The Seamstress

　　　　Market day was a very cold day, the wind howled and blew the top layer of snow that had not had time to stick across the lands against houses, stalls, and ponies. They had to take time to squint their eyes against the assault of snow and wind, they sat and waited for the ponies from out of town to arrive, but as Celestias sun moved across the sky, in patches of clouds that were clear, it started to seem as though nopony was coming.

　　　　Many of the ponies were a little put down as they sat in their warm clothes and shivered. A few could not hold against the cold and closed their stalls early and left for home where the warmth of their families waited for them.

　　　　Rarity could not help but to despair slightly as she sat. Under the stall of where she usually held her clothes sat the piles of dolls. She knew the wind would ruin her dresses, whipping them around and blowing them across the grounds, so they stayed inside of the cart with a tarp pulled tight over them.

　　　　“Here, Miss Rarity.” Came a gruff voice. She turned to see Daddy Mac there, a mug of hot apple cider in his hooves as he set it down at the corner of her stall. He began to turn, and Rarity caught him.

　　　　“Daddy Mac, thank you. I am sorry for how I acted last month.”

　　　　“No, it’s fine. You were very upset, understandably so. I was so angry with maself fer not bein able ta help ya.”

　　　　“Daddy Mac, please, I hope you’re not acting this way because you are upset with yourself, or me.” The large red pony only shrugged, over at his stall were two other stallions. The cousins that they had talked about a few months previous. They were hardy and kind, just like the Apples she already knew.

　　　　“Please Daddy Mac.” Rarity pleaded. Slowly the red stallion turned, a small smile on his muzzle, gracing his face. The lines she saw there, showed him to be much older than she ever thought of him.

　　　　“Ya know, its nice hearin ya call me ‘Daddy Mac’. It sounds jus like it belongs, thank you, Rarity.” He said. She approached him cautiously.

　　　　“Daddy Mac, again, I am sorry for the way I acted before...”

　　　　“Now don ya’ll start with that again-”

　　　　“Please, just...” Rarity bit her bottom lip. “Please, can you hug me just once again. I really needed it that day, and my actions were truly horrid. I kind of felt like a child all over again.”

　　　　“Aw, Sweetie. It’s okay. Come here.” Daddy Mac said letting Rarity embrace him. After a few moments he let out a bit of a cough.

　　　　“Sorry bout that. Here why don’t we call it a day and all go back ta the farm and sit around a nice hot meal.”

　　　　“Oh, Thank you Daddy Mac.” Rarity said, his smile broadening. He turned and called his cousins over and explained the plan. They were to go ahead and help taking down both stalls and everypony would head on home to the farm and eat together.

　　　　It did not take long since the apples had brought a sled instead of a cart that day due to the weather. Something as heavy as so many apples, the last to be bucked and sold for the season, were far too heavy for a simple cart.

　　　　The cousins hauled the cart, Daddy Mac, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle in the front seat of the sled all covered in a couple of blankets. Through the ride home, Rarity noticed Daddy Mac coughing a few more times. She was starting to worry that he was getting sick. When she voiced her concern he waved her off, saying it was only the dry cold, never good for the lungs.

　　　　She did not feel the answer she got was the right one, but said nothing. Shortly there after they arrived at the farm of Sweet Apple acres. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were taken in by Daddy Mac while the cousins put the sled and remaining apples away in the barn. They joined them minutes after that, and everyone sat down and enjoyed a hot meal, prepared by Ma, and Lil Smith. Several apple pies, that were supposed to go for market were kept with them knowingly the cold would ruin the hot pies.

　　　　The family sat together, talking and laughing, generally enjoying their time together. Only occasionally interrupted by Daddy Macs loud coughing. Rarity knew, in the ache in her heart that something was wrong.

　　　　As Celestias sun lowered, followed by the raising of the moon, the weather seemed to pick up, becoming worse. So bad in fact, that when the cousins looked outside, they could not see anything past the porch. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were invited to stay as long as the storm held up.

　　　　Rarity accepted the kind offer graciously, as she did not want to risk Sweetie Belle being exposed to such weather. She knew what was wrong with Daddy Mac as his cough occasionally seemed to worsen. Over dinner she had taken a few close looks at him when she thought nopony was looking and saw his haggard coat, and his strong features were softening. It was the cold, after so many years of hard work in all types of weather was bringing him down.

