Rarity

The seven friends departed from the train station and walked along the fastest path back to the Golden Oaks library. Rarity’s hat was doing well to stave off the heat of the summer sun overhead. One of my better ideas on a day such as this. And leaving that stuffy work room is turning out to be quite refreshing. It was a lovely day, one she was happy to be out and about on, especially if it meant being able to catch up with one of her dear friends.

The Town Square was teaming with life this afternoon. Clover was out of her house tending to her garden near Quills and Sofas. To the right of the fountain just before Town Hall another pony was juggling while a band sat around him, playing polka music to accompany his talents. Ponies talked and strolled about, some Rarity spied entering the Town Hall on business. She passed by the occasional stall or kiosk or stand while a pleasant breeze wafted through the alleyways and over the tops of the buildings. The scent of flowers from Colourful Carnations, the town’s flower shop, drifted along by such a rush of air, giving Rarity cause to sigh in contentment at the perfect afternoon atmosphere.

She noticed how, on their leisurely walk to the library, ponies stopped and stared at Spike. Eyes widened and hooves shook slightly at the sight of him. It had been four years since he was here and some ponies new to Ponyville, and even those that had called this place home for years, looked mortified to see the dragon. Rarity tried to put herself in his position, and felt her eyes grow lidded in sorrow and slight anger toward those ponies. She stole glances at Spike, as if doing so would relieve some pain he undoubtedly felt for being treated this way. He can’t hear your thoughts, darling. She wondered how much of this he had endured, and would still need to throughout his life. However, the dragon’s expression showed no such signs of noticing these gawking ponies, something Rarity took some relief in. Yet having grown up in Canterlot with so many ponies, he may just be good at disguising his grief.

To those that recognised him, either by his colours or just by seeing him with her and her friends, Spike waved back politely. Rarity grinned in the hope that at least some ponies looked at him the way she and her friends did. The way she wanted to. Oh, Spike.

Eventually, they arrived at their destination as Twilight magicked the door open to let them into the library. Rarity noticed Spike taking a few moments to gaze at the exterior of his old home. Seeing him with a nostalgic look on his face, the fashionista stopped as well and looked up at the organic abode.

A red door with a candle on it welcomed whoever came by for a visit; off to the left side in the dirt was placed a wooden sign to let ponies know that this was the Golden Oaks library. On the second and third levels, several balconies and windows appeared, splitting off from the original structure of the home on horizontal branches. At the very top of the tree another balcony stood above the canopy, a telescope positioned on the railing for star gazing. The house’s exterior gave off a serene sort of air that Rarity thought any respectable library should have. She was always glad that Twilight managed to keep the state of her home in such a settled, calm mood. As Rarity watched the leaves began to rustle in a silent whistle, caught in a delicate breeze from the west.

Rarity suspected that Spike now recalled all of the memories he had here, while he wore a soft smile. After a few moments of warm silence, the two made their way into the building, the dragon gesturing kindly for Rarity to enter first. All seven sat in Twilight’s dining room, just barely fitting, with Spike needing to hang his tail out into the kitchen to allow for more needed space. Rarity had hung her hat on the stand by the front door and sat across from the purple dragon, at the window where the sun was shining through.

“So, is there anypony who would like to catch up with Spike first?” the lavender alicorn asked.

“I would,” said Rainbow, flying up above them as she placed a hoof on her chest. “I want to see how strong and fast he’s become.” She made several poses in mid-air to show what kind of tests she was thinking of. Spike chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his neck, Rarity smiled at how cute he was being. I see he is still unaccustomed to being complimented on his new form.

“Same here, ah reckon.” Applejack added. “Maybe we should have our catching up times on the same day, just so he doesn’t need ta spend each of his days with just one of us. Ah’m sure you’d rather be hanging out with all six of us huh, Spike?”

“Yeah, but that sounds fine. It doesn’t sound like either of you will take up an entire day catching up anyway. I’m sure we can make it work, if you guys are okay with it.”

“Yeah, it’s cool. That way I have somepony to see me wipe the floor with you.” Rainbow snickered as she sank back to sit in the circle of her friends again.

“Oooh oooh!” Pinkie said, holding a hoof in the air as she bounced in her seat. Rarity always managed to find her behaviour amusing, though she was careful not to show that too often. “We have to have a party first; that way we can have Spike’s ‘Welcome back to Ponyville’ party and my catch up time with him all in one day too!”

“What do you think, Spike?” asked Twilight. “You up for all that? We can have your party with Pinkie Pie first and then Applejack and Rainbow Dash the next day.”

