The Mannequin of Carousel Boutique

Chapters

Playing with Dolls
The Swamp Monster from Rainbow Cove
Interrogation
Convincing Arguments
A Brief Issue
Business Talk
Gigglesketches
Keep Calm and Drink Tea
epilogue

Playing with Dolls

chapter 1 - Playing with Dolls

In the land of magic, unicorns, and friendship, no other unicorn could be considered as fashionable, as generous or as ravishing as the beautiful Rarity Belle. With her pristine white coat, luxurious violet mane, and elegant curves perfectly defined by a stunning dress of her own design, she was sure to catch the eye of her prince, her one true love, her diamond in the rough, her special somepony, her-

“Rarity? Are you playing with your mannequins again?”

The young, squeaky, girly voice belonged to none other than Sweetie Belle. Her bipedal, teenage form stood straight on two hooves, arms behind her back with one hand’s fingers wrapped around the wrist of the other. Her coat color was of a very light grayish purple, almost white, while her mane and tail were lined pastels of a pink and purple, styled with soft curls in a messy natural manner. She was wearing dark blue skirt and white sleeveless blouse with a tied red kerchief surrounding her collar.

And like her older sister Rarity and those of the same magical type, Sweetie was a unicorn, complete with a spiraled horn peeking out from under her curly locks on her forehead, and a small blunted muzzle on her so called adorable face.

A face that was slightly tilted in confusion at her sister before her.

Rarity and Sweetie Belle were currently located in Rarity’s home slash business abode known as Carousel Boutique. It was a two-floored establishment decorated as frivolously as it’s namesake, complete with poled ponies lining the rim of the second floor, with fancy colors and embellishments emphasizing a humble sense of professional elegance on the round structure. To be specific, the two unicorn sisters were located on the main showroom floor on the ground level, a room dedicated to showcasing the dresses, creations, and designs fashioned up by Rarity herself.

Now there are a few racks, wardrobes, and of course mannequins located in this showroom to assist in presenting Rarity’s creations. Some of the mannequins were simple cloth dummies without arms, legs, or a head. Some had a few more features, like wings coming out the back, or a fake plastic horn coming out of the forehead.

One mannequin was even fully poseable, and it was wearing a black suit, black dress pants and a dark green dress shirt that had it’s top 2 buttons unfastened. Also that mannequin’s right arm was gently wrapped around an attractive white unicorn, the cloth hand placed precisely next to a perfectly curled purple tail.

And by placed precisely, we mean that the mannequin’s hand was on her butt.

Except that detail isn't as important as the unicorn that is being ‘fondled’ by the mannequin.

Rarity, the unicorn with the mannequin, was in her entirety the beautiful, ravishing and generous unicorn as described in her self narration moments before she was interrupted by her younger sister Sweetie. She had a tight fitting black skirt emphasizing her thin waist, curved hips, and slender legs. On her upper body she wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves folded up to her elbows with a jeweled bracelet hanging loosely on her right wrist. The dress shirt was a little tight around her bust as seen by the pointed folds pulling at the buttons, and the apparent size of her C-cup breasts. Her neckline was smooth and defined, while her muzzle and facial features were the definition of feminine in both form and practice. She had mascara perfectly outlining her alluring lashes and lavender eye shadow offering a sultry bit of mystique. Lastly, her mane and tail were the most stunning gradients of royal purple, perfectly coiled into the most graceful and exquisite of curls cascading down the sides of her face for the mane, and sensually spiraling past her pert rear and legs for the tail.

Actually, Rarity’s tail was wrapped around the leg of her poseable mannequin, but one awkward pause later she had pushed herself away from her adult sized dress up doll and was attempting to sputter out an explanation for her unusually intimate congress with the cloth model.

“W-w-why Sweetie Belle! I was j-just uhm.. practicing for a play! Yes, that’s right!”

The deep red blush on the older unicorn made obvious the embarrassment coursing through her.

Sweetie Belle adopted an unamused expression, responding with a flat unamused voice, “Really Rarity. A play. Starring you?”

“Uhm.. Yes?” Rarity put on a very convincing, almost pleading smile, blush still apparent on her muzzle, hands grasping each other nervously.

The younger unicorn stared up at her sister with a blank, inexpressive look.

Several heartbeats passed as a bead of sweat almost formed on Rarity’s pristine white forehead.

Suddenly Sweetie Belle gasped, stars in her eyes and her hands placed under her chin in an excited gesture. She animatedly started speaking.

“Ohmygosh can I help!? I could help pose the mannequins or maybe dress them up! Or maybe I could play as Rarity’s friend’s little sister! We could dye my hair magenta then find a pink ribbon to tie it up in a ponytail and then I could work on my accent! Ah betcha ah could lerrrn me up a gewwwd acksent up rrreal quick like!”

With a relieved smile, Rarity quickly closed up her sister’s mouth with a manicured finger.

“Ah.. Uhm.. O-of course Sweetie! But only if you promise to not tell anyone what we are working on! We wouldn't want to spoil the story hmm?”

Sweetie Belle nodded with her sister’s finger still on her mouth, and proceeded to gesture a series of motions that started off with crossing her heart with a finger, and ended with her poking herself in the eye.

Rarity smiled at her sister and stood straight with her hands on her hips. She looked towards one of her wardrobes and spoke.

“Well first of all, I’d need to find a more appropriate dress for the part, Let’s get started then!”

Eventually, after about an hour of picking the perfect outfit, several minutes of rehearsing, and several more of setting up an ‘audience’ made up of stuffed animals from both Rarity and Sweetie’s rooms (along with one or two mannequins), lights were dimmed and the stage was set to begin.

The play itself was actually more reminiscent of an improve then any performance one would find in downtown Manehattan. Sweetie kept forgetting her lines, and Rarity was consistently over acting every line she spoke. But the outfits were exquisite and the actresses were gorgeous. And once the protagonists finally found Prince Polite and Charming, Genie of Really Cool Cutie Marks, the pair of unicorns giggled themselves silly, took their bows, and basked in the glory of an applause only they could hear.

Brushing back an errant strand of hair, Rarity told Sweetie that it was time for bed, and after much groaning and pleading, the teenage unicorn was promptly tucked away in her room, and after a quick costume change Rarity was left to cleaning up the showroom.

The stuffed animals were returned, errant garb put away, and mannequins were wheeled back into their proper place. The last mannequin Rarity had to put away was the fully poseable figure. However unlike her other cloth models, when she approached it she took a moment to examine it.

At some point during the “Best Award Winning Performance for Lead Actress” and “Best Costume”, the mannequin ended up in a ‘Captain Morgan’ pose, along with the appropriate naval attire complete with a gaudy feathered tricorne. The white unicorn put a hand to her mouth to suppress her giggles, and commented on the cloth model’s antics.

“Why Prince Polite and Charming, You sure know how to make a lady smile!”

Rarity sighed in amusement and moved her hand to her chest. She moved her gaze up and down the figure with a forming expression of contemplation.

“But I doubt the stallion of my dreams would seriously consider wearing such a hat in public.”

Placing a hand on the mannequin's shoulder, she strained on the edge of one hoof to reach the large headpiece perched on the figure. The mannequin did have the more masculine build of a stallion, and to Rarity’s opinion, it had the strength of one as well, considering that it always managed to hold an impressive amount of apparel without losing a set pose, yet when adjusting the limbs she never had to strain to put the model in any position she desired.

Soon enough, Rarity managed to grab the hat, but lost her balance with the slight shift in weight. She tumbled into the mannequin with an effeminate, “Waah!” and to her own surprise, managed to fall onto the already outstretched arm of the mannequin with her front facing towards the mannequin’s own. It looked almost as if the mannequin caught the prim unicorn when she tumbled. After a moment of realization, Rarity put on a sly smile and fanned herself slightly with the large hat.

“Oh my hero! Prince Polite, Thank you ever so much for catching me! You are truly the stallion I've been searching for all this time!”

The theatrical unicorn dramatically placed the back of her hand on her forehead.

“You are noble and reliant and ever so strong! But alas, If any of the other princesses ever discovered us together then she would surely tear us apart out of jealousy!”

Rarity giggled to herself over the jab.

“Yet I cannot just leave my hero without thanking him..”

Suddenly with a sultry look in her eyes, Rarity used her magic to cause the mannequin's arm to move, pushing herself close enough to give a gentle kiss on the ‘cheek’ of the cloth doll.

“Goodnight, my sweet Prince.”

The gaudy hat was placed back on it’s stand, the mannequin set into a more appropriate pose, and with a flick of magic from her horn the lights were turned off. Rarity went upstairs to her room to ready for bed, leaving the showroom in darkness.

Several minutes after all noises from upstairs ceased, a figure moved in the shadow of the showroom. This figure was dressed to the nines in a stallion’s well fitted naval attire similar to that of a showy boat captain from the 1600s. It was undressing, hanging the fancy attire on a nearby rack with practiced stealth, causing not a single sound from it’s movements. The form then took a moment to check it’s surroundings, and with a fiery green flash it yawned and stretched with a few soft popping noises. Heading over a nearby couch, the figure smiled and reclined in a relaxed position on the soft cushions.

