An Unexpected Trip

I blinked a couple of times at the flash. I stand still, expecting to be shocked again. Instead I saw that we were in some sort of dress shop. All around there were manikins and cloths and dresses. I also spotted a couple of suits. It was about this time that I heard a voice coming from the stairs. It was most assuredly feminine.

“Well of course I’ll come to the party, but you haven’t even told me who it’s for,” the voice said. It came from a pure white unicorn mare with a flowing purple mane and tail. I also noticed she had three diamonds on her flank.

Huh. Guess she likes tattoo-. I stop mid thought as I glanced at Pinkie, who was somehow already there and was following the other mare down the stairs, and noticed she had three balloons on her flank. And as Twilight walked over to the others I saw that she had a star on hers. They all had different designs in the same place, and it made me curious as to why. At least until a shocked gasp grabbed my attention.

“What happened to your mane?! It’s singed and frizzy and it looks like you've been struck by lightning!” The white mare exclaimed, making me blush with embarrassment.

“Actually he was,” Twilight said, “which is why we came to you Rarity. We were hoping you could clean him up.”

Pinkie nodded. “Yeah, that and it’s kinda our fault he got hit with lightning.”

Rarity gave the other two a look of curiosity before turning to me. She gave me a quick look over before smiling and nodding.

“Of course I can, but first I want you to get cleaned up before I can work with you,” she said to me. With that she ushered me upstairs and into a bathroom.

“Towels are over there,” she said, pointing to the, “Take your time and don’t make a mess. Come downstairs when you’re ready.” Then she left, closing the door and leaving me in a very feminine bathroom.

I sighed and went over to the shower, turning on the hot water with surprising ease. I stepped in, smiling as the water ran over me. I stood there for a moment before I started thinking about how I was going to clean myself. I didn't want to try and stand on my hind legs after the first failure and flying was out of the question because the area was too small and I didn't know how to fly anyways. Instead I sat down and leaned back. I almost lost balance, but my wings reflexively shot out a little and helped me retain it. I looked back at them and nodded

After spending a few moments looking, I found the shampoo. I got a little out and sniffed it. Fruity. I sighed again and got a little more out before I proceeded to rub it into my fur to remove all the grime. I was surprised how dirty I had gotten over the short amount of time, though I’m sure some of it was the scorched fur.

Drying off proved to be just as difficult as washing, especially my wings. After several minutes of effort I finished and looked at myself in the mirror. I was impressed at how silky my fur looked. My mane was still messy though, but I remembered Rarity was going to fix that. I suddenly realized how long I had been in there. I quickly put my towel in the hamper and headed downstairs.

I trotted back into the room, but they weren't there. I looked around for a moment, confused, before I heard them from another room. I went over to the door and was about to open it when it swung open suddenly. It hit me hard in the face and I fell back on my haunches before losing balance as my front hooves went to my nose. This time my wings didn't catch me and I fell on my back, holding my nose as I groaned.

“Oh dear, are you alright?!” Rarity asked as I saw her stand above me. I lifted a hoof off of my nose and thankfully saw I wasn't bleeding.

“I’m fine,” I said as I pushed myself up and rubbed my nose.

“Well that’s a relief,” she said, smiling as she looked me over, “You do clean up nice, but we still need to work on that mane.” As soon as she finishes talking I’m surrounded by a blue glow. I then felt myself lift into the air and get carried in the magical field.
I’m set down as she draws across some sort of foldable wall thing. Almost immediately after she puts it in place, several different items float around me in the same magic I was in earlier. I saw a brush, scissors, a spray bottle and a tape measurer. That confused me a little and even more when she started taking measurements of me.

“I thought you were going to do my mane,” I said, confused as I stood there.

“Don’t worry darling, I’ll get to it,” she said, getting a measurement of my neck before continuing, “I just had the most fabulous idea for you.”

“And that is?” I asked.

She tutted, “I can’t tell you that yet,” she replied before floating the measuring tape away, “There. Now for that mane of your.” Now the comb, brush, and other items came foreword.

“Need me to do anything?”

“Just sit and don’t move,” she told me and I did as she said. As she started brushing my hair I closed my eyes, finding it extremely relaxing. Something about the brush running through my mane was very pleasing.

“You seem to be enjoying this,” Rarity commented as she worked.

“Yeah, it’s very… soothing.”

“Well you’re definitely less talkative then most.”

I smiled a little, “Yeah. I tend to listen more then I talk.”

“Well I can’t say it’s a bad thing, and I’ve been told your story so I guess there’s not much to be said. Plus I think I get done faster without all the talking,” Rarity said before she stopped working on my mane, “Speaking of done you can open your eyes now.”

I opened my eyes and saw myself in a large mirror that she must have brought over while she worked. My mane was no longer as messy as it was before, but it wasn’t completely smooth either. It was straight and the ends were spiked. The single blue streak was jagged as it went back, like a lightning bolt.

“I love it, thank you,” I said gratefully.

“You’re welcome darling. I couldn’t have a handsome stallion like you leave looking like a ruffian now could I?”

“Well thank you again,” I said, smiling at the comment. My stomach chose that moment to remind me that I hadn’t eaten all day.

“Sounds like somepony’s hungry. I’d take you, but I simply must get started on this new project if I am to get it done by tonight.”

I started to tell her it was fine when Twilight and Pinkie walked back into the room.

“Pinkie and I are going over to Sweet Apple Acres to check on Applejack. Do you mind watching him for a while?” Twilight asked Rarity, making me feel like a bit of a child.

“I would sweetie, but I must start on this project and I can’t have any distractions. Besides, the poor stallion is starving, and you know the Apples will make sure he gets something to eat,” Rarity replied as she brought out a bunch of different materials.

“Oh, that’s great!” Pinkie exclaimed, “Now he can meet Applejack!”

“Who?” I asked as I followed them out.

“You’ll see,” Twilight replied simply as we headed out.