>Today's weather is perfect.
>A cool Summer's day with a gentle breeze.
>Too bad you got to get some new clothes, so you really can't enjoy it as much.
>Right now you're walking through the streets of Ponyville.
>On your way to Carousel Boutique.
>"Hiya Anon!"
>From a distance, you can see an energetic Roseluck waving at you from in front of her shop.
>You wave back.
>The other members of the Flower Mares gang notice you as well and follow suit.
>As you get come closer to the trio, they flag you down.
>You're not in a hurry, so might as well see what they need.
"Hi girls, how's it hanging?"
>They all shush you and usher you to come closer.
>Rose decides to be the spokesperson for the moment.
>"Not so loud! Do you want everypony to hear!?" She yells in an undertone.
"Hear what? What are you guys planning?"
>She seems taken back by this.
>"Planning? Anon, it's almost been a year already!"
"A year since what?"
>This has you generally confused.
>"Since you come to Equestria dummy! How could you forget?"
>Oh yeah...that's right.
>Huh?
>Guess time flies.
"Uhhh...It must have slipped my mind sorry. Why's it important though?"
>She perks up at this, flicking her deep red mane.
>"Well, we all decided that we should give you a gift of sorts as your friends. After much thought, we decided that..."
>Rose pauses and the trio then strikes a pose, it all seems very rehearsed.
>"...what's better than exotic flowers!"
>Giving them your best dead-pan look, they deflate and once again huddle up around you.
>Clearing her throat, Lily steps up now.
>"Well Nonny-
>God, you hate that nickname.
>-as your friends, we decided to get you some rare Iolanthes."
>What. Those don't even sound like plants.
>You're about to protest when she raises a hoof up to stop you.
>"We know that stallions don't generally like flowers but hear us out, okay?
>You sigh deeply, might as well hear 'em out.
>Taking this as a sign to continue, she quickly looks around to see if anybody is near.
 
 
>From the corners of your eyes, you notice both Roseluck and Daisy are sporting small grins on their faces.
>This is gonna be good.
>When Lily turn back to you, she signals you to bend down.
>Doing do as she wishes, you take a knee in front of the pink mare.
"I know you won't like the flowers...but what about your Special Somepony?"
>You stand up faster than Lily anticipated, causing her to stumble back a bit.
>You can feel your face heat up instantly.
>The other two mares are snickering in the background.
>"Woah calm down there, big guy. We just wanted to let you know that they're on their way."
>Lily winks at you with a knowing smile.
>"I know she'll love them. She's ordered them a lot before, Nonny.
>Daisy steps in and nudges your side.
>"Yeah Anny, we're gonna score you some nice brownie points with this..."
>Roseluck assaults your other side with half-lidded eyes.
>"Aren't we just the best of friends, Anon? How are ya gonna...repay us?" Rose bats her eyelashes at you.
>These mares.
>Deep down inside you know you owe them.
>Flowers in this world are fucking expensive.
>And the super rare ones are like Caviar back on Earth.
>Makes sense since ponies actually eat them.
"Okay okay, you each get a freebie next time I'm not busy..."
>All tree of them squee as they pounce on you.
>The combined weight of them bringing you to the ground.
>Hugging you tight, the Flower Mares seem to all mutter some sort of thanks.
>Goddamn it.
>After a full minute of hugging later, they decide to help you up.
>"Oh its been too long, I can't wait! Thanks Anon, you're the best!" says Rose with a beaming smile.
"Yeah yeah, just don't abuse your friend powers too much. I don't want to get fired yet."
>"I'm sure Aloe and Lotus wouldn't fire you! You brought a lot of business to their spa, and they're your friends just as much as us!"
>Sighing, you reach down and scratch behind her ear.
>The other two, feeling left out, stop bouncing around in joy and hug you one last time.
 
