Returning the Favor (Lotus)

[Rarity]

Rarity moved through Canterlot with a light, swift step. Holding herself high in her newly created dress, knowing she was turning at least a few heads.  With Nightmare night right around the corner, the dark purples and blacks that Rarity reserved for only trims became her main focus.  This specific dress was, personally, her favorite.  Wispy and Dark, with an ornate headdress.   It was probably too much for a simple dinner date.  But Rarity wasn't dressing just for Lotus.  She was dressing for herself.  The best way to get her Nightmare Night designs out there was to wear them, right? She rounded a corner and looked at the restaurant.  Le Bistro d'Gourmet.  One of her personal favorites here in Canterlot.  They were quick and concise about their specialties and orders, and she had never had to send back a dish for being wrong.  Plus the Atmosphere was perfect.  Dim lighting with just the lightest flutter of music floating through the store.  Quiet enough you could hold a conversation, but at the right volume to keep prying ears from hearing too much. As she entered, she made her way to the Waiter with a soft smile.  "Good evening.  I have a reservation for two?  My friend will be arriving momentarily, if you could direct her to my table when she does.  A glass of red wine while I wait would be absolutely superb."  The waiter nodded and led Rarity to a small table, bringing her drink shortly after.  Rarity casually scanned the restaurant, the number of ponies here tonight was light, which meant their service would be much greater.

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Thankfully it is not really windy today, otherwise my dress would have been blown away by the wind, Lotus thought as she tried to slow down her hurried pace. She looked around, frowning a little at the setting obscurity. It was already not so easy to navigate through Canterlot during daytime, especially for a townsmare who almost never went to the grand city in her entire life. She began smiling sheepishly. It had been only a week though since she had came this way. Not wanting to go to Carousel Boutique for her dat-- DINNER!- she instead decided to shop for a little something to wear in Canterlot. It had also given her the chance to check ahead the location of Le Bistro d'Gourmet. What a mouthful to say.

After a few minutes, she at last saw the said restaurant. She almost sighed in relief, but then she was quickly reminded of what it meant. Is my dress adequate? This is Canterlot after all... and the tailor had told me that it was. But then will she like it? She must have seen hundreds of better dresses than this one. She shook her head to clear it. This is only a friendly dinner, silly. I'm sure it won't bother her... too much. At least my mane is pretty enough... I'll have to thank sis for that someday.

As she entered, she was stricken by the ambiance. Dim lights, good music, an intimate feel. She struggled not to blush. Just.... a friendly dinner... Nothing more. Even the waiter made her feel as if he himself knew this was more than a~.

He coughed.

Lotus blinked and smiled apologetically. ''Oh! Uhm, yes? I'm sorry, I guess I was a bit distracted.'' The waiter only smiled and turned to escort her. As she followed him, she almost missed a step upon seeing her. ''Dear Celestia'', she whispered. Lotus beamed. If Miss Rarity looked ravishing each and every time she exited the spa after her weekly treatment, then in that wondrous dress, in this lighting, and a glass of red to her lips, she was simply stunning.

Had she not been in Canterlot, she would have squeed.

Lotus simply forgot about the waiter and even walked ahead of him to join her friend. ''Miss Rarity! This dress... wow, you look really beautiful tonight!'' Now Lotus knew for certain that her own dress was not impressive enough, but she would not let that detail ruin her mood.

(Dress: derpicdn.net/img/2014/7/1/665387/large.png )

[Rarity]

Rarity had just taken a sip when she heard Lotus. She set the glass down gently and smiled at the complement. "Thank you, dahling, I made it myself~" She said, looking to the Spa Pony. Her smile widened just a bit as she looked over the dress Lotus wore. "My, your dress looks absolutely stunning as well. Simple and elegant~ Perfection." She appraised. "One of Silk Weaves designs, if I'm not mistaken? He definitely knows his stitches." She ventured a guess. She ordered another glass of wine for Lotus and then smiled across the table to the other mare. "Now, things may seem a little spendy here, but I do not want you to worry about that. Order anything you'd like, it's on me." Rarity said with a smile, opening the menu to browse. After a few moments of silence from the fashionista, she glanced over the edge o the menu toward Lotus, examining her for a few moments. "When I told Rainbow Dash and Twilight about this plan, they both assumed this was a date, date. That would indeed be interesting, would it not?" Rarity said with a soft smile. A Smile that could go one of two ways depending on what Lotus' reaction to the statement was. And, in the meantime, Rarity had decided on the evenings special, the Orecchiette with Rapini and Goat Cheese.

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Lotus was glad that Miss Rarity would approve of her choice of dress. It did not surprise her that the fashionista knew exactly where she had gotten the dress; if there is a pony who should know about different designers, it would be her. However, Lotus couldn't help but feel a little pang of disappointment because it was the dress that had been complimented, not her. Maybe I should have asked sis for a different manecut, Lotus mused.

Despite the little thorn, Lotus smiled at her: ''That's right! I'm glad you like it; at first I wanted to ask you for one, since there are not that many dressmakers in Ponyville... but, eheh, that would have been a bit odd.''

