"Sweetie Belle? How's it going, darling?" Rarity called out, stepping around the corner to the sight of her little sister sprawled out on the living room floor. Her lime green eyes raced across the pages of her book as she hummed thoughtfully.

"Fine," she murmured in reply, without glancing up to Rarity. "I'm reading a really good book that I just borrowed from Twilight today."

"Oh, is that so?" Rarity lilted, smiling coyly. "Does it perhaps have any bit of romance in it, Sweetie?"

The smaller unicorn made a face, but her cheeks flushed pink. "Maybe," she muttered, bringing her face closer to the book in response.

Rarity chuckled lightly. "No worry. I actually quite enjoyed that particular story when I was a filly; it's a classic."

Sweetie Belle just nodded, already engrossed in her book once again. Rarity smiled softly. "Well, I'm afraid you can't stay any longer, darling. Our parents are here, and you must hop up so they can take you home."

It was quiet for a moment, with only the sound of magic turning pages. When Rarity cleared her throat, Sweetie Belle groaned, but picked herself up from the carpet. "I guess I'd better go, then?"

Rarity raised an eyebrow, to which Sweetie quickly closed the book, tucking it between her arms.

"Thank you so much, sis! I'll come visit in a week!" She gave a sheepish grin, brushing her two-toned mane from her forehead clumsily.

Rarity waved a hoof. "Of course! And don't you fret, I already got all your belongings packed away in the trunk," she said, reaching in to give the filly a hug.

"You're the best, Rarity," she squeaked. Then she, with a turn on her hooves, trotted to the door. "Tell the "Crusaders" I say 'bye', okay?"

Rarity winked. "Can do." As the filly made her way over the threshold to the carriage waiting outside, she caught a final glimpse of the mark upon her flank. For some reason, it made Rarity feel a twinge of sadness. She pressed her ears back against her indigo mane as her smile faded.

It wasn't a new feeling, however, that much Rarity could tell. It had been lingering in her mind for the past couple months, but had always been pushed away. Absentmindedly, she closed the door.

"Rarity, you silly filly," she remarked to herself, glancing around at all the dresses. "She's just growing up, that's all." Her diamond eyes fell on a framed picture hanging up against the wall. It was the drawing Sweetie had made for her 3 years ago, while Rarity had been foolish enough not to race in the Sisterhooves Social. The childish depictions of the two sisters held a certain charm that only a foal could master. Every time she looked it, she would be struck with a sense of nostalgia.

Rarity bit her lip. It was true that her little sis was changing, at the difficult age of 12, especially due to her new confidence of her cutie mark.

Yet, she had grown mentally too, no longer subjecting herself to aimless doodling and senseless escapades.

Rarity sighed, stomping her hoof on the floor. "Oh, buck up! So, your little sister is growing up into a fine, young lady? That's great, is it not?"

She studied herself in the reflection of the shiny frame. "Right." Rarity pursed her lips at her unconvincing tone. She was most likely getting herself worked up over a bit of hunger. As Applejack said, much too often: "An apple a day keeps grumpiness away." This was usually aimed at a rather irked Twilight after a long night of reading.

Rarity's mouth dropped open when she finally took notice of her mess of hair, and smudged mascara.

"Sugarcube Corner it is, then."

~~~~~~~

"Hey there, Miss Rarity! What'll it be?" Mrs. Cake stood behind the counter, a pleasant smile on her face as she greeted her customer.

Rarity didn't waste a second. "I'll take an apple-nut muffin, if you will," she said quickly, but kindly. Anything to take her mind away from more... pressing issues.

As the older mare dipped below the counter, Rarity tilted her head at the two baby twins seated on the table behind her. She watched in amusement as Pumpkin sneezed all over her brother, resulting in a collection of squeals and screams.

Their mother jerked up, leaning over and making a cooing noise at the squabbling foals. "'Scuse me a moment, deary," Mrs. Cake remarked, scooping her kids up in her arms. "Now, you two behave," she scolded, although endearingly. "If you little cupcakes want to stay out here with the big ponies like Rarity, you have to be good foals, alright?"

Pumpkin Cake's response was a high squeak of laughter. "That's right," she laughed. "And that means no sneezing on anypony!" Mrs. Cake booped her daughter on the nose.

Why, Celestia, I wish I could do that.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Rarity stiffened, and her muzzle scrunched up. What ever was that? Surely she meant they were cute, right? Everypony loves babies.

Her stance less relaxed than before, Rarity coughed nervously, reminding the other pony of her presence. Mrs. Cake, blushing slightly, nodded, and rang up her order.

"Thank you," Rarity mumbled, taking the bag in her levitation after hoofing over the bits. She found a secluded seat by the window, trying to focus on the scenery beyond it.

What is going on today? Rarity placed her face in her hooves. She was acting... strange, no doubt. Of course she adored little foals, as she assumed anyone in their right mind would, but lately--it had been different.

Not necessarily a bad different, just a longing that had grown even stronger. Rarity straightened up immediately when she saw ponies around her giving her strange looks. "Oh, umm, nevermind," she stuttered, flustered. She had to stop talking out loud to herself one day.

Quickly pulling out her muffin, Rarity nibbled on it, and then sighed. She was sweating again. Ladies never sweat. Except when being struck with the best, most amazing and ridiculous fantasy in all of Equus.

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