　　　　She said nothing, merely accepted it, but after that she began to feel more affectionate for him. Just before bed, she had glanced at Ma, who had seemed to read her eyes very well, and nodded slowly both in answer, and in understanding.

　　　　The next morning everypony was awoken to a loud pounding on the door. All the ponies got up, as Ma went to answer it. There was a pony from town who explained the merchants had finally made it in. They had some trouble with one of the wagons and the caravan had to wait out the storm the night before. Everypony scrambled to get their things together.

　　　　On the way into town, Daddy Mac had the cousins drop Rarity and her sister off so she could make sure Sweetie Belle was indoors and not having to deal with the cold through the day. She grabbed the extra winter clothes and brought them with her to the market.

　　　　Ponies quickly picked up the winter clothing to keep warm. Rarity brought out her dolls and at first did not seem to get anyponies attention until one came over and asked her about it. She explained she was inspired to make something new and different than just clothing. These dolls, she explained, were the result, and it had crossed her mind something so small and soft could possibly be traded or bought for little fillies and colts.

　　　　The merchant liked the idea, and so, bought one for his little fillie. One or two others liked the idea and followed suit. Rarity liked the thought of her dolls making a small headway. But still many were skeptical and told her of the flaws, especially pointing out, not only the poor craftmanship, but also the lack of horns and wings to add additional variety.

　　　　Rarity did what she could to explain it was difficult to make the dolls, and she did not have the materials yet to make the pegasus and unicorn dolls. Others voiced their own thoughts of wanting to be able to choose from unicorn and pegasus dolls. Rarity’s response was only if she sold enough dolls to get the proper materials. She could try with what she had, but expressed her concerns of the dolls not looking quite right.

　　　　A few of the merchants talked things over and were able to make some deals with Rarity to take the dolls off her hands. IF she made enough by the next market, and they were able to sell them in Canterlot, and a few other cities, then they would certainly be more than happy to return to continue doing business.

　　　　Rarity was no ponies fool, she refused their offers and explained she would only be willing to work with somepony if they were willing to be partners, but they would have to have a strong business sense and be willing to make an offer right then and there as a good faith move.

　　　　This caught their attention for sure. All but one pony left. He had been standing behind the others watching and listening to everything. HE stood alone before Rarity, what of his fur could be seen under the thick coat and scarf was a deep brown, with deep blue, almost black mane and tail, his cutie mark a cloud  and a cup of tea floating with it.

　　　　“Oh, Hello.” Rarity greeted.

　　　　“Miss Rarity, if I heard correctly, I like these ‘dolls’, and I would like to make you an offer for all of them.”

　　　　“Well, thank you sir, but I have already made my feelings clear with the others, partnership, and something on good faith. Also, you have failed to introduce yourself.”

　　　　“Night, Night Tea. A Pleasure, Miss Rarity.” He said with a small chuckle. There was something about his voice and eyes that made Rarity feel more than a little warm in her winter garments.

　　　　“Here, I would like to speak to you about your business proposal, and my acceptance-”

　　　　“Acceptance...?”

　　　　“Yes, perhaps a warm meal?”

　　　　Rarity blushed deeply, and smiled before nodding.

　　　　“How about we meet at the ‘Sweet Shop’?” He offered. Rarity accepted graciously.

　　　　The two talked at length over things and ideas for Rarities dolls. Rarity expressed her want to make the dolls better with better material, she was just needing the right funding to do so, which was why she had been so adamant about her proposal. She admitted she knew there was a chance of failure, but she just had a feeling things could go well for her.

　　　　Night agreed with her, and worked out a small plan with Rarity, he would return each month for market with what he made for the two of them to divide up for her to get everything she needed, including living expenses, and he would take the rest to place into a shop for her in Canterlot where he lived and set up a partnership business there.

　　　　Night was very attentive to Rarity and charming. He had her blushing often with just the right amount of compliments, but not too many. He had many great ideas, the whole scene was unfolding very nice to Rarities mind. IT was not long before the two separated, after ending their conversation. Night had given Rarity a decent amount of bits, for each one. He had them loaded onto his sled afterwards and bid Rarity goodbye.