And like every day since the day he arrived at Carousel Boutique, he would awake early and resume his life of being a stallion sized mannequin to a white, fashionable unicorn seamstress..

The Swamp Monster from Rainbow Cove

chapter 2 - The Swamp Monster from Rainbow Cove

Rarity was once again matching fabrics in her sewing room, working on the latest commission from her latest undisclosed client, whose name would only be known between the fashionista and her customer. The ivory unicorn knew the importance of confidentiality between a businessmare and her clients. But that did not stop her from thinking out loud in the privacy of her own workplace.

“Big Macintosh, I understand you wanted something simple for your date, but sometimes I need a little more detail to work with! Honestly, it’s almost as bad as making an outfit for Rainbow Dash.”

The seamstress was comparing a strip of light yellow broadcloth to a square of cyan longcloth. She scrunched her face in concentration and magically levitated her pair of glasses onto her muzzle for a closer look.

“Hmm.. I think these colors might work.. but I want to compare it to Big Mac’s coat color, see if the balance is correct.”

She went over to her poseable mannequin, which currently had it’s arms pointed to the sides in a straightened stance like a giant capital T. Rarity had been using it as a makeshift pincushion since she wasn't happy with the current shade of brown pants it was wearing and decided to make the outfit from scratch. Along with the pants, it had various small scraps and strips of colored fabric pinned to it’s head, arms and torso, looking like the swamp monster from rainbow cove.

Levitating two pins and sticking the additional scraps to the mannequin’s face, she turned around and bent over her work desk, searching for a suitable color of fabric scrap similar to Big Mac’s.

“Ugh, my sewing room is becoming a mess again.. I should really break this habit of mine, it’s making it difficult to find what I want..”

The white unicorn was currently wearing a tight pair of dark blue jeans and a light purple halterneck revealing the back of her attractive upper body. Her tail was in it’s usual perfect curl with her mane currently styled in a professional looking bun, with a few curled bangs to add a bit of spice. Her pert posterior was posed in the air while she leaned on one hand looking over the organized chaos that was her work desk.

“Hmm, Oh! Idea! I could just enchant my mannequin to be the right color! That will be much quicker for what I need.”

Straightening up from her possibly provocative position, Rarity turned back to her scrap covered dummy in the unassuming brown pants. She took her glasses off with one hand and placed her other arm below her breasts and scrunched her face in concentration to cast the color enchantment. With the light blue glow of her magic around her horn, and a matching aura around the mannequin, the spell took effect leaving the cloth exterior of the figure a sumptuous, vivid and eye catching-

“Pink?”

Rarity’s muzzle took on a bit of a pout.

“Now that isn't right.. I’m sure I cast it correctly, Unless..”

Rarity put her hands on her hips and yelled, “Pinkie! Are you messing with me again!?”

Off in the distance, a faint reply could be heard.

“Nope! I’m messing with Rainbow Dash!”

Which was followed by a tomboyish, “What?! Dangit Pinkie!”

The white fashionista rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance.

“Well I suppose I might be out of practice, I will have to take some time to see if Twilight is available to help me.. study..”

A slight shudder went through the shapely unicorn.

“But in the meantime, I’ll just dispel this enchantment and look elsewhere for the right color.”

Rarity placed her glasses on her desk and crossed both her arms over the front her halterneck. Her horn lit up in it’s default light blue, and one flash of magic later, the scrap covered mannequin went back to it’s original color of.. shiny iridescent black.

The well dressed unicorn raised an eyebrow. Her head turned behind her for a moment in confusion, during which a fiery green flame briefly encompassed the ‘swamp monster from rainbow cove’.

Rarity’s head turned back to the mannequin, not having seen the fleeting moment of green flame. Her eyes narrowed towards the now normal off-white of the dummy’s cloth.

Her horn lit up and dispelled the mannequin once again.

The visible parts of the mannequin’s cloth once again turned into a shiny black surface.

Rarity leaned in towards the mannequin, placing a hand on her chin in thought.

Suddenly the green flame surged up again while she was a few inches away from the scrap covered face of the ‘mannequin’, returning it’s exterior to the usual off-white cloth. The flummoxed unicorn stood up straight in surprise.

With a look of determination, Rarity dispelled the figure once again, and quickly pulled the pins holding the yellow and cyan scraps of cloth to the face of the ‘mannequin’ while shouting, “Aha!”

The face that was revealed had solid blue eyes with no pupils, a curved horn, square muzzle, and sharp fangs complete with the exterior of black, insect like chitin. There was a worried expression on the face, and for some reason a nosebleed consisting of blue blood.

Rarity’s expression changed to one of surprised realization, of what she now recognized was a ‘changeling’ in place of her unique fully poseable mannequin. A changeling that quietly spoke.

“Uh.. I think the cyan would be a good choice?”

Rarity screamed.

Upstairs a teenage unicorn filly stumbled and fumbled her way down the stairs to the ground floor where Rarity’s work room was located. The Changeling quickly re-assumed his cloth disguise with a flourish of green flame while Rarity looked towards the door in alarm. What sounded like a sack of barley sliding across a hardwood floor followed by a loud thump and a squeaky “Oww” could be heard on the other side of the wooden exit.

The door swung open with a frazzled looking Sweetie Belle wearing striped orange black knee socks and a waist long pastel pink camisole saying, “What! What happened! Are you ok Rarity!?”

Rarity turned towards the now disguised changeling, then back to Sweetie, and did a double take just to internally assess that her sister was not aware of the unusual trait of her mannequin. The older unicorn put on an apologetic face and quickly sputtered out an explanation to her younger sister.

“Oh uhm.. I uh.. I poked myself with a pin?”

Rarity stuck her finger in her mouth with a sullen look to emphasize her point.

Sweetie glared at her sister in annoyance.

After a few moments she left while muttering, “Drama queen.”

It took the ivory unicorn several moments to regain her composure, brushing back loose strands of hair, straightening out her halterneck, and doing a quick once over in a nearby mirror to verify her looks were pristine. Suddenly her horn glowed brightly and the surprisingly vast array of ever sharp object in the sewing room, including scissors, thousands of needles, stilettos and a very threatening cactus, took to the air and menacingly pointed at the ‘swamp monster of rainbow cove’.

Rarity spoke in a firm and commanding tone, “Alright now I want some answers! What are you doing here and why!?!”

The sound of teenage filly slurping a juice box prompted the white seamstress to turn her glare from the mannequin to the entrance of her work room where her sister was now in a pink jumper and sipping a tiny juice box. Rarity spoke sweetly,

“Sweetie Belle, what did I tell you about interrupting me while I’m working?”

“Uhm, Don’t do it unless there’s an emergency?” Sweetie replied.

“Is there an emergency?”

“Uh, No.”

The sound of pony sipping juice box continued for about 5 seconds.

Rarity broke the sound with, “Sweetie Belle?”

“Yes?” the adorable filly replied.

“Go play with your friends.”

“Alright! See you later big sis!”

Rarity returned her glare to her mannequin, sharp objects at the ready, threatening hover cactus still menacingly poised.

“Right, now where were we..”

The gorgeous, but now terrifying unicorn mare dispelled the changeling’s disguise once again, and in a show of her unicorn multitasking talents she magically pulled all the needles out of the changeling’s carapace all at once. A shower of colored fabric cascaded off of the smooth black exterior of the insectoid biped leaving him in only the plain brown pants he was wearing before. Rarity assumed it was a him, if his masculine stature and stallion like body type was anything to go by. The changeling was still holding his T stance as before, but now he was effectively shirtless and Rarity noticed a bead of sweat traveling down the side of his face. She also noticed the part about him being shirtless.

Coughing into her fist to straighten out her thoughts, Rarity began pacing around the obviously nervous changeling. She casually examined the buggy, his folded see through wings, the web like mane and tail, his dark blue shell of carapace on his back, the same dark blue carapace outlining his abs, his well defined pecs, his broad muscled shoulders, his strong square jaw, his pert tight rear, his big long.. horn, horn that was slightly curved.
A quiet nervous voice interrupted her reverie.

“Uhm.. Rarity?”

The unicorn stopped her pacing and snapped her attention back to the changeling’s face. With an accusing finger she spoke,

“How do you know my name?! No wait, that’s a silly question, Why are you in my house disguised as my best mannequin!?”

Interrogation

chapter 3 - Interrogation

The air in the sewing room of Carousel Boutique was filled with tension,

And needles,

And a sharp pair of stilettos,

And several other pointy objects including several pairs of scissors and a menacing cactus.

All threatening objects being levitated by a lovely white unicorn named Rarity.

Now Rarity was a fairly rational unicorn, not as rational as her well learned friend Twilight Sparkle, since sometimes fashion is sometimes determined by irrational means, like what’s inside your heart (Not literally!) But the ivory unicorn generally had a good grip on reality. However, her hold on reality was a bit shaky at the moment while she was considering the possibilities running through it..

