As the two of us left the hospital, I quickly scanned my surroundings. Fresh spring colors were visible for as far as the eye could see in every direction. I found myself with a big smile almost instantly as I met with my late welcome to the new season. I was so excited and distracted, I didn’t notice Applejack was still continuing towards town. I was too preoccupied with smelling the flowers, quite literally.

Daffodils, daisies, dandelions and buttercups! So many smells, so many colors!

I stood up tall and took a deep breath of the fresh spring air. Finally, my favorite season had arrived!

“Somepony sure is excited,” Applejack commented with a smile. “You look like you ain't never seen spring before or something.”

I turned to her with a small blush and a large smile. “Well, I have, yes, but never like this!” I exclaimed as I waved a hoof in a wide arch at our surroundings. “Prior to coming here to Ponyville, I had never left the city limits of Manehattan my entire life.” I walked up to a small patch of assorted wildflowers, looking down to them with a smile.

“Spring just isn’t the same in Manehattan. Sure, Center Park is lovely this time of year, but you still had the ambience of the big city all around you,” I said before turning back to face her. “Out here it’s all just so peaceful, I love it. I can’t wait—”

I was interrupted by a loud growl from the pit of my stomach. I sank down with another small blush.

“I guess I can—um—always enjoy the season more a little later,” I said as I trotted back to Applejack.

She reached over and pat me on the head with a hoof. “Girl, you sound just like Fluttershy,” she commented as she started down the path to town. “Ah can see why you two are such good of friends. She must be real happy to have somepony like you around that shares the same interests.”

I trotted to catch up to her pace. “Yes, she says she’s very happy I had come to live here. I’m also excited to know somepony who loves spring as much as I... do...”

I slowly trailed off as I caught sight of another small group of ponies approaching us. I quickly weaved around to the other side of Applejack and shrank down behind her as they passed us by.

The farmpony turned to me with a concerned look. “Sugarcube, you don’t need to be hiding yourself like that. They didn’t even look your way,” she said before facing forward again. “Ah! Here we go, let me show ya what Ah mean.” Applejack trotted towards a pair of mares sitting together on a bench just up ahead.

“No! Wait!” I called out to her, extending a hoof, but it was too late. She was already greeting the two ponies.

Applejack turned to me and waved a hoof, signaling me to come over. I swallowed hard before reluctantly trotting up to her. I shrank down as the two mares looked me over with blank stares before looking back to each other. One was a mint green unicorn with a light cyan mane accented with white stripes, the other a pale cream colored earth pony with a dark blue and pink mane.

Applejack stepped forward and gestured a hoof back to me. “I’d like to introduce my friend, Prism, here. She just moved here to Ponyville from Manehattan not too long ago. She’s a bit shy, so Ah’m helping her meet new ponies ya see.”

The two mares turned to me with a pair of smiles. The cream colored earth pony cleared her throat before sitting up.

“Well, nice to meet you, Prism. My name is Bon Bon, and this is—”

“Hi, I’m Lyra!” the mint green unicorn exclaimed as she waved at me excitedly.

Bon Bon gave her a flat look before turning back to me. “Anyways, I’m surprised I didn’t hear anything about a new pony moving into town recently. Did we miss the welcome party invitations?” she asked, tilting her head and looking at me expectantly.

“T-That’s because, I, um... asked Pinkie not to throw me one,” I replied softly before pawing at the ground with a forehoof. “I-I’m, um... not exactly good with crowds or new ponies.”

Bon Bon covered a small laugh. “You really are a shy one aren’t you?” she asked with a soft smile. “Well don’t worry, we ponies here in Ponyville don’t bite.”

I returned her smile before straightening up. “Thanks, but as you can see...” I began, gesturing a hoof to my mane and coat. “I’m not exactly your average pony.”

Bon Bon raised an eyebrow at me. “While I have never seen a pony so pure white as you, I think your mane and coat are very pretty, right Lyra?” she asked, turning to her friend.

Lyra rubbed her chin with a hoof for a moment, looking me up and down. “Your coloration is a little stran—”

Bon Bon promptly cut her off with an elbow to her side before casting her a sharp glare. Lyra looked back to her with a small frown.

“Ow! That hurt, Bon Bon!” she groaned, rubbing her side with a forehoof before looking back to me. “Anyways, I’ve never seen an all-white pony before either, but I think it’s very beautiful. It makes you look mysterious!” She waved her hooves at me at me slowly, earning another look from her friend.

