Chapter 1 - Where Fashion Sits
“Mr Fancy Pants I cannot thank you enough for offering to me this wonderful opportunity!”
The white unicorn mare that was speaking was none other than the famed element of generosity, Rarity Belle. She was an engaging associate of mine whose refreshingly new sense of style brought a new look to many wardrobes of the Canterlot elite including my own. Rarity and I had just stepped off the trains running from Canterlot into Manehattan.
You see, I was offered two passes to the Manehattan Fashion Festival, but my usual accompaniment, a model by the name of Fleur de Lis, was away on business in Prance. When I had told Fleur my intention of returning one of the passes while we spoke over the phone a day before, she almost passed out from hysteria.
****
Yesterday over the phone with Fleur
“Fancy Pants? Arriving at the most famous fashion social event of the year all by himself!? Fancy you barely know the difference between a chemise and a culotte! And just imagine the rumors, they would say you no longer appreciated the company of others! Or that maybe you’ve fallen out of favor with your fashionable friends!”
“Fleur, I doubt tha-”
“No! I will not let Ritzy Bitz get the chance to make you look like a fool because you cannot match the colors of your coat and cufflinks! You are going to bring somepony that will make you look good AND dress well.”
“Well, I suppose I could always bring along Trenderhoof, he seems the type to be well versed in this matter. Or maybe Hoity Toity? I haven’t spoken to him in ages.”
*sputtering sounds*
“Fleur? Are you alright?”
“ *cough* Stay put. I am sending you a list by dragonfire of ponies that I trust. I’m also going to burn all those socks Hoity keeps sending you when I return.”
“Hoity sends me socks?”
****
Rarity Belle was on the top of Fleur’s “List of Fashionable Friends that Fancy Pants is allowed to bring with him to the Manehattan Fashion Festival”. I was actually quite enthralled after reading the name. It had been quite awhile since I had met with the friendly fashionista and she had always been a favorite of mine from Ponyville. She had a charming demeanor, an altruistic personality, and I dare say two very well rounded talents that always seem to catch one’s attention. Yet being able to produce and showcase your own fashion lines are only a few of her many talents.
But let’s not get too sidetracked.
I was walking with Miss Belle to meet our chauffeur outside the Manehattan Railway Terminal. We were followed by a few service ponies who were instructed to bring our modest assortment of luggage to the hotel establishment we would be residing at during the week of the fashion festival. Many ponies might insinuate that one can fit all they might require into a single trunk for a week stay in the city, but I was glad to discover that Rarity held the same candle to being prepared.
Even then, My white companion’s excitement was actually overshadowing the shade cast by our twin mountains of baggage. It was almost like she was a ray of sunshine beneath the clouds that crowded the sky overhead. She also spoke with a giddy expression and was almost skipping while her hands emphasized every word with a gesture or motion.
“I can’t believe I’ll be going to the most trendy and fabulous fashion event of the year! And with one of the most famous of the Canterlot’s elite! It’s almost like a dream come true!”
I chuckled at her infectious enthusiasm. “Why Lady Rarity, I do appreciate the compliment but I would say ‘famous’ is a bit much’.”
“Aha.. Pardon me Mister Pants, I’m just a bit excited is all.”
“Oh that’s no trouble, and Mister Pants is my father’s name. Must I keep insisting that you call me Fancy?”
While our banter was going on I naturally allowed my eyes to examine the exuberant unicorn mare walking by my side. She was shorter than the average mare, the top of her head reaching to about my own chin. Her coat the shade of almost white I remembered from our other encounters. Her hair the shimmering shade of purple, styled in large luxurious curls and ringlets, topped off by a.. a sunhat apparently.
Now that I think about it, her clothing seemed a bit unusual for the weather. It was cloudy and just a bit chilly. But with a small purple shoestring purse, her large brimmed yellow hat and choice of a baby blue sundress seemed to be more fit for a hot day at the beach. Actually, her muzzle held a tinge of red to it, and at the time I was thinking she was embarrassed from her earlier statements. I even recall the details that a few curls of hair were out of place.
Honestly, as the premier political pony of Canterlot, I take pride in being able to subconsciously take into account every social cue in view. Even with a distracting sundress revealing a dramatic amount of cleavage, a gorgeous pair of blue eyes and an attention grabbing body, my skill at keeping my composure and focus is so well ingrained it’s almost my special talent. But for the events occurring after our arrival at my Manehattan hotel suite, I will admit to misreading the early signs my pristine pony partner presented.
There was a single drop of sweat at first, starting on the left side of her forehead, barely visibly in her white fur if were not for a small reflected shine on it’s surface. A symptom of possible nervousness from my presence or fear of committing a conversational faux pas. However, even with a mare of her caliber there was another building emotion that I assumed was an unruly whim from the back of my mind. That drop of sweat slowly traveled down the side of Rarity’s face, gently caressing her soft cheek and tracing a line onto the edge of her jaw. It halted like a diver on a springboard holding it’s breath, then fell from the petite muzzle into the valley supported by a hidden undergarment.
Several more beads of perspiration made themselves present on Rarity’s exposed face and.. upper chest area. Her respiration seemed slightly heightened, and she started fanning herself with her large sunhat.
After catching her breath she spoke, “Well then, ‘Fancy’.” The white unicorn then giggled but I could hear there was an obvious strain behind it. “I hope our chauffeur isn’t late, N-not that I am in a hurry!”
