Collars and Cuffs Tailoring

Chapters

Collars and Cuffs Tailoring
The Customer is Never Wrong
Morning Melancholy
With a Capital Pink
Party Games
Are You Being Served?
Bonding at Breakfast
You Are Cordially Invited...
With the Purity of Night
First Class Delivery
Melting the Butter in the Pan
By The Light of A Thousand Stars
Scream Your Heart Out!
Partners
Funny Kooky or Funny Cranky?

Collars and Cuffs Tailoring

Chapter 1
It was a perfect day for moving. The sun was out and the sky was clear and there was the promise of a cool evening in the air. Cuff Links sat atop the large moving cart as it crested the next hill, the vantage point giving him a good clear view of his new home.

Ponyville was a well to do little place out in the country, and both the scenery as well as its proximity to Canterlot had been factors in him choosing to set up his shop there. There had been quite a stir over the last year in the fashion world, centred around farming villages as well meaning he wouldn’t have to extend himself too far to draw custom to his Tailoring Business. There was a growing movement among the Upper Classes in Canterlot towards the things “Which you just can’t get in Canterlot these days”, which pretty much meant “I want the most unique thing around”. Ponies were willing to go quite far afield for that ‘Just so look‘. That was what he was counting on.

Returning to his senses for a moment, he was immediately taken by the view ahead of thatched cottages and endless acres of farmland stretching out to the horizon. Moving to Manehatten when he was young had been difficult, he had never quite got used to the fast paced lifestyle and pressures of the city and the change would be quite refreshing. After his grandmother had died two months ago he had found himself remembered in her will and had bequeathed a substantial amount of Bits and her wish that he use them to follow his dream of becoming a tailor.
Galvanised into action he had immediately begun searching for where he could find a market for his talents as well as a place of residence to fill it. The only real requirement at the time was that he had always wanted to get out of the grimy city. Now at last that wish was being granted and he was bubbling with excitement.

It wasn’t a large space, but it would be his home and his workshop from now on. Just on the edge of the town square he had managed to find a place next to a joke shop which consisted of a moderately sized floor plan he had divided into a shop front and rear workspace. Upstairs were two bedrooms, one of which he intended to convert into another workspace, a bathroom, bedroom and an open plan kitchen and living area. It was humble, but he had no intention of wasting Bits on an unnecessarily extravagant premises.

All his possessions had been moved in with a remarkable amount of speed and now he was left sitting on the floor the shop wondering what to do with himself. It would take a day or two before he could start selling things, the shop floor was empty and all the equipment in the back was wrapped and still had to be unpacked. Deciding at least to fill the broad windows he began unpacking some of the finished items that he had brought with him. A pinstripe suit was placed next to a flowing gala gown and opposite them a diamond edged evening dress sat next to a well fitted tuxedo.
Pleased with the arrangement, Cuff Links trotted outside to hang the finishing touch. A sign painted with two well dressed ponies above the words “Collars and Cuffs Tailoring”. As a finishing touch he slung a small card “Opening soon” in the door window on his way back in. The night was rolling in, cool as promised, but not chilly. Almost deciding to head out for a walk, Links decided instead to start filling the many empty clothes horses on the shop floor, heading to the back to unpack the boxes of materials and machinery he would need.

It was a bright and sunny day in Ponyville and the park was full of ponies enjoying the beautiful sunshine; fillies frolicking and picnickers playing. Twilight Sparkle and her friends were laughing under a tree as Pinkie Pie recounted a story about the Cake’s foals that morning.

“And then she just sat in the middle of the floor like nothing was wrong, right as the Cakes walked in!” she was saying, “That’s why I was so late, it takes aaaaagggeeesss to clean caramel off the ceiling! It was tasty though.”

“At least you didn’t get any in your coat darling,” The ivory unicorn supplied after taking a sip of her tea, “You simply can’t remove it from fur, and it would be tragic to have to cut it out.”

“Reminds me of that one time me an’ Apple Bloom were baking pies. Granny had us cleaning for days.” Applejack reminisced, a smile playing on her lips.

Twilight and Fluttershy just sat and giggled, enjoying the peace of time spent with friends. Rainbow Dash was looking at the sky with a slightly strained expression. “What is it I’m forgetting?” She mused quietly. “I swear there was something I needed to today….what was it……OHMYGOSH! Sorry guys, there’s a shower scheduled for tomorrow! I’ve gotta go set it up!”

“Do you have to Rainbow dear? It was set to be such a nice few days. Could we not keep this balmy weather a little longer?” Rarity pleaded, “I was hoping to take a walk to inspire my new summer line.”

“Sorry Rarity, we’re overdue as it is,” Dash apologised with Applejack nodding beside her.
“She’s right sugarcube. The orchard’s parched.”

Giving up Rarity waved a hoof at the pair and went back to her tea, “Oh well, I’ve got orders to catch up on I guess.” She sighed.

Twilight finished her sandwich and stood up “Speaking of orders, I should get back to the library in case those new books arrive.”

Taking this as their cue they all stood and began to pack up the picnic things. Rainbow Dash turned off into the sky with a wave, Fluttershy and Applejack walked off towards the forest’s edge while Pinkie, Rarity and Twilight made their way back into town, chatting the whole way.

Rounding the corner into the square the three friends were about to go their separate ways when catching something out of the corner of her eye Rarity stopped, every perfectly styled hair on her body suddenly standing on end. Twilight wasn’t paying attention and walked right into her sending herself sprawling onto the ground.

“Ouch Rarity, why’d you stop?” Twilight complained as she picked herself of the floor.
Rarity couldn’t speak limply pointing with a forehoof at the window of the shop they were passing. Both Twilight and Pinkie both looked and let out a gasp each, Twilight being mildly surprised while Pinkie was getting excited.

“Collars and Cuffs, “ Twilight read aloud, looking over the sign and the clothing in the windows, “A new tailors in Ponyville?”

“Ohmyohmyohmy!” Pinkie had started to bounce around excitedly. “A new shop in town, and a new shop means a new pony, and a new pony means only one thing!”
Twilight was looking between the new shop, the prancing pink party pony and the still statuesque stylist. “Pinkie I don’t think…”

“WE NEED A PARTY!” Pinkie exploded off the ground in a cloud of dust and pink smoke, shooting off to Celestia knows where to prepare Luna knew what leaving Twilight sitting on her rump choking on the exhaust.

Rarity had been working her mouth silently as her brain tried to process this revelation. A new tailors? Competition? Just look at that work! At this point it gave up and she simply keeled over in a perfectly executed faint.

The Customer is Never Wrong

Chapter 2

It was raining. The morning paper which had been put through the letterbox that morning had mentioned that rain was on the weather schedule all day. It had also mentioned the opening of a new shop in town, Links was pleased to note, which the advert proclaimed would cater to the tailoring needs of any mare, stallion or gentledragon. Not that Links expected any dragons to come by, but the stallion who had written the advert for him had said something about it rolling off the tongue. Advertising not exactly being his forte he had simply agreed and paid his Bits. Admittedly, it did look good. Since the same advert had been posted in the Canterlot papers he hoped that in the next day or so he would start seeing some custom.

As if the world had read his mind there was the tell tale tinkle of the bell over the shop door. Odd, he’d only arrived the day before, and put the open sign in the window not fifteen minutes before. That was fast for somepony to drop by, especially on such a lousy day. Poking his head around the dividing screen into the front he spotted the overeager customer. An elderly green mare with a pie for a cutie mark was just folding her umbrella.

“Excuse me dearie, are you home?” she called, craning her neck around. Links straightened up his tie and trotted out to greet her, wondering what she wanted so early in the morning.
“Ah there you are my dear, “she smiled warmly, “Rarity dear would you do me a favour and fix this up for me?”

Rarity? Was she mistaking him for somepony else? With a look of concern Links approached to explain when suddenly a doll was pressed into his hooves.

“Yes dear it’s little Apple Bloom’s favourite doll and it’s getting a little worse for wear you see,” she began to explain, cutting him off, “She still loves the poor thing ragged and I thought it would be nice to spruce it up a bit. Now don’t worry Rarity dear.” she continued, reaching into her saddlebags again and pulling out some Bits, “Here’s something for your troubles. Applejack’ll be along to pick it up later.”

With a last attempt to protest the strangeness of the situation the mare walked out, putting her umbrella up in the process and trotting away. What a bizarre way to gain a first customer, be mistaken for somepony else and simply be left with the item in question and no way to give it back. Links could only stand there dumbfounded and hoping that this Applejack could eventually find their way over to retrieve the doll later.

Applejack and Apple Bloom, he wondered if they were related as he sat down to work. It was a simple job, sew an eye back into place here and stitch a seam there. It could also do with some fresh stuffing, perhaps there was some in that blue case of oddments. It may have been a case of mistaken identity but Cuff Links had no intention of not doing the job. He had been paid upfront after all and it wouldn’t do to get a reputation as a pony that couldn’t do simple things for other ponies.

It was an hour or so later when the door tinkled again. “ H’ex-h’excuse me?” It was a young voice, with a strong accent. Two mares in two hours? Links put down his needle and trotted round the screen again trying out what he hoped was a winning smile. What he found quickly wiped it off to be replaced with a look of concern. The mare in the doorway was shivering something chronic. She had clearly been charging about in the rain with no protection what so ever and was both panting and shivering. Her blond mane and tail were dripping and her hat was positively flaccid.

Without a moment’s hesitation he was back behind the screen to return with a blanket.

“Oh..there’..no need…for..that..” she panted although she took it nevertheless. Links shook his head, he would have nopony sit soaked though and shivering in his shop. What had possessed this pony to go charging though the rain like that?

“Ah’m mighty sorry sir,” She began again, after finally catching her breath. “Ah’m just looking for something. See, Granny Smith was wandrin’ round the house when she found Apple Bloom’s old toy, and she decided to give it to Rarity to fix up. Now that’s fine and all ‘cept Ah just went to see Rarity and Sweetie Belle says she hasn’t left her room all day and no pony’s been to see her since Twilight dropped her off yesterday! Granny gets awful confused at times and Ah was just worried she’d gone and lost the thing somewhere.”

Links took in the explanation, nodding sagely. He still had no idea who Rarity was, but presumably this was Applejack and that had been Granny Smith earlier that morning. The whole story made sense, and while he weren’t exactly happy having his first job be the simple mistake of an old mare he was pleased to have it come out well in the end. Links walked into the back and returned with the doll. It was almost as good as new. Cleaned up and stitched up, he had even given it back its soft cuddleabilty. Applejack’s eyes went wide when she saw it.

“You fixed her up?” she asked, surprise apparent in her voice. You gave it to her and nodded. Of course you did, that’s the point of a tailors. “Ah guess that’s what tailors do,” she said sheepishly, “Sorry, Ah just saw the window and thought Granny may have gotten this place mixed up with-. Well never mind, you’ve fixed her up right and proper. Ah’m sure Apple Bloom will love it.”