She had recently discovered that one of her mannequins, specifically her one fully poseable mannequin. Her fully poseable mannequin that she’s been using to assist for almost every single stallion related design of clothing and attire since she got it almost a year ago. A mannequin shipped directly from Manehatten. That mannequin, which she was quite attached to by the way, was in fact, a shiny black, chitin covered, brown pants wearing, flimsy insect winged, broad shouldered, shirtless, fanged, and possibly evil, changeling of ill repute.

Her voice anxiously cracked while she repeated the question.

“Wh-why are you disguised as my mannequin!”

The brown pants changeling’s mouth opened and closed in silent fear, eyes locked with Rarity’s own, her composure visibly cracking as her own fears started to take her.

The changeling spoke quietly.

“I-I.. I didn't want to get caught?”

The seamstress’s right eye twitched dangerously, and the changeling quickly continued speaking while still managing the posture of a shaking capital T.

“J-just let me explain! I haven’t done anything wrong! I was under a lot of stress!”

“You’re under a lot of stress? YOU’RE UNDER A LOT OF STRESS!? I HAVE AN EVIL ICKY MONSTER THAT HAS BEEN LIVING UNDER MY ROOF, WEARING MY BEST DESIGNS, SPYING ON ME IN THE PRIVACY OF MY OWN HOME FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG-”

Rarity’s eyes opened wide as she processed what she said, then narrowed in anger as she started speaking again through clenched teeth,

“How long?”

“Uh.. W-well..”

“HOW LONG!?”

The unicorn had grabbed one of her levitated stilettos and held it dangerously close to the changeling’s neck. He gulped and nervously answered.

“Th.. The whole time..”

Rarity froze, her pupils dilating to pinpricks, her breath catching in her throat. She spoke in a calm soft voice.

“The whole time?”

“Erm.. Since I arrived in the crate..”

Her worst fears confirmed, Rarity’s mind started working furiously on where to hide the body.

Well, her thoughts might’ve headed in that direction, had she not noticed a restrained sniffle from her captive.

She looked towards the male changeling, lowering her grip on the stiletto, and covering her mouth with her free hand. The changeling was crying. Well, it was more like a single tear, but it was enough to fill the white unicorn with all the shame and guilt her body could possibly hold. He spoke with a quiet trembling tone.

“You’re the element of generosity.. Can you at least give me a chance?”

Rarity dropped the stiletto to the floor with a loud clatter. Somewhere in her state of unrefined panic she crossed a line. The ivory unicorn’s eyes started tearing up with remorse and regret, her arms pulled close to her body, her expression filled with pity, horrified at the disgrace of her own actions. She took a step back and spoke sympathetically.

“I-I’m so sorry darling.. I don’t know what came over me I just.. Well changelings don’t exactly have uhm, the best of reputations around here.”

Brown pants was breathing heavily through his nostrils, holding back a sob with his bottom jaw set firm in an attempt to save face. His muzzle pointed straight, as if he were staring in the space above Rarity’s head. Rarity wasn't quite sure where he was looking exactly with his solid blue eyes lacking pupils. However, she was aware of his brow creased in guarded apprehension.

An awkward silence passed between the two. Rarity’s pointed implements were still levitated by her magic, but more out of caution now, instead of murderous intent. She cleared her throat and smoothed her halterneck with a quick brush of her hand. Looking at his face she spoke with a more serene tone.

“Alright, Explain yourself. I hope you understand why I’m not going to lower my guard, But I’m ready to hear what you have to say before I make any rash decisions.”

It was slight, but the changeling’s head tilted a fraction, then tilted back. Rarity continued.

“And uhm, you can relax your arms.”

The shirtless changeling paused, then slowly lowered his arms to his side. His breathing was still labored, but his expression eased slightly. He spoke in his usual quiet tone, the tremors to his voice less evident.

“I could see my life flash before my eyes..”

The changeling’s face pointed towards Rarity’s, then back to facing forward while his body tensed slightly. There was a bit of a stutter before he continued.

“A-and I apologize as well, I.. I didn't mean to trouble you so.”

Rarity pursed her lips slightly before replying, “Well, I’ll accept your apology, but I still want an explanation.”

Nodding, the changeling cleared his throat before speaking, his hands at his sides balling into fists.

“It was about a year ago, my queen’s plans to take control of Equestria thwarted and I along with the rest of the changelings were.. ejected out of Canterlot.”

His normal tone was unusually quiet, Rarity had to lean forward in order to hear him clearly.

“The force of the explosion at Canterlot knocked me out. When I came to, I think I crashed into a post office, or maybe a shipping warehouse, I didn't really have time to find out.”

The white unicorn crossed her arms and leaned back, one eyebrow slightly raised, listening as brown pants continued while his wings twitched nervously.

“There were loud voices, somepony was opening the door to the room and there was no way they would miss seeing the hole in the roof..”

Flashback

Crafty Crate, the burly brown pegasus with scruffy tan hair and an itchy five o'clock shadow, was pulling at the suspenders of his large overalls while talking to his subordinate in his usual blue collar drawl.

“I gotta tell yah Ditzy, I’m surprised at how well you did today, not even one screw up! I might even hafta give you a raise, Hah!”

The shorter pegasus mare walking next to Mr Crate had a wide smile adorning her distinct face while she looked up her boss. She had a gray coat with messy blond hair and was wearing the usual beige mailmare’s uniform, filled out by her hourglass figure.

She replied to her boss in a squeaky soprano, “Really!?”

Crafty was leading Ditzy while he opened the door to the shipping warehouse of the Ponyville post office. He responded, “Let’s just deliver this last package and th-”

The pair stepped into what resembled the remains of a direct hit by a missile filled with packing peanuts. There was a large hole in the tall ceiling of the box filled warehouse and a shattered crate at the impact site. On top of the wooden and styrofoam remains of the crate lay a mannequin in a straight, stiff posture.

Crafty’s eyes narrowed and his jaw became set. He softly spoke.

“I don’t know how you made this mess but I want it cleaned by the time I come back with a new crate.”

The stocky brown pegasus left with a slam of the door, leaving Ditzy with a dejected look, her ears pinned to her head.

“I just don’t know what went wrong..”

Back in the sewing room of Carousel Boutique

Rarity had her thumb and forefinger on opposite sides of her chin. During the changeling’s explanation she had pulled up a chair and was sitting on the edge of her seat with her legs daintily crossed. Her expression looked a bit perplexed while she asked the brown pants changeling a question.

“So what happened to the original mannequin?”

The changeling responded with a shrug.

Inside a tree-house located in a field of apple trees

Three teenage fillies in lab coats and goggles were milling about what looked like a secret laboratory filled with creepy and scary looking lab equipment. Lab equipment made of cardboard.

A yellow filly wearing black rubber gloves and with her red mane tied back in a pink bow laughed maniacally over a green painted dummy strapped to a long table. She spoke in a high toned southern accent.

“Mwahaha! Scootaloo! Grab the lightning cloud! So that Ah may infuse a cutie mark into the lifeless thing that lays at my hooves.”

An orange filly with tiny wings and short magenta hair replies in a tomboyish voice, “I couldn't find one.”

The filly with the pink bow pulls off her goggles and says, “What!? Couldn't find one? Whaddya mean?”

The third one, a pastel colored young mare with curly locks and a stubby white horn, pointed outside the window and spoke in a squeaky tone.

“It IS pretty clear outside Applebloom, there’s not a cloud in the sky.”

“Well shoot, Ah guess our mad scientist cutie marks will hafta wait.”

The pegasus Scootaloo perked up with an idea and snapped her fingers while grabbing the attention of the other two girls.

“Hey! How about we paint the dummy yellow, and then we can get our cutie marks in crash testing!”

Back in the sewing room of Carousel Boutique

Sitting up straight and putting her hands in her lap, Rarity narrowed her eyes at the changeling.

“That does explain why yo- MY, My mannequin arrived later than expected. But how do I know you weren't sent here to spy on me?” she spoke while gesturing her hands towards herself.

The changeling angled his muzzle towards the floor with a downcast look. He rubbed the back of his head and said, “Well.. I don’t have anything to prove that.. But I’m not going to try and run from you,”

“Is that because I have you at needlepoint?”

The insect like being paused for a few seconds, then folded his hands in front of himself before answering, “Yes.”

Rarity’s head tilted with a skeptical look at his response followed by a flat, “Really?”

Brown pants nervously wrung his hands as he looked from side to side. He stuttered out a quiet response.

“W-well, let’s look at it this way, I haven’t drained anypony of emotion right? I mean, somepony would've noticed if I tried to, and in fact, I wasn't even planning on it on the first place!”

Suspicion filled Rarity’s eyes while she switched her crossed legs. In a hesitant voice she spoke back.

“What do you mean, ‘planning on it’?”

Continuing his nervous motions he said, “Uhm.. Well I've had a lot of time to think about this, and I was hoping instead of turning me in, you could let me stay? I promise I’ll only feed off the ambient emotion that ponies send my way because of your sensational designs. And I’m not even taking anypony’s place. Nopony gets hurt.”

