The Seamstress

Chapter 2

The little shop of sweets

　　　　The building was set strangely, and yet appealing, it resembled a gingerbread house, completed with what seemed to be a soft white walkway, making Rarity think of marshmallows.

　　　　‘Strange, but perhaps, that is the idea. To place into your mind of the idea of sweets.’

　　　　The chime of a small bell sounded out in the currently empty sweets parlor, the dark brown door closing softly behind her.

　　　　“H-hello, Miss Pinkamena?” Rarity called out, but no answer came. She looked to the counter, and to the right where a few chairs and tables were set for patrons who would undoubtedly be showing up soon. Despite the sweet decor, the room felt cold and uninviting, the curtains closed allowing a strange greyish color darkening the variously colored walls.

　　　　“Miss Pinkamena-”

　　　　“I’m here.” Came a low, voice to Rarity’s left.

　　　　“Oh!” She nearly screamed, now seeing the pink pony, fully unveiled before her. She was definitely an earth pony, completely pink, mane to hoof. Her eyes half lidded, dark circles making a darker, and frightening, almost crazed look to her. The pink mane lank and hanging loose on the right side of her face, down to her legs.

　　　　Rarity took note that Pinkamena was standing in a stairwell, and realized she was blocking her way. Carefully, Rarity stepped backwards.

　　　　“It is finished, yes?” Pinkamena asked in the drowning silence, seeming to speak, with barely a dictation of the question. It started to seem as if when Pinkamena spoke, she already knew the answer, but after the briefest of hesitations will end the comment in a sense that would leave a pony wondering if she did or did not already know the answer.

　　　　“Um, yes, I have it right here for you.” Rarity began to light up her horn to remove the cloak from her satchel.

　　　　“Leave it on the counter.” Was Pinkamena’s instruction as she stepped from the stairwell and moved behind the counter.

　　　　Rarity did as she was told, placing the cloak on the counter top, before she could even begin to speak about her work, it was whisked away behind the counter.

　　　　“Um, Miss Pinkamena, would you at least like to look over my work?”

　　　　“It’s fine.” Came the response, no hesitation, firm and direct.

　　　　“Oh, I see. Very well, you are the customer. I thank you for trusting me...” Rarity was lamely stammering over her looking down at the floor, but as she looked up to thank Pinkamena, her blank, unwavering, stare, unnerved her. Rarity barely suppressed a shudder.

　　　　‘The way she acts, its like she almost has no life beyond that of what is needed. I wonder if some of hose rumors and stories are true, about how she uses strange magick unknown to many, even unicorns.’ Rarity shook off the thought inwardly.

　　　　“I have nothing else for you. Sweets are not ready yet.” Pinkamena said, the same expression on her face, never wavering. “Or did you need something from me? A question perhaps? Many seek answers, but none leave happy when they have them.”

　　　　“Wha?” Rarity was trying to get her mind to think, “Well, no I don’t have any questions. I mean, I know who I am and what I am meant to do. Though sometimes I do find things hard. Now especially since I now have my little sister to look after.” Rarity lowered her head, a sad look in her eyes as she looked down to the floor.

　　　　She missed the movement, as Pinkamena titled her head slightly, her face showing an expression of expectancy.

　　　　“I am very good as the seamstress, but I have another to look after, I have a greater responsibility other than just myself now. I have to find a way to sell my trade better than I have been when it was just me. If only I knew where, or maybe who I could sell my types to. I need some newer ideas, ideas that will catch the attention of ponies anywhere.”

　　　　A glint came alive in Pinkamena’s eyes, her face seeming to fall slightly, her focus now somewhere off in the distance.

　　　　“There will be a pony to come to you, her expectations high, your skills unequal. She is of sapphires, by name and by love. Her love of them as deep as the ocean, where within she dances with those creatures that dwell there. She will be the one you will want to appeal to, with your trade.”

　　　　“How...?” Rarity began.

　　　　Pinkamena seemed to shake off something, her expression returning, her focus once again back to Rarity.

　　　　“I am sorry, you must go now. You have an answer, whether it is what you seek or not, that is not what I can say. I must prepare the sweets for ponies.”

