The Red Thread of Fate - Pt 2

Warning: this is a femslash fic based in the "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" universe, so if you don't like this kind of stuff, just bear in mind that you don't have to read it.  That is all.

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Sewing the Red Thread of Fate
By The Lovely Penguin


Chapter 2: Interesting Developments

Rarity let out a sigh.  After the initial shock of finding out Twilight liked another mare –let alone her— had worn off it actually seemed kind of cute.  It was not unlike the romantic dramas the dress designer enjoyed reading: she had a forbidden love for someone, only to be the object of somepony else's affections.  Still, she admitted, it was a lot more fun to read about this sort of thing than it was to actually live it.

First and foremost, she needed to apologize to Fluttershy and make up for being so forward with her.  How un-ladylike!  It would be terrible to lose a friend over such a thing, even if she was hopelessly in love with her.  As for Twilight…this was certainly interesting.  She might actually like her, if she didn't already have her eye on Fluttershy.

Her thoughts wandered back to the shy pegasus: her fair pink hair, her smooth yellow coat, her beautiful turquoise eyes…not to mention her sweet smile, her soft tender voice, and the adorable way she apologized to just about anyone she thought she offended.

Suddenly there was a knock at the front door.  "Hm?  Who's that, I wonder?"  Rarity got up and opened the door, and was very surprised to see Fluttershy standing there in the dress she had made her.  "Fluttershy, I-" the unicorn began.

"Now, not another word," responded Fluttershy, "I came here to apologize for the way I ran out on you yesterday.  I should have at least said something, but it was all so sudden.  I'm sorry, Rarity, but I really do like you, too," she looked at the ground, embarrassed, "I hope this helps..."  She then firmly pressed her lips to Rarity's mouth and kissed deeply.

Rarity's face flushed at the thought.  "If only..." she then shook her head and huffed in frustration, "Oh!"  She wanted to stay friends with Fluttershy but couldn't just ignore her feelings!  She still felt very deeply for the pink-haired pegasus and wanted their friendship to be something deeper.  She had to talk to somepony about this.  With that the white unicorn actually got up and prepared herself for going out.

*  *  *

Oh nonono, this was all wrong! Rarity liked her? Rarity? That was… she was so generous, and kind, and smart, and a very, very dear friend, but Fluttershy just couldn't fathom a relationship with the white unicorn at that point. She was so beautiful and good with details - Fluttershy had to admit - and sharing her interest in sewing, dresses, and beauty in general was… real nice.  But no, she didn't share Rarity's feelings; although, something about this kept gnawing at the hindmost recesses of her mind...

Still, there was a major thing Rarity lacked that made a relationship with her impossible. Fluttershy's ideal mare (the pegasus was surprised Rarity even liked other mares, as she did) was strong, and brave, and tough…everything that Fluttershy herself wasn't. She wanted someone who could hold her, protect her. Why? Why Rarity? Why couldn't it have been—

"Ow."  The pony looked up at what she had hit and rubbed her head.  She had been so deep in thought she hadn't noticed reaching her destination.

"Is somepony knocking?" Twilight Sparkle said as she opened her front door.  

"Oh, hey, Fluttershy!  What brings you to the library on a Sunday morning?"

"Um, can I talk to you about something?"  Fluttershy tried to mask her nervousness, but failed as usual.

"Is something wrong?" Twilight asked with concern in her voice.  She let the yellow pegasus in and closed the door behind her, using her magic to clear a place at the table for her guest.

Fluttershy sat down and glanced around nervously before asking "Is Spike in here?"

"He'll be back tomorrow, but if you really need him—"

"No!" the pegasus raised her voice, then quickly shrank back.  "I'm sorry.  This is…something private.  I don't want anypony else hearing about it."

Twilight looked alarmed now.  "It isn't anything serious, is it?"  She leaned in closer to her friend, concern on her face.

Fluttershy bit her lip and pulled away. "Well….What would you do if you suddenly found out one of your best friends liked you, you know…um…romantically?" she asked, lowering her voice with nearly each word until it ended up as little more than a squeak.

Twilight cocked her head and raised one of her eyebrows.  "What would I do if one of my friends did what now?  Fluttershy, you have got to speak up."

"Um…let's say one of our close friends—"

"You mean, as in the six of us?"

"…yeah…Let's say one of our really close friends likes another of our really close friends…as in, like like.—"

The purple unicorn started shifting around, looking uncomfortable with the discussion.  "Uh…Fluttershy, why are you asking something like this?"

The pink-haired pegasus just looked down, blushing.  "Let's just say I…happen to know that one of us likes…another of our friends…and I—"

Twilight cut her off, eyes narrowed.  "This is about Rarity, isn't it?"
Fluttershy looked up, surprised.  How did she know?  All she could do was nod.

"How…"  Twilight said, tears forming in her eyes, "How could she?!"

"E-excuse me?"

