Leaving the library, I found myself in the all-too-familiar darkness that followed nightfall over Ponyville. I took a moment to look around and take in the scenery. It was very different from the last time I had been alone outside so late at night; the snow and ice were gone and the first signs of spring were all around. Thankfully, the dead silence was also no longer present, having been replaced by the sounds of crickets and other nocturnal wildlife. It was very peaceful. I smiled to myself before starting back to the boutique to drop off my books and hit the hay.

Along the way, however, something caught my eye; something I had never seen before. Something beautiful.

...Lights?

Looking off to the park just beyond the town square, I noticed floating lights—hundreds of them! I paused for a moment, staring and hesitating, but eventually decided that my trip back home could wait a few more minutes. I made my way over to the lights to investigate. As I approached the bridge that led to the park, crossing a little stream, a smile crept up on me. I suddenly realized what the mysterious lights were.

Fireflies!

A wide smile adorned my face as I quickly galloped the rest of the way across the bridge.

Being a city mare, I had never seen them in the flesh before. Sure, I had read about them and seen many pictures of them, but getting to see the real thing was truly a breathtaking experience for me. As I watched the dancing lights I felt myself relax, and my mind began to wander.

Dinner with a stallion... What do I do? What do I say? ...What do I wear?

I quickly came to realize I had absolutely no idea what I was doing when it came to dating.

I’ll have to ask Rarity for advice again. But still... it’s almost too good to be true.

Letting out a long, relaxed sigh, I leaned against the cement railing of the bridge, smiling to myself as I drew circles on it with a forehoof.

“Somepony looks really happy,” a familiar voice suddenly called out with a giggle.

My ears perked up and I lifted my head to see my new friend Ditzy Doo approaching from my left.

“Hoh, hay Dherhe,” I replied, muffled by the bag of books. I quickly dropped them on the ground next to me. “What are you doing out so late?” I asked quizzically, pulling myself off the guardrail.

“I could ask you the very same thing, ya know!” she replied with a laugh. “Actually, I’m just now getting off work. I volunteered to stay late and clean up, tonight. I was just flying home and I happened to see you down here.” Derpy gestured a hoof to my coat. “The moonlight reflects off you and makes you very easy to spot from above at night,” she said matter-of-factly. “It also makes you look beautiful and mysterious!” she added in a playful tone.

I scratched the back of my neck with a forehoof sheepishly before looking over my shoulder at my coat. Sure enough, the pure white fur stood out, reflecting the moonlight with a perfectly vivid neon glow. In fact, I almost looked like a beacon of light in comparison to my shadowy, nighttime surroundings.

“You know... I never noticed that,” I replied, turning back to Derpy. “But then again, I never really was one to go out at night.”

“At least you’ll be easy to find if you ever get lost in the dark!” Derpy pointed out with a wink.

I covered a small laugh. “True.”

Derpy trotted up to me, and joined me at my side.

“So, what has you beaming sunshine and rainbows on the bridge to the park at this late hour?” she asked, giving me a playful nudge with her shoulder, followed by a giggle.

“Well, I was walking home when I noticed the fireflies, so I came over here to watch them and then I guess my mind just started to wander..”

Derpy laughed. “Wandered to something nice, by the looks of it,” she said, leaning her back against the bridge’s guardrail. “If it isn’t too personal, do you mind me asking what has you so happy? It’s nice to see a friend smile this much, but it does make me curious.”

“Remember when we had lunch and then went our separate ways?” I replied slowly as I leaned up against the bridge. ”Well, shortly after that I ran into this stallion that I really, really like.”  I fidgeted with my forehooves.

“Bumping into your crush is certainly something to smile about, I’d say!” Derpy said, nodding with a large smile.

I shook my head. “No, that’s not quite it; it gets even better than that!” I replied, my features creeping into a smile. ”When I went to buy some groceries later on, he gave me a discount and complimented my looks, and then he asked me out to dinner. Tomorrow night!”

Derpy beamed me a wide grin. “That’s awesome, Prism!”

“There’s more!” I replied, trying my best to rein in my smile but failing miserably. “When I was on my way to the library, some time after that, some stallions approached me... they wouldn’t leave me alone, and I got really scared. I didn’t know what to do.”

Derpy gave me a curious look. “That sounds bad... so why are you still smiling?”

“Big Macintosh came to save me!” I said excitedly, covering the sides of my muzzle with both hooves. ”He chased them away. Well, two of them anyway; one of them, a pegasus stallion, stayed behind and tried to fight him, but he didn’t even last long enough to serve as a warm-up. One swift buck, and that stallion was out, sailing through the air like he was just a rag doll!”

“So... Big Macintosh, huh?” Derpy said with a smug smile. “He’s a real hunk!”

I buried my face deeper into my hooves. “I know...” I replied faintly, making Derpy break into hearty laughter. “...And I even kissed him, after he saved me,” I added, whispering through my hooves.

