Sojourn

A bell rang above Horsey's head when she walked into Carousel Couture.  "H-hello?  Rarity?"  She glanced around.  Several mannequins were lined up against the walls, each showcasing different outfits.

Rarity poked her head out from around a corner and squealed with ladylike delight.  "Horsey!  You're just in time!"  Her magic carried a dress behind her as she walked into the room.  "I was oh-so-inspired and put together this little number for you.  Please, try it on!"

Though the mare used the word 'please,' it didn't seem that there was any room for Horsey to disagree.  A folding screen moved over to hide them from any pony that walked in through the doors.  Magic tugged her in various directions as she was forcibly put into the dress, her mane pulled back and tied up, and a few accessories dropped onto her.  Before she knew it, she started laughing.

Rarity took a startled step away from her.  "H-Horsey?  Why ever are you laughing, darling?"

"I'm sorry," Horsey managed between fits of giggles.  "It just, this reminds me of a time with..."  She trailed off and shook her head.  "Nevermind."  Her gaze wandered to the nearest mirror.  "You made this since I last saw you?"

The gown itself was extravagant, if not Grand Galloping Gala worthy.  A golden chain loosely rested across the base of her neck to attach to a shimmering gold fabric that covered her form in cascading ripples.  Sheer, light yellow tulle draped over her tail and matching strands of tulle were wrapped around her forelegs.

"Well, when inspiration strikes, I find it hard to ignore."  Rarity bit her lower lip.  "Is it all right?  Do you like it?"

Horsey nodded.  "I do, but—"

"But?"  Rarity's ears fell.

"I can't just take it, if that's what you intend to offer."  Horsey's magic started to raise the necklace over her head.  "Besides, I'd have nowhere to wear it."

Rarity shifted from one hoof to the other.  "Oh, but darling, I must insist.  It is quite literally made for you!"

Horsey stopped and looked at her reflection once again.  Her tail flicked, her ears pinned back, and, finally, she sighed.  "If you insist..."

Rarity's eyes practically glittered at the words.  "I do, oh, I most certainly do!"

"But," Horsey continued, returning her gaze to Rarity, "it seems like a waste, since I don't have anywhere to wear a pretty dress like this..."

"Au contraire, darling!  A lady never needs a reason to dress herself up."  Rarity stuck her nose in the air and lifted one leg to strike a pose.  "My fashion is appropriate for any occasion, formal or otherwise.  In fact!"  She gasped and bounced in the air with sudden exuberance.  "Don't you think Haut-Savoir could use a little feminine je ne sais quoi?  Yes!  Yes, indeed, I think I have the very place for you to wear your dress!"  With a giggle, she answered for herself, "At work!  Just think, Horsey!  Customers will flock to gaze at your frock!"

Horsey swallowed and quickly shook her head.  "Oh, no, I don't—"

Rarity looped a foreleg around Horsey's neck and guided her to the door.  "But you must!  You want to make a good impression on your customers, don't you?  Then this is simply the way!"  Her magic opened the door and she waved Horsey out.  "Good luck, darling!"

Horsey opened her mouth to argue, but the door was abruptly shut, and she was left standing out in the open wearing an extravagant dress.  Heat started to crawl up the back of her neck until it reached her ears and she gasped.  "How embarrassing," she muttered as she glanced around.

Would it be more embarrassing to take it off with strangers potentially watching or to walk all the way across town with... strangers potentially watching?  Her heart began pounding in her chest.  What kind of an image was she projecting?  New mare from Canterlot traipsing about in a fine gown like she owned the place!  Ponies would think she was just another Canterlot snob.

She ducked around the side of Carousel Couture and quickly disrobed.  There was something about the act of undressing that felt indecent, even though walking around with nothing at all was perfectly natural and normal.  She'd never understand why that was.

Carefully, she folded the dress up in her magic and carried it beside her as she started her way back to Haut-Savoir.  A smile tugged at her lips as she thought instead that she was going back home.  Home.  It was such a lovely word.

"Hello there!  Yoohoo, Miss High Horse!"

Horsey turned her head to see a grey-maned mare approaching her and smiled.  "Oh, hello, Mayor Mare!"  The smile fell under a wave of nerves.  "Is everything all right?"