 
>Each one taking an arm.
>"Also Anon, we wanted to thank you." Lily says into your right arm.
"Thank me? Why?"
>"Well...when you first come we didn't exactly give you the best of welcomes, yelling about a monster in town and all that..."
>They all smile sheepishly at that, all the while you chuckle at the memory.
>Daisy picks up from there. "But then over the weeks we got to know you better, and we learned that you were just like anypony else..."
>Rose stands up on her hind legs, wrapping her front hooves around your chest and looking into your eyes.
>"Then you forgave us for treating you like that...and became a better friend than we could ever ask for..."
>You're speechless, these mares really care about you.
>"I guess we wanted to thank you for being our friend Anon and say...that we'll always be here for you like you've been for us..."
"Girls..."
>"We know it's been a rough year for you, not being able to go back home, but we wanted to let you know that you got ponies here that really care for you."
>Looking at your face, all three of them throw on their most sincere smiles.
>"Because we all love you Anon!"
>With that they let you free and line up in front of you.
>You're not an emotional man but that almost got you a little misty-eyed.
>Kneeling down, you scoop the mares up in a bear hug.
"Thank you girls, it means a lot to me."
>You let them go after a few seconds.
>It had been tough for you the first few months, but now...with friends like this...and your Special Somepony by your side...
>Equestria slowly become your home, more specifically, Ponyville.
>After that, the gang says their goodbyes and you start back on your way to Rarity's Boutique.
>Waving at ponies here and there, you eventually see Rarity's home in the horizon.
>Only stopping for Lyra and Bon-Bonn on the way.
>They also had a similar idea, they got you gifts too!
>Bon Bon said you could come to her shop and have a whole fresh batch of her specialty.
>Bon's Bons.
 
 
>Just the thought of them almost makes you drool.
>Lyra wrote you a song, and she seemed pretty giddy about it.
>With a final wave to the energetic unicorn, you cross the bridge leading up to the Boutique.
>Walking up the front steps, you notice the sign is flipped to 'closed'.
'Hmmm that doesn't seem like her, guess I'm not getting new clothes today...' You sigh.
>You try to peer through a window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the marshmallow pony.
>With no so luck, you grow a little worried for your friend.
>She never closes early. Ever.
>Something must be wrong.
>Knocking a few times, you hear some rumbling from inside but nothing more.
>So you knock again...and again...and again...
>Until finally, you hear annoyed groaning and somebody coming down the stairs.
>"I'm coming! Just a second please~"
>It's Rarity.
>But right away you confirm your suspicions, something must be bothering her.
>Her voice isn't as cheery as always, and it seems forced.
>You're gonna get to the bottom of this, Rarity has helped you out way too much in the past for you not to try.
>As the hoofsteps get nearer, you try brainstorm for anything that might have upset the usually perky unicorn.
>She came to the spa two days ago for a massage...everything was fine with the gang...
>Suddenly a light bulb goes of in your mind.
>Rarity told you she had a date coming up.
>It was supposed to be yesterday if your remember correctly.
>Lost in thought, you fail to see the door start to magically open.
>"Sorry, the Boutique is clos-Oh! Hello Anon, do you need anything?"
>Looking down at her, you see her usually perfect, purple mane is not styled and her puffy red eyes.
>Rarity's been crying.
"Huh? Oh! Hi Rares, just dropping by. I wanted to see a friend...do you think I can come in?"
>She perks up at this and grows a faint smile. "Sure Anon, come on in. I'll get us some drinks!"
>Stepping in after her, you close the door behind you.
 
 
>Meanwhile the fashionista is nowhere to be seen, she must have dashed into the kitchen.
>You start heading to the back of the boutique, where Rarity's break room is located.
>Plopping your ass down on the the comfy couch, you wait for for Rarity to come back.
>Sure enough, a tea set flies into the room being held by a purple aura, followed by a white Unicorn.
>"Ah! Here you are darling, I hope tea is alright?"
>Putting the set on the table in front of you, she sits next to you on the couch.
"Your tea? Do you even have to ask?"
>With a knowing smirk, she serves both of some of her delicious beverage.
>Immediately you pick your cup up and take a small sip.
"Ahhhhh~ Rarity's tea is still best tea!"
>That gets a nice, little giggle out of her.
>Good Anon, now just ease into it. Ask her why she's so glum.
>Putting your drink down, you scoot closer to the mare and wrap an arm around her.
>She's surprised by the contact but doesn't pull away.
"So what's got you in the dumps today, Marshmallow?
>Rarity sighs and looks down towards the ground.
>"It's that noticeable?"
"Well, I tend to play a closer eye to my best friend, but yeah it looks like you've been crying the whole day..."
>All she does is snuggle closer to you.
>A sick thought passes through your mind.
"Was it that stallion from your date yesterday? Did he touch you!? I swear I'll g-"
>"N-no! the date was fine Anon...it's just..."
"What's wrong Rares? You can tell me anything, I wont tell a soul."
>She looks up at you with her sparkling blue eyes, and sniffles slightly.
>"You Pinkie Promise?" You nod at her, causing her to take a deep breath.
>"Okay...well the date itself was fine but...I couldn't connect with the stallion at all. He took me to that fancy new restaurant across town and he was a magnificent gentlecolt throughout the whole night, but I couldn't bring myself to like him...No matter how hard I tried..."
>That didn't sound so bad, why would she be so upset over that?
 
