Beautyby Sun AuraChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Bonus ChapterChapter 1Most days in Ponyville were beautiful, and today was especially so. The sun was bright, but just enough cloud cover to keep it from blinding the citizens. It was just that perfect time between rainstorms where there was little humidity, and just enough to keep from it being too dry. And it was just getting far enough into fall that the leaves turned orange and cool breezes blew through their manes. Rarity, however, was not enjoying the weather today. She was cooped up in her workshop, working on several new designs. In truth, it was a free day for her; all orders had been filled, only needing the mail Pegasai to come and pick them up for delivery. She had decided to use her free time to get ahead on dresses she knew she would have to make in the future. She had a few mannequins set up with base dresses, each in the various reds and pinks and whites that were traditional for a Hearth’s Warming dress. Pinned to the walls were working designs for next year’s Gala, and a few extra ideas for whichever event might occur in between. In the corner of the room, Octavia and DJPon-3’s collaborative album was playing out of a speaker. Rarity waltzed to the music as she went back and forth between sewing sleeves, décor, and new layers onto dresses and sketching additions to the pictures on the wall. Just as she was debating if she should just grab something from the kitchen to eat, or if she should go down to a restaurant and enjoy the beautiful day, the bell above the door announced somepony’s arrival. Rarity turned her music down, waiting for the pony to announce themselves. The silence told her that it was a customer, not one of her friends coming to warn her of the next monster attack or other disaster. She thought on fixing her hair and makeup before going out, but decided it would take too long. She shouldn’t keep a customer waiting any longer than she should. She would finish off the stitching on this piece, then go out. “I’m in the back room,” she called out to the pony. “It’s the silver door down the hall, if you’d like to come back here. If not, I’ll be out there in just another moment!” It was a few seconds before she heard hoofsteps coming down the hall. They seemed to pause, watching Rarity work for a moment. Then the pony gave a polite knock on the open door, announcing their arrival. “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique!” she greeted, turning to meet her customer. “How may I help you?” Rarity had to suppress a Fluttershy-like squeak when she saw exactly who was in her doorway. His coat and mane shone, and his suit was spotless. His charm and confidence radiated through the room. “Hello, Miss Rarity,” Fancy Pants said. “You look as beautiful as ever.” “Thank you,” she said. She glanced in the mirror, seeing how much of a lie that must be. Luckily she had showered that morning, but she had done little else. Her mane, at best, was barely brushed, with only traces of the natural waves and none of the curls, and pulled into a bun. No makeup to be seen. “Is there something I can help you with?” Rarity asked him, trying to subtly smooth out her mane. “Only if you’re not too busy,” he said, gesturing to the dresses and sketches all over the place. “Oh, I’m quite free at the moment,” she said. “These are just a few things I’m making in advance. You understand how hectic things can get.” “Even more so for you,” he said. “As for the actual business, Fleur and I have been invited to a wedding. We talked it over and would love for you to make her dress and my suit.” “Really?” Rarity felt like exploding with glee, but she kept a lid on her excitement. “I mean, you could have anypony make these outfits.” “Quite true,” he agreed. “Which is why I’d like to hire the best. While there may be more well-known designers, I’ve never met any single pony that could make twelve extravagant dresses in less than two days, and never twelve individually personalized and tailored to fit dresses in less than two days.” “That was… an adventure of a wedding,” she said. “Is there any theme to the wedding, or colors you would prefer?” “It is a wedding for Swan Song and Cinnamon Chai,” Fancy Pants elaborated. “Not as regal as a Royal Wedding, but it should be standard Canterlot dress. As for colors, Fleur and I trust you enough to pick out the exact details.” “And where is miss Fleur?” Rarity asked. “I would need both your measurements for a starting point.” “Unfortunately, Fleur cannot make it here today,” he said, using his magic to take a few papers out of his jacket’s pocket. “Photo Finish booked her for the entire afternoon. You know how demanding Photo can be with her models. But I did manage to get her most recent measurements.” “Thank you,” she said, taking the papers in her own magic grip. “I’ll start there, but she will have to come in for a fitting at some point. Though, since you are here, I can get your measurements now.” Rarity led him back to the boutique’s main room and gestured for him to stand on the platform. She tried to pretend that she wasn’t staring at him when he shrugged out of his jacket and undid his bowtie with his magic. Of course, seeing a naked pony was nothing new in a society where clothes are entirely optional. However, Fancy Pants was one of the few ponies who regularly wore clothes. Somehow it felt different to her. Using her magic to hold a tape measure and small notebook, Rarity got to measuring. She thanked the stars that she had the presence of mind to actually take down the measurements. As she pulled the tape across his chest, she noticed something odd. Right near his shoulder, was a large scar running down his front. She wasn’t an expert on wounds, but if she had to guess, she would say that it had been made with a blade, probably a large kitchen knife. “That’s quite old,” Fancy Pants assured her. “I didn’t ask,” she said. “You ‘weren’t asking’ very loudly,” he said. “Everypony has their wild rebellious days, and mine were particularly bad.” “Really?” She said. “I don’t seem the type nowadays, do I?” he chuckled. “Canterlot is full of young colts and fillies doing whatever they want because they can buy their way out of trouble.” “So how did this happen, if I may ask?” Rarity asked. “It’s alright to be curious,” he said. “Truthfully, I cannot remember exactly what happened. A few ponies and I had this back and forth of messing with one another, and everything got bigger and bigger until someone snapped, and I ended up with a knife in my shoulder.” “That’s terrible!” she exclaimed, nearly dropping her magic hold. “At the time yes,” he said. “Looking back on it, it did help me realize that I needed to get my life together. If that hadn’t happened, I’d probably have ended up in Canterlot’s prison sooner or later. Of course, I can still do what I want without repercussion, though I only use to power to do things like have a friend do ridiculous poses while I talk to new ponies.” “Too bad you had to get stabbed,” Rarity said. “True,” he chuckled. “It would be nice to have not been stabbed, but then I wouldn’t be here with you, now would I?” Rarity’s breath caught in her throat at the comment. She was probably reading too much into it, but her mind still raced. “You can step down now,” she said, putting the measuring tape and notebook down behind her. “Is there anything in particular you would like with your suit and Fleur’s dress?” “We hadn’t thought of anything in particular,” he said. “Would you like your outfits to match?” she asked. “Same color scheme or similar detailing?” “Well we aren’t going together,” he said. “Really?” She asked. “Are the two of you not together?” Fancy Pants took his time answering. Rarity waited patiently as he got back into his suit. “We like to let ponies think we are together,” he stated, “but we are not actually dating. Before you ask, we do it to keep away ponies who would like to be in a relationship with one of us only for the status boost it would give them.” “So what is the nature of your relationship?” she wondered. “We’re very good friends,” he said. “We actually met when I was stabbed. Fleur was in the hospital bed next to mine. I’m not really her type anyway.” “She’s gay?” Rarity questioned. “She doesn’t seem to be interested in mares or stallions,” he shrugged. “Though we do have an agreement that if neither of us finds somepony before other nobles begin truly heckling us over not being married, we would get married to keep them quiet. And for the tax benefits.” “But you’re still open to date others?”she questioned. “Why?” he smirked. “Are