"Now, things may seem a little spendy here, but I do not want you to worry about that. Order anything you'd like, it's on me."

Lotus grinned at the prospect of free haute-cuisine, and was all the more happy for the glass of wine. ''Uhm, if you insist, Miss Rarity! I won't pick something too expensive though; I wouldn't want to make a hole in your budget just for a single dinner with me. But thank you very much! I wouldn't mind paying for... I don't know... Of course you're the one who invited me, but I could maybe pay for half of my plate. I wouldn't mind at all. I mean you already had to pay for the train and the wine... If anything I'd like to contribute a little.'' Opening the menu, Lotus was a bit shocked. Oh well... it would be easier to pick something inexpensive if there was anything in there that was! Oh well, not that I can do anything about that.

Before she had the chance to pick, she heard Rarity say: "When I told Rainbow Dash and Twilight about this plan, they both assumed this was a date, date. That would indeed be interesting, would it not?"

Lotus' eyes widened, her mouth slightly opened as she gaped at Rarity. She could feel her face quickly trying to change its color to be more similar to her sister's. Did she.. Did I hear correctly? Ok ok... hold... so it wasn't a date to begin with. Alright, that much is sure. Now others thought it was going to be~ No biggie, I was thinking the same, she thought, completely putting the 'dinner with a friend' scenario out of her mind as if it had never crossed her thoughts. And what did she say again? 'That would be interesting?' Lotus mentally squeed.

Blinking out of her frozen state, Lotus realized that the ponies at the next table were staring at her curiously. She realized she had perhaps indeed squeed a little audibly. She did her best not to grin like a lunatic and answered with a not-so-composed voice: ''I-Interesting?'' She giggled. ''That would be very interesting. To tell you the truth, for this dinner, the idea had crossed my mind... _{a few times.} '' Lotus tried her best to hide her embarrassment behind her menu. She found a bit of comfort in Rarity's soft smile. Thankfully, it was a friend like Miss Rarity and not some stranger, that in itself helped her calm down a little.

She smiled a bit more confidently at Rarity and added: ''If you don't mind, of course! A date with you does sound lovely!''

[Rarity]

Rarity smiled. She was happy she was able to spot another Ponys design so easily. It was a good way to stay one step ahead of the competition. She noticed the bit of disappointment that Lotus held, and Rarity gave a little eyeflutter. "Come now, Darling~ Just because I commented on the dress first, I didn't mean to detract from your beauty. You are definitely the best part of the ensemble." She said with a smile. Rarity watched Lotus's response to the thought that this was a true date. She was definitely surprised for a few long minutes. Finally, Lotus responded. It had crossed Lotus's mind as well? Hmm, Rarity wondered if it crossed Lotus's mind because of Aloe? The thought hadn't crossed the Unicorns mind until her friends had brought up the thought. Rarity thought for a few moments on what Lotus had said. The waiter came back by and Rarity smiled slightly. Looks like the answer was going to have to wait for a few moments. "I'll take the Stuffed Portabella Cap, and the Cucumber and Tomato salad with the Feta cheese. And a bottle of your finest red wine, if you please, we are celebrating this evening~" Rarity said, then allowed Lotus time to order for herself as well. Once the waiter was clear from the table, Rarity nodded. "It's a date, then~" She said simply, taking another sip from her wineglass and looking across the table at Lotus' reaction once again. Something Rarity was sure would be a great pastime tonight.

[Deleted]

"You are definitely the best part of the ensemble."
Lotus smiled, embarrassed by the compliment. If only there was a way to know how sincere it was, Lotus thought. Perhaps Miss Rarity, with all the dresses that she gets to see every year, now pays more attention to the ponies wearing them? That's a pretty nice thought to contemplate!... or I should say a wish.

Her mind completely not up to the now very-demanding task of thinking of something to order, Lotus decided to opt for the same thing that Miss Rarity took. If anything, she would not frown upon her choice. Or would she? I'm not a copycat to her, I hope. Lotus decided that for now, it did not really matter. She was sure that Miss Rarity would not by picky about that stuff.

Lotus's eyes widened and she bit her lower lip when Rarity ordered a bottle of their finest red. Aren't those like really expensive? Especially in Canterlot! Is she really doing that for me, Lotus asked herself in worry and excitement, does it mean that much to her?

"It's a date, then~"

Lotus did her best not to squee in delight once again, and instead offered Rarity a big smile. "I.. I, uhm. Thanks! I mean I'm very happy that you'd want it to be a date. It's... uhm... I feel honored? No, no scratch that, too cliché. Feel... uhm... what could be another word for that? Oh! Privileged! Yes! Privileged! I mean, you could probably have your pick at every stallion there is... and yet..." Lotus grinned at her. "It means a lot to me!''

Lotus blinked, perplexed. "Uhm... now that I think about it, why exactly me? I mean We're good friends but... Yeah, you could have picked anypony else." Lotus quickly added with a little giggle: "But I'm glad that you did, don't get me wrong; I'm more than happy to have this date with you!"