　　　　Rarity found herself deep in thought as she was hastily whisked from the parlor and out into the open outside. She definitely was thinking about what she was told. Perhaps it was some strange riddle Pinkamena gave her, with an answer hidden in it. Yes, surely that was what it sounded like, a riddle, but not really an answer.

　　　　Rarity decided to go home and do what she always did when she needed time to think, and that was to work on a project. The day was still very early, and Sweetie Belle and Lil Smith would still be out and about playing together for a while longer yet.

　　　　As Rarity left, something caught Pinkamena’s eye, it was Rarity’s cutie mark. It was not the same as the one she had seen. The one she had seen was three diamonds on the mares flanks, but she had already spoken and removed the pony. It was not her place to make corrections.

　　　　She held no illusion of control over these things, and she did not want control. She did, however, know that the spirit was the same, just a little, younger, if that were something possible.

　　　　Pinkamena closed her door and went into the back where the smells of sour things, mixed with the aromas of sweets and baked goods. Her cauldron sat in its usual corner, slowly bubbling, a strange green mist barely escaping over the lip of it, the source of the sour smell. She knew there were rumors from other ponies who said she was into strange magicks, and that was one rumor that was true, however, it was the only one that was true.

　　　　She was not a spirit who gobbled up bad children, that was for Nightmare Moon, or at least, her own legends and stories that were beginning to unfold.

　　　　Nor did she curse other ponies. There was no need, ponies took care of their selves, and if they could not then it was their own fault, and not hers. Her magick was something she only kept up with by her family traditions, and as her own interest.

　　　　She had no wings of her own, nor did she have a horn. She needed neither, she did not even want something she felt for herself to be a distraction. If she had wings, or a horn, it would take away from who she was now, and who she was meant to be. Let another life have what Celestia wanted, nor her not now.

　　　　Pinkamena worked on the sweets and baking goods, seeming to be all over the kitchen almost at once; stirring a bit her, placing cookies on a tray for one brick oven, folding over dough for bread, going back to mixing, adding ingredients in a different bowl, and more.

　　　　As she began to slow, the last batches of what she needed for the day in one of her three ovens, the bell chimed again. The customers were once again coming back, the lull of the day had gone, and these would be fresh for the evening, and the next batches would be started in several hours, after she got some rest.

　　　　Rarity had spent the last several days working harder than she had ever worked. Somehow, she had taken the last of her hidden gems and began to re-work some of her dresses and designs, instead of placing them on afterwards as a forethought to making it more appealing.

　　　　Her selections on the fabrics, were what went with their colors, using lighter fabrics around the darker gems, to make them more alluring and appealing, darker fabrics around the lighter ones. She kept herself focused when she needed to, allowing herself the breaks to take care of her sister, ensuring food at appropriate times, and sleep without being up too late. Things seemed to be working, as the deadline of the next monthly market approached quickly.

　　　　The hard work paid off better than she could have thought, she set up all of the dresses in front of her, her light blue unicorn magick holding each one in front of her, her eye inspecting them for any possible flaw.

　　　　They passed her examination, a small smile spreading across her muzzle, lighting her features as she breathed a sigh of relief. She had set up a deal with the apples, requesting their help early on to set up a new make shift stall for her on market day. Of all of them, the one surrounding the three sapphires had been the heart of her creations. Carefully she hung it up, completely separate of the others on her wall.

　　　　The day had finally arrived, and Rarity met up with the Apples and they all set about their work, even Lil Smith and Sweetie Belle working to help where they could. The new stall for Rarity was set up almost like a small closet for the outside, with a couple of racks for her clothes to hang from. She had plenty of dresses to hang up, and more in her cart for backup, though these did not have any of her gems.

　　　　One was separated from the others, the one she had kept separate the whole time, the one she made first, and most elegantly, the one which started all of her other designs, sat on a pony shaped mannequin, the light of the sun shining off in such an elegant way it seemed to draw everyone’s attention.

　　　　The breathing of the ponies settled as they all stood back and admired the set up. For once, it seemed that Rarity stuck to her name, as the set up was the most beautiful thing any of the ponies had ever seen, especially considering none of them had the chance of seeing Celestia raise the sun at the sun festival. So to them, this collection of colors, and myriad of glints of the gems as the sun shone down over the clearing for thew market simply awed them, and took quite a few breathes.

