Sweater

March third

"Just...tell her to watch her hooves!" Roseluck yelled as I stepped out into the warm spring air.

"You're showing!" I groaned back. I heard her get flustered as I walked towards Rarity's boutique. She had been acting oddly possessive since I started working with Rarity. I ignored it and walked down the street.

I'd been working with Rarity for a week now, helping her fit clothes and telling people about her new styles, and lucky me got to keep the show models. My wardrobe had grown from a single tattered outfit to all of three hand- err...hoof crafted, casual dress shirts and slacks. Things had gone from up in the air to modestly solid rather quickly.

I ran my hand along the fresh seams of my pocket. Even if this was just cotton it felt like silk; smooth, with a soft but textured feel. That girl could work wonders with cloth, hell, she even made a shirt out of hemp and it is by far the most comfortable thing I had ever worn. I spent the rest of the walk musing over the wonderful fabric.

*knock knock* "Hello?" I called out leaning against the doorway.

"Who's- oh!" A squeaky voice shot through the door. I took a step back just as the door burst open, "Hi!" Sweetie beamed with her shrill voice.

"Hi Sweetie, Rarity in?" I questioned, resting my foot on the porch.

She looked at the floor, "Yeah..." She groaned, walking inside.

I followed after her, meeting her after two steps, the perks of being taller than them was my stride was much larger, "You okay? You don't sound to happy about something."

"It's nothing...just Rarity..." She said sounding like someone had just blown out the candles on her birthday cake.

"Huh, well tell me about it, maybe I can talk to her." We stopped outside the fitting room door.

"Well...okay!" She chirped, She took a deep breath before frantically shouting her problem, "Rarity said she would take me and the other crusaders to the barrens and-"

I held my hand up, "Whoa wait- the barrens?" A giant plain of dust, jagged rocks, and death.

"Yeah! We wanted to get our gem collecting cutie marks!" She turned her flank sideways and revealed the notorious blank patch.

"Uh...*cough*...hmm. Gotta be honest; I don't think that's a good idea." I tried not to sound to down on the idea but it was rather difficult, the barrens were kind of a shite hole.

"But-" She said perking her head towards me.

I cut her off, "That said, I'll see what I can do. I'm not promising anything, but I'll try." I set my hand on the doorknob, "I'll find you when I'm done." I pushed the door open. Rarity was working on a sewing machine near the window.

"One second dear," Rarity was extremely focused on what looked like the final seam of an overcoat, "Alright...now Sweeti- oh Vincent! My apologies..." She levitated a seat over, "I thought you we-"

I gracefully took the seat, "I heard about the the filly problem..."

"Ah...I hope you aren't going to try and convince me to take them," She said, levitating a glass of water over.

"No...but you should take her somewhere, I mean you told me about your issues with the barrens...maybe you could take her-"

"Vincent, you have been a great help and business has been going great. So great that I can't really afford to leave my work." She turned back to the machine. "In fact I really must get started..." She levitated a few bits of fabric over, letting them rest on the table before pulling them across the machine.

"That good eh?" I laughed, scooting over to see her work.

"You have no idea, an old man came in, said he wanted to help his employee find some new shirts and other such things...he wanted them rather soon so..."

"Oh I see- wait! This guy have a bushy mustache!?"

Rarity looked up at me, "Why yes he-"

"Oh..ho...ho...man...that might be my fault..."

"Vincent...what did you do?" She said starting to sound annoyed.

"Those shirts you have to practice on...they might be his..."

She turned from the machine and stared me down, she jabbed my chest with a hoof, "....tell no one..." Her eyes steely as ever.

"Wait...you're gonna...okay then, cool..." I settled back in the chair, "Vicious businesswomen. I like it...anyways, I've got a proposition,"

"Vincent I really can't spare any more-"

"You take my pay for these next few sessions, I take your sister and her friends to do something for the day, and you make me an outfit..." The sewing machine came to an abrupt stop, "I'll take them to the mountains or something, all I need is a sweater."

She turned to me rather confused, "A sweater?"