you interested?” “Well, I-“ she stammered, feeling a blush growing on her cheeks. “I wasn’t implying anything.” “Maybe not,” he said. “But I was. One of the reasons I came down here today, was to ask you to be my date to the wedding. Of course, I’d buy whichever dress you’d like to wear to the event, or give the proper amount of money for supplies and time if you wish to make it yourself.” “Wait, What?” She asked. “Of course,” he continued, “We could start out smaller. Say, lunch at a restaurant of your choosing, and then up to Canterlot’s theatre? They’re currently showing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it’s been getting incredible reviews so far.” “I, I’d love to!” she answered finally. “Excellent!” he said. “Then which restaurant would you like? You can pick Canterlot or Ponyville.” “Er, well,” she began, “I know Ponyville’s restaurants won’t be like what your used to, and I’d love to eat at one of Canterlot’s, but I do need to pick up my sister in a few hours. I introduced you to Sweetie Belle back at Princess Cadence’s wedding, didn’t I?” “I remember. She was quite adorable,” he said. “If you need to watch her, then you’re welcome to bring her along. It is a Friday after all, so if you return home late it won’t affect her school schedule.” “It’s alright,” she said. “Sweetie was already having a sleepover at her friend, Scootaloo’s, house. But everything she packed is still here, so I just need to pick her up, grab her supplies, and walk her over there. I will also need to alert Princess Twilight to where I am, should some danger pop up and I am needed to return, but after that I’m free.” “In that case, pick a restaurant!” he exclaimed. “I know the perfect one!” she said. “Just give me a few minutes to fix my hair and makeup and we can go!”’ “You are beautiful as you are,” he said. “Well, thank you,” she said, grinning widely. “But I do like it better. And if I left the house like this, especially with you in my presence, all of Ponyville would be stopping us to ask what’s happening.” Without waiting for Fancy Pants to respond, she trotted up the steps to her room. Rarity couldn’t help but smile the entire way. Chapter 2The restaurant Rarity had chosen wasn’t as fancy as any of Canterlot’s. It wasn’t even the fanciest in Ponyville. It was, however, Rarity’s favorite that didn’t employ a close friend. Their waitress, a turquoise Pegasus, had already taken their orders. She still could not stop smiling. She was on a date, a legitimate date, with Fancy Pants himself. She was still in a fit of disbelief. “Here you are!” Their waitress announced, placing the plates in front of them. “Would you like anything else?” “I think we’re good,” Rarity answered. “Enjoy your meal!” she said before whisking off to another table. Rarity watched carefully as Fancy Pants picked up a fork in his magic before spearing it into his salad. She watched his face as he chewed, looking for signs of what he was thinking. When he smiled and happily picked up another forkful, she let go of the breath she wasn’t aware she was holding. “Something on your mind?” he asked as she ate a forkful of her own meal. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she assured. “I just, well, I wanted to know what you thought of the food.” “Afraid I’ll dismiss it due to it not being my usual level?” He said, smirk apparent. “It’s not that I expect you to be rude about it, but I-” she backpedaled. “You’re used to Canterlot ponies dismissing anything not as ‘elite’ as they are,” he said. “There are quite a few exceptions.” “I know,” she sighed. “You, of course, Fleur, Twilight and her family, most of the Royal Family. Really, most of Canterlot can be more open-minded once somepony knocks some sense into them. Ponyville has its exceptions as well, you know. We’re known for friendliness, but we do have a few ponies as bad as Canterlot’s worst. It’s just, sometimes ponies aren’t who they seem to be.” “First impressions aren’t always indicative of a pony’s true self,” he agreed. He was smirking again. Rarity knew he was referring to their first meetings, the lies she told, the disastrous garden party. She avoided eye contact and stared at her salad. “I really am sorry about lying to you back then,” she said. “You’ve already apologized a few times,” Fancy Pants said. “And I heard that your friend Applejack gave you a thorough lecture.” “That’s one word for it,” she said. “I still have no idea what I was thinking with all that, or what I would say when someone finally called me out. I just-“ “You wanted us to like you,” he finished for her, “and you didn’t know if it was you we’d like. I do find it interesting though. After getting our attention with the fact that you were staying in the castle, you never mentioned any of your real accomplishments. No mention of you and your friends being the Elements of Harmony and saving Equestria twice or how you know the Princesses, not a word about that dragon you helped relocate, never even brought up other big name ponies like Hoity Toity or Photo Finish.” “My own achievements didn’t seem like much,” she said, pushing her salad around the plate. “And I wasn’t going to use what they had done to push myself forward. It seems insane now, but I felt so desperate that I, well, you know how it went.” “If we’re being truly honest here,” he said, “then I must tell you something. I knew the whole time you weren’t telling the truth.” “What!” she exclaimed, her face turning bright red in embarrassment. “W-why didn’t you call me out in the first place?” “Because I knew who you were,” he answered. “While, even today, not everypony knows you on sight, those who were up to date on major events like that could tell. You told me your name and that you were staying at the castle, which was enough for me to know about your adventures as an Element of Harmony. An Element of Harmony would not lie without an incredible guilt. I knew you were a good pony at heart, and I wanted to give you the chance to show it for what it truly is.” “Not many ponies are given a second chance,” she said. “I’m glad I did,” he said. “If I hadn’t, I would not have met the true you, and we would not be here on this date.” She was grinning like an idiot again. She used to think couples looked silly when they did that; the dopey smiles throughout the meal, laughing at simple jokes that aren’t truly funny, things of that sort. It made a bit more sense to her, now that she was part of one of those couples. They were only interrupted by their waitress, refilling their drinks and asking if they needed anything more. With their time running short, their meal was finished and paid for. They headed through the building and out the door. Fancy Pants was just beginning to ask which way to go when somepony called out to them. “Wait a minute! Sir!” it was the waitress, the turquoise Pegasus. “Is something the matter?” he asked her. “I think you might have used the wrong Bits,” she answered. “Er, for my tip. There was a hundred Bit coin on the table. Surely you must have gotten the wrong coin from your wallet.” “No, that is the correct one,” he said. “You were an excellent waitress.” “I-I, well, but,” she stammered. “Thank you, but I can’t accept this much! It’s way more than your bill was!” “I insist,” he said. “You deserve it.” ”Are you sure?” she asked again. He nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so much!” The mare thanked him again before hurrying back into the restaurant. As if nothing happened, he looked to Rarity once more, asking which way to go. “That was incredibly generous of you,” Rarity said, leading him down the correct road. “Well, you are the expert!” Fancy Pants replied, smirking again. “Quite true,” she laughed. “Still, that’s going to help her an awful lot.” “Do you know her?” he asked. “Sort of,” she answered. “Her name’s April Showers. Living in a town like Ponyville, well, you know everyone. I might not know each one’s likes, dislikes, and favorite party food like Pinkie Pie does, but I know their names, their families, their usual friend circles, where they work. You can tell when they’re having a bad day. It’s incredibly difficult to live here and not learn things like that. It’s even more difficult to live here without everypony in town knowing it about you.” “You weren’t kidding when you said everypony would notice if you went without makeup,” he said. “Canterlot is much different. Most ponies could go their entire lives not knowing the name of the stallion they pass on the street every morning. At what point do you think they’ll be talking about us?” “If I know Pinkie Pie,” she began, “then when