Derpy’s laughter came to an abrupt halt, and she covered a loud gasp.

“No!” she said, drawing the word out with a large smile.

I looked to her and hastily nodded. “Yes!” I exclaimed softly.

“Sounds like you had a wonderful day!” she enthused, beaming me an excited smile.

I covered a small laugh. “You have no idea, Derpy. I don’t think I could have asked for a better day.”

Derpy turned and looked out over the water.

“I also have a stallion I really like... We spend a lot of time together, but I don’t think he really knows. He tells me about all these wild adventures he’s been on, in other places and times... I don’t really believe him though.” Her expression suddenly shifted into a distant, dreamy smile. “But he’s really smart, has a crazy imagination, and most of all he’s really cheerful and funny; Dinky absolutely loves him.”

“He sounds like a wonderful stallion.”

Derpy paused for a moment, nodding vaguely, before turning back to me.

“Say... Dinky, Whooves and I are all going to the lake this weekend. Would you like to come?” She looked at me with hopeful, impossible-to-turn-down eyes. ”I would love for you to meet them,” she added with a smile, which I eagerly returned.

“Of course, I would love to!”

“Great!” Derpy exclaimed, doing a small twirl and taking flight, hovering just above the bridge. “Oh! Why don’t you see if Big Macintosh would like to come, too? The more the merrier!”

“That would be nice... I’ll ask him tomorrow!” I replied, looking up to her.

“Well, I’d love to stay and chat a little longer, but I really need to get back to Dinky. We’ll be by the Boutique at noon on Saturday. Expect us!”

I waved to her. “I will. See you then, Ditzy!”

She let out a small giggle before waving back and taking off with her usual, zig-zaggy flying patterns.

I turned back to the stream, watching the fireflies dance about, just above the water, for a few more moments.

Well, I should probably get back, too. A lot to do tomorrow, so I need to get some sleep.

I pushed off the guardrail and back onto all four hooves, before leaning down and retrieving my bag of loaned books.

But first, I need some advice from Rarity. She did say she would be up late... I hope she didn’t decide to turn in early, after all.

I looked to the moon, lost in thought for a moment, before quickly trotting off toward the boutique.

* * * * * * * * * *

Upon arriving, I let myself in, only to find the lights off downstairs. I looked about the room for a moment before trotting to the stairs, figuring that if Rarity was still awake, she would most likely be in her Inspiration Room. I made my way up the stairs and across the kitchen. As I approached the corner of the hallway, I could hear soft humming and the sound of a sewing machine in use. I smiled to myself as I turned the corner and looked into the room.

Sure enough, there was Rarity, humming a soft tune to herself and merrily sewing away at what looked to be a particularly delicate green dress. I slowly walked up to her. It appeared she didn’t notice me, even though I was standing right in front of her work desk. I waited a few more moments before clearing my throat.

“Um, Rarity?” I called out to her softly.

She paused for a brief moment before quickly looking up to me. A look of surprise overtook her expression, followed by a sheepish smile.

“Oh! Prism! I’m so sorry, I, uh, didn’t see you there, darling,” she replied, fumbling with her words a bit, before looking down to the dress she was making and quickly casting it aside onto a nearby poniquin. “So how was your time with Twilight, dear?”

“Wonderful!” I exclaimed excitedly. “Absolutely wonderful! Today in general has been just... wonderful.” I breathed out the last word with a relaxed sigh and smile.

Rarity raised a curious eyebrow, an expression quickly followed by a sly grin. “Oh? Do share!” she enthused, levitating a hidden red velvet couch over from somewhere and taking a seat on it. “So, tell me about this wonderful day of yours, hmm?” She looked to me expectantly.

I climbed up onto the couch next to her, making myself comfortable before bringing a hoof to my chin.

“Well...” Starting with my time with Twilight in her laboratory, I explained, in great detail, about her research and our findings: How my magic seemed to work, what had happened to the weight, and how we had discovered the reason why Rarity’s healing spell had affected my wound in such a terrifying way, a few weeks ago.

Rarity looked positively dumbstruck, as if she couldn’t believe the words I was saying.

“I... knew you’re magic was special, unique... but this?” she replied slowly, covering her muzzle with a hoof. “Twilight must have had quite a field day with you, darling.”

I covered a small laugh. “You have no idea. You should have seen how excited she was!”

Rarity beamed me a small, knowing smile. “Twilight never ceases to amaze me with her magical aptitude and extensive knowledge. Being given an opportunity to explore unknown magic like this? Why, I imagine she must have been positively delighted.”

Rarity paused, shifting uncomfortably in her seat, and looked to the floor.

