Ordinarily, the Carousel Boutique was a hotbed of unproductivity. Whether it was some sort of interpersonal strife, interesting goings on in town, or Sweetie Belle and her friends messing things up with their antics, Rarity would find it very hard to get any work done. Thankfully for her, there were no distractions. It was because of this, that Rarity was able to finish all of her work by late morning. Of course, that came with its own unique conundrum; Rarity had absolutely nothing to do for the rest of her Friday.

“Oh, I simply detest down times like these, Opal.” Rarity repined to her cat. “Whatever am I to do?”
The marshmallow unicorn paced back and forth around her office while pondering how to spend her free time.
“Hmm let’s see: Twilight’s apparently knee deep in a dissertation of some sort; Pinkie said she’s forming some kind of band with Vinyl Scratch and Lyra; Applejack is probably being hounded by the Mayor or Filthy Rich for an endorsement; which leaves me with seeing what Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are up to. Very well then, that is what I shall do.”

Finding something to do, Rarity left Opal to her feline-like laziness and set out to Fluttershy’s cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville. While trotting through town, the unicorn observed the obvious divide in endorsement in the mayoral election. The incumbent, Mayor Mare, had struck a chord with the poorer backwoods farmers and generally lower class earth ponies with her flexible (dare I say, flip-floppy) populist principles. Filthy Rich had close ties with the business class and cultural elite of Ponyville (Unicorns and Pegasi, mainly), and certainly had the resources to run an aggressive campaign. However, Rich, being born into wealth, had a difficult time connecting with the poorer classes of Ponyville. His solution to this conundrum was gaining the endorsement of the Apple family (founders of Ponyville, longtime business partners, and most importantly, most popular family in town). Winning their support would improve his image with the common Ponyvillian and swat many undecided voters. This task, however, was easier said than done, as Mayor Mare was also aggressively working for the Apple family endorsement. For the past few weeks, Twilight Sparkle and her motley crew had not seen much of Applejack, as she was under constant courtship by either Mare or Rich, and it was safe to say that Applejack did not enjoy it one bit.

For one: Applejack HATED spending time away from the farm for things she considered frivolous, especially inconvenient was the fact that this was a busy harvest season running parallel with the election. Two: Applejack’s down to earth and kind personality was completely incompatible with the political game. She didn’t want to alienate her family’s longtime business partner or her friendly acquaintance. Her indecisiveness on the matter only prolonged the battle for her endorsement, and Applejack knew that eventually she would have to make the tough choice even at the cost of upsetting Filthy Rich or Mayor Mare. When she did, life would return to normal and she could hang out with her friends again.

Rarity herself was growing exasperated by the demoralizing election process. Having already endorsed Filthy Rich, she did not have the issue of choosing sides like Applejack. However, Rarity, like everypony else, did have the inconvenience of being unable to avoid talk of the election. For months now, it was the focal point of discourse amongst Ponyvillians and everypony was sick of hearing about it. The election had spawned factional divide, petty personal attacks, and other ugliness that only comes between good ponies when politics is involved. Rarity, like everypony else at this point, just wanted the election to be done with so that life could return to normal.

“Hopefully, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash will have something to talk about other than this ridiculous race.” The purple maned Unicorn told herself. It should be noted that Rare-bear was talking to herself and a lot of ponies were looking at her. It was clear to everypony why Rarity had that cat.

As Rarity was approaching Fluttershy’s property, she heard quite the ruckus coming from inside the house. There was a distinct booming, rumbling, shifting vibration resonating. Not to mention, the faint sound of Fluttershy’s grunts.
“Oh, dear sweet Celestia, they’re not in the act, are they?” Rarity thought to herself. “If they are, I simply won’t be able to get the image out of my head….not that that would be a bad thing.”

Rarity approached the door to Fluttershy’s cottage and inched her hoof to the doorknob, bracing herself for a truly scandalous scene. She opened the door and found to her relief and slight disappointment, no such act of Clopper wish fulfillment. Instead she saw Fluttershy struggling to lift a giant box.

“Oh, Fluttershy, darling, whatever are you doing lifting that by yourself?” the fastidious unicorn posed to her best friend. On the spot, Rarity alleviated Fluttershy’s struggle by using levitation to lift the box out of the pegasus’s hooves.

“Oh, Rarity, I’m so glad you came. I would have spent half the day trying to move that box.” The yellow pegasus told her confidante.

“Rarity is always at your service. Now, where am I taking this, dear?”

