A week or so passed and Fluttershy's life once again feel into a dismal pattern marked by routine. She would awaken to find her husband gone to work, have breakfast, take a stroll about her small yard, come inside for tea, have a light lunch, organize something, take dinner, and wait for her husband to return. Many nights he was night back until after sunset; he worked late, you know. Once more the words of Discord rang in her mind: namely that she could never be happy in her current situation, her current life. As the days past, she was beginning to accept this notion.

It was not until another week had past did something disrupt her daily routine. A pony came to call on her, the Countess Rarity. Of course Fluttershy welcomed her in right away and sent for tea and some snacks to be prepared for her guest. The Countess came in and sat on one of the chairs in the parlor. In truth, the mare looked radiant: her hair was combed loosely to one side, her purple curls hanging about her shoulders; she was wearing a silk gown with two sheet overlays; a golden necklace was strung around her slim neck.

Fluttershy, in turn, felt simple and unadorned compared to Rarity. Her hair was up and not set with a fancy comb. Her dress was from last season and was a simple orange, which did not match her coat color. (Perhaps this was why Trenderhoof had not chosen her but, instead, the Countess. But Fluttershy shook this dangerous, and depressing, thought from her mind.)

"I received a note that you had called on me while I was away," said the Countess leisurely.

Fluttershy nodded gently and waved to her butler, the tea was ready. She took a cup in her hooves and the Countess did the same. Some cucumber sandwiches were placed on a small gilt table between them. The butler bowed and left the mates to chat.

"Yes," Fluttershy began softly, "I did call on you. I felt it only fair to try and befriend you; it must be lonely here without any friends from home. New Pony must seem so different than your old home."

Rarity's lip twitched slightly but her face revealed nothing more of her true feelings or intentions. Instead she levitate her cup with magic and began to stir the tea gently.

"Mm, how kind of you. True, I married away from here, but I am originally from the city you know. However I am sure you would not know me, at any rate."

She did not say way.

"I am in the city now though, and I simply could not be happier. The city is so exciting and busy, everything I simply adore!"

The yellow mare smiled and nodded as if she understood when, in reality, she hated the city's busy nature and it's loud atmosphere. She would have liked to leave the city but Trenderhoof did not, so she remained as well.

"What have you been doing while you are here?" Fluttershy asked, subversively.

The Countess' face did not reveal any marked changes but she had, of course, understood the real nature of the question. She wanted to know her involvement with Trend, or some excuse to cover that fact. It was if no matter though, it was simply none of her business.

"Oh this and that darling."

Fluttershy frowned momentarily. In truth the term "darling" seemed so diminutive and pretentious. She hated it, if only for the reason that fit was being used falsely. Rarity seems to pick up that her response was not enough, and it was not, so she continued.

"I have been attending many art galleries. I love art, you know. I saw many painters when I was traveling with my husband."

Though not intentionally meant to be a vindictive move, the pegasus asked:

"Yes, how is your husband?"

The Countess set her tea down and sniffed. She pretended to be busy finding the perfect cucumber sandwich. However she knew, as well as the other mare, that she was buying time. Unpleasant things should be avoided.

"He is back...home. The Count Blueblood is old now and simply cannot bare to leave the house."

Fluttershy was genuinely curious. Forgetting all manners, she pressed on:

"So how long until you plan to return home?"

The Countess almost sip out her sandwich. Whether intentional or not, these questions were impertinent. This young mare knew nothing about the real world, or about marriage. Very well, then, she would humor this naïve filly.

"Oh, soon I suppose, he cannot stand to be without me. And, I suppose, it is not right for a mare to live alone."

With this the Countess almost sneered. However the yellow one smiled simply and said:

"Well, until you do you may visit any time you like."

Rarity took a long sip from her tea. Naïve as the young snip was, she was kind to a fault. She would go so far as to invite the mistress into her home? Well, well. The Countess had everything in her hoof now.

"Thank you, darling, I shall."

Rarity stood.

"I must depart now, but rest assured I shall return soon."

Fluttershy saw her out and waved as she departed. When the mare had gone she shut the door and turned to go inside. She then strolled through the house and up to her bedroom. The Countess was here to stay, that much was certain. Fluttershy sighed; either way she was stuck. Trenderhoof would never divorce her for it was her dowery paying for his every whim. In truth his job was nothing more than a front to see the Countess. Fluttershy sniffed; she was not stupid.

If he would not leave her, perhaps then she should leave him, regardless. Still, she would have no where to go, and nothing to pursue. She would be as unfulfilled as she was in this house. There was a tap at her window. Fluttershy turned and saw a small bouquet of daisies on her windowsill. This made her smile and this time she took the flowers into her house. However she shut the window and did not pursue the sender.