You beamed at the complement. “Ah suppose Ah’d better be heading back to the farm now,” Applejack was looking out the window while putting the blanket back on the side. You couldn’t have that. The rain wasn’t scheduled to stop for another hour and she had only just gotten dry.

“Oh Ah couldn’t impose on y’all like that,” she tried to refuse but Links wouldn’t have it. What kind of Gentlecolt would he be if he let her back out in this weather? “Ok Ah s’pose Ah could stay till the rain clears. Thank ya’ll for the invitation.” She picked the blanket back up and took a seat. There was a few moments of silence as Applejack looked around the room at the various suits and dresses which had been put on display. Eventually Applejack turned back to Links, looking him up and down properly for the first time.
“So…” she asked,”...you’re new in town?”

Morning Melancholy

Chapter 3

Sweetie Belle was worried. Ever since Twilight brought an unresponsive Rarity home yesterday her sister had done nothing but mope in her room. All Twilight had said was she had taken a turn for the worse outside a new shop in the centre of town and had refused to come to her senses or explain herself.
Since Twilight had been expecting a delivery she hadn’t stayed long and at the time Sweetie had assumed Rarity would sleep it off. Then the morning had come with the promised rain, but no Rarity. Now it was afternoon and the rain had passed, but not whatever melancholy was afflicting her sister.

Sweetie had tried everything, from making her breakfast in bed to offering to help with her dresses. Usually either of those had her down in a flash, but oddly not today. Once again she tried the door to her room, still locked.

“Rarity? Come out already. It’s past noon, don’t you have stuff to work on today?”

“Go away,” was the muffled reply. Well this was an improvement, she hadn’t said a word all morning.

“What’s wrong sis? Why won’t you come out, you know you can talk to me right?”

“I want to be alone.” This was getting ridiculous.

“What happened this time? Did something get in your mane again? Today’s the day you wash it anyway.” She washed her mane every day, but that wasn’t the point.

“No.” Pause. She was being so insufferable today.

“Fine then. I’ll just tell Sapphire Shores that you’re unavailable then.” That had to work.
Sure enough there was a sudden scrabbling of hooves and the door crashed open to reveal the super sensitive fashionista.

“Sapphire Shores is here? How’s my mane? Is the shop tidy?” Rarity was a mess. Her mane clearly hadn’t been brushed today and she had bags under her eyes. At least she was responsive now.

“Nope, the only pony to come by today was Applejack. She was looking for something Granny Smith had lost but it wasn’t here.” Sweetie beamed up innocently at her sister, “But at least you’re out now. Fancy some lunch?”

Clearly Rarity was not impressed. “Sweetie, darling, couldn’t you just leave me to my woes in peace?” she sighed.

“Nope.” Was the quick and simple reply. “I’m worried about you sis. What happened with you yesterday? Twilight didn’t say much when she brought you home yesterday. Something about a new shop in town?”

Yes, the new shop. Rarity remembered it clearly. Those suits, those dresses. They had been stunning. Easily as good as anything she could make. The suits more so in fact, she had never really gotten the hang of making complex things for colts. If some other pony was that good, where did that leave her? Was there room for two clothiers in Ponyville? How could she compete with somepony who was as good at her with dresses, and better with suits?

These were the things troubling her that morning and she had no easy answers. It hadn’t helped when Sweetie had popped the morning papers under her door that morning either. She was a regular subscriber to both the Ponyville Express and the Canterlot Times, the latter so she could keep up with the latest trends in the capital. She had found the same advert in both papers broadcasting the new establishment in ponyville. Whoever it was clearly wanted to sell in the same circles she did, and if those display pieces were anything to go by they had to skills to do so with ease.

“It’s just some business things Sweetie dear,” She said finally. “Since the rain’s stopped at last I think I’ll take a walk to clear my head.” After catching a glimpse of herself in a mirror she checked herself, “After I’ve fixed myself up of course.”

Breathing a sigh of relief Sweetie Belle finally relaxed. At least Rarity was walking and talking again. While it wasn’t unusual for her sister to take a break from the land of the living, this had been one of the longer spells and had been getting worried.

Twenty minutes later Rarity was heading out. She had chosen a simple hat for the occasion. Both stylish and practical, with Rainbow Dash on weather duty you never knew when you might find a rogue rain cloud she hadn’t cleared up yet. She had taken not four steps out the front door when her vision became inextricably pink.
The sudden change in colour was accompanied by a pressing sensation on her skull, and the pinkness was.....grinning.
“Hiya Rarity!” It was being quite chipper too.
“Good afternoon Pinkie. Would you mind terribly getting off my head please?” She would have been surprised, but Rarity had long become desensitised to Pinkie’s peculiar positions.
Pinkie Pie hopped off and started to bounce excitedly around her friend instead.

“I just came by to see if you wanted to come to my surprise party this evening?” she squealed happily. “There’s a new pony in town and that means we need a welcome party!”

Rarity should have been expecting this. Of course Pinkie wanted to get to know the new pony, she got to know everypony. It was like a burning need.

“I don’t know dear, I’m a little behind today.” she stalled. Rarity really didn’t want to have to confront this new pony. It would involve people talking about how they both made dresses and then the comparisons would come, with everypony judging her work against theirs. Right now she didn’t much feel like it.

“Okie Dokie Lokie.” Well that was odd, Pinkie agreeing to someone turning down a party invitation so easily? “It’s OK Rarity. If you’re worried about what people with think about the new tailors in town then I won’t make you go.” Pinkie beamed her usual big happy grin and bounced off to the next house, presumably to invite the next pony.
Sometimes, Rarity wondered, Pinkie surprised everypony with her stunning insights, and others she seemed totally clueless. It was like, selective mind reading or something.
The thought sent shivers down her spine. Pinkie Pie, a mind reader? What a terrifying thought.

With a Capital Pink

Chapter 4

She was Pink. Not pink, but Pink. It was impossible to describe the kind of Pink which Pinkie Pie was without the capital Pink.
Links couldn’t disentangle these thoughts of pink from his mind as he stared at the pony whizzing around his shop floor. She had come in a half hour earlier on the back of a wagon and had sung a song all about how happy she was the meet a new pony in town. That had been kind of nice, he’d only met two other ponies so far and one had mistaken him for somepony else.
Applejack had left just after the rain stopped, thanking him for his kindness and even paying a little extra for the work on the doll, despite his insistence it had been adequately paid for already.

Then she had come. After the song and dance routine she had begun bombarding him with questions, where was he from? Did he like dresses? Had he ever met the princesses? She had apparently, on multiple occasions too. It was all rather fast for him. Still, he didn’t mind the attention, he was enjoying having somepony to talk to while he worked. He had honestly been worried about making friends in this new town but it seems his fears were misplaced. Everypony he had met so far had been really kind. From the pony he had bought the shop from to the Pink pony in front of him now. That was what made Ponyville special, he mused, in the cities nopony had time for the common pony on the street, but here they all knew each other and cared about what went on in each ponies lives. That was a point, if Pinkie knew everypony in town (which she had mentioned several times) then maybe she knew who this Rarity was that Granny Smith had mistaken him for that morning.

“Rarity? GASP! You don’t know who Rarity is!?” Why was she famous or something?
“Well duh, she kinda is!” Pinkie threw her hooves up in mock exasperation before diving face first into a pile of his fashion magazines tucked into the corner. Somehow she managed to swim around for a bit in the small stack before surfacing with a particular copy in her mouth. “T’ish one!”
The issue with Hoity Toity? He took it from her and flicked to the page she indicated. It was a double page spread about a white unicorn designer from...Ponyville? So this is Rarity, and she lived here? How had he missed this, setting up in the same place as an already well known designer!? Nopony would come to see him if there was already another designer in town.

“Oh don’t worry your fancy pants about it,” Fancy Pants? She even knew Fancy Pants!? Was there anypony this Pie didn’t have a hoof in!?
“That sounds dirty,” Pinkie giggled, “I mean don’t worry about working here with Rarity on the block. She’s really good and does a lot of work for famous ponies sure, but you have your own talent to show off and I’m sure it’ll shine out just fine.”

That made a lot of sense. Links managed to get his breathing under control and relaxed. Sure it would be fine, by the look of it this Rarity only did clothing for mares, so he had a whole half of the market to himself. That was a really good way to look at it, was this the same Pinkie Pie who had walked in earlier? Links took a look up from the magazine he was holding to find Pinkie standing on her head with a scarf wrapped around her eyes. Her hooves were crosses like she was meditating and her mane was spread all over the floor like a puddle of pink floss.

“Muummm, candy floss, I could really go for some right now.” How had we come to candy floss?
“I know!” Spinning on her head she brought herself upright in one fluid motion. It was like watching a cross between ballet and break-dancing. “We should go over to Sugar Cube Corner and get some!” Suddenly he was being dragged by the tail right out the door. Out the door!? Links dug his hooves in, he needed to lock up, change the sign, pack his things away, he couldn’t just leave on the spot. Yet, he did want to go. This energetic mare must be rubbing off on him. "I haven't rubbed you anywhere!" He could take some time to get to know Ponyville and the ponies who lived there before getting stuck into his work. He didn’t have any custom orders yet anyway so it was just copies or rough design work.
“Ok fine,” Pinkie let him go and allowed him to lock up the Collars and Cuffs. “But hurry up, time is candy!”

“Ok everypony, we need to wait until he’s properly in the room before we yell surprise.” Rainbow Dash still wasn’t sure how Pinkie had roped her into organising the big party reveal. She was lurking up near the ceiling of a darkened room in Sugarcube Corner which was almost overstuffed with Ponies. Pinkie had really gone all out, even Big Mac had turned out, and he wasn’t very big on parties.

It seemed everypony was interested in the new tailors in town, they had a fairly high example to work off with Rarity making her home here after all. In fact, the White Fashionista was conspicuous by her absence. Twilight had said something earlier about her acting a bit off. Well that wasn’t unusual for Rarity, she got into more moods than Pinkie got into cakes. Actually that sounded kinda dirty. Rainbow biffed herself round the head to knock the disturbing thought out right as the unmistakable sound of Pinkie approaching came in through the window.

“So you see the Cakes are really great ponies and you should totally try out their Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness. That cake has won awards you know.”
“Ok get ready,” Dash whispered, positioning herself above the door.
The door swung open and two ponies walked in, Pinkie doing all the talking, as usual.
“Oh don’t worry about it being dark, that’s just so it’s all the better to surprise you with. Yes, surprise silly. I SAID," her voice took on a slight edge, "SURPRISE!”

“That’s our cue! SURPRISE!” The lights came up to the sound of the resounding cheer and illuminated the room packed with ponies and party paraphernalia. Rainbow Dash dropped down to cover the door, it wasn’t unknown for some ponies to get spooked and try to bolt. As she caught the back end of the new colt in town though, something tugged at the back of her mind. An old memory, all awkward and unsure came bubbling to the surface.
It couldn’t be, that was a long time ago, but could he be “Links?”