I sank down with a deep blush at their compliments. “I-I... T-Thank—thank you...” I replied softly before looking away to hide my growing blush.

Applejack turned to me with a smug look. “Ya see! Ponies may give you odd looks, but it’s just because they ain’t never seen anything like ya before. Though, that doesn’t mean they think anything bad about it,” she said walking up to me before laying a hoof on my shoulder. “I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to introduce you if I had any doubts about that.”

I looked up to her with a small smile. “T-Thank you, Applejack,” I said softly before looking to Lyra and Bon Bon. “And thank you, you two.”

Bon Bon nodded. “Don’t mention it, and she’s right you know. When I first saw you I was surprised, yes, but I didn’t think anything negative,” Bon Bon said gesturing a forehoof to me. “You are just very unique, but don’t let that stop you from doing the things you want to do, hon.”

Lyra nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you might just find that ponies actually think you look really cool too; like me!” she said with a wink, pointing a hoof to herself. “Be proud of your uniqueness and don’t sweat the small stuff,” she added with a dismissive wave of her hoof.

I paused before bringing a hoof to my chin as I got lost in thought.

I’ve never really thought about what if somepony liked the way I looked in a long time, not after so many bad experiences... Ponies here are far nicer and more accepting than I imagined...

I turned to Lyra and Bon Bon once more.

“Thank you so much. You’ve given me... a lot to think about...” I said in a half daze, slowly walking towards town again.

Applejack tipped her hat to the two before trotting to catch up to me. “Ya see! Now that wasn’t so bad, now was it?” she asked with a laugh, giving me a nudge with her shoulder.

I slowly looked to her. “No... no it wasn’t.”

“Listen, sugarcube, sometimes you just need somepony to help show ya the things you can’t see for yourself,” she said before looking to me. “Why, I reckon more than half the stallions we meet today will think you’re the prettiest thing they ever saw. ...Like that one over there.”

She gestured to a light-grey stallion across the way that was watching me. He turned his gaze away once I made eye contact with him.

Applejack leaned in close. “Ya know he was checking you out, don’t ya?” She said with a smug look, nudging me with her elbow. “I bet he won’t be the only one, either; you’re a very pretty mare.” She gave me a wink before facing forward again.

“A-Applejack!” I sputtered out, looking away with a blush.

As we entered the town square, I scanned the ponies we passed by. I got a lot strange looks, while others seemed to not really acknowledge me. Either they were too busy to notice or didn’t seem to think anything of me. I noticed most of the stallions I would make eye contact with would either quickly look away or give me a wink. A group of stallions even whistled at us and commented about me. I found myself blushing again as I looked down to my hooves with a smile.

Maybe she really is right? ...Have I been needlessly worrying about what other ponies would think, when I really had nothing to worry about at all? Maybe this—

"Hey, Applejack!” called out a voice from high above, interrupting my thoughts.

A light-grey pegasus flew down and landed in front of us. She had a blonde mane and sported a large satchel at her side. One thing about this pony that struck me as odd was her eyes, they didn’t seem to both focus forward.

“I’m glad I found you, this means I can take an early lunch break!” she exclaimed as she procured a letter from satchel and passed it to Applejack. The farm mare read over the letter with a smile before looking up to the mailmare.

“Why thank you, Derpy, I appreciate you giving this straight to me,” she said with a tip of her hat.

I raised an eyebrow at her as I eyed the letter. “What’s it say?” I asked curiously.

“Oh, it’s just some figures regarding sales, nothing special,” she said as she slipped the letter under her hat. “Say, Derpy. We were about to head over to Horte’s and grab us some grub, care to join us?”

Derpy beamed her a large smile. “Sure, that would be great!” she exclaimed happily. “I’m starving!” She looked over to me. One of her eyes focused on me, while another seemed to trail somewhere far off above me.

“So, who’s your friend Applejack? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before,” she asked before looking me over with a serious look.

Applejack cleared her throat before gesturing to me. “This here is Prism, she’s new to Ponyville.”

Derpy’s expression quickly softened into a large smile. “Nice to meet you, Prism! I’m Ditzy Doo, though everypony just calls me Derpy. You can call me whatever you like, though,” she said with a giggle as she extended a hoof to me. I met it with my own before she gave it a firm shake.

“Nice to meet you too, Derpy,” I said before pausing for a moment and raising an eyebrow at her. “So, why does everypony call you that?”

She smiled back sheepishly with a small laugh. “It’s because I’m really clumsy, so I’ve just adopted it,” she replied, followed by another dainty laugh.

