Ever Growing Friendship
Written By: Cloudline Dasher
Edited By: Bytestorm
Chapter Twenty One: Drunken Admittance
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The large double doors creaked as chains dropped to the floor, possibly scratching the marbled tile in the hallway with its heavy metal. Twilight flinched as a swift gust slapped her in the face as well as dust that quickly pulled from shelves and the floor. Clenching her eyes closed, she coughed heavily, her lungs painfully trying to expel the foreign contaminant. After she quelled her coughs, she took a couple steady inhalations, before turning her vision back to the large dungeon like library. Before entering, she steadied the Element of Magic on her head, "Here goes nothing..."
Her hoof flinched as it touched to cold cobblestone flooring. As she stepped through, torches flared to life as she passed by, lighting her way. Just like most of the castle, the lighting was mostly magic. However, in the castle it was glass orbs that were imbued with magic. These dungeons were definitely older, and most likely wasn't updated when Starswirl invented the spell to encase hollowed glass orbs with magic to illuminate them. Starswirl's time line stated that he existed a little before, as well as several decades during Celestia and Luna's ascension to their Alicorn status, so it made her wonder how much of the library was unknown even to the vastly intelligent scholar.
It was also stated that Celestia lost the power of the Elements of Harmony when she entrapped Luna in the moon, so it would stand to reason why she hadn't searched these lost tombs. Without the power of the Element of Magic, she would also have been susceptible to any curse.
Blinking, Twilight struggled to see, the light of the torches becoming dimmer and dimmer. She looked about to notice they were no longer lighting the way. She glanced back to see the previous ones were still lit. Letting out a nervous sigh, Twilight attempted to calm her heart before closing her eyes. Her horn illuminated a faint purple before pulling a glass orb from her satchel. She used a spell to fill the glass with magic, illuminating a large portion around her with light. Holding it well in front of her, she continued through the many many rows of shelves containing possibly thousands of cursed documents and books.
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Trace finished packing his satchel, throwing the full bag onto Fluttershy's new bed. He had everything moved out of his home, and everything was in Fluttershy's cottage. He had yet to be able to sell the home, but decided if anything, he could sell it once Lyra came home. The door creaked as Fluttershy backed into the room, dragging her own large luggage bag in her teeth across the floor. Rushing to her side, Trace took the luggage from her grasp, pulling it onto the bed.
"We should be going, the train is leaving soon." Fluttershy calmly stated, motioning for the door.
She was about to move to grab the luggage, but Trace beat her to it. His satchel had a strap so he could carry it on his shoulder, while he just carried her luggage by the handle. It was much like a rolling book bag back home, but instead of the bar a human would hold onto, it seemed to be arced so it could be placed on a ponies back. Which he just pulled it by the arc, pulling it like he would have done with the book bag back home, "Let's go, we will be late!"
Nodding, Shy didn't argue as she led the way from the cottage. Once outside she stopped by an older brown pony, "Mr. Green Hooves, are you sure you can handle everything here?"
"Sure thing, Miss Fluttershy! Ah'm sure the critters will be just fine!" The older pony smiled, his absent mind forgetting that he had been filling up one of the water bowls, and the water spilled over, soaking the ground. Little rabbits jumped away from the bowl, their fur drenched with the sudden spew of water. Trace stepped on the hose, using all his weight to cut off the water. The sudden loss in pressure gained Green Hoove's attention as he lifted the end of the hose to look in it, "But ah think yer hose may be clogged."
Fluttershy frowned as she looked up to Trace, her eyes successfully displaying her concern, but was too nice to say anything. Trace smiled as he gazed down to his mare, "Don't worry hun, Cheerilee is going to check in once and awhile. Everything will be fine."
Letting out a sigh, the creamy mare nodded, "O-okay..." Forcing herself to turn away, she kept glancing back over her shoulder.
Green Hooves kept glancing down the hose, and Fluttershy stopped when Trace wasn't moving. Trace chuckled as he said, "Green Hooves, maybe you should turn off the water, or at least point it away?"
"Nah sonny, If ah can just see ta darn clog, ah can fix it!"