“And I’m quite relieved to finally come to understand what happened that day, with your cut. It has been eating away at me in the back of my mind for some time now... It could have gone much worse, and what if it had? What if my spell had left a scar? I... I don’t think I would have been able to forgiv—”

Placing a hoof on her shoulder, I cut Rarity off and said, “I already told you, there was no way you could have known that would happen. You did everything right with the casting, my body just reacts differently to healing spells—and other invasive forms of magic, possibly.”

I gave her a quick wink when she looked back up to me.

“So rest easy knowing that you did, in fact, help me. If that wound had healed normally it probably would have left a scar.” I brought a hoof to my forehead for a moment, covering a small laugh at her touching but unnecessary concerns.

Rarity gave me a relieved smile when she replied, “Thank you, Prism. That makes me feel much better,” before dismissing the issue with a small laugh of her own. “So tell me, what else happened during this fabulous day of yours?” Her smile quickly turned slightly smug.

I paused momentarily before my ears perked up. “Oh! I decided what to do with my bits!” I exclaimed, shifting positions to face her. “An art gallery! I’m going to have an art gallery built!”

Quickly going starry-eyed, Rarity exclaimed, “Why, darling! that is a simply magnificent idea! A place to display all your work and paintings... Not to mention the attention it will attract! I’ll have you know, many of the Canterlot elite are very intrigued by fine artwork. So I can assure you that a new art gallery opening its doors in Equestria will cause quite the stir; you could quickly become famous!”

Rarity paused for a moment before covering a sharp gasp.

“And let’s not forget just who you are! You are the daughter of Canvas. The Canvas! That alone is going to turn quite a few heads amongst the nobility of Canterlot, and attract art collectors from all over Equestria.” Rarity grabbed my hooves into hers. “This is an absolutely stupendous idea, Prism! With your talent, you could easily become the next big thing in the art world!”

I quickly shied away from her, blushing profusely. “I-I don’t know about that... I would love the opportunity to share my art with everypony, though. It has been my dream since I was a filly.”

Looking down to my forehooves with a smile, I twirled them together.

Rarity leaned in and wrapped a foreleg around my neck and shoulders. “You are far too talented to aspire to anything less! I will personally see to it that this dream of yours comes true, and I know just the pony to help us do it.” She looked to me with a large smile. “Quick Fix!”

I tilted my head, looking at her puzzled. “Quick Fix? Who’s that?”

Rarity covered a posh laugh. “Why, she’s only the most talented contractor in all of Equestria! She and her team are the ones who built the Carousel Boutique!” She gestured a hoof to the walls all around us. “Clearly, you cannot deny that the quality of her work is absolutely outstanding.”

I paused for several moments, scanning the room with a somewhat surprised expression.

This building is simply amazing; everything is so finely detailed. The same pony that created all of this is going to be building my studio?

My expression slowly transformed into one of excitement. “Rarity, that would be wonderful!” I said, quickly pulling her into a hug. “Thank you so much!”

Rarity let out a small laugh and pulled away. “It’s no problem at all, darling. I will get a hold of her first thing tomorrow morning. She actually lives right here, in Ponyville!”

“Today has just been too much,” I said, leaning back into the sofa. ”It’s not every day that your entire life gets flipped upside down and you get all of your dreams simply handed to you on a silver platter.”

Rarity covered a small chuckle. “Yes, I daresay you’ve had quite the day indeed.” She paused for a moment. “Oh yes! Fluttershy dropped off your saddlebags when she came by earlier; she said that you forgot them in her kitchen. They are up in your room, dear.”

Rarity got up from the couch and trotted over to her large supply shelf, examining it.

“Now darling, I really do hate to cut this short, but I do still have some work I need to get done before bed. We still have our spa trip planned for tomorrow after lunch, if you’ll recall,” she said as she looked to a clock on her work desk, “and it’s already midnight now.”

I shifted in my seat before standing up.

“Oh, um, just one more thing before I go... I wanted to say ‘thank you’ for the advice you gave me. It really helped,” I said as I looked to the floor, drawing a circle with a hoof while a smile crept up on me.

Rarity looked back to me with a puzzled look, a single eyebrow raised. “Advice?” she asked quizzically.

“With Big Macintosh?” I explained, trotting up to her. ”You gave me some advice on how to talk to him and... Well, like I said, it really helped. So thank you.”

Rarity’s expression fell slightly. “O-oh, um... you’re welcome. How did everything go with... Big Macintosh?” Rarity asked with a somewhat nervous smile.

I returned it with a giant smile of my own.“Wonderful!” I exclaimed loudly, pulling her into a hug. “Thank you so much! I had an opportunity to ask him and right after I did, he really surprised me! He asked me out to dinner tomorrow night!”

Rarity quickly pulled away with a nervous expression.