Mayor Mare chortled and waved a hoof.  "Yes!  Well, no, but yes."

Horsey swallowed.  "What do you mean?"

"I'm afraid I'm still working on the whole issue of residency," the mayor said with a sigh.  "But I will find you a place to stay, don't you worry about that!"

"Oh."  Horsey rubbed the back of her neck.  She had almost forgotten that staying at the restaurant was supposed to be temporary.  "That's okay.  I kind of like staying at Haut-Savoir."

Mayor Mare blinked a few times.  "But that's hardly proper lodging for a young mare!  Living above a restaurant?"  She chortled again.  "The smells alone would drive a normal pony mad!"

Great.  So now she wasn't a normal pony, because she rather liked the smells.  "I-it's not so bad.  I don't mind it," Horsey replied in a voice that grew more and more tentative.  "And Savoir's really nice."

The mayor stared at her over the rim of her glasses, one brow raising.  Finally, she just shrugged and smiled.  "Well, if you're happy, then I suppose that saves me the time tracking down a place for you to stay."

"I am, but I appreciate the effort," Horsey offered.

"Think nothing of it!  If you ever need anything, you just give me a holler!"  Mayor Mare winked and started trotting on her own way.

Horsey stood there in perfect stillness as in the back of her mind, a gear started to spin.  When it clicked against another gear and set them all into motion, striking her with realization, she gasped.  She hadn't even asked Savoir if it were all right if she stayed!

Panic shot from the tips of her ears down to her hooves and all the way to her tail like electric fire.  Her heart started to race.  The big, open space of the countryside felt stagnant and almost suffocating, but she forced herself to walk forward.

It would be all right.  Worst case, she would turn right around and ask the mayor to get back to looking.  It would be awkward with Savoir until she found a place, but she could handle that as long as that was as far as it went.  As long as he didn't hate her or think her irresponsible, thoughtless, and totally stupid she'd be all right.

"S-S-Savoir?" she called into the restaurant after walking inside.

"Upstairs, mon amie," his voice replied.

Horsey swallowed, though her mouth was so dry it almost hurt.  Each hoof that fell against a stair felt heavier and heavier.  When she reached the top of the stairs and spied him looking over a cookbook, she took a deep breath.

"Um, I was thinking..."

Savoir lifted his gaze and stared at the dress floating beside her.  "What is that?"

"Huh?"  She turned her head to look as well.  "Oh, um, that's, it's—it's not important."  She set it down on the nearest table and stepped toward him.  "Could I—would you—"

Savoir closed the book, his brow furrowing.  "What is the matter, mademoiselle?"

Tears pricked at her eyes from the kind concern in his voice.  She clenched her eyes shut and quickly asked, "Is it okay if I stay here instead of moving out?"

For a moment, silence held them.  At the sound of his soft chuckling, she peeked one eye open to see him smiling at her.

"Of course it is okay.  I thought it was you that wished to move into, ah, more... proper lodging for a young lady."  He settled back down and opened the book to where he had left off.  "I do not mind the company if you do not mind the smells."

"I like the way the restaurant smells," she muttered to herself while she gathered up the dress and carried it to her room.

Savoir's ear flicked.  "What did you say?"

Horsey flushed and jerked her head quickly from side to side.  "N-nothing!  Anyway, what's for dinner?"

"Mm, what would you like?"

Horsey paused in the doorway, then walked over to sit at the little breakfast table.  "Surprise me."

Savoir finished reading the recipe he was on before he stood, stretched out his joints, and moved toward the kitchenette.  "How does a mushroom risotto sound, then?"

Horsey giggled behind her hooves.  "I'm pretty sure anything you make is going to be delicious, so...  it sounds delicious!"

While he cooked, she eagerly watched.  It was always fascinating to watch earth ponies work with their hooves.  He could handle a frying pan better in one hoof than she could with two and the aid of her magic.

There was also the quiet but eager voice in her head that was excited to try new foods, and by living there she had her own personal chef.  A flush heated up her cheeks.  Of course, she didn't want to live with him because of that—his understanding and his kindness and the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled and that rolling, smooth accent of his were all much better reasons, she thought—but she'd be lying if she said it wasn't a bonus.