"A specific sweater, a tall crewneck, medium weight, cotton, and slightly fitted," I stood up, "Figure take my pay for three days work, I'll see if I cant spread word about your shop, and I'll watch your sister for the day, hell, even tomorrow if you want. So what do ya say?"

She looked me up and down, "Fine....but two days work, consider it an employee discount." She smile lightly, "I have your measurements, how close a fit would you like?"

"Just enough so that it isn't bulky, something close but not snug, oh...and a dark color, maybe a deep brown or green."

"Hmm, something earthy?" She dragged a sketch book over and levitated a pencil out.

"Sounds good, I'll let you get back to work."

"Oh course- oh, and by the way, don't you dare spend any of your own money!" She tossed a coin bag at me, "Not one bit..."

I looked at the coin bag, "...I make no promises..." We shared a quick chuckle as we walked out.

I spent the next few minutes, first finding and then explaining things to Sweetie. She was rather torn up about not going to the death zone...these kids...oi...

"Don't sulk, I said It was going to be fun." I tried to cheer her up, tried mind you...

"No...she said we could go gem hunting...." Sweetie groaned as we walked to their club house through the town.

"..." I looked around the shops, "How about...Shakes?" I said spotting a sweet shop. "We can head inside pick up anything you want."

She looked at me with a hard, judging stare, "Anything I want?"

"uh..." I hated to admit this, but she was kind of terrifying like this, "Yes?"

She quickly changed from her hard stare to her usual elated demeanor, "Yay!"

We changed course and headed for the shop, "Whoa..." I exclaimed as we passed a pawn shop, "Hold up..." I veered off course towards the shop. A keyboard sat along the back wall, apparently a discarded memento of an immigrant, "Oh man...I want that..." I flipped through my pocket and walked in. Sweetie joined me, searching through the shop, quickly disappearing into the shop, "Hey!" I yelled to catch the owners attention.

The grey mare behind the counter lifted her snowy mane off the counter, "What...?" She said rather groggily.

I gave her a second to recover, her chin on the counter but eyes following me, "How much for the keyboard?" I asked looking past the counter.

She looked back at it, "Seventy bits..." Perfect I had- aw crap... I looked down at the filly searching around the room.

"Uh...if I put down a deposit on this thing...can I come back and pay the rest later?"

"A deposit...?" She lifted her head up slightly and gave a quick snuffle.

Oh great..."Like...I give you money...you don't sell it...and I come back and pay the rest later...get it?" I talked slowly, not sure what was wrong with her.

"Oh...sure," She hazily went over to it and took it off the shelf, "How much...you got?" She gave a deep yawn in between.

"Here," I slid thirty bits across the counter, "We-" That yawn was contagious, "-bollocks...square?"

"Huh?" She groaned pulling the bits into the till.

Oh dear god..."When I come back...you'll knock thirty bits off the price right."

"Oh....sure, hold on let me get some paper..." She left and quickly returned with a paper and a pencil, "Uh...you mind?"

But...unicorn...magic...whatever..."Sure," I quickly wrote down my name, the item, the date, and the price paid and agreed upon. "Now...I'll be back next week okay?"

"Sure...actually...eighty bits.." She tried to smile under her messy mane.

I gave her an annoyed look, "I already wrote down seventy..."

"Oh....never mind then..." She perched herself back on the counter, "Right...so...next week you buy it again...."

"Right...." I made sure she took the note, "Just don't sell it,"

"I cant sell it anyways....no one wants it..." She gave a quick yawn before resting her head back onto the counter.

"Right...come on Sweetie," She popped out from a few piles of clothes and scampered over.

I met the counter to the sweets shop with my hip, "Just coffee for me, black, black coffee," I passed the bits over.

"Great and you?" The mare behind the counter shifted over to Sweetie. She proceeded to order something completely convoluted and extravagant that I fear I may never comprehend, "Okay, fifteen bits,"

I was caught off guard by the price, "Cripes..." I fished the bits out and over to the mare. With it paid up I turned to Sweetie "I'll find a seat outside, you gonna need help carrying your thing?"

