The story of a new life

I was nervous. I had this feeling of being followed and observed since we left Sweet Apple Acres... It was like someone was constantly stalking on me, studying every one of my movements and actions... I was sure it was nothing but it just wouldn't go away. Anyway, after fifteen minutes, we arrived in a very busy street, we turned a few corners and finally arrived at our next destination. We stopped and Twilight told me :

"Ok, we are here, welcome to the Carousel Boutique. It is where my friend Rarity lives and work. So, let me tell you some things about her : so first, she is a fashion designer."

...no comment...

"She is very tight on manners and on cleanliness. But, I'm sure you won't have any problems with her. Just don't say anything that could offend her or her clothes. The first impression is very important for Rarity." Twilight said

She pointed her hoof at a tall building. It already emanated a fashion sense : it's walls were painted in diverse colours that went great with each other, it was very tidy. Even the glass of the windows had been specifically chosen to reflect the light a certain way that it illuminated the walkway in front of it. I had never see such a fashion building... To be honest I was never really into fashion. When I was young, I was more into computers and video games, I liked to play but also to program. But, of course, this future wasn't to the likes of my parents... Everything around Rarity's fashion building was as tidy as in a queen's bedroom. I was wondering if she would be as tight on manners as much as Fluttershy was shy... I guess I was going to find out. We walked towards the building when I remembered to ask a maybe important question to Twilight :

"Oh, but by the way, what is Rarity's element ?"

"Oh, right, she represent the element of generosity."

"Alright, let's do this, I hope this will give us more important information, we would really need some"

"Let's hope so, and remember, Rarity was with me at Pinky Pie's party all night until six PM the day of the crime." She said

"Right"

Twilight approached the door and entered without even knocking. First, it surprised me but then I remember, this was a boutique, just like a shop. But, where did Rarity live if this was her business building ? I'll ask when I meet her. As I entered, this room, I saw that it wasn't as tidy as a queen's bedroom... It was a queen's bedroom ! Everything had the scent of perfection, all around me, mirrors, colourful tapestries, beautiful dresses and different outfits on horse-like mannequins. I was fascinated by everything around me. This was definitely the dream boutique for a fashion designer. I saw Twilight heading for a stair case I just noticed, she stopped right in front of it and yelled :

"RARITY, ARE YOU HOME ?"

After a few seconds she got an answer :

"Yes darling, just a second I am coming" Rarity answered

By the way she was speaking and everything else I knew about Rarity so far, I could already establish what kind of personality I would have to deal with. I was surprised I could refer to people I knew in the human world to better understand those ponies. I was ready. After a minute, I heard hoofs clapping on the stairs and I saw Rarity for the first time. In size and shape, she was similar to Fluttershy, Twilight or any other pony I've seen today. But her skin was white and her mane and tale were of a very beautiful mauve. Her eyes were dark blue and she had this weird symbol on her left flank. Hers represented three gems in a diamond shape... Or maybe diamonds in a diamond shape. Everything about this pony indicated that she was a fashion designer and a gem lover : she was wearing pretty noticeable dark mascara on her eyelashes, her mane and tail were sparkly probably from different shampoo and products, her hoofs had been filed perfectly so they were very smooth. If you were wondering, I could tell that by the sound they made while touching each step of the stair case. As she had finished walking down the stairs, she stood there, staring at me...

Not again...

I could see her, shocked, with her eyes wide open... Had I already done something wrong ? When I was about to open my mouth to talk, she interrupted me and hoped in my direction :

"Oh dear Celestia, what you are wearing is just gorgeous." She exclaimed

I was pretty surprised and confused...

"Ehh, thanks..." I said

She was spinning around me, looking at every one of my clothes. She was observing like someone would observe a monkey in a zoo... In addition, she kept giving me compliments like : 'these are the most amazing clothes I have ever seen' or 'They are magnificent'. Coming from a fashion designer, I was flattered. After she finished her little inspection she spoke to Twilight :

"Twilight is this gorgeously-dressed man with you ?" She asked with sparks in her eyes.

Twilight look amused and she answered with a smile:

"He is. His name is Christopher and he is the person I talked you about, you know, the one I had to summon to help with the investigation on Rainbow Dash's attack."

"Oh, right, well you sure did a good job with that" Rarity said, still looking at me.

I am not going to lie, I still felt kind of uncomfortable, this was very unexpected... With that white pony being so interested in usual clothes... Did fashion worked differently in this world ? I had no idea, but what I did know, is that I had to interrogate her. At least I did good on my first impression with Rarity just like Twilight said.

"Rarity I really appreciate that you like my clothes. We came here to ask you a few question about the incident with Rainbow Dash." I said

"Oh... I am sorry if I got carried away there, we do not usually see such 'masterpiece' around here." She said a bit embarrassed

She readjusted her mane and then looked at me.

"Ok, ask away".

"Great, first, I would like you to tell me how you know Rainbow Dash and what is your relation ship with her." I said

She took a moment to think and then answered :

"Yes, I remember : It was four years ago, I was at my first fashion show. I had prepared for this day for the last three months and it was a really important event for me, as if I win, I had a chance to finally be noticed by famous designers. So it was the big day and I was getting prepared and getting my various dresses ready."

