Last time, on Rarity “Quest”:
 
        You woke up in a guest room at Rarity's only to be greeted with the smell of something burning. As you left the room to find what the cause was, you nearly stumbled over Rarity, who was sleeping in the hallway for unknown reasons. Having no desire to leave a lady in such a position, you carefully maneuvered her to her bed, tucking her in as she squeezed a pillow tightly with a smile on her face. With her comfort safely established, you headed downstairs to find the CMC making breakfast. Or at least attempting to.
        After cleaning up and steering them onto a more traditional cooking path, you took a tray of food to a still sleeping Rarity. Leaving it on her nightstand you returned to the CMC, eating breakfast and getting teased by Scootaloo. Unfortunately, Rarity awoke and made it downstairs just in time to get her own dose of teasing from the little orange filly, and the CMC made a hasty exit. After calming down, Rarity insisted you take a shower while she ironed your clothes. Not seeing any reason to object, you obliged.
        When you finished with your shower you heard voices from downstairs. After listening intently, you hid in the bathroom closet when footsteps were heard approaching. After someone used the bathroom while you were safely hidden, you exited the closet only to be greeted by the pony you only know as wraps mare. She had a spiffy visor and jacket, supposedly made by Rarity. She hastily explained her presence and may have continued talking if Rarity hadn't called up the stairs to check on her. Not long after her departure you received your well ironed clothes from Rarity, who headed back downstairs, only to charge back up them a moment later.
        Her parents had come to visit once again.
        Quickly assuaging her fears, the two of you faced her parents together. They were all smiles around you, but quickly turned to teasing their daughter once again. Her father laid off after a time, but her mother persisted, perhaps being more serious in her questions than originally expected. Rarity's father then invited you to a local pub for a drink while the ladies cleared the air between them. After a pleasant one on one talk and a stiff drink, the two of you parted ways on amicable terms. For your final action of the afternoon, you visited the wraps stand, finding a different mare attending. You asked about that suspicious wrap, only to find the blend of flowers were intended to make the consumers feel content and sleepy. While it would've been nice to know that ahead of time, you deemed that no real harm was done and decided to move on.
        You found a note apologizing for Scootaloo's behavior on your door, but spent the rest of the day at home, thinking about the future and doing your best to relax.
 
 
It is now the next week. Rarity assured you the outfit would be ready today, despite the fact it was supposed to be finished almost nine days prior. Not that you mind. In the end, you've gotten to spend more time with Rarity thanks to all the distractions that have been cropping up.
 
But now, it's time to decide what you're going to do today. You've woken up, showered, eaten, and dressed in some casual wear. It's a bright new morning and the air is warm, the scent of fresh flowers wafting through your humble home on the outskirts of town.
 
A reminder of things that may interest you to check out:
Pinkie nearly dropped her spaghetti while telling you something happened to Rarity/made Rarity anxious/upset. This could be something you already know or were part of, or it could be something entirely different. Finding Pinkie and coercing her into talking could put this question to rest.
Wrap Mare. Who is she exactly? She seems awfully attracted to our hero. But in the end, do we really care?
 
That's all on your docket thus far. Now, what will you do?
 
 
>You crack open your wallet and inspect your funds. You're carrying a little extra dosh, but aren't expecting any heavy spending, so you decide to bring along 175 bits. Enough to cover emergency costs, but not enough to splurge on fancy things with.
 
>You recall that during the second day at Rarity's, the one in which you bought lunch for her and the CMC, Pinkie was there chatting with Rarity.
>You and Pinkie made small talk, and she let slip that something had been bothering Rarity, so Pinkie was there to check on her and see what she was doing.
>Before anything else could be said, Rarity gave Pinkie a stern look. Pinkie panicked, dropping her spaghetti and fleeing into the afternoon.
 
>You decide you need to find Pinkie and get to the bottom of this.
 
