Je Te Vois
By Mike Dugan
Shimmering gems and fine fabrics of countless colors and hues flitted about the interior of Carousel Boutique. A particularly gleeful Rarity hummed to herself. The unicorn was sashaying about her shop, the glittering blue glow of her unicorn magic enveloping the numerous accessories.
"Oh, Opal!" she exclaimed. "I must say, this is among my best work!" Nearby, Opalescence the cat lounged atop a cushion as Rarity continued prancing about her shop. Giggling, Rarity twirled and spun about, casting her spells and piecing her creations together. She smiled with satisfaction as her work took form around her. "Indeed, the best ever!"
Suddenly, the jingle of the shopkeeper's bell caught her attention. Rarity turned and greeted her friend. "Twilight! Welcome!"
"Hi, Rarity!" Twilight Sparkle said. "Just wanted to see how–" The purple pony uttered a gasp of amazement. The interior of Carousel Boutique was festooned with dazzling banners, and striking costumes for both mares and stallions were lined up along the wall. At the center of the room the beaming Rarity stood, preening her mane proudly. "Rarity! You've outdone yourself!" Twilight exclaimed.
Rarity smiled. "Why, thank you, Twilight!" she replied. "Of course, it's nothing less than a privilege to offer my help for such an event!"
Twilight nodded. "With all this, the concert is sure to be a success! I can't believe they decided to hold the Equestrian Benefit Concert for Underprivileged Foals right here in Ponyville!"
Just then, Pinkie Pie burst into the shop. "Hey gals! Great news! Smiley agreed to host the concert, and he's gonna get us all the best seats in the house, and o-o-oh!" Pinkie marveled at the colorful decorations before her. "Pretty!"
"Why, thank you, darling! I–" Rarity's smile faltered as she noticed Pinkie turn her attention to an unlit corner of the shop, where a single dress form was hidden away.
Pinkie leaned forward, squinting to see the hidden object. "Hey, Rarity! What's that over there?" she asked. Rarity's magic abruptly yanked a curtain into place, concealing the ensemble. Pinkie blinked and looked to her friend.
Rarity prodded her mane nonchalantly, an unusually broad smile stretched across her face. "Oh, nothing, dear! Just a... a separate project I have going!" She cleared her throat. "Of course, my work for the concert takes priority!"
Twilight cocked her eyebrow at Rarity's coy behavior, but soon dismissed it. "Well, it looks like everything is coming together nicely!" she said. "Shall we start bringing everything to the town square?"
"A perfect chance to show off my best work, and do some good for little ponies!" Rarity clapped her front hooves. "Oh, what a coup!"
"A little more to the left, Rainbow Dash!" Applejack called out. "Little more... More... Okay, stop! Perfect!"
Rainbow Dash landed on the stage after she adjusted the banner she was setting up, and she and Applejack high-hoofed each other.
All around the stage, ponies were finishing setting up for the big concert. The performers were busy making their final preparations, while other ponies scurried about making sure the newly constructed stage was ready for the impending concert. Amidst the activity, the concert's emcee poked his head through the immense curtain facing the audience. Smiley the pegasus peered out over the vast crowd of ponies that had gathered for the event. He fidgeted with his bow tie. "Gee whiz," he remarked, "looks like we've got a full house."
Pinkie Pie hopped up to him. "Hey, sweetums!" the party pony chirped. "You all ready for the great, big, huge, giant show?"
Smiley turned to Pinkie. "Oh, sure thing, gumdrop!" he replied, tweaking his tie again. "I guess I'm just a little nervous..."
Pinkie helped straighten Smiley's tie. "You'll be fine!" she said. She nuzzled her boyfriend. "You're always a crowd-pleaser, puddin'!"
Smiley smiled and returned the embrace. "Aw, you always know what to say, snuggle-bucket!"
"You bet I do, honey-cheeks!"
"That's because you're my sweet cookie-pants!"
"Hey, lovebirds!" Rainbow Dash broke in. Pinkie Pie and Smiley turned to the stern-faced pegasus hovering above them. "You wanna get a move on? The show's about to start!" The other two ponies giggled and parted ways. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she flitted away. She placed a hoof on her stomach as she did so. "Plus, I'm about to be sick..."
Rarity strung up the last of her dazzling banners, and smiled. "Ah, magnifique!" she said. She sauntered backwards, admiring her work. Not far behind her, another pony was making his way along the stage.
Rarity yelped as she bumped into a sturdy object. She wheeled around just as the heavy case the other pony was carrying thumped to the floor. "Oh! Goodness! Please, excuse me!" she exclaimed.
