A Breath of Pink

by Ponyess

Rating: mature
Tags: Pinkie Pie, Anthro, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Sweetie Belle, Romance, Rarity, Scootaloo, Random
Length: 5570

I had asked Rarity for a new wardrobe and she promptly made it for me. She may have raised an eyebrow as I explained what I was looking for. Then I had found a few strange looking valves I attach them to the suit and hilarity ensues.

I wanted a new wardrobe, something new, fun and exciting to wear. I know I don’t wear anything most of the time, why bother, no Pony in Ponyville where I live would look twice if I don’t.

I had asked Rarity to create the wardrobe since it is her area of expertise and she love doing it for me. She did raise an eyebrow as she saw where this inquiry was going, but she did agree to help me doing it either way, guess she is one of these friends.

As I found a package of funny valves, I had the idea to test them out, attaching one to one of the garments, just to see the effect it would have. Should I confess that this valve looks more like the once you have on a beach ball, making me find it hilarious.

Naturally, hilarity was to ensue as I got to see the effect played out on the flesh, who would have guessed?

Now I just need a Pink Balloon in order to complete the ensemble.

Published 2014-12-04 06:00:07 UTC
Last updated 2016-03-10 00:18:42 UTC

Prologue: 1

Author's Note

Pinkie Pie's POV

Prologue: 1

.

In Ponyville, I never really need to own as much as a single garment. Well, aside from the boots and such for winter, that is. No Pony would look twice if I don't wear anything where I live.

I like to be the centre of attention, in Ponyville, wearing something would give me more attention, then not wearing anything, so I came to the conclusion, I need a wardrobe for occasions other than the cold of winter. With that, I had cantered off to the Carouselle Boutique, where I expected to see Rarity.

Since it is late spring and the weather is exemplary in Ponyville, I had not even considered wearing anything as I go out. A saddle bag doesn’t count, it is merely an accessory, I need something in which to carry the bits, in case I chose to buy something I was expected to pay for. Never know, maybe I wanted something I bumped into on my way as I went out.

Just closing the door behind me and I am out. The road to the Boutique is not all that long so I cantered over without even batting an eye, on my way there. Slowing down, just enough to knock the door, waiting for her response before I entered the small room on the bottom floor where the Boutique is located.

“Enter!” Rarity exclaimed as I knocked.

“Hiya, Rarity!” I responded as I closed the door quietly behind me in respect to my dear friend.

“Greetings, Pinkie Pie. Anything special on your mind?” she countered.

“I just realised, I need a wardrobe. Something that places me squarely in the centre of attention!” I explained.

“Of course, I know the feeling only too well. Just that very few Ponies of Ponyville seems to share my feelings!” Rarity put forth.

“Our reasons may be different, but the goal is still the same. I came to you because I know you are the best there is, considering what I am looking for. If there is any other Pony who would try their hands on what I am asking for, I haven’t even asked!” I pronounced.

“Our lines of work require for us to be at the centre of attention. I just had never considered you a Pony all that interested in fine suits!” she responded.

“I haven’t given you, or any other the reason to suspect, I guess. Now I am asking. I need a full ensemble, top, skirt, panties, boots, gloves, body and swim cap. A pink, a red and a clear one, I hope you can handle the local rubber and make it into the exquisite suits I am hoping for. I don’t think it would be worth asking any other Pony, if you fail or refuse the order!” I put forth.

“Since you are my friend, I will make it for you. I think it would pull all the attention you could wish for, but that is who you are in the first place!” she pointed out, casting a glance towards her set of mannequins, dummies and sewing aids.

“Thanks, Rarity. You are the bestest of friend!” I responded, pointing and indicating the details towards myself.

“This may be the most exciting order I have ever had. Maybe not the most paying or prestigious, but certainly the most fun and exciting. Just like you, I thrive on a good challenge!” Rarity put forth.

“I was hoping you would say something like this. Not just because I am going to enjoy these garments, but I would like for you to enjoy making them for me, regardless of what you ask me to pay for you to make them for me. To me, it is all about the joy, the spreading of joy to any and every Pony around me!” I pondered.

“I will just have to go over my inventory, then I will gather what I need in order to create the ensemble for you. I am looking forwards, towards seeing you smile as I present the garments to you!” she put forth.

