Everfree

"Ohh... where is it? Where is it?" Rarity asked nopony in particular, her voice quavering at somewhere a little quieter than a shout. As was typical of the white mare whenever she lost anything, she became increasingly frantic as she searched. Boutique items were levitated left and right. Ribbons, spools, sequins, and yards of fabric alike were all briefly disturbed from their resting places to be peered under or behind. The fact that they weren't put back exactly as they were before she moved them hinted at her duress to any friend of hers that was watching, but none were around. "Oh Moping Cowl... where arrre youuuu?"

Of course, she never expected the black cloak to pop up and wave in response to her calling it, but the thought of it doing so was a pleasant distraction. She worked herself up to a peak, and eventually broke down and summoned her fancy couch from the living room for one of her very stress-relieving faux faints. Unfortunately, even that pursuit into the behavior of a real upper-class mare summoned in her mind's eye the disapproving glare of Nurse Redheart. She often lectured Rarity on the supposed seriousness of actual fainting spells and how her frequent use of phony ones could lead ponies who would otherwise be in a position to help her to be unable to react appropriately.

Scowling, she shoved the elegant couch back into place and resumed searching for the cowl. She never did find it though. Incidentally, she was just thinking of how she was better off without it because enveloping herself in a symbol of her misery would only make breaking free of it more difficult when the chime of her boutique's front door bell drew her attention to that instead.

"Just a minute please!" she called out in the most light-hearted voice she could manage. "I'll be right there!"

Taking a deep breath, she pranced out to the foyer, summoning her best effort at appearing to be in a good mood. After all, the deception of happiness for a customer's sake was one of retail's most precious commodities. With any luck, though, it might be somepony who would remove the pretense on sight and leave her with genuine happiness. When she saw who actually did show up at her shop, however, she was positively floored.

"P-P-Princess Celestia? Wel-Hello! It is so good to see you!" Rarity stammered as she ran around in short bursts in random directions like she was trying to get out of the rain, once again picking up random objects in her boutique with her magic, this time with the intent of accommodating the royal visitor. "Here, please, have a seat, Your Majesty! Can I get you anything? Tea? Fresh crumpets? More pillows? A portfolio of my latest designs for perusal at your leisure?"

"Why thank you, Rarity. I am happy to have your company as well," Celestia smiled warmly as internally she tried to think of a way to calm the mare down a little and work out the issue she was supposed to have. She didn't notice anything particularly unusual about Rarity, but then again, neither did she notice the changes in Luna or Cadance until it was too late for them. Celestia had to admit that this was certainly a skill she had to work on. "Please, there is no need to get so excited on my account. Although, I will admit that a spot of tea and a look through your portfolio both sound like inviting ideas."

"Why of course, Your Majesty! I shall have those prepared for you in moments!" Rarity levitated the portfolio in question onto the lead crystal surface of a coffee table summoned for that express purpose, having learned her lesson about a glass one, then blurred out to her kitchen. Once there, she lit one of her stove's front burners, then put a kettle of water on it. She was halfway through letting herself wriggle in excitement at the notion of catering to Princess Celestia, who normally went with New Imperial style like most Ponyvillians, when the chime of her boutique's door bell derailed her train of thought once again.

"Coming, coming!~" she all but sang out, this time actually feeling it.

Also this time, her surprise guest was not only Sweetie Belle, her precious baby sister who Rarity believed had forgotten her, but also Coco Pommel. In contrast to Rarity's "chic, unique, and magnifique" custom dresses, each made specifically for a particular pony and a particular occasion, Coco went with "adorable, affordable, and mass-marketable". Consequently, nearly anypony on a budget who was saving up for one of Rarity's wonders dropped the effort and bought one of Coco's works instead. Rarity knew she couldn't fault her rival, especially not after encouraging her as she had in Manehattan, and she even owned ten of Coco's dresses, but it still hurt to think about where their business competition had taken them.

"...fans really want to see me wearing an outfit made by you too, Miss Pommel. But Rarity means the world to me and I really feel more comfortable being on stage in something made by her." Sweetie Belle was in the midst of saying as she walked alongside Coco, both having failed to notice Rarity's reentry to the foyer and Princess Celestia's presence in it. The princess didn't mind, however, as she was really engrossed in the portfolio. She looked like she was trying to solve an especially difficult puzzle.

"Sweetie! You..." Concern for Celestia had been banished from Rarity's mind upon her overhearing Sweetie, and the mare forsook all of her current effort at maintaining her composure and sprinted over to embrace the filly in a big, tearful hug. "You have no idea how it warms my heart to hear you say such a thing! I almost feel as though I could fly!"