A bluish-purple unicorn stallion stood before Rarity. A pair of black sunglasses were perched along his snout, obscuring his eyes. He cocked his head from the sudden incident. "Whoa! Guess I didn't see you there, chère!" He ran his front hoof through his ash-colored mane and grinned wryly.
Rarity put a hoof to her chest and cleared her throat. "Oh, I do apologize! I was just so wrapped up in my work, I wasn't watching my step!" Rarity's horn began to glow. "Please, allow me." She began to levitate the case that had fallen.
The stallion held up his hoof, halting her. "No, no. I got this." His horn shimmered with a deep purple glow. He began to move his head slightly from side to side, yet nothing happened. After a moment, the case was finally enveloped in his magical grip. It hovered off the floor, then drifted to the pony's side. "Ah, aces, there you are..." the stallion said to himself.
Rarity tilted her head. The delay in the unicorn's magic was not something she had seen before. "I beg your pardon, but... are you all right?"
The stallion turned to Rarity. "Tres bien, chère. Just a little bump," he said.
Rarity peered at the unicorn. In another puzzling move, he looked not at Rarity herself as he spoke, but seemed to be scanning the space around her. She surmised he must have been admiring the banners she had just put up.
Suddenly, the stallion raised his eyebrows. "Jeepers creepers! Where are my manners? Y'all can call me Dulcet." He held out his front hoof. "Dulcet Tones."
Rarity smiled and reached out her own hoof, allowing it to be held in his. "Rarity."
Dulcet Tones pulled the mare's hoof up and kissed it. "Enchanté."
The unexpected elegance in the stallion's manner of speech made Rarity's cheeks flush. The southern twang in his voice was similar to Applejack's, but the trimmings of French mixed in were unlike anything she had heard before. "Are you from out of town?"
"Mais oui!" Dulcet answered. "I come all the way from the south land, chère! New Oreins, to be exact!"
Rarity went to respond when a golden glint caught her eye, and she looked to her new friend's cutie mark. Dulcet Tones's flank was emblazoned with the image of a saxophone, but what struck Rarity about it was its glossy sheen. The cutie mark possessed a brilliant luster almost like that of the brass instrument it represented, and Rarity's eyes sparkled as she admired the glistening mark. Breaking out of her mild trance, she turned back to Dulcet Tones. "Oh! You must be one of the performers!"
Dulcet pointed his hoof at Rarity. "Now you're on the trolley, chère!"
Rarity blinked, then tilted her head. "Beg pardon?"
The purple stallion snickered. "I mean, you're right," he explained. "I'm a jazz player. One of the best around!" He turned the case he had been carrying on its side and pried it open with his shimmering purple magic, and hauled out a shiny saxophone. "And this here's my baby!" He held the instrument in his forelegs affectionately. "We never miss a charity event!"
"Oh, that's wonderful! I must admit, this is my first big charity event." Rarity stepped aside to allow her new friend a clear look at her works. "What do you think?"
"Well, I'm sure you're the bee's knees, chère," Dulcet replied. "What do you do? Do you sing, or... ?"
Rarity gestured with her foreleg to the banners she had set up only moments ago. "No, no. I'm helping with the décor."
Dulcet Tones made a face like he had just received bad news. He blushed slightly and grinned. "Aw, darlin', I'm sorry. Hey, I bet your stuff is straight from the fridge!"
Rarity cocked her eyebrow. "Uh... I'm sorry?"
"I mean your stuff is cool, doll!" Dulcet laughed. "You know, like from the fridge!"
"Oh!" Rarity's face brightened. "Thank you! I think!"
Performers moved about, taking their places. Dulcet's ears twitched as the bustle of activity caught his attention. "Land sakes, sounds like the show is startin' up!"
Rarity looked around to see the lights dimming. "Oh dear! I'm so sorry we must part ways so soon!" She took a step closer to Dulcet. "I must say, it's so nice to meet another creative pony! I'd very much like to see you again!"
Dulcet nodded. "Gosh, I'd like that too, Rarity." He quickly summoned his instrument case back to his side. "Whoa, I better get a wiggle on! It was a real pleasure meetin' you, darlin'!"
Rarity smiled pleasantly. "Likewise! I look forward to hearing you play!"
Dulcet Tones bowed politely to her. He tucked his glinting saxophone back into its case, then departed. "Au revoir, Miss Rarity!"
Rarity waved farewell to her new friend, then made her way off the stage. A girlish laugh escaped her as she did so. "Wiggle..."