Letting out a small sigh, Trace lift off his foot just a bit, spraying a short burst of water out of the end of the hose and straight across Mr. Green Hooves face, "See, maybe you should just put it down? Maybe the way you're holding it, is clogging it?"
Placing her yellow hoof over her mouth, Fluttershy attempted to contain her giggles, "Trace, you're being mean, here..." She stated as she stepped over to the faucet, turning it off with a couple squeaks of the metal circular knob.
Releasing his foot from the hose, Trace stepped away, pulling the luggage with him, "Let's go Shy, or we will be late."
"Good bye Mr. Green Hooves." Fluttershy stated in a calm tone, but Trace caught the concern still in her voice.
"Yeah, good bye miss Fluttershy! Ah'm just gonna stay a bit, and fix tis hose." Mr. Green Hooves once again glanced down the hose, trying his best to see the clog. His face still dripping with water, not bothering to wipe it away.
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They arrived just in time, even though they were clearly the last ones there. Rarity glanced their way as Sweetie loaded the last of Rarity's bags onto the train, "Darlings! I thought for sure you were going to miss the train!"
"Sorry, we were... a little caught up in packing..." Trace blushed as the lie spewed from his mouth. He managed to glance down to Fluttershy, whom was spouting the same reddened hue on her cheeks.
"I daresay, what in the world were you two doing to..." Upon glancing in between the two, a light flickered in her mind along with several vivid images once she noticed the shared reddened expressions on the twos faces. She cleared her throat as her own cheeks pinked, "Ahem... Never mind that... Let's just get going. The others are already aboard, and Applejack is stalling the driver for you two."
When Rarity turned away, Trace wasted no time throwing their luggage in the caboose along with Rarity's belongings. Which with her massive amount of luggage, there were barely any room for Fluttershy's and his things.
Once showing the train pony his ticket, Trace headed straight for an empty seat, and Fluttershy jumped up next to him, gently placing a hoof on his leg to steady herself as the train started to take off. Trace grunted as something hard collided with his back, "Nice to see you two slowpokes could join us!"
Turning in his seat, Trace noticed it was Rainbow that had assaulted his back with her hoof, "We were just running late, we made it didn't we?"
"Yeah! Only because AJ stalled for you!" Rainbow chuckled, smiling wide to both him and Fluttershy.
Just as she finished her sentence, the door to the front of the car swung open, followed by an orange familiar face, Applejack. Behind her followed her marefriend, Bon Bon. Rainbow Dash hovered over her seat as she waved them over, "Over here!"
"Glad ya made it, Sugarcubes!" Applejack stated merrily, taking the seat in front of Trace and Fluttershy.
Glancing over the seats, Trace could barely see Applebloom's ribbon peaking over the seat, and assumed the cutie mark crusaders were most likely sitting in front of Applejack and Bon Bon. Looking to the left, he heard Rarity speak up, "Yes, I'm just glad we are finally on our way. I've been so excited to stay in the castle again. Maybe I can even sell my designs to some high class magazines, to advertise my shop."
Trace chuckled, and rubbed his shoulder. The stiffness from his heavy bag leaving a bruised feeling.
"Are you okay?" Fluttershy frowned, turning toward her mate as she placed her hoof on his chest.
"I'm fine, that luggage was just a tad bit heavy was all." stated the tall human, grinning to the mare to assure her that he was fine.
However, Trace's eyes raised from Fluttershy's to meet with Rarity's. He didn't know how long she had been looking, but she hurriedly turned her attention to the window as their eyes met. It was quick, but Trace definitely saw hurt on her face, 'I wonder what's wrong with her? I hate that I told her I wouldn't ask her about it until she was ready.'
As for Rarity, she focused on nothing in particular as she gazed from the train. Her mind tugging toward the two lovers just in the other seat that she called friends, 'Rarity, you mustn't think like that! You cannot be jealous, jealousy turns into anger and depression!'
