Taming Rarity

You finish the last bit of this month’s accounting as you hear another beep.

“It’s 6pm. You told me to remind you.”

“Thanks, Paper Pusher”

You run a hoof through your mane to flip it back a bit. That’s about as much as you knew about fashion. Then you walk out of your office, downstairs and outside, head held high as always. Rarity was already waiting there.

“Miss Rarity.”

“You’ve got quite a bit of gall, you know that?”

She clearly has had some time to think this over and remember that she’s supposed to be a strong independent mare.

“Why, thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“I took it as one and let’s pretend it was. It would be awfully impolite to start a date by insulting your partner.”

“This is blackmail!”

“Is it? You mean to tell me that the famous Rarity doesn’t have more than enough associates to borrow a bit or two from?”

“No, what I mean was...”

“Yet here you are and wearing one of your famous dresses just as I requested. But you didn’t get the color right. You of all ponies should know the difference between red and black. Oh, well.”

“You don’t own me!”

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Now, how about you stop sulking so we can have a blast. I’ve been staring at numbers for way too long. Is that dress painted with the red I delivered to you two months ago? It even had a special name.”

“Desire.”

“Oh, my.” you feign shock. “Miss Rarity.”

“Shut up, it’s just a name.”

“Jokes aside, you really know your craft. This is a beautiful dress.”

“Thank you.”

“Mind doing a little spin so I could admire every part of it?”

“I suppose”

Rarity sheepishly spins around as you watch.

“So, what place have you chosen to take me to, Rarity?”

“Huh?”

“You were taking me on a date, remember? I myself am too practical of a pony. I’m guessing the places I usually go to aren’t going to be pleasing to somepony like you. You decide.”

“Uhh... La Capitulation is a great restaurant. They serve food from Prance there.”

“Sounds good. I’m guessing it’s outside of Manehattan industrial district?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll go hail us a cab.”

You were lucky. One was just passing by. Both of you get in and Rarity explained where this Prench restaurant is to the driver.

“So, how come my delivery ponies were gone all day when they had to make a delivery to you newest boutique?”

“I have no idea.”

“Really? They told me they helped you to move in.”

“They did. They’re so friendly.”

“I bet they were very friendly once you told them how strong and handsome they were and batter your eyes at them” you imitate the way she batter her eyes at you back in your office “like this.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“No, I would never do something like that. I’m just appreciating your company. Let me tell you a secret, Rarity.”

“What is it?”

You grin at her.

“A CEO’s favor is a lot more expensive that a delivery pony’s one. It comes at the price of a lot more than cute looks and sweet words. But something tells me you’re more than willing to pay that price.”

“We’re here.” The driver interrupts.

You tip him generously and walk into the restaurant.

You walk in and sit yourself down at a table.

“You’re supposed to pull out the chair for a lady on a date.”

You genuinely forgot. You laugh to defuse the situation.

“There’s a lot of things we’re supposed to do and don’t. For example, you’re supposed to hire professional movers instead of steal my employees work hours when you start a new boutique, so I guess we’re even. I’ve never been here. What can you recommend?”

“The Ratatouille here is delightful.”

“Perfect. I’ll order one of those. We could try one of those fancy Prench wines?”

“Sure.”

You could buy a bottle and make your goal easier....

“Let’s have a glass.” you say.

... but where’s the sport in that? Having her drunk would make things you plan doing to her a lot less satisfying.

The waiter arrives at your table.

“Have you made your decision?”

“Two Ratatouilles” you mimic her pronunciation of the dish as best as you can “and two glasses of Bor-de-aux?”

“It’s pronounced Bordeaux, sir.”

Rarity chuckles. It’s about time she got a laugh at your expense. You may be head of a company but in your veins there’s farmpony blood and it shows once in a while. Fucking Prench ponies and their pointless silent letters.

“Never been to such a place?” Rarity asks

“Not many places like this in my neighborhood.”

“You live close to you job?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Beats wasting time on travel.”

“It doesn’t seem worth it to live in such a ghastly place.”

“I’m different from you, but you need a practical pony like me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Behind every bit of luxury, there’s a bit of practicality. Behind your fancy clothes there’s me making sure the textiles have the right colors and the ponies don’t get poisoned from wearing them. Behind this wine there’s another chemist making sure that Prench grapes don’t get eaten by insects before they get a chance to be turned into whine.”

“Oh.”

You knew very well what your original comment implied about ponies like her needing a pony like you.

“Ponies like you also need to be kept in check by ponies like me.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve read all about your misadventures with a certain cursed book. Journalists covered you opening a new boutique for Celestia’s sake. You think they’d slip up a chance to write about one of the elements of harmony temporarily going crazy with power?”

Again, you knew very well what your original comment implied.

Rarity chuckles awkwardly.

“Truly, I do not envy the journalist’s life. If it weren’t for you and the other elements of harmony, they’d long starved to death...”

You prided yourself on your talent to keep a conversation going. By the time you finished your plates, you somehow were talking about her cat’s shenanigans and a few tricks you learned when you were a foal to deal with them.

“So, you’re paying, right, Rarity?”

“Huh?”

“You were taking me on a date, remember? Don’t tell me that miss prosperous bussinessmare has never paid for for a date and thus isn’t carrying any bits?”

Rarity turns cherry red.

“Yes.” she squeaks.

“Oh, my, unless I bail you out here by paying you’ll be stuck doing lot of dishes to pay for this night. First I save your business and now I’m saving your ass from manual labor.”

You pull out your wallet.

“The least you could do is be a good girl and see me off to my home.”