If the deadpan expression was anything to go by, Rarity was not impressed. The changeling must’ve sensed this as he continued, his hands brought together in more of a pleading gesture.

“Please Miss Rarity? I was a great mannequin right? It will be as if you never found out I was here in the first place!”

The fashionista’s expression remain unchanged. She even crossed her arms. The changeling lowered his muzzle, then raised it with a determined look and put out an ultimatum.

“Alright then, if you try turning me in then I’ll reveal every dirty secret I know about you to as many ponies as possible.”

Rarity gasped in surprise and covered mouth with her hand. She stood up and leaned forward with a challenging stance and replied sternly.

“You. Wouldn't. Dare.”

“Try me.”

Convincing Arguments

chapter 4 - Convincing Arguments

There was a wide selection of ropes, ribbons, straps and cords Rarity had on hand at Carousel Boutique. Now these various lines had various uses, from decoration, to providing support, or in this specific case, as a temporary binding.

At first, the shapely unicorn was quick in hogtying the changeling with a pink acetate ribbon when he sprinted for the door after a brief stare down. The shiny black changeling had almost escaped, his reflexes quick and his carapace thick. However, the barrage of pins, needles, scissors and a menacing hover cactus to the head had pinned his thin wings to his body and forced him to keep his eyes closed. As a result, his blind dash through the door meant he didn't see the curl of ribbon entwine around his ankle, violently jerking him to the floor, and dragging him backwards with a surprised look on his face. While securing the ribbons on the changeling with her magic, her dexterity, and her experience with knots, Rarity was berating the changeling for his attempt.

“Now it was brave of you to try and run Mr.. Mr Changeling, but Rarity Belle is no pushover to simple threats.”

Rarity finished tying the knot securing the changeling’s hooves to his hands. His belly was flat on the floor and his face was facing towards the workroom door with a scowl. Rarity kneeled in front of his face but he made no movement to look at her face while she leaned down.

“No need to look so glum,” she continued. “Equestrians take very good care of their criminals, in fact, I’m su-”

A soft knock could be heard at the front door of the boutique. Rarity gasped, and for a second she had a panicked expression. She looked up at her clock and in a whiny voice said, “Oh drat, is it noon already?”

She quickly balled up a piece of fabric and jammed it into the changeling’s maw followed by a tie of ribbon to keep it in place. He groaned in protest and glared toward Rarity as she got up and brushed off her tight jeans.

“Hush and be quiet, I apologize about the rough treatment but I need to answer the door.”

Rarity briskly strode to leave her sewing room, and looked back at the changeling through the crack of the door before closing it. In his uncomfortable position, he faced his muzzle towards the white seamstress and waggled his eyebrows.

Bafflement crossing the dainty unicorn’s features, she shut the door and headed towards the main entrance of the boutique. She announced her arrival with her refined enunciation of, “Cooming!” then opened the entrance with enough room for her head to peek through.

Back in the sewing room, the changeling had a devious grin, or as devious as one could get with a colorful ball of fabric scrap secured with a pink ribbon tied in an elaborate bow. In such a restrained position, it made it difficult for the changeling to shape shift into any creature of use, considering that the result would still be imprisoned in it’s effeminate hog-tie. One could say that he could possibly shift into something smaller, like maybe a rabbit or a squirrel to easily escape his bonds, but that was a tiring and expensive drain on his own magic reserves.

However, he actually had a good grasp on the situation, a very good grasp. His plan only required a minuscule bit of effort on his part, and if everything went well, the pretty white unicorn of Carousel Boutique will go back to being happy with her poseable ‘mannequin’.

A small blaze of green flared up around the colorful gag in the changeling’s mouth.

And after a swift chomp, two coughs, and a bit of spitting threads and shreds all over the sewing room floor, the changeling grinned with a mouth full of sharp pointy fangs.

“Never gag a changeling, Maybe next time Rarity will remember to put the pretty bow around my muzzle.”

Fluttershy, a yellow pegasus mare with a long pink mane and tail, was at the entrance of her friend’s abode and business known as Carousel Boutique.

This pegasus mare had what many considered the body of a supermodel, a heart of gold, and the courage of a dust bunny. Attractive long legs ending at a sensational flank, large fluffy wings, D-cup breasts, soft hands, tender warm smile, and eyes captivating enough to bring a dragon to it’s knees. She wore a modest, fuzzy jade colored hoodie, with a long ruffled blue skirt, and was currently holding in her arms a fwuffy white persian cat. The cat’s name was Opalescence, or to those who were close to her, Opal. The long haired furball wore a purple jeweled collar and a purple bow affixed to a tuft of hair from the top of it’s head, along with an expression of boredom that would put a hipster to shame.

Fluttershy had just completed the scheduled weekly grooming of the feline and was returning the pet to Rarity, the pet’s owner.

Rarity had just opened the door to her abode, but only slightly. If Fluttershy was curious to the unusual action, she did a good job of not showing it. The white unicorn greeted her friend heartily.

“Why Fluttershy! Hello! I hope Opal wasn't any trouble!”

The yellow pegasus smiled at her friend and spoke in her usual timid and hushed voice.

“Oh of course not! She was a darling, just like always.”

“I’m glad to hear that dear, Same time next week?”

Fluttershy nodded and handed off the prim cat over to her owner, who proceeded to place the feline behind her to do the very important things that cats do.

Suddenly, a loud clear voice was emanating from somewhere in Rarity’s boutique.

“She hasn't returned your favorite tea set because she broke it while dancing to ‘Hoofloose’!”

If Rarity wasn't already a white unicorn mare, her face would've been paler than Luna’s moon. Fluttershy however, had a look of surprise masking her face, and she spoke out questioningly.

“Uhm.. did you hear that?”

Rarity put on an innocent face and replied, “Heard what dear?”

“Uhm.. that uhm.. that pony shouting about a broken tea set?”

Feigning surprise, the white unicorn replied saying, “Oh! That! That isn't a shouting pony! That’s just the uhm.. the.. th-the radio! Yes that is the radio, I’m listening to radio dramas.”

She then put on an enchanting smile and fluttered her eyelashes innocently.

“Uhm.. Ooh kaay then.” said Fluttershy with an apprehensive slowness. “Well uhm.. I was wondering if you uhm.. would like to take a break and join me for lunch?”

Rarity opened her mouth, but then the loud voice from before starting speaking again.

“Rarity keeps the remains in a shoebox under her bed!”

The white unicorn had a blank face. The yellow pegasus had a raised eyebrow.

Fluttershy’s hair gently shifted slightly in the wind caused by the force of a door slamming shut.

“Oh.. I guess you’re too busy then.”

The door to Rarity’s work room opened with a room shaking bang. In the space it once occupied, stood the embodiment of generosity and the rage of a thousand suns.

Her face was puffed up in anger, and her hair fell in loose curls around her face. Somehow the professional bun it once was had become untied. The livid unicorn’s shoulders were tensed up, her hoofsteps were sharp and deliberate, and her hands were balled up into fists.

She stepped up to the smug looking changeling on the floor, kneeled to one knee in front of him, pointed at his face with her perfectly manicured finger, and spoke in a voice dripping with malice.

“You.. you’re no monster.. YOU’RE AN ABOMINATION!”

The changeling maintained his smug smile, but was having trouble lifting his head due to his hogtied position on the floor. His voice spoke in the quiet tone he was enunciating from earlier.

“You should be glad that Fluttershy would be forgiving on that one.” He smacked his lips together before continuing, “But this is nowhere near the worst I can do. You know how fast words can travel, how quickly they can reach the ears of those you care about.”

The changeling shifted from side to side slightly so he could angle his face and look at Rarity’s own. He saw her expression, how it had dropped slightly, how his earlier display was finally getting under her skin. His voice lowered slightly as he continued.

“I didn't want to bring it to this.. but you forced my hoof.”

Rarity stared back into his solid blue eyes. Her posture had stiffened slightly, her brow was furrowed.

A full minute passed, with Rarity staring at the changeling, and the changeling staring back.

The first to speak was Rarity.

“So you just want things to go back to how they were, where you were impersonating my mannequin?”

The changeling’s head dropped to the floor, aching from the exertion of the awkward position. He closed his eyes and said, “Yes.”

Rarity bit her bottom lip in consideration, then said, “Why?”

The changeling opened one eye, closed it and replied.

“I.. want to see what it was like, to see the world pass by without making waves.”

“Oh.. Uhm, I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“It’s.. it’s not important. Let’s just say I want to take a break.”

Rarity just looked at the changeling, his uncomfortable posture on the floor, the errant needles and pins stuck into his exterior, and his whole pitiful situation.

Still kneeling, her horn glowed slightly, and the pink ribbon binding the changeling’s hands and hooves came loose. Rarity then began to gently pull her pins and needles out of her former captive. She spoke in a sympathetic tone.

“Alright, you've convinced me, I’ll give you a break.”

“Thank you, Rarity.”