“Just out back, inside my shed. I have family coming over tonight, and I was just moving a few things to make room.”
As the two moved outside to put away the box, the conversation turned to rarely discussed topic of Fluttershy’s family. Needless to say, Rarity was intrigued.

“You know, darling, in all our years as friends, I don’t believe you’ve ever mentioned your family. How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”

The yellow pegasus replied, “Oh, I couldn’t tell you. It’s been at least for as long as I’ve been in Ponyville. They live in Foalando, so I haven’t really had the opportunity to see them.”

Rarity was stunned. “Fluttershy! That’s terrible! You’re telling me you haven’t seen your family in YEARS? How in Equestria does that happen?”

Fluttershy retorted with a reassuring smile, “Oh, it’s fine. We still keep in touch by letters, and they’re usually so busy running their Salt Saloon, that a visit to Foalando would consist of me sitting in the corner, watching them work.”

“Even still, I couldn’t imagine going years without seeing my family. I hate to admit it, but even a week without Sweetie Belle and her friends pestering me is a demoralizing bore. Oh, I’m certain you have a lot to catch up on with your family, and I’m positive they will thrilled to see you’ve settled down with Rainbow Dash. I’m sure they’ll just adore her.”

It was at this moment, that Fluttershy once again had to weasel out of the difficult subject matter that was the separation of her family and love life. The pegasus responded, “Um, yes well, about that. Rainbow won’t be able to meet my family this time around. You see, left this morning for an annual meeting of weather pegasi in Cloudsdale, and my Dad, my brother and his family will only be in Ponyville until Monday. Dashie doesn’t get back until later that night. So umm, yeah, maybe another time.”

Rarity bestowed a quizzical mien, but said nothing as the two approached Fluttershy’s shed. The yellow pegasus opened the door and began instructing the unicorn on where to place the box.

“Just right on the floor will do. And thanks again for your help, Rarity.” Fluttershy warmly told her friend. “Anytime, darling. Except there’s one problem: I can’t get the box inside.”

Rarity wasn’t lying. The box was too wide to fit through the door, and it was cube shaped, so it couldn’t be turned on its side to squeeze in. Fluttershy was starting to get nervous. Beads of sweat were starting to trickle down her face, and her legs began to tremble slightly. Quivering with stress, she told Rarity, “Um, that’s okay. I can just take the stuff out of the box and put it in the shelf. No need to help me anymore, Rarity.” The pegasus then let out a forced and nervous cackle. Rarity immediately raised an eyebrow to her friend. She knew a bad actress when she saw one.

“What do you have in this box?” Rarity inquired

“Nothing” Fluttershy anxiously replied. More sweat was falling down her reddening face. Her eyes were becoming bigger, and it was getting harder to blink. Slowly, Fluttershy began backing away from the shed and Rarity’s interrogation.

“Fluttershy, I’m opening the box.” Rarity flatly told the timid mare.

“Please don’t” pleaded Fluttershy

“I’m doing it.” Rarity curtly replied. The unicorn proceeded to use magic to open the box and levitate the contents. Fluttershy prayed to Celestia to crash the world into the sun.

Rarity’s mouth was agape as she examined what was in the box. There were Wonderbolts posters, monogramed towels with the initials, RD, and most disheartening, every picture of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy together.

Fluttershy immediately started to run. She didn’t even look behind as Rarity mustered up all the magic in her body to stop the pegasus dead in her tracks, levitate her, and then bring her back to the shed. When met eye to eye, Fluttershy had never seen Rarity in the form she was seeing her now. The marshmallow unicorn was angry, confused, and pining for answers, answers that Fluttershy knew she had no choice but to give. She was completely cornered.

“Well…explain yourself.” Rarity sternly told Fluttershy, who was still being held in midair. Fluttershy didn’t know how to respond. Rarity had never spoken to her like that. She was usually so gingerly around the shy, timid, pegasus. Clearly, the fashionista was not in the mood for games.

“It’s not what you think, Rarity.” Fluttershy meekly told her captor.

“I honestly don’t know what to think of this, Fluttershy. Are you and Rainbow having problems, did she walk out on you? Who’s at fault? TELL ME!” Rarity was clearly agitated, and for good reason. Being with Rainbow Dash was the happiest Rarity had ever seen Fluttershy, and vice versa. The two mares were perfect for each other, and nopony in the Elements of Harmony could imagine them splitting up. If there was a problem between two of the elements, it was a problem for the other four.