“O-Oh, um... t-that’s gr—”

“But that’s not all!” I interrupted excitedly, stepping closer to her again. “You see, there was this group of stallions that wouldn’t leave me alone. I asked them to go away, but they wouldn’t! I was starting to get really scared... Then Big Macintosh comes out of nowhere and chases two of them away! The third one tries to fight him, but gets knocked out with a single buck; Big Macintosh didn’t even break a sweat!”

I hadn’t realized it, but I was leaning in right to her face at this point.

“Afterwards he came over to ask if I was okay. After he had protected me like that, letting me see just how strong he really is, I just... lost myself. I had him lean in close and I...” I trailed off, taking a step back from Rarity with a fiery blush. “And I... kissed him!”

I sat to my haunches and quickly covered my face with both hooves.

Rarity took a step back, herself.

“Y-You... KISSED him?!” she repeated, sounding taken aback.

I looked up to her and slowly nodded before pausing. “Well... I didn’t actually kiss him—it was more of a peck on the cheek really—but it was close enough!” I squealed to myself softly.

Rarity looked down to me with an interesting expression, her right eye twitching. 

“Um, are you okay, Rarity?” I asked, tilting my head in confusion. “What's wrong?”

She suddenly shook herself, looking quite visibly flustered. “Oh, um, nothing’s wrong, darling. I just, um...” she trailed off and took a few steps backwards toward the door. “I just, um... remembered something very important that I forgot to do today! I’ll be back later, don’t worry. Goodnight!”

Before I could get a word off, she vanished out the doorway. Puzzled, I looked back to the clock on her desk.

What could be so important that she has to run off at midnight to do it?

I brought a hoof to my chin in thought for a few moments, before shrugging the thought off with a sudden yawn.

I really should get to bed...

Leisurely walking out of Rarity’s Inspiration Room, I made my way up to my room. As I crested the stairs, I noticed my saddlebags right away; they were laying on my bed. A warm smile crept up on me as I trotted up to them.

Fluttershy...

As I looked them over I noticed there was something discreetly tucked away beneath the bags, with just a corner of paper visible.

“...A letter?” I mused aloud to myself.

I reached down with a hoof, scooted it out from under the saddlebags and began to read it over:

Dear, Prism.

I’m really sorry about everything that happened today, and that you had to do all that work for me. I know you offered to, but I still feel bad about it. Thank you for giving me a chance to get some rest, though. I guess I needed it more than I thought.

I would also like to apologize for the way Angel Bunny treated you today. He’s not a bad bunny, he just made a bad decision. He’s much nicer once you get to know him. Well, most of the time.

My animal friends told me how much you helped them all today. They had a lot of questions about you, and said you were very nice and helpful. Mr. Beaver told me that you even helped him finish his new dam! He was very grateful and wanted me to tell you how much he appreciated the extra help. He even offered to give you some fish in return by way of thanking you, though I wasn’t sure if you eat fish so I politely turned him down for you.

Oh! And thank you for the apples. I hadn’t even realized that I had run out. You really helped me a lot today and I am very grateful for that. But what I am most grateful for is that you are okay.

When I heard the news on Winter Wrap Up, I was terrified. I honestly thought that we were going to lose you; you were in very, very bad shape when Twilight brought you to the hospital. The doctors didn’t think you were going to make it for the first few hours.

I was so scared. Scared that I was going to lose my special friend, who I had only just had the pleasure of meeting. I found it very difficult to sleep at night, constantly worrying if you were okay, so I checked on you every day to make sure you were doing better. Earlier this morning, I was quite shocked when I went to the hospital and found out that you weren’t there, that you were awake. I flew as fast as I could to the boutique, but Rarity told me you that I had just missed you, and that you had actually left to come see me.

I was so surprised to see you outside without your cloak on. It made me really happy that you are now comfortable enough to go outside without it. I just want you to know that I am very proud of you. You have come a long way from when I first met you. I really admire how you have been able to overcome so much, so quickly.

You’re an amazing pony, Prism. Never let anypony else tell you otherwise. I hope that, one day, I can be as strong as you...

Oh, but listen to me, I’m just rambling now. I’ll stop before this gets too long. Thanks again for the help.

-Your friend forever, Fluttershy

P.S. I forgot to mention: I left a present for you as a little token of gratitude for all your help. It’s nothing special, just something I made really fast before coming over, but I do hope you like it.

“A gift?” I mused as I looked over the saddlebags.

Upon opening them I saw nothing out of the ordinary; they were empty aside from the bag containing my remaining bits. I paused for a moment, before searching a bit more thoroughly around where the bags were sitting, and around my bed itself. Thats when I noticed a large lump beneath the sheets near my pillows. I pulled away the sheets and gasped, smiling widely.

“A pillow!”

But it wasn’t just your standard, all-white pillow: The material was a soft pink and the seams were trimmed in golden silk and yellow lace. Flowers of many colors were embroidered into the frame that bordered the fluffy body of the pillow. And in the very center was an image of my cutie mark, although this version was fully colored, showing a typical wooden palette along with a black-tipped brush. The paints on the palette itself were each a vibrant color of the rainbow. What stuck out the most about the pillow, though, was the word ‘Friends’, embroidered in flowery letters above my cutie mark.