　　　　“Rarity, I think ya’ll are going to really break through and make a name for yaself. I have a feelin you will be a complete success.” She may have had her hopes that Daddy Mac was right, but she had no idea how so.

　　　　The day went, and the majority of the ponies from outside of Ponyville had remained gathered around Rarity’s stall, a few even trying to argue over the price of what to pay for the dresses.

　　　　As Rarity tried to settle the ponies, they suddenly grew silent and seemed to back away from one pony in particular. HE was a large white Unicorn stallion who held a golden blonde mane and tail. His air of superiority could more than be felt, as he approached.

　　　　“I am Prince Blueblood.” He introduced himself, in a way that seemed to belie the thought that everypony knew him. Of course, this was true enough, as he had been well talked about as the heir of royalty, a distant descendant of Celestia herself, it was said.

　　　　“Oh, welcome, my lord.” Rarity said in turn, a heavy blush on her cheeks, unable to hide her awe.

　　　　“I was sent by Celestia herself to govern over the markets as the merchants traveled through the land. I am quite interested in these dresses here. I must ask, whom was the creator?” He asked, his eyebrows raise in expectancy of his answer.

　　　　“I-I am, m’lord.” Rarity stammered.

　　　　“Truly?” The response was not what Blueblood had expected. “A peasant, such as yourself, with this kind of talent? My, I must say I am truly surprised.”

　　　　“Oh... You flatter me m’lord.” His look silenced her, as if he thought she interrupted him.

　　　　“I will take these ones, and especially that one there. The one with the sapphires. I must say, the way the dress is made like three rare blue flowers from the side, is stunning.” The dress was indeed designed like three blue jasmine flowers on the left side, the lighter and darker blue, fabrics billowing out slightly, and pulled tight, made one think that indeed it was a blue flower, the petals pulled to wrap around the body of any who wore it.

　　　　Without hesitation, a dark blue aura appeared around Bluebloods horn, and a small bag appeared from behind him. It held his own cutie mark of an old compass map style symbol, a blue star in the middle surround by four golden points extending out in one would think to be the directions. He set it down in front of her, before looking to her.

　　　　“Oh my, thank you m’lord, but I was thinking the cost for bits of these dresses would be a bit more than those few.”

　　　　Blueblood stared at Rarity as if he was appalled by her impertinence.

　　　　“Dear woman, these are thirteen of the finest bits of Canterlot, from my family. One bit for each of these droll garments, and two for this one. Of all these dresses, they are fine, but they fail to truly catch the imagination, it is nice to only be worn once. And that, madam,” he said with derision, as if he did not truly believe he was using the words to describe Rarity, “Is if my dear wife would even care enough to touch these things from a commoner. You should consider yourself lucky that I am even bothering to boost your business with this much. If I truly wanted, I don’t even have to pay for any of these garments. I do have the power to take what I want, and if you, or anypony here tried to stop me, I could easily have any of you thrown into the dungeons. Now, Are you going to stop wasting my time, and accept my offer, or will there be a problem?”

　　　　At this, two Canterlot guards actually appeared from where the wagons had been, they had been watching the scene unfold, and at the slightest  change in Bluebloods voice had caught their attention and were ready to act if need be.

　　　　“Oh, no, m’lord, I will accept this generous offer for my dresses. I thank you for considering my line of clothing. Perhaps, if you would like, I could make more dresses for your wife? I do not mean to try and intercede your authority, but perhaps you would be so kind as to allow me to make more, even better ones, I can assure you, on a more regular basis.”

　　　　His eyelids lowered, seeming unamused by the request, a snort from him halted her breath.

　　　　“I think not. I only need these twelve dresses, my family has seamstresses already, several in fact. They have been lax recently, these will do fine to show them what they can do to improve on their own talent and creations. These are ponies of better stead than you, and I pay them far less in one month, than I am sure a greedy hussy such as yourself would want.”

　　　　Rarity’s hoof came to her muzzle, covering her mouth at the treatment she was being given by the Prince. She breathed, trying to keep the tears in her eyes from falling.