Party Games

Chapter 5

This was getting silly. The party had been going on for two hours now and Rainbow Dash hadn’t managed to get a clear look at the new pony all night. From the moment he had come in he’d been swamped by welcoming ponies curious about all the things this new addition brought to Ponyville.
This had meant that that trying to talk to him had been impossible, at least at first. Now the crowd had died down a bit there really shouldn’t have been any reason not to be able to talk to him, yet she never seemed to catch him. A glimpse of a tail there, no that was pin the tail on the pony. A mane there, no that was Cranky Donkey’s new wig.

There! Just between Lyra and Pinkie at the drinks table! Rainbow sped across the room, grabbing the offending pony by the shoulder and spinning him around.

“Ah ha! At last I get.....to.....what?” Rainbow was left stumped. This was not a situation the best young flyer had contended with before, which was odd considering the amount of time she spent with Pinkie.

All three ponies had turned around, and all three were wearing the most ridiculous party masks. It was like Nightmare Night mark two. To top it off, they were all covering themselves with table cloths. She had no idea who was who.

“Erm, can...can one of you guys point out which of you is the new guy?” They all nodded quite happily, “Oh that’s great, so which.....oh come on!” Each pony was pointing to the other two, a less than helpful response.

“That’s it! I’m just gonna rip those masks off!” Rainbow reached forward just as the three suddenly ducked out the way letting her go sprawling all over the table.

“Damn it get back here!” That was the last straw, now it was clear he was definitely avoiding her. Oh she’d let him have it when she caught him.

Some movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to check the forward charge long enough to look out the window. A pony, a large pony, wearing what looked like stallion’s clothing....
“YOU’RE MINE!” With a roar to rival an enraged Fluttershy, Dash was out the window and off into the night.

“You sir, are REALLY good at hide and seek!”
Pinkie pulled her mask off as Links and Lyra followed suit, the latter giggling like a filly.
“Did you see her face?” She laughed, “That was the best thing ever!”

“You’ll need to teach me! Teach me!” Pinkie cried, bouncing around a rather relieved Cuff Links.
“One question though, why do you keep a spare suit on you?” she asked.

“More importantly,” Lyra interjected, “Where did you keep that spare suit?” her eyes shrank, and she shook her head, suddenly not wanting to know the possible answer, “Do you think Big Mac will be ok?” she tried again, moving the subject along.
He’d be fine, at least Links hoped so. He was a big pony, he could take care of himself. Then again, Rainbow had seemed pretty mad.

“That’s a good point, a veeeerrryy pointy point indeed.” Pinkie was leering into his face, with a look that just screamed ‘I’m on to you’.
“That’s because I am,” Quite how, or when, she had managed to climb onto his head Links couldn’t really fathom. Many things still eluded him about this mare, despite spending most of the night with The Pink.
Now peering at him upside down from a perch directly on top of his head Pinkie was clearly thinking, and thinking hard.

“Uh Oh,” Lyra decided this was probably a good time to find somepony else to talk to. Most ponies got a headache when Pinkie put her thinking face on. Whenever that face came out it was usually followed with a stream of things nopony else could ever get a handle on. Like the time she had spent most of a day staring at wet paint.

“I don’t think Dashie was playing. She really wanted to get you. And how would she have known you were having a game anyway, you haven’t talked to her all night? Which doesn’t explain how you knew that was Rainbow Dash!”
Excellent reasoning Pinkamina, except that there’s only one multicolour maned mare in all of ponyville, and ponies had been mentioning her all night. That was how Links had known to take measures to avoid bumping into her. It was probably fairly safe to say that she wanted to talk to him about as much as he didn’t want to talk to her. Ponyville was turning out to be full of surprises.

Oh nickers, he thought glumly, one just walked through the door.

She didn’t really want to go. Or at least that was what Rarity kept telling herself as she walked into Sugarcube Corner. She was just curious, especially since she didn’t even know if this new tailor was a mare or a colt. Walking around the party she could gather the public opinion, take a quick look at whichever pony it was then quietly leave again.

At least that had been the plan. The party was actually starting to wrap up, since Rainbow Dash had explosively left the room ponies had started noticing how late it was and were bidding a good night. Now there were barely a hoofull of ponies left and that made Rarity's rather late arrival stand out.

Feeling many pairs of eyes on her, Rarity decided on the only logical course of action.
Turning on her back hoof she walked right back out the door. She would find a different occasion to speak to the new tailor. Being late was not in fashion she decided.

The party was officially over. Rainbow Dash had left in a hurry, Rarity had practically fled and now the other big movers and shakers in the small town had decided it was their turn. Twilight had to take Spike home, he’d already fallen asleep, his trademark party lampshade hanging limply from one claw. Fluttershy had left at some point without telling anypony, but that wasn’t unusual. The Mayor had mentioned a day filled with paperwork and the Cakes were starting to clean up.

Pinkie Pie had decided to let the matter of Rainbow Dash drop for now, although there was no way she was surrendering her perch. The view from on top of Links was new, and he didn’t seem to mind too much for now. Using his mane as a steering mechanism Pinkie and Links were bidding ponies goodnight as they filed out the door into the night.

It had been a good party, even if she said so herself. Which she did, why wouldn’t she? Pinkie Pie, Pink Party Purveyor of Ponyville (TM) knew everything there was to know about parties, party food, party music and party games. What Links and Dashie had been playing all night was certainly not a game, she decided, however much fun it had been. There was something deep going on there, and she was going to get to the bottom of it. Because that’s what she did, get to the bottom of really really deep things, and she really intended to get to the bottom of this one.

For now though, she was quite happy standing on his head. She could get to his bottom later.

Are You Being Served?

Chapter 6

Why was there so much noise this early in the morning? Rarity was struggling to stay asleep, despite the insistence of something banging, over and over again. Couldn’t what ever it was just stop for another....hour? Or three?

Giving up entirely Rarity groggily got out of bed and headed downstairs, glowering the whole time. If this was another of Sweetie Belle’s attempts at ‘helping’ she was going to......

Well this was...new. The scene in the boutique was rather odd. For starters, there was evidence of some kind of scuffle. Here and there a fallen clothes horse, a bolt of torn fabric. It wasn’t exactly wrecked but it certainly wasn’t in the state she’d left it in. And to top it off it seemed the culprits were still here.

In the doorway a white unicorn was frantically holding the door shut while a wild eyed dark blue pegasus was pounding away at the locked door. It would have been comical if it wasn’t her boutique which was being abused.

“Stop this silliness, RIGHT, NOW.” Both mares in door stopped and looked up sheepishly.

“Yes sister, stop the silliness.” The white one was now grinning impishly at the one outside. “I did get here first after all.” So much raspberry blowing. These uncouth heathens were certainly not like Rarity’s usual customers.

“Look, I don’t care what’s going on here, but I think it’s about time for you both to leave.”
Both mares in the windows withered slightly under the ivory mare’s glare. The dark pegasus on the outside didn’t need any further hints before she was escaping the crazed fashionista faster than a Wonderbolt. The white one however was left scrambling with the locks she had done up at some point in the fight, her clouded sun cutie mark comically waving in the air in her attempts to flee the prison of her own making.

Despite the situation Rarity’s curiosity was starting to gnaw at her. “What exactly were you doing here anyway?” It was rather unusual for ponies to cause such a ruckus in ponyville. The white mare stopped scratching at the locks, as if just remembering something important.

“Ah yes, well you see, me and my sister are going to an...event.” She was composing herself, putting her pale pink mane back into place. “Yes, we’re attending an event in Canterlot and we decided that we needed new outfits.”

Rarity nodded, that made sense. If they needed new outfits then that was why they had come to a clothiers. “Erm, but if you both needed outfits then why were you fighting in my shop?”
The other mare looked at the floor, “Ah yes, you see we’d put on a bet, that that whoever managed to hook a......erm, whoever looked the best, yes whoever snagged the best outfit would win. Since the event required looking my very best anyway I knew exactly which pony to come to.”

This boosted Rarity's ego no small bit. If ponies were fighting over her services then she must really be getting popular. Well, designing royal wedding dresses would do that. Worrying over some unknown pony was silly of her after all.

“Why of course miss....?”

“Ah yes...I’m....Sunbeam!” Rarity noticed that the question seemed to have caught the mare on the wrong hoof. Who needed to think about their name? Not a problem, Rarity had dealt with stranger customers. Besides, she needed a new project to take her mind off things. Advertising at a big Canterlot event would be just what she needed to stay on top too.

“Ok then Sunbeam. Just come over here and we’ll measure you up.” The fashion unicorn gestured for the pink haired one to come over to a stand to be measured. Taking a measuring tape to all the major areas was a quick and easy task.

“Ah, miss Rarity?” Sunbeam seemed to suddenly remember something, “Could you, add a few inches to each of those? Oh, and the dress needs to be suitable for a pegasus.”

“Stranger and stranger..." Something about this pony seemed more than a little off, yet somehow familiar. "....Have we met miss Sunbeam?”

“No! Um, no we haven’t. Maybe you’ve just seen me around some Canterlot events. Were you at the Gala?”

Rarity's face darkened at the mention of that frightful night "Don't get me started." she growled tightly.
She became so lost in daydreams of throwing Blueblood off of Canterlot Castle that the designer missed the look of abject relief which flooded over the face of her guest.

The shop was filled with the familiar tinkle of the door bell. Links waited a second, but since it only rang once it seemed ok to venture out. Pinkie Pie couldn’t resist playing with it each time she came in. Checking his collar he turned to step into the shop proper. Opps, almost forgot to check his cuffs.

“Is anypony there?” Ah yes, who’s walked into the shop this fine morning with such a soft lilting voice? Stepping proudly around the screen Cuff Links took in the customer before him. She was a deep blue pegasus mare, with a...shiny mane? Was that a full moon cutie mark? And why was she looking at him oddly. Almost like there was...a...spark. If he didn’t know any better, that was the spark of madness, not too dissimilar to the one Pinkie had at all hours.
No, more like a hunter which has unexpectedly walked in on the perfect prey, disturbingly close to the one Rainbow Dash had at the party the other night. He really would have to find a way to make it up to Big Macintosh. Seems she's only gotten stronger over the years.

“Right....We have an order to place. You will be well compensated. It must be the best thing you have ever created, and it must be able to outshine anything made by any other.”

Yeup, that was definitely a wild gleam, and a wild order to boot.

“My name is Moonshine, and I will be attending a high class Canterlot event in the near future. These are the measurements you will need.” She hoofed him a sheet of paper. “I will also need you to attend, so here is a spare ticket.”