“You know that you are unbound correct?”

The changeling went limp, then said, “Ah, I’m guess I’m just used to keeping to how I’m posed”

Rarity smiled at this, then she asked, “I have one question.”

Two solid blue eyes looked in her direction.

“What is your name?”

Getting up off the floor, the changeling switched to a cross legged sitting position and asked back.

“Must I answer? I don’t see how it’s important.”

“Well, Even if you are just going to be my mannequin, I’d still like to know.”

The changeling seemed a bit unsure, his gaze wandering off to the side, but he soon replied in his usual quiet tone.

“Outside of the hive, I was Rabble Rouser.”

He stood up, his arms going out to form a capital T like stance, green flames curling up his legs as he said one last thing.

“You should get back to work Rarity.”

Rarity continued to kneel on the ground. She sighed, and started fixing her hair back up with her hands while her horn glowed and began to sort out the mess in her work room, her mannequin standing silent with it’s arms straight to the sides like a capital T.

A Brief Issue

chapter 5 - A Brief Issue

For one prim and proper unicorn, the day had been moving along splendidly. The unicorn in question being none other than the beautiful and stunning Rarity Belle of Carousel Boutique, currently wearing a blue tube top with a trendy black nylon vest and knee length acid wash jeans.

She had just returned from a few errands, dropping off a commissioned ensemble for a secretive client, and dropping off an apology for a close friend. The elegant mare finished her commission in a timely manner thanks to a suggestion helping her decide on a difficult color choice. Rarity was also happy that she quickly overcame her guilt on breaking Fluttershy’s tea set and was able to apologize sooner than anticipated. Of course, these events could have been related to a ‘hiccup’ that occurred two days ago, but the trendy unicorn was doing her best to forget what had happened that day.

Right now, she was more concerned with cleaning up her work room, and relaxing for the rest of the day.

Entering the already fairly clean space with a flourish, Rarity took a moment to levitate a brush and dustpan to sweep up any errant scraps and threads. As she tidied up the work room, the classy unicorn was singing to herself a tuneless song and sashayed as she walked. A mannequin had been left in the room from when she was working on her previously completed commission. The dummy was still wearing brown pants from before since the unicorn mare found no need to remove them while she was working.

She paused a moment to look at the cloth model, and mentally decided to redress the mannequin with one of her more recent designs for stallions and then place it back on display in her showroom. Resuming her tuneless melody, she sauntered back into her showroom with a swing of her hips, quickly returning with an armful of folded apparel that was promptly placed on a nearby desk.

The stylish unicorn turned to the mannequin, leaned forward and reached her hands towards the top edge of the shirtless mannequin’s brown pants.

But she stopped herself when she was but a single inch away from the belt line, her expression adopting a twinge of worry and her tuneless singing paused. Rarity retreated her hands to her chest and stood up straight. She shook her head and said to herself, “Nono, Don’t think about it Rarity. He’s just a mannequin.”

The white seamstress took a breath and resumed inching one hand towards the clasp that held up the brown pants. As her hand got closer, her nervousness became more apparent as she bit her bottom lip. Her movement slowed, tremors started moving up her arm and her breathing became quicker.

She suddenly stood up and closed her eyes to regain her composure, slowly breathing in and out to calm her nerves. A quick twirl and she stepped out of the sewing room, returning a few seconds later to place another piece of garb on top of the apparel that was sitting on the desk. Rarity then stood in front of the mannequin in the brown pants, crossed her arms and turned up her nose haughtily.

“Mr Rouser, I am late for a spa appointment,” said Rarity to the mannequin. “So as a favor to me I am asking you to dress yourself and stand in the showroom, you can leave the pants here.”

The mannequin did not respond. Rarity opened one eye and it continued to stand straight with faceless silence. The white unicorn glared at the mannequin, her arms still crossed under her bust and her tail swishing impatiently. After a few moments, her horn glowed in it’s usual light blue aura, with a matching aura around the cloth model in front of her.

With a slight flash, the mannequin visage was suddenly replaced with that of a changeling. Iridescent black chitin, flimsy insectoid wings, curved horn, pointy fangs, and a robust stallion like build just like before. His expression was that of slight annoyance, but he made no move to speak as he looked towards Rarity with his solid blue eyes. The white unicorn faced away, her arms still crossed and her tail moving from side to side impatiently as she spoke.

“I’m not going to repeat myself Mr Rouser, so if you’d just..”

Rabble Rouser the changeling interrupted with his own quiet tone.

“I thought we agreed that I was to just act like a mannequin.”

Rarity turned her head to the side, leaving only half her face visible to the apathetic black insectoid. She was avoiding eye contact with Rabble, a tinge of apprehensiveness to her voice.

“I-I’m aware of our agreement, but it’s been a stressful week and I’d appreciate it if we didn't discuss this right now.”

If there was any indication that the changeling was caught off guard by her change in mood, Rarity wasn't aware of it.

Several seconds passed by. Rabble lowered his shoulders slightly and softly said, "Go to your appointment." while reaching for the stack of clothing on the desk.

Rarity nodded politely and relaxed her arms, letting them hang by her sides. She swiftly headed for the door, her hooves making loud clicking noises as she left.

The changeling wasn't too off put by the unusual behavior of the unicorn, except he did pause when he identified the extra piece Rarity had added to the pile of folded garments.

Now it's not unusual for mannequins to wear undergarments, but it usually wasn't necessary for a cloth store display model to wear underwear when it was wearing pants. However this stack of clothing was a complete outfit, black dress pants, dark blue t-shirt, black felt jacket, and on top lay a pair of boxer briefs.

Rabble traced the edge of the slimming grey boxer briefs, then furrowed his brow at the pants folded underneath. He picked up the skivvies with one hand and rubbed his chin in a moment of brooding contemplation.

The changeling was happy with his current arrangement as a mannequin. Well, mostly happy. It’s not like there’s anything wrong with asking for a little more, but Rabble didn't want to rock the boat. However, ironic as it was, ‘rocking the boat’ was something that Rabble Rouser was very good at. In fact, he was so good at it that he earned a reputation for it, at least within the changeling ranks.

The concern he had right now was his ability in doing the contrary, or more specifically in keeping his fellow confidant from causing any drama about their current agreement. It was a good thing that Rarity was a very level headed, pragmatic unicorn known for keeping theatrics out of her daily life.

Rabble was having trouble in keeping his breathing steady.

Outside of Carousel Boutique, her back against the front door, stood the flustered owner with one hand covering her eyes in embarrassment. In a harried tone she spoke to herself.

"I can't believe I'm not able to dress one of my own mannequins!"

She brushed her hand back through her hair and exhaled a sigh of annoyance.

"It's nothing to worry about. It's probably just.. stress! Yes, I have been working too hard lately and this time off is just what I need to clear my mind."

Rarity nodded to herself, content with that thought, and started to make her way towards the Ponyville Spa.

She held her head straight, but in spite of herself her eyes briefly darted towards her home.

Rarity was having trouble in keeping a normal stride.

Business Talk

chapter 6 - Girly Business Talk

Upon arrival, one of the owners of the spa, a blue coated, straight pink mane earth mare wearing a simple white sheath dress and headband, was quick to greet Rarity in an eastern european accent.

“Oi! Missus Rarity! Ve were not expecting you today. Are you here for ze usual then?”

The white unicorn knew her greeter as Lotus Blossom, the calmer and more restrained of the two owners to the Ponyville spa. Lotus shared ownership of the establishment with her sister of inverted color, Aloe Blossom, who could be heard rustling around in what rarity assumed to be a storage room beyond the foyer. The pink coated, blue mane spa associate was focused on two jars she was holding as she entered the lobby through a doorless entryway. She spoke while maintaining her attention on the containers.

“Lotus? Do you think we could just use dis melted butter as massage oi-oh Why hello Missus Rarity! Pleasure to see you here today!”

Aloe straightened her posture and donned an innocent smile while moving her occupied hands behind her back. Rarity politely returned the smile while pretending to have not hear the information that she was going to not bring up while chatting with the flower sisters. The white unicorn put her hands together in anticipation and replied to Lotus’s earlier inquiry.

“Well I hope It’s not too unexpected but I’ve been a bit on edge recently..”

Lotus was quick to step up to Rarity with a concerned look and replied, “Oh my, Let us take care of you right away! We can’t have you developing any stress wrinkles!”

The fashionista shuddered at the thought as she was guided further into the spa main bathing room by the blue earth mare. This room was similar to the lobby in decoration, a variety of soft purples accented with pastel yellows and browns, with large curved columns flaring out at the top lined the edges of the round room. There were many different granite counters that were set near the wall which supported various bottles, plants, vanity mirrors, a sink or two, and various brushes, files, and scissors. The remaining furnishings consisted of several massage tables, several bathtubs, a mudbath and a large wooden spa tub that dominated one side of the room.