“Oh, a-and if you like, we can also catch up with each other on the second day…if that’s okay with you,” squeaked Fluttershy. “I’m sure my ideas won’t take very long. We could probably just have tea or something and talk; maybe after all the flying around and exercising?”

Rarity looked to Spike as he thought about it, but soon he nodded his head. “It sounds good to me. What about you, Twilight…and Rarity?” He glanced over to the white unicorn and the two locked eyes. Rarity flushed slightly, coming up blank with what to say. She hadn’t thought of what the two of them could do together, or when.

She was too busy thinking of all the things Spike must have seen on his travels. He must have gone to places ponies can only dream of going. Places I can only dream of going. An idea struck, and Rarity decided to go with it. “It is alright, Spike. We can do something after; how about a simple lunch at the boutique?” Not one of her more imaginative offers, but for now it would have to do. They could add to it in the moment, she was sure.

Spike’s eyes went wide and his posture became uncomfortable. He shuffled into a new position, his cheeks rosy. “Lunch…at your house?”

“Why, yes,” Rarity said, her eyes lidded. She gave him a sultry glance. “It will be like a…date. Of course, I will have to acquire some gems to prepare for you; only the best for my little Spikey-Wikey.”

The dragon’s mouth hung open, his face frozen in a permanent stare directed at Rarity. Spike’s whole face was crimson. He was sweating slightly under her lidded gaze, unable to look away. Pony or dragon, my charms are still irresistible.

“Easy Rarity, you’re gonna make Spike explode from embarrassment,” Rainbow announced, nudging the unicorn with a slight smirk.

Rarity giggled and waved a hoof in dismissal. “Oh, alright. I’m sorry, Spike. I did not mean to embarrass you. I really only meant it as a chance to talk. After all we both must have missed of the other; we will be talking all day.” Spike seemed to have calmed down a bit as he nodded his understanding, though a light blush still played across his cheeks. Perhaps that was a bit much. But he’s so cute when he’s nervous, even when he’s all grown up.

“As for me, you’d be staying here,” said Twilight. “We can catch up in the morning and at night; before you leave to visit everypony else and when you return.”

“Right,” Spike conceded, staring down at his arms. “I suppose I wasn’t thinking about staying overnight.”

“Alrighty then, when and where is this party o’ yours gonna happen, Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked, pushing herself up from her seat. Rarity assumed she was becoming antsy. Never could sit still for long, that one, she thought with a smile. I suppose I have my impatient streaks as well, though.

Pinkie looked flabbergasted at the earth pony and then leaned toward the mare, her face now stern. “Uh, duh, Applejack, the usual time and the usual place: four o’ clock for ‘Welcome’ slash ‘Welcome back’ parties and at Sugarcube Corner, silly.” By the end of her speech, her smile had returned in full force, her disappointed act just that.

“Right.” Applejack droned, rolling her eyes. “How could ah forget?”

Pinkie leaned in further, now inches away from Applejack’s face. From Rarity’s perspective, she could see the surprised look on the farm pony’s face for having Pinkie Pie invading her space so quickly. “I don’t know. I have a party almost every day. Sometimes two if it really comes down to it. I’m not a mind reader, Applejack. Of course if I was, that would be great. I could see what everypony likes to have at a party without even needing to ask them. That would surely save time.” When Pinkie leaned back in her seat with a hoof to her chin, the white unicorn supressed a giggle.

She suspected Pinkie’s thoughts ranged from building a machine that reads ponies’ minds to gaining superpowers through some sort of chemical spill accident. Pinkie Pie had forced Rarity to read one of those comic books of super powered ponies catching criminals once, as part of the deal for teaching Pinkie Pie how to sew. Begrudgingly, and after several failed attempts to rid herself of the pesky pink pony, Rarity gave up trying to stitch one of her client’s dresses and agreed to read it. It wasn’t a bad story all in all if she was to be honest, but the villain, Maneiac, was not her kind of pony. The thought of all of Ponyville’s residents having ghastly looking hairdos is too awful to think about.

“Sounds good to me,” Rainbow Dash said, flying over to the door to let herself out. “Great to see you again, Spike. Can’t wait to race ya.” She pulled the door open and zoomed out in a flash. I suppose she has her impatient moments as well. The seamstress chuckled, staring out the door. The sky was still bright and cloudy, only being about a few hours after noon.

“Ah should git going too. See ya’ll at the party tomorrow, nice ta see ya again, Spike,” Applejack said, following Rainbow out the door.