After several moments, Rarity's determination to keep her gaze out the window, softened. Soon she found herself looking forward across the ponies in the many seats in front of her. Her gaze drifting right to Applejack and Bon Bon nuzzling one another. She just smiled softly, but soon her eyes drifted further right, landing upon Fluttershy and Trace. Fluttershy had her head perched on Trace's shoulder, her eyes closed and her breathing couldn't be heard, but her chest lightly went up and down. Glancing down to the pegasi's hooves, Rarity took notice of Trace's hand gently running his fingers over her hoof. Looking back up, she quickly took notice of the small contented smile on Shy's face.
Upon seeing this, for some reason the jealousy once again burned insider her, her smile disappearing and a frown firmly planting itself. However this time she didn't look away. Her eyes remained on Fluttershy and her soft smile. After several moments of staring, the jealousy seemed to fade, but another feeling was soon taking place. An almost empty hollow feeling filled herself as she watched her.
The white unicorn's mind drifted to the many times they had spent in the spa, where did it all go wrong? She remembers clearly seeing Fluttershy as just as a friend, 'W-when did it all change? When did I start feeling like this for her?'
As if to answer herself, Rarity's gaze returned to the window, her eyes hazing over as she thought back to the exact date she started feeling this way.
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'It was the night after the Grand Galloping Gala, that's it... wasn't it?'
They had left Donut Joes, Celestia allowed the group to stay in the castle. She wasn't upset in the least for the trouble they had caused, saying it was the greatest Gala she had ever attended. That however didn't help the hurt of having her second biggest dream being crushed that night. She quickly turned for her door, turning the knob with her hoof.
"Rarity, ah hope yer not goin ta bed, the girls were just gonna drink some cider ah brought. Wanna come?" Applejack smiled brightly, motioning to her room where the cider had been stored.
"Yeah Rares! Come on! It is cider for crying out loud! Special cider at that!" Rainbow grinned widely, gaining a few feet with each enthused happy flaps of her wings.
When Rainbow's head tapped the ceiling, she finally made her way back to the floor. Rarity just frowned as she shook her head, "No, I'm just going to hit the hay, so to speak."
The orange cowpony stepped closer, throwing her hoof around Rarity's shoulder, "Look hun, we all have had a rough night and many of our dreams have been crushed tonight. All the more reason to drink it off with friends..."
Stepping closer to the white mare, Fluttershy softly smiled, "We wont make you come, but... we would like it if you would. It wont be the same without all of us..." Fluttershy ended with her nose lowering to the floor, a pout apparent just below her snout.
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Sure enough, later that night, all of them had one of the best nights of their lives. All thanks to that adorable little pout that only Fluttershy could pull off. Even with all of Rarity's vast skills of getting what she wanted, she could never pull off the sheer potency of an honest pout that Fluttershy was capable of. The yellow mare may be away of 'the stare' that she uses, but she has one far worse for her friends, 'the pout'.
Later that night, they had all surely became intoxicated, along with innocent innuendos and many games amongst the friends. However, somehow during the night, Rarity failed to remember how Fluttershy and herself managed to fall asleep together. All she remembered was waking up the next morning with a yellow nose gently touching hers. Her white hoof intertwined with a yellow one, and her eyes looking on the gently sleeping face.
'That was the day I decided I was done with men... being treated as a trophy, some mare that only existed to up their own reputation.' Rarity thought to herself, her eyes once again landing on Shy. She contained that same contented smile as that night. Oh how she dreamed of seeing that smile again, but this is not how she wanted to see it. She wanted to be the reason she was smiling like that.
Glancing up, her gaze once again locked with Trace's, but this time she did not pull away. They just looked to one another as she thought, 'I've hated men for so long because of that fool Blue Blood. Being with her now would mean being with...'
Her thoughts were quickly pulled away from her as the train jerked to a stop, sending everyone on the train flying forward who wasn't paying attention. Everyone, ponies, griffons, and Trace shuffled to get to their luggage.
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Trace finally reached his room that he would be staying with Fluttershy in. Pulling along the roller bag, along with his own that hung around his shoulder. He could hear the jingle of bits in his bag that he had brought for food and other things. Upon arriving he was told all meals would be free to the entire group, which left him with plenty of spending money. Trace smiled as he pictured the large bag of bits, 'Maybe I can buy some souvenirs here?'