>You know that Pinkie works at Sugarcube Corner, so you head there first.
>A line of multicolored ponies stretch out the door, all gathered and waiting for confectioneries from the sweet shop.
>It's a really, really long line. Waiting in it could take an hour or a little more.
>This would give Rarity more time to finish your outfit, if she isn't finished already. This whole thing could also be a wild goose chase, but you'd like to put your mind at ease.
 
>The mystery of the wrap mare's affection tempts you, but you decide staying in line and waiting is more important.
>So you wait. And wait. And wait.
>And eventually, you're at the front counter. Sure enough, Pinkie is there, sweating bullets and working frantically but with that ever persistent smile on her face
>She sees you and waves, despite how close to her you are, "Hey! Good to see you! Stop by for some delicious donuts this morning? Or maybe some taffy for lunch? Cake? Chocolate? Well, what'll ya have, friend?"
 
>The wait has made you peckish, and a donut does sound pretty good.
>You fish out your wallet and intentionally give her more than needed for the donut so she has to spend time getting change for you. She gives you a funny look at this, but ultimately just resumes smiling and humming to herself.
>"So Pinkie, the other day I saw you at Rarity's."
>She nods while giving you back your change, "Uh huh! Saw your outfit being made, lookin' good!"
>"Thank you, but that's not what I'm here about. I-"
>"Well of course not, you're here for a donut!" She interrupts, trotting to a counter behind her and hitting a small bell, "Chocolate Doozy Donut!" she calls out, turning to give you a wink. She looks back to the kitchen, her flank swaying as she hums, waiting.
>It's a moment before a chocolate donut on a tray slides into view, and she grabs the tray in her teeth, turning and handing it to you.
>"That's nice Pinkie, thank you, but-"
>"Don't forget your napkin! These things are messy!"
>She stuffs a couple napkins under your donut for you, still smiling.
>"Thank you, but I really need to talk to you abou-"
>You stop when you notice Pinkie's eyes darting behind you repeatedly, her smile suddenly less earnest than before.
>"I-I've got a lot of customers to go through right now, so please, have a seat and enjoy your donut!"
>You turn around and look. It's true, there is a line of other ponies behind you, all waiting for their turn at sweets.
>One pony in a sunhat sticks out to you.
>It's Rarity, standing about.....20 ponies back in line, to your guess. She must be here for food or to see Pinkie as well. Maybe that's why Pinkie is so nervous suddenly.
 
>So Rarity is here, and this makes Pinkie nervous.
>Perfect.
>You turn back to Pinkie and lean towards her, speaking in a hushed tone but with urgency.
>"What happened the day before I saw you at Rarity's?"
>She shakes her head quickly, eying Rarity once again.
>"Tell me, or I tell Rarity you told me anyway."
>Pinkie lets out a gasp mixed with a whimper, making some of the ponies near the counter turn their heads in concern.
>You stand up straight, and motion with your eyes to an empty table. Pinkie nods, seeming to understand.
>You feel a little bad putting Pinkie on the spot like that, but this is bothering you and you need answers.
 
>So you take a seat and enjoy your ridiculously choclatey donut while you wait. It's only as you're eating that you notice a napkin has a message scribbled on it.
>"Need to talk. 1 hour."
>Seems the interrogation wasn't necessary. This puts a small damper on your spirits, but you're still relieved to be getting some answers soon.
>"Oh, I didn't see you there!" a familiar voice calls after about 30 minutes. You turn around to see Rarity approaching you, a tray with a turnover on it being levitated in front of her. "Would you mind if I sat with you?"
 
>"Of course not," you reply as Rarity sits herself across from you, her tray slowly lowering itself to the table. A quick glance at a wall clock shows you have about 25 minutes left until Pinkie means to speak with you. This of course won't happen with Rarity present.
>As she sits she takes a good look in your direction and gasps, making you flinch and look about yourself nervously.
>She lets out a small laugh, "Oh my, someone is a messy eater. You've got some chocolate on your face, dear."
>You reach for a napkin only to have it levitated out from under your hand, "Here, allow me."
>As the napkin is raised to your face you see it's the same napkin with the message scribbled on it.
>Your heart thumps nervously as she wipes your cheek magically, smiling and giggling to herself. "Oh, what would you do without me?"
>When she's finished she lowers the napkin in front of her, eyes closed as she raises the turnover to her mouth and takes a dainty bite, chewing quietly.
>The napkin lies open, it's message displayed to the sky, albeit with some chocolate smudging the letters now.
 