Lotus’s pink counterpart was quick to show up after absconding to return the ‘massage oil’. With speed she pulled up a dress screen and a fluffy white towel embroidered with a curvy cursive R. Between the two spa ponies, Rarity was gently shoved behind the screen by one while the other was quick to assist in attire removal. A blue tube top, black vest, and trendy jeans were thrown out into the air over the privacy partition (along with a few other black lacy garments) followed by one of the spa ponies whisking away the paper screen.

The smooth white unicorn was revealed, clad in nothing but a fluffy white towel embroidered with a fancy cursive R. The top of the towel held in place by firm, orange sized squishables and the bottom edge of the towel ending a few inches above the white unicorn’s knees. Any male onlooker would have sworn that time slowed down and a spotlight from nowhere had shined onto the pristine beauty once she was revealed. But Discord’s antics aside, the serene look that briefly graced Rarity’s face was shifted into surprise as Aloe effectively and gracefully spun the unicorn into the large spa tub, unraveling the towel but managing to maintain a censored modesty until the curvy purple mane mare was in the bubbly water.

Rarity took a moment to adjust her seating in the warm water filled basin while Lotus adjusted the temperature up a little higher and poured a pink foamy bubble bath into the water. Jets of hot effervescence soon caressed the now wet maned mare from all sides, and she exhaled a pleased coo while sinking deeper into the pink bubbly pool.

Aloe leaned up near the edge of the tub, brushing back her straight shiny blue mane to avoid touching the water. She asked the soaking Rarity, “Is ze water to your liking?”

An indecipherable “Uuhhhh” emanated from the lochness resident of the pink bubbly spa tub. Aloe looked across the tub to her pink mane sister and they both giggled at their current customer’s satisfied state. But one mustn’t dally when there are customers to take care of. Luckily Rarity was the only customer at the spa at this moment, so taking a moment to slow down wasn’t too far fetched.

“..But now, I wouldn’t trade Sweetie for anything in the world.”

Rarity had just finished telling the story of how when she was young, she traded away her baby sister to a troll for a magic hair brush. The curvy unicorn was currently reclined in a spa salon chair in a white fluffy robe (embroidered of course). Her mane was being washed and shampooed in a sink by Lotus, and her hooves and nails being carefully filed by Aloe. The various spa treatments combined with the conversation provided by the pink and blue beauty specialists had helped the previously anxious unicorn to momentarily forget her worries.

Lotus took a moment to laugh behind her blue furry hand at the conclusion of Rarity's story. Being an experienced professional at helping ponies become relieved of their stresses, Lotus Blossom was hoping the pampered unicorn would soon open up about whatever it was that prompted her visit. She knew that talking about your worries was a good start to overcoming emotional duress, but the blue pony didn’t want to press the issue and cause any undue agitation. Lotus was subtle, using polite nuances and careful finesse to encourage the perfect situation in which her charge would willingly profess their concerns.

Except her sister Aloe was a bit more, let’s say oblivious to the intricacies of being subtle. She blatantly asked, “So Missus Rarity, Vhat has got your tail in such a tizzy today?”

Lotus glanced toward her sister with a mortified expression which was unnoticed by their relaxed charge, and while Aloe returned the look with a raised eyebrow, Rarity let out a despondent sigh. She answered Aloe’s blunt inquiry.

“Well, recently I’ve been having trouble uhm, undressing one of my models.”

“Oh, can she not undress herself?” asked Aloe.

“Erm, not that kind of model, I mean a manne-”

“Oh! You mean like a stallion model?” interrupted the pink mare, carefully examining her filework on Rarity’s hooves.

Lotus spoke up saying, “You has a stallion modeling for you now? This is certainly new! Is he, how you say, fit? Attractive?”

Rarity sputtered a moment before speaking, “W-wha? I-I uhm! You misunderstand, it’s just-”

“Well of course he must be sister. He wouldn’t be a model otherwise.”

"Ja, I can see how dat would be distracting. Whenever a handsome stallion comes into ze spa I cannot wait to get my hands on him."

Lotus's last comment prompted stares from her sister and her client. With slight offense the blue earth mare said, "I mean dat in a professional sense."

Aloe spoke, "What my sister means is, is dat you need not be apprehensive about doing your job with those you verk with, when your job is to verk WITH them."

Rarity considered the pink mare's words as the blue sister finished rinsing her hair. As the hair dryers and curling irons were brought out and the salon chair brought back to its vertical and upright position, Rarity responded with a hint of questioning realization.

"So what you are saying is, is that I should treat my manne- I mean model! I should just treat him, my *cough* model, less like a.. foreign stranger and more like my own employee?"

Rarity placed a perfectly manicured finger on her chin before continuing.
"Why Aloe, Lotus, that makes everything so much clearer! He isn't just a pretty face on a chitinous body. He is working for me! Which makes me his boss."

Rarity smiled in relief as the spa sisters blow dried then curled her mane and tail. This new frame of mind certainly alleviated her concerns, and she was glad that once again, going to the spa solved her problems.

Take that Rainbow Dash! she thought as she inwardly high fived herself.

"Thank you soo much, both of you! I wasn't sure how I was going to handle this.. this situation."

"Poor Missus Rarity, I can understand how it could be difficult working with such an attractive new employee!”

“Ja, I’m glad we could help!”

The last of the curls at the tip of Rarity’s tail had been coiled into a perfect ringlet by Aloe. Lotus then brought out a large hand mirror to allow the pampered unicorn to inspect her coiffure. A beauteous white face smiled back at the seated fashionista and she took a moment to admire and fluff her hair with her right hand. The blue faced Lotus peeked around the mirror and spoke.

“Shall I proceed with your massage?”

Rarity nodded with a smile.

Aloe clapped her hands and added, “Then I shall get ze butter!”

In the hand mirror, an apprehensive Rarity reflection glanced at Aloe, followed by a nonplussed look from her sister still holding the mirror.

"Vat?" Aloe questioned. She looked from her sister to her client, then after a brief pause she said, "Can nopony take a joke?"

Gigglesketches

chapter 7 - Gigglesketches

She was an idol of newfound confidence, radiating an air of boldness and determination which sent birds singing and caused ponies to turn heads while colliding with lampposts. This scene wasn't an uncommon occurrence caused by the owner of Carousel Boutique. In Ponyville, being the small town that it is, most were familiar with the sight of the recently placated unicorn leaving the spa, sparkling like a diamond in a ray of sunlight, or gleaming like a polished sapphire, or glowing like a cut moonstone, depending on the selection and brand of beauty products of course.

But her looks weren't of her concern at the moment. Rarity wasn't even sure if she could use her pristine looks and alluring image to assist in her upcoming confrontation with her changeling squatter. She slowed on her trek back to her home slash business domicile as she considered what little she knew about changelings.

Even if he is a stallion, or at least a male, I’m not sure if my ladylike charm could really help me keep an upper hand.

Did changelings even find ponies attractive? Well, they should at least have a working idea of what looks good and what doesn't, otherwise they wouldn't be very good at impersonations for stealing love. Or do changelings come up with their own pony persona? I mean, there are benefits to stealing identities versus coming up with them, but what would cause a changeling to pick one method over the other? Is it a social issue? Political?

Now I'm starting to sound like Twilight. I should just focus on keeping this encounter professional. Whether or not he finds me attractive or vice versa should be of no concern to me right now.

I mean if changelings in general would find a pony attractive or the other way around.

Because as a pony with rational and upstanding tastes, I can say with utmost certainty that I do not find that tall, dark, and mysterious squatter to be..

Well, I'll just admit he is a tad exotic..

Rarity took a moment to shake her head and clear it of her unwelcome thoughts, then resumed her normal walking pace with a renewed look of confidence and a slight pat on the bottom of her largest hair curls to keep her appearance in check.

But that is not important, what IS important is that Mr Rouser might be a bit put off at a slight change in arrangement. He might possibly be terrified because of our.. initial conversations, and I wouldn’t want him to suddenly erm, ‘bite the hand that feeds him’ so to speak.

Rarity’s right hand unconsciously traveled upwards, where her muzzle gingerly nibbled on her knuckle. Luckily for the prim unicorn, nopony was around to suddenly pop up ask her what she was thinking about. Pinkie Pie briefly considered doing so, but she was too busy stuffing a red herring into a sports bra.

The white unicorn arrived at her home, brought her right hand to twist the entrance door’s handle and entered with the jingle of the bell hung by the door. Her resolve held strong, but she was more worried of the conviction of her unusual tenant.

After finishing a light lunch, Rarity Belle grabbed her neighponese tea set and a bag of one of her more expensive teas from her kitchen cupboards.

Earlier she verified that Rabble Rouser, her changeling squatter and mannequin impersonator, was positioned in her showroom. She had also done a quick once around on the second level of her home, changing her outfit, cleaning and arranging things, and of course reigning in the mess of her guest room that was often occupied by her younger sister Sweetie Belle. Well it wasn't much of a mess this time, earning a tender smile from the snow white unicorn over her sibling’s improved cleaning habits.