"How could Rarity tell somepony else about this?"  Twilight looked both hurt and angry, tears running down her face.  "Did she send you?"

Fluttershy let out a little squeak, not really sure what to say, or even what was going on exactly.

"Rarity had no business getting a middle mare involved.  If she didn't like the letter I sent, she should have had the courtesy to keep this matter private and talk to me directly, or at least ignore the letter!  Why'd she have to get you tangled up in this?"

Now Fluttershy was cowering on the ground, bewildered and frightened by her friend's angry flare-up.  "Twilight, what are you talking about?  What letter?"  She winced, bracing herself for another outburst.

"What do you mean, 'What letter?'" Twilight said, her voice rising. "You know, the love letter I—" Suddenly a look of understanding appeared on the purple unicorn's tear-streaked face.  "Wait…this isn't about the letter I wrote Rarity?"

"Wh-what letter did you give to Rarity?"

*  *  *

Rarity looked up to the large cloud above her and called out, "Oh Rainbow Dash!  Are you home?  I need to talk to you about something."

No response.

"Rainbow Dash~!"

Still nothing.

"Rainbow Dash, wake up!"

A blue head with tousled rainbow-colored hair groggily poked over the edge of the cloud, hooves rubbing sleep out of the pegasus' magenta eyes.  "Ug, Rarity, you ruined a perfectly good nap!  What the hay do you want at this late hour anyway?" she asked crankily.

"Ms. Dash, it's mid-day," the unicorn replied flatly.

"Okay, okay," the pegasus answered as she fluttered down to her friend.  "So, Rarity, what's up?"

"Yes, well," she responded with poise in her voice, "I have some…questions I need to ask you."  She did her best to swallow her pride as she said this, sporting an unconvincing grin: "I-I need your advice on something."

"Wait, you're coming to me for advice?" the rainbow-maned mare  asked, her eyes widening, "Y'know, we don't really hang out much; since when did you value my opinion on something?"

"Oh, I know we've never been that close, but we're still friends, right?  I needed to ask you something relating to romance-"

Before Rarity could continue Rainbow Dash burst into laughter, nearly falling over.  The proud pegasus caught herself and started idly hovering in front of her friend, responding, "Okay, now I know you're pulling my leg!  You asking me about love?  Good one, Rarity; I thought Pinky Pie was the only other prankster around here."

"Rainbow Dash, I'm serious!" the unicorn huffed.  She regained her composure and continued, "I…seem to have gotten myself mixed-up in something, and I need somepony to talk to about it."

"Oh, really?" asked the blue pegasus as she crossed her forelegs, skepticism on her face, "What makes you so sure I could answer a love question?  Wouldn't Twilight or Fluttershy be better with something like that?"

"Oh, I highly doubt that," the violet-maned unicorn responded with a nervous laugh.  "Why don't we go somewhere more private?"


Once inside her shop Rarity locked the door and made sure the sign read Closed.  She turned some lights on and offered the rainbow pony a seat; her guest opted to hover around instead.

"Okay, now you've really got me curious what's going on here," Rainbow Dash stated, looking thoroughly puzzled, "So…you've got some kind of love problem, and can't ask the egghead or Fluttershy because…?"

"Do you promise to not tell anypony else about this?" the unicorn asked nervously.

"Of course I won't!"  Dash crossed her forelegs again and smiled smugly.

"I mean it!  You've got to...I don't know, Pinkie Pie Promise, or something."

"Ug, really?" Rainbow asked, rolling her eyes, "How does that even go, again?"

"Oh, I don't remember either.  Forget it.  Okay, I have your word then?"  Rarity looked at her friend expectantly.

"I already said I wouldn't tell, didn't I?  I'd never betray a friend's trust, alright?"

"I'm sorry, Dash, I'm just nervous about this.  You see…"

*  *  *

"So," said Twilight, "Let me get this straight—"

"Please don't use that word," interjected Fluttershy meekly.

The purple unicorn raised an eyebrow momentarily, then went back to what she was saying, "Okay, so…Rarity gave you a dress and proclaimed her love for you, and you ran away – not because you like stallions, but because you actually like a different mare.  Right?"

Fluttershy silently nodded.  She still wasn't sure what was up with the letter to Rarity Twilight had been referencing, but the purple unicorn had convinced her that it was nothing.  Regardless, she was glad her friend appeared understanding in this matter.

Twilight continued, "And you want me to go tell Rarity this?"

"Um-hm"

"I'm sorry but this is something you've got to do yourself.  She's your friend, and you owe her more courtesy than that.  The two of you will cross paths sooner or later anyway.  Don't let something like this ruin your friendship."

"But…" began the timid pegasus, "I don't know how I could say that to her face.  Even if I did, I don't know how I could talk to her again…it would be so awkward."  She blushed and looked at the floor.  She knew what it was like to have a long-burning, unrequited love.  She had read (and even on occasion written) plenty of romance novels; not to mention she had first-hoof experience with this issue.  How could she continue going to the spa with Rarity, knowing how she'd feel every time they met?

