The Melody of Melancholy

It was a brisk, autumn evening, the lights of Canterlot slowly popping into life as the sun began to set. A gentle breeze swept through the streets, swirling the rain drizzling from the murky clouds. Rarity, the familiar white unicorn with purple mane and an Element of Harmony, was out doing some nightly shopping. The myriad of bags hanging from her back clattered loudly while she struggled to unfold her umbrella. With a loud click, the umbrella popped open. The force of it knocked her back a few paces, her flank landing in a large puddle. With an exasperated sigh, she pushed herself back up.

"Stupid rain, stupid umbrella... now I'm all muddy. What could be worse?" Rarity whined, kicking the pavement angrily. The door to the store she was standing beside, creaked open eerily and an elderly stallion popped his head out.

"Are you alright, Miss? I saw you tumble and thought you might want to come in out of the rain. Perhaps you'll find something to buy while you dry off." He held the door open a little wider, gesturing inside.

Rarity smiled sweetly, "Oh, you're such a gentecolt, I would love to come in and clean off this muck." She carefully pushed past the frail stallion and into the store. The rush of warm, musty air hit her like a carriage. "Oooh, that's much nicer."

The elderly stallion quietly shut the door behind him, the bell above ringing shrilly. Rarity noticed his eyes had very big, wrinkly bags beneath them, as if he hadn't slept in years. With the light grey coat he had, it made him look like a miniature, trunk-less elephant. The eyes themselves were yellowed and bloodshot. The irises a harsh green, almost acidic looking. Not often one to judge outside appearances, Rarity felt a little uneasy about this pony but ignored her own warnings.

He stared back at her as she took in his appearance, noting her fancy mane and perfectly manicured hooves. Definitely not the type of mare he was used to seeing in this side of Canterlot. A high-class snob with money to spare in a dusty store like this, it was practically his lucky day. He looked over to his window display case and gave a devious little smile.

Rarity didn't notice his smile, her mind too focused on the fact that her flank had turned a disgusting dark brown. Excusing herself, she trotted into the bathroom to hopefully clean off the fast drying mud. Magically she pulled a lovely, silk handkerchief from one of her multiple bags and poured some water on it. Aggressively she began scrubbing at the caked brown muck currently obscuring her cutiemark.

While Rarity was preoccupied, the elderly shopkeeper wandered over to the display case and lifted out a shiny silver necklace. It shone with a magical quality, a locket in the shape of a musical note hung from the chain. It was encrusted with a dark onyx gemstone, that almost seemed to absorb all light around it. He blew away the layer of dust it had accumulated, making sure it would catch the mares eyes. It had been many a moon since it had been worn, but he knew this time, would be its last.

"Let's see this rich little mare handle this, about time don't you think?" He whispered to the gemstone, it twinkled ever so slightly as if it were replying. He carefully placed it at an angle, making sure the streetlight danced off it.

By the time Rarity returned from the bathroom, the shopkeeper had returned to his place behind the counter. His face was obscured by a large newspaper, his eyes peering over the top. She looked around the musty store, noting the dust bunnies sitting in the corner and the large cobwebs dangling from the roof. The smell of mothballs, mold and rotten cheese hung in the air. It was certainly no Carousel Boutique.

Rarity was just about to leave when the metallic sheen of the locket caught her eye. It was dazzling compared to the drabness of the shop around it, like the sun bursting through storm clouds. She trotted over to it and held it up to the light. As she watched it dance in front of her eyes, swaying back and forth in her hooves, something strange came over her. A compulsive desire to buy it. A burning need that seemed to pour through her every nerve. Without a second thought she grasped it firmly and wandered over to the shopkeeper.

He gleefully watched as she gently placed it on the counter. Rarity nodded toward it. "How much?" Her voice held a demanding tone.

He croaked out a throaty laugh, his voice like gravel, "Five hundred bits, give or take."

She threw down a huge bag full of coins. "I'll give you a thousand if you allow me to wear it immediately. I want it so much..." Her voice wavered, "Give it..."

"Alright, don't get your cutiemark in a twist." The shopkeeper blew the dust off the rusted over cash register. He snapped up the bag of gleaming bits and shoved the draw back in. He rubbed his hooves together, looking back up at his newest customer. "Hope you enjoy your purchase! And I'm afraid absolutely no refunds."

Rarity nodded, barely even aware of his words as she did the locket up around her neck. She felt a warm fuzzy feeling deep inside her stomach and knew she'd chosen well. The onyx note shone for a split second, momentarily blinding her.

"It does that from time to time. Now move along, I've got more vic- ahem -costumers yet to come." The shopkeeper shoved her out the door, eager to get rid of her. He clearly wanted nothing to do with her. "Don't come back!"

Now standing out in the middle of the sidewalk, right hoof firmly gripped around her new piece of jewelry, Rarity took a deep breath. "I need a latte," she muttered, suddenly thirsty.

Leaving the dirty little shop behind her, Rarity headed to her favorite little cafe by the train station. The cute young barista who she had always adored trotted up to her. "The usual, Mademoiselle Rarity?" He asked in his thick Prench accent.

She giggled and waved a hoof in his face, "Oh you, you know me all too well, darling! And yes, one creamy latté thank you very much."

He nodded slowly, his eyes slightly glazed over. "Of course, one latté coming up. For you it's on the house. No bits needed."