Not wanting to disrupt the moment between the unicorn sisters, Coco smiled and sidestepped away from their embrace, feeling all kinds of awkward. It was only then that she noticed Princess Celestia. Considering that she was twice as big as the average pony and the most important pony in the world, the princess had done an unfathomably impressive job of being overlooked up to this point. Leaving Rarity and Sweetie to their reunion, Coco pranced quietly over to bow before Celestia.

"Hello, Princess Celestia! I'm so terribly sorry I didn't notice your presence and properly greet you until just now! How are you doing?" Coco asked, keeping her eyes on the floor. She was amazed that she didn't stutter. Authority figures terrified her. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Ah, Miss Pommel! Do not fret, my little pony. And I am quite well, thank you." Celestia responded, beaming down at the mare. Then her smile disappeared as she returned part of her attention to the portfolio. After a few furtive glances, Celestia leaned down and spoke softly to Coco. "Actually, I was hoping I could ask you a little favor."

"Of me? Of course, Your Majesty! Anything!" Coco almost failed to avoid shouting in her glee and shock at receiving a personal request from the pony she felt was the best princess. Behind her, Rarity and Sweetie were energetically discussing plans for an outfit for Sweetie to wear at the new Baltimare Opera House as the two walked side-by-side into the kitchen. It almost seemed as though Rarity had entirely forgotten her two guests until she was suddenly within a foot of them.

"Oh! Um, Princess! I almost forgot. Tea will be ready in just a few minutes. Coco dear, would you like me to get you anything? Perhaps a sandwich or two?"

"Oh, would you please? I mean, I don't want to impose-"

"Nonsense, I'd be delighted to have you partake in my hospitality! Now please, what would you like?"

"Well um, maybe a sandwich or two and a cup of tea would be nice, thank you."

"No problem! And yourself, Princess?"

"I wouldn't mind having a bite to eat, Rarity. Thank you very much." Princess Celestia felt like she might never run out of smiles. After that ominous warning, seeing her favorite pupil's dear friend in such high spirits was both a joy and a relief. Rarity pranced off to start making some begonia, lettuce, and tomato mini sandwiches, then Celestia returned to her conversation with Coco, having forgotten that she was keeping it a secret, let alone for what reason.

"So um, I don't mean to press, Princess. But about that favor..." Coco started, eager to be of service, but incredibly uncomfortable with the notion of vague requests, especially from nobility.

"Oh, right. Listen, I'd like you to look through this portfolio with me, if you would please. I think all the dresses are lovely, but it is not often that I try to match one to myself." Celestia stated in conversational tones. Coco gasped as if she'd just been smothered for the past couple minutes before managing to respond.

"Princess, I'm flattered you would ask this of me. You are ever so lovely, Your Majesty. But surely you must already know what style of dress suits you best!" Coco protested, wondering if she was being teased. Princess Celestia had reigned for over a thousand years, and grown no less beautiful in that time. Coco was certain nigh any designer would kill for a commission from her. Some perhaps literally, which was a frightening prospect.

As Rarity entered the kitchen to make the sandwiches, she caught sight of Sweetie Belle carefully measuring out ground tea leaves into the tiny filter bags and tying the bag strings into neat little bows with square knot bases, just like Rarity had shown her a few years ago. It was strange, but she felt nearly as proud of Sweetie in that moment as when Sweetie first won a major award for her singing. The tender moment was lost, however, when Rarity overheard Celestia's voice from the previous room.

"...years start to blend together and look almost like weeks, or even days. And looking at the fashion scene with it's seasonally-shifting trends, I feel most times like I just can't keep up. Further, I fear that if I pick something, that might start a trend also, whether or not I actually end up liking the item in question. That is why I most often go with the bare minimum. A tiara and a little peytral are timeless."

Rarity didn't hear the rest. When the notion that Princess Celestia was hopelessly detached from fashion sank in, it banished all other thoughts. The world through her eyes turned gray and capsized, and if it were possible, she would have blanched. The floor of her kitchen dived at her from her left, and distantly she heard her sister screaming her name until her voice was drowned out by the obnoxious sound of what had to be the world's smallest train. Then all was dark and quiet but Nurse Redheart's coldly burning voice dredging up from some distant memory.

"Please promise me you'll put that fainting act to rest, Rarity. A genuine fainting spell is a serious medical concern, and the very concept should be treated as such."