　　　　Rarity wasted no time the next day going about gathering what material she could, even going a little overboard with buying food for her and Sweetie Belle. She even had talked her sister into going out with her around the town, and the Apple farm to look for additional material, such as sticks, and feathers to try and work out how she can start making unicorn, and pegasus dolls.

　　　　The chime sounded through the sweets shop, making Pinkamena look up from the counter where she had been re-shelving a few things below. She saw Rarity there, standing just in the doorway, a smile on her muzzle.

　　　　“Yes?” Pinkamena asked. It was getting late, and she was about to close the shop for the night so she could rest. She was already aware of Rarities new ‘dolls’, and suspected where the idea came from. She wanted nothing more than for the white unicorn to leave her shop, and her alone altogether.

　　　　“Sorry to bother you dear, but I was hoping I could speak to you, and perhaps ask a favor?” Rarity asked tentatively.

　　　　Pinkamena arched an eyebrow. Something told her she was not going to like where this was going and set her mind to immediately say no, but still she wanted to know why this pony would come to her for a ‘favor’.

　　　　“What is it?” She asked shortly.

　　　　“Well, you see, I know it was very rude of me to act the way I had, especially invading your privacy. For that I apologize, however, I was hoping that perhaps I could speak to you about the doll you have, and the book upon which it sits.”

　　　　“No.” Pinkamena wanted to grind her teeth in annoyance. She settled for clenching her jaws shut, as her eyes narrowed at the pony in front of her.

　　　　“Yes, well, the thing is, is that seeing as how many ponies already have many rumors about you, and knowing what I know, since I seem to be the only one, I was hoping you would reconsider. Why else would ponies speak so ill of you, and yet, still do business with you.”

　　　　Pinkamena let out a low growl from deep within her throat. She pressed her jaw so tight it hurt.

　　　　‘The nerve, to try and blackmail me.’

　　　　“I say no, not because I want to keep things about myself private, but for your own good. For your safety, and your very life. You do not know what powers you trifle with.”

　　　　“Oh, yes, I am sure you can paralyze me and keep me from using my magick, and blah, blah, blah-”

　　　　Rarity grew quiet, as she noticed the loathful look Pinkamena was giving her, and yet it still seemed to express her own foolishness, making her feel so small. But what happened next truly took Rarity by surprise, though later she came to realize that her attempts to trick Pinkamena into doing what she wanted had failed.

　　　　“Sit.”

　　　　“I beg your pardon?”

　　　　“I said sit, there is no need for begging me for anything. Just sit, and listen.”

　　　　Rarity was stunned, yet her mind did not take well to the comment Pinkamena made. Still, though, she took a seat at an empty table nearby.

　　　　Pinkamena walked around the counter and flipped the open sign to close and locked the door.

　　　　“I do not want interruptions.” She explained before turning to look at Rarity.

　　　　“It is true I am different than any other pony here, different than most in this Equestrian land. My family comes from a line of a younger Princess of the moon. We knew an older form of Magick when Unicorns were still learning, passed down from her highness directly. It is not a magick that is dangerous, or something to use on others. It does not work this way. It was only to help keep a slight balance from the older times until it all changed. Unicorns were Were to be solely responsible for magick in the land, the pegusi responsible for the the skies, and Earth ponies, regular ponies, with seemingly no other talents except to tend the land, settled theirselves into the ground.

　　　　“Many of my ancestors began to either lose their way or they turned from the old ways as time wore on. We know The princess of the moon is gone now, but she is still there, her presence can still be felt, but now only at night, and no better time than when the moon is full is her presence at its peak. What I do is what my family taught me, what my mother taught me, as her mother taught her, and so on. I am the last of my family to tend to this kind of magick, and we, the females of the Pie legacy have begun to find that the magick is slowly fading from this land. But it is not entirely vanishing. It is starting to seep into us.”

　　　　Rarity looked a bit surprised to hear this, now wondering how magick could be a part of a earth pony if they were not unicorns.

　　　　“No, it is not what you may be thinking, it indeed is not the same kind of magick at all that unicorns use, and it does not affect us in this way either. We are...” Pinkamena halted in her speaking to think of the best way to explain this. “Able to do things, or see things a little bit differently than others.”

