When We Dance
Chapter One: The Party Hard Pony
The Winter Wrap Up dance had always been Rarity’s favorite part of the festival. She couldn’t tell what she loved more about it, every pony on the dance floor eloquently gliding with their partners or the handcrafted dresses that twisted and twirled with every movement. Regardless Rarity was content. She sipped on her punch in the background, taking extra precaution to not spill anything on her new ensemble. It was a delicate silk in baby blue with an ornate crystalline hem. It had taken hours to perfect and she was determined not to ruin it. As the party waned on Rarity prepared to leave. She had taken on a rather huge order from Canterlot that was due in the following week. She would have to double time it in order to make the deadline. It was a once in a lifetime offer from Fancy Pants that she wouldn’t miss for the world.
“Hey Rarity! Where are you going? The dance just started! You aren’t leaving are you?” A familiar high pitched voice called from behind. Pinkie Pie skipped in front of Rarity, effectively blocking off her exit. Rarity smiled and remarked.
“It’s gotten late. I wanted to catch some sleep before opening the boutique tomorrow.” Pinkie Pie seemed unsatisfied with the answer. Rarity tried to side step Pinkie but the hyperactive pony blocked her path again as she blurted out.
“But you haven’t danced with a single pony! The Winter Wrap Up Dance is a dance after all!” A light blush overtook Rarity’s cheek. Dancing wasn’t her strong suit. She was here mainly for the dresses and gowns. Pinkie continued hopping in place as she awaited an answer. The truth was she didn’t know how to dance. That was why she merely sipped on her punch and watched as other ponies danced.
“it is okay, maybe another time.” Rarity offered halfheartedly.
“Okay! Okay? Of course it isn’t just okay! Dancing is second only to…well, breathing! It’s one of the most fun-afrific things in the history of well, ever!” Pinkie replied without missing a beat. Rarity couldn’t help but smile as Pinkie Pie hopped in place. Still she had work that needed doing and staying here would only put her behind schedule.
“So, point out any pony…and I mean any pony and I will help you ask them for a dance!” Pinkie Pie declared happily. Rarity bit her lower lip as she devised a way out of this particular situation. She needed to get back to her shop she couldn’t afford to waste another second.
“Tell me!” Pinkie practically cried. Rarity continued chewing at her lip, it was clear that Pinkie wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Rarity ran over her options mentally. She could try and run but knowing Pinkie she would easily keep pace or she could lie.
“I can’t dance I hurt my leg the other night.” Pinkie cocked her head to one side as she processed what Rarity had said. After a couple moments of silence she mused.
“Really?” Rarity only nodded her head in agreement. Pinkie merely grinned and remarked.
“Well, when your leg gets better we’ll dance, as a make up for this!” Rarity mentally grimaced and shook her head.
“Yeah maybe when my leg is better, Pinkie.” The expression on Pinkie’s face was unreadable, after a couple of seconds she replied enthusiastically.
“Sure!” After that Rarity quietly made her way home. Once back in the comfort of her house Rarity immediately went to work. As the hum of the sewing machine echoed throughout her workspace Rarity replayed the encounter with Pinkie. For the past month and half Pinkie had continually popped out of nowhere…granted that happened a lot with her but now it seemed it was happening more and more. Pinkie frequently tagged along with Rarity whenever she went out for day to day activities. To be honest it was starting to grate on her nerves. Rarity just wanted some piece of mind but Pinkie was making it all but impossible.
As she agonized over her recent predicament Rarity failed to pay attention to the dress she was hemming. When she came to she had jammed her sewing machine seven ways to Sunday. A silent curse escaped her lips as she tried salvaging the mess but it proved too big a mess. She would have to start from scratch. Rarity merely pushed her red framed work glasses close to her eyes and sighed. Starting fresh was nothing new to her. With a determined look in her eye she grabbed a fresh sheet of fabric. Dress making came first. That was Rarity’s rule…at least normally it was but the world was set against her tonight. Opalescence gleefully hopped onto her hoof, making the hem lop sided. Another light curse escaped Rarity perhaps she should have stayed at the dance. At least then she wouldn’t have had two ruined dresses on her hands. Maintaining her cool Rarity cooed sarcastically.
“Oh, Opal, if you weren’t my cat, I’d make you into a fine a fur scarf…”Opalescence’s reply was merely to meow and nuzzle into Rarity’s side. Sighing heavily Rarity pushed her cat aside and debated restarting again. Instead she stood and stretched. Retiring to her bed Rarity went over everything she needed to do tomorrow. She was low on materials and had to resupply. Afterword the entire day would be dedicated to finishing the order for Fancy Pants. She could possibly fit some time in to visit with her friends but that was unlikely. She needed to fill this order…she simply had too. As she mulled over her schedule Rarity slowly passed out into a light sleep.