But now Rarity carried a tray of homemade snickerdoodles with a steaming teapot and two teacups on saucers. The fashionista now wore a light purple v-neck and had traded out the vest and acid wash jeans for a purple ruffled skirt and a silver band on each of her wrists. She made her way into her showroom, her perfectly pedicured hooves creating echoing taps throughout the otherwise silent boutique. Only a slight glance towards the mannequin disguised changeling revealed her intentions.

The resolute mare quietly placed the tray on a low coffee table towards the middle of the showroom with a soft clink sound. Keeping her skirt straight with her hands, she seated herself on one of the 2 couches surrounding the petite table and turned towards the specific mannequin to observe it’s current state.

The poseable mannequin in question was standing next to 2 other dummy mares near the southern wall, a few meters to the right while entering the boutique. The female mannequins were dressed in what Rarity called “Modern Student Chic”, composed of dark colored plaid skirts of purple and red, white short sleeved dress shirts, bodices to shape the torso, and solid colored cravats around the neck. The stallion mannequin model wore black dress pants, dark blue t-shirt, black felt jacket, and presumably grey boxer briefs underneath.

Rarity wasn’t going to actually check on that last one.

The “Student” mannequins were set to look as if they were just chatting. However, the juxtaposition of the fully poseable stallion mannequin gave the impression that the others were gossiping about him, questioning the mysterious stranger and inadvertently sowing stories of fear and mistrust. The poseable mannequin’s arms were crossed, head tilted slightly downward and shoulders hunched forward. A sight of disappointment and frustration, one that did not fail to go over the white seamstress’s head.

She sighed through her nose, a very obvious look of concern crossing her face, her brow tilted up in worry and her eyes focused on the scene across the room. Her horn lit slightly, and the sound of doors locking and blinds closing echoing through the large showroom. Rarity started speaking.

“I’m not going to force you to change this arrangement we have Mr Rouser, but if we can be civil I would like to discuss it.”

The white unicorn stared towards the poseable mannequin for a moment before looking towards the coffee table and taking the movements to pour herself some tea.

“I’ve secured my home, you are safe to converse with no danger of revealing your identity.”

There were no other reaction from anywhere in the room. Rarity took this moment to bring her teacup and saucer to bear, taking a sip of her tea, closing her eyes and savoring the taste.

As she opened her eyes, she took note of a barely perceptible humming sound, suddenly finding herself watching her mannequin now changeling acquaintance Rabble Rouser hovering to a seat on the couch across from her. The fashionista smiled slightly behind her teacup, proud that her choice of outfit matched the insectoid stallion’s beetle like colorations.

Her smile quickly turned into a professional gaze as she faced the malcontented look of Rabble’s own gaze. Was he checking her out? No, he was sizing her up, preparing to hold his own in what he considered was a battle of words. The buglike stallion took the first shot.

“You have a problem with me.” He spoke in a quiet, steady tone.

Without breaking face, Rarity replied, “No, I have a problem with our arrangement.”

“You don’t want to work with me, you want me to leave?”

“No, I-”

“I’m sure you know I have the upper hand here, I know enough about you to marr you permanently.”

Rabble stared straight at Rarity with a look of conviction. The unicorn mare’s features softened slightly, but she did not seem offended or put off by the changeling’s threat. However, a few thoughts later, her eyes shifted downward, a look of defeat crossing her features.

Either that or she was looking at the teapot.

“If you knew that much about me, then you should know that I do not take kindly to threats, but that I am perceptive enough to understand why you are making them.”

The purple maned fashionista took a small sip from her teacup to keep the steadiness to her voice.

“Can I offer you some tea? Or some snickerdoodles? It’s my mother’s recipe. She calls them something else but the result is the same.”

The changeling’s blue pupil-less eyes narrowed and his muzzle tipped up slightly. He crossed his arms but knew well enough that Rarity was fairly adept at understanding social cues. Rabble himself believed he was skilled in the same matter, but the truth was that his own understanding only applied to larger groups, and not the one to one conversation he was currently engaged in. He took the moment of silence as a chance to gather his thoughts while Rarity started pouring tea into the other teacup.

I’m a changeling, a chitinous, insectoid whose population was considered threatening to ponykind due to our history. Along with the fact that Rarity is disgusted by bugs, my presence alone should be what makes her nervous. Our arrangement of me acting a mannequin changed when she discovered me, but I was able to convince her to keep to the arrangement two days ago.

She obviously has an issue with me staying here, and because she found me out there’s no way she wouldn’t leave this issue alone. I know she’s too fastidious to let anything like this be left alone.

From what was said, she implies knowing that I have no where else to go, which I hate to admit is true, but any change to our current agreement would certainly not end in my favor due to her negative impression of me.

So, I have to keep strongarming her to avoid losing this ground right? But that would only worsen my impression, thus leaving me with riskier options if things sour..

Ah, beetlejuice! Mares are too complicated!

Rabble’s thoughts were interrupted by a floating steaming teacup atop a saucer. His aggressive stance took a more neutral posture, and he took the teacup from the magical grip with both hands. Rarity could see his mind percolating from across the coffee table.

Several seconds ticked by as the changeling percolated with the steaming cup in his hands. His concentration was broken by the voice of his white opposer.

“It’s the blend from Saddle Arabia, I was able to procure some from a few acquaintances of the diplomats that were visiting awhile back.”

Rabble glanced at the steaming liquid then back at Rarity.

“I promise it will help you relax.”

The changeling looked a bit unsure. His white counterpart sighed and rolled her eyes.

“And I promise that it isn’t drugged. Honestly, you should know that I wouldn’t stoop that low.”

After a moment of deliberation, the black insectoid took a polite, measured sip, lifting the cup by the handle with a pinky claw extended. A moment later, his shoulders lowered and he lowered the teacup onto the saucer and put his grip on the china into a more relaxed position on his lap with his eyes towards the coffee table. Even though he wasn’t directly looking at the pony across from him, his concern about the situation was apparent.

Rarity gently started speaking again, her tone caring and soft.

“The problem I have with our arrangement, is that I don’t want to treat another being as a thing..”

The changeling didn’t move, but it seemed he was looking back at Rarity now. His eyes having no pupils made it hard to tell, and his muzzle was still pointed at the coffee table, but the delicate mare was confident she had his attention.

"I would also like to apologize again for my, rough treatment, from our first encounter,”

From across the coffee table, Rabble hadn’t moved. Rarity wasn’t even sure if he was still breathing, or if he had even blinked during the entire conversation.

She took in a breath to continue, but was stopped when the changeling uttered something so quietly that she couldn't hear him.

"Can you please repeat that? Mr Rouser?" Rarity said while leaning forward expectantly. He turned his head to connect his gaze to hers. The gesture caught the white pony off guard mentally, but she managed to hold back the urge to flinch and kept her expression unchanged.

"I'm.. I'm sorry, for threatening you.." Rabble spoke, his usual speaking voice soft and quiet, but clear and concise throughout the echoing showroom. The mare across from him smiled sympathetically, with only a slight shift of her head as if she thought he would continue.

Awkward silence. The changeling wasn’t quite sure what to say next but was compelled to fill the emptiness, even if it was to keep his attention off of the piercing stare of the captivating mare across from him.

“And for.. For tricking you.”

“You had little choice in that matter, you don’t need to apologize for that.” Rarity replied compassionately, her body language scooting her closer to the edge of her seat while leaning forward, eyes never breaking contact from her slightly fazed acquaintance.

From possibly a life of military espionage training, a cultural stigma, or an inherent racial trait, Rabble Rouser had an adept ability to keep his expressions under complete control, at least when he was under pressure to. But due to either the soothing Saddle Arabian tea, the extremely charming wiles of the fabulous Rarity Belle, or the effective lack of social contact for almost a year, Rabble had a lapse in concentration and allowed his emotions to show through.

It was a mix of solace and surprise, made from the sympathy offered by the generous mare in front of him, and an unintentional view of the same style.

Rarity sensed she finally had the upper hoof in the social struggle and took the chance to press her advantage. The prim unicorn crossed her supple legs under her long ruffled dress while her wrists lay limp on her propped knee, her teacup levitated onto the surface of the coffee table.

"You see," Rarity continued, "I believe that it might be possible to arrange a, a more peaceful census between us, or if you are willing, a beneficial partnership of sorts."

The changeling still held the shocked look from before, but quickly coughed into a first and closed his blue eyes in thought. Rarity briefly wished his bright blue eyes had more detail, or at least some more identifiable clue as to where he was looking. She feared to break eye contact in order to be polite but let her eyes catch a quick glance at the changeling’s insectoid wings while he was busy thinking. Her breathing through her snout quickened as her view traced the muscles on his shoulders and neck.

A quick sip from her teacup hid her observations, the neighponese china levitated in a blue aura. In moments like this, Rarity did not trust her hands to keep her thoughts hidden.

Seconds later, the changeling opened his eyes and spoke his mind.

"Beneficial? I'm not quite sure what.."

Rabble turned his head to the right, leaning forward while placing his elbows on his knees. Anxiety plain on his pointed face. His quiet voice resumed.

"Sorry I.. This is one of the most normal conversations I've had in such a long time I just.."