Applejack trotted past us and continued to our destination. “C'mon girls. We don’t want to waste her lunch break, so let’s hurry along now and get our food.” Derpy took flight after Applejack, while I quickly trotted to catch up to the two.

“Oh, it’s fine Applejack. It’s always nice to meet somepony new,” she said before spinning around to me, flying backwards. “So, what do you think of Ponyville so far?”

I looked up to the her with a big grin. “Oh, I love it here!” I exclaimed with a small spring in my step. “I came from Manehattan. It’s nowhere near as nice as it is out here, and ponies here are far nicer.”

“I’ve been to Manehattan before. My daughter Dinky and I went to see a play there, it was—”

“DERPY LOOK OUT!” Applejack called out to the mailmare, but all too late.

She crashed into a large cart of produce, toppling them over and burying the carts owner in a tsunami of vegetables. The mare popped her head out from the mound and gave Derpy a small glare. She was a light yellow mare with a curly orange mane. Derpy laughed sheepishly as she crossed her forelegs behind her back.

“Uh, oops, my bad... Sorry, Carrot Top,” she apologized before landing and trotting up to the mare. “Here, let me help you with—”

“Oh, n-no it’s fine Derpy, I got it. Don’t worry!” she said with a forced smile as she dug herself out of her vegetable mound. “Thank you, though.”

Derpy brought a hoof to her chin, looking in thought for a moment. “Well, okay then. Again, sorry about that.”

Carrot Top shook her head. “No, it’s fine, just try to be more careful next time, okay? Oh! And here.” She passed Derpy some carrots. “Thanks again for yesterday, it was such a big help!”

Derpy’s expression went serious again as she promptly gave her a salute with a carrot. “No problem, just doing my job!” she exclaimed before flying back over to Applejack and me.

I looked up to her confused. “You crash into her cart, and she pays you?”

“Oh! I helped her deliver some stuff across town yesterday,” Derpy said, gesturing back to the mare with her hoof-full of carrots. “She was really busy gardening and couldn’t get away from it. New season and all, ya know!”

I nodded. “Everypony seems to be pretty busy...”

Hopefully not too busy...

* * * * * * * * * *

The three of us continued the short distance to “Horte Cuisine’s Fine Cuisine and Salad Bar.” It was a very nice restaurant, not too flashy or classy, but certainly nicer than the Dairy Kings that seemed to litter every corner of Manehattan.

Though, they do have great cherry shakes and snowstorms...

Applejack trotted up to a table and pulled out a chair. She took a seat before flipping open a menu laying on the table. It was a nice day out, so we stuck to an outdoor table. It was really refreshing to eat outside, I didn’t do it very often.

Before long the owner and waiter Horte came up and greeted us, thanking us for choosing his establishment to eat. Though, I didn’t get a good look at him as I had my face buried in a menu; everything just sounded so good! Applejack went with a large order of hayfries, while Derpy settled on a garden salad. I was torn between a daisy and daffodil sandwich, and a rhubarb cheese melt. I asked the girls what they thought and the two recommended the cheese melt, so I went with that.

The three of us passed the time while we waited for our food with idle conversation. To my surprise, Derpy was quite the talker. She mentioned her daughter Dinky often and spoke very highly of her. She reminded me of Mother and how she had always spoke so highly of me to her friends. Derpy wasn’t nearly as energetic as Pinkie Pie, but she did have an enthusiastic presence to her and laughed and giggled a lot. She had a very bubbly personality and was a real pleasure to be around, I quickly found that I really enjoyed her company.

Before too long, the waiter brought us our meals, they smelled absolutely delicious. Derpy immediately began to inhale her salad, showing it no mercy whatsoever. I watched on in awe as I ate my melt.

Wow, that girl sure can eat!

After she had finished devouring her salad she looked to me with a puzzled look, bringing a hoof to her chin.

“So, Prism? I’ve been meaning to ask, but I didn’t want to sound rude,” she said, hesitating a little. “But why is your coat and mane both so white? Now, don’t get me wrong, they are very pretty, but I have never seen somepony like you before.”

I faintly blushed at her compliment, sinking down in my seat some. “Ya, I, um, get that a lot. It’s because I’m albino,” I said before looking her over. “Do you um, mind If i ask why your eyes are like that—Not that there’s anything wrong with them! I’m just, uh... curious.”