I analyzed the pillow for a little while longer, and then turned it over. The border around the pillow was the same as on the other side, but in the center, instead of my own cutie mark, three pink butterflies were depicted.

Fluttershy's cutie mark...

Below the image was the word ‘Forever’, embroidered in the same style as on the opposite side.

I picked up the pillow with both hooves, continually flipping it over and over again, a giant smile adorning my face.

“Friends forever...” I said aloud to myself, pulling the pillow close and nuzzling into it.

I noticed right away just how soft it was—far more comfortable than even the luxurious pillows Rarity had provided for me. Though that observation was quickly replaced by something else, something far more lovely.

...It smells like fresh spring flowers.

Eager to try my new pillow, I decided it was time for bed and lazily brushed both my saddlebags and the note onto the floor, figuring I could put them away another time. Then I quickly crawled underneath the sheets and nuzzled into Fluttershy’s gift once more, feeling supremely comfortable.

Not having realized just how tired I was, I was asleep in mere moments.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Are you sure you’re going to be alright? Remember that, if things don’t work out, you can always move back home.”

I rolled my eyes at the pink mare’s needless worrying.

“I’ll be fine, Mother. I’ve been planning this and saving up for months,” I replied, turning back to face her.

She had a very worried expression on her face. “Okay. It’s just... I know you’re not good with other ponies and—”

“I won’t have to go out much,” I interjected. ”My work allows me work on orders from home, remember? Plus, I can take care of myself just fine.” I looked down to my hooves, at my faithful black pet rabbit. “And besides, I have Mr. Wiggles with me!” I added. ”So I’ll be alright.”

He replied to my wink with an affirmative nod.

“See?” I said, looking back to my mother. “I will be just fine, so please, stop worrying so much.”

She let out a sigh of defeat. “I just can’t believe my little canvas is all grown up and moving out on her own. I’m your mother you know, it’s my job to worry about my daughter,” she said matter-of-factly, wearing a smug look on her face. “Don’t forget tha—”

She was abruptly cut off by loud fit of coughing.

“Mom!” I cried out, galloping over to her.

She held out a hoof to me as she recovered and composed herself. “I’m... okay. Don’t worry.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “No, you are not ‘okay!’ I told you to see a doctor about that nasty cough yesterday!”

“It’s probably just a bad chest cold, I think I’ll just—”

“No, you won’t,”  I interrupted her, stomping a forehoof. “You’re going to see a doctor. Today. And by Celestia’s sun, if I have to drag you over there myself, I will.”

She covered a small laugh. “Okay okay, you win. I’ll go after lunch, with Flora and the girls.” Mother brought a hoof to her chin, smiling. “Why don’t you join us dear?”

I gave her a mild glare. “Stop changing the subject, Mother! Doctor. Go. Today.” I pointed a hoof at her. “When I come back for the rest of my painting supplies tomorrow, you had better have a written note from a qualified physician, or I’m going to be very, very unhappy.”

She embraced me in an unexpected hug. “I will, I promise.”

“I love you mom, but you really need to take better care of yourself,” I said, returning the hug. “I can’t so much as sneeze without worrying you. Now it’s my turn to nag.” I laughed, then pulled away and made my way to the door.

“C’mon Wiggie! We’re leaving,” I said as I sat down and began tying back my mane and tail.

Mother trotted up to Wiggles and leaned down close to him. “Now Mr. Wiggles, please make sure that she doesn’t forget to brush her teeth before bed, or to take her vitamins. Also make sure that she—”

“Mom!” I called out, looking back to her with a glare before putting on my cloak.

She let out a sharp laugh, giving my pet bunny a nod. He gave her a quick salute, before hopping across the room and onto my back.

With my passenger secure, I turned back to my mother, giving her a small wave.

“See you tomorrow! Love you Mom!”

* * * * * * * * * * *

I grumbled softly as I rolled over in bed. The faint sound of a voice called out to me, from what seemed like miles away, though it only took a few moments for that soft, distant voice to end up being neither very soft nor very distant, anymore.

“Wake up! It’s time to get up, Prism!”

I felt a set of tiny hooves pressing into my side. After a few more prompts for me to get out of bed, I finally recognised the voice.

“...Sweetie Belle?” I asked groggily, sitting up slowly and with a long yawn.

“Rarity says there’s somepony here to see you! It’s important!” she informed me with much enthusiasm, her voice cracking slightly on the ‘por’ in ‘important.’ I couldn’t help but reach out and pull her into a hug in my still-half-asleep state.

She’s sooooo cute!

“You're...crushing me...” she squeaked, squirming in my grasp.

