Chapter Text
Walking through the woods, Rarity searched for a good picnic spot as Maud examined the gravel. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Rarity cleared her throat. "So, Maud, dear...i'm surprised you still wanted to go picnicking after Pinkie cancelled. You've never been one for socializing without her." Maud picked up a pebble, staring intently. "pinkie wanted me to get out of the house after the breakup." Rarity stopped, turning to look at her. "Wait, you and Mudbrair broke up? But you two had so much in common!" Maud set the pebble down. "all we had in common was our condition. we acted very differently." Rarity set out the picnic blanket, trying to listen closely. "How so, darling?" "he didn't care about how his actions affected other ponies. i did." Rarity frowned sympathetically. "I suppose I understand that...and Pinkie never did like him. That's always a red flag." Maud sat down on the blanket, setting Boulder next to a plate of sandwiches. "yes. pinkie is very good at reading people." "I suppose so. By the way, how is Starlight? She's been holed up in Twilight's library ever so often these days." Maud looked up. "starlight is fine. we flew kites last weekend." Rarity nodded. "That's quite nice to hear..." Both ponies went silent. Several minutes passed, Rarity continuing to adjust the arrangement of the snacks and Maud staring intently. Finally, Maud spoke up. "...we really don't talk much without pinkie." Rarity stopped fidgeting, and sighed. "I suppose not...if I must be honest, darling, I always feel like I'm boring you. I know it's just your...condition, but you constantly look simply exasperated." "i'm not. you're very interesting. like a well formed pyrite cube." Rarity blinked, confused. "Ah...I'll assume that was a compliment. Thank you, darling." Maud stared, expression unchanged. "you're also very beautiful. you remind me of obsidian glass." Rarity blushed. "I...I do?" She giggled nervously. "Do you think of comparisons like that for all your friends?" Maud nodded. "yes. but obsidian glass is my favorite non-rock." "How flattering, dear...i'm sure you would be a wonderful rock as well." "...thank you, rarity. that means a lot to me." She paused. "how is the store in manehatten going?" Rarity smiled. "It's a beatique, darling. And it's going swimmingly. Why, I made enough last month to fund a whole new line of gowns!" "hmm. that's very nice." Rarity sipped her tea. "S-speaking of, dear, I was hoping for your consultation." "consultation? on what?" "Well, i'm hoping for this new line to be based around rare rocks! I specialize in fancy gemstones, as you know, so I was hoping for your advice." Maud blinked. "...oh. thank you for thinking of me. I think I can do that." Rarity clapped. "Splendid! How about Sunday? I believe Pinkie has a date with Cheese that day, so she shouldn't bother us." Maud stared. "...yes. it will...be nice. just the two of us." "Exactly, darling. Oh, it'll be wonderful! And I'm sure Opal will love Boulder." "he will. he likes opals." Rarity chuckled. "Y-yes...he does." Maud paused, staring at Boulder. "rarity, do you love anyone?" Rarity blinked, clearly surprised. "...W-well, that's a rather sudden question, darling...I suppose I don't really know, I've been too involved in my work to date. Why do you ask...?" Maud went quiet. "...i think I love somepony." Rarity freezed, gasping. "What!? Who!? Does Pinkie know!? Who am I kidding, she must know..." Maud sighed. "I haven't told her yet. I want to confess to the mare first." "...Mare? You're in love with a mare? I...I had no idea you liked women..." Maud stared. "...she's special. she's one of the few ponies other than Pinkie that tries to understand me." Rarity frowned. "Tries...?" "tries. she doesn't get me like starlight or pinkie, because she never really experienced being an outcast. but she tries. and I like that." Rarity smiled softly. "She sounds quite nice, Maud..." "she is." "...What's her name, darling...?" Maud looked up, staring. "Rarity."