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“Great! Welcome to the First Annual Elements of Harmony Reunion and Commemoration Party! Can you believe it’s been…” She trailed off for a few moments. “Nine years, two months and twenty-nine days since we rediscovered the Elements of Harmony and rescued Princess Luna, right here in Ponyville?”

And… no. Rarity couldn’t. Nine years? A crippling sense of age overwhelmed her. It seemed like just yesterday that she was meeting Twilight for the first time in her boutique, and now she was an old, single mare on the verge of—

“Oh, stop that.” Sweetie gave her a rough poke in the side. Rarity could barely hear her over the cheering crowd and Pinkie’s continuing discourse on how old she was. “You’re not old. You’re not even our parents’ age when they married.”

Rarity coughed. “Erm, sorry dear. Was it that obvious?”

“Blindingly.”

Rarity opened her mouth to respond when a spotlight swung across the crowd and pinned her in place. She froze, unable to see, as Pinkie’s voice returned over the loudspeakers.

“And last but certainly not least, Rarity! Say hello, Rarity!”

Most ponies would have panicked at suddenly being thrust before a crowd, spotlighted and put on the spot. She hadn’t even heard most of Pinkie’s speech. Beside her, Sweetie Belle edged away from the spotlight’s glare.

Fortunately, Rarity was used to the limelight. She reflexively struck a pose, her head raised high and tilted imperiously as she touched a hoof to her chest. “Hello, Ponyville! I hope you’re all feeling fabulous tonight!” she cried, her voice as clear and ringing as a bell. The crowd answered with cheers.

The third illustration for the book release of Salvation by Cold in Gardez. Info here: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/893660/

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Posted previously at: 2020-04-24T11:13:39 | Posted previously by: avonder