I come back I’m getting a ‘congratulations on your first date with Fancy Pants’ party. She’d throw it earlier, but it would interrupt the date. By the time we get on the train to Canterlot, the entire town will know exactly what has happened today.” “That system must be great for emergencies,” he said. “Were it an emergency,” she said, “it would take less than half an hour. It’s closer to twenty minutes if you don’t count the time it takes to get to Fluttershy or the Apple family who live on the outskirts.” “Incredible!” he exclaimed. “If I’m correct,” she began, “since we passed Berry Punch’s bar on the way to eat, she has already gone to pick up her daughter, gossiped about us with Cheerilee, and managed to let both students and parents eavesdrop on them.” Sure enough, Rarity spotted the two mares as soon as the school was in sight. Berry saw them as well, and turned Cheerilee’s attention towards them before giving a friendly wave. She spotted Berry’s daughter, Ruby, playing with Sweetie Belle’s group, about eleven foals running around in some kind of game. They arrived just in time to see Alula trip and send them all rolling into a big pile of limbs. Sweetie Belle, who was luckily near the top of the pile, made eye contact with Rarity and gave an embarrassed wave before pulling herself up. She said quick goodbye, saying that she’d see them all in half an hour, and ran over to them. “Hi, Rarity! Good afternoon, Mr. Fancy Pants!” she greeted. Judging by her grin and the fact that she didn’t question why Fancy Pants was there, Rarity could guess that she eavesdropped on Berry Punch as well. “You seem to be having fun,” she said. “Are all of you going to that sleepover tonight?” “Not exactly,” she said. “Well, we’re all going, but the boys can’t stay the night, and Dinky has a doctor appointment in the morning so she has to go home too.” “You did tell Redheart exactly how many of you are coming?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah!” she answered. “Well, Scootaloo did. I think. She knows it’s more than usual because we made sure to bring Diamond Tiara, and if we bring Diamond we have to bring Silver Spoon.” Rarity resisted the thought to roll her eyes at how unprepared Redheart probably was for tonight. Instead, she focused on the pink filly still running through the grass, the large white bandage still on her cheek. She shuddered at the memory of that small filly walking into her shop with that gash on her face. “How is the dear doing?” she asked. “As best as she can,” Sweetie Belle answered, shoulders drooping. “Diamond’s been staying out with us as long as she can before going home.” “It’s only for a little longer,” she sighed. “Come on, let’s get your stuff and take you over to Redheart.” Sweetie nodded before trotting down the road toward the Carousel Boutique, hop in her step. Rarity took one last glance to the field before following after. “If I may intrude,” Fancy Pants began, startling her. She had nearly forgotten he was there. “May I ask what all that is about?” “It’s not exactly something to discuss on a date,” she admitted. “Really, if Sweetie hadn’t mentioned it, I would never had brought it up and-“ “It’s quite alright,” he said, giving her cheek an affectionate nuzzle. “As much as I’d like to help, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. It’s just, I see how worried and scared it makes you and your sister, and if there’s anything I can do, I’d like to do it.” “Thanks for that,” she said. “I’ll tell you about it after the date, or at least at a time when I can sit you down and give all the details.” “Rarity! You’re going so slow!” Sweetie Belle yelled from the door to the boutique. “Run up and make sure you have everything!” she shouted back. Sweetie Belle was getting much better with her magic. By the time Rarity and Fancy Pants reached the door, she had already levitated most of her stuff to the ground level. “You’re getting better at that!” Rarity complimented. “Less than a year ago you could barely lift a broom!” “I can lift Applebloom now!” she exclaimed, bringing the last item. Seeing the worried expression on her face she added, “I don’t lift her more than a foot off the ground! She’ll be fine!” “That’s better,” she agreed. “But try not to levitate ponies unless you need to, alright? I wouldn’t want your grip to slip and hurt her. ” “Okay,” she nodded. She sheepishly turned to Fancy Pants. “Sorry about this. If I were better at magic you wouldn’t have to pause your date. Then Rarity wouldn’t have to help me get all this over to Scootaloo’s.” “No trouble at all,” he assured her with a smile. “I did surprise your sister with this date, after all.” Rarity smiled and began picking up items in her magic. She took stock of what all Sweetie was bringing; her sleeping bag, a small stuffed dragon, another sleeping bag, a box of what looked to be craft supplies and Twilight’s old sleepover idea book. She reached out with her magic and grabbed her emergency overnight bag for herself while she was at it. Fancy Pant’s golden magic enveloped the boardgames and pillows and such that she hadn’t already picked up. “Oh, you don’t have to get those if you don’t want to!” she said. “I wouldn’t be a very good date if I let you carry all this alone,” he said. “If you insist,” she relented. After locking up the boutique, it was only a short trip to Redheart’s home. It would have been a short trip to anywhere in Ponyville, but she only lived a few streets over. Sweetie Belle had hurried and knocked on the door, letting Redheart open the door by the time the two of them caught up. “Hi miss Redheart!” Sweetie Belle said before bolting past her get to Scootaloo. “Hello Sweetie,” she replied, slightly exasperated. “Hello, Redheart,” Rarity said. “Good afternoon,” she greeted back. Seeing Fancy Pants, she tilted her head in confusion. “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t believe we’ve met?” “I don’t believe we have,” he agreed. “I am Fancy Pants.” “So you’re Fancy Pants” she said, grinning. “Rarity’s told me a bit about you, all good things of course. My name’s Redheart, by the way.” “Well, miss Redheart, that’s good to hear!” he chuckled. “After all, I am her date for the night.” “Really?” she looked back and forth between the two of them. “Yes, we’re heading up to Canterlot after we drop off Sweetie’s stuff,” Rarity said nodding to the items still in their magical grip. “Oh, yes,” she said, remembering that there was a reason they were here. “Er, just put them by the couch there.” “Thank you, darling,” she said, keeping only her own bag. “By the way, I’m not sure if Scootaloo actually mentioned exactly how many of her friends are coming over.” “Oh no,” she sighed, bringing her hoof to her face. “How many?” “According to Sweetie only seven will be spending the night,” she said. “But you will have three colts and Dinky with them until curfew. Are you alright with that? If it’s too much we can help figure out other arrangements.” “No, no it’s good,” she said. “I’m just going to run into the market and buy a few more snacks for them. If the hospital calls me in for emergency work tonight I’ll get Cheerilee or Berry to watch them. Thanks. And enjoy your date!” “We will!” Rarity and Fancy Pants replied as they left. They were only a house down before Redheart had grabbed her wallet and hurried past them to the market. “She was nice,” Fancy Pants remarked. “She’s one of the kindest ponies I know,” Rarity said. “Unless you are bothering her patients. She has a death glare that will make even Pinkie Pie be quiet for a moment.” Fancy Pants remembered enough about Pinkie Pie to laugh just as hard as Rarity did. The townsponies probably thought they looked ridiculous, laughing loudly in the street like that. Neither of them cared. “You look beautiful when you laugh,” Fancy Pants comlimented. “Thank you,” she said with the last of her giggles. It was all too soon before they were on the train to a wondrous night in Canterlot. Chapter 3Rarity and Fancy Pants walked out of the theatre still laughing. After they had arrived in Canterlot, the two of them had swung by Fancy’s place to drop off Rarity’s things. After that they had wandered through the city, done a little window shopping, admired the sights and had dinner at a restaurant near the Castle. Then they went to the theatre as he promised. The play was great. Even though most of the audience seemed to think that a play filled with inappropriate jokes and sword fights was ‘high brow’ and ‘should not be laughed at’, you could see all of the actors were having a lot of fun with it. They laughed at the jokes, and they