“Then I will leave you to do your job and complete the suits for me. I may check in from time to time and see if there are any further details you may need, while checking the development you make!” I pointed out.

“Thanks. As always, I am eager to complete the order. If you come back with what details I missed, or if there are any further details you want to add, I will look forwards to seeing you!” she explained.

“I know!” I responded with a giggle to my voice and a smile on my face as I walk out the door, heading back home.

“See you, Pinkie Pie!” Rarity pronounced as I closed the door.

“See you too, Rarity!” I responded as I turned towards the road and my way back home.

I cantered all the way back home, just as fast as when I cantered there, but I had never really been in any hurry, so I had nt even tried to exhaust myself, why bother. Maybe I could have sliced a minute off of the total time when most of the time was spent with Rarity, go8ing over minor details.

“This is going to be so much fun, as unexpected as it was. Maybe that is part of the joy!” Rarity pondered under her breath, quietly, not realising Sweetie Belle had been standing behind her at the instant.

“What was that, Sis? A new order? You do sound excited over the prospect!” Sweetie Belle pointed out.

“Sweetie Belle, dear sister. Yes, a new order for Pinkie Pie. Apparently she had a new idea requiring her to ask me for a new wardrobe!” Rarity responded without blinking.

“Pinkie Pie never wear anything in Ponyville. The only time she wears anything was when she was at the Grand Galopping Gala at the Royal castle at Canterlot!” Sweetie Belle pointed out.

“She has a drive to be at the centre of attention, same as me. She may have other reasons, but in a sense the goal is the same. Besides, she is my friend, thus I am helping her. I have a sense for what she wants and what she needs since the adventure!” Rarity pointed out.

“I do recall it, that did put quite some strain on you at the time, didn’t it?” Sweetie belle pondered.

“Yes, it did. I tried to give them exactly what they asked of me. Sadly, that wasn’t really what they wanted or needed. It wasn’t Pinkie Pie’s fault alone, we have four other friends who needed brand new suits as well!” Rarity explained.

“That is life, isn’t it? You don’t always get what you thought you wanted. If you finally get what you needed, you are fortunate!” Sweetie Belle pointed out.

“That is why I am so happy, I met Pinkie Pie. She spread all the joy we can take, yet she has more to go around. I love helping her. Although I guess this is the funniest thing she has asked of me!” Rarity pointed out, pointing at the Mannequin and Aids with the details spread all over the small room.

"When you put it like that, I am pressed to agree, even if I fear what she will put us through next!” Sweetie Belle responded.

Rarity merely nodded quietly.

A Pink Balloon: 2

Author's Note

Pinkie Pie's POV

A Pink Balloon: 2

.

I had apparently bumped into Scootaloo, on my way home from town.

“Hiya, Scoots!” I greeted her.

“Hi, Pinkie!” she responded in turn.

“Such a nice day, it makes me feel. Maybe you could follow me over to Rarity, I have an order to check up on!” I submitted.

“Thanks to Dash, we always have great weather here in Ponyville, I am sure you would know. When you said Feel, like that, you meant something different? Are you asking her to create something festive, romantic or exciting for you, then?” Scootaloo responded in a more curious voice.

“For me, it has to be festive, it is inevitable. I guess it would be a bit on the exciting side as well. When I have had my fun with it, I intend to share the fun to the rest of Ponyville and who ever is interested at the time!” I pointed out.

“That sounds like the Pinkie Pie we all have come to love and enjoy!” she responded.

“I couldn’t do it any other way. It is who I am, I couldn’t live with myself, knowing I didn’t share the fun with all my friends. I need to know that you all are having fun and are enjoying yourselves. You know that, Scoots!” I continued.

“How could we not love you? You are almost as generous as Rarity, at least on the matter of entertainment. I hope I never live to see a day when I don’t have you to fall back on, Pinkie. Now I am looking forwards to see what your new suit is going to look like and how you are going to entertain us with it!” Scootaloo pondered honestly.

“I have been working on this since the first time Dashie set of her first Rainboom. It has been fun and I want to share it with every Pony in sight. If that is being generous, then I can be as generous as could be. Then I will enjoy sharing the moment with you, Scoots. Why don’t you just follow me, and we could be there in a moment?” I pondered.