“Rarity, I promise you, there is nothing wrong between me and Dashie. Please let me down, and I’ll explain.”
Seeing the sincerity her eyes and body language, Rarity complied, and let Fluttershy back down on her own four hooves.
Fluttershy took a deep breath, lowered her head, and shut her eyes. “Rarity, you’re the only one I’ve told about this, but….my Dad doesn’t, hay, nopony in my family, knows about Rainbow Dash. They don’t even know I like mares.”

The unicorn’s eyes widened as she processed the information that was handed to her. Needless to say, she felt awful for the way she spoke to Fluttershy, especially considering that she didn’t even know why Fluttershy was keeping Rainbow Dash a secret.

Rarity’s eyes took a sympathetic shape and she brought her forelegs around Fluttershy’s neck and brought her into a hug. She whispered to her best friend in a cracking voice, “Fluttershy….I don’t know what to say. I am so terribly sorry. I was so foolish to jump to such wild conclusions.”

Fluttershy gently pulled away from Rarity’s embrace. “Rarity, don’t blame yourself. It was wrong for me to try and be so secretive about this.” The pegasus was now bearing a smile, “If nothing else, I’m glad it was you who caught me. If it was Applejack, she would’ve kicked my flank back to last year.”

In what seemed like an instant, both ponies broke into laughter, desiccating the awkwardness of the situation.
Rarity, still chuckling under her breath, replied, “Honestly, darling, you’ve become such a card, these days. I must say, Rainbow Dash has done wonders for your personality!”
Fluttershy blushed, happy to hear such an endorsement of her marefriend. “Thank you, Rarity. I’ll be sure to tell her that when she gets home.”

Rarity then returned the topic of the conversation to Fluttershy’s family. “Honestly, dear, why wouldn’t you want your family to know about Rainbow Dash? She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Who cares if she’s a mare?”
Fluttershy lowered her head. “My father wouldn’t understand. Don’t get me started on my brother….”
“Stop it, Fluttershy. I will not hear any more of this nonsense.” As she was saying this, Rarity had grabbed Fluttershy’s head and brought her back to eye contact.

“Fluttershy, do you realize that my parents have no concept of fashion? Celestia Luna Cadenza! I can’t have a conversation about my job for five minutes without the two of them staring into space. It’s a bigger contrast with Pinkie and HER family. Do you think a couple of rock farmers would have much interest in hearing about what themed party Pinkie is throwing this week? Absolutely not! But do you want to know what is undisputable? My parents love me, Pinkie’s parents love her, anypony’s parents love their child unconditionally. All families are able to see past their individual differences and find a love that is strong and unbreakable. It doesn’t even have to be due to blood relation. Think about it: Applejack is most uncouth, Twilight always has her nose deep in those dusty old books, Pinkie can be very silly at inappropriate times, Spike is a dragon who will one day grow up into a fearsome beast, Rainbow is a hard headed tomboy, and you yourself can be a tad dull and VERY meek, and I still love all of you. You know why? Because you all are my family, and I wouldn’t trade any of you for one hot night with Fleur….FANCY PANTS! I MEAN FANCY PANTS!!!!”

Fluttershy took a moment to analyze what Rarity had said. She then replied, “You’re right, Rarity. I will tell my family about Rainbow Dash, about everything. This weekend, Pinkie promise.”

Rarity beamed. She knew nopony would break a Pinkie promise lest they were prepared to incur the wrath of the Pink demon, herself. The unicorn replied, “And you don’t have to do it alone. Tell you what, you have the rest of us over for dinner tomorrow night, and we’ll be right by your side when you tell your family. Does that sound good?”
Fluttershy smiled, “It sounds great. Thank you, Rarity”

The unicorn then brought the pegasus into a tight embrace. “What’s family for? Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to tell the others to drop everything they’re doing tomorrow night so they can be with you. This is one of our most important endeavors, yet.”

Fluttershy gave an approving nod, and Rarity turned and set forth on her mission to rally the troops. As the white unicorn was out of view and into the horizon, Fluttershy let out a sigh and looked at the empty box with all of Rainbow Dash’s belongings surrounding it. She stared at it for a long period of time, and then proceeded to pick up each individual item and toss it into the shed. As she was completing this task, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Angel Bunny, her most trusted animal companion giving her a disapproving glance.
The yellow pegasus approached the rabbit and delicately told him, “Please don’t tell Tank, or any of the animals for that matter. This has to be a secret between you and me, okay, Angel?”

All Angel could do was just stare at his master, before letting out a deep sigh and hopping away toward the house. Fluttershy stood in place for a while before heading inside, herself.

Her family was to arrive shortly.

Next Chapter: 3. The Golden Horseshoe Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 15 Minutes