I smiled with a look of concern towards the increasingly feverish looking unicorn. “There is certainly no rush Rarity. If you need to rest, I'm sure we could take a moment."
The fashionista's pupils dilated, but she steadied herself and patted my arm reassuringly. "No no, it's quite alright, I'm just feeling a bit.." Rarity bit her lip with uncertainty. "Under the weather at the moment."
It was obvious she was trying to hide her concerns for my sake, and as far as my skill at reading mares went I could tell that those concerns were not about hoofball. I spoke gently while her left hand ceased petting but remained resting on my right sleeve. "Rarity, if are feeling unwell you have no need to worry. As your friend I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
She slowed in her stride, and I had to pause due to the soft grip she suddenly had on my right arm. Her crimson facade had doubled, her breathing shaky, and her gaze I could feel staring towards my own. I’m no mind reader, and I couldn’t exactly tell what was going on behind her pair of scintillating sapphires but I could at least give back a caring smile. The endearing unicorn gripping my arm quietly responded, “You consider us as... friends?”
“Why of course.” I replied with a bit of a shrug. “Fleur and I both consider you as a close friend and if she were here now I know she would’ve done anything to help the famous Missus Belle when needed.”
Rarity waved her right hand dismissively. “Oh I’m really not THAT famou-” Suddenly she turned and grasped my right arm with both hands. “Both of you? Considering me as a c-close friend?”
“Uhm. Yes?”
Along with the hint of perspiration, a bit of moisture was gathering at the edges of Rarity’s widened eyes. Her sudden closeness was surprising, but I’m no stranger to having a fair lady in such an intimate proximity. Being friends with a Prench supermodel must have acclimated me to accept such fondling as a more conventional behavior.
The unusual abrupt change in my companion’s personality however, needed to be addressed. I proceeded thusly by slowly raising my eyebrow.
She turned her head and attempted to blink her sudden tears away while pulling my arm tighter into the confines of her bosom. The heat of her body could easily be felt through my sleeve fabric in the soft marshmallowy arm prison. Each plush orb heaving faintly with each breath, and every few moments I could also feel, shall I say an adorable shiver tremble through her from our contact. Even my hand wasn’t spared from the warmth of the fevered unicorn. Her taught belly against the back of my fingers which politely refrained from any disrespectful movements. There was also the pleasant aroma of what I believed to be her perfume since I doubt anypony was roasting a marshmallow nearby.
It was actually quite strange, having this mare of smaller stature hold onto me so tightly. She seemed much more fragile now, unlike the strong element of generosity I was familiar with. What exactly was going on, I had some ideas but there was little I could do for the unicorn until she calmed from her unexpected shaken state.
Soon enough, Rarity's face returned to a more relaxed expression, efforts to restrain her tears successful in preventing runny makeup and preserving her glamorously pristine looks. She was looking forward slightly to my right, blush still present, though not as crimson as before. Her somatic grasp on my right arm was still clenched securely. The limb still in a position of a literal bosom buddy.
A very pleased "Hmmm...", and a gentle caress on my side caused me to stiffen slightly.
Up until the mare realized exactly what she was doing, along with the mildly compromising position of her own body flush against the side of mine.
Rarity quickly retreated a few steps away with a horrified gasp while covering her now vividly scarlet muzzle with both hands. She started sputtering in my direction followed by what I assume was a rapid series of apologies and embarrassment while turning to face away from me.
Alright Fancy, you’ve dealt with mares in distress before, time to put on a stiff upper lip. I politely stepped to the left side of sundressed mare while she continued on her string of explanations and absolutions.
"I'm SOo so so sosososo sorry Fancy Pants! If it was any other day I would be more in control but you see I'm just a bit stressed out from thinking about my last excursion to Manehattan and honestly the timing of this event was just a bit too close to that time of the year and my friends said I shouldn't go but I just HAD to tell them that this was a one chance in a lifetime opportunity and now look! You probably think I'm worst pony for even THINKING that I’d be able to handle myself but it’s never hit me like this so suddenly and now my reputation is ruined, RUINED! I’ll never be able to show my face around Canterlot OR Manehattan! What if my parents hear about this? WHAT IF MY SISTER HEARS ABOUT THIS? Oh Celestia I’ll have to move somewhere where nobody will recognize me! I-I-I...”
While she had been distracted by her own distraught ramblings, I had gently placed my right hand on her far right shoulder in a courteous half hug silencing her as intended. With a plain voice I said, "If you agree to ice cream and Merlot once the chauffeur has brought us to the hotel, I will be willing to talk this out."
"B-but.. I c-couldn't possibly-" My left hand shushed the white mare.
"Ah ah, Yes or No?"
Rarity couldn't really speak with my hand in front of her muzzle. But after a few muffled words she nodded, putting her hat back on her slightly disheveled hair while tilting her head down to hide her presumably returned flush of embarrassment. I could feel her shoulder shiver under my other hand but did not comment on it as I used that hand to carefully show her the white limousine that had arrived for us during her panicked monologue.
Excitement for my companion quickly returned as her eyes widened and she clapped her hands with a gasp.
But ignoring this initial hiccup I'd say this was a charming reunion. I wondered what she meant by 'that time of the year'..