Glancing behind him in the hallway, Trace took notice of Rarity, along with a pony behind her carrying her many many bags. The pony seemed to be struggling, only his hooves were seen from under the mountain of stuff. Trace was tempted to help, but was soon pulled inside the room, "Trace!"
Trace's eyes lit up as he glanced to the green minty mare, "Lyra~!"
They all disappeared into the room, and Rarity frowned as she noticed her room was directly next to theirs. She couldn't help but mutter, "hopefully the walls are sound proof..."
"What did you say Rarity? I didn't hear you." Sweetie Belle stated, running up to her sis.
"Nothing Sweetie, just go on to your room. Applebloom and Scootaloo are waiting for you." Rarity calmly stated, forcing a small grin. At the moment she was thanking Celestia that she would have a separate room from the fillies so she could start on the dresses for the princess's.
Upon entering her room, she grinned at the already prepared sewing tables. Apparently Celestia had made it rather easy for her when she mentioned she hadn't started the dresses yet. She would definitely need to thank the Princess later on. Turning to the bell pony, she smiled, "Just lay the stuff inside, I'll need to start right away."
"Yes M'lady!" The bell pony stated with enthusiasm, just happy he could put the stuff down.
Once inside, his legs finally gave away, all the stuff colliding on top of him. Rarity paid no attention as she encased all of her belongings in her magic and placed them all neatly around the room. Giving her perfect view of all her things. The bell pony was still sprawled across the floor as his eyes blinked open, several bits dropping in front of his face, "Here is a little something for your time." Rarity smiled to the young stallion.
"Thank you, M'lady!" The pony hastily snatched up the bits, bowing to the generous mare.
The young stallion left without another word, and Rarity closed the door with her aura. Turning away from the door, she pulled a sketch pad from her bag, along with pencils, erasers, and a couple charcoal pencils. A surprisingly inelegant frown formed on her face as she let out a sigh, "The performance is in seven days, I will need to show the dress to the Princess's the day before. I will need to finish the day before that at least to give myself ample time to portray them properly. So that gives me five days to finish two dresses for both Luna and Celestia..."
A small headache formed in Rarity's temples as the sketch book drooped slightly to the floor, "No Rarity! You can do this!" With a large burst of determination, she led her sketch book to a podium, beginning to scribble upon the pages.
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Rarity threw the empty sketch book from the podium. The floor lay scattered with many 'scrunched up failures' as the white mare called them. For some reason, every single design was worthless. Even though she would never admit it, the designs looked far worse than even Applejack's taste in fashion.
Rubbing her tired eyes with her hoof, she pulled a full bottle of wine from her bag, along with a glass. She never risked bringing her expensive wine glasses, so she had to settle with one of the rooms regular small glasses. Filling the cup with a generous amount, she brought both the glass and the bottle out with her onto the balcony. Glancing to either side of her, she took notice of other balcony's, that were most likely connected to the other rooms. She already knew on one side was Trace and Fluttershy. She could only wonder who was to her other side.
She hastily downed her first glass, not even wincing at its strong wild berry taste. She quickly filled her second glass, and was about to bring it to her lips when she heard the door to the balcony open up to her right. She could clearly see Trace in the moonlight step onto the balcony, closing the doors behind him. She could already slightly feel the first glass of wine. Which she was in no mood to really care in the first place, so she quickly found herself looking over Trace. He wore nothing but silky pajama bottoms that she had made him.
"Good afternoon Trace." Rarity greeted, uncaring of his presence at the moment.
It was a tad bit worrisome to the white mare, she felt unwanted hatred for her best friend. On one hoof, she still loved him for the best friend he had became in the time they had spent together, but on the other hoof, thanks to Blue Blood, she was a fillyfooler and if she ever wanted to be with Fluttershy, it would mean also being with him. She had desperately tried to rid herself of her feelings for Fluttershy, especially with Fluttershy being her other best friend. They had spent hundreds of times by themselves at the spa, which she wouldn't trade a single session for the world. She couldn't help her feelings, and hated herself for never speaking up.
