Of Magic and Steel

Once I had exited the bathroom, I saw Rarity sitting on her chair sketching.

"I take it I have given you some inspiration?" I asked, wiping an excess bit of water I had missed away with my hand.

"Of course Darling. While you do have similar proportions to a unicorn or earther, there are still unique things about your physique." Rarity replied. "Such as your feet. There aren't too many species that have something other than hooves or talons, and even fewer that aren't digitigrade. So few in fact, I don't know of a species that isn't."

I considered this. It had taken some effort for me to find someone that was able to make me new boots so that I had a few backup pairs, and it had taken several attempts to get them to fit correctly.

"I can understand that. It was a pain to try and get new boots made. That poor cobbler was beside herself when they didn't fit right." I replied.

"The poor dear, but I can understand her difficulties." Rarity said. "Working with an unfamiliar body type can be difficult. Now, I have some ideas, but to make them properly I need your measurements. And no complaining that I already have them."

"I understand as I nodded. Male and female clothing have different measurements because they fit differently." I said with a nod as I pulled off my shirt.

Rarity nodded. "Especially if one wants to properly accentuate the wearer's form. While you are a bit more on the slender side for a stallion of your strength, your shoulders are a bit broader than the average mare, so I have to find a way to make an outfit that helps to soften those edges a bit." She said as she floated a measuring tape over and began measuring me.

"Hmm, Talisman, could you let your hair down please? I am trying to consider what designs would work best." She said.

I reached up and pulled my hair from the ponytail I had it in, shaking it out a bit so it fell freely.

"Much better." Rarity said with a smile, causing me to blush slightly.

Once she was finished with the measurements, she floated a robe over to me.

"Here, go ahead and put this on while you wait." She instructed.

"Wait, you're making the outfit now?" I asked as I pulled the robe on.

"Of course Darling. This outfit will be a simple one that, with a bit of a makeover, will allow you to test the waters to see how it feels." She replied with a smile as she moved to her work area.

"Alright, if you say so." I said, going to sit down and finishing my tea after a quick burst of heat from my Fire materia.

Soon enough, Rarity announced the outfit was complete.

It was a blouse and a skirt combo in a blue hue.

"I didn't want it to be too much either way of the depth of the color so it didn't clash too much with your skin tone, and I had some fabric that matches your eyes almost perfectly." She explained as she handed me the outfit.

I felt the material in my hands. It was soft, much softer than the clothes I had been wearing, even in my off duty clothes which were just as utilitarian as my work clothes, just in lighter colors.

"Go ahead and try it on." Rarity said.

I nodded and pulled the blouse on and buttoned it. It fit snugly, but didn't restrict my movements. The skirt was pulled on and sat gently on my waist, the hem falling to my knees.

Rarity gave me a critical eye to see how her work.

"Not too shabby. Now give me a twirl." She said.

I did, smiling slightly as the skirt flaring out as I spun on the balls of my feet, causing a giggle to slip out.

"What is it Darling?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, I was reminded of a kind of inside running joke amongst the trans femme community, and it is right. Skirt goes spinny." I said with a smile.

Rarity gave a melodic laugh. "Yes it does Darling. Now, would you let me do your hair and makeup before you look in a mirror?" She inquired.

I bit my lip for a moment before nodding. I had heard mention of gender euphoria, and if this was it, I was starting to wonder what I was missing all these years.

Rarity led me over to a chair and levitated a wide variety of products and implements of fabulousness over to float around us. She then stood about three feet away and began with my hair, brushing it until it shined and, using some kind of oil, was smoother than I had ever gotten it since I had started growing it out after I had gotten out of the military and could do so.

"I'm just feeling my hair resting on my neck and I have never felt it so smooth before." I said.

"Have you tried using tea tree oil?" She asked. "It does wonders to smooth and moisturize your hair."

"I haven't. Just been kind of muddling along trying to figure out how to deal with it properly. I mean, I usually just put it into a ponytail or on occasion a braid, but that is it." I said.

"That maybe, and I have to say this is the first time I have seen you with it down myself, since I mostly see you when you are in your official capacity." Rarity said. "But everyone can benefit from proper hair care."

"I take it that was more aimed at a certain farmer and a certain weather mare than at me?" I asked a slight smile.

"I have no idea what you mean Darling." She said with a knowing grin. "Now hold still while I do a bit of styling."

Soon enough my hair was falling in gentle curls.

"Oh, don't you look wonderful already." She said, a proud smile on her face. "Now for makeup."

"In this situation, I am reminded of an actor who, before he was an actor, was a makeup artist, and he said to keep it simple and frame the face." I said.

"For you Darling, I would agree. Your features are just soft enough that there isn't a huge need for contouring. Now hold still." She said as she began her work anew.

After several minutes, some plucked eyebrows, and some debate on her part as she held various palettes up to my face, her work was complete.

"So, are you ready for the big reveal?" Rarity asked with a smile.

I nodded nervously, afraid of how I might feel after looking in the mirror.