 
>You attempt to reach for the napkin, only to have it slip from under your hand again as Rarity takes it to dab at the corners of her own mouth.
>The napkin comes back down as she opens her eyes to look at you, and her eyes light up.
>She saw it, she had to have.
>Instead, her whole face lights up, her eyes twinkling as she inhales deeply while standing from her seat. "P-P-Princess Celestia?"
>You turn around quick as a flash to find everyone in the room except you and Rarity, who are still seated, kneeling at the majestic white mare now standing in the doorway. Her mane is flowing though there is no breeze, and she is adorned with the jewelry of her station. She strides gracefully into the room, everyone standing aside as she approaches the counter.
>Meanwhile, Rarity is near hyperventilating behind you.
>"Excuse me for my intrusion, but I was on the way back to Canterlot and decided to visit my pupil, Twilight Sparkle. She recommended I stop here for a refreshment."
>Her voice is gentle but weighty, music to the ears. You're doing your best not to stare, but it's proving difficult.
>"Of course, Princess!" Pinkie beams, bouncing happily to take her order.
>Everyone's eyes are fixed on the Princess, including Rarity's.
>With this in mind, you deftly grab the napkin with a message on it, noone the wiser.
 
>You safely tuck the secret message into a pocket, even as you can feel the Princess' attention turn to you.
>"You must be the one Twilight told me of. Your tale is quite the interesting one, if what she has to say about it is not an exaggeration."
>You politely bow, swallowing nervously.
>She smiles at you, and you suddenly feel as though you're standing in an empty field on a perfect spring day.
>"You are....taller, than she mentioned," Celestia says. And as you resume standing, you see that you're taller than her by a head. And yet, she seems to loom over you. It'd be strange if you didn't feel so.....comfortable.
>"I would like to speak with you about your experience here in Ponyville, or about how you came to be here. At your own convenience, of course. For now I must bid you and the kind ponies here farewell. I have urgent business to attend to. Please, feel free to come to Canterlot and see me when you are ready."
>And with that, she strides gracefully away, a royal guard suddenly appearing to magically carry away her order with her.
 
>With the Princess now gone, everyone relaxes and returns to whatever they were doing. Except for Rarity, who is leaning across the table and staring into your face excitedly.
>"D-Did the Princess, THE Princess Celestia, just invite you to Canterlot? To speak with her?"
>With a gasp she puts a hoof on her chest, "Oh no, oh no no! Your outfit isn't fancy enough for a PRINCESS to see. I MUST change that immediately!"
>Before you can say anything else, she runs out the door of the shop and presumably back to her boutique.
>Your outfit may have just been delayed again. Or maybe she's making another one. Who knows.
 
>As soon as she's gone Pinkie wanders over to the table, taking a seat next to you. She makes a "tsk" noise at the sight of the unfinished turnover, before looking at you.
>"Well, that was something wasn't it? Not every day Princess Celestia just walks into Sugarcube Corner!"
 
>First, you put an arm around Pinkie's shoulders and give her a tiny squeeze, apologizing for being so harsh earlier. You didn't notice the message on the napkin, or you wouldn't have been so mean.
>Pinkie heaves a sigh of relief and hugs you back, "Thanks. That was mean of you, but I don't blame you. You're just looking out for Rarity too, right?"
>You assure Pinkie that's what you're doing, and she let's go of you, being her bubbly self once again.
>"Good. Now, you were there when her parents showed up and started teasing her. What's bugging her, is, well, a few things."
>Pinkie grabs the turnover and takes a bite, talking through her small mouthful.
>"Her parents teasing her about you must've done something, because later that night when I stopped by she was....well, crying." She takes another bite, "She wouldn't tell me exactly what was bothering her though. I'm worried."
>She finishes the turnover, "She'd be upset if she found out I told you anything. Hey, for all I know, it's you she's upset about," she sees the worried expression on your face and immediately backpedals, "I'm not saying it's you! I don't know, I'm just guessing! And you're a nice person and all, so if it is you it's probably nothing bad!"
>She hops off the seat, "I have to get back to work. Please don't tell her I said anything."
 