Whoh there, what kind of event was it where the designer attended? Was this some roundabout way of getting him on a date? Links took a look at the paper. Those were large measurements, bigger than a normal mare. The ticket was for the Canterlot Garden party, the second most exclusive event in Equestria, next to the Gala. He’d even heard both royal sisters were attending this year. It would be a big boon if he could have his work on display there, perhaps even bigger if he was there himself to promote.

“Then you’ll come?” Bringing himself back to reality he looked up from the ticket into the wide blue eyes of his customer only inches from his own.
When had she gotten so close!? Was she related to The Pink!? He had learnt over the last day or so to become really worried when he saw the kind of overly happy look Moonshine was wearing. It spoke of headaches in his immediate future.

“Excellent! If you’ll come, then I’ve won already!” This had sent the little blue mare dancing with joy, frolicking around the shop with abandon.

Why oh why did Links get the feeling that whether she won or not, he was going to lose?

Bonding at Breakfast

Chapter 7

It was early morning in Canterlot and the two royal sisters were just sitting down to breakfast. It was their favourite time of day, while the sun was setting and the moon was rising, both on the edge of the sky at the same time, a beautiful twilight state perfectly reflecting the opposing natures of the Solar and Lunar sisters. Strictly it was too late for dinner, and too early for breakfast, but this was their time. One they could share together.

“Did you manage to find a dress in the end?” Celestia was the first to speak, breaking a silence which had persisted between them since the previous morning. She did it with an innocent smile, the kind that said ‘Inside, I’m grinning wider than my face will actually let me right now.’

It was all Luna could do not to burst out in hysterics. This was too rich. While their conversation the day before had been originally about whether they were going to dress up for the Garden Party it had taken a rather different turn.

”Did you decide yet whether you intend to come to the garden party yet sister?” Celestia had passed on the invitations the day before. Luna had been sceptical about going, it would have been the first major public event for Luna since her return.
She’d even missed out on the wedding. She’d actually been looking forward to that, but then the changelings had messed that whole thing up, leaving Luna to clean up the mess. At least she’d gotten to enjoy some of the reception. An honest to goodness Pinkie Pie Party. It had been a hellova thing, who knew Twilight Sparkle was such a good singer?

“Yes, I think I’ll attend,” Luna had responded at length, “It would be good to reconnect with our subjects.”

“That’s fantastic!” Celestia was beaming at the news. The prospect of her sister finally getting out had made her day. ”If you’re coming then you’ll need something to wear, I’m afraid your wardrobe didn’t come through a thousand years of disuse and obscurity as well as you did.”

“You mean....my..all of them?” Luna had been heart broken. Many of those clothes had good memories attached. The moon alicorn hadn’t thought to check through all her old possessions since her return, many were still in storage and this revelation had taken her by surprise. “What do I do then ‘Tia? I can’t go to an event like that underdressed?”

“Of course not,” Had been the calm reply. “There are many ponies who would give their back hooves to make you a new ensemble. I know a few personally, or you could look in the papers.” She tossed that morning’s paper towards her sister. “In fact there’s an advert in here.”

“Will you be dressing up ‘Tia?” It had seemed an innocent question at the time. Luna hadn’t been expecting the sad glint in Celestia’s eyes, nor the response which followed.

“No, I won’t be. It tends to....engage the stallions a little too much.” This has surprised the Moon Princess, causing her to let out a surprised gasp louder than she had intended.

“You mean, the sight of you...causes...?” Celestia only nodded. “And yet you suggest I dress up so?”

Celestia smiled, “It’s a little different with you Luna dearest.”

“How so!” That was the indignant cry of a pride wounded. “Art thou saying we cannot elicit a reaction from stallions?” And that was the antiquated speech of a flustered Moon Princess.
“Why we believe that if thou can then we should have no problems at all attracting a stallion, or three even!”
“Care to bet on that, Woona?” The guards had blanched at that. When Celestia brought out the baby talk, things usually went downhill, very fast. “Whichever of us gets a stallion first at the Garden Party can say.....order the other around for a day?”

Luna was on her hooves in an instant, “Thou has a deal! We shall waste time no longer, we shall need a new dress!”

“Hehe, not if I get one fiiiirrrrsssttt.” Celestia already had her wings open and was halfway out the window. “Why I think I’ll just ask Rarity for a new dress myself.”

“Thou would not dare! Get back here foul temptress!” Luna was bursting after her sister in a heartbeat, leaving the guards standing in a stupor in the empty dining chamber.

They looked at each other for a few moments before seemingly spontaneously engaging in a game of rock, paper, scissors. The loser walked off, tail between his legs while his comrades breathed a sigh of relief. Nopony wanted to be the one to explain to Shining Armour the guard captain that both sisters had taken off, again.

Luna smiled sweetly back at her sister, the kind which said ‘go buck yourself’.
“Why yes sister dearest, we have. I took your advice and followed one of the adverts in the paper, and I found simply the most marvelous designer.” She couldn’t help but giggle slightly, despite herself. She’d found a designer alright, one which would serve a double purpose.
“I was thinking, why not invite Twilight Sparkle and all her friends along to the Garden Party as well?” the Princess of the Moon suggested, trying to keep a crowing note from her voice. “I’m sure they would love the opportunity. Doesn’t it also coincide with Twilight’s birthday? You could make that a theme if you wanted.”

Celestia considered for a moment, “That sounds like a wonderful idea! They can spend the day in Canterlot with us before heading on the party in the evening. Heavens know that I haven’t spent as much time with Twilight as I should have.”
Or as much as she wants, Luna mentally added.
“That’s a lovely idea. I’ll write to her after morning court.”

Luna rubbed her hooves together with glee.
Yes, let your faithful student come and see your shame sister. I will outshine you, win our bet and then I can spend my first few orders making you regret underestimating my charms.

In the back of a small shop in Ponyville, somepony shivered.

You Are Cordially Invited...

Chapter 8

“And then he just hung from the curtains like nothing was wrong, right as the Cakes walked in!” she was saying, “That’s why I was so late, it takes aaaaagggeeesss to bake iced tea!”

“Well this is becoming a familiar story.” Rarity giggled, while taking a sip of her tea, “I must confess to not knowing how you...bake iced tea though...” Pinkie was about to launch into one of her long explanations when a yelp came from the the other side of the park.

“Twi.....light....” Spike was gasping as he headed full speed into their midst. “I’ve got.....I have....a...letter.......BLURP..I need...to stop..to stop doing those while I’m out of breath...”

This sent the little group of mares giggling again, “Oh Spike, give that here.” Twilight picked the letter up with her magic and started to read through it. After a couple of passes she decided to read it aloud for all her friends to hear.

“Princesses Celestia and Luna cordially invite Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack to a party in the Canterlot Castle Gardens. Enclosed are your tickets. While not required your attendance is assumed, respond if your circumstances change.”

While all her friends broke out in collective whooping, Twilight produced the tickets from the bottom of the letter, “Hold on everypony, there’s more. ‘P.S. Luna suggested that since that day is also your birthday that we all spend some time together before the Garden Party. Feel free to come up to the castle the day before and stay with us until the day after the party.’ Yes yes yes YES! I get to spend time with Celestia! Best birthday present ever!”

All six were dancing around until Rainbow suddenly remembered something, “Wait a sec, wasn’t that the party where you had all those stuck up high class ponies who spent the whole time looking down on us and being snobby?”

“Oh don’t worry darling,” Rarity was already sketching on the ground, “After the last time I was assured by Fancy Pants himself that you’re all welcome any time. Besides, this time you’ll be properly prepared. It’s not as long or as large as the Gala and there’s quite the range of professionals there as well. For instance last time Melon Seed the head of the Seed Plantation Group was there.”

“Really?” This had Applejack interested, “He always seemed too down to earth fur these silly events.”

“Well he is, which is why the Garden Party is usually more relaxed than other events. I don’t know how it’ll be with both Princesses there this year though.” Rarity stood up, remembering something. “Sorry girls, I’ve just remembered that I have an order for the Garden Party to finish.” This elicited some worried looks from her friends. They all knew what happened when Rarity overworked herself.
“Oh don’t worry yourselves. I’ve not got any other orders to do at the moment, so I have no intention of overdoing it. I’ll catch you girls later.”

Just as the white unicorn was turning however, Spike suddenly burped up two more scrolls, surprising everypony.
“Huh? What’s this?” Twilight was turning them around in front of her with her magic. They seemed like normal letters from the Princess, except these did not have a royal seal. Neither were they for her. One had a label with ‘Rarity’ clearly stamped on it. “Humm, seems this one’s for you Rarity....odd that whoever it was would send it this way, dragon fire isn’t exactly common...”

“That’s alright Twilight dear, I’ll read it on the way.” Rarity took the letter with her own magic and headed back to the boutique. “Huh, I need to deliver the dress for Sunbeam to the Castle. Convenient, I guess.”

Once Rarity had walked off the other five ponies (plus one dragon) were all craning to see who the other letter was addressed to.
“Cuff Links? Isn’t that the new pony who moved in next to the Joke Shop?” the lavender unicorn spoke up, after finding the simple white label.

“Yeup, that’d be him.” Applejack confirmed.
Pinkie was scratching her chin, “Why would he be getting a dragon fire letter though?”

Fluttershy wasn’t paying much attention to the letter, she was more concerned with why Rainbow Dash suddenly looked several shades paler.
“Um, Rainbow....are you..um..ok?” she pipped up, unsure how to approach her normally confident friend.
“Did...did she say....Cuff Links?” Dash whispered, a tense look on her normally haughty brow.
“Y..yes, she did. He’s that new tailor....weren't you there at Pinkie’s welcome party?”
“Fluttershy...Can I...can I talk to you? Alone?” Fluttershy was getting a little scared. She’d never seen her oldest friend so disturbed for a very long time.
“Of course Rainbow, any time. Shall we...why don’t we go back to my cottage for a bit?
Rainbow nodded, a grateful smile tugging at her lips.
“Sure, let’s go.”
“Should we...tell the others where we’re going?” Fluttershy looked back at the other three as they debated where the letters had come from.
“No, let’s just...go. Please?” Rainbow looked dejected, like she'd lost all her dash.
Fluttershy and Rainbow turned away and headed back to the cottage, leaving Pinkie, Twilight and Applejack to come to a conclusion.

“Why don’t we just take it over?” Pinkie said at length.
Twilight was about to object, when she realised that was a perfectly sensible suggestion. She’d been expecting one along the lines of her last one, ‘Attach it to a kite and fly it though his window’.

“Sure, let's head on over every...pony? Where’s Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash?”
Pinkie looked up from the cupcake she’d been eating. “Oh they left a little while ago.”
This caused a raised eyebrow or two.
“Now why would they leave without sayin’ goodbye? That there’s mighty odd." Applejack shrugged "Never mind anyways, let’s just deliver this ‘ere letter.”