laughed at the faces of nobles who turned to tell them exactly why they shouldn’t be laughing. By the time they left the theatre, it was quite far into the evening. Usually around this time Rarity would have been thinking about finishing up her work and heading to bed, but she stifled a yawn and headed down the road. “Would you like to stop for a drink?” Fancy Pants asked, gesturing to a bar. “That would be lovely,” she answered. The couple headed in and sat on the barstools. After their first round of drinks had been ordered, Rarity took a good look around the place. It was much more polished than Berry Punch’s bar, but much more cold as well. Ponies here were in small groups or on their own, and she expected that there would be no pony rousing the bar into a sing-along. “Everypony seems to be staring at us,” she whispered. “What do you expect them to do when the most beautiful mare walks in?” he asked. “It’s probably because you’re important,” she said, turning to her drink. “True,” he said. “But I’m not wrong.” Rarity had only gotten a quarter into her drink when two ponies came up behind them. One was Fleur, looking radiant as ever. The other, she did not recognize. She was another unicorn, thin and graceful like fleur, but not as tall and definitely a few years younger. Her coat was a powdered blue, and her mane a light orange. “Good evening!” Fleur and the unknown mare greeted. “Good evening to you as well!” Rarity and Fancy Pants chorused back. “I really hated to interrupt what looks like a lovely night,” Fleur said, “but I couldn’t help but congratulate Fancy Pants on finally asking you out!” “What do you mean ‘finally’?” Rarity asked. “This silly one has been wanting to ask you out since the day you met!” she laughed, nudging Fancy Pants in the side. “He can be such a scaredy cat when he wants to. Even though every time somepony mentions you he’ll go on and on about you. I am happy, but I do wish he waited just one more week, since I now owe Swan Song fifty bits.” “That nervous?” she chuckled. “You could’ve fooled me. I had no idea you were such a great actor!” “My mother was an incredible actress,” Fancy Pants replied. “I learned everything I know about theatre from her. She was sure I’d earn my Cutie Mark on the stage. I’ll introduce you at Hearth’s Warming.” “That would be lovely,” she replied. “I’m sorry, I’m a little lost here,” the unknown mare said. “Of course I know of you, Mr. Fancy Pants, but I haven’t met this mare. And she seems like your girlfriend, but every magazine I know of confirms that you’re with Fleur? Did I miss something?” “Oh, that was dumb of me!” Fleur exclaimed. “This is Elegance. She’s a new model, and since our photo shoot was over, I wanted to show her my favorite bars. As for the relationship, Fancy and I have never been romantically involved.” “Nice to meet you, Miss Elegance,” Fancy Pants said. “You already know my name, so let me introduce the lovely Miss Rarity.” “A pleasure to meet you,” Rarity said. “And you as well,” Elegance nodded. “The name Rarity sounds familiar, are you in fashion?” “Yes I am,” she proudly declared. “I’m a designer, so you might have run across my name. Of course, I’m not as famous as Fancy Pants here, and not nearly as important.” “You’re being overly modest again,” Fancy Pants chuckled. “Just within fashion, you’ve gotten approval from Photo Finish, Hoity Toity, and Prim Headline, triumphed at Manehattan’s Fashion Week, made numerous costumes for Sapphire Shores, designed the wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses for Princess Cadence’s wedding, and owns two boutiques, one of which has been talked about nonstop since it’s opening! All before the age of twenty! That’s worth your fame.” “That’s impressive!” Elegance exclaimed, eyes going wide. “It was just a bunch of luck,” Rarity said, sinking down a little. “And as for importance,” he continued, “Rarity has helped save the world quite a few times. You’re looking at the one and only Element of Generosity!” Rarity sank lower and downed the rest of her glass. Elegance only perked up more. “That is incredible!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t know you lived here in Canterlot!” “I don’t,” she answered. “I live down in Ponyville. It’s a train ride south of here.” “I’ve heard of it,” she said. “But isn’t it a little, unknown? Somepony as famous and as important as you should be here in Canterlot!” “I do have the Canterlot Carousel,” she said, stiffening up at the comment. “As great as Canterot is, it’s difficult to be here full time. My family and friends are down there, and I can’t really leave them.” “But your dreams?” she asked. “Every designer I know wants to be on top, and it’s a little hard to do that if potential clients can’t even find your town on a map. Remember, my dear, you’re an adult now. You can cut off family ties if they’re keeping you bound at home. And if your friends are selfish enough to keep you from the things you love, well, they aren’t really friends are they?” With only a few sentences, the atmosphere around them seemed to change. Fleur shuffled nervously, trying to step away from Elegance without being rude. Fancy Pants put his hoof on Rarity’s shoulder, pulled her a little closer, and gave her a look that said ‘this is your battle, either fight it or tell me to retreat’. Rarity thought out her next sentences very carefully. “Being sad that somepony might leave you is not selfish,” Rarity said. “Dropping friends and family out of your life without a thought about them, just for your own gain, is selfish. It is my choice to stay with them, even though I could live anywhere in the world. And considering that friendship has saved the world a few times over, I assumed that some ponies would stop knocking the concept.” “You don’t have to keep up the façade,” Elegance scoffed. “We all know that ‘friendship’ has little to do with that. You don’t have to pretend that magical weapons run on ‘friendship’ just to keep us from freaking out that something that powerful is in the hooves of a bunch of backwater hicks. Of course I don’t mean you, dear. But they’re so beneath you! Really, what could they give that’s worth staying?“ “Do you even hear yourself?” she demanded. “Maybe, had I not been a part of saving the world, I would be skeptical on whether or not that magic has anything to do with friendship. Either way, I wouldn’t use my skepticism to insult others and their friends. “As for what they ‘give’,” she continued, “friendship isn’t about what they can give you. It’s about giving something to them, about caring about them and their happiness. Be a reason to smile or a shoulder to cry on. I’m not going to just leave them because you can’t see value in someone unless they can ‘give’ you something! And, frankly, I don’t have to listen to you insult them.” She lit her horn to pull a gem out of her hammerspace wallet, and paid the bartender for her drink. Fancy Pants did the same. She lead him towards the door. “I would’ve expected someone who preaches ‘friendship’ to be nicer!” Elegance called after them. “I am not the Element of Kindness,” Rarity said, looking over her shoulder at her. “I am Generosity. Generosity gives you what you need, and what you need is for somepony to remind you that there are still some ponies who can care about others while still living their dreams. “ She hurried out the door, barely pausing to make sure Fancy Pants was following her. She just wanted to get away. She didn’t stop until a block away. “I kind of wish I didn’t offer a drink,” Fancy Pants said when he caught up. “I’m sorry that happened.” “It’s not your fault,” she sighed. She heard somepony calling their names. Looking back down the street, she saw Fleur running after them. “I’m glad I caught you,” Fleur said, slightly out of breath. “I’m so sorry about Elegance. I had no idea she was, well, like that. She had seemed nice earlier but-“ “It’s alright, darling,” Rarity said. “It’s not your fault either.” “Still, it did put a damper on your date,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do-“ “You don’t have to,” she said. “Really,” she insisted. “Anything.” “Since you’re offering,” she relented, “then when you come down to Ponyville for a dress fitting, you’ll have to join me and Fluttershy on our weekly spa day. You can tell me all about what exactly it is Fancy Pants says when he ‘goes on and on about me’.” “Fair enough,” she agreed, laughing at Fancy Pants’ expression. “On that note, I’d best be getting home. And so should you two. It seems like you had a full day.” “That sounds like a good idea,” she sighed. Chapter 4Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Bonus ChapterSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Chapter 1Most days in Ponyville were beautiful, and today was especially so. The sun was bright, but just enough cloud cover to keep it from blinding the citizens. It was just that perfect time between rainstorms where there was little humidity, and just enough to keep from it being too dry. And it was just getting far enough into fall that the leaves turned orange and cool breezes blew through their manes. Rarity, however, was not enjoying the weather today. She was cooped up in her workshop, working on several new designs. In truth, it was a free day for her; all orders had been filled, only needing the mail Pegasai to come and pick them up for delivery. She had decided to use her free time to get ahead on dresses she knew she would have to make in the future. She had a few mannequins set up with base dresses, each in the various reds and pinks and whites that were traditional for a Hearth’s Warming dress. Pinned to the walls were working designs for next year’s Gala, and a few extra ideas for whichever event might occur in between. In the corner of the room, Octavia and DJPon-3’s collaborative album was playing out of a speaker. Rarity waltzed to the music as she went back and forth between sewing sleeves, décor, and new layers onto dresses and sketching additions to the pictures on the wall. Just as she was debating if she should just grab something from the kitchen to eat, or if she should go down to a restaurant and enjoy the beautiful day, the bell above the door announced somepony’s arrival. Rarity turned her music down, waiting for the pony to announce themselves. The silence told her that it was a customer, not one of her friends coming to warn her of the next monster attack or other disaster. She thought on fixing her hair and makeup before going out, but decided it would take too long. She shouldn’t keep a customer waiting any longer than she should. She would finish off the stitching on this piece, then go out. “I’m in the back room,” she called out to the pony. “It’s the silver door down the hall, if you’d like to come back here. If not, I’ll be out there in just another moment!” It was a few seconds before she heard hoofsteps coming down the hall. They seemed to pause, watching Rarity work for a moment. Then the pony gave a polite knock on the open door, announcing their arrival. “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique!” she greeted, turning to meet her customer. “How may I help you?” Rarity had to suppress a Fluttershy-like squeak when she saw exactly who was in her doorway. His coat and mane shone, and his suit was spotless. His charm and confidence radiated through the room. “Hello, Miss Rarity,” Fancy Pants said. “You look as beautiful as ever.” “Thank you,” she said. She glanced in the mirror, seeing how much of a lie that must be. Luckily she had showered that morning, but she had done little else. Her mane, at best, was barely brushed, with only traces of the natural waves and none of the curls, and pulled into a bun. No makeup to be seen. “Is there something I can help you with?” Rarity asked him, trying to subtly smooth out her mane. “Only if you’re not too busy,” he said, gesturing to the dresses and sketches all over the place. “Oh, I’m quite free at the moment,” she said. “These are just a few things I’m making in advance. You understand how hectic things can get.” “Even more so for you,” he said. “As for the actual business, Fleur and I have been invited to a wedding. We talked it over and would love for you to make her dress and my suit.” “Really?” Rarity felt like exploding with glee, but she kept a lid on her excitement. “I mean, you could have anypony make these outfits.” “Quite true,” he agreed. “Which is why I’d like to hire the best. While there may be more well-known designers, I’ve never met any single pony that could make twelve extravagant dresses in less than two days, and never twelve individually personalized and tailored to fit dresses in less than two days.” “That was… an adventure of a wedding,” she said. “Is there any theme to the wedding, or colors you would prefer?” “It is a wedding for Swan Song and Cinnamon Chai,” Fancy Pants elaborated. “Not as regal as a Royal Wedding, but it should be standard Canterlot dress. As for colors, Fleur and I trust you enough to pick out the exact details.” “And where is miss Fleur?” Rarity asked. “I would need both your measurements for a starting point.” “Unfortunately, Fleur cannot make it here today,” he said, using his magic to take a few papers out of his jacket’s pocket. “Photo Finish booked her for the entire afternoon. You know how demanding Photo can be with her models. But I did manage to get her most recent measurements.” “Thank you,” she said, taking the papers in her own magic grip. “I’ll start there, but she will have to come in for a fitting at some point. Though, since you are here, I can get your measurements now.” Rarity led him back to the boutique’s main room and gestured for him to stand on the platform. She tried to pretend that she wasn’t staring at him when he shrugged out of his jacket and undid his bowtie with his magic. Of course, seeing a naked pony was nothing new in a society where clothes are entirely optional. However, Fancy Pants was one of the few ponies who regularly wore clothes. Somehow it felt different to her. Using her magic to hold a tape measure and small notebook, Rarity got to measuring. She thanked the stars that she had the presence of mind to actually take down the measurements. As she pulled the tape across his chest, she noticed something odd. Right near his shoulder, was a large scar running down his front. She wasn’t an expert on wounds, but if she had to guess, she would say that it had been made with a blade, probably a large kitchen knife. “That’s quite old,” Fancy Pants assured her. “I didn’t ask,” she said. “You ‘weren’t asking’ very loudly,” he said. “Everypony has their wild rebellious days, and mine were particularly bad.” “Really?” She said. “I don’t seem the type nowadays, do I?” he chuckled. “Canterlot is full of young colts and fillies doing whatever they want because they can buy their way out of trouble.” “So how did this happen, if I may ask?” Rarity asked. “It’s alright to be curious,” he said. “Truthfully, I cannot remember exactly what happened. A few ponies and I had this back and forth of messing with one another, and everything got bigger and bigger until someone snapped, and I ended up with a knife in my shoulder.” “That’s terrible!” she exclaimed, nearly dropping her magic hold. “At the time yes,” he said. “Looking back on it, it did help me realize that I needed to get my life together. If that hadn’t happened, I’d probably have ended up in Canterlot’s prison sooner or later. Of course, I can still do what I want without repercussion, though I only use to power to do things like have a friend do ridiculous poses while I talk to new ponies.” “Too bad you had to get stabbed,” Rarity said. “True,” he chuckled. “It would be nice to have not been stabbed, but then I wouldn’t be here with you, now would I?” Rarity’s breath caught in her throat at the comment. She was probably reading too much into it, but her mind still raced. “You can step down now,” she said, putting the measuring tape and notebook down behind her. “Is there anything in particular you would like with your suit and Fleur’s dress?” “We hadn’t thought of anything in particular,” he said. “Would you like your outfits to match?” she asked. “Same color scheme or similar detailing?” “Well we aren’t going together,” he said. “Really?” She asked. “Are the two of you not together?” Fancy Pants took his time answering. Rarity waited patiently as he got back into his suit. “We like to let ponies think we are together,” he stated, “but we are not actually dating. Before you ask, we do it to keep away ponies who would like to be in a relationship with one of us only for the status boost it would give them.” “So what is the nature of your relationship?” she wondered. “We’re very good friends,” he said. “We actually met when I was stabbed. Fleur was in the hospital bed next to mine. I’m not really her type anyway.” “She’s gay?” Rarity questioned. “She doesn’t seem to be interested in mares or stallions,” he shrugged. “Though we do have an agreement that if neither of us finds somepony before other nobles begin truly heckling us over not being married, we would get married to keep them quiet. And for the tax benefits.” “But you’re still open to date others?”she questioned. “Why?” he