“Oh, that sure was a blast. You all explained how you all got your Cutie Marks, thanks to that. The connection she forged in her performance is well beyond the once in a lifetime. Most every Pony does get one, just that most never goes there in any spectacular manner. At least, I still have the adventure ahead of me, unlike certain other fillies who has enjoyed bothering us about it!” she responded.

“They may be envious. What is so special about wearing the tiara, even if she has diamonds in it? Or the silly silver spoon? I know your friend Twist at least got something worth mentioning. Making Candy is important. I need them for my parties, you know!” I pointed out.

“That would at least explain why she put so much effort into bothering us about not yet having ours. The tiara only makes her look silly, the spoon is just as silly. Yeah, I guess you do need them. We all need them for Nightmare Night too. That is one hilarious holiday, I think. We were following you around all night, while you wore the Chicken suit. That truly did suit you in more ways than one!” she responded.

.

“Oh, oh, we’re here!” I pointed out as I spotted the door of the Carouselle Boutique, just as we turned a corner.

“That sure is her Boutique. I guess I will see what you had asked her to create for you, Pinkie!” she pointed out.

“If you follow me inside, I guess it is very hard for you to avoid seeing it!” I put forth.

“With you by my side, I doubt I want to miss it!” Scootaloo responded, giggling as she opened the door as we stepped up to the building where Raritylives with her little sister Sweetie Belle.

.

“Greetings, Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo!” Rarity exclaimed the moment she saw us stepping into her Boutique.

“Hiya, Rarity. How are you doing?!” I responded.

“Hi, Rarity!” Scootaloo echoed, just an instant after me.

“Couldn’t be better; thank you for asking, Pinkie Pie. I take it you are doing quite well today as well, Pinkie Pie. How are you, Scootaloo?” she responded.

“Quite well, Rarity. I couldn’t complain!” Scootaloo responded.

“Glad to hear. Then you are here to see how your suit is coming along, Pinkie Pie?” Rarity enquired.

“I love visiting all my friends, but yeah, this time I came to see how the suit is coming along. I hope you can pull all the threads together into a nice, comfortable, good looking suit for me. Knowing you are the Mare to go to, with these things!” I blurted out.

“I do have a moment for a friendly visit, just as I understand your desire to see how your latest suit is coming along. I love crafting your suits, regardless of how silly or crazy some of them may be, you are after all my friend. although I would caution you, if the suit would seem to be too far out there. I recall the time I was crafting the suits we wore at the Gala, the once you originally wanted was a disaster. You all saved me from that embarrassment in the end!” she responded.

“Let’s see how you are doing and we can maintain the chat while doing it? Yeah, I guess these suits were pretty embarrassing, even on us, as it turned out. Good thing Hoity Toity put us onto the right track on that subject. That would have been a whole lot more embarrassing on all of us, had we gone to the Gala looking like that. We retraced our steps, then Fluttershy did the rest on that. What did she go through to be this shy?” I pondered as I followed her into the small room in the back where she stored her suits in progress.

“That certainly sounds reasonable enough, Pinkie Pie. I thought my life was over, just as he pronounced his sentence on the entire collection, even if I had had the idea that they were less than what I could have made for us. Oh, the sheer horror of that catastrophe, glad we did not go down that road. She is quite capable, she had proved herself on numerous occasions, for one or for all of us. I doubt I even want to know what it takes for a Pony to be like that. The forest seems to be her place, but she does a great job there!” Rarity continued.

“I know that feeling, can’t forget it, I am just lucky I have too much to do to fall back on that. It was close enough a call, when Cheeze Sandwich was in town, helping us to celebrate Dashie. Yeah, she deserves our gratitude and the recognition for it. Some Pony has to care for the woodland Critters. Just like some Pony has to create and craft all the suits we need and desire to wear, for whatever reason or purpose it may be. By the same token, I will make certain every Pony is as happy as they can possibly be at all times!” I responded.

“She has us to keep her up, so she can be there when we need her. That was a day to remember, alright, even if it wasn’t your biggest day? I live to make certain every Pony in, around and out of Ponyville can have their suits, the way they need and desire them. The village is a much happier place with you around. Maybe we could have been as sad a place as Manehattan, had we not had you. Or they could have been as happy as we are, had they had a Pony like you. Here we are, this is what your ensemble looks like, at the moment. I do have more to do, before they are all completed in the way you asked me to!” she pointed out.