Over at the Collars and Cuffs, Links was working furiously on the outfit for Moonshine. It was the most ambitious thing he’d ever made. It was a midnight blue dress made of multiple layers. It was actually going to turn out more like multiple skirts, with lace edging and a ring of dark pearls at the collar. It was going to be beautiful. At least he hoped so.
*Tinkle*
Pause.
*Tinkle Tinkle Tinkle Tinkle Tinkle*
Ah. The Pink.
*Tinkle Tinkle Tink-*
“Pinkie Pie!”
Ah-ha! Pinkie and Applejack. Maybe he would be safe after all. Just in case, Links decided to put his top hat on. With any luck if something was already on his head there wouldn’t be any room for anything else.

“Excuse me, is a Mr Links home?”
That was a new voice. Putting the final flourish on the skirts in front of him Links turned to find himself face to face with a lavender unicorn.
“Ah hello, you must be the owner of this fine establishment.”
He nodded carefully, another bold one with personal space issues.
“Ah, excellent. I have here a letter that was delivered to me via dragon’s breath this morning.”
The mare hoofed it over as Links moved into the front of the shop. While Pinkie and this unicorn clearly didn’t mind coming around the back uninvited he thought it best to come around for Applejack’s benefit.
Reading through the letter, that chill he’d had that morning came back with a vengeance. The letter contained details for a stay at Canterlot Castle the day before the Garden Party. Arrive by train, ticket paid for, and deliver the dress to a particular room at a particular hour.
Great. This order was getting stranger and stranger.

“Oh oh oh! I’ve just had a fantastic idea!” Pinkie was having a moment. “Links, why don’t you make us dresses for the garden party!”
Say what now?
“That’s a great idea Sugarcube.” Applejack joined in, “Rarity’s busy with her own client so we don’t wanna burden her.”
“I guess we could, if that’s ok Mr Links?” Twilight turned from admiring some of the display pieces.
Well, he had just finished Moonshine’s order, so he would have time to do three more if he didn’t go overboard as much.
“That’s perfect! I can’t wait.” Pinkie Pie was bouncing around the shop again. “It’ll be so much fun!”

Fun, right.

With the Purity of Night

Chapter 9

Fluttershy was unhappy. Well, not exactly unhappy, but troubled. Not that Fluttershy had any troubles per-say, but nevertheless she certainly wasn't happy. Well, she was, she had a lot to be happy about, she had such good friends, her animals were all healthy, the sun was out, nothing had tried to eat her today. Oh just admit it Fluttershy, this thing with Rainbow Dash was bothering her.

She would never tell anypony that though, she couldn’t burden them with her problems. That wouldn’t be very nice.
Earlier, Rainbow Dash had told Fluttershy everything. It had all made sense, and the yellow pegasus should have seen it coming, the problem stemmed from a time way back and she had been there for some of it herself.
It wasn’t all that surprising though, the weather pony didn’t talk about it and the pony veterinarian had forgotten about it all together. It had been such a long time ago after all and so much had happened since.

Still, Fluttershy did her best to put it out of her mind for now. When she had left the cottage Dash had assured the demure yellow pegasus that she was fine, and felt better having told somepony about it. Even if listening was all she could do Fluttershy was glad to have helped her friend. Maybe there was something else she could do, but she didn’t want to go butting her head into other ponies business just yet. Maybe talk to the other party and see what was really going on.

That would have to wait though. Now she was heading to the Carousel Boutique to help Rarity with her orders. It just seemed right to be helping her spamate out with everything that was going on. If she didn’t, she was worried that Rarity would miss their appointment, and ever since that incident with Photo Finish the time Fluttershy spent with Rarity at the spa had become very precious.

Knocking on the door to the fashion shop, Fluttershy found the door to be open and the inside strangely quiet. All the drapes were drawn as well plunging the shop into deep shadow.
“Um, Rarity? Are you h-home?” If the fashionista was in the back then the timid call had no hope of being heard. Fluttershy knew this, but couldn’t bring herself to call out any louder than that for fear of disturbing somepony. Still, this unnatural darkness worried her. Why would Rarity close all the curtains in the middle of the day?
Taking a few cautious steps into the room the Pony Vet let her eyes adjust to the gloom. Just as she was managing to make out the shapes of some of the things around her, what she had thought was a clothes horse moved.
So naturally Fluttershy took the first course of action which came to her.
Freeze.
Not a movement nor sound escaped her as a terrified mind raced through all the possibilities this thing could be. Cockatrice? Hydra? Ursa?

“Fluttershy?”
“Sweetie Belle....” The poor pink maned pony slumped to the floor as all the tension left her in a rush.
“Why is it so dark in here? Where’s Rarity? What’s going on!?”
It was hard to see in the murky darkness, but it seemed Sweetie smiled.
“Come through into the back and we’ll show you. Sis just finished.”
Taking the older mare by the hoof, Sweetie Belle moved into the depths of the Boutique, deftly stepping around obstacles and through doorways. As they came into the back though, the shaft of light nearly blinded the now night adjusted pegasus.

Rarity was standing before her clothes horses, four of them in total. All of them contained simple flowing dresses of startling white, so pure as to give off their own brilliant radiance.
One was larger than the rest, and set prominently at the front. It had a train of soft pastel colours which Fluttershy found reminiscent of something and a line of shining pearls along the hem.

“Beautiful aren't they?” The mistress of the darkened domain spoke to her guest without turning around.
“I just....lost myself when making them. Before I knew it I’d made four of them, although the order only calls for one.” The unicorn sighed, the light playing off her brilliantly white flanks.
“I wonder if she would mind if we wore these others to the Garden Party ourselves? We wouldn’t want to upstage the customer. At least not this customer.” The last was said so quietly that the pegasus behind her wasn’t sure that her friend had even said it at all.

Fluttershy was in awe. They were the most beautiful things she had ever seen Rarity make. They were simple, yet inextricably elegant, the taller regalia in the centre looking like a queen with her attendants arranged around behind her.
“We....we could. But there’s only three, what about the others?”
This drew an even deeper sigh from the creator sitting before her creations.

“That’s just the thing dear,” She whispered, “This took every last spark I had. I’m not sure I could ever make anything like this again. They wouldn’t be the same, they wouldn’t contain the same....life.”

“I..I see...” Fluttershy wasn’t sure she did, but couldn’t bring herself to say that to her friend.

“It’s ok Fluttershy dear.” For the first time since the pegasus had walked in Rarity turned to look at her, the light glittering in her eyes, “I don’t think I do either. All I know is, there will be nothing like these ever again," A look passed across the seamstresses face as she considered her gracefully timid friend, "And I can’t think of anypony better to wear one than you. Celestia be damned you’d be nothing short of an angel in heaven."

Fluttershy turned her eyes back to the shimmering white fabrics. They were beautiful, and she certainly appreciated her friends work, but her, in one of those? She trembled at the thought. It reminded her too much of the time she’d spent as a model.
“I couldn’t Rarity, they’re just too nice,” she began, but the fashionista would have none of it.

“Poppycock! You will wear one to the ball Fluttershy, as will I. We will go out there with pride and no pony will say anything against it!”

There was more to the gleam in Rarity’s eyes now than just reflected light, it as the light of the spirit of generosity looking to soothe the soul before it, as well as more than a little of the fire of the fashionista aiming for the heavens.
“All right, I will.” Fluttershy looked at her hooves for a bit, cowed before the love her friend showed, both for her friends and her work.
“On one condition though. Rainbow’s been pretty under the weather lately. As in unhappy! Not as in...under...a weather cloud...literally....”
Again the white unicorn smiled, putting a foreleg around her friend.
“I understand dear. I think this would be just the thing for her.”

Somepony, was in his shop.
It was late, and Links had long since retired up to his small living space for a spot of dinner and putting his hooves up in front of the fire. It was then that he had heard the lightest of patters from the room below. Taking up a frying pan in his mouth Links cautiously moved down the stairs leading into the back of the shop. If it was Pinkie again......well he didn't really know what he was going to do. Probably end up using the pan in his mouth to make pancakes. Again.

Cautiously coming around the corner he was more than ready to go clubbing.
Instead he found his erstwhile customer, Moonshine, admiring his dresswork.
“You have made a true work of art here.” she whispered, acknowledging his appearance. She was looking at the dress he had made from as many angles as she could, taking in every fold and detail. “It is truly a worthy article.”
Putting down his frying pan Links moved to stand next to the strange mare which had somehow broken into his shop. He was proud of it. A strikingly complex design which both covered yet revealed something new with every step, like a cloud moving across a full moon. At least, that had been his inspiration.

“Ahhh, now what are these?” Moonshine had moved past the prominent display piece to the three behind it.
One was a plain black strapless number, with a sprinkling of almost star like sparkles around the hems. Another was a poofy dark blue free flowing gown, with plenty of room to move and dance about in. The last was almost a suit, with straight edges and a firm feel made from a smooth yet solid dark brown material.
These were the outfits Links had made for Twilight, Pinkie and Applejack. It had been a trying afternoon, with Pinkie dancing around, Twilight wanting to make notes on everything he did and Applejack protesting at wearing any kind of formal attire.

“Ah, so these must be for..." As realisation dawned a slight smile spread onto her lips, one which spoke both of fond memories and lost pain "...I see, that’s perfect then.” Moonshine went for a bag which she had placed on the corner of a counter and took out one of the object contained within.
“We would wish that these be included somewhere in the design. They are from....a previous item which has become unusable. They hold sentimental value and we would like to see them used again."

Links was awestruck. It was a deep amber jewel which sparkled softly as if a full moon was reflected in its depths. He had seen nothing like them, they must be very valuable.
“We have no objections if you wish to include one or two in these other items.” She gestured to the other clothes behind, “We are....known, to the owners of those and owe them much. It would be fitting if they had this token from us.”
Uhhuh. Why did it not surprise him that this very odd customer knew all the crazies in this town?
“You received our letter?” Links nodded. Quite why she couldn’t have just posted it he had no clue.
“Perfect. We will expect you at the Castle then. Good night Mr Links.”

With that the strange blue mare turned and walked back out through the front of the shop. Links followed her out, and noted that for some reason, when Moonbeam opened the door, the bell didn’t make a single sound. Not only that, when we went to re-lock the door he found it already locked.
Great, not only did he now have to find a way of incorporating a collection of gems probably worth more than all of Ponyville into a dress he thought finished, but he also needed to get his locks changed.
What a night.

First Class Delivery

Chapter 10

Horseapples.
At least, that was the expletive Links had decided upon after eliminating several more colourful options. He had arrived at Ponyville station after spending all night adding the moon garnets to the four dresses. He’d even taken two of the smaller ones and fashioned them into cufflinks for his own evening suit. The lot now worked as a perfect set.