She closed her eyes and nodded with a rather serious look. “Fair enough, I asked you a question about your condition, you ask me about mine.” she said before gesturing a hoof to her eyes. “I have a rather bad strabismus. My vision is just fine, well for the most part anyways, but my depth perception isn’t exactly the greatest,” she added with a giggle.

My ears fell back as I gestured to her wings. “Wouldn't that... affect your flying?” I asked softly, and rather hesitantly.

She extended her wings, looking back to them before giving them a few flaps. “Yeah... it does, but it’s not too bad,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve had my fair share of crashes, but I manage!”

I nodded, taking a bite from my cheese melt. “I chan ruhlate tuh t’hat,” I said before swallowing and gesturing to my horn. “My albinism affects my magic, making it very difficult to control.”

Derpy covered a small giggle. “A wall-eyed pegasus that has trouble flying and an albino unicorn that has trouble with magic. I guess we are just a pair of weirdos, aren’t we?”

“I guess so.”

The two of us stared blankly at each other before slowly cracking up into a shared fit of laughter. Being around her, I felt comfortable; like I could relax and just be myself without being judged. The two of us continued to converse for several minutes, sharing stories of how our conditions had gotten us into silly or scary situations.

Before long, Applejack pulled a pouch of bits from under her hat and laid a small stack of bits on the table. She signaled for the waiter who promptly retrieved the payment with a silent bow.

“As much as Ah’d love to stay and chat, I have work to do,” she said before looking to me. “I’m mighty glad you found yourself a new friend, Prism.” Applejack began to walk away before pausing and turning back to me.

“Uh... you okay from here, Sugarcube?” she asked before walking up to me. “Ah can walk ya home from here, it’s no trouble.”

I shook my head, dismissing her concern with a wave of my hoof. “I’ll be fine, but thank you Applejack, really... thank you,” I said while tapping the tips of my forehooves with a soft smile. “You helped me realize something very important today.”

Applejack gave a quick nod. “You’re very welcome, Prism. Ah’m mighty glad Ah could help a friend,” she said before tipping her hat to the two of us. “It’s been a real pleasure girls, ya’ll have a good one now, ya hear?” With that, she trotted off.

Derpy also stood up from her seat. “I should probably get back to work myself, it’s been great meeting you, Prism! ...Where are you staying by the way?” she asked, looking at me expectantly.

“I’m staying with Rarity at her Boutique,” I replied before finishing the rest of my melt.

“Alright! I’ll be sure to swing by sometime!” she said before taking flight, hovering in the air.

I looked up to her with a smile. “I’d really like that, Derpy.”

With that the two of us said our goodbyes, and she flew off to wherever she was needed. The poor mare somewhat zig-zagged in fight, weaving a bit as she flew away.

I hope she’ll be okay...

I paused, looking out into the town square.

So many ponies... you’re going to regret this, Prism.

I let out a small whine to myself as I got up from my seat and pushed my chair in.

I had a lot to do today still: I had to go check on my painting, deliver it to Fluttershy and let her know I was alright and visit Twilight later this evening. I figured I should get the painting out of the way first.

I hope she likes it...

* * * * * * * * * *

The walk to Rarity’s was short, and thankfully uneventful. I was really, really nervous walking outside alone without my cloak; it was the first time in many, many years. But as I scanned the faces of ponies passing by I found most would greet and wave at me or look away once I made eye contact. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Reaching my destination, I let myself in with the ringing of a bell overhead. Rarity was downstairs sorting some clothing as I entered.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique and mag...”

Rarity trailed off as she turned to face me. Her eyes lit up as she quickly rushed up to me, capturing me in a hug.

“Prism! You’re awake!” she exclaimed before quickly pulling away from me, looking me up and down puzzled. “... And you're naked? Did you walk here like that?”

I looked down to the floor with a smile. “Applejack taught me something very important today,” I said before looking back up to her. “I don’t think I need to worry about wearing my cloak all the time anymore.”

Rarity’s expression exploded into glee. “Why, darling! That’s simply wonderful!” she exclaimed, pulling me into another tight hug. “I’m so proud of you!”

I broke the embrace before pawing uneasily at the floor with a hoof. “It’s going to take me some time to get used to it, but... I’m really happy.”

Rarity promptly nodded. “And I’m very happy for you, this really is something worth celebrating, dear, and I know just the thing!” she said with a wink. “I’ll go prepare us some tea.” She quickly made her way across the room before disappearing up the stairs. I loosely followed before my eyes widened in realization.

The painting!