　　　　“Like when you once said that others come to you for answers, whether they are the ones they seek or not?” Rarity asked. Pinkamena nodded, somewhat glad this unicorn was keeping up with her thus far.

　　　　“Yes, this is true. The old ways will be gone soon enough, only passed specifically from mother to daughter. So, I want you to understand, I may be strange and different, but I do nothing beyond merely practice, which in turn does nothing to any other pony. No matter what any others say. I let them say it because it helps me keep my privacy.”

　　　　“Now, for the doll, and book you have spoken of. I do not joke when I say no, for your own safety. There is a power in that, rivaling that of my own families, it can be dangerous if used in that way, but it can also bring positive as well as negative. It is a power that can be used on other ponies, on the land, the animals, even, on inanimate things.

　　　　“I was much younger than this and was traveling with others like myself, my parents having passed on. They were a band of mares, and a few stallions who traveled around the land entertaining others. I will admit that, yes there were times where things did not go well with them, and many would blame them for anything. I will not dwell on whether any pony was in the right or wrong. I one day found myself in great trouble though, i was forced into doing something I did not want to do. The band of mares had found a new tribe of ponies, but these were not ponies like you and I. They were natives of a bordering land, their manes and bodies like our own, but their coats were black and white stripes.”

　　　　“The fabled Zebra tribes?”

　　　　“Yes, yes, that is them. Well, the stallion who took me in and exclaimed to many others that he had been wronged by the tribe. He was promised something he expected, but what he received was not. Anyways, I was sent as the only one still young and quiet enough, or in truth, expendable, to get the master what he wanted.

　　　　“I went into their tribe while all the zebras were asleep and quickly found what the master had wanted. Unfortunately as I tried to make my escape I was caught. I was able to get away, but the master trophy did not make it back with me. They were furious with me when I returned empty hoofed, and the zebras right behind armed and furious at my attempted theft. There was a fight, and in the commotion I ran away into the night.

　　　　“Later that night, and for many nights following I had many strange dreams, haunting me. The faces of both the tribes, and the ponies from the band all screaming at me that their deaths were my fault. I tried to run and hide, always somehow I found myself back in the same area.”

　　　　“One morning I awoke to find myself in a familiar area, the grass burned, the ground smelling of pony blood. I was then forced by something to walk and walk back to the tribe. They settled me down, showing me the doll of myself. I watched as their practiced healer read from a strange book, inciting something, then to show me what was going on, the used the doll to force me to stand and walk, to dance, to do whatever they wanted before setting me back down.

　　　　“I tried to apologize, and explain it was not my intent, I was forced into doing something I did not want to.  The healer looked at me and said, ‘No pony is ever forced, except by magick such as this. This Voodoo is your punishment for angering our people, causing death. You had a choice, you could have spoken to us and told of the treachery, we would have taken you in and spared you misfortune. But you did not think, you are but still a child, and now you will forever be the, ‘Lone Child’ known by all, by not being known. You shall be lost to others, until your redemption is at hand.’”

　　　　“It infuriated me for so long how they manipulated me so easily just because of that. They had let me go, saying the spirits would always be around me until I repented enough to ease them to their rightful rest. I was allowed to go, never to feel the power of that kind of magick ever again. But I never forgot.

　　　　“I will end this by saying I made sure neither they, nor any other pony would ever be able to use their magick on me again. Now I will tell you, what is in that book is dangerous to those who do not understand it. I have been fighting its curse with my own families magick just to keep things from getting out of hand. Once taken by another from the rightful owner, a curse is placed upon that pony until either returned, or their life is lost.”

　　　　The silence that followed was unnerving. Rarity shivered, but still looked at Pinkamena.

　　　　“I do not want the book.” Pinkamena began to smile.

　　　　“But,” Pinkamena frowned, “I only need to at least look over how to make a doll, I do not need to know the magick in it. I only want to be able to make the dolls better. I finally have a way of taking care of my little sister, and possibly to do more, but not without a better idea as to how to do this.”

　　　　“Still you ask for it, even after my warning. You are not as smart as I thought. Leave, Rarity, and do not return to my home or shop.” Pinkamena ended the conversation by standing and moving to the door unlocking it and opening it, waiting for Rarity to leave.

“With a heavy sigh, Rarity stood and left without another look at Pinkamena.