>You promise not to tell Rarity that you and Pinkie spoke about why she was upset.
>"Pinkie Promise?"
>You aren't exactly sure what that is, but you agree.
>You ask if there's anything else she can tell you about it, causing her to put a hoof to her chin as she thinks.
>"Hmm. Well, she tried saying it had something to do with her business. But I'm not buying it. My guts say it revolves around you. Now, I really gotta get back to work or the Cake's dock my sweets allowance!"
>And with that she bounds off as if the conversation never happened.
>You toss your garbage and head out into town.
 
 
>You decide to head for the wraps stand, determined to keep wraps mare from becoming a problem.
>You find the stand and sure enough, the original sales mare is there, calling out to passerby and serving wraps to her customers.
>You wander over to make conversation, the ponies around you murmuring as you pass. Seems news of Celestia having an interest in you has spread like wildfire.
>The sales mare sees you and adjusts her visor, putting on a big smile and leaning on her cart when you get close.
>"H-hello again! Come back for some of my delicious wraps?" she bats her eyelashes at you suggestively once again.
 
>You aren't in the mood for pleasantries
>"So why didn't you tell me that wrap would make the eater sleepy?"
>Her smile falters, and she rubs a hoof over her other hoof, "I-I thought I did? I'm sorry, what happened?"
>You shrug and smile non nonchalantly, "Well, don't worry about it. Things turned out better than I had hoped in the end."
>She looks at you a little confusedly, your smile perplexing her perhaps.
>It's your turn to lean on the cart with an elbow, "So, what did you want to talk about yesterday anyway?"
>She blushes as she remembers, "O-oh! That. Well, I was just wondering what you were doing. Taking a shower. At Rarity's boutique." She looks down at her cart with a sigh, "You don't have to tell me though. I...have an idea what you were doing there..."
>She seems....sad.
 
>"Honestly? I was helping Rarity with something." You decide not to go into details, but you don't want to make this mare feel any worse than she already might be feeling. You're not cruel, you just have eyes for another.
>"R-really?" She says, looking at you hopefully.
>You sigh, trying to collect yourself for what you know you have to do. She deserves to know what's going on.
>You stop leaning on her cart and look her in the eye, and from your expression she can tell the news won't be good.
>"Look, I'm....flattered that you like me. But....no. I'm sorry, but there's someone else my heart is set on."
>She sighs once again, eyes dropping to look at the cart. "I...see." You hear a sniffle as she struggles to prevent herself from crying, "I had a feeling...." She suddenly looks up at you again, the tears receding for a moment, "L-look, if it's about the wrap, I'm sorry! It slipped my mind, I didn't mean it!"
>You tell her that's not the problem while she wipes her eyes.
>"So, you really have someone else?" She gives a small laugh, sadness permeating her every word "Just my luck. Well, you....you tell her, you tell her just how lucky she is. And if she doesn't treat you right, if she doesn't get that....you know where to find me..."
>You thank her for her understanding, and she solemnly waves as you leave, thin streaks of tears running down her cream shaded cheeks.
 
>You feel sorry for that poor mare as you walk to Rarity's. You aren't going to let this feeling jeopardize your relationship with Rarity, but it always sucks having to let someone down. Especially in public like that.
>You arrive at Rarity's to find her at work on a suit affixed to the human shaped mannequin. Whether it's a new suit or the old one being redone you can't tell from a glance.
>Rarity turns as you enter, smiling and greeting you, "Well, if it isn't Mr. Popular himself!" she motions to the mannequin, "As you can see, I'm making you a more formal outfit to see the Princess in and-"
>She stops, a look of worry coming over her, "Oh my, you look....did, did something happen on your way here? What's wrong?"
 
