"Comforting a Lonely Heart Chapter 3 [WiP]"
By 8th-Sin (https://pastebin.com/u/8th-Sin)

URL: https://pastebin.com/j9E51NjY
Created on: Tuesday 23rd of February 2021 09:19:58 PM CDT
Last edit on: Wednesday 24th of February 2021 12:46:58 AM CDT
Retrieved on: Friday 5 of March 2021 08:23:52 PM UTC


>Fluttershy holds the door open for Anonymous so, even if he’s nervous, he steps into Carousel boutique and looks around. Rarity doesn't seem to be in the main room but everything else looks as it should. 
>Various mannequins sporting their handmade ensembles, all carefully curated while a few incomplete pieces can be seen on a few. Anonymous wonders why. 
>Perhaps it's to advertise, show that the customer can get their own personalised pieces or maybe the atmosphere is just better in the main room when working on a certain dress. 
>But Anonymous is also aware that these thoughts are actually to distract himself from the nervousness he is currently feeling and to try stalling himself from asking why he was brought here.
>"Rarity?" Fluttershy calls out.
>"Sorry, sorry! I didn't hear the bell," Rarity answers back as she hastily enters the room, "what--"
>The moment it took for Rarity to collect herself was almost imperceptible. Almost.
>"--Can I do for you two?"
>"I'm not trying to put you two on the spot, um, but it is better to talk things out rather than let them stew."
>And then Fluttershy leaves. Her sudden disappearance feels like a vacuum, it demands that something be said but as Anonymous and Rarity lock eyes with one another, you could tell that both wish the other would go first. 
>It’s not until a thought crosses Rarity's mind and she pulls her gaze away to prepare herself to openly talk about it.
>"I didn't tell her anything, I promise," Rarity earnestly states. Her eyes returning back to look at Anonymous' with an honest expression that is pleading to be believed.
>Everyone knew that Rarity was a gossip. She enjoys chatting about the latest goings-on and drama in people's lives with any and every one who enjoys it too. But never about anything that wasn't already public knowledge. 
>Anonymous smiles inwardly as he remembers one night at the bar hearing Rarity vent over having lost a customer. 
>The two started to gossip about some Manehattan celebrity when the customer gave Rarity the "inside scoop." 
>When Rarity told the customer that she should never reveal something so private, the argument began that left her dealing with the cost of an almost complete custom piece. 
>And despite all the angry objections Rarity voiced aloud in the bar, she never did tell him what the secret was or even the customer’s name.
"I know you respect me more than that," says Anonymous reassuringly.
>Rarity let out a sigh of relief then took a deep inhale as she continued.
>"I think she might have clued in," Rarity winced, "I was worried about asking for advice just in case she might piece together the rest as we were talking about you earlier... Then conversation changed some so I thought I could casually bring up..."
>Anonymous began to worry and his brow furrowed. He got along with Fluttershy, even if the two didn't hang out much, so the thought she might feel the same as Rarity did that night gave his heartbeat pause. 
>Although earlier she didn’t seem partially concerned with much other than getting him here. 
>The longer Rarity took to tell him the more it felt like he was suspended in air, unsure if he would fall or find his bearing.
>"I asked her if she ever had animals fall in love with a species outside their own. And her reply, which I quote, 'he is not an animal,' made me realise how insulting such a question was. I am sorry I ever asked such a thing. Even if you weren't there for it."
>Anonymous took a seat as Rarity carefully eyed him the whole time, she would angle her head to try and get a better look at his face. 
>Then once Anonymous had let out a deep breath he found himself chuckling slightly.
>"I-I don't understand what's funny about that," asked Rarity, visibly concerned.
"You're fine. There's nothing to worry about. I'm not surprised to hear Fluttershy is so sharp but she seems okay too. More importantly, you don't need to apologise for that. I get it. These are legitimate concerns and there's not much point me getting into a relationship anyway."
>Rarity began to move towards Anonymous, to try and comfort him but then stopped midway as she wasn't sure it was okay for her to do so.
Anonymous exhaled, "I mean, think about it, doesn't make sense to date outside your species. I mean I wouldn't be able to have any kids."
>"Lots of ponies can't," Rarity sternly interjects as she takes a step forward, "or what about those that choose not to. I don't even want children, would you tell me I shouldn't get into a relationship because of that?"
"No, no, of course not," Anonymous backpedals.
>"Then it’s not fair to tell yourself that," Rarity presses before Anonymous has a chance to add any more.
>The two sit there in silence for only a moment as Rarity thinks on how Anonymous' body language reminds her of last night. 
>She gives a pained smile and finally takes a seat next to her friend, placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder.
>"What other excuses have you got, darling?" She asks.
"Knowing you, you're just gonna come up with reasons for why I can't use them," scoffs Anonymous.
>"Yes."
>This solicits a small bemused smile from Anonymous.
>"I was uncomfortable last night because… the thought of... Myself dating outside my species makes me uncomfortable. But that has nothing to do with this because this is about you, and I want you to be happy. If you're comfortable with it then I think we should find you a mare who is also comfortable."
"We?"
>"And not just any mare. I hope you know, I have high standards for you." Rarity continues, cheerily chatting and completely circumventing the serious tone from a moment before.
"You said we, Rarity."
>"Right, we didn't get that part. My apologies, a lady should never get ahead of herself. I'm taking a bit of time off, it's recently occurred to me how much I've been overworking myself and how my priorities have been all wrong, like missing the birthday of somepony I am closest to. So if you are willing to have me then I want to help you find the right mare. I could be your wingpony or something."
>Anonymous felt incredibly awkward yet couldn't quite narrow it down as to how. 
>As he sat there thinking about it, leaving the answer to Rarity's question hanging, he knew he wanted Rarity's help. 
>But was it okay to accept if things didn't feel resolved? 
>Even before he brought it up to Rarity, Anonymous was feeling insecure about the whole dating-outside-your-species thing. 
>If anything it was more intense now.
>"What if telling her ‘not until we talk a little more’ makes it worse?" asks a deep voice in Anonymous' mind.
"Yeah, I'd appreciate any of your help," answers Anonymous.
>"Then there's one thing we need to do first," beams Rarity.
"What's that?"
>"You'll need a mock date!"