smirked. “Are you interested?” “Well, I-“ she stammered, feeling a blush growing on her cheeks. “I wasn’t implying anything.” “Maybe not,” he said. “But I was. One of the reasons I came down here today, was to ask you to be my date to the wedding. Of course, I’d buy whichever dress you’d like to wear to the event, or give the proper amount of money for supplies and time if you wish to make it yourself.” “Wait, What?” She asked. “Of course,” he continued, “We could start out smaller. Say, lunch at a restaurant of your choosing, and then up to Canterlot’s theatre? They’re currently showing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it’s been getting incredible reviews so far.” “I, I’d love to!” she answered finally. “Excellent!” he said. “Then which restaurant would you like? You can pick Canterlot or Ponyville.” “Er, well,” she began, “I know Ponyville’s restaurants won’t be like what your used to, and I’d love to eat at one of Canterlot’s, but I do need to pick up my sister in a few hours. I introduced you to Sweetie Belle back at Princess Cadence’s wedding, didn’t I?” “I remember. She was quite adorable,” he said. “If you need to watch her, then you’re welcome to bring her along. It is a Friday after all, so if you return home late it won’t affect her school schedule.” “It’s alright,” she said. “Sweetie was already having a sleepover at her friend, Scootaloo’s, house. But everything she packed is still here, so I just need to pick her up, grab her supplies, and walk her over there. I will also need to alert Princess Twilight to where I am, should some danger pop up and I am needed to return, but after that I’m free.” “In that case, pick a restaurant!” he exclaimed. “I know the perfect one!” she said. “Just give me a few minutes to fix my hair and makeup and we can go!”’ “You are beautiful as you are,” he said. “Well, thank you,” she said, grinning widely. “But I do like it better. And if I left the house like this, especially with you in my presence, all of Ponyville would be stopping us to ask what’s happening.” Without waiting for Fancy Pants to respond, she trotted up the steps to her room. Rarity couldn’t help but smile the entire way.
Chapter 2The restaurant Rarity had chosen wasn’t as fancy as any of Canterlot’s. It wasn’t even the fanciest in Ponyville. It was, however, Rarity’s favorite that didn’t employ a close friend. Their waitress, a turquoise Pegasus, had already taken their orders. She still could not stop smiling. She was on a date, a legitimate date, with Fancy Pants himself. She was still in a fit of disbelief. “Here you are!” Their waitress announced, placing the plates in front of them. “Would you like anything else?” “I think we’re good,” Rarity answered. “Enjoy your meal!” she said before whisking off to another table. Rarity watched carefully as Fancy Pants picked up a fork in his magic before spearing it into his salad. She watched his face as he chewed, looking for signs of what he was thinking. When he smiled and happily picked up another forkful, she let go of the breath she wasn’t aware she was holding. “Something on your mind?” he asked as she ate a forkful of her own meal. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she assured. “I just, well, I wanted to know what you thought of the food.” “Afraid I’ll dismiss it due to it not being my usual level?” He said, smirk apparent. “It’s not that I expect you to be rude about it, but I-” she backpedaled. “You’re used to Canterlot ponies dismissing anything not as ‘elite’ as they are,” he said. “There are quite a few exceptions.” “I know,” she sighed. “You, of course, Fleur, Twilight and her family, most of the Royal Family. Really, most of Canterlot can be more open-minded once somepony knocks some sense into them. Ponyville has its exceptions as well, you know. We’re known for friendliness, but we do have a few ponies as bad as Canterlot’s worst. It’s just, sometimes ponies aren’t who they seem to be.” “First impressions aren’t always indicative of a pony’s true self,” he agreed. He was smirking again. Rarity knew he was referring to their first meetings, the lies she told, the disastrous garden party. She avoided eye contact and stared at her salad. “I really am sorry about lying to you back then,” she said. “You’ve already apologized a few times,” Fancy Pants said. “And I heard that your friend Applejack gave you a thorough lecture.” “That’s one word for it,” she said. “I still have no idea what I was thinking with all that, or what I would say when someone finally called me out. I just-“ “You wanted us to like you,” he finished for her, “and you didn’t know if it was you we’d like. I do find it interesting though. After getting our attention with the fact that you were staying in the castle, you never mentioned any of your real accomplishments. No mention of you and your friends being the Elements of Harmony and saving Equestria twice or how you know the Princesses, not a word about that dragon you helped relocate, never even brought up other big name ponies like Hoity Toity or Photo Finish.” “My own achievements didn’t seem like much,” she said, pushing her salad around the plate. “And I wasn’t going to use what they had done to push myself forward. It seems insane now, but I felt so desperate that I, well, you know how it went.” “If we’re being truly honest here,” he said, “then I must tell you something. I knew the whole time you weren’t telling the truth.” “What!” she exclaimed, her face turning bright red in embarrassment. “W-why didn’t you call me out in the first place?” “Because I knew who you were,” he answered. “While, even today, not everypony knows you on sight, those who were up to date on major events like that could tell. You told me your name and that you were staying at the castle, which was enough for me to know about your adventures as an Element of Harmony. An Element of Harmony would not lie without an incredible guilt. I knew you were a good pony at heart, and I wanted to give you the chance to show it for what it truly is.” “Not many ponies are given a second chance,” she said. “I’m glad I did,” he said. “If I hadn’t, I would not have met the true you, and we would not be here on this date.” She was grinning like an idiot again. She used to think couples looked silly when they did that; the dopey smiles throughout the meal, laughing at simple jokes that aren’t truly funny, things of that sort. It made a bit more sense to her, now that she was part of one of those couples. They were only interrupted by their waitress, refilling their drinks and asking if they needed anything more. With their time running short, their meal was finished and paid for. They headed through the building and out the door. Fancy Pants was just beginning to ask which way to go when somepony called out to them. “Wait a minute! Sir!” it was the waitress, the turquoise Pegasus. “Is something the matter?” he asked her. “I think you might have used the wrong Bits,” she answered. “Er, for my tip. There was a hundred Bit coin on the table. Surely you must have gotten the wrong coin from your wallet.” “No, that is the correct one,” he said. “You were an excellent waitress.” “I-I, well, but,” she stammered. “Thank you, but I can’t accept this much! It’s way more than your bill was!” “I insist,” he said. “You deserve it.” ”Are you sure?” she asked again. He nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so much!” The mare thanked him again before hurrying back into the restaurant. As if nothing happened, he looked to Rarity once more, asking which way to go. “That was incredibly generous of you,” Rarity said, leading him down the correct road. “Well, you are the expert!” Fancy Pants replied, smirking again. “Quite true,” she laughed. “Still, that’s going to help her an awful lot.” “Do you know her?” he asked. “Sort of,” she answered. “Her name’s April Showers. Living in a town like Ponyville, well, you know everyone. I might not know each one’s likes, dislikes, and favorite party food like Pinkie Pie does, but I know their names, their families, their usual friend circles, where they work. You can tell when they’re having a bad day. It’s incredibly difficult to live here and not learn things like that. It’s even more difficult to live here without everypony in town knowing it about you.” “You weren’t kidding when you said everypony would notice if you went without makeup,” he said. “Canterlot is much different. Most ponies could go their entire lives not knowing the name of the stallion they pass on the street every morning. At what point do you think they’ll be talking about us?” “If I know Pinkie Pie,” she