He’d arrived early, hoping to get some sleep on the train when he’d seen six mares he’d really hoped not to see. Crowded at the other end of the platform Pinkie Pie and her friends were having an animated discussion, all while the white designer balanced a set of boxes on her back.
Links himself had several boxes, having offered to deliver Applejack, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie’s own formal wear along with his own and Moonshine’s to the castle. He hadn’t expected them all to be coming so early on the same train.

Dropping off the packages in the delicate goods car Links ducked behind the guard's van and started to rummage, there had to be something in there he could use to hide. Pinkie had that look of a mare on a mission. Not only that, but that yellow mare looked familiar, an old itching memory, a perfect picture, the yellow and the cyan pegasus together. It made him nervous.

Tingly hooves, floppy ears, dry tongue, black splotches in the vision. Ohhh! That’s the combo for somepony’s hiding from Rainbow Dash! Well, except the last bit, that just meant she’d been holding her breath too long. Pinkie took a deep breath, clearing her field of view of the funny black dots. Silly dots, she couldn’t see if they were going to get in her way.

The pink party mare took a look around the station, she had a fairly good idea who she was looking for and was aiming her keen Pinke Senses towards looking for the errant stallion. Why was he avoiding her rainbow friend. That’s not very nice of him. Whatever it was between them clearly had Dashie upset, and nopony makes Pinkie’s friends upset.

“Dashie, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” Pinkie finally remembered that she could just ask the cyan Pegaus herself, but when she opened her mouth again to actually ask it was filled by a hoof the colour of butter. Muuummm, why couldn’t Fluttershy actually taste of butter, that would be so neat?
Pinkie’s yellow friend was giving her a look, the kind that said, ‘speak of this again and I will Stare You into next Monday.’ Pinkie wasn’t exactly worried about being on the receiving end of The Stare, but even she couldn’t stand up to its power and anything which caused assertive Fluttershy must be important.
The Pink Party Pony nodded slowly, she’d gotten the message, and Fluttershy removed her hoof. None of the others had seemed to notice this exchange and the conversation was continuing, something about what they all planned to do once they got to Canterlot Castle.
Fluttershy gave Pinkie one last warning look, before joining back into the conversation.

“Oh yes, I’d love to spend some time in the gardens, although that may be difficult with the party preparations.”

This was getting curiouser and curiouser. So Fluttershy knows, Rainbow Dash knows, and Links knows. Wait a second, does everypony but Pinkie Pie know!? That was not a fun thought at all.
Hold on, twitchy eye, shaky hip, conga flank....somepony in the baggage car? Pinkie Pie investigator extraordinaire is on the case!

The train pulled into Canterlot Station, disgorging a stream of life onto the streets of the capital. It the midst of the maelstrom a group of five pastel ponies began moving with purpose towards the castle.
“So tell me again where Pink went?” The cyan streak of the group asked the lavender one.
“Why should I know? It’s not like I’m her keeper or anything.” the purple colour replied, slightly miffed at the grilling.
“I’m sure she’ll turn up eventually, right when we’re least expecting her.” The white one chimed in. “For now let’s get to the castle so we can drop these boxes off and enjoy the pre-party.”
The rest of the spectrum agreed. “Let’s go meet Celestia, she did empty her day for us after all.”
Moving off in the direction of the stone edifice above the city, the little pony pallet moved themselves closer to the climax of the day.

Was this girl psychic or something!? Did she have a horn hidden under all that hair? No matter what Links did, Pinkie always seemed to be a step ahead.
He’d started in the baggage car, deep amidst the towering boxes and piles of bags. She’d popped the door open and taken a dive, swimming the baggage like a pool in search of her target. She'd gotten close when he had slid out the side and moved around the side to the next carriage.
From there it simply became a parody like one of those cartoons in the newspapers, with the cat and mouse.
They'd gone from the front of the train to the back, both over and under it as well. At one stage Pinkie had even jumped out of the firebox in the engine, startling everyone in the little cabin.
In the end he had jumped the train just outside of the station. Extreme, but even then it hadn’t worked. In the end, all he’d done was land in pile a cushions, right next to a Pink pony.

Fine, if she wanted to know so badly, then he’d tell her, whatever she wanted to know. It wasn’t worth running any more.

“So, it’s about time I got to your bottom.”

On second thoughts, running sounded like a good idea all over again.

Melting the Butter in the Pan

Chapter 11

This was the best birthday ever!
Twilight had spent all morning since arriving in Canterlot with Celestia. Pure, unadulterated, uninterrupted time with the princess. It was fantastic! So far they had spent reading time in the library, taken walks in the garden, enjoyed a massive lunch together with Princess Luna and they had just come back from spending a couple of hours in the Castle Spa.
It was a shame that the lavender unicorn would have to share her time when the party started. All the more reason to take advantage of every second until then.

“So what should we do now princess?” Twilight looked up at her mentor, eyes all shining and eager.
Celestia looked down with a soft smile for her student and friend.
“I was thinking we could go and see the dresses Rarity made.” the princess indicated a door down the hall.
“They should have been delivered in there.”
The pair of them wandered into the dressing room and looked at the various boxes, identifying each of them. Celestia was only slightly surprised to note that there was a dress for all six of the girls. There were also three more boxes, ones marked for Celestia, Luna and a last one, marked with an L.
So Rarity worked out who she was making her dress for? Luna clearly hadn’t hidden herself either, or at least, just as badly as Celestia had.

“Shall we try them on, see how they fit?” The princess glanced at the pupil, a grin all over her face. “I’d like to see what she made for you.”

Twilight blushed the colour of the a fresh sunset, “Ah...well....Rarity didn’t make mine. A new friend in Ponyville did.”
This was a surprise for the white Alicorn. “A new friend?” Celestia searched her memory, had Twilight sent a report recently about a new friend? “Well that’s lovely Twilight, what’s she like?”
Despite her dark coat the unicorn had now turned to a colour closer to noon.
“His name is Cuff Links. He’s moved into that empty shop next the joke place. The one Rainbow got that frog from.” Celestia cringed, she hated that memory. “He’s a really nice pony.”
That snapped her back. Twilight had made a colt friend? Her faithful student?
“Um, so you asked this new friend to make your dress for the party? Why not ask Rarity, I’m sure she would have been more than happy to I’m sure.”
Twilight was now shuffling uncomfortably on her hooves.
“Well you see Rarity had this big order so....some of us asked Links to make ours, to save her the trouble....”
This hit Celestia like a freight train. So because she had gone and and made that bet with Luna and charged on down to Rarity’s shop she had ended up driving Twilight to some Stallion?

“Shall we try on our dresses Princess?” Twilight had a little smile on her face as she lifted her dress box with that soft purple glow. “I’d like to see what Rarity made for you.”

“Of course Twilight.” The white Alicorn wasn’t paying attention though. She was imagining Twilight with a Stallion, and she didn’t like what her mind’s eye saw.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
Links had finally made it to the Castle, the depths of his bottom unplumbed. Instead of facing The Pink however, in the halls of the great castle he was faced with something which seemed so much worse.
The yellow pegasus, friend to Pinkie, Applejack and the others. And friend to Rainbow Dash.
He had come around the corner, and came face to face with the yellow mare. There had been, a moment, where Links had tried to dodge the angry look in the eyes of the pegasus before him, but then she caught him, eyes locked to his with a focus that could cut diamonds. That stare, he couldn’t move, couldn’t shift his eyes from those glaring orbs.

“You’re hurting her.” They were plain simple words, yet they cut like a knife.
Cuff Links knew it was true though. Why did he know those eyes? Those hard, yet caring eyes.
Eyes like that, powerful and heartfelt, soft and special. Ah, Rainbow’s friend Fluttershy, silly of him to forget, he’d been sweet on her once, but it was a coltish crush from long long ago. So this is the mare that kind, shy filly had grown into. He hadn’t seen much of her, they hadn’t been friends directly, but he remembered nevertheless.

“You’re hurting her, and it isn’t fair.” She moved forward slowly, and used a hoof to slide his trousers down a little, exposing the cutie mark hidden underneath. She didn’t even look at it, her eyes never leaving his own, yet his flank burned at her touch nevertheless.
“Why do you hide it, do you hate her that much?” Hate, such a strong word was surprising to hear from the gentle pegasus.
Hate her? No, he didn’t hate her....well, not hate. It just...hurt.
Links glared back, startling the yellow pegasus a little, although her gaze never wavered. He was hurting her. Was it that hard to imagine that he was hurting too?
The level of her gaze still wouldn’t budge, even though he was giving back almost as much as he got. Either way, he couldn’t move till she let him. So they were stuck there, eyes burning into each other.
Suddenly, Fluttershy dropped her gaze, undoing the spell her eyes had cast on all his muscles.
“Talk to me. Can you tell me why you’re hurting? We used to be friends once too.”
Friends, was that what she thought they’d been? It warmed his heart to hear her say it.

Links pointed to a side room and the two walked in for a decade long overdue talk.

By The Light of A Thousand Stars

Chapter 12

Well this was different.
The traditional Canterlot Garden Party didn’t seem to have a shred of tradition left in it. Somewhere along the line Luna had gotten involved, along with a few friends she had made over the last year when enjoying her new found ‘night-life’.
The simple canapés and cakes had been replaced with three large full on buffet tables.
The normal classical band had also been replaced with a large stage, multi-coloured lights and large amplifiers dominating the group of rock ponies grouped in the middle, arranging and setting up their instruments.
About the only thing which remained the same was the guests. Still dressed in formal Canterlot fashions they began to filter in, taking in all the new sights and sounds. A few seemed pensive, Jet Set and Uppercrust both taking in the new décor and atmosphere with looks of confusion and worry.
Others seemed to embrace the change, with Fancypants leading a small group over to talk to the band before they began their set.

Inside the castle itself, two very important ponies were making final preparations.
Celestia was simply flabbergasted as she regarded herself in the mirrors of her dressing chamber. The dress Rarity had made fitted like a second skin, apparently the fashionista had worked out without too much difficulty after receiving the dragon fire letter who she was really making it for and had compensated perfectly. The combination of the radiant dress with the inner light of the princess of the sun made for the picture of heavenly beauty, something truly fitting for a goddess, at least that’s what the label had proclaimed.
While showing off their respective dresses Celestia and Twilight had called in the others to see their complementing dresses and had been more than happy to offer Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy to personally accompany the princess to the garden party after seeing the designer’s stunning work. The four of them would make quite a stir, a gaggle of nothing less than angels descending on the gathering. The pastel princess giggled into her hoof, with the four of them looking so ravishing she may have more competition than just her sister by simple accident. Still, winning wasn’t everything, and she was overjoyed that the others seemed to have enjoyed themselves so over the course of the day, and looking forward to the night.