.

“I like the image of Manehattan being as happy as Ponyville, if only I could have gone there fast enough to be here at the same time. Maybe I could ask Twilly about this? I noticed that you started with the pink suit first, while the clear was left for last!” I pondered.

“If you could make Manehattan as happy as Ponyville, or just a bit happier than they are now, I know they city would be very grateful, as would the princesses. They want their subjects or citizens as happy as possible. I started with the pink since it is the colour choice of your default. then I continued with the red since it is the closest colour match, from your request!” she pointed out.

“I take that as a challenge, Rarity. One I love to pick up on. Now I just need to figure how to go there, it takes too long to go there by train, if I am to go there on a regular basis, you know. If you don’t mind, I think I should try the panties on first. Just to see how they feel to wear. Good thing I am neither a Unicorn nor a Pegasus, it would have added more work on the request since the horn would have complicated the swim-cap and the wings would have complicated the top!” I pointed out, as I dropped my panties and picked up the pink panties she had just finished for me.

“Seems you enjoy a challenge as much as the next Pony. Spending hours on the train each day, I can see how it would be too much of a strain on your busy schedule, Pinkie Pie. These panties should be ready for you to try them on. I hope they meet your standards now!” she merely agreed, as she nodded to what I said.

“You would know, we followed you to Manehattan, when you were there before. Challenges can be quite exciting. They feel great, this far, but I have merely slipped them on!” I pointed out as I pulled the panties on, giving them a tentative tug to make sure they were on just right.

The panties did fit, just as tightly as I had hoped for, feeling as if they had been painted on, as the expression goes. This is exactly the skin tight, second skin sensation I had hoped for. As I rubbed along the bulging plump rear, it felt almost as if it had been my very own flesh, which caused me to moan slightly for an instant before I gathered myself.

“I take it the panties meats with your approval, from that moan!” she suggested.

“Oh, yeah. They certainly do!” I affirmed.

Pink Balloons: 3

Author's Note

Pinkie Pie's POV

Pink Balloons: 3

.

I stand alone in my room, the house is empty, short of this one mare. The Cakes had gone out on a trip together over the weekend. With that I am alone to explore and experience it all on my own, all by myself, or with a friend of my choosing.

Since the crusaders all are with the Apples on the orchard, Rarity apparently had the night off. For some unforeseen reason, she had no order due tomorrow, or any outstanding order, which left her a bit on the bored side.

I had promised Rarity she could come over and play, any time she was off and had no outstanding orders or duties to take care of. If Sweetie Belle is with the Apples, the Cakes are out and she had no orders requiring her attention, which seems to be the case, we are go.

Of course I had promised to close up shop at the regular time, when the café usually closed, leaving the Cakes a few hours of extra time for the trip. True to my word, I had kept the café open to the exact instant we were to stay open, before closing. From there I had bounced up to my room.

.

The suit Rarity had created for me lie in my room, hidden in a shoebox on the bottom of my wardrobe, not because I was actually trying to hide it, but because I hadn’t made up my mind as to exactly where it would go. Although I do have three suits, all identical, aside from the small detail, one is red, one is pink and one is clear.

As my day at work came to an end, I had closed the shop and bounced up the flight of stairs and gone into my room. I had merely stopped in order to open the door, before entering, then closed it behind me. Once in the room, I had pulled the box out from where it lies in my wardrobe, placing the box on my bed. By now the balloons under my bed had grown restless, several of them peaking out from under the bed. I couldn’t merely kick them back in under the bed or pop them. These are my precious balloons.

I had pulled them off of my flanks and inflated them, each and every last one of them. These are the once Twilight had enchanted for me, thus making them turn the same pink as my coat, as opposed to the colour they were as I pulled them off of my flank. These are blue or yellow. I had chosen these balloons from the ocean in my ceiling, these are extra special.

.

I had pulled my skirt off of me and kicked it up before I placed it on the top of my bed, before I slipped my panties off and kicked them up in order to place them on top of my skirt. Then I had pulled my skirt up over my head and placed it on the top of my new pile of clothes. I merely looked it over, for the briefest of moments before I turned my back on it in favour of the suit in the box I had chosen for the occasion.