　　　　She glanced at all of the other ponies, the merchants had already  backed away, and she could now hear their low voices laughing, and commenting to one another, on how wrong they were at how well they thought of her now, ‘shoddy’ dresses really were.

　　　　Daddy Mac, was enraged, having heard what the prince was saying, but Mamma Washington kept him in check. He gritted his teeth, and lowered his head to the ground unable to help his friend. Others would not even meet her gaze, all pretending to do something such as looking the other way, or moving things listlessly.

　　　　“Very well, m’lord. I will not argue, nor try to bother you. I am very happy you have shown such interest in these dresses, and am sure others of better talent than I can improve the dresses.” She wanted to fall right there and sob, but held herself up, She was not even sure how she was able to, with how much her legs were shaking. Her mind was just, blank. She could barely think of anything more.

　　　　Blueblood smiled and ordered the two guards to begin to take the dresses and place them in a chest, also with his mark. They did as he bade and he left the others. After that, no other ponies came to trade or make purchases from Rarity.

　　　　The sun setting, the merchants took what they had and left without a glance back. The others from Ponyville quickly taking down their own stalls and what they had left and made their way home.

　　　　“Oh, Rarity.” Daddy Mac said, sorrowful for her, a mare he considered very much like a daughter to him. He felt ashamed he could not stand up for her, but as Ma had pointed out, trying to argue the royalty would do more harm than good.

　　　　“Its okay. This is more than I made last month, and actually it shows that I was able to do something right.” She became quiet. Daddy Mac tried to place an arm around her to soothe her, as he saw her body begin to wrack with sobs she was trying to hold in. Rarity would have none of it, right now, she felt low, and terrible after what Blueblood said to her. It was wrong, she knew it, but she also knew, it was pointless.

　　　　She did not want anypony to bother her, she just wanted to be left alone for now. She evaded Daddy Macs touch, and denied the comfort he tried to offer her.

　　　　The bell chimed as a pony entered the bakery.

　　　　‘Strange.’ Pinkamena thought to herself, ‘The baking has stopped, none should be coming for anything else.’

　　　　So, as she stepped out from the kitchen, she was indeed surprised to see Rarity there, a long low look to her.

　　　　“You did not get what you wanted, yes?” Pinkamena asked, not even trying to think about the look Rarity suddenly cast her way. It was the look so many others had given her after they had spoken to her, and she had given them answers.

　　　　“Oh, I got what I wanted, alright. But not in the way I thought. You, were wrong as well. There was no pony who held the name of such as that of the sapphire gems and dreamed of creatures that swam with her in the ocean as blue as the gems. Or whatever nonsense you had told me. A prince, a PRINCE, is who came to buy my dresses. And cheated me of fine material, and paid far less than necessary. All of that effort, thirteen bits is barely enough to cover the material I used on the sapphire dress, its not even enough to replace my now bare cupboards of what I need not only for my work, but also for food.”

　　　　Pinkamena raised an eyebrow, she certainly was not ready for this kind of reaction. Sure, she had been called a liar in the past, and even worse. But none had ever seemed to understand the message as Rarity did, though she was still upset and turned her fury on Pinkamena.

　　　　“Am I Celestia?” Pinkamena countered.

　　　　So unforeseen was this remark, that Rarity opened her mouth to speak, yell and scream, actually when she stopped and closed her mouth.

　　　　“What!?” She asked incredulously.

　　　　“I am not Celestia, I am merely an earth pony who bakes for others. I am able to be wrong at times. However, you did get something at least.” She said, as she recalled the words about thirteen bits as payment.

　　　　If looks could kill, and yet Pinkamena stood unfazed against Rarity.

　　　　“My shop is closed, I must rest before I return to baking again. I think it would be best you go home and rest as well.” Pinkamena said as she turned to vanish behind the counter and into the kitchen.

　　　　Rarity was so angry, she was practically fuming, words of aggression escaping through her clenched teeth. She followed Pinkamena into the back.

　　　　“Do you know the humiliation I went through in front of the whole town?” She demanded as she entered. She halted, despite her anger, she still had to take a double check of the strange things that came into view. The cauldron, the strange things in jars, and more. But what caught her attention the most was in the back corner, almost hidden by dark shadows. A stand with a strange thick tomb, and something pink on top of it. It look like some strange miniature stuffed version of Pinkamena, but instead of straight lank hair, it had what seemed to be puffy hair.