“Oh yes, and I’m sure it will be a wonderful party. They all are,” said the timid yellow mare.

Twilight nodded along in agreement. “Fluttershy’s right. I don’t know how you do it, but you always outdo yourself somehow.”

“Thanks guys. It’s what I do,” Pinkie said with a gruff voice and a nod of her head before laughing. She began bouncing over to the door. “Come on, Fluttershy. We’ve got some party to plan!”

“Who, m-me…p-p-plan a party?” Fluttershy shuddered nervously, wondering what Pinkie could possibly require her help in, most likely. Six years going to the spa and conversing with the pony, Rarity didn’t need much information to know what she was thinking.

“Well, duh, you’re the only Fluttershy I know…or are you?” Pinkie Pie zoomed in close, her eyes little slivers as she examined the shy pegasus discreetly. However, Pinkie brightened up and smiled after a few moments of silence. “Yep. You’re the only one.” Grabbing Fluttershy’s hoof, she shot out the door with a quick “Bye, Spike! See you at the party!”, while the yellow pegasus only managed a high pitched squeak as she was pulled along. The two were out of sight in a matter of seconds.

Rarity hummed as she stared after them. “They seem to be in quite the rush. Except for Fluttershy, but when with Pinkie Pie I dare say it would be difficult not to be in a hurry as well.”

“We all need to be in a hurry sometime,” Twilight laughed. “And Rainbow Dash never was a slow pony, especially now that she is with the Wonderbolts.”

“I suppose you’re right, Twilight.” Princess Celestia’s aerial acrobatics team. The Wonderbolts were the best fliers in the land, devoted to their death defying routines and their tenacious members. A little less than two years ago, they began to train Rainbow Dash at their flight camp in the airborne city of Cloudsdale, her original home. Now she had her own team in Ponyville, practicing to compete in all kinds of sporting events all across Equestria.

“Do you have somewhere to be, Rarity? Would you like to stay for a while?” Twilight’s horn began to glow as two books were levitated down to rest on the table before them. “We could have some tea and catch up on some reading.”

“I don’t see why not. Twilight and I have been setting aside some time for reading for a while now. Two avid readers make for grand company,” Rarity said, turning to Spike. When she caught sight of his downcast expression though, her words caught in her throat. “On second thought, I think we should leave it until another day, Twilight.”

“N-no no!” Spike shouted, looking up and over at Rarity. “It’s okay, I don’t mind. It’s just…”

“I understand, Spike. You want to spend some time with Twilight; it’s been quite a while since you two have seen each other. I have some business in the market to take care of anyway.” Of course she knew that wasn’t what was upsetting Spike. She had a hunch he knew she was thinking that as well. Rarity, you have gone too far this time. I hope Spike is okay. His head hung low again as he sat across from her.

She stood up from her seat, glancing at the lavender alicorn as she did so. She was worried now too, but Rarity guessed Twilight did not know what was making the dragon gloomy. Rarity cleared her throat gently and said, “I should probably go.” She trotted over to Spike and wrapped a hoof around him again. “I’m sorry, Spike,” she whispered. Rarity felt smooth, polished scales as she brushed her hoof along his back. It made her wonder if that was natural or if he actually maintained them.

The fashionista brought her hoof to the floor and smiled sadly at the purple dragon, before saying her goodbyes to Twilight and heading out the door. “I’ll be there for lunch; at the boutique, that is.” Rarity spun around and saw Spike looking at her. He didn’t have a smile, but at least he wasn’t frowning anymore. She was at least glad of that.

“I’ll be expecting you.” She shut the door with her magic softly.

Finally outside, the white mare allowed herself to sigh. Rarity you silly filly, she berated herself. You should know by now, even four years later, that I should not behave like that with Spike. Even now he still seems to have feelings for me. I should not have expected much less, I suppose. I asked him to wait and he did, something I never would have expected from any stallion I have ever dated. I guess that disproves a simple crush two fold…I just have to figure out if I feel differently about him now.

She didn’t really need to go to the market on business, just being an excuse to give Spike some alone time with his adoptive mother, but as she thought about her feelings toward the dragon, she made her way back toward the square.

Author's Notes:

Good afternoon,

Here is the next chapter of HSDS. This is where things become interesting. I really enjoy writing Rarity chapters. They're definitely my favourite. I haven't drawn the picture yet, but it will be up sometime this week. Luckily this chapter's picture is much more simple than the last one, so it should not take too long.

Any who, I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I do. Ta ta and good day.