"Morning Rarity." Trace stated quietly, but Rarity could tell he was smiling.
"What time is it?" Rarity asked, wondering how late she had stayed up sketching dresses, with no avail.
"Around two in the morning." Trace stated as he leaned against the arm of the cement railing of the balcony.
"Why are you up?" Rarity questioned, her curiosity overpowering her mixed feelings for him.
"Couldn't sleep... Lyra passed out from exhaustion, and Fluttershy soon fell asleep afterward. I slept for a little while, but couldn't sleep anymore." Trace let out a small sigh, "why are you up?"
"Can't seem to get the dress designs down... I'm just overwhelmed at the moment. It's the biggest job of my career, and I can't seem to make anything spectacular..."
Without saying a word, Trace's eyes wandered over the city of Canterlot. Rarity finished off her second glass, and began to fill her third when she heard, "Is that the 1543 blend you were saving?"
Rarity hesitated, the bottle halting its steady stream into the glass, leaving it half full, "Yes..."
She quickly filled the glass the rest of the way, setting the bottle down. She could hear the concern in Trace's voice as he spoke, "I thought you were saving it for when you finally opened your second store?"
"Desperate for inspiration, calls for heavy intoxication." Rarity sternly and unemotionally stated.
Everything fell silent, and they both could tell it was becoming awkward. Rarity was tempted to just return to her room for some sleep, but she was soon halted when Trace spoke, "You remember that first time you and I got drunk?"
Rarity immediately giggled, she couldn't help letting out a good laugh upon remembering, "Yeah, you drank so quickly that you passed out right on my kitchen table."
"And you become very loud when you're drunk." Trace laughed, getting up from leaning on the railing to move closer to Rarity, but being halted by the railing once more. Only gaining a few feet toward his friend.
The white unicorn's muzzle scrunched up as her eyes widened, "I do not! How dare you insinuate that I become loud! A lady is never loud!" Rarity stated, unaware of her voice becoming slightly louder and louder.
"If you say so." Trace laughed, his point being proven.
"It's true~!" Rarity snapped, her eyes going wide as she noticed her voice was echoing, and Trace's wasn't.
Trace couldn't help but laugh as he raised his finger to his mouth, "Shh, you're going to wake someone."
Once again they were met with silence, but this time it was because Rarity had her nose pointed down with the rim of her glass delicately touching her soft lips. A crimson marking her cheeks, partly due to the wine. After only a moment or two, Rarity averted her gaze, "Would you care to join me?"
A smile crept onto Trace's face as he replied, "Absolutely! But..."
Looking over to him, the white mare saw him looking to the door as he pointed out, "I don't want to wake them."
Glancing down to the ground below, Rarity contemplated something. Looking up to the human she asked, "How much do you trust me?"
"I trust you with my life, you're one of my best friends, why?" Trace stated without a second thought, but as he looked to Rarity's stern expression, he was starting to surely rethink.
"It's only a couple yards, I bet I could carry you!" Rarity grinned widely, mostly due to the two and a half glasses of wine.
"I have to ask... how drunk are you?" Trace backed up, unsure if they should do this.
"Only two..." Rarity pouted, her horn glowing as if warming up to pick him up.
Trace let out a deep hesitant breath, "Try to pick me up, but don't move me, I want to see if you can, first."
Without another word, Rarity closed her eyes, encasing the tall human in her blue aura. Trace could feel himself being lifted with ease. Rarity smiled as she said, "See, no problem."
Not waiting for any more confirmation, Trace quickly hovered over, and his entire body clenched as he got a good view of the ground. She was easily and quickly moving him over there, but was accidentally turning him upside down in the process. He had to catch himself with his hands as she tried to gently put him down. Trace shuffled to sit up, his head already slightly swirling, "We are never doing that again~!"
Rarity just merely giggled as she levitated a full glass over to him, "Here, maybe this will help."
He eagerly accepted, taking the cold glass into his hand, "Thank you."