I hastily galloped up the stairs and through the kitchen and to my guest room. I frantically ascended the staircase before looking about the room. My expression fell flat as I laid eyes on the painting.

“No...” I whispered under my breath, slowly walking up to the painting.

The paint had smeared and the once meticulously shaped imagine of a bushel of bunnies for Fluttershy was now a hideous blur of colors. I felt tears trying to come as I covered my muzzle with a hoof, desperately trying not to cry. I felt just awful, horrible. The painting I had worked so hard on for my dear friend was ruined.

I slowly walked over to the bed on weak hooves before throwing myself onto it. The fit of tears I had been trying to hold back slowly won over me. I broke down into tears as I nuzzled into my bed sheets.

I’m so sorry, Fluttershy... I’m so sorry...

All because I didn’t want to wait, because I wanted to give it to her right away; my attempt to do so not only landed me in the hospital and worried everypony about my well being, it was also all in vain. I went through all of that for nothing, for less than nothing; for disappointment and serious worry from my dear friends.

I’m such a foal, a stupid foal!

I laid there and cried for several minutes before hoofsteps at the stairs distracted me. I turned to face Rarity as she entered the room.

“Prism, darling, tea’s—”

Her eyes went wide as she rushed up to me.

“Prism, what's wrong?!” she asked frantically, looking me over. “Why are you crying, dear?”

I tried to speak, but only managed to choke out a few sobs as I gestured back to the painting across the room. Rarity looked to the painting briefly before turning back with a look of concern. She climbed up onto the bed and cupped me into a hug, quietly sitting with me, as I continued to cry. I continued to do so for another few minutes before I was able to collect myself enough to speak.

“I-I’m so sorry, R-Rarity...” I said with a few sniffles, rubbing my snout with a forehoof as I looked up to her.

She looked back to me perplexed. “You have done nothing to be sorry about, dear,” she said before looking back to the painting once more. “Tell me, what happened, is there something wrong with the painting?”

I felt my lower lip tremble as I struggled to form the words.

“I-It was—It was for, F-Fluttershy... I ruined it, I ruined it!” I cried out, shaking my head. “It was... a painting of some bunnies, I... I made it especially for her.”

I futilely tried to wipe away the stream of tears. “It’s why I was sent to the hospital, because I didn’t want to wait for it to dry. I wanted to give it to her so bad, so I—so I used a spell to dry it faster, and... and...” I felt myself begin to sob again before Rarity softly shushed me.

“Shh... so that’s what happened to you,” Rarity said, pulling away and giving me a warm smile. “You made something special for Fluttershy, naturally you would want to give it to her right away.”

I nodded slowly. “But now it’s ruined... I can’t save it, Rarity,” I said before looking back to the painting and rubbing my eyes with a foreleg. “I also made one for...” I paused before looking about the room.

Where's Rarity’s?!

“Rarity, there was another, what happened to it?” I asked with great concern, still scanning the room.

The fashionista donned a forced smile as she laughed sheepishly. “I, well... I saw it and was just so impressed, I just had to display it for others to see,” she said before shifting into an excited tone. “Prism, your painting, it’s simply marvelous! I was excited to see what you would paint, but that, that took me by surprise!” Her ears fell back as she looked away, frowning in guilt.

“But... it was wrong of me to take it without permission.”

I shook my head. “No, Rarity, it’s yours. I painted it for you,” I said softly.

Rarity looked to me wide eyed. “Really? You... you did that... for me?” she asked, taken aback. I slowly nodded and she went starry eyed, pulling me into another tight hug. “Thank you so much! It’s simply something else! I’ll proudly display it in the Boutique down stairs!”

I managed a small smile at her words of excitement. Despite one of my paintings being a compleat failure, I was really happy that Rarity’s had made her so happy.

I was quickly coming to learn that nothing made me feel better faster, than seeing my friends smile.

* * * * * * * * * *

After I had collected and composed myself, the two of us went downstairs and enjoyed our tea. Rarity was really surprised how I was able to walk around outside without hiding myself. She said that she wanted to take me to the spa with her and Fluttershy tomorrow.

I tried to refuse, but Rarity wasn’t going to hear any of it, she said that I was coming, and that if she had to drag me out the door she would. It made me a little nervous how insistent she was, but it also made me very happy that she was so adamant about me spending time with her and Fluttershy.

It’s good to feel wanted.

I got to thinking back to the hospital and remembered how I fumbled about so much with my conversation with Big Macintosh. Rarity seemed like the right pony to ask for advice when it came to romance; after all, she would often coo about finding the pony of her dreams in our conversations.