 
>In the end, you decide to be honest with Rarity. You're already concerned over something hidden bothering her, so why keep secrets yourself?
>You take a seat on the cushioned couch that the two of you napped on the other day, taking a deep breath as Rarity sits herself beside you, appearing concerned.
>You tell her how wraps mare had a thing for you, and you had to let her down. You feel bad about it. She liked you, but you were saving yourself for another.
>Rarity listens intently, and is silent for a moment when you finish.
>"Well," she says slowly, "situations like those are never pretty. But you are one of the kindest people I've ever met. I'm sure you tried to let her down gently."
>The two of you sit on the couch silently for a while, until finally Rarity asks, "You...mentioned your heart was meant for another, yes? Well, good for you! One can only hope to have their feelings so clear cut as that, yes?"
>Her eyes go wide for a moment, "Oh dear, I'm rambling again. I'm sorry." She puts a hoof on your leg in a reassuring gesture, "But if you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you. It's the least I could do."
 
>You put a hand over her hoof and smile at her, thanking her for her company. She smiles back at you, and you share a moment of peace before she slowly withdraws so she can get back to work.
>Speaking of, you ask how the first outfit is coming along as she dons a set of glasses and takes a needle to the suit.
>"Oh, well, it's finished I suppose. I was just going to make you a new one, fit for your excursion to Canterlot."
 
>"You know, I don't remember commissioning a suit to visit the Princess in," You remark playfully.
>Rarity stops mid stitch, "W-Well I thought, I mean..."
>Your laughter makes her relax as she realizes it was a joke, "You really must stop doing that, you had me worried!" She smiles before continuing her work.
>Though in a more serious manner you ask how much this one will cost you. You're already getting one for free, fulfilling her tradition.
>"Oh, don't worry about that. You're now a dignitary of sorts, and it just wouldn't do to have you show up in normal street clothes."
>You can't run a business by giving all your product away for free. And besides, weren't the two of you going to celebrate when your other outfit was finished?
>"That can wait until I'm finished with this one," she says, the needle moving fluidly as she sews.
 
>You have the idea of bringing Rarity to Canterlot with you as a guide to social circles and the area, so you decide to ask her in a playful manner.
>"So Rarity, how accustomed are you to Canterlot's social circles?"
>"Well, I'm in a few of them and knowledgeable about which groups you should be in and which you should ignore."
>"How about Canterlot itself? Have a map?"
>"I'm sure I have one somewhere, but I've memorized where the palace and social gathering points are."
>"How much could you cover during a train ride?"
>"I-what?" She stops her work and turns her head slowly, understanding visibly dawning on her with a smile, "You....you want me to accompany you?"
>You simply nod, and suddenly you find Rarity on you, her hooves wrapped around your neck in a great hug
>"Thank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
>You can only laugh and hug her back briefly, before she realizes her actions and excuses herself, letting go and standing in front of you.
>"You won't regret it, I promise!"
 
>Rarity asks you to stay a bit longer, double checking her measurements and asking for opinions on colors. In the end you let her decide, she is the fashion expert after all.
>As it gets late, you remind her to get some sleep before standing, preparing to leave.
>Rarity sets down her needle, removing her glasses and rubbing an eye with a hoof, "Yes, you're right. I'll make sure there are no distractions this time however. you will have your suit in a couple days at most. I'll use a dress I've been hiding away for a few months now, saved for an appropriate occasion."
>Rarity walks you to the door, opening it for you. As you turn to leave she uses her magic to tug on your shirt. You crouch down and she gives you a hug.
>"I know you've had a rough day, but thank you. You've done so much for me. First my parents, then Sweetie's sleepover, and now this. I...," she sighs, "Thank you."
>She lets go and you stand back up, "I will see you in a couple days at most. You'll be the talk of Canterlot when we stroll in, looking absolutely fabulous!"
>You share a laugh with Rarity, and she stands in the doorway waving to you as you head out into the evening light.