I quickly let go of her. She hopped onto the floor below before turning back to me.

“Hey, do you think you I could use one of your canvases and some paint for something, later today?” she asked, surprisingly sounding somewhat excited.

One thing I had learned about Sweetie Belle was that, adorable as they were, she and her fillyfriends were a walking disaster just waiting to happen. I had heard the horror stories, and could even give a few first-hoof accounts of their destructive exploits myself, by now.

“I-I, um... I don’t think that is a very good idea,” I replied reluctantly, not wanting to be responsible for supplying the filly with potential weapons of mass destruction.

“Aww...” she replied sadly, visibly deflating.

So adorable!

I let out a sigh of defeat and caved to her cute antics.

“I’ll tell you what: tomorrow afternoon, I’ll let you use some of my stuff if, and only if, you let me come with you. I want to make sure you girls don’t get into any trouble,” I said, giving her now unnaturally large grin a dubious stare.

“You’re the best adult ever, Prism! Thank you!” she exclaimed before trotting to the staircase, only to come to a sudden stop and look back to me. “Oh yeah! There’s some breakfast for you downstairs, too,” she added, before disappearing down the stairs.

I hopped out of bed and, considering I had an unknown visitor, took a brief moment to trot up to the large, standing mirror in the corner of the room and brush my mane. I had a horrible case of bedhead; probably not the best look to come down and greet somepony with.

When my mane had been tamed, I made my way downstairs and headed to the kitchen. Rarity was at the table, sitting across from a red-brown unicorn mare. She had a pure white mane—not too far off, in terms of contrast, from my own—and a what looked like a wrench as a cutie mark.

Rarity noticed me approaching and gestured to me. “Ah, there she is. Sorry to wake you so early, Prism, but Quick Fix here would like to speak to you about your gallery.”

The mare in question turned to face me. At first glance, she cocked her head back and blinked at me a few times, before quickly smiling. “Hi! I’m Quick Fix! Pleased to meet you. Prism, right?”

“Y-Yeah...” I replied softly, slowly walking over and taking a seat next to Rarity. “It’s, um... n-nice to meet you, Quick Fix.”

I let out a soft sigh. Meeting new ponies was getting easier, but something about really energetic and forward ponies still made me feel really nervous and uneasy, at first, and this mare was no exception.

“So, word is you’re looking to build an art gallery?” she said, getting up from her seat. ”When Rarity told me earlier, I was so excited I just had to rush over and get some more information!”

She trotted over to a pair of large saddlebags sitting by the stairs that led down to the boutique.

“So, first off, what kind of budget we looking at?” she looked back to me expectantly.

I fidgeted with my forehooves for a moment. “...U-Um... t-three thousand b-bits?” I replied nervously.

Quick Fix’s eyes went wide for a moment. “Oh, wow... Well, I have a few basic floor plans we can start with! If you would just give me a moment, I think I have one you may like...”

She trailed off as she started shuffling through her saddlebags, pulling out what looked to be blueprints of various sizes and letting them spill onto the floor, scattering them about and letting them roll away. After a few moments of searching, she lifted up a rather sizable scroll in her blue-grey magic aura.

“Alright! Since this is to be an art gallery, a large, open floor plan would be the way to go,” she suggested, gesturing to the levitating scroll. “This one in particular has several columns throughout the main room. I figure you can use those; they provide more surface area to hang paintings on.” She smiled expectantly, letting the scroll float over to me.

A very long, awkward silence fell over the room. Quick Fix’s smile grew large and quite forced, and she made a gesture with her muzzle to the blueprint. A few more seconds passed. I let out a soft whimper and shrank down in my seat. I almost jumped out of it, but then felt Rarity place a hoof on my shoulder.

“It’s fine, dear. Go ahead and take it from her.”

“B-But...” I laid my ears back, giving her a worried look.

“If Twilight does manage to find a way to help you better control your magic, as we’re all hoping, then you’re inevitably going to have to start using it in front of ponies you don’t know,” she said in a soft tone accompanied by a reassuring smile. “You may as well start getting used to it now. And besides, I think she will get a real kick out of it.” She added a playful wink.

Quick Fix tilted her head, looking at me with a puzzled expression. “She’s a unicorn, but she doesn’t like using her magic around others? Why not?” She scanned my face briefly, looking me in the eyes. “Is your magic not pink or something? You know, not everypony’s magic matches their eye color; it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Rarity laughed softly. “Not exactly, no,” she said with a smug look before turning back to me. “Go on Prism, I promise she won’t bite.”

I found myself feeling all kinds of nervous as I turned back to the mare contractor. Over the course of my life many, many ponies had seen my appearance, but the number of ponies who had seen my magic were only a small hooffull outside of my mother (and now the girls).

Rarity has a point... I need to get used to the reactions and stares of other ponies.

“S-Shouldn’t we, um... tell her about it first?” I suggested hesitantly.