began, “then when I come back I’m getting a ‘congratulations on your first date with Fancy Pants’ party. She’d throw it earlier, but it would interrupt the date. By the time we get on the train to Canterlot, the entire town will know exactly what has happened today.” “That system must be great for emergencies,” he said. “Were it an emergency,” she said, “it would take less than half an hour. It’s closer to twenty minutes if you don’t count the time it takes to get to Fluttershy or the Apple family who live on the outskirts.” “Incredible!” he exclaimed. “If I’m correct,” she began, “since we passed Berry Punch’s bar on the way to eat, she has already gone to pick up her daughter, gossiped about us with Cheerilee, and managed to let both students and parents eavesdrop on them.” Sure enough, Rarity spotted the two mares as soon as the school was in sight. Berry saw them as well, and turned Cheerilee’s attention towards them before giving a friendly wave. She spotted Berry’s daughter, Ruby, playing with Sweetie Belle’s group, about eleven foals running around in some kind of game. They arrived just in time to see Alula trip and send them all rolling into a big pile of limbs. Sweetie Belle, who was luckily near the top of the pile, made eye contact with Rarity and gave an embarrassed wave before pulling herself up. She said quick goodbye, saying that she’d see them all in half an hour, and ran over to them. “Hi, Rarity! Good afternoon, Mr. Fancy Pants!” she greeted. Judging by her grin and the fact that she didn’t question why Fancy Pants was there, Rarity could guess that she eavesdropped on Berry Punch as well. “You seem to be having fun,” she said. “Are all of you going to that sleepover tonight?” “Not exactly,” she said. “Well, we’re all going, but the boys can’t stay the night, and Dinky has a doctor appointment in the morning so she has to go home too.” “You did tell Redheart exactly how many of you are coming?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah!” she answered. “Well, Scootaloo did. I think. She knows it’s more than usual because we made sure to bring Diamond Tiara, and if we bring Diamond we have to bring Silver Spoon.” Rarity resisted the thought to roll her eyes at how unprepared Redheart probably was for tonight. Instead, she focused on the pink filly still running through the grass, the large white bandage still on her cheek. She shuddered at the memory of that small filly walking into her shop with that gash on her face. “How is the dear doing?” she asked. “As best as she can,” Sweetie Belle answered, shoulders drooping. “Diamond’s been staying out with us as long as she can before going home.” “It’s only for a little longer,” she sighed. “Come on, let’s get your stuff and take you over to Redheart.” Sweetie nodded before trotting down the road toward the Carousel Boutique, hop in her step. Rarity took one last glance to the field before following after. “If I may intrude,” Fancy Pants began, startling her. She had nearly forgotten he was there. “May I ask what all that is about?” “It’s not exactly something to discuss on a date,” she admitted. “Really, if Sweetie hadn’t mentioned it, I would never had brought it up and-“ “It’s quite alright,” he said, giving her cheek an affectionate nuzzle. “As much as I’d like to help, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. It’s just, I see how worried and scared it makes you and your sister, and if there’s anything I can do, I’d like to do it.” “Thanks for that,” she said. “I’ll tell you about it after the date, or at least at a time when I can sit you down and give all the details.” “Rarity! You’re going so slow!” Sweetie Belle yelled from the door to the boutique. “Run up and make sure you have everything!” she shouted back. Sweetie Belle was getting much better with her magic. By the time Rarity and Fancy Pants reached the door, she had already levitated most of her stuff to the ground level. “You’re getting better at that!” Rarity complimented. “Less than a year ago you could barely lift a broom!” “I can lift Applebloom now!” she exclaimed, bringing the last item. Seeing the worried expression on her face she added, “I don’t lift her more than a foot off the ground! She’ll be fine!” “That’s better,” she agreed. “But try not to levitate ponies unless you need to, alright? I wouldn’t want your grip to slip and hurt her. ” “Okay,” she nodded. She sheepishly turned to Fancy Pants. “Sorry about this. If I were better at magic you wouldn’t have to pause your date. Then Rarity wouldn’t have to help me get all this over to Scootaloo’s.” “No trouble at all,” he assured her with a smile. “I did surprise your sister with this date, after all.” Rarity smiled and began picking up items in her magic. She took stock of what all Sweetie was bringing; her sleeping bag, a small stuffed dragon, another sleeping bag, a box of what looked to be craft supplies and Twilight’s old sleepover idea book. She reached out with her magic and grabbed her emergency overnight bag for herself while she was at it. Fancy Pant’s golden magic enveloped the boardgames and pillows and such that she hadn’t already picked up. “Oh, you don’t have to get those if you don’t want to!” she said. “I wouldn’t be a very good date if I let you carry all this alone,” he said. “If you insist,” she relented. After locking up the boutique, it was only a short trip to Redheart’s home. It would have been a short trip to anywhere in Ponyville, but she only lived a few streets over. Sweetie Belle had hurried and knocked on the door, letting Redheart open the door by the time the two of them caught up. “Hi miss Redheart!” Sweetie Belle said before bolting past her get to Scootaloo. “Hello Sweetie,” she replied, slightly exasperated. “Hello, Redheart,” Rarity said. “Good afternoon,” she greeted back. Seeing Fancy Pants, she tilted her head in confusion. “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t believe we’ve met?” “I don’t believe we have,” he agreed. “I am Fancy Pants.” “So you’re Fancy Pants” she said, grinning. “Rarity’s told me a bit about you, all good things of course. My name’s Redheart, by the way.” “Well, miss Redheart, that’s good to hear!” he chuckled. “After all, I am her date for the night.” “Really?” she looked back and forth between the two of them. “Yes, we’re heading up to Canterlot after we drop off Sweetie’s stuff,” Rarity said nodding to the items still in their magical grip. “Oh, yes,” she said, remembering that there was a reason they were here. “Er, just put them by the couch there.” “Thank you, darling,” she said, keeping only her own bag. “By the way, I’m not sure if Scootaloo actually mentioned exactly how many of her friends are coming over.” “Oh no,” she sighed, bringing her hoof to her face. “How many?” “According to Sweetie only seven will be spending the night,” she said. “But you will have three colts and Dinky with them until curfew. Are you alright with that? If it’s too much we can help figure out other arrangements.” “No, no it’s good,” she said. “I’m just going to run into the market and buy a few more snacks for them. If the hospital calls me in for emergency work tonight I’ll get Cheerilee or Berry to watch them. Thanks. And enjoy your date!” “We will!” Rarity and Fancy Pants replied as they left. They were only a house down before Redheart had grabbed her wallet and hurried past them to the market. “She was nice,” Fancy Pants remarked. “She’s one of the kindest ponies I know,” Rarity said. “Unless you are bothering her patients. She has a death glare that will make even Pinkie Pie be quiet for a moment.” Fancy Pants remembered enough about Pinkie Pie to laugh just as hard as Rarity did. The townsponies probably thought they looked ridiculous, laughing loudly in the street like that. Neither of them cared. “You look beautiful when you laugh,” Fancy Pants comlimented. “Thank you,” she said with the last of her giggles. It was all too soon before they were on the train to a wondrous night in Canterlot.