After checking out the dress the Sun Princess was to wear, Twilight had looked in her own box. The lavender unicorn had been bowled over at the stunning simplicity of her outfit, it suited her perfectly. A simple, straight, strapless number with just the right amount of sparkles around the edges. The crown of the piece though was two arrangements of moon garnets in the shape of the magical mare’s cutie mark on the flanks, their soft inner lights playing off the shimmering hems. The teacher and student had simply stared it in stunned silence, until Luna had walked in and collected both student and accompanying articles.
The moon princess lead Pinkie, Applejack and Twilight to her own preparation area, the four of them talking animatedly. Along the way they dropped the suit off in the adjoining room and went to beautify themselves before the party.
Pinkie Pie’s billowing ball gown had been given three shining broaches of moon garnets in the shape of balloons, which she found oddly hilarious. Applejack was stunned to find a simple necklace included with her sheer skirt modelled after the element of honesty.
All agreed though that the princess of the night looked by far the most captivating. A whole range of stones had been incorporated into the multi layered design so that each time the dark alicorn moved it appeared to show off a different phase of the moon peeking through her lacy flanks.

Out in the garden the party was beginning to get into full swing. Fancypants was enjoying a soft rock number by the stage and many other ponies had taken to joining him on the dance floor. In another corner, the traditional croquet had been replaced with poker tables instead. The buffet table was crowded and the party was set with a pleasant atmosphere.

And then the princesses walked in.
Flanked on both sides by shining winged angels Celestia drifted down from the parapets amid the awestruck attention of everypony present. As the solar princess made greetings it also did not escape notice as Fancypants took this opportunity to escort Rarity out into the party in her own flowing while ensemble. The five of them then took up a position to the side of the stage making greetings and small talk to the other ponies in attendance.
It was barely noticed when Fluttershy snuck a chance to talk to the band.

The next big reveal though came in the form of three dark clad mares. Twilight Sparkle, marching alongside Pinkie Pie and Applejack made a dramatic entrance from one of the ballroom arches, drawing appreciative stares and the occasional cat call. Blushing furiously Twilight almost ran over to stand by Celestia, her friends in tow.

Then Luna walked in.
If Celestia could have unhinged her jaw she would have, for it struggled to hit the floor.
The princess of the moon was ravishing in her dark skirts, but on top of all that, she was stepping out, with a stallion, tall and dressed in matching shirt and tails with shimmering cufflinks.
Rainbow Dash chose this moment to almost have a heart attack.
“The princess came with him!?”
Fluttershy spared only a brief look of concern for her friend before turning her gaze back to the pair.
The two stepped out into the waiting crowds, making greetings and small talk before the stallion with the princess excused himself to approach the stage.

“So this is that new designer?” Rarity took him in. He had impeccable style she had to admit. A well designed suit and perfectly quaffed dark brown mane. His coat was a complementary lighter shade and his cutie mark, barely visible under the tails of his jacket.....
The alabaster unicorn let out a small gasp. A needle, with a multicoloured rainbow thread.

Cuff Links approached the microphone and cleared his throat.

“It’s an honour to address the Party tonight.” his deep voice was clear and bright, ringing out across the space and instantly gaining undivided and rapt attention from everypony present.
“I would like to thank the guests for my indulgence and dedicate this song to some special ponies. The first is the lovely mare I have the joy of accompanying tonight, the amazing mare responsible for this fantastic night we all get to enjoy. The beautiful princess Luna!”
This was met with a round of enthusiastic applause as the mare of the moon turned a deep shade of red. The band started up at this stage, opening up for the big number.
“The other is somepony very special to me. My dear sister who I now have the joy of seeing again after nearly ten years. I always knew she was great, but now all of Equestria does too. The best young flyer in all of Equestria, Rainbow Marie Dashington!”

Now, we play our final hand,
Move in closer, understand,
This time like never before,
Only the black queen scores,
A card so high and so wild,
We should burn it,

The luck of a thousand stars,
Can't get me out of this,
The luck of a thousand stars,
Losing its charm,

Rainbow Dash was crying now, tear spilling as she looked up at him from besides the stage.
“Cuffbert....”
Wordlessly Fluttershy gathered her friend up in a soft hug, just holding her close.
Pinkie Pie had managed what Celestia hadn’t, her jaw spread out all over the grass while Twilight worked her own mouth wordlessly in an attempt to find something to say.

There are people I have loved,
Hypnotized by lies,
In defensive disguise,
Some say protect and survive,
I say it's over,

The luck of a thousand stars,
Can't get me out of this,
The luck of a thousand stars,
Losing its charm,

Luna and Links had met up before the party, the Lunar princess coming into his preparation room to explain who it was he had really been working for. What she found surprised her to say the least. Links had quite quickly worked out who it was he was designing for. Like many designers he had his own estimates on the sizes for the royal pony sisters. In the end it turned out he’d only marginally underestimated the size of her flank, not that he would ever tell anypony that. With that awkward moment already out the way they had instead discussed benal little things. Nothing had prepared the night princess for this. Luna was left in front of the stage, marveling at the stallion before her.
“Maybe I made a choice greater than any bet....”

Hold me through the darkest night,
I feel secure in your arms,
While all the city's on fire,
Its not between you and me,
But we are losing,

The luck of a thousand stars,
Can't get me out of this,
The luck of a thousand stars,
Losing its charm,

“Tell me Links, why do you all hurt so much?” Fluttershy had almost begged the stallion while they talked back in the castle.
“How else can we feel?” Had been the sad reply. “We were moving to Manehatten and Rainbow refused to come with us. Mother and Father were so disappointed when she dropped out of the academy that they ended up not caring. They just...chucked her out." He stared dejectedly at the floor, "And I....I did nothing while they threw my little sister out. I'm a terrible pony and an even worse brother."
The pair of them had been on the verge of tears. In the end, Fluttershy simply gave him a hug.
“But you don’t hate her do you? Why would you hide from her?”
This made the stallion all the more uncomfortable. “I...I just don’t know what to say. We’ve ignored her for nearly ten years, pretended she wasn’t part of our family. How do I make that up to her?”
This elicited a slight chuckle from the yellow mare. “Easy, you just make her a part of your family now.”
Links had looked up at that, gazing into the those blue eyes, "Heh, figures you'd say that. You always were the kindest Filliy I knew, Flutters."

The luck of a thousand stars,
Can't get me out of this,
The luck of a thousand stars,
Losing its charm,

Scream Your Heart Out!

Chapter 13

When our time is up,
When our lives are done,
Will we say, we've had our fun?

The night sky above was cold and unforgiving.
With no princess to guide the stars, they sat in their heavenly observatory and cared not for the whims of the souls which dwelt beneath.
It was chilly in Cloudsdale, but anything but peaceful. From a large detached cloud mansion the sounds of raised voices could be heard, and the occasional sound of breaking glass and ceramic.

Will we make a mark this time?
Will we always say we tried?

”You what!?”
A deep masculine voice, proud and scorning lashed at the sky above.
“I got kicked out! So what?” A smaller, higher voice, filled with with the kind of anguish only a child could know squealed its own protest.
“I was never going to be good enough for you whether I got through the academy or not! What difference does it make?”
“What difference? What difference!?” More roaring, more smashing.
“You would have one of our family, a Dashington, be known to have not only failed the academy, but been thrown out!?”
“You don’t give a damn about family, all you care about is the name! Your name and reputation. Don’t talk to me about family!” The fires of a young heart, the tears of a torn soul ripped forth.
“You’re damn right you ungrateful brat! That name means everything! Everything!”
A shape skips through the night sky.
A smack rings out. A heavy, wet sound.
The stars look on.
Someone screams.

We're standing on the rooftops,
Everybody scream your heart out!
Standing on the rooftops,
Everybody scream your heart out!

From the stage, Cuffbert Linksforth Dashton spread his wings, pouring his voice, his feeling, his regrets into the microphone before him. Nothing he could ever do would make up for that night, for failing his little sister, for cowering in the room above while their father reigned terror down. Nothing would gain back a single minute of the ten years they had spent apart when their father had fled his shame, the stain on his honour, his own daughter. But Links would be damned if he lost another second. It was time, for them to be part of a family together. A real family, a true family, even if it was just the two of them.

All the love I've met,
I have no regrets,
If it all ends now, I'm set,

It had taken a full three months for for the multi-hued filly to recover. Almost every bone in her left wing had been shattered by the fall, and her back legs had been dislocated and bent into unnatural angles.
It was pure luck she was alive at all, her injuries caused by impacting into an airship making deliveries, if it hadn’t been passing it was a one way ticket to the cold earth below.

Will we make a mark this time?
Will we always say we tried?

The broken little creature hadn’t said a single word since she arrived in the hospital complex. Her family had been contacted, and an adult had come and signed some papers but nothing more had been seen of them. He hadn’t even come to look at her. The doctors whispered, when they thought she couldn’t hear. The family was gone, moved away to a far off city. They had left assurances that they would return for the child, but none of the nurses and doctors actually believed it. Quietly, they were making arrangements for her long term care.

On the eve marking the start of the fourth month of her stay, a little yellow bundle of worry came bounding into the stark white room, breaking in on the empty dejection of its very alone occupant.
The yellow bundle pleaded, worried and wept for its dear friend. What had happened to the brave heart in her breast? Would that strong body ever be the same? Would she ever smile again?

We're standing on the rooftops,
Everybody scream your heart out!
Standing on the rooftops,
Everybody scream your heart out!

It would take a long time, and much kindness to heal the deadened heart, much more so than the shattered body, but the broken little creature would laugh again, play again and love again.
It would grow into a fine, sleek animal with many awards and accolades of its own, and many which it could call friend.
It looked up now, at the beast bearing its soul to the crowd before it from the dazzling stage.
Now, it had regained something else it had lost that day all those years ago, a brother, and a family.

Standing on the rooftops,
Wait until the bombs drop,
This is all we got now,
Scream until your heart stops,

Never gonna regret,
Watching every sunset,
We'll, listen to your heartbeat,
All the love that we found,

The party was at a standstill. Everypony present knew they were being witness to a Moment, one of those points in time where something momentous is happening. Even if they weren't directly involved, the raw and pure feelings on display reached everypony present. From paupers to princesses none that night left without touching some deep part of the soul.

Two princesses in particular dwelt on their own separation, and how a long and painful departure from one another can cause much bitterness and pain, but also how a beautiful reunion could go a long way to healing even a millennium of wrongs.

Scream your heart out!
Scream your heart out!
Scream your heart out!
Scream your,

Standing on the rooftops,
Everybody scream your heart out!
Standing on the rooftops,
Everybody scream your heart out!

Partners

Chapter 14

The night sky above was warm and welcoming.
With its princess to guide the stars they sat in their heavenly observatory and twinkled joyfully for the wishes of the souls which dwelled beneath.
It was noisy in Canterlot, but it was anything but unpleasant. From a large garden beside the castle sounds of cheerful voices could be heard, and the occasional sound of clinking glass and pleasant conversation.