She took my hand and led me over to a full length mirror, stopping me before I could see my reflection.

"Close your eyes, and I will guide you in front of it." She said gently.

I did so, and I felt her hands lead me into position and turn my body to face my reflection.

"Okay Darling. Open your eyes." She said quietly.

I took a deep breath and released it before doing so, and then gasping at the sight.

I stared transfixed at my reflection, not quite believing my eyes. I slowly raised a hand and touched my cheek, my reflection doing the same. I swallowed hard to try and keep the tears at bay.

"Darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked.

I nodded. "Th-this is amazing. I-I've always looked in the mirror in the mornings and never really felt anything about my appearance, either good or bad. I could objectively say that the guy was attractive, but I never really felt that I was attractive, and it always confused me when someone said I was handsome. I just couldn't see it." I explained.

Rarity nodded. "And if I were to say that you were beautiful? How does that make you feel?" She asked.

"I can feel it and see it. There is just something that is right about this." I said as I admired my reflection.

My hair fell in loose curls onto my shoulders, the brown and silver strands mixing together. My eyebrows now were thinner and had more of a feminine shape to them. The lipstick was an almost blood red, standing out against my well tanned skin from the long hours of being outdoors. My eyes were the most breathtaking though.

The normally brilliant blue-green glow of my Mako eyes was now stunning and seemed to pop against the dark eyeshadow with hints of silver, the black eyeliner and mascara.

"Rarity, I don't know what to say." I told her. "This, this is more than I could have ever expected."

Rarity smiled. "I am happy to be of service Darling. Especially when it comes to finding your true self." She said before a knock sounded at the door to the shop. "Now who could that be?" She wondered. "I'll be right back Darling and we can talk some more."

I nodded, and after she headed downstairs, I turned back to the mirror and began posing.

Yup, I have definitely been missing out on a lot, because I had never felt this damn good about how I looked. If this is euphoria, I might never want to leave.

"Talisman darling, Emerald is here. Is it alright if she comes up?" Rarity called from downstairs.

"Of course!" I called back, my voice seemingly changing to a more bright tone on its own.

The two mares made their way upstairs, Rarity leading the way.

Emerald entered the room and stopped dead upon seeing me.

"Hello luv." I said, nervously gripping the bottom of my blouse.

Emerald shook her head. "Hello yourself Beautiful." She said. "I thought that you would make a good looking mare if you wanted to, but damn! I was not ready for this! You are stunning!"

I blushing and started swishing my skirt back and forth.

"I didn't either. I just knew that I needed to find out for sure, and I think I did." I said, turning back to the mirror and brushing the hair behind my ear on reflex. "This just, it feels right."

Emerald moved up behind me and hugged me from behind, going on to the tips of her hooves to rest her chin on my shoulder.

"I can tell. Your eyes and smile tell the story. They are brighter and more full of life." She said, giving me a squeeze.

"I know." I replied. "I think, that I need a new wardrobe and some lessons."

"What kind of lessons?" Emerald asked.

"Makeup, hair care and styling, things like that." I answered.

"I can certainly help you with that, Darling. Just let me know when you are free and we can spend some time helping you to get things figured out. As far as a wardrobe, that will be handled." Rarity said from across the way.

"You do realize I will be paying for it. Even if it is just at cost." I said, knowing from my relatively short time in Ponyville that her generosity would on occasion get in the way of her bottom line. "This, I can accept as a gift." I gestured to my current outfit. "But if you are going to churn out custom outfits just for me, I insist that I pay you for them."

Rarity smiled. "I can accept that. Now, I do need to get some measurements of your feet so that I can work on some shoes for you. Both for your duties and for your free time." She responded

This was quickly done and I changed back to my other clothes, being as careful with my hair and makeup as possible when pulling my t-shirt back on.

"Even in that outfit, you look great." Emerald said, giving me a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you." I replied.

"I will have to make you a similar outfit then." Rarity said, glancing up from wrapping my new outfit.

"Thank you Rarity. This means a lot to me." I said.

"Talisman, you are on a journey of self discovery and finding your truest self." Rarity said, a kind smile on her face. "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey."

I smiled and gave the mare a hug which was readily returned. After saying goodbye, Emerald and I left the boutique and headed home.

I got a few stares, a few raised eyebrows, and more than a few knowing smiles from the ponies that we passed as we made our way through town.

"Ranger Stryke, there you are. I was looking for you." The voice of Spike came.

"Hey Spike, what's up?" I asked.

"Are you wearing makeup?" He asked. "Nevermind, not important right now. Twilight got a message from Princess Celestia. We have a big problem!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, and what is that?" I asked.

"That!" Spike said, pointing over my shoulder.

I turned and looked in that direction. It was then that I saw the massive plume of smoke rising from the top of one of the mountains close to town.

"Huh, how about that?" I said, watching the plume grow and spread as it rose into the high altitude wind currents, wondering what in the hell was causing this.