Speaking of normal, any normal pony might’ve flinched at suddenly finding a gorgeous mare like Rarity sitting next to them. Rabble let out the manliest of squeaks instead.

Keep Calm and Drink Tea

chapter 8 - Keep Calm and Drink Tea

“Oh! I’m dreadfully sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten you!”

The white mare of Carousel Boutique had resituated herself next to her changeling tenant on the divan opposite from her original position. She had her right hand over her mouth in guilt and the other politely on her left leg. Her original motivation of locomotion stemmed from her assumption that her presence tended to have a calming effect on the opposite gender. She could easily spot Rabble’s agitation and her sympathetic proclivities had taken action without a second thought.

Her hand met it’s partner in her lap, leaving a pouting expression of guilt on the humbled unicorn.

“Is.. Is this alright?” She spoke, referring to her new seated position next to the changeling Rabble.

The insectoid changeling had a thin lipped, wide eyed expression of poker faced bafflement. The kind you get when trying to hold your breath or restraining one’s self from saying something not quite clever. Which he hoped wasn’t the case for his next statement, spoken quietly but without any tremor.

“That depends on what you meant by ‘Beneficial Partnership’.”

Rarity’s expression went from timid to slight befuddlement, complete with a perfectly plucked eyebrow raised ever so slowly.. Rabble’s facade was strict pokerface, while maintaining the thin lipped state from before.

“Why,” Rarity started, “Offering each other things that the other could possibly want or need, since I can provide many goods you'd like in exchange for maybe some information?”

The white unicorn nervously gestured in the air with her right hand while she continued speaking, her eyes wandering amidst the showroom as she spoke.

“T-to be completely honest, I’m quite curious about you and your kind, your history and the like..”

She was about to chew her nails in the hopes that her modest inquiries wouldn’t fall flat, but restrained herself and placed the tip of her index finger on the bottom of her pouting lips instead. Her eyes made contact with Rabble once again while her muzzle was pointed a downward in a show of meekness.

The changeling’s expression was still blank, but Rarity felt the sense of unease that was once prevalent was now gone, awkwardness replaced with geniality. She decided to confirm her assumptions when the insectoid stallion leaned forward to grab a ‘snickerdoodle’ without dropping his attention from the endearing mare.

He started munching the sugary treat, his face pointed towards his unicorn acquaintance. His demeanor was difficult to pierce, Rarity presumed that the bug like stallion was acting this way out of habit. She had seen that he was certainly capable of expressing himself and his emotions, but she didn't want to be so intrusive as to confirm his emotional catalysts.

In a bit of social reversal, Rarity realized Rabble was waiting for her to continue the conversation. A need to fill the silent emptiness to keep her mind off of the exotic male’s sharp gaze. Her right hand went to twirling a lock of her curly mane, her left balled and pushed into the valley of the dress in between her legs.

Her confidence was waning, her breathing was fast, and she desperately hoped that her dark, well dressed guest would agree to this consensus. The mare’s thoughts were slowly working against her.

Rarity why can’t you keep face! This was suppose to be easy! Just don’t think about having to undress him later if he decides to say ‘No’.

The white unicorn could taste her pearly lipstick as she tried to keep from biting her lip.

"S-Sooooo? I-is this agreeable?" Rarity said, hearing what she dreaded was a tone of trepidation in her shaky voice.

Rabble slowly chewed the last remnants of the scrumptious cookie in his mouth, then swallowed inaudibly.

“Ok.”

Somepony blinked.

It might’ve been the unicorn Rarity, or it might’ve been the changeling Rabble. Either way, the unicorn’s eyes sparkled in relief and her hands clapped together in excitement as she spoke.

“Really!? Oh there is so much we have to do! First let us get you settled in the guest room, I’m sure being a mannequin 24/7 must be exhausting! Or do you only stay disguised during the day? If you can disguise yourself as a mannequin, what else can you change into? *GASP* I just have so many questions to ask! I don’t even know where to begi-”

The ecstatic unicorn’s spiel was silenced by a soft touch of the changeling’s smooth fingers onto her lips.

He interjected, “But first, promise me that my secret will never get out.”

Rarity pulled back from Rabble’s fingers and placed her right hand upon her chest with an indignant look of shock.

“Wha? Moi?? Letting another pony’s secret slip from my lips?? I would never dream of doing such an undignified affront to anypony’s reputation!”

The prissy unicorn turned her nose up haughtily.

“I am one of Ponyville’s premiere up and coming fashion designers, As a dignified lady and professional business mare, you can always trust me to keep my lips sealed on any and all private information. Rarity is no gossip! Hmph!”

At the Ponyville Spa, where Aloe and Lotus are giving each other facials

The pink coated Aloe was applying a facial mask using a disposable wooden spatula to her blue colored sister Lotus reclining in a spa chair.

“Lotus,” Aloe said. “Vat does ‘chitinous’ mean?”

“I think it means, vhen somepony is looking good in a chirt.” Lotus replied.

“Oh, dat makes sense.” said Aloe as she placed cucumber slices over her sister’s eyes.

“Aloe, is dis a new facial cleanser? It feels different.”

The pink spa pony looked behind her, noting the container of facial cleanser, the cream cheese bagel she was eating, and the tub of cream cheese next to it.

She carefully responded, “Err.. Yes! It vas the new one from err.. Switzerland!”

Lotus murmured in approval and sank back into the spa chair to get comfortable.

Aloe licked the spatula then resumed applying the ‘facial cleanser’.

Back in the showroom of Carousel Boutique

Rabble nodded to Rarity’s personal speech on her trustworthiness, mostly convinced his identity would be secure.

Thinking too much on this however, would only serve to worry him so he closed his eyes and took another measured sip of his tea.

The black shelled changeling was actually quite content with this change in agreement, almost laughing at himself for fearing the possible misfortunes his pretty proprietess could propose. He ‘knew’ Rarity well enough, at least from observation, and though there was the possibility that any of their confrontations could have made a turn for the worse, he was excited at this unexpected opportunity of civil interaction with the fabled Element of Generosity.

A slight bouncing motion traveling through the couch implied the insectoid stallion that he wasn’t the only one excited. He opened his left eye to a very jubilant white furred mare. It seemed she couldn’t sit still, her hands clasped in front of her muzzle, her form bobbing up and down on the springy cushion her firm rear was bouncing on. Rabble made sure to shift his webby tail to keep it from being caught up in the enthusiasm and had to quickly turn his head up from where his eyes were looking once Rarity started speaking again.

“I can’t wait to get started! This must be how Twilight feels whenever she gets a new book!”

Rarity suddenly turned muzzle to muzzle with the more sedate changeling, glittering smile and sparkling eyes a tad closer than expected, not to mention a dainty hand suddenly on his shoulder.

“Ok Mr Rouser! First I want your actual body measurements! Stay put while I get my measuring tape!”

The excited white fashionista quickly stood up and skipped to her workroom while rubbing her hands together. Rabble’s eyes followed her swinging tail until she was out of sight. Calmly, he attempted to take another sip of his tea, but frowned when he realized his cup was empty. Rarity’s voice suddenly came through the doorway.

“Uhm.. Mr Rouser.. Are you not wearing the uhh.. full set of attire I provided you earlier?”

Rabble smiled, and quietly poured himself another cup of the Saddle Arabian blend.

“And that’s why the mannequins are sometimes in different positions overnight.”

Sweetie smiled at the conclusion of her story and turned to her teacher Miss Cheerilee seated at her desk.

The educator had a bit of a confused expression. She said, “Sweetie, the creative writing topic was ‘Changing’, Not ‘Changelings’.”

“Oh.” Sweetie replied.

The End

epilogue

epilogue

Author's Notes

Whether or not the 'Mannequin of Carousel Boutique' is a fact or a falsity remains to be seen. The owner of the establishment denies any allegations (as expected) and her younger sibling has proven to be a very unreliable witness. Undercover attempts have resulted in one restraining order and the confirmation that Miss Rarity Belle has excellent hearing. Return investigations have been permanently postponed.

My own personal motives for working on this material stem from an attempt to improve my creative skills. Sometimes there are narratives that have to be told, and if I'm going to be telling it then only my best efforts will do. I find that my current best efforts result in a very visual experience in the details but is time consuming in the process. My skills also hold tendencies to follow tropes very closely, which can result in a bit of 'cheesiness' and predictability (like in a popular anime). But I would admit that I write this way on purpose because I enjoy the result. If anything, I feel I need to work on being able to put more story into fewer words, without losing any important detail.

In conclusion, as the creator and editor of these documents I would like to thank all those who found an interest in these events, especially the ones assisting in fact checking and formatting, and those commenting during the posting of the documents. I apologize for the extended length of time in publishing these documents because I only worked on these when I was 'in the zone' so to speak.

Lastly, Yes I do read every note and comment but I take an extended time in answering them because I am a total gossip and I have a terrible habit of spoiling my own material. BUT, any questions you have about anything I will now be able to answer in the comments.

tldr THANKS FOR READING

-Emeralddragon2