She watched the mare behind the counter work at filling the enormous glass, "No! ...well..." She looked back at the enormous glass being filled behind the counter.

The mare behind the counter gave a quick laugh, "I'll help her,"

I returned her kindness with a warm smile and a decent tip, "Thanks," I quickly made my way outside and settled into a chair.

I looked around, making sure no one I knew was around. Sure I was safe I reached into my pocket and pulled a pack of cigarettes out and popped one out and into my mouth. With the flick of my lighter I took a nice long drag, it had been far too long. I let out a long sigh and slumped into my seat as the nicotine slowly entered my system, a dumb smile growing on my face.

"Hey Stallion," I jumped up, nearly biting through and inhaling the cigarette. I started to turn around just as I felt something smooth run across the back of my neck sending each hair on end, "Easy there..." The mint green mare from last week, Lyra walked past me and plopped into the seat across from me, "How funny to see you here..."

"...In a cafe, Is it weird?" I said sliding my chair back a little, "Have you been stalking me?"

"What!? No...no...stalking is such a dirty word!" Lyra hurried her speech, forcing my chair towards her with her magic, "Now..."

"Vince?!" Sweetie ran out of the shop, "Vince!?" Oh thank the AllFather!

I quickly threw my cigarette on the ground and ground it under my heel, "Over here!" I yelled waving my arm.

Lyra looked quickly between myself and the oncoming mare, "Wait....with- I need to go..." She threw the chair back and ran off, grumbling something weird as she went.

The mare from behind the counter and Sweetie walked over, the mare slid a giant glass off her back on onto the table, "Enjoy." She added with a smile. Sweetie jumped up on the previously discarded chair and sucked the straw into her mouth and started downing the massive drink.

"who wass dat?" She mumbled without removing the straw.

"Just some weirdo." I watched Lyra as she walked away, taking a sip of my coffee, "Just some weirdo, anyways how's that taste, as sugary as it looks?"

"Mmmhmmm," Sweetie said bobbing her head.

I wiped my face, hiding my grin, "Enjoy it, it's least I could do concidering I might have ruined your chance to kill yourself in the barrens..." I gave a single laugh before falling into a groan, "That's not funny..." I settled into my seat as she drank her shake, "Sweetie stay here okay, I'm gonna go....do a thing." I got up from my chair and walked off past the shop a small ways.

I let the cigarette hang lazily in my mouth. My bliss interrupted by Sweetie Belle "Vince...you?" she rounded the corner of the shop, "You smoke?"

"Crap..." I tossed it back on the ground and stomped it out, "Yes...I smoke...it's a filthy, filthy, habit but I can't stop..." I walked over to her, "You done with your thing?" I asked, trying to deflect.

She looked up at me with equal parts betrayal and concern, "That's bad for you ya know..." Her face was breaking my heart, "You'll get sick...like grandpa..."

"...I- uh-...hmmm" I tried to speak, only able to open and close my mouth, deciding my words would fizzle, "Man...tell ya what, lets go do something fun, see if you can convince me to quit."

"Cutie mark crusaders life saver?" More like cutie mark crusaders guilt trip...

"Sure..." I said with a forced smile, "Lets get going." I went back and took the dishes back into the shop. After quickly cleaning up we set off towards the fillies clubhouse.

The walk up to the clubhouse was rather tedious, a long dirt path through an orchard. Things were really quite until a slightly raspy voice cut the stillness, "Sweetie Belle!" An orange filly popped her head out of the clubhouse window, "Where were you!?"

Sweetie ran over to the clubhouse ramp, "Sorry...I didn't think I'd be late," Her ears falling flat, "I brought someone though!" She chirped as she walked up the ramp.

The orange filly looked over at me, "Uh...hi?" I said, trying to be friendly.

Purple mane looked back at Sweetie, "Can we talk?" Sweetie looked around and quickly ran up the rest of the ramp and into the building.

The next few minutes were filled with arguing and shouts from inside the shack. Sweetie eventually popped her head out, "Vince...they said you can't come...members only...sorry..." Wow...her voice...my emotions will not listen to me around her.