The band on stage had gone back to simpler, background numbers after the stallion singing had taken his leave. Coated in sweat he had leapt down from the stage to where a thoroughly impressed moon princess had a glass of chilled punch ready for her dashing date.
“You are quite something Cuff Links.” She remarked, flicking some of the worst of the drenching sweat from his mane. It looked good on him she had to admit, the rugged working look.
“After that performance I’m quite surprised you haven’t got something singing related for your cutie mark.” Luna giggled ash he turned and gave her a dirty look.
“Actually,” he began, his voice was surprisingly deep and solid, yet soothing. The princess of the moon was surprised at that, but even more surprised that she was surprised. If that made sense? Surely they’d had conversations before? Right? Why was she not so sure she had heard him speak all of a sudden?
“Are you ok princess?” Links was looking into her face, trying to understand her look of consternation.
“Ah yes I’m fine. You were saying?” Luna smiled down at him, intrigued.
“Yes...well, I took up singing as a hobby long after I got my cutie mark.” Links explained, scratching the back of his head with a fore-hoof in embarrassment. “I was never really all that.”
The moon princess chuckled, “Oh I quite disagree, you really were all that. I don’t think I’m the only one to think so though.”
While the tailoring pegasus put on a look of confusion the dark alicorn turned and gestured to the knot of mares over in the corner of the stage. Fluttershy was propping up a blubbering Rainbow Dash who was looking up at her brother with her light rose eyes.
“Go on, we can talk another time,” she put a slender leg to his rump and gave a soft shove. “Right now, you have some catching up to do.”

Rainbow wasn’t the only one to find the night’s events overwhelming.
Rarity had decided to slip away to cry in a corner and Fancypants had slipped off to make sure she was all right. Pinkie Pie seemed to be broken, having not picked her jaw off the floor the whole time, staring into empty space, and Applejack was waving a hoof in front of her face in a vain attempt to snap her out of whatever stupor she was stuck in.

Twilight Sparkle herself couldn’t help but be in a daze. There she was bearing witness to the the reunification of siblings after a ten year separation.
“It’ll make quite the report won’t it?” The lavender unicorn nearly jumped right out of her skin, having totally forgotten the solar goddess was just behind her. While the white alicorn chuckled her student visibly pulled her frayed thoughts back together.
“Uh, yes I guess it would. Should I get right on that?” The thought had sparked that wild look the little unicorn sometimes got, the one which experience said could lead to big big problems if let out of control.
Celestia giggled at her student’s discomfort. “Not now Twilight, I was kidding.” The relief her student let off at that was palpable, with several stray and frizzy strands of mane spontaneously resetting themselves in reflection of their owner’s mood. Now the solar alicorn was outright laughing. Seeing Twilight go from frazzled to relived like that was too cute.
“Just relax Twilight, enjoy the party,” She gave the purple student a slight nudge with her hip towards the group by the stage. Rainbow Dash seemed to have stopped crying and had stopped hugging the poor stallion long enough for him to breath again.
“It seems the intimate personal talk is over, why not go and join your friends, lighten the mood?”
Twilight turned her face up to her mentor, her eyes soft and kind, smiling along with her mouth.
“I think I’ll do just that. Thank you Princess.”

Celestia watched as her student turned to go, wondering quietly. So much had changed in little Twilight Sparkle since she went to live on her own in Ponyville. Perhaps it was time to get reacquainted with her protege.

As ponies began to move in to talk to their ruler and solar goddess, many of them noticed an odd little kind of smile playing across her face.

“Are you all right there Rarity?”
Fancypants had been a little concerned for his friend ever since she had hastily escaped from the stage area during the second headline song. He’d found her by the drinks table pouring glass after glass of what seemed to be pretty hard spirits. Judging from how erratic her telekinesis had become he’d arrived several glasses too late.

“I’m f-fine.” She croaked, knocking back another glass. “Just need some.....liquid courage.”
The stallion frowned before taking both glass and bottle from her grip.
“I think you’ve had enough courage without that my dear.”
She turned and swatted at him weakly with a fore-hoof. “Nonsense!” she cried, a little too loudly for decorum, “I’ll need all I can get to face nobility after all those years of looking down on her.”
The alabaster unicorn was surprisingly lucid, with no hint of a slur in her voice. Her hooves however were another matter entirely and Fancypants moved to sit her down before she collapsed all over the drinks table.
“I mean, sure I was Rainbow’s friend...but that didn’t stop me from looking down on her for being such a.....ruffian all the same. Now it turns out she’s a Dashton!? How do I make that up to her?” The mare turned and looked him in the eyes, a look which despite her inebriation unnerved him a little, or maybe it was causing him disquiet because she was more than a little well oiled.
“And to top it off, did you see those dresses her brother made? He’s as important as she is, he’ll draw all the nobility with skills and reputation like that.”

This was getting silly. More than silly, Rarity was beginning to wear on Fancypant’s famously tolerant nerves. How anypony like her could sit there and wallow in self pity and dengration was beyond his ability to simply cope with.
“Now you listen to me young lady.” Using his own telekinetic aura the stallion hauled her to her limp hooves and held her there, eye to eye as he bore into her.
“You are not a bad friend for not knowing about Miss Dash. She didn’t tell anypony about it, and from what I know of the Dashtons with good reason too. If even half the things which are said about that family are true it comes as no surprise to me that their children would want to escape that name.” The last was almost spat with disgust. The Dashtons were well known for abusing their name and position in the most unpleasant of ways.
He was shaking her a little by now, subconsciously trying to shake some sense into her limp form.
“So you shouldn’t feel a single lick of guilt about that. As for Mr Links’ dressmaking he certainly has a lot of skill and flair, but have you seen what Princess Celestia is wearing tonight? Isn’t it the most fantastic thing? A perfect match for her and complement to her sister. I hear a certain mare from ponyville made it, she must have quite the fantastic talent herself.”
This drew a weak smile from the fashionista.
“So stop this nonsense right now. You are neither a bad friend or a bad designer. You are neither bad company nor unbecoming either before you start.” he finished, cutting off something the white mare before him was about to say. Instead she closed her mouth and looked down sheepishly.

“Now, since you asked so nicely and my dear wife was indisposed I agreed to accompany you tonight, but all you’ve done so far is mope,” now he was teasing her, a tone of mock affront to his voice.
Taking the bait Rarity stood and turned, her eyes full of their usual spark once more.
“Well then Sir Fancypants,” she giggled, linking a foreleg with his and leaning into him slightly. He didn’t move to distance himself, she wasn’t being familiar (at least, he hoped not) but she simply couldn’t stand upright yet without help.
“I’ll need to see about making that up to you.” she crooned quietly into his ear.
Turning a rather bright shade Fancypants started towards the group of Rarity's friends as a matter of minor urgency. Maybe it would be a good idea to get a little distance, at least until she sobered a little.

Funny Kooky or Funny Cranky?

Chapter 15

This party, was like no other party she had ever known.
Which was saying something, since she had been to many, many MANY parties.
Two hundred and forty seven different parties in fact. Oh OH two hundred and forty eight if you include the party she was at right now. There had been birthday parties, get well soon parties, welcome back parties, going away parties, congratulations on winning your seventh rodeo party and even a sorry you didn’t win the rodeo party. This ... this was still new. At no time could she ever remember being at a ‘sorry for abandoning you ten years ago but lets be brother and sister again’ party. It was also a ‘lets celebrate our two awesome princesses party’ but she’d been to many of those so that wasn’t really a new experience.

So the next question, now she knew what kind of party it was, was what exactly did you do at this kind of party? There was Rainbow Dash, with her super singing brother, talking to Fluttershy and Twilight about … something. Up until a moment ago Applejack had been marvelling at being able to fit her whole head inside my mouth, hat and all. That wasn’t so strange, I can get my mouth that big for you any time AJ you silly. No, what was odd was the looks Princess Luna was giving Links, that was a funny kooky kind of look, like the one Cup Cake sometimes gave Carrot Cake in the evening. Evenings they usually asked her not be around. Would Princess Luna prefer she wasn’t around right now? If she would rather they weren't around that wouldn’t be very kindly or princessy of her to wish they weren't there, even if it was technically their party.

Speaking of funny kooky looks, Princess Celestia was giving Twilight a funny cranky look, the kind that Cup Cake would sometimes give Carrot Cake when he gave those funny kooky looks to mares passing the shop. She would usually try not to be around after one of those. Oh, would being around Princess Celestia be a bad idea at the moment? Ooooohhh, this was so frustrating, the two important Princessy Ponies didn’t seem to want to be at the party at all, in fact they really seemed like they wanted to be alone for a bit. Well, not quite alone as in no other ponies at all, if she didn’t know better it was more like they wanted be alone with certain some ponies. But a party of two couldn’t be very fun, it’s the loneliest number since the number one don’t you know?

Oh Oh OH! Linksy is waving me over. Now I can stop tasting the grass and go and talk to them!
I can also stop changing perspectives at random, it makes things hard to read.

The grass around here didn’t taste any good anyway.

Well that sealed that deal.
After calling the black clad party pony over Links turned to his shining white sister, responding to some comment.
“I’m just glad to have you back Rainbow.” He gave her a big hug, what felt like the hundredth that night, and yet still a thousand too few.
They had spent a little time, with the ice-breaking powers of an earnest Fluttershy literally pushing Rainbow by the flank to confront the dark demons of their past.
It had been hard, heart in throat, chokingly hard. Links had no real idea what had happened that fateful night and hearing her side and the aftermath had left him burning. He was oddly surprised to find that she had no ill will towards him for abandoning her, she saved it all for their father. Links however felt he had enough self loathing for both of them.

When Rainbow had come home that night he had been upstairs and when the shouting had started, he had chosen instead of going down and defending her, like his heart told him he should, to hide under the bed like his head said he should. Away from his father and his trampling hooves. The window had smashed, his mother had screamed and the next thing Cuff Links knew his world was upside down as his father came rampaging up and packing all their things. They packed light, father had sent the rest of their belongings on later, but even so it took several hours before they were ready to leave. In that time several guards ponies had come to the door and father had left with them briefly. In all that time at no point had Rainbow been seen, and trying to mention her had earnt him a minute under his father's front hooves. When that demon in pony form had returned they left not long after, never to see Cloudsdale, or his sister again.

It had taken another four years before Links himself had managed to get out from under the imposing shadow of his progenitor. He’d gone to stay with his grandmother, on his mother’s side. She had been a kindly old mare, one with very dim views on his father’s behaviour, and even dimmer views on her own daughter’s for letting him get away with what he did. He worked with her in her management business until she died. He hadn’t told either his mother, or his father where he was going, or even that he was. Despite leaving their home he had been unable to escape Manehatten and them entirely until his grandmother’s inheritance allowed him to purchase the store in faraway Ponyville. He imagined that when they had found out his father had been livid, but all in all he didn’t really care.

All that mattered now was his sister, and these fantastic friends he had made. With their help they could now begin healing the scars left that night and long after.