Rarity covered a sinister smile behind a forehoof. “But darling! Where’s the fun in that?”

Quick Fix scratched the back of her neck, looking utterly perplexed. “Uh... maybe I should just set it down over—”

“No,” I interjected, sitting up. “I’ll take it, just... give me one second.”

I took a deep breath and let out a slow sigh. After a few moments of gathering my resolve, I focused my magic. The blue-grey aura still holding the scroll was quickly replaced by my own prismatic magic when I took the scroll and levitated it toward myself. Quick Fix’s expression turned into one of shock, and she fell back onto her haunches. I let out a small, whimpering squeak as I quickly released my hold on the scroll, letting it fall to the floor.

“W-W-Wha... What was that?!” Quick Fix stammered. She looked aghast, gesturing a shaky hoof to the no-longer-floating scroll.

Rarity sat back with a rather smug expression, obviously trying desperately to hold back her laughter, while I shrank down in my seat.

“T-that... was my, um... m-magic,” I pointed out haltingly, fidgeting with my forehooves.

“H-How is that even possible?! I have never even heard of rainbow magic before...” She turned back to me, looking me over. “I’ll admit I was already a bit surprised by your appearance, but that... That was something else.” She got to her hooves and seemed to hesitate for several seconds. “Could you, um... do it again? I’m sorry I made such a big scene, I just wasn’t expecting it.”

After glaring at Rarity briefly, I slowly nodded, and reluctantly levitated the scroll into the air again.

Her eyes went wide as she started to very slowly walk up to magic’s field. “Wow!” she breathed out in a dream-like daze, hesitantly extending a hoof. She stopped herself briefly, before allowing her hoof to touch the floating paper anyway. “That is just... amazing. It’s so beautiful!”

“I really don’t like the attention it attracts,” I explained, bringing the blueprint over to me and spreading it out over the table. “I don’t like having a bunch of ponies stare at me every time I cast a spell.”

“I guess I can understand that,” Quick Fix said, still blinking.

I glanced over the paper and was... surprised, to say the least; the design was for a rather sizable building. It had a layout reminiscent of Ponyville’s City Hall, except with only one floor and shaped more like an octagon, as far as the walls were concerned. Seven pillars were indicated on the blueprint: three on the east side of the building, three on the west, and one really large specimen in the center.

“If you think the columns are too small or not wide enough, they can be shaped accordingly,” Quick Fix commented, gesturing to the blue print.

I looked over the dimensions of the pillars and brought a hoof to my chin in thought; looking at it again, there were a few issues...

“Hmm... currently they are circular. I think they need to be made rectangular, and probably larger, yes. I won’t have any use for the extra floor space these narrow pillars offer, really. Like you mentioned earlier, it’s mostly surface area that I need.” I gestured to the northern end of the plans. “Also, this open space here, leading to the center pillar... I would like to convert most of it into studio-style living quarters that connect to the back wall. A second, private door on the north side would be great too; that way I don’t have to go through the gallery to get in and out of my home. Is all of that possible?” I looked up to Quick Fix expectantly.

She beamed me a smile and nodded. “Of course! Just give me a moment to make a copy of this with your modifications added in.”

Trotting back to her saddlebags, she levitated and unraveled a blank blueprint, along with a pencil, and began scribbling away furiously.

I couldn’t help but smile as I imagined what my very own gallery would be like when it was finished.

“What do you think, Rarity?” I asked as I turned to face her.

She had a rather surprised look on her face. “I didn’t know you could be so... assertive. I’m impressed, really,” she said, giving me a look that was surprised, but approving. “Anyways, regarding the plans: I think they're wonderful, but you should know you’re free to stay here, if you like. It really is no trouble having you—”

“Thank you, Rarity,”  I interjected, ”but I think I have stayed under your roof long enough. I am extremely grateful for everything you have done for me; nopony could possibly ask for more.” I beamed at her. “You have been such a good friend to me... I don’t think I could ever thank you enough. But I can take care of myself, and would prefer to be out of everypony’s way,” I added with a wink.

Rarity opened her mouth to protest, but I quickly raised a hoof, hushing her.

“You may be the element of generosity, but I’m the element of stubbornness; don’t try to change my mind,” I said, playfully sticking my tongue out at her.

She let out a small chuckle before getting out of her seat. “I’m afraid Applejack has already staked claim to that title, dear,” she teased back. Then she trotted over to the kitchen counter to fetch a plate, and magically set it down in front of me. “Very well darling, if that is what you wish... But do keep in mind that, if you ever need help with anything, you should feel free to ask.”

“I will,” I said as I looked down to my plate. (Eggs and toast, one of my favorites.) “Thank you Rarity. For everything.”

As I went about eating my breakfast, Quick Fix finished up with the new blueprint and directed it over to me. “Alright, all finished! How does this look?” she asked excitedly.