"Let's go inside, it's a little chilly out here." Rarity stated, opening the large double doors with her magic. Once in the room, she could barely see the light purple and white tiles in the moon light. Using her magic, the room was quickly lit by orbs that remain attached to certain spots on the wall. They were most likely made of glass or maybe ceramic. Twilight would probably know, but Rarity could care less at the moment of what the lighting fixtures were made of.
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it was at least an hour and a half later, and the two quickly found that nothing had changed. Both were laughing, sharing stories, and cutting up like old times. Trace had to admit, the first time he saw Rarity drunk, it was a large turn around. She was always a lot more aloof, and didn't care if her mane became unruly or if somepony was dirty around her. Though she still regained her regalia, and a good part of her need to keep everything in order, even if she couldn't really tell much of a different. It really just depended on how drunk she became.
Trace felt a little guilty however, he was going to see if he could pry information from her. He cared far too much to just let her wallow in whatever she was going through, 'do ponies wallow? If they do, what do they wallow in?' Trace quickly shook his head, expelling the random thoughts from his head, "Rarity..."
The white mare looked up, immediately noticing the serious tone in his voice.
He simply continued when she didn't answer, "I know I said I would wait till you were ready, but I need to know..."
She bit her lower lip, her mind contemplating telling him. He was Fluttershy's mate, and he was sure to tell the shy mare about her feelings for her. However, her fears of telling him somehow turned into a stupid idea that she managed to think was brilliant, 'I'll kiss him, I'll see if I can like him, and depending if I do or not, I'll go from there... I mean... if I can like him, I'll tell him everything. If I don't, I'll...' Rarity's thoughts fell short as she failed to plan further. She raised her eyes to meet Trace's and ultimately she just sighed, "It's apparent from earlier that you trust me immensely."
"Of... course..." Trace hesitated, worried of what else she was about to do to him. Was she ready for him to leave? Was she about to levitate him back over, especially with her far more intoxicated than earlier?
"I do have a problem, but I need you to trust me once more. I promise to let you know everything, just once it's over, okay?" Rarity calmly but seriously stated. Her eyes never once breaking contact with his.
"What... are you going to do?"
"I need you to close your eyes, and please, don't say or do anything. Just let the moment take you and don't overreact. I need to see something, I desperately need to see..." Rarity's sentence became quieter and quieter until she finally stopped talking. Her eyes shuffling in between each of his eyes, waiting for his answer.
Setting his glass down to his side, Trace just merely closed his eyes, taking a steady breath before letting it out, "O-okay."
For a moment, Rarity began to get cold hooves, her eyes looking over Trace. He had his eyes clenched tight enough to show he truly wasn't peaking. Letting out a short breath, Rarity took a slow steady step forward. Trace flinched as he felt the first touch of Rarity's soft hoof on his cheek. After a moment he felt her other hoof placing itself on his leg to give her leverage to move closer. Red flags were throwing themselves up in his mind, but if this was what Rarity needed to do, he was sure Lyra and Fluttershy would forgive him.
Sure enough, what he expected, happened. A pair of soft lips brushed against his, and he refrained from opening his eyes. His body shook from nervousness, but suddenly he felt the kiss deepening. He hesitated when he felt her tongue asking permission into his mouth. Trace couldn't help but crack his eyes slightly open, and the distraction made him open his mouth and she pushed in her tongue. He couldn't tell if it was from the alcohol, but he was truly starting to enjoy this, and soon he found his hands running up her sides.
As for Rarity, she flinched at his touch, letting out a soft moan. She too wondered how much of her enjoyment was from the wine, but at the moment, didn't care in the least. Her curiousness was confirmed, and the kiss was enough to reassure her. Forcing herself back, she received a slight thrill of excitement as her tongue scraped against his teeth before exiting. She was tempted to dart back for more, but refrained from doing so.
She cleared her voice, but she couldn't help its low sultry tone, "T-thank you..."
Trace rubbed the back of his neck, averting his eyes, "N-no problem..."
They remained silent for the longest time, but soon Rarity softly spoke, "I just needed to see... if I could like you... If I could enjoy being with a male again..."
