>It's been a week since Rarity's passing
>something from the Everfree mauled her
>after a huge, extravagant memorial, fitting for her
>she was at rest now.
>there had been a lot of crying
>but, every pony was going to have to move on...
>she had passed.
>Sweetie took it the worst
>you've never seen a pony cry that much
>you still went to the boutique every night
>mainly to reminisce, partly to make sure nobody broke in
>but when you got there, something was wrong
>the door was slightly open
>you quickly run in, expecting someone taking advantage of the abandoned property
>hunting for valuables or something
>you weren't ready for what you saw
>you freeze in your spot when you see it
>your mind had to be playing tricks on you...
>it was Rarity
>missing parts of her skin and her bones exposed
>hard at work on her dresses
"Oh, hello dear!"
>she sounded pretty cheery, almost like normal...
>"ra-ra-ra-rarity?"
"The one and only, Darling!"
>"but, you... you are..."
"I am late, is what I am!"
>she was...
>"You're not supposed..."
"I was supposed to have this order done a week ago!"
>you blinked a few times, hoping the sight before you would disappear
>is this just your grief-addled mind?
"Arrrgggh!"
>she let out a long, annoyed growl
>"What's wrong?"
>her ichor kept dripping onto the dress she was working on
"I just cannot keep this dress clean!"
 
>you took a step forward, to get a better look
>her bone hooves were hard at work on the dress
>that she was currently making a mess of
"I'm sorry, Darling, but I can't do anything else until i fill this order."
>she looked up to you with those big, blue eyes
>besides slightly dulled, it looked like her eyes
>her cute little snout was nothing but bone and teeth now
>there was a chip in the poor mare's horn
>her coat was dingy and covered in dirt
>but her mane was still neatly-styled
"And this mess isn't helping..."
>her mess
>her insides were now outsides
>unknown pony inside parts were hanging
>and dripping
>and just looked nasty
"Aha!"
>you jumped at her outburst
"I can incorporate this into the design!"
>she floated more materials over to herself magically
>"Rarity..."
"Yes darling?"
>you were drawing a blank due to fear
>just ask her anything...
>"How do you feel?"
"Fine, Darling. Why do you ask?"
>well, she has certainly looked better
>but you weren't going to risk telling her that
 
"Darling, could I ask a favor of you?"
>you were afraid of what she was going to ask
>after a moment of hesitation, you spoke up
>"Sure, what do you need?"
>as she looked up, you worried what she was going to say
>those dry, dull eyes were staring into your soul
"Could you help me with this dress? I've got a case of the butterhooves today."
>that's not the worst thing that was wrong with her
>"s-sure, Rarity."
>you could have sworn that she was smiling
>which was impressive, for a pony without lips
>or mouth muscles
"Why thank you, Darling. You're so sweet!"
>you took a seat near her and sat silently
>she hadn't seemed violent
>...yet
>you watched her boney hooves rattle as she worked
>she was struggling to hold onto the now-stained cloth
>you silently inched a hand near her
>she wasn't lunging for your soft, delicious skin, which was good
>you held the cloth flat as she tried to sew it
"Thanks, darling."
>"No problem"
>oh, there was a lot of problem here
 
>Rarity sat there humming one of her little songs to help her focus
>all you could focus on is... her current state
>you swear you could see the bottom of her lungs in her ribcage
>rising and falling as she breathe
>her slick hoof bumps into your hand
>her bones were smooth
>yet you instinctively pull it away very quickly
"Sorry, Darling."
>you almost tipped your chair over
"My, what has you so jumpy today?"
>her teeth clattered as she asked you
>"n-noth...nothing."
>those eyes continued to stare at you
"Okay, then."
>she went back to her dress
>even in this state, she kept up her pace
>after a few minutes, she took a deep breath
"Ta-Dah~!"
>she said in a loud, sing-song way
"Isn't it beautiful?"
>she said as she lifted her dress up with magic
>"It..."
>it really was beautiful
>she did know how to make the best of a bad situation
>"It's one of your best, Rarity."
"awwwww!"
>you stepped back as she lunged for you
 
>before you knew it, her hooves were around you
>you expected pain...
>but she was just squeezing you
>in a big hug
"Thank you so much, Darling!"
>she was nuzzling your chest
"I really love how it seems to flow with the, um..."
>you returned her hug
>she stopped moving after your arms wrapped around her
"how it flows with... the stains..."
>she started shaking in your arms
>you heard her take in a deep breath
>then she started to softly cry into your chest
"the stains... I put in it..."
>you stood there hugging
>as she cried
>the longer she cried, the more you felt like crying with her
>she was cool to the touch
>you could feel her organs touching you
>her heartbeat pressed against you
>it didn't even matter that your clothing was ruined now
>you consoled her for a while
>even though eventually you had to sit down
>but you still held her
>and even though she cried for a long time
>you weren't sure if she shed a single tear
"Darling..."
>"yes Rarity?"
>she sighed as she broke the hug with you
"If it's okay with you, I would like to be alone as I finish this order."
>"Are you sure?"
"I... yes."
>you wiped a tear as you stood up
>"I'll stay if you want me to."
"No Darling, it's fine."
>"Well, if it's what you want..."
>you ruffled her dirty mane lightly
>she looked up to you with what you thought was a pouty look
>the best she could do, missing half her face
>you smiled to her as you tried your best to fix her mane back to how she liked it
>you could feel a lump in your throat as you spoke to her
>"I'll see ya later then, Rarity..."
"Goodbye, Darling."
>tears welled in your eyes as you walked to the door
"Oh, Darling!"
>"Yeah?"
"Could you lock the door for me, please? I don't want any visitors for a bit."
>"Yes, Rarity."
>you locked the door and closed it behind you as you left
>you stood at the door and wiped tears for a minute
>as you headed back into town
>you could hear her voice
>faintly singing in her boutique