I glanced over the plans. It was as if she had read my mind! The whole thing was laid out exactly the way I had imagined it.

“If’s ferfet!” I exclaimed happily, before giving myself the chance to swallow my toast. “Sorry. It’s perfect! Precisely what I had in mind.”

She smiled at me, but then her expression changed to one of deep thought. “Let’s see, there are only three plots in Ponyville big enough to build something like this: one between the hospital and the park, one just outside of town, along the road to the Everfree Forest, and one between the town square and Sweet Apple Acres.”

The road between town square and Sweet Apple Acres is a bit on the bland side... That leaves the road up to the hospital and the one near the Everfree.

I brought a hoof to my chin as I debated my options. Both roads were beautiful in their own way: the hospital's road had gorgeous grassy plains and lots of flowers, while the road to the Everfree was peaceful and had a lot of trees, wild plants and flowers.

I’m not sure how much I like the idea of living next to a hospital, though... It might bring back some unpleasant memories. Also, settling on the road to the Everfree would mean living a lot closer to Fluttershy... I hope she won’t mind.

“I think I’ll go with the one between Ponyville and the Everfree; that particular road is very pretty and peaceful,” I stated, before finishing the last bite of my breakfast.

“Awesome! One sec.”

Quick Fix trotted back to her saddlebags once more, this time to extract some kind of document. She held the modified blueprint alongside it, and then fell silent for several moments.

“Uh oh,” she suddenly blurted out, frowning deeply, “I think we went a little over budget.”

Walking back to me, she magically held out the papers again and showed me her calculations.

“You see, the building itself, before modification, would be 2100 bits,” she informed me. ”The plot comes down to 600. But then there’s the increased size of the columns; the extra material needed for that, according to my estimates, is probably going to raise their cost to roughly 400 bits. And the addition of living quarters would be 200 more, if you want to include a kitchen and a bathroom.” She let out a nervous laugh. “...Is that. um... still okay?”

My ears fell back and I sighed disappointedly. “We could look at another plan... I can live with something smaller, if need be. I mean, I don’t—”

“No need, darling, it’s perfectly reasonable and still very much within our budget,” Rarity quickly cut me off. “Now, if we can just move along to discussing the specific details...”

I quickly turned to face the fashionista. “Rarity! It’s not—” I was promptly silenced by an invading apple that Rarity had telekinetically snatched from the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter.

“Awesome!” Quick Fix said, raising a brow at our shenanigans. ”I’ll have to go run home real fast and grab my catalogs, though. I, uh, didn’t think I was going to need them yet.” She grinned  sheepishly. “Very unprofessional of me. Very sorry. I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?”

“That’s quite alright, dear. No rush,” Rarity called out to her, but she was already darting down the staircase.

Rarity turned and trotted up to me with a smug look. “I can be quite stubborn too, Prism,” she said with a laugh, winking at me before making her way down to the boutique below.

I swallowed the offending apple and let out a long sigh.

I just can’t win against her, can I?

* * * * * * * * * *

Before long Quick Fix returned with several booklets containing a variety of different designs for me to choose from (both for the interior and the exterior decor), as well as with a few lists of basic building materials she would be needing and some formal paperwork for me to sign.

Going over all the different options was a lot of fun. Rarity insisted mostly on flashy and eye-popping designs and embellishments, but I prefered a more classical approach. I loved the way stonework looked and eventually decided to go with classic Canterlotian marble. Much to my dismay this turned out to be a little more expensive still, but no matter how hard I tried to go back on my decision and consider something cheaper, Rarity would not let me.

I was quickly learning that she was a mare who almost always got her way. Not because she was inflexible and wouldn’t have it any other way, but simply because she knew how to pull the right strings. The girls really didn’t give her enough credit... Under that mask of vanity lay an exceptionally intelligent and crafty mare.

When everything was said and done, Quick Fix informed me that construction would probably be done in a little over a week. Apparently, the difficulty with erecting stone structures was not the actual shaping of the material, but the transportation. Unicorn magic made manipulating the marble quick and easy, but good old-fashioned earth pony muscle was still needed to move it from the quarries outside Canterlot.

When my new contractor friend was done going over everything and finally took her leave, it was already getting awfully close to the time when Fluttershy was due to arrive. I suggested that we should probably be getting ready, but to my great shock Rarity informed me that there was no need.

“One goes to a spa to get ready, not the other way around,” she delicately put it.

It wasn’t long before there was a knock at the door. A very quiet knock, belonging, of course, to Fluttershy.

Although something seemed different about her today. I couldn’t quite put a hoof on it.

“Well girls, shall we?” Rarity said regally, trotting for the door. The two of us nodded and quickly followed her out.

I was excited—no, elated. A relaxing afternoon trip to the spa, with my two best friends.

What could possibly go wrong?