"Fluttershy, you and Rarity are friends!  Don't let something like this tear you apart.  Even if you two can't get together romantically you can still hang out, right?"

"I can't do it."

"So you're just going to ignore her?  Act as if she didn't do anything?"

"Um…maybe?"

"That's not going to make the problem go away, you know," Twilight responded flatly.

There was a pause.

"She is kind of cute," The pegasus said with a squeak.

"Excuse me?"

"Well," replied Fluttershy, "Rarity isn't all bad.  I mean, we do have a lot in common, and…well…I guess she is kind of beautiful…"  She blushed.

Twilight looked dismayed.  "Wait, I didn't say you had get romantically involved with her just because she likes you!" she said, nervousness in her voice, "Why don't I find out if this other mare likes you, or if she would even consider dating another mare?"

"Squeak."

"Don't worry, I won't tell her it's you." Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Well…"  Fluttershy pondered this for a moment.  "All right, I guess so."

"Okay, so it's settled."  A relieved-looking Twilight stood up.  "Now, who is it?"

*  *  *

"Wait, Twilight likes you, and you like Fluttershy?"  Rainbow Dash stared at her horned friend incredulously, "I never would've taken either of you two for lesbians— well, Twilight, maybe, but—"

"Why?  Does a lesbian have to look a certain way?"  Rarity narrowed her eyes, offended by the comment.

Dash seemed flustered, "No, it's just…the way you talked up Princess Celestia's nephew—"

"Yes, I know," Rarity interrupted, shame filling her face at the thought of her phony story, "But can you help me sort this out?  I'm afraid I simply made a mess of things with poor Fluttershy.  I want to apologize to her and forget the whole thing, but…I can't get her off my mind.  Rainbow Dash, I'm still in love with her!"

"So, what're you talking to me about it for?  Shouldn't you be telling her that?"

"But that's the thing: I'm afraid if I tell her I'll scare her off for good.  I already said what happened when I tried confessing my feelings for her the first time.  I don't want to lose a good friend, but at the same time I just know I can't go on keeping her at only that."  She sighed, "I feel like we were made for each other."

"Didn't you do your research first?  Does she even like mares?  Surely you were going off of something?"

"I…err…" Rarity stammered, "I thought I'd just tell her and things would sort of…work out."  Once she said it out loud the unicorn realized how foalish it was of her to simply assume the yellow pegasus would readily return her feelings, especially when she didn't even know if Fluttershy liked other mares at all.

Rainbow face-hoofed.  "Are you serious?  No wonder she ran away: this is Fluttershy we're talking about.  Even if it was someone like Applejack, you've got to take things like this slowly."

This comment made the violet-maned pony nearly fall over.  Rainbow Dash just told her to take things slowly?  She could hardly believe what she was hearing!

"Trust me on this one," continued the pegasus pony, hanging her head, "I learned the hard way that if you charge into a relationship too fast without thinking, you're only going to lose the girl."  She sighed, "If you still want to date her, you should definitely take things slowly: ask her if she even likes mares, you know?  And let her know that you can always stay friends otherwise."

Rarity mulled on this.  What had she been thinking?  Yes, she had so badly wanted to tell her friend how she felt, but these things took time, patience, and subtlety.  She should have read more than enough love stories to know that.  With that she stood up.  "Thank you, Rainbow Dash, thank you very much.  If you'll excuse me, I need to go talk to somepony now; I think you can guess who."  She gave a weak smile and headed to the door.

Rainbow followed.  "By the way, what made you so sure I'd know about this kinda stuff, anyway?"

"Well," the unicorn gave a knowing smile as the two walked outside, "I've seen the way you've been looking at some of the other fillies around town.  It's not that hard to spot with a trained eye."  She shut and locked the door behind her friend.

The pegasus blushed at this, giving a nervous laugh, "Yeah, hehe…Well, I'm glad I could help you, I guess.  I never knew we had so much in common."  With that she flapped her wings and propelled herself into the air, saying, "See ya later, Rarity!  I got some napping to catch up on."

"Rainbow," the unicorn called out before her friend had gotten too far, causing her to stop and turn.

"What?"

"Your advice…have you been following it?  Have you tried starting over and going slowly with this friend?"

"I…" she closed her eyes, "I think it's too late for that.   It was a long time ago anyway."

"Dash, if you still like her, maybe it's worth a shot."

"I'll…I'll think about it.  Thanks."  The pegasus looked at her friend and smiled, the tiniest trace of tears in her eyes; with that she turned away and flew off.

The meeting over, Rarity quickly headed for Fluttershy's cottage, resolve in her heart.  "All right, Fluttershy," she said to herself, "Let's try this again."





To be continued…