Our peaceful trot from earlier had degraded into an agonizing crawl. I anxiously chewed on the inside of my cheek as I continued to follow Twilight. She gave a small sigh and looked back at me.

“Do you want me to hate you, Flash?”

My hooves cemented to the ground, Twilight’s figure moving further away from me as my mind reeled.

‘Who hurt you, Captain?’

I shook my head, as if attempting to purge the encounter I had faced earlier.

“No, Twilight,” I muttered. I saw her eyes widen in dismay at my response.

“I just… I don't understand why you're so hell-bent on rejecting our attempts to help you. Fluttershy wasn’t trying to hurt you. You know that.”

‘And why do you think that is, Captain?’

“Yeah, I guess I do know that,” I admitted, looking up to see Twilight had fallen back, allowing me to catch up with her.

“Just… please. I want to help you, but you have to let me,” Twilight said, a soft almost pleading look in her eyes, the same look that Fluttershy had given me earlier.

I wasn’t even halfway through the day, and I was already mentally exhausted. I didn’t want to keep fighting this, not today anyway.

“Okay, Twilight,” I resigned, failing to maintain eye contact with the mare I was speaking to.

I was expecting a look of frustration from my curt response, but she only looked sad and disappointed, as if she’d been hoping for more than what I gave her.

“I take it you’re not going to replace me with another guard, then?” It had been a question that was nagging the back of my mind for quite some time.

Twilight stared silently ahead as we walked, the air around us felt stagnant and unwelcoming, because my day wasn’t shitty enough already. Ponyville was looming on the horizon, our destination something only she knew, not that I had bothered to ask her.

The Carousel Boutique was certainly unique in terms of architecture, though the theme of it was rather gaudy for my tastes. Though I’d never say it to the owner’s face, who was another friend of Twilight’s, according to her.

“Rarity? Are you here?” Twilight called out, her voice echoing around us. An alabaster unicorn with a styled mane emerged from a side room, dawning a smile when she laid eyes on Twilight.

Spike followed suit with a look of adoration plastered across his face, a box tenderly held in his claws that clinked with the telltale sign of gemstones

There’s nothing wrong with liking older mares, kid, but you’re a bit too short in more than one department.

“Oh, darling, I was wondering when you’d pay me another visit! Come by to check on the decorations I’ve prepared?”

Twilight’s puzzled look prompted Rarity to elaborate, “Dear, you should know by now that I’m well aware of all the upcoming festivities. I only assumed that you stopped by for that very reason, being quite the stickler for details yourself.”

Rarity paused to turn to me, “You’ve even bought your entourage along, I didn’t think he’d be attending the party, at least, not after what I heard from Pinkie Pie.

What party? And why is she talking about me like I’m not even here?

Twilight’s eyes widened slightly as she asked, “Huh? What did Pinkie say?”

Rarity simply waved a hoof as she looked me up and down, a sly smile crossing her lips. “Never mind that, darling, but since you’re here, I might as well take his measurements. You can’t not dress up for your party, after all.”

I felt my irritation building up, I was clearly missing something. “What party? And I have a name you know, I’m —”

“— Captain Flash Sentry. Yes, Spike told me a little bit about you,” Rarity finished for me, looking rather coy. “Though, I’m glad to finally meet the illustrious stallion for myself. And what a fine stallion indeed!”

She began to pace around me. I looked at her in bemusement, not exactly sure what to make of the situation.

“The way your coat contrasts with your mane, and that unique style that you’ve managed. If you're from Canterlot, then you must know quite a bit about fashion, right?”

Not even a little.

“Actually… I, uh, didn’t even pack clothes, Miss. I only brought my equipment along with me.”

“Yes, and I’m sure your equipment suits you just fine, but you’ll need something to wear to Pinkie’s party tonight.”

Much to my chagrin, I was swept off my hooves and unceremoniously thrown into a dressing room.

“This will not do, not at all,” Rarity tutted, spinning me around while expertly maneuvering a tape measure with her magic.

“I don’t think this is entirely necessary, Miss,” I grunted, trying to subdue my annoyance at being thrashed around.

“Rarity is fine, dear. And no, as a passionate mare of my field, I believe it's my duty to design charming attire worthy enough to stand next to royalty.”

Twilight sputtered, her cheeks turning crimson, “I-I’m not royalty, Rarity. Not like Princess Celestia, anyway.”

“Nonsense, darling. You’re every bit as regal as her, if not even more so.”

Twilight sank into the floor as Rarity held different fabrics up against my coat, muttering remarks to herself periodically.