With my old clothes on the pile of clothes to be washed, I picked up the new red skirt, stepped into it and gave it a tentative tug in order to make sure it was on properly, before I pull up the matching top, up over my head and pulled it down, giving it a tentative tug, just as with the skirt. From here, I slip on the boots, right and left, hind and front in order. I noticed just how easily they slipped on and just how well they fit my hooves. These were crafted by Rarity, how could I ever have expected anything less out of her? She is the Fashionista and seamstress of Ponyville, with a reputation to boot. I have seen quite a few high Unicorns straight from Canterlot in her Boutique, wearing her creations proudly.

Aside from the contrast; these garments glimmer and glister, metallic bloody red, with a hint of fluorescent to them in the dark. I pull out the valve I had placed onto each of the garment, uncap them and inflate them with a full exhale. Now I recap the valves, just to make sure they can’t be seen. They soon vanish out of sight, even if I know where they are, considering how I am incapable of forgetting as much as a single detail, even if I can ignore it for whatever reason, or none at all.

Looking in the mirror, I can see just how well the ensemble looks, almost as if the suit had been a part of my hide and not separately put on after the effect. There is the one detail, you see the difference in hue and reflectiveness, I can’t hide that, but it is why I chose the red suit in the first place. If I had tried, it is impossible to pull any of these garments off of me for as long as they are inflated; the one exhale is apparently enough to seal the deal, as it were.

.

There is a knock on the door, and it is clearly in the distinct fashion I would expect from Rarity but none other than her. There is the assured feel to it and the sense of style that is unmistakable.

I open my door and bounce down the flight of stairs in my common exuberant and excited style, only to see the mare I had hoped for. I hastily open the door for her and pull her in before I close the door and lock it securely behind her.

“Hiya, Rarity. Certainly nice to see you!” I exclaimed as I pull her out of sight and up the flight of stairs.

“Greetings, Pinkie Pie. That certainly does suit you!” she pronounced in clear, crisp tones, while smiling as she followed me up.

.

“Wait, why do I have the impression that you have a hidden secret in your saddle bags?” I inquired.

“Why, indeed? Because I do have a secret hidden away, of course. I guess we all knew there is no point in hiding the secret for you. You always know anyway!” she whispered in quiet tones as she pulled out a suit of her own; one by the exact same design as the one I had asked of her before.

“That looks like fun!” I exclaimed as I saw the first glimpse of the suit she was pulling out of the bag; ahem, saddle bags.

“That is exactly why I made a suit by your design for myself as well. I hope you don’t mind!” she added.

“Then you need a small detail added!” I pointed out as I applied the valves to their respective places on the garments she had so recently unpacked.

“Thank you, Pinkie Pie!” she responded, with a wide smile on her muzzle.

“You are quite welcome, my dear Rarity. Now, if you would slip into them, please?” I exclaimed excitedly.

With that, she stepped into the skirt and pulled it all the way, ending with the tentative tug in order to ascertain that it was in place. Then she pulled the top down over her head in the same manner. From there she slipped her hooves into the boots.

“Permit me to put the final touch on. You need them inflated!” I pointed out.

“Since it was your design, Pinkie Pie. Please proceed!” she responded with an affirmative nod on her head.

With that I uncapped the valves in order and exhaled once in each, before I capped them as I moved on to the next.

“Now, that is complete!” I pointed out.

“Oh?” she merely responded with a silly look on her face due to uncertainty.

“Try to pull off a boot?” I challenged her.

“Oh?” she added as she tried and failed to pull the right boot off of the hoof.

“There, perfect. Besides, the suit does fit you perfectly!” I put forth.

“Thank you, Pinkie Pie. I guess you are right, they are very comfortable to wear; even before you applied the valves and inflated them!” she added.

.

“You are quite welcome, my dear Rarity. But alas, I think it is time to go down and have a cup of tea, don’t you think!” I suggested.

“Tea? Sounds lovely, thank you!” she responded.

Shared Cup of Tea: 4

Author's Note

Rarity's POV

Shared Cup of Tea: 4

.

Pinkie Pie had just pulled me down to the café in which she is working. We both wear a suit of her somewhat special and very different design. I barely felt the rubber around my body while wearing it, and that is before she popped the valves inflated the suit.

I had chosen the black variant, as opposed to the white or clear once; just as she had chosen her red suit, as opposed to the pink or clear variant. The rubber cover my body tightly and irrevocably for as long as inflated. I can clearly see how it shimmer and glister in the most minutest touch of light or shadow.