Chapter 3Rarity and Fancy Pants walked out of the theatre still laughing. After they had arrived in Canterlot, the two of them had swung by Fancy’s place to drop off Rarity’s things. After that they had wandered through the city, done a little window shopping, admired the sights and had dinner at a restaurant near the Castle. Then they went to the theatre as he promised. The play was great. Even though most of the audience seemed to think that a play filled with inappropriate jokes and sword fights was ‘high brow’ and ‘should not be laughed at’, you could see all of the actors were having a lot of fun with it. They laughed at the jokes, and they laughed at the faces of nobles who turned to tell them exactly why they shouldn’t be laughing. By the time they left the theatre, it was quite far into the evening. Usually around this time Rarity would have been thinking about finishing up her work and heading to bed, but she stifled a yawn and headed down the road. “Would you like to stop for a drink?” Fancy Pants asked, gesturing to a bar. “That would be lovely,” she answered. The couple headed in and sat on the barstools. After their first round of drinks had been ordered, Rarity took a good look around the place. It was much more polished than Berry Punch’s bar, but much more cold as well. Ponies here were in small groups or on their own, and she expected that there would be no pony rousing the bar into a sing-along. “Everypony seems to be staring at us,” she whispered. “What do you expect them to do when the most beautiful mare walks in?” he asked. “It’s probably because you’re important,” she said, turning to her drink. “True,” he said. “But I’m not wrong.” Rarity had only gotten a quarter into her drink when two ponies came up behind them. One was Fleur, looking radiant as ever. The other, she did not recognize. She was another unicorn, thin and graceful like fleur, but not as tall and definitely a few years younger. Her coat was a powdered blue, and her mane a light orange. “Good evening!” Fleur and the unknown mare greeted. “Good evening to you as well!” Rarity and Fancy Pants chorused back. “I really hated to interrupt what looks like a lovely night,” Fleur said, “but I couldn’t help but congratulate Fancy Pants on finally asking you out!” “What do you mean ‘finally’?” Rarity asked. “This silly one has been wanting to ask you out since the day you met!” she laughed, nudging Fancy Pants in the side. “He can be such a scaredy cat when he wants to. Even though every time somepony mentions you he’ll go on and on about you. I am happy, but I do wish he waited just one more week, since I now owe Swan Song fifty bits.” “That nervous?” she chuckled. “You could’ve fooled me. I had no idea you were such a great actor!” “My mother was an incredible actress,” Fancy Pants replied. “I learned everything I know about theatre from her. She was sure I’d earn my Cutie Mark on the stage. I’ll introduce you at Hearth’s Warming.” “That would be lovely,” she replied. “I’m sorry, I’m a little lost here,” the unknown mare said. “Of course I know of you, Mr. Fancy Pants, but I haven’t met this mare. And she seems like your girlfriend, but every magazine I know of confirms that you’re with Fleur? Did I miss something?” “Oh, that was dumb of me!” Fleur exclaimed. “This is Elegance. She’s a new model, and since our photo shoot was over, I wanted to show her my favorite bars. As for the relationship, Fancy and I have never been romantically involved.” “Nice to meet you, Miss Elegance,” Fancy Pants said. “You already know my name, so let me introduce the lovely Miss Rarity.” “A pleasure to meet you,” Rarity said. “And you as well,” Elegance nodded. “The name Rarity sounds familiar, are you in fashion?” “Yes I am,” she proudly declared. “I’m a designer, so you might have run across my name. Of course, I’m not as famous as Fancy Pants here, and not nearly as important.” “You’re being overly modest again,” Fancy Pants chuckled. “Just within fashion, you’ve gotten approval from Photo Finish, Hoity Toity, and Prim Headline, triumphed at Manehattan’s Fashion Week, made numerous costumes for Sapphire Shores, designed the wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses for Princess Cadence’s wedding, and owns two boutiques, one of which has been talked about nonstop since it’s opening! All before the age of twenty! That’s worth your fame.” “That’s impressive!” Elegance exclaimed, eyes going wide. “It was just a bunch of luck,” Rarity said, sinking down a little. “And as for importance,” he continued, “Rarity has helped save the world quite a few times. You’re looking at the one and only Element of Generosity!” Rarity sank lower and downed the rest of her glass. Elegance only perked up more. “That is incredible!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t know you lived here in Canterlot!” “I don’t,” she answered. “I live down in Ponyville. It’s a train ride south of here.” “I’ve heard of it,” she said. “But isn’t it a little, unknown? Somepony as famous and as important as you should be here in Canterlot!” “I do have the Canterlot Carousel,” she said, stiffening up at the comment. “As great as Canterot is, it’s difficult to be here full time. My family and friends are down there, and I can’t really leave them.” “But your dreams?” she asked. “Every designer I know wants to be on top, and it’s a little hard to do that if potential clients can’t even find your town on a map. Remember, my dear, you’re an adult now. You can cut off family ties if they’re keeping you bound at home. And if your friends are selfish enough to keep you from the things you love, well, they aren’t really friends are they?” With only a few sentences, the atmosphere around them seemed to change. Fleur shuffled nervously, trying to step away from Elegance without being rude. Fancy Pants put his hoof on Rarity’s shoulder, pulled her a little closer, and gave her a look that said ‘this is your battle, either fight it or tell me to retreat’. Rarity thought out her next sentences very carefully. “Being sad that somepony might leave you is not selfish,” Rarity said. “Dropping friends and family out of your life without a thought about them, just for your own gain, is selfish. It is my choice to stay with them, even though I could live anywhere in the world. And considering that friendship has saved the world a few times over, I assumed that some ponies would stop knocking the concept.” “You don’t have to keep up the façade,” Elegance scoffed. “We all know that ‘friendship’ has little to do with that. You don’t have to pretend that magical weapons run on ‘friendship’ just to keep us from freaking out that something that powerful is in the hooves of a bunch of backwater hicks. Of course I don’t mean you, dear. But they’re so beneath you! Really, what could they give that’s worth staying?“ “Do you even hear yourself?” she demanded. “Maybe, had I not been a part of saving the world, I would be skeptical on whether or not that magic has anything to do with friendship. Either way, I wouldn’t use my skepticism to insult others and their friends. “As for what they ‘give’,” she continued, “friendship isn’t about what they can give you. It’s about giving something to them, about caring about them and their happiness. Be a reason to smile or a shoulder to cry on. I’m not going to just leave them because you can’t see value in someone unless they can ‘give’ you something! And, frankly, I don’t have to listen to you insult them.” She lit her horn to pull a gem out of her hammerspace wallet, and paid the bartender for her drink. Fancy Pants did the same. She lead him towards the door. “I would’ve expected someone who preaches ‘friendship’ to be nicer!” Elegance called after them. “I am not the Element of Kindness,” Rarity said, looking over her shoulder at her. “I am Generosity. Generosity gives you what you need, and what you need is for somepony to remind you that there are still some ponies who can care about others while still living their dreams. “ She hurried out the door, barely pausing to make sure Fancy Pants was following her. She just wanted to get away. She didn’t stop until a block away. “I kind of wish I didn’t offer a drink,” Fancy Pants said when he caught up. “I’m sorry that happened.” “It’s not your fault,” she sighed. She heard somepony calling their names. Looking back down the street, she saw Fleur running after them. “I’m glad I caught you,” Fleur said, slightly out of breath. “I’m so sorry about Elegance. I had no idea she was, well, like that. She had seemed nice earlier but-“ “It’s alright, darling,” Rarity said. “It’s not your fault either.” “Still, it did put a damper on your date,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do-“ “You don’t have to,” she said. “Really,” she insisted. “Anything.” “Since you’re offering,” she relented, “then when you come down to Ponyville for a dress fitting, you’ll have to join me and Fluttershy on our weekly spa day. You can tell me all about what exactly it is Fancy Pants says when he ‘goes on and on about me’.” “Fair enough,” she agreed, laughing at Fancy Pants’ expression. “On that note, I’d best be getting home. And so should you two. It seems like you had a full day.” “That sounds like a good idea,” she sighed.