“Uh, I think you broke her,” Spike remarked, glancing over at Twilight as she attempted to regain her composure.

Rarity gave Twilight a soft smile as she turned to face Spike.

“Spike, would you mind if you and Twilight vacated the room for me? I’m going to need to focus for a little while.”

Spike was quick to his feet, ushering her out the door without another word spoken, leaving me alone once again.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Rarity’s smile had faded as soon as it came, analyzing me with a neutral and collected expression. I wish I could say that the sweat collecting on my forehead was a symptom of the humidity, though I’d be lying if I did.

“I know just what to do. And don't fret about the cost, darling. Consider this first outfit free of charge.”

Why is she being so generous to somepony she just met? What kind of game is she playing?

Rarity stuck her tongue out of her mouth slightly, flicking her mane back and eyeing my posture as she worked. She traced her hoof around my neck, following down my spine ever-so slowly, my neck craned to follow her.

“It’s such a shame too, you do have a rather nice physique for somepony with such an abhorrent demeanor.”

“E-excuse me, Rarity?” I stammered, feeling the air in the room grow heavier.

"I think it would be best if you and I had a little... talk."

I was going to ask her what she meant, but the words died in my throat... this conversation had become very awkward.

There was a long pause before Rarity said or did anything. Then, suddenly, I felt a tie around my neck fasten to a near-asphyxiating level.

“W— urk.”

Her gaze loomed down upon me, an icy glare of contempt that told me just how she felt about me..

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I fasten it a little too tight? Let me fix it for you,” Rarity cooed as the knot became tighter.

I dared not to speak, only focusing on breathing in what little air I could gather. Rarity gave me a saccharine-sweet smile, albeit a mockery of one. Slowly, she brought her lips close and salaciously hissed into my ear, the heat of her breath tingling my fur.

“Pinkie Pie is a dear friend of mine, and I don’t like to see her get hurt. You share the same sentiment, do you not?”

For a moment I did nothing, but as Rarity began to light up her horn, I nodded as fast as I could, not wanting to exacerbate the situation further.

“I’m glad to see we’re on the same page here, darling. Now, I’m a little more… direct in my methods... when it comes to reprimanding poor behavior.”

She tilted my head so that the two of us were looking eye to eye. I, on the other hoof, was too busy gasping for breath.

“That being said, I’ll say it once and only once; apologize to Pinkie Pie, or I will make your life a living Tartarus, do you understand?”

I gave a weak nod and she slackened the knot, tossing me out of the dressing room like a ragdoll.

“I’ll have it ready shortly, darling. Do us both a favor and be a stallion of your word,” Rarity said as she closed the door, smacking me in the muzzle.

“What was that about?” Twilight asked me, a confused look plastered across her face.

I rubbed my nose, gasping for breath as my heart slowed to a normal rhythm.

“I… I need to apologize to Pinkie Pie. I think I offended her more than I thought I did.”

Twilight gave me a frown, “Why?” Twilight’s eyes narrowed slightly, “What did you do, Flash?”

I rubbed the back of my head with my hoof, “I, uh, kind of shot her down when she first greeted me at the train station?”

Twilight put a hoof to her head, “I suppose we’d ought to go talk to her, then. You’re absolutely incorrigible.”

I was about to utter a retort when Rarity appeared from the dressing room, “Well, Twilight, I’ll have his outfit ready within a few hours. In the meantime, I believe Flash has some apologizing to do, right?”

I glanced over at Rarity’s cutthroat expression, before nodding in response.

“Y-yeah, of course. Where are we heading off to, Twilight?”

“Pinkie Pie is over by Sugarcube Corner, you can’t really miss it.” Spike answered the question for me, “Though, I’m going to hang around here for a little while longer. I’ll catch you guys later.”

I broke eye contact with Rarity and quickly exited the Carousel Boutique, putting as much distance between myself and that shop as possible.

Sweet Celestia, it’s like every single mare in this town is fuckin’ crazy.

Author's Note

My music of inspiration was "Stray Sheep - Catherine OST."

Well, ten hours of plane rides leads to a lot of productivity.

Sorry that this chapter is a bit on the short side. I had to rework it several times for it to be just right, though I am satisfied with the results and the way I portrayed Rarity in this scene.

I am worryingly less about word count, and becoming more interested in playing around with different character's personality traits. I've also finally ironed out some of the plot pertaining future arcs and whatnot.

You know the drill; hit like if you liked the story, dislike if you don't, and follow me if you want to see more from me in the future.