Rarity wasn’t sure what she was expecting when she chose to take a shortcut but she certainly wasn’t expecting to bump into a foal blocking her way. The little thing was cover head to toe in dirt and was visibly trembling, though Rarity doubted it was from the cold.
 
“Little one, what are you doing out so late?” She asked, looking around trying to spot some adults. There was no one but the two of them. “Where are your parents?” The filly sneered, looking amused by the question.
 
“I don’ need nothing like that.” She proclaimed, stomping a hoof. “Now hand ovah ya bits!”
 
The two stared at one another, one determined and the other clearly confused. Crescent was impatient and was hoping the mare would just follow along with her demands. Sure she didn’t have a weapon since she was too weak to pick one up but surely she was threatening enough alone, right?
 
“Hand over… A-are you mugging me?” Rarity asked after a minute of silence, looking amazed. “Is that whats happening?” She was more amazed she COULD get mugged in Canterlot. One usually couldn’t turn a corner without bumping into a guard.
 
Then again, she was currently in the less than opulent part of Canterlot so…
 
“Yeah, so if ya don’t~~” She started, happy to get things moving but was interrupted by Rarity.
 
“Little one, why ever would you resort to such crass methods of living?” She said with a sigh, her eyes aglow with pity at the small, sweating little foal. “You should~~”
 
“I don’t wanna hear what some uppity mare like you thinks I ‘should’ be doing.” Crescent snapped, letting out a cough. “It’s none of ya business!” Her out burst left her panting, that cough tearing through her like blades.
 
“Darling are you alright?” Rarity took a step forward, clearly worried about the foal. She couldn’t tell if the little filly was pale or if it was just her coat but she was very concerned. “You’re shaking. Are you sick?”
 
“I said, hand ovah ya-” The filly’s weak legs finally gave up on her, collapsing beneath her. She hit the ground hard, darkness edging over her vision. Lack of food and withdrawal was waring over her conscious and had finally decided to just knock her out. Her last sight before everything fade was the pretty mare running over, worry painted on her face.
 

 
Rarity and Crescent Moonstone didn’t meet in the best of ways. Crescent had been living on the streets of Canterlot all her life, being passed around as an errand foal for the less than up right folks who lived there. For foals who fell between the cracks or runaways, that was the only life for them. If they were lucky, they might live to gain a cutiemark.
 
Crescent had just run from her last ‘employer’ and was trying to find a means to live, so she tried to mug the first pony she met. She was lucky enough to have bumped into Rarity, who was just leaving a nearby shop. While the area was not very safe, the wares sold at the shop were one of a kind.
 
It didn’t take long for Rarity to notice how sick the filly trying to mug her was, what with her shaking, sweating and obvious struggle to remain standing. After Crescent passed out, Rarity took her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with various conditions that sickened the mare. Crescent was suffering from malnutrition, exhaustion and displayed symptoms of withdrawal, which was weakening her further.
 
It was then that Rarity put herself forward, begging the doctors to treat the foal to the best of their ability. It was noted that Crescent was probably acting as a mule for somepony and she should be wary but Rarity showed no fear and stood her ground. She wasn’t going to stand around while a foal suffered in front of her. She would later adopt the reluctant little filly.