"Aw...well, you gonna be okay on your own?" I asked flicking the pack of cigarettes in my pocket.

"Yeah, Oh wait!" She left the window and ran down the ramp and over to me, "Promise!"

"Huh?"

"Promise you wont smoke!" She stuck her hoof out, "Promise...and hug..."

"..." I felt my hand shoot to the new pack I bought, "...eh heh..." I whimpered, "I promise..." I reached into my pocket and crumpled the pack in front of her, "I promise..." There goes ten bits...god damn import prices... I tried equestrian cigarettes, not great. They tasted like burning hay.

"Hug, I'll be able to tell if you're lying." Sweetie shook her leg at me, "Do it."

I knelt down and held my arms out, the filly quickly latched on with both fore legs, her curly mane resting on the side of my head, "Now promise,"

"I-" I felt her squeeze my ribs, "-promise," I felt a quick squeeze and she let herself down, "So...did I pass?" I asked standing up.

She started back up the ramp, "Yes, you better remember though." She stepped into the clubhouse, "Tell Rarity I'll be home later!"

"Alright Sweetie, I'll see you around." I dusted myself off, "Stay outta trouble!"

"We will!" I started off back into town.

There was no way she was gonna stay out of trouble...but hopefully they knew better than to do anything life threatening...I hope.

I stepped back inside Rarity's store. I had passed the pawn shop again, the mare was still sleeping on the counter. "Rarity you in here?" I called out as I searched for her. I walked towards her workstation, "Rarity?" She wasn't in there, "Rarity?"

I walked around the shop, stopping at the sound of a low moan and a rather low buzz, "Rarity?" I walked towards the source of the noise. A nearby door was now softly emanating a steady moan, "Uh..." I tapped a few times on the door, "Rarity" There was a sharp gasp and what sounded like water splashing, "Uh...maybe I should go..." I leaned against the door to the it closed, "I just wanted to let you know: I left Sweetie with her friends, sorry if I...interrupted something...I'll leave your money on the counter." I started to push off the door when it gave way under my push and I ended up slamming my head into the tile floor of her bathroom.

I curled up in pain and started rocking on the floor, "It wasn't supposed to open in..." I groaned as I rolled on the floor. I dare not open my eyes due to the pain and the implications of what I might see.

I could hear the clacking of hooves on tile, "Vincent are you alright!?" Rarity asked over the sound of a steady drip.

"No!"

"...well...serves you right for interrupting a lady..." She sounded annoyed!? She's not the one who just cracked her head on the floor! "Are you really hurt?" She asked more sincere.

"Yes!" I shouted, my eyes popping open. Rarity was soaked, I guess my suspicions were at least partially confirmed.

"Oh dear....stay here," She ran off, returning a few seconds later with a bag of ice, "Here," She helped me to my feet. Just as I put my hand on her back to steady myself there came another sharp gasp, "Hello?" She called to the disembodied noise.

I quickly whirled around to face the window, Lyra.... She noticed I was staring at her and bolted.

"Hey!" I shouted nearly slipping again, "Hey! Don't you run!...arugh...." I quickly turned to Rarity, "Listen I need to get home...sorry about all this..." I made my way outside and towards Rose's shop, "Today was supposed to be a good day...not this..."

I had stumbled my way through town, my head still splitting from the impact. I stepped onto the threshold of Rose's shop and was immediately hit with the door. Lyra quickly ran out, ignoring me as she left, Crap....I hate it when I'm right I swung around the door and into the building "Rose?" I started searching the shop, "Rooooose!?"

"Get out!" Rose yelled from upstairs, "Just leave..." I hurried up the stairs, my steps resounding through the hall, "I know..."

I rounded a corner into her den, "What? You know what?" I shouted as I rounded the corner. She was laying, splayed on the sofa, "What did she tell you?"

"Ya know," She bit back a tear, "I had my suspicions." She looked up at me teary eyed, "But I wanted to hope..."

"What!?" I yelled, "What!? I don't even-"

"I think it would be best if you just go..." She managed to eek out before lowering her head back into the sofa.

"....this...what!?" I shouted leaning against the wall, "I just- what did Lyra tell you!?"

