>The fine silk of Rarity’s scarf hugs her elegant neck with tender and gentle warmth.
>As the scarf warms the outside of her neck, her aromatic tea heats the inside of her throat and pushes a sigh from lips into the cool December air.
>”Such a crisp morning,” Rarity says lightly, “I am going long for these days as the weather becomes more ghastly by late January.”
>Rarity adjusts her gaze to the pony across the table from her.
>Twilight has her snout deep in the pages of a large novel. Her ears covered by a soft pair of maroon muffs, and her body covered by a tasteful winter jacket.
>Rarity isn’t surprised when a response doesn’t come until after a short delay.
>”O-oh, yes” Twilight says finally rejoining the conversation, “It really has been a mild winter so far. Hopefully it will stay that way.”
>Twilight’s eyes seldom look up from the pages.
>Rarity sighs.
>”Honestly darling, it has been so long since we have had tea together and you’re too engrossed in your book to make a genuine effort at conversation,” Rarity says.
>”Sorry… I don’t really have much time to read in the castle, and I want to be caught up in this series before Hearth’s Warming,” Twilight responds, this time more immediately.
>Rarity pouts.
>”Well I for one find it rude to be reading when a close friend invites you to tea. Why must you be caught up before the holidays?” Rarity inquires with an impatient tone.
>Twilight turns to the next page before responding.
>”Spike is going to surprise me with the next book in the series for Hearth’s Warming.” She says plainly.

>Rarity tilts her head in confusion.
>”And how would you know that? Not much of a surprise, is it?”
>Twilight smirks with a short glance towards Rarity.
>”Spike is… not very gifted when it comes to wrapping paper. He did such a poor job I could kiiiiinda make out the title through it.” Twilight says playfully.
>Rarity giggles at the thought of poor Spike trying to wrap presents with such sharp claws.
>With a sigh she takes another sip of her tea and begins to pony watch on the busy street again.
>And people watch, technically.
>The tall Anonymous juxtaposes the much shorter crowd as he towers over pedestrians around him.
>Rarity waits patiently for his inevitable companion. She could almost count the seconds until…
>A small blue Pegasus soars a little ahead of him before settling on the ground and walking next to him.
>Rarity smiles and shakes her head; just as she anticipated.
>It took all of five seconds before Rainbow Dash was with him again.
>It seemed like the whole town was playing the same game as they waved hello and passed by.
>These days one will see them together more often than on their own.
>”It would appear Anonymous and Rainbow Dash are enjoying a Sunday morning at the market,” Rarity says gently
>Twilight chuckles
>”How did Anon get Rainbow up to do something as quaint as that?” she asks, still reading intensely.
>Rarity raises her eyebrows.
>”From what I have heard, they do an assortment of shockingly humble activities together. I simply can NOT believe that our Rainbow Dash will get dressed up for romantic dinners and charming date nights.” Rarity says with a smile.
>Twilight finally looks up from her book with a look of uneasy inquisitiveness.
>”And how would you know all this?”
>Rarity waves off Twilight’s glare.
>”Oh come now, it is just a bit of harmless gossip. Still, Anon has an odd effect on her.”
>Rarity furrows her brow.
>”How long have they been dating now?” she asks.

>”Two years and counting,” Twilight responds quickly, still occupied.
>Rarity squints her eyes as her tea floats to her lips again.
>”Two years? My my,” She says softly, “They are so close, if I were a certain monkey I would give a certain somepony an anklet by now.”
>Twilight turns another page in her book before looking up at the pair of misfits across the road.
>Anon and Rainbow Dash search through the hand-me-down tents selling old items that are supposedly ‘another mare’s treasure’.
>As Rainbow searches through used clothing, wool hats, and old socks Anon has found something of interest behind a glass case.
>He glances over his shoulder at Dash before speaking with the cashier discretely.
>A small grin grows on Twilight’s face as she starts to realize what is going on.
>He found something she’ll like, and he’s going to surprise her with it. It’s no secret that Anon spoils her with what little he has.
>Funny enough, she never brags about all the things he gets her. If anything she becomes rather bashful.
>Maybe it is time for Anon to get on one knee and give her an anklet…
>”Doesn’t he already have the anklet?” Twilight inquires
>Rarity nods, happy to have Twilight back in the conversation.
>”He got it months ago, and it was an exquisite piece as well. He made sure to get the best his money could buy,” Rarity states proudly.
>Twilight raises an eyebrow at her posh friend.
>Rarity has been guiding Anon in a lot of his romantic endeavors since day one. She almost likes their pairing too much.

>”I remember when the town was abuzz about it,” Twilight says, looking back to her book, “It shocks me just how quickly gossip travels in this little town of ours. It seems like the only pony who doesn’t know about it is Rainbow Dash herself.”
>Rarity nods lightly.
>”Honestly, that Anonymous should get his rump in gear if he truly intends on proposing to her. If he just sits on it, then it shall never get done!” Rarity says in an alarmed tone.
>Twilight’s eyes scan the pages of her novel at a rapid pace.
>”Well there is nothing we can do it about it. It is up to Anon,” she says flatly.
>One could almost hear the lightbulb glow above Rarity’s head as she suddenly straightens in her chair.
>”Au contraire, mon amie,” Rarity responds with a grin, “I believe I could give him the push he needs!”
>Twilight looks at Rarity from the corner of her eye.
>”Don’t you think that might be a bit too much?” Twilight probes.
>Rarity dismissively waves her hoof.
>”Oh please, it’s simply helping a friend, dear! Is that not what we are supposed to be doing as elements of harmony in the first place?”
>Twilight squints her eyes before letting out a long sigh. She places down her feather bookmark, then carefully closes the book and gets to her feet.
>”I, for one, am far too busy to assist you in this… endeavor,” She says with a graceful smile, “However, I won’t intervene.”
>Twilight packs away her book before looking down the road.
>”I wish you the best of luck, Rarity.” She says with a light giggle.
>Rarity stands confidently.
>”I don’t need luck, darling, when it comes to romance I am second only to Princess Cadance!” she says with incredible gusto.
>Twilight nods in goodbye before trotting away.