstairs.” Can I not keep myself from saying these things? He’s a dragon for pony’s sake.

“Why can’t we talk down here?”

Rarity looked back at Spike, hearing the anxiety in his voice as he spoke. She stood at the base of the staircase, hoof raised to the second step. “We may need to write some things down. I have papers up in my work room, but we may as well remain up there, don’t you think?”

“…I can’t.”

“Why ever not?” She tilted her head, wondering what could be the problem. Rarity turned to face him. Spike looked like he had the night of the party, before they had talked, head dipped in silence. He averted his gaze from Rarity.

“I won’t fit…” he replied sullenly. “I won’t fit through the doorway. I have had to stay out of Twilight’s room and the twin’s room at Sugarcube Corner too.”

“Spike, don’t be silly,” Rarity said with a reassuring smile as she ascended to the upper floor. “Of course you’ll fit.”

“I don’t think-”

“Spike…trust me.” Standing at the top of the steps, Rarity held a hoof out. He stared at her, eyebrows raised in worry. Spike took a hesitant step forward, and then half the way up the stairs. Rarity noticed his expression change from anxiety to slight confusion. He glanced down at his arms and then back up at her, looking bewildered.

At the door to her workroom, she motioned for Spike to follow once more. Rarity gave him as bright a smile as she could manage. That seemed to usher him on, as he made his way up the rest of the lavender furnished stairs, before the dragon ambassador stopped at the doorway. Rarity sat and waited patiently for him to join her. Spike closed his eyes and winced as he walked forward, but nothing hit him, not even a brush or swipe of his scales. He opened his eyes once he was through, looking straight at Rarity.

He turned his head back to the room’s entrance. “How? I-I thought…”

Rarity kept that smile directed at him. “You must have convinced yourself in Canterlot that you were too big to fit through these doors.”

“I was so sure. Canterlot has larger door frames than Ponyville, but…at Pinkie’s party. That door was wider too.”

Rarity lightly shook her head. “That door is the same size as all the rest. You must have been distracted by something.”

Spike shrunk back, as if remembering something from a few days ago. “…yeah. Something.”

Rarity tilted her head, but chose not to question him on what he must be thinking of. “It isn’t unheard of to make that mistake, especially after making such a transformation as you have done.” The seamstress walked over and lifted Spike’s chin up. “You’re not as big as you thought you were, it seems. You are about the same width as I, maybe a tad more with the added muscle you have. You aren’t so big as to not be able to help me with sewing anymore either.”

He smiled warmly, simply. “Thank you, Rarity.”

“Not at all. It was my pleasure.” She turned away from him, feeling good to have helped such a noble and caring creature to overcome his own anxieties. Her horn lit up as she magicked a quill, ink and some parchment over to her from her desk. Rarity sat down near the center of the room, with Spike sitting near her comfortably. “Now, what could be a valid excuse for the two of us to be leaving?”

Spike scratched at the scales on his head and scrunched his face up in concentration. Rarity smiled at her friend’s thoughtful pose, looking much the same as he did years ago. She was twirling the quill in her magic as an idea came to mind suddenly. She jumped up in triumph.

“Aha! I have it!” The quill began to scroll along the parchment, jotting down notes that the fashionista had come up with. The more she wrote, the more ideas began to flow in Rarity’s mind.

“Really? Awesome! What is it?” asked Spike.

“You were telling me about one of your many travels to far off lands…and we started on a topic of rare materials for dresses and accessories. Now, one such fabric, which I have been searching for forever, is at the marketplace of the Griffin Kingdom. That’s my side of the story, now for you, it has been known for quite some time that those areas surrounding the kingdom have been full of untapped gems. I am sure you should want a few of those delightful jewels for your collection, hmm?”

Spike stared wide-eyed at the white unicorn, either awestruck by her imaginative tale or some other reason Rarity was simply trying not to entertain. His eyes are such a delightful shade of green, like huge shimmering emeralds. She blinked and focused back on the task at hoof. “Well, Spike? What do you think?”

He shook his head, snapping out of the daze he was in. “Wow! That’s amazing! Did you just come up with that now?”

Rarity waved a dismissive hoof. “Oh, you flatterer; I did indeed come up with that excuse now. However, I have actually known for quite a long time that the Griffin Kingdom has several rare items I should like to possess. As for the gem collecting, they do not have the magic to locate such things and I am sure you would like them for your…hoard…was it? I still recall that barbaric ‘King of the Hoard’ game you played with those dragons.”

“That’s true,” Spike said, placing his claws to his chin. “I have been working on that actually, though it’s back in Canterlot at the moment. I like the excuse though. Easy to remember and it makes sense for the both of us to want to go.”

“Well, just in case one of us does forget, I have it written down. I suppose now is as good a time as any to let our friends know.” Hearing herself utter those words, her expression drooped a little. I will likely be away for quite some time.

“You don’t have to do this,” said Spike, sitting beside her. “I can go by myself and-”

“Spike. I’m coming with you.” He swallowed, and Rarity smirked at him. “Now, if we are to be fastest at telling each of our friends what we are planning, we must divide up the work. If you were to tell Fluttershy and Applejack, then I can tell Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. After that, we can tell Twilight together.” She could see the apprehension on his face over being tasked with explaining the situation to Twilight, but Rarity saying that she would be there seemed to calm him down enough.

“I’ve been planning for this day for a long time, and I knew it would be difficult to explain…but I still need to do it. I don’t know how long we’ll be away, but I’m glad I’m not going alone this time.” Rarity smiled sweetly at the dragon as he locked eyes with her. She placed the parchment, quill and ink back on her counter, making her way out of her work room and down the staircase. The fashionista enveloped the front door in her magic and swung the door ajar, staring back at Spike.

“Shall we?”

Author's Notes:

Alright, so here is where we arrive at the adventure part of the story. The ten chapters before this were to set up the rest of the tale and to set up the characters as well.

This one has some sexual content in it too; so therefore, from this point on the story will be rated 'Mature' to be safe. Nothing happens after, but better safe than expelled from Fimfiction for not being safe.

I know what you were probably hoping for and that was for Spike to tell Rarity how he felt, but not just yet. There's more to this story than just that, of course it is a focus. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, because it adds another layer to the story, one that I think should be touched on more.

I understand that he didn't want to be with dragons anymore when he was younger after what those teenage dragons did, but now that he's older I feel like he would want to know what happened to his family. He'd at least like answers as to why he was left somewhere.

I think that is all I will post for now. I have a huge headache from all of this editing and posting, so I will leave it here and post more later. Still eager to post to chapter 16 though. Ta ta! ^^