　　　　Pinkamena whirled on her, their snouts touching, with what seemed like a very aggressive, and insane look in Pinkamenas eyes.

　　　　“You are not allowed here, leave now, or I will make you leave, child.”

　　　　“You...”

　　　　“LEAVE!” The pink mare screamed into her face, her eardrums hurting, and her head throbbing is response. Pinkamena did not wait as she forced Rarity back. The strength of her body belied her appearance.

　　　　“Now hold on here.” Rarity said as she tried to stop herself, then she used her last resort. Her horn lit up, an aura surrounding Pinkamena, slowly beginning to lift the pink mare into the air.

　　　　A snarl could be heard from Pinkamena, and suddenly Rarity felt something in the back of her head. She fell to the floor, unable to move, or feel anything. The glowing of her horn failing and dispersing immediately.

　　　　“Wha-” She could barely choke out.

　　　　“I may not have a horn for magick, but that does not mean I do not know how to counter it. There is a very sensitive spot in the back of a unicorns head, just as it connects to the neck. This blocks the flow of magick between a unicorn, and the magick of the land around her. Right next to a pressure point that can easily render a pony immobile. I know there are internal, and external magicks all unicorns use as well.”

　　　　Pinkamena explained as she could be seen moving around in front of Rarity. She turned and removed a small jar from behind the counter, it was filled with some strange waxy looking substance.

　　　　“As well, I know what can stop a unicorn altogether, albeit temporarily, from using their magick as well.” She said as she dipped a hoof into the substance. When her hoof came out, there was a thick jelly like substance on her hoof, that shined in the light. Kneeling down, Pinkamena began to slowly apply it to Rarity’s horn.

　　　　Instantly, Rarity could feel the effects. The stuff was cold, but quickly her horn seemed to begin to heat up, and a strange sensation came over her, somehow, her horn, something very sensitive, like a tooth with a nerve inside of it, began to numb up, and the feeling spread through from tip to base, and even went a little further.

　　　　“Worry not, this effect is only temporary, both the pressure, and the substance I have placed onto your horn. OR, at least, I need to release the pressure point here shortly to keep you from becoming permanently immobile. She said as she moved behind Rarity, seeming to disappear for a bit before returning, something in her hoof. She held it there in front of Rarity, despite her efforts, she could not fight the strange stench that began to quickly make her drowsy as she breathed in.

　　　　In the world above her as she started to slip away, Pinkamena glared at her, as if she were a goddess who had been crossed and now Rarity had lost her life.

　　　　“Sis?” Came a worried voice.

　　　　“Wha?” Came a groaned response. Rarity struggled to bring her mind into focus. In the back of her mind, she had the faintest impression of  Deja Vu.

　　　　“Sis, are you okay?” Came the voice of a little fillie, her coat was white, with curly poofy hair of light purple, with a thick amount of light pink color running through it.

　　　　Rarity struggled as she got up. As the world came into focus, she quickly looked around in shock.

　　　　“I-I’m not dead?” She asked in shock.

　　　　“What? No, please don’t talk like that Rarity, I don’t want you to leave me like mom and dad.” She said throwing herself into Rarity’s chest sobbing.

　　　　“I’m so sorry, I know I’ve been a burden on you, and I am so, so sorry.” Sweetie Belle cried, her voice cracking, and occasionally stopped by a hiccup, or a cough as she cried in her sisters arms.

　　　　“Oh, no Sweetie, its not... No, I...” With a sigh, Rarity thought on what to say.

　　　　“I’m sorry Sweetie, it was just a nightmare. I think it was something about losing you. I would never try to leave you, like that. I will be here for you, and I will always love you.” She held Sweetie Belle close, stroking her mane and back carefully, tenderly, as a mother would. She could think of nothing else to do, except to sit there trying to comfort her little sister, and began to rock back and forth, letting out soothing tones and small encouragements.

　　　　Rarity took a moment to look around at her surroundings, for the first time. She saw she was home, and in her living room.