 
>Sniffling some more, she continues.
>"...It's been the same with every stallion that has tried to court me for the past year...a-a-at this rate I'm g-gonna end up all a-alone!"
>Oh.
>After that, any sense of composure is erased from her.
>She hugs your tightly and starts sobbing into your chest.
>Slowly, you pick her up and place her on your lap.
>Her familiar vanilla scent enter your nostrils.
>You stroke her velvety purple mane lightly, and rest your chin on her head. Being careful to avoid her horn.
>Comforting her for what seems like hours.
>The whole time, you whisper that everything was gonna be alright.
>That you'll be there for her always, just like her other friends.
>She just cries louder.
>Some might say Rarity was a tad over dramatic sometimes but she was a good mare.
>This innocent mare didn't deserve to feel like this, after all the good she's done for everyone.
>The fact that she was currently crying uncontrollably into your chest assured you that this was a very serious matter to her, and that it has bugged her for a while.
>Over time, her sobs slowly turn into sniffles once again.
>Grabbing her by the chin, you gently lift her head up until she's looking at you.
>Watching her distraught face tears at your heart.
>You have to do something...
"Tomorrow."
>Her face scrunches up slightly in confusion.
>"W-what's that Darling? What's tomorrow?"
>Wiping a single tear off her face, you smile down at her.
"Tomorrow me and you are gonna go out for drinks, just the two of us."
>Rarity pushes herself away, putting a few inches between you and her.
>"Oh Anon...I know you're busy, you don't have to do that for me Darling! And what about Fl-"
"Nonsense! We haven't hung out in a bit because of your orders, we're going out and having fun tomorrow. Whether you like it or not!"
>A smile adorns her face now.
>She raises a hoof up to her forehead.
"Forcing a lady like myself to go out against her will!? Anon I thought I knew you so well..."
 
 
>You chuckle at her act, It's actually really cute.
>Rarity once again embraces you.
>You return the warm hug accordingly.
>"...Alright Anon, tomorrow we shall get drinks. I need to get a break anyway, and what's better than hanging out with your best Human friend?"
"That's my Rares! I'll pick you up tomorrow night. Is 7 alright?"
>The Marshmallow Pony slowly climbs out of you lap, sitting back down on the couch.
>"Of course Anon, that'll be perfect!" Her beaming smile is contagious.
"Awesome, It's a date!"
>You were glad to have finally been able to cheer up Rarity, her mood is infinitely better than when you first arrived.
>"Oh that reminds me, I have some new clothes I made for you during some spare time!"
>Quickly standing up off the couch, she trots into the next room over.
"Really!? Oh you're a life-saver Rarity, my last pair of pants ripped."
>Coming back into the room with a signature Carousel Boutique bag, Rarity furrows her eyebrows.
>"You shouldn't let it come to that point Darling, You could have come to me at anytime. I will not allow my friend  to walk around around in tattered clothes...specially if they have my design on them..."
>She smirks playfully at this. That's great, she's back to joking around with you again.
"Gee thanks Rarity. You are the most [spoiler]generous[/spoiler] of mares."
>Putting the bag on the table in front of you, she rolls her eyes.
"But seriously Anon, don't ever hesitate to come to me. For anything alright?"
>She puts up a mock glaring face at you, causing you to chuckle.
>This mare is too much.
"Actually that's why I came here today originally, but I decided there were more important things to care of first."
>Rarity blushes a bit.
"But alright, I hereby Pinkie Promise to come to you for help, whenever I need it."
>Seemingly satisfied, she looks up at the clock.
>"Oh my! It's getting rather late Anon! I don't know if you have somewhere else to be go today?"
 