Day turned into evening in Ponyville, the first day of the concert neared its close, and Rarity and her friends had been enjoying the show from their exclusive seats. So far all of performances had gone off without any problems. Rarity, however, was beginning to feel uneasy. The charming unicorn she had met hours earlier had not yet taken the stage. She feared Dulcet Tones was not scheduled for his appearance that night. But then, her ears twitched as she heard Smiley make the introduction for the final performance of the evening.
"All right, everypony!" Smiley announced. "We've had a lot of fun tonight, but it's time to wrap things up. I'd like you all to meet my friend, Dulcet Tones!"
Rarity's eyes widened. She sat up as she at last caught a glimpse of the charming stallion take the stage, along with a few other musicians. Rarity noticed that, as Dulcet approached the microphone, he repeated his odd behavior from before. He seemed to warm up his magic before it settled on the object he intended to manipulate, rather than instantly grasp it. Upon doing so, he adjusted the mic, pulled out his signature saxophone, and introduced himself.
"Hello. I'm Dulcet Tones." Dulcet put the saxophone to his lips, and began to play.
Hours had passed, the first night of the benefit concert had long since ended, and Ponyville had settled down for the night. At Carousel Boutique, however, one pony was still as alert as she had been since the day had begun.
Rarity was sprawled out on her bed, clad in a silk robe, her chin propped on her front hoof. She idly hummed a bit of the song Dulcet Tones had played earlier that evening, as her back hooves tilted back and forth.
"Oh, Opal!" she sighed. "I'd never heard anything like that before!" The white unicorn rolled over on her side, causing her feline companion to scramble out of the way. Rarity giggled and summoned another piece of candy to her mouth from the box of chocolates resting next to her.
"It was like... like..." Rarity thought a moment as she tried to conjure the right words. Her eyes glanced around her bedroom at the elaborate décor she surrounded herself with. "Like jewels you could hear! Like colors with sound!" Rarity sat up with an excited gasp. "I've got to see him again! Very soon! But how–"
Rarity's ears twitched. Taking a moment to listen, she turned her head to the open window leading to her balcony. A heavenly melody, not unlike the one she had enjoyed earlier that evening, had caught her attention. A delighted smile crossed the mare's face.
Rarity leaped from her bed and trotted out to her stoop. She put her front hooves on the edge of the balustrade, throwing her head from side to side as she sought out the source of the soothing music. Looking out across the town square, Rarity's sharp eyes settled upon the deserted stage of the concert. Seated along the edge of the stage, Rarity perceived a figure, gripping a saxophone in its forelegs. "Dulcet Tones!" she breathed.
Turning about, she galloped out of her bedchamber and dashed downstairs, eager to reunite with her new friend. "I must go to him!" Rarity exclaimed to herself. Just as she approached the front door of her boutique, she stopped dead in her tracks and looked at herself. She furrowed her brow with audible disgust at the open robe still draped over her. "Oh, but not like this!" she spat.
Rarity whipped the garment off herself with her magic, then frantically pored over the assortment of outfits lined along the racks in the workroom. Finding nothing that seemed appealing enough, the demure pony turned her head to the dimly lit corner that she had curtained off earlier. Rarity's horn glowed, casting a spell to draw the curtain back. Slowly, she stepped toward the special project she had been working on since she was first commissioned to help with the concert.
A stunning new gown, crafted from a glittering blue cloth almost as fine as the elegant unicorn's own ethereal magic, was fitted upon the hidden dress form. A simple, silver tiara, with matching earrings, were perched along the mannequin's head, and a set of jewel-studded slippers completed the outfit. Rarity smiled. "Well, I was saving this for the concert's finale..." she muttered. Casting a small spell, she summoned the tiara to her forehead. "But, oh! What better time to unveil my latest creation than now!"
Dulcet Tones was seated along the edge of the stage, slowly swaying as he continued weaving his melody. On the ground below him, a unicorn mare paced up to him, smiling gently as she did so.
Rarity stood before the pony musician, adorned in her newest ensemble. The exquisite dress was contoured to her delicate form perfectly, and the silver tiara complemented her finely polished horn as if it were magic itself. Her heart fluttered as she listened to Dulcet. The music he was playing was even more heavenly than the piece he had performed at the concert.
The night sky was clear, allowing the full moon to shine down on the two ponies. Rarity's new dress caught the silvery light, making it even more radiant than ever. Rarity took note of the sublime lighting as she continued listening to Dulcet play. She uttered a contented sigh. His music along with her newest ensemble fit perfectly.