“So, um, Rarity... I need your advice on something,” I asked, fidgeting with my teacup nervously.

Rarity raised an eyebrow at me as she sipped her tea before sitting it down. “That was quite the change of tone, darling; is it serious?” she asked, looking a bit concerned.

I quickly waved both hooves at her dismissively. “No, no! Nothing like that. I need some, um...” I softly trailed off as I nervously tapped my teacup with a hoof, struggling to find the words. ”I need, um, romance... advice.” I managed to struggle out before turning away with a sharp blush.

Rarity expression slowly crept into a smug, knowing smile. “Ahh! I see... So, what would you like to know, darling?” she asked, watching me expectantly.

I slowly turned back to her. “Y-You see, there’s this um... stallion I like, and, um...” I quickly covered my face and shook my head in embarrassment. I was not used to talking about this subject, not at all.

Rarity’s expression sank a little. “Oh, a... stallion, dear?” she asked with an unsure smile before quickly perking up. “Yes, right, of course! So you need advice with a stallion, hm? Well, I just so happen to know quite a bit about how to appeal to the gentlecolt, so ask away,” she added covering her muzzle with a foreleg.

I shot her a forced, nervous smile. “So, um... h-how, how do you, um, ask a stallion if he, uh, is single—that is without being too forward about it!” I blurted out before covering my face with a soft squeak.

Rarity let out a dainty laugh. “So that’s what this is about. Well, to ask a stallion if he is single without being too forward about it, you need to ‘beat around the bush’, as it were,” she replied before taking another sip of her tea. “If a stallion is interested in you, and mind you, you are quite beautiful so a stallion would be crazy not to be; he should pick up on hint you might be curious if he is single.”

Rarity sat up in her seat before gesturing to me.

“The best way to do this, is to first compliment them. Perhaps something that is strikingly obvious and attractive about them, but be casual about it, darling, as if it were a well known fact.”

Strikingly obvious and attractive? He’s obviously very handsome, and muscular, and tall, and polite, and... a real dreamboat.

I suddenly covered my face to hide a goofy smile and blush that crept up on me.

Rarity raised an eyebrow, giving me an odd look before continuing. “Then you will want to follow the compliment with something along the lines of how his very special somepony is very lucky. It is a very good chance he will let you know he does not have one if he is single. Perhaps even if he does have one,” she informed me before an uneasy smile played across her face. “Let’s, uh... let’s hope it’s not the latter, for everypony’s sake.”

Rarity paused briefly before suddenly tapping her chin with a forehoof.

“Speaking of which, darling.... Who is this lucky stallion?” she asked, looking at me expectantly.

My ears fell back as I sank into my seat; even further embarrassed. “I-I... I can’t say...” I stammered out, covering my muzzle with both hooves.

Rarity scrunched her face into an obvious pout. “But, darling, that's hardly fair!” she whined softly before looking up to me with pleading puppy dog eyes. “Won’t you please tell me?”

I paused for a moment, slowly sinking further into my seat and shaking my head before blushing even more profusely.

“Please?”

I softly shook my head again.

“Oh, please, please, pleaaasssseeee!”

I let out a soft whimper before sinking down in my seat more, practically under the table.

Rarity stood up and leaned over the table. “Please-please-please, PLEASE, PLLLEEEEEEAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEE!!!” she persisted aggressively.

I let out a soft whine before finally giving in. “...O-Okay... I-I’ll tell you,” I let out a defeated sigh as I sat back up in my seat.

I looked around the room carefully, though needlessly before leaning in close to her. “I-It’s, um... B-Big Macintosh...” I whispered softly.

Rarity went wide-eyed. “Big Macintosh!” she exclaimed with a large smile.

I flailed my hooves at her, hushing her. “Shhh!” I looked around nervously for a moment before turning back to her. “Promise me you won’t tell anypony? Please?”

Rarity closed her eyes with a serious expression and nodded. “You have my word, I won’t tell a soul...” Rarity opened an eye with a sudden playful smile. “...He is quite sexy, isn’t he?”

I stiffened up and blushed profusely. “R-Rarity!”

* * * * * * * * * *

After much gossip and and a fair amount of teasing from Rarity, we finished our tea and headed downstairs to the boutique. I was about to leave when a customer walked in. Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to stay and see what they wanted.

Little did I know at the time, but that small choice to stay was about to be one of the most life changing decisions I had ever made...