The next morning was hell. Rarity had barely gotten a wink. The pressure of the recent order had kept her from a good night’s rest and it showed. Light bags had formed under her eyes from lack of rest. Rarity grimaced at her complexion but quickly prepared for the day. Once out of the door Rarity overlooked her shopping list. It wasn’t long but it wasn’t short either. Hopefully she could finish before sundown but that was hardly ever the case. Wrapping her scarf tight around her neck Rarity stepped out, ready to face the day. Most of the snow had been moved by the earth ponies and the clouds had been cleared. Spring was near but the air was still snappish and cold. Thankfully today was the final day of Winter Wrap Up. Twilight’s delicate planning had made the process extremely smooth, unlike before winter would be over in two days’ time. Not the grueling several months like before.
The first half of her trip went smoothly. She was greeted by Rainbow Dash and Flutter Shy. They spoke briefly before going their separate ways. Both were going out for breakfast, they offered to take Rarity out as a treat but she had to politely decline. When Rarity reached town square she quickly went down her list acquiring almost everything. The final item however didn’t go as smoothly. She needed a handful of satin ribbon to accompany one of the dresses on the order. However another snag had popped up.
“What do you mean you’re entirely out?” Rarity demanded harshly. The young mare working the stall only stammered.
“I’m sorry ma’am but someone else bought out our entire stock!” Rarity quickly thought over her design. She could do without the accessory but it wouldn’t feel right. This dress simply would not be complete.
“Is there any way I could I get the name of the pony who bought the satin?” The young cream colored mare thought for a second before shaking her head.
“Please, a lot is riding on this!” Rarity pleaded. Again the mare shook her head. Defeated, Rarity trudged away thinking of how she could salvage the situation. As she concentrated on alternatives Rarity wandered through most of Ponyville without paying attention to where she was going, bumping into another pony by complete accident.
“I’m so sorry!” Rarity exclaimed as she gathered herself.
“It’s okay, Rarity!” A familiar voice called. Apple Jack was hitched to a cart filled to the brim with various odds and ends with Big Macintosh close behind.
“Supplies for the farm?” Rarity remarked. Apple Jack just nodded as she trotted in place.
“It’s mostly just seedlings for when the snow is gone. That and a plow that Big Mac broke a couple of hours ago.” Big Macintosh shot Apple Jack a quick glare but didn’t say anything. After a brief silence Apple Jack continued.
“After we’re don hauling the last of our supplies back to the farm I should be free to do something?” Rarity only shook her head and admitted sheepishly.
“I’d love to Apple Jack but…” Rarity trailed off as she thought of the unfinished dress at home. This would be the second friend she had blown off for work. Again she considered taking a day off but she needed this. With a heavy heart Rarity continued.
“But I have to work on a project that’s due by the end of the week. Surely you’ll forgive me, won’t you?” Rarity pleaded with a mock pout. Apple Jack just smiled and remarked.
“I understand, Sugar Cube. Maybe I could drop by and help model the dress when you’re done with it.” Rarity smiled lightly at her friend’s kindness and nodded slowly.
“Thank you, Apple Jack. That is really sweet of you.” Rarity commented. Apple Jack only smiled and assured that it was nothing. Afterword both went their separate ways, Apple Jack resuming her argument of who broke the plow with Big Macintosh.
At the height of noon Rarity stopped to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the boutique. She ate in near silence pondering on how she could salvage the dress without changing the design. It was the simple things like this that made designing difficult. Without the satin finish this dress wasn’t complete. A light depression took hold…Every time a big break came Rarity’s way it seemed the world was against her, like she was never supposed to have her moment. As Rarity moped silently over her plight a thunderous boom rang through her ear drums. It was as if some pony fired a cannon directly behind her. Turning around….some pony had…Streamers of all different colors slowly made their way to the ground with confetti mixed in. Pinkie Pie stood behind her party cannon with a goofy expression plastered on her face.
“Surprise! Happy Hope your leg is doing better and stop moping party!” Pinkie exclaimed as she blew into a noise maker cheerfully. Rarity’s ear drums were still partially perforated but she got the general idea of what Pinkie was saying. After all of the noise subsided Rarity took notice of a new addition to the confetti and streamers. There were a mass amount of ribbons. Upon closer inspection they were satin. Rarity’s blank expression quickly turned into a half smile, half grimace as she murmured.
“Is this satin, Pinkie?” Almost instantly the mare nodded.
“My party Cannon needed an upgrade!” She chimed enthusiastically.
“And by chance did you buy every last inch of satin for this upgrade?” Rarity asked with forced patience. Again all Pinkie Pie could do was nod.
“I wanted to add some pizzazz to my cannon. Hit everyone with that wow effect, know what I’m saying?” Pinkie mused, trying to sound as gangster as she could. Rarity just smiled, albeit as if something broke in her mind mentally. A hectic grin overtook Rarity as she commented.
“Could I perhaps borrow what’s left?” Pinkie instantly nodded as if it were nothing.
“Sure! On one condition! We hang out for the rest of the day!” Again Rarity could only nod. This time there was a knot forming at the bottom of Rarity’s stomach…she wasn’t finishing her work anytime soon. That much was for sure.