What I had not quite grasped is the effect of the garments she had managed to entice me into wearing. These black boots are not just a shiny counterpoint to my otherwise flawlessly white coat, the slick rubber seems to have a mind of its on and loves to cling to what ever smooth surface onto which they happen to fall. For now it has not been a problem or bother, just convenient when you are rushing down the flight of stairs in tow to the hyper party mare Pinkie Pie. Maybe the reason is just that, I never really put my hooves down, or I never put enough pressure into the steps? Once I forgot all about wearing the skirt, I don’t realize just how reveling and complimentary they fit me.

.

“Now, if you just permit me a minute and I will whip up the tea!” she proposed.

I could see the hyper smile on her face and nodded affirmation. With that she was out of sight for a promised minute and returned with the tea, just as promised.

“Thank you, Pinkie Pie!” I exclaimed as I felt the first whiff of the scent of the tea she had prepared for us.

“I was expecting you to enjoy this blend. You are quite welcome, my dear Rarity!” she prompted as she poured me a cup and then one for herself.

“You seems to know everything, before it is supposed to be possible!” I responded as I picked up the cup, slowly levitating it towards my muzzle in expectation of a treat, well deserved.

“I do have a few tricks of my own, who doesn’t?” she confessed.

“Yes, I guess we do. Yet, none knows as much is as convenient a moment as you do, Pinkie Pie!” I prompted.

“True, I guess. Yet, right now the table require a candle, besides, this is more fun when it is growing cold and dark outside. I love these stark contrasts dancing around!” she pointed out and scurried off and picked up a candle she returned with, before lighting it as she set it down on the table.

“You are so romantic, when you are in the mood!” I pondered, as the light and shadow play came to life in the room.

“Yeah, it is. Besides, the suit is more fun in this light, you know!” she prompted with a giggle as she looked right into my eyes.

“Candle light is spelling Romance, Pinkie Pie. Yet, in this case the light does lend a hoof in expanding upon the design of these garments as well. I guess the word Complimentary, is coming to mind in this case!” I put forth as I looked into her eyes.

There was no newly found and unproportional love out of a potion or Love Poison at work. I have always had certain feelings for the pink mare, I just express them in modesty, in the Lady like fashion I work to maintain. Being a Lady is a challenge to any mare.

Since I thrive on the challenge, I enjoy this all the more. On that note, a lady has the upper hoof in the business I am in. As if it had never been the one person I had always been.

“Romance can be fun and enjoyable too, my dearest Rarity. If for nothing more than to see you smile!” she prompted in a perfectly logical response.

There is but the one problem in the scenario with a perfectly logical Pinkie Pie, it can never make sense. If not careful, it leaves the Pony in close proximity with a headache. A headache that can be a daemon of a monster.

Only now, the flickering light haunted the room as I look into her perfectly blue eyes, curiously enough perfectly matching my very own.

“If I can make you happy with something as simple as a smile, I will be the first to smile generously; you know that, Pinkie Pie. Yes, romance is enjoyable; it is a Lady-like pastime I would love spending more of my time on!” I prompted with a wide grin.

If only I had expected Pinkie Pie was such a romantic mare. Of course she knew of my romantic streak, just as she knew her romance on her six hooves. Adding the two to the two and then the two in the manner only Pinkie Pie could. Maybe this logic is why not even Twilight Sparkle could follow her. On that note, she could easily follow Rainbow Dash; even at breakneck speeds.

Speaking of the monster, she can be quite the scary Pony; any time she puts her mind to going the extra mile just to make you smile, or make you her friend. I guess we have seen her outsmart, out think and out plan the best.

.

Now I had ended up with a cup of tea before me, while she holds on to her in her mane. Not even gravity could hold her down. Face to face, I drown in her blue eyes. Plunging right into the unexpected and unmatched depth of a friend I had been knowing for years.

Sip by sip I empty the cup I levitate before me. Likewise, she empty her cup; sip by sip. From time to time I fill her cup up for her, then she fills my cup all the same with the widest of grins.

I mirror her grin with generosity, while she mirror my generosity with a grin. Perfect symmetry in beautiful harmony. I feel an unaccustomed warmth in my heart, seeing she feels the same way in the reflection in her eyes.