"She told me you....you and..." She was biting back tears, "About you and Rarity!....now please just go back to her, I'm sure you two will be very happy together...." she buried her face in the sofa.

"....you realize she's insane right!? What exactly did she tell you?" I asked, trying to calm down. I took a seat next to her.

"She said- she said..." Rose could barely fight through the tears, "You...and her....bathroom...I don't know..." I put my hand on the back of her neck and rubbed it lightly.

"You alright? Do you want me to explain?" I brought her chin across my lap, "I made a deal with Rarity...I help her and she does me a favor."

"What favor!? Lifting her tail!?" She shouted, lifting herself off me and staring me in the eyes, "Lyra told me about the bathroom."

"About how I cracked my head on the tile?...by the way...please don't shout...still hurts..." I moved her hoof to the spot on my head, she quickly started feeling around the spot on her own. "Ow....yeah...that wasn't a lie."

"Celestia....what happened?" She said running her hoof along the bump, my pain a decent trade for being proved innocent, "What did she do to you!?"

"Nothing...I slipped and slammed my head on the floor. Wasn't anyone's fault."

"But...Lyra said you and her were in the bathroom together..."

"Like I said, I made a deal with her, I watched her sister for her and when I got back she was in the bathroom. I slipped and smacked my head on the floor Rose...not...Odin...she's a friend and nothing else." She laid her head back down on my lap, I could see her eyes darting around.

"But...Lyra said-"

"Lyra has been stalking me." I let my hand fall on the top of her head, letting my hand run along her mane, "I promise you...nothing happened, I'm not even interested in her." I let my fingers comb through her mane, "What has gotten into you lately...the past few days you've-"

"I don't like you!" She said leaning her head into my chest into my chest, "You make me feel weird, you smell funny and it makes me feel weird...I don't like it." She nestled against my shirt even more, "I- you- you make me feel like a school filly." I could hear her take a deep breath while pressed against my stomach.

I don't even feel anything for Rose, but, I can't do this, but she'll kick me out. Man...this is screwed up.

Rose started to lift her head up, "I'm sorry...I don't want you to think this is the reason I let you stay...it's just..." She looked up at me, "...stop looking at me like that..." I felt her hips curl up, "Feels weird."

I just adjusted myself, a slight twinge of inadvertent excitement had forced its way through, "Uh huh...I think I'm going to change soaps."

"It's not that kind of smell..."

"Oh I know what kind of smell it is..." I said, adjusting myself again. This was growing uncomfortable.

There was a long pause between us, me trying to banish my erection and her curling onto my lap.

"I can feel it...it's bigger than it looked..."

I looked away and gave a quick cough, "Ehem...yep...so are we just gonna-"

"For now...maybe the rest of the night...depends on if I feel like it,"

"I don't have any say in this do I?" I asked with a stifled laugh.

"Do you want to keep staying here?" She nuzzled further against my gut.

"Great..." Think unsexy thoughts, thing unsexy thoughts! Grandma, dead kittens. She managed to crawl onto my entire lap and curl up. Either she knew and was teasing me or was completely oblivious but either way she managed to park her rump right on top of my tip. Dead puppies, car crashes, hippies, gore; come on work!

Eventually she settled down and stopped rustling. She had her nose planted against my gut, suspiciously tilted down. I waited until I could here her breathing slow and lifted her head over my leg so that it hung over. I let my hand run through her mane again, it was soft, like a plush doll. I could feel myself calming down and just sat enjoying the feeling of her coat and mane. It was a pleasant experience, not unlike petting a cat or dog, but with the added bonus of being able to show someone that you care, well, maybe not the way she wants, but still. She took me in off the street, I owe her this much.

I settled in and slowly drifted off. A warm body still laying on my lap, warmth radiating through my core and keeping me company. I had a strange moment of desire for vengeance on Lyra for making Rose worry like this. But, at least it confirmed my suspicions completely, she was a nutcase.

I ignored it and slowly slipped away, my fingers interlaced in her mane, my mouth hanging slightly agape, it was definitely a cozy night.