"At that time, I had a certain... style. A style that was new for Canterlot ponies. So when I got on stage, they... Well, they didn't like it... It was a very hard moment for me, so many screams of disapproval, so many confused and angry eyes pointed at me... but there was one pony that was there in the audience, that didn't make fun of me or hate what I was showing, no, instead, she stayed there, observing with interest my designs... It was her : Rainbow Dash. Looking at that rainbow-coloured pony gave me the strength to continue. And, as the show kept going on, I slowly caught the attention of the audience until there was more and more clapping and applauses." Rarity continued, smiling

"The ponies finally liked it, it was the best feeling ever, I even ended up winning the contest. After the show, I waited outside for the one that saved my carrier. Without her, I would have probably fallen under the immense pressure. When she came I thanked her a lot for what she had done to help me. She was a bit confused but after some chatting and a lots of laughter, we became best friends."

"After working for different designers, I realised that wasn't what I wanted to do, I wanted to work for myself and make my own creations and designs, and then sell them to other ponies, to see a smile on their faces. So I decided to create my own line of designs and settled in Ponyville to do so, that way, I could see Rainbow Dash and all of my other friends that I met soon after, and work on my passion at the same time. Well, that is the story, I hope I wasn't too long." Rarity said

Wow, Rainbow Dash seemed like the perfect friend : helpful, kind, generous, I wished I had a friend like that...

"Ok, very good, now tell me, where were you at five AM two days ago ?" I asked

"Oh, well, I was with Twilight at Pinkie pie's pre-party. She needed our help to set up some high placed decorations. We were there from three AM the day of the crime to six AM. We were informed that she had been attacked and that she was safe at the hospital, but apart from that, I don't know much, sorry. But I really hope that Dash will recover soon..." She answered.

"Oh don't worry about that, I am sure she will..." I said, forcing the words out of my mouth.

"Now please tell me if there had been anything bizarre happening here around here lately ?" I continued

She thought for a few seconds and then answered :

"Hmm, oh, yes, there is something but I doubt it has anything to do with the case : yesterday I found that three bottles of my most expensive shampoo had vanished... I don't know if that could help but I could never find these bottles again, really strange if you ask me. I can assure you that I will find the miscreant that did this !" Rarity said.

"Do you still have more of these shampoo bottles left ?" I asked

"Certainly, I ordered some new ones and I am now keeping them safe." She answered

"Would you mind if we take look at those bottles of shampoo please ?"

"Of course, if it can help the investigation, I'll let you have a look."

She climbed back up the stairs and after a few minutes we heard the sound of an old cupboard being opened. After that she came back down with a big cylindrical box. It looked very heavy and on it was a label : 'FANCYPOO, the shampoo that will make your hair shine like the sun'.

Well that's a slogan...

She handed me the bottle and I examined it on every angle but that wasn't the real reason why I asked Rarity to show me one. I wanted a sample. I decided to ask since I had already made a good impression, who knows. After all, she is the element of generosity.

"Rarity, I know that this might seem weird... But I asked to show me one bottle because I needed a sample... The thing is I don't know myself if it'll be useful but I have a feeling it might. I know that you said it was expensive and since your last bottles had already vanished I would understand if you didn't want to us to borrow one...

It look like she was thinking but she answered quickly :

"But of course you can have one of my bottles, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't let you" She said

"Oh, thank you so much Rarity." I said, smiling

"Although, I would ask in return a favour." She said

Oh...

"What is it ?" I asked

She looked at my outfit again and said :

"After Rainbow Dash's recovery, I want you to help me make outfits like yours but for ponies, I want to create a new design line. I just know that everyone will love it ! It is just so original and so full of emotions. I'll call it : 'The Heavenly Human Habiliment'.

I should have seen that coming...

"Of course, you got yourself a deal !" I declared

She passed me the shampoo bottle and Twilight levitated it in her bag. After saying goodbye, we left the Carousel Boutique and started walking. We had gathered some interesting pieces of information. But not enough to do much yet. As I asked Twilight the time, she told me that it was three PM. Wow, time passes so quickly when you are doing something that occupies your mind fully. It's been years since I felt this sensation, of time passing by quickly. I usually just lie down on my coach, trying to imagine thousands of things... Some were real and some were straight up from the deepest part of my imagination, I enjoyed doing that, but this adventure were beyond my wildest dreams.

I was now wondering where we were going to go. She told me there were six elements and I had only met five yet... Oh, that is right, I haven't seen Pinkie Pie, the pony that needed help from Twilight and Rarity.

"So I guess that now we are heading to Pinkie Pie's house." I said

Twilight smiled

"I can see you are not loosing track of this case. You are right. Don't worry it isn't very far." Twilight said

After a few minutes of walking, we arrived just in front of Sugarcube corner. We stopped there... I was confused, I asked Twilight :

"Ehh, isn't it a bit early for another cupcake break ? I mean there were delicious and all, but we got a pony to save."

"No, silly, I forgot to tell you that Pinky Pie lives there. The actual bakery is on the ground floor, but on the first floor, it is where Pinkie Pie lives. She is the element of laughter but she has a natural talent for making cupcakes too." Said Twilight while laughing.

"So, she works there ?" I asked

"Yes, she occasional helps the two ponies you saw that served those cupcakes by cooking, cleaning and arranging the shop. She is really nice you'll see... But I have to warn you, she is Pinkie Pie..." Twilight answered with a malicious smile.

I didn't quite understand what that was suppose to mean but I knew I would find out very soon...