Blinking in confusion, Trace looked to Rarity with a large question mark above his head, "W-with males?"
Rarity fell silent once more, using her magic to pour herself another glass, as well another for Trace. He happily accepted another glass, noticing it would be the last one for the bottle. Rarity discarded the bottle into a nearby trash can, before gazing down into her own glass, "You've got to understand, I was through with stallion's. I've been treated so poorly, by so many that I just gave up on them. As you understand, mares are dominant, but males sometimes think that they are owed because of the past. They see how males were treated in the past, and how in some cities they are still treated as the second rate citizens. They think that mares owe them, and that they should... That I should worship them..."
"So... you don't have feelings for me, you were just seeing if you could?" Trace calmly asked, trying to preread her reply.
The white mare simply bit her lip for a moment, her glass lowering to the floor, "I don't, or at least I don't think I do..." Rarity added, before closing her eyes, "It's all so confusing, but you are not the one I'm after..."
"Y-you're not?" Trace went wide eyed, having to place his own glass down, off to the side once more.
"Like I said, I switched to mares. I've dated nothing but mares for the longest time. I fell in love with Fluttershy, and when I heard she joined your herd, I just broke down... I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, and I most certainly couldn't make dresses. I lost all inspiration, because I lost all hope of ever earning her love. Being with her, would mean giving a male a chance again. Giving you a chance. I know it is foolish to think you wouldn't treat me right, but I'm tired..."
She fell silent, and Trace was about to say something, but halted when he saw the tears trickling from her eyes. However, she didn't flinch as she kept her gaze locked with his, "I'm tired of being the only one that tries. I'm tired of thinking that I should just sit and be pretty while I'm also supposed to worship somepony. I'm supposed to be love too, you know?"
Trace could tell she was getting louder and louder, but didn't motion to stop her. Rarity stopped when Trace got to his knees, crawling on all fours as he neared her. She kept herself from retreating as he reached her, pulling her into a tight embrace. She could only gaze over his shoulder as he spoke, "I understand, I was in a similar relationship. I was never loved before, and was desperate just to have someone that cared. She used me because she thought I was rich, and because I knew everyone at the clubs I visited. As soon as she found out I wasn't wealthy, she left me."
Rarity's head lowered to rest on Trace's shoulder, her mascara strewn from her tears. She couldn't think of anything else to say, so she just ended up sobbing in his embrace, her tears most likely dampening his back.
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Trace softly hummed, feeling a warmth in his arms. He slowly opened his eyes, and his smile quickly vanished. He quickly jumped from the bed, instantly stirring the white mare. However, as his mind caught up, he began to clearly remember last nights events. They had not slept together, they simply had too much to drink and ended up falling asleep together. Rarity didn't look to him as she sat up, turning her head away, "You should probably go, Fluttershy and Lyra will worry if you're not there."
Even though Rarity wasn't looking to him, Trace quickly nodded and darted for the door, but stopped with his hand on the door knob. His abrupt stop was enough to make Rarity curiously look to him, their eyes connecting. Trace looked to her, his face marked with concern, "Are you going to be okay?"
A small weak giggle escaped Rarity, as she nodded, "Yes, I feel far better than I have for a long time."
Opening the door, Trace was about to leave, but found himself stopped and looking back to his white unicorn friend, "I have to ask, Fluttershy or Lyra?"
"Take a wild guess." Rarity snickered, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Fluttershy." Trace stated as if it had been apparent the entire time and he somehow didn't see it.
Rarity simply nodded as she motioned him with her hoof, "Now go, before anypony sees you and thinks you're being unfaithful."
"Well technically we did kiss." Trace chuckled, teasing the white mare, and sticking out his own tongue.
"Go already!" Rarity giggled as she used her magic to toss a pillow from the bed.
Trace hastily pulled the door too, the pillow colliding with the door and falling to the tiled floor.
Once she was alone, Rarity's gaze wandered over to her sewing supplies. She hastily pulled another fresh sketch book from a large suit case, and rushed over to the podium. Within an instant a new design was springing to life, "This will be my most spectacular work yet!"