　　　　‘Perhaps it was a nightmare.’ She thought to herself for a moment, ‘No, that was too real, her anger at me going into her kitchen, and certainly seeing everything that I did... That was no dream, I could feel Pinkamena’s rage and anger towards me.’

　　　　As she stroked Sweeties mane, she glanced down and saw the light pink, and thought back, trying to remember everything that had happened the night before.

　　　　Her mind stopped as she recalled one thing very clearly, it somehow was very strange and was not something she had expected to be able to remember clearer than anything else. The strange stuffed form sitting in a dark corner of the kitchen on top of a thick book. She realized there had also been writing on that book, something strange she was not familiar with. Her mind seemed intent on focusing on thew words that had been just slightly above the image of Pinkamena: ‘Vodou’

　　　　‘Voodoo...?’ But there was more as well, she thought back to that little stuffed form of Pinkamena, how similar, and yet also so different it was. The form was small, easily slightly larger than a grown ponies hoof, but it in itself held the unmistakeable shape of a pony, the body, four dangly limbs, a tail, and even a mane. The stitching was very obvious with such a dark thread along edges, all forming lines, holding some sort of fluffy white material in it.

　　　　It still cam as a large surprise how much detail her mind was able to take in and recall in that instant that she had seen what she could hold in her minds eyes right then, that is, before Pinkamena had overpowered Rarity, even her magick, so easily.

　　　　That was indeed a strange pony. Yes, the strange cauldron with a slight green glow and the strange things on shelves above it. Perhaps there was more to the rumors she had heard about Pinkamena than she originally thought.

　　　　At this time, though she suddenly found herself not caring, instead her mind began to churn out thoughts and ideas all surrounding the image of that little stuffed pink pony. She looked down at Sweetie Belle again, he sobs coming in less and less, her tears finally drying up, her body shuddering slightly.

　　　　“Everything... Will be just fine Sweetie Belle. You know how well I did at the market, I am not out of ideas yet, I have more I can do. But I will be very busy for some time until the next market.” Rarity found, that indeed she was right, her mind was working out many different thoughts and ideas.

　　　　Sweetie sniffled and looked up at her sister, her eyes puffy and sorrowful, red veins were present in the whites of her eyes, making Rarity’s heart ache. The two took their time from there getting up, Rarity ensuring her sister had gotten everything she needed off of her chest.

　　　　They spent the day together talking, and laughing. It had taken time to ease Sweeties mind and to get her to smile again. They made plans for the coming month before the next market, and even made plans for Lil Smith to visit, and the other way around.

　　　　Time was what she needed, and she had to get what materials she could. Granted she did have more than what she did last month, but now she did not have any gems at all for a safe fall back in case of emergencies. She had found them over time and collected them, using one here or there when she absolutely needed bits to continue living if she was low. Mostly she found they had improved some of her richest materials and would occasionally make a dress with a few gemstones.

　　　　Rarity wasted no more time after that day of rest, she began shopping for more materials when and where she could, while keeping an eye on her left over bits for food.

　　　　Winter slowly descended over the land, as it always did, laying down like a thick white blanket of cold. The time came and passed for the Apples to have their ‘hoedown’ Rarity had already fixed up Lil Smith’s dress long before and had no worries on that. Rarely this month was she able to get any actual jobs beyond that of a few stitches for repairs here and there, barely worth the effort of charging a bit. Things were slow, but that gave her more than enough time to work on her major project.

　　　　As she worked diligently, she was uncertain of things, she tried to do a full remake of the stuffed pony she had seen at first and failed miserably, several times. Then she just began to work on setting up pieces of it, slowly, drawing out the designs and such for them. She would start with the body, since it was the main part of the stuffed ponies she was trying to make, as she found, since the legs would hang from it there, and the mane and tail were more for decoration.

　　　　There was no telling who had originally made the stuffed pony, nor did Rarity try to find out. Her last encounter with Pinkamena had left her understandably shaken, and hesitant from then on.

　　　　Keeping herself busy she worked, at times finding too late that she had worked so late into the night, and occasionally when she did get to bed early, she was up long before Celestias sun had even begun to glimmer its light at the edge of their world.