 
>Looking up you see that it's 5PM now, you spent about 2 hours with Rarity.
"Nah I'm still good, maybe we could..."
>A shit eating grin etches itself on your face.
>"Don't. You. Dare. Don't even think about it Anon."
>You wiggle your fingers around in the air a bit.
>Rarity watches the movements closely, visibly gulping as you start moving towards her.
>"A-Anon darling...what are you trying to do?
>Getting up from your seat, you pick up the white unicorn as she lets out a girly yelp.
"You know what's gonna happen now. No sense in acting dumb Rares, there's nothing you can do to stop it either."
>Placing her on the couch, you start your tickle assault.
>Making her squee and squeal in the most unladylike of manners.
>You wish you had a recorder or something on you.
>She really needs to let herself go, she tries to hard to fit in with those snob ponies. She should just be herself.
>After a good minute of her begging you to stop, you finally do so.
>That was a mistake.
>Within seconds she has you in a magical grasp.
>"Oh. It. Is. On!" She has fire in her eyes, and big smile which makes you very nervous.
>Oh god.
>Her magical aura expands and hundreds of feathers suddenly fly into the room.
"R-Rares be reasonable...you don't have to do this."
>Her smirk only widens.
>
>
>
>Can you die from laughter?
>You're pretty sure you came pretty close to doing so during her attack.
>Rarity tickled every part of your body.
>You didn't even know those places could be ticklish.
>Shuddering, you embrace the little break Rarity gave you.
>When it looks like she's gonna go at it again, you quickly scavenge for ways to get out of this.
>Think Anon. Think!
"Uhh...Okay! How 'bout I give you a...private massage if you let me go? Whenever you want it just call me, just no more please!"
>The unicorn hesitates and her magic flickers for a second, her cheeks flourishing bright red.
>Placing you back slowly on the sofa, she starts to putting all the feathers back in place.
>Rarity nods stiffly.
 
 
>"S-sure Darling, that's sound great. I'll take you on that sometime..."
>Nice! No more tickling for you.
>Might as well get out of here before she changes her mind.
"I'll think I'll be heading out now Rares, before it gets dark."
>Regaining her composure, she levitates the bag of clothes towards you again.
>"Of course Anon. Follow me, I'll see you out."
>You pick up the bag and start following alabaster mare.
>She has a slight skip to her step, she must be really giddy about the massage!
>Reaching the door, she opens it up for you and you step out.
>Before leaving though, you turn around and kneel down to her eye level.
>She blinks a few times, confused most likely.
>Not saying a word you hug her once again.
>Rarity returns it almost immediately.
"Just remember Rares, you can't rush meeting the right guy...you will find him eventually, and who knows, he might fall out of the sky tomorrow!"
>She sighs.
>"Okay Anon...Thank you for today...for everything..."
>After she lets go you stand up to full height.
"Anything for you Marshmallow, it what friends are for! I'll see you tomorrow night, okay?"
>She waves as you start to walk away, with a giant smile on her face.
>"I wouldn't miss it for the world Anon, I'll see you tomorrow!"
>With that you start trekking your way back to the center of Ponyville.
>Feeling really good about yourself for helping Rarity out.
>The Sun is just starting to set, the sky is painted orange.
"Well I might as well go home..."
 
=============================================================
 
 
>Be Rarity and Anon just left.
>You shut the door and sit down in front of it.
>His words are still foremost on your mind.
>'He might fall from the sky...'
"Oh Anon, If only you knew the half of it...."
>Resisting the urge to cry again, you get up and start heading to your room.
"I already found my Prince charming...a year ago..."
>Who knew being the Element of Generosity could cause you so much agony.
"But I gave you up for my best friend..."
>Going to your room, you lay on your bed. Not bothering with your hair.
>You just want to sleep and get away from everything for the moment.
>This Element is more trouble than it's worth.
>Sleep didn't come easy but eventually you were able to calm down enough to doze off.
>Remembering Anon's words and how he held you today as you cried helped immensely.
'Why can't he be my Special Somepony?'
>You hug your pillow tight, pretending it's Anon.
'Maybe one day he'll be mine...oh who am I kidding, he wouldn't leave Fluttershy for me, and I couldn't possibly get in between them...I was the one who set them up in the first place...'
>With those thoughts in mind, sleep finally takes over you.
 
 
 
End chapter 1