Rarity thanked him, thinking that he must've been smitten with her current appearance. She silently enjoyed her latté while ponies wandered past the window. She enjoyed watching the ponies come and go, wondering where it was they were off to. Taking one final sip, she placed a tip for the drink and headed out to leave. The barista trotted up to her, stamping a hoof down.

He pushed her out of the way and tore up the tip, "No, no pay. It's on the house!" He glared at her, his usually bright green eyes faded almost black.

"Oh, there's really no need. I'm quite willing to-" She started to protest.

He rudely cut her off and repeated, "I SAID you no, PAY!"

"Alright I won't, no need to be so rude! I thought you were sweet. I assure you I will not be back!" And with that she angrily stormed out, her bags banging against the door. "My word..."

The barista shook his head and looked at the other customers, they all gave him an odd look. He shrug his shoulders, unaware that anything had happened. His coworkers gave him a raised eyebrow but continued on making the numerous types of drinks. None were the wiser on his unusual outburst.

Outside, Rarity was red-faced and quite offended. She clutched the locket and waited for the train to arrive. Almost on cue the whistle echoed into the night, signalling the passengers to make their way in. Making sure all her shopping bags were in order, she stepped onto the furthest carriage. Ponyville was practically the final stop, a long ride was ahead. Pulling out a beautiful velvet blanket and one of her many romantic novels, she settled in for the journey.

It was almost midnight by the time the train finally rolled into Ponyville, the stars twinkling beside a crescent moon. Rarity was awoken by the train whistle, having dozed off some time ago. With a large yawn and a quick stretch, she got up off her seat. She carefully shut the book that was lying open close to the juicy end, folded up the blanket and stepped out into the chilly night air. The train driver gave her a friendly wave, to which she gave her signature smile.

She wrapped a scarf around her neck and headed into Ponyville. It was a very different sight at night, most of the houses sat dark and silent while the fireflies flew circles around the candlelit street lamps. It was a little spooky how empty it made it seem. Well, almost every building was dark, save the top room of Sugarcube Corner. A familiar pink face popped out of the upper window, mane in a tangled mess and a bright smile on her lips. "Hey Rarity! Stay there I'll be right down!" Pinkie Pie whispered in her still loud voice.

Rarity barely had any time to reply before her cheerful friend was standing right beside her. She gave a little start, unsure how she could move so fast. "How in Equestria do you DO that? Scared me half to death!"

Pinkie shrugged, "I just do I guess," She pulled open one of the bags and peered inside, "So, what did you get? Oooh, I bet it's something incredible and fashionable!"

Rarity pulled her friends face out of her shopping bag, "Oh simply a few supplies, a few new ensembles, a hat or three, some cupcakes for Sweetie Belle-" Rarity stopped to slap Pinkie's hoof away, "-not for you, a few gifts but that's a surprise, oh and this!" She held up the locket in the moonlight, "Found it in some run down antique store, of all places."

"It's so pretty, just like you!" Pinkie gave Rarity a hug and turned back to a loud noise coming from the Cake's kitchen. "Gotta go, babysitting! Sounds like Pound Cake is restless again!" She ran back inside, the angry cries of a baby coming through the kitchen window.

Rarity took it as her cue to leave, turning towards the single light shining down on her Boutique's door. Off in the distance, the many lights of The Castle of Friendship went out one by one. Twilight and her lessons were clearly done for the night. Quietly she pushed the key into the lock, making sure the door wouldn't creak. She gently pushed it open and stepped inside. One of her many fainting couches was currently occupied by her snoring sister, her mane drooping from the edge.

Rarity smiled and trotted over to Sweetie Belle. She very carefully encased her in a blue magic bubble and carried her upstairs to her room. She set her bags down while she lay her sister down on her bed and tucked her in. One of her eyes opened and then the other, "Rarity? Is that you?" She asked, her voice groggy.

"Yes, it's me, I only now got back from my day trip. I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long, darling!" Rarity stroked her sisters mane, "Well you've got to tell me about how your sleepover went. And guess what I bought? Your favorite cupcakes from Canterlot!"

Sweetie Belle rubbed her eyes and pushed the covers back. "The custard filled kind?"

"What do you think?" Rarity pulled a packet of cupcakes from her bag and placed them on the nightstand, "But don't go eating them all tonight. You wouldn't want to miss my pancakes, would you?"

Sweetie Belle shook her head and hugged her sister, "You're the best sister ever!"

"Oh you! We can talk more in the morning alright, Sweetie? For now you need to get some rest, got all that crusading to do after all. Nighty-night!" Rarity leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

"Goodnight! By the way that locket is really pretty..." She replied, almost immediately falling back to sleep.

Rarity turned out the lamp, making sure the door was open enough to let the warm air in. She turned to the sleeping lump buried under the bed covers and blew her a kiss. With her sister all tucked in, Rarity finally felt tired from her long day. She took a look at the full bags sitting in the corner and shrugged, "I can do it tomorrow..."

With that she climbed into her own bed, settling down between the silk sheets. She held the locket up one last time and marveled at its almost perfect cut. Something about it seemed peculiar, as if some magical spell enchanted it. Rarity pushed the thought from her mind, putting on her sleeping mask. She fell into a deep trance, a beautiful voice lulling her to sleep. Her dreams were full of desires, wishes and a melodic singing voice she could not place.