　　　　It took much effort and time, but Rarity began to make a small pile of stuffed ponies, she at first had thought to make them all the same, but her sense of fashion did not allow her to do this. Each had to be as different and unique as she could make them. Each, she felt, would find its own home. Particularly, she felt, without understanding how, that many fillies and colts would come to like her newest creations.

　　　　The stuffed ponies themselves, were made at first of hard material. Rarity did not want to waste any material at first until she was sure she could make them without many mistakes. Their bodies were mostly slightly over filled with scraps, that over time of handling would flatten out, and dimple in their making. But little effort by Rarity got them fitted right again in no time. She would set up the bodies sewing them inside out first, leaving plenty of space for her to easily turn it out, check her stitches, then begin to work from there. The legs and heads were the hardest for her to do. Her mind worked hard with the patterns in her mind to work out as many tricks as possible to make things easier on herself as she went about her work.

　　　　“Wow Rarity, those look really great.” Sweetie Belle said one day, a week or so before market.

　　　　“Thank you Sweetie, dear.” Rarity said in response as she laid back from her recent completed stuffed pony.

　　　　“What are they? I mean, I know they are ponies, they look like ponies at least, but are they supposed to be anypony in particular?” Sweetie Belle asked.

　　　　“Um...” Rarity looked over the pile of a couple dozen. She had not put any thought at all, except to keep them looking like a pony period, with their strangely stuffed body, limbs, and head. She did not know how beast to set up the mane and tails like she had seen, but in an inspired moment she had used yarn instead to make the mane and tails. Some had dark threads, some had light, some had different colored ones. Their eyes often sewn in with colored buttons afterwards to pull the colors together. Some of the stuffed ponies were also of different colors as well.

　　　　“I think there is something missing though. These are all earth ponies. Did you make any that were unicorn, or pegasus?” Sweetie asked after a thoughtful silence.

　　　　“Oh, my, no. I had not even thought of that. It was hard enough to make these as they are.”

　　　　“What are you gonna call them? They looked like stuffed ponies, of course, but jus’ callin em stuffed ponies... I don’t know, it kind of puts off from them. I think that would be a bad idea, they are cute and adorable.” Sweetie said, surprising Rarity with her insight on her craftmanship.

　　　　“Um...” Rarity was caught uncertain again. Then a word floated from her mind, seeming out of nowhere.

　　　　“Dolls?”

　　　　“Dolls...? I like that, somehow that seems to fit. Um, by the way sis, I don’t meant o bother you... But, could I... Maybe have one please?”

　　　　“Hmmm? Oh, you like them that much?” Rarity asked in a bot of surprise.

　　　　“Well.... Actually, I like this one.” Sweetie pulled one from the pile. It was a light grey ‘doll’ with black button eyes and dark purple thread for hair.

　　　　“Why that one in particular, Sweetie?” Rarity asked curiously.

　　　　“Well...” Sweetie Belle looked a little embarrassed, “You know that famous mare that sings?”

　　　　“Which one dear? You will have to be more specific than that.” Rarity encouraged with a smile.

　　　　“Velvet Stride. This one reminds me of Velvet Stride.” Rarity’s mouth made a momentary ‘o’ then her eyes popped open.

　　　　“Oh, you’re right, Sweetie, it does look a lot like her somehow. Well, since you like it that much, yes, you can keep that one. I will make another one or two to finish this up. I am in need of a long break after this.” Rarity said.

　　　　Sweetie Belle squeeled loudly, thanking her sister.”

　　　　“Come on Velvet.” Sweetie said as she took off to her room, the doll grasped in a bit of pale magick belonging to Sweetie.

　　　　Rarity couldn’t help but to smile and shake her head. She sighed and laid back, allowing her mind, and body to relax. It had been a long time since she had worked this hard. Perhaps this will pay off for her. It always did when she got into a mood of inspiration and worked almost non stop.

Another idea slowly came to her mind, she had indeed thought of it before, but did not take the time to think it out carefully. If Sweetie Belle had that kind of reaction to what, perhaps... Yes, just perhaps she could change her way of sales from just adult ponies, to children. If the children saw her creations and were excited enough, perhaps they will get their parents to buy them, as toys. Rarity smiled at the thought, yes, this was turning out very well, she had a good feeling about her newest creations.