After a while, Dulcet Tones finished his song and moved the saxophone away from his mouth. Seeing he was finished, Rarity stamped her front hooves in applause.
Dulcet nodded. "Why thank you, music lover!"
"Bravo! Oh, that was simply marvelous!" Rarity cheered.
Dulcet gasped. "Oh it's you, chère!"
"What?" Rarity looked bewildered. "Why, of course. Didn't you recognize me?"
"Well I do now!" Dulcet Tones tucked his saxophone back into its case.
Rarity began to protest, "I... But... I was standing right in front of you the whole time, I..." She shook her head. "Well, no matter. I'm just so happy I was able to see you again!"
Dulcet made his way down to Rarity's level. "Nice bumpin' into you again, too, doll! I wasn't keeping you up with all my caterwaulin', was I?"
Rarity shook her head earnestly. "Oh, no, no, no!" she exclaimed. "I adore your music! It's nothing less than art!" She preened her mane and batted her eyes. "In fact, I was so impressed, I thought you might like to experience one of my own creative endeavors?" Rarity struck an elegant pose, her opulent gown rippling as she did so.
Dulcet Tones paused. "So, what is it?"
Tittering, Rarity answered him. "Don't be silly! It's my latest creation!" Rarity was practically dancing before Dulcet now. "One of my best yet!"
Dulcet Tones said nothing as the sound of fluttering cloth hit his ears. He made a face as if Rarity had just insulted him. "Chère, I hope you're just talkin' 'bout that perfume you got on..."
"Well, that's part of it, to be sure," Rarity replied. "But, see how the light catches the fabric just so!" She balanced on the tip of her hind hoof, and twirled around with a giggle. "Isn't it just divine?"
Dulcet Tones's jaw fell open. He stammered for a moment. "What the... Wait, hold up! You're serious with me?"
Rarity ceased her prancing, looking to the purple stallion with bemusement. "But of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
Stamping his front hoof on the ground, Dulcet Tones burst into laughter. "Good gravy, doll! I thought you was pullin' my leg!"
Rarity put a hoof to her chest. "Why, whatever do you mean?"
"For real? You really haven't figured it out yet?" Dulcet said with disbelief. Rarity shook her head. The southern stallion took her silence as confirmation to his question, as he made his startling revelation.
"Rarity, I'm blind."
Rarity's blood ran cold. Her hind legs began to tremble. Her ears fell as she took a step backward. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Dulcet Tones looked concerned, as he had not yet heard a reply from his friend. "You all right, chère? You still with me?"
"Blind?" Rarity gasped. "You mean... you can't see? Anything?"
Dulcet simply smirked. "'S what 'blind' means, don't it?"
Rarity's heart was racing now. She struggled to collect her thoughts and regain her composure. "Oh, y-yes, I suppose it does." Her throat felt dry. "How long? I mean, how long have you been... this way?"
The purple stallion shrugged casually. "All my days."
Rarity felt a pit in her stomach. "Oh... Oh, dear. Dulcet, I..." She struggled to think of the right words. "I'm so very sorry!"
Dulcet Tones waved his foreleg in a reassuring gesture. "Aw, hey, don't sweat it, doll. It was just a mistake. I'm just glad you weren't tryin' to razz me! I–"
"No, no!" Rarity cut in. "I mean, I'm so sorry about your... your condition!"
"Rarity, it's no big deal, I've dealt with it all my life," Dulcet explained. "It's nothing I can't handle."
Rarity began fanning herself with her front hoof. "Oh! Oh, uh, of course! I, uh, I mean of course you can h-h-handle it! Silly me!" Rarity stammered for a moment. "Goodness! Look at the time! I really must be–" She was interrupted by a sudden knot in her throat, then looked at herself and the striking ensemble she wore. Tears pricked her eyes. "Oh!" The distraught Rarity spun around, and galloped away.
Dulcet Tones reached up with his foreleg. "Rarity?" He frowned when no reply came. "Aw, chère..."
Rarity burst in through the front door of her boutique. Her heart pounded as she bolted through the shop's foyer, and up the stairs to her bedroom. Reaching her chamber, she shut the door behind her and fell against it. She slowly slid down to the floor, shaking her head. Rarity summoned the silver tiara to her front hoof, and turned it over a few times. The perfectly smooth surface glinted in her eyes. She sighed, and let the ornament clatter to the floor.
"Oh dear..." she sighed. "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear..."
To Be Continued...