[Rarity]

Rarity listened to the Spa Pony talk, a soft smile on her face. It was pretty cute how almost... flustered? She seemed at thanking Rarity. "Dahling, if anyone should be thankful, it's me. I asked you here, and asked about considering it a date." Rarity reminded placing a hoof on Lotus' shoulder. "No need to be so worked up~" Rarity let out a light chuckle. She could have had a choice of anyone, that was probably true. "I could, probably, pick anypony else. But the last time I picked just anypony, I ended up with a ripped dress and a cake all over me." She said with an almost bored look, and a bit of a sigh. "However, with you, I know you won't do something so crass, and you already know me like the back of your hoof, I'm certain." Rarity admitted, her smile returning. She chuckled after a few moments, taking a sip of her wine. "If you ever feel like a pick-me-up. Remember, you're classier than a Prince, at least." She said with a little bit of a mischievous smile. "Though, with him, that's not all that hard." She couldn't remember if she had told Lotus about Blueblood or not. If not, this would be a surprise. If she did, this would probably get a little laugh... or a disappointing look for making fun of someone behind their back. Rarity waited to see how she was judged.

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The pristine, soft, soothing white hoof on her shoulder both soothed Lotus' mind and galvanized it at the same time. She couldn't count the number of times she had given a hooficure to this very hoof, massaged the leg again and again, but then right now, on her shoulder, it just felt... different. Better. If anything, it made her smile even more. "No need to be so worked up~" Lotus giggled in her head. Easier said than done with your hoof on my shoulder!

Lotus listened with a knowing smile as Rarity once again retold the story of her stunning night at the Grand Galloping Gala. No matter how often I hear it, I never tire of her retelling it.

"However, with you, I know you won't do something so crass,''

Lotus eyes shot wide as she quickly shook her head. ''Of course I wouldn't do something like that. Just to say, but sometimes I feel that I am going a bit overboard when I allow you in the mud bath; I always fret that it might somehow stain your beautiful fur or something. I know it's not the same context at all... but.. yes... just a little weird fear I have, I guess.''

''You already know me like the back of your hoof, I'm certain."


Lotus smiled a bit sheepishly. ''Well... I mean with all those visits and the chat we always have during those, I guess we can say that I know a few things, you're right.'' Lotus giggled in embarrassment. Oh, this is too cheesy. ''But then I feel like there is a lot more that I want to know about you.''

"If you ever feel like a pick-me-up. Remember, you're classier than a Prince, at least."

Lotus laughed a bit, both in relief and at the comparison. Her, a spa pony of Ponyville, classier than the Prince? ''Thank you Miss Rarity! Maybe he just did not know what to do to charm a mare as fine as you, and ended up behaving like he shouldn't have... Many stallions are like that. They can become entirely different ponies in front of beautiful mares!''

Lotus stopped herself from continuing. Wait, am I really trying to make her reconsider the Prince? Stop that, stop that, stop that! What are you thinking?

Lotus quickly added: ''But then in the end it showed you that he wasn't right for you, right? Eheh~'' Not the best argument, but it'll do... I hope I did not mess up, she thought worriedly.

Wanting to change the subject away from the Prince, Lotus glanced at the decor, leaned a teeny bit forward: ''You know, I have not been in Canterlot that many times. If you wish to, after this meal we could, uhm, visit a few places? I know you like the city, so if you could share some of your favorite spots I'd love to.'' Lotus blinked. ''Not that I can't wait for the dinner to be over! It's just that I want to make sure there's something we can do afterwards.''

[Rarity]

Rarity covered her mouth lightly with a hoof to hide the light laugh at Lotus' suggestion for after dinner. "Dahling, Breathe~ It's alright to plan for what to do after dinner already, it doesn't make me feel like you're in a rush." She said with a soft smile. She let out a light hum as she lifted the glass to her lips. "As far as my favorite places go?" She took a light sip, thinking on it. "There are the botanical gardens that are lovely, with a night exhibit. The city being mostly unicorns, there's a magical lighting in the Gardens at night that is absolutely lovely." She said with a nod. "I'd love to show you. Though, beyond that I've only really been to the racetrack, some museums, and the Castle." She admitted. Not the biggest list of stuff to do. For as much as she seemed like she belonged smack dab in the middle of the rich, snooty district of Canterlot, Rarity was born and raised in Ponyville, and didn't leave there too terribly much. Rarity smiled to the waiter as their first course, the salads, were brought out. She levitated one of the three forks up, making sure to take the one farthest to the left. She picked up one cherry tomato and bit into it lightly and chewing. She looked to Lotus, partly to see if she'd pick up the right fork, and partly to make sure she was approving of the first course. As she looked, a funny thought occurred to her. Lotus was usually very calm and was usually on top of everything. Rarity could tell she was out of her element here, being outside of the spa, but she hoped that Lotus would fall into a rhythm soon, and realize she could just be herself without too much worry. A light giggle escaped Rarity at her thoughts, which she quickly silenced with a lightly crunchy crouton.