Teach Me Beauty, Teach Me Grace
The bell above the door into Carousel Boutique chimed merrily, and Rarity shifted slightly from her seat in the middle of her work room, her ears flicking towards the showroom. "Just a moment!" she called, letting out a breath as she put a final stitch into the hem of her latest dress. She stood up from her seat, stretching and arching her back slightly and wincing at the slight crackle of stiff joints, but she quickly composed herself and trotted into the showroom with a practiced smile on her face and a sashay of her hips. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique! How can I—oh!"
Rarity stopped as she spotted her 'client'. Cheerilee stood just inside the doorway of the Boutique, looking uncertainly around the interior of the shop. She smiled nervously when Rarity arrived, her ears going flat. Rarity's smile became a more genuine one, and she relaxed a bit. "Miss Cheerilee, what a pleasant surprise! How are you, dear?"
"Oh, I'm good, thank you!" Cheerilee said quickly, one hoof scuffing the carpet.
Rarity noticed Cheerilee's tone of voice, and her flighty attitude, and realized that this was not a social call, but a business opportunity. Knowing a reluctant customer when she saw one, Rarity's smile faltered at precisely the right moment, and then she sighed, her head hanging low. "Miss Cheerilee, whatever it is that Sweetie Belle has done this time, I truly apologize. She is still such a precocious young mare, prone to flights of fancy. I hope that the, er, damages aren't too severe?"
Cheerilee blinked, confused. "What?" She shook her head, laughing slightly, "Oh! Oh, no, nothing like that, Rarity!"
Rarity glanced up hopefully. "You mean... you aren't here about something Sweetie Belle did in class?"
Cheerilee giggled. "Ah, no, actually. Though I can understand the mistake."
Rarity sighed in exaggerated relief. "Oh, thank goodness! You had me worried!" She smiled sweetly at Cheerilee, noting how the mare had relaxed slightly thanks to the little moment she had created. "So, what brings you here, Miss Cheerilee?"
Cheerilee's eyes glanced around the room, and she took a deep breath, hesitating before speaking up. "I, ah... I... have a date!"
Rarity's eyes widened, and her sweet smile turned excited. "A date? How exciting! I'd imagine that you're here for something to wear on your date, then?"
Cheerilee nodded rapidly, smiling slightly, jaw tight. "Yes! Yes, I have a date, and I need a dress."
Rarity smiled, gesturing around the room. "Well, if you have some time, I have many options for you to consider." She watched Cheerilee from the corner of her eye, gauging her reaction. Was she overwhelmed, or confident? Did she know what she wanted, or did she need a push in the right direction? Cheerilee's eyes widened slightly as she looked around the showroom, trying to take in everything on display. Rarity took this to mean she was overwhelmed. "Would you like me to show you what I have on offer?" Rarity asked gently.
"O-oh, yes, if it isn't too much trouble?" Cheerilee smiled at Rarity, biting her lip as her ears fell flat. "I'm afraid that I've been out of the game for a while, now."
Rarity's eyes widened. "I find that hard to believe! An eligible bachelorette such as yourself?"
Cheerilee's gaze fell to the floor and her smile tightened. "Well, I'm so busy with work, I don't often find the time to get out with anypony, much less on a date."
Rarity smiled gently, placing a hoof on Cheerilee's shoulder. "Well, Miss Cheerilee, you have come to the right place. We will have you sorted and ready to face your date with un magnifique ensemble that will leave them flat on their hooves!"
Rarity was pleased to see Cheerilee nod, looking up at her gratefully. "That sounds wonderful, Rarity. Thank you."
Rarity winked at her. "Think nothing of it, my dear." She led the way into the showroom floor, gesturing around at various racks. "Tell me about this date, Miss Cheerilee. Are you going to a movie, or dinner? Are you going to dress down, or up? Details, darling, details!"
Cheerilee looked around at the clothes on the racks, and she smiled shyly. "Well, we're... going to dinner. A nice dinner, nothing too fancy, and then we were going to go out to the park afterwards for a walk."
Rarity's smile widened, and she fluttered her eyelashes. "My, how romantic! That sounds like a divine first date, if I may say so. Ponies these days tend to be so extravagant and over the top with their first date, but some quiet time to get to know one another is practical and can be exciting."
Cheerilee nodded slowly. "Y-yes, I suppose? Like I said, its been a while since my last date."
Rarity's eyes moved quickly over the clothing on offer. "This date is today, yes?"
"Tonight, yes," Cheerilee said.
"Hmm. Well then, a unique piece is out of the question, but I have much to offer, and a few alterations and some quick work will make you look simply ravishing!" Rarity stepped back, appraising Cheerilee quickly, estimating sizes and measurements, before leading her to a nearby rack and selecting two dresses; a light green dress and a dark blue dress. They were tasteful pieces, both with longer skirts that Rarity guessed would appeal to the conservative mare. Cheerilee looked at both of them, taking them in slowly, reaching one hoof out to touch the fabric of each. She smiled. "These are both very nice!"
Rarity caught it, though. The hesitation, the moment that told her that this wasn't quite what her customer was looking for. Rarity shook her head. "I have a few other pieces. Let's keep these in mind, but try something... a bit more daring, perhaps?"
Cheerilee blushed. "W-well, sure!"
Rarity smirked to herself, moving towards a different rack of dresses. She reached in, withdrawing a long, emerald dress that was beautifully draped, a high slit running along the skirt up to the flank, and a black dress of similar make. She offered them up, smiling, and Cheerilee's eyes widened as her blush grew stronger. "These are beautiful!"
"They aren't too much?" Rarity asked, prompting the mare.
"I don't think so?" Cheerilee reached out for the black one, smiling excitedly, but paused, glancing at Rarity and biting her lip. "What do you think?"
Rarity smiled, "Why don't you try them on? Let's see how they look on you, and make a decision." Rarity already knew how they'd look on Cheerilee—absolutely stunning—but Cheerilee's hesitation told her that she needed a little push to help her agree.
Cheerilee giggled, taking both dresses into a nearby changing room. Rarity moved a full-length mirror into place nearby and waited patiently for Cheerilee to dress. After a few minutes, Cheerilee emerged, and Rarity inhaled sharply, her eyes widening.
She'd chosen the black dress, and it matched beautifully with her pink and magenta colors. The cut of the dress flowed across her chest and along her side, accentuating her feminine qualities, hugging the flank just-so, and the slit up the side showed a slight flash of a white, smiling flower. Almost scandalous, utterly gorgeous, and absolutely stunning. Rarity allowed her eyes to wander and linger a moment longer, before looking up to meet Cheerilee's blushing face and green eyes. "Darling, you look beautiful."
Cheerilee's blush deepened, and she scuffed one hoof gently. "You think so?"
Rarity spun the mirror around with a flare of her horn, revealing Cheerilee's form, and Cheerilee gasped, one hoof lifting up off the ground as she stared at herself. "Oh. Oh!" She sat down, both her front hooves going to her mouth as she stared, shocked. "It... it's..."
"Beautiful," Rarity said with a nod, smiling. "Would you like to try on the emerald dress, or...?"
Cheerilee shook her head, still speechless. Rarity noted that her green eyes were on the verge of tears, and she herself felt a flutter of joy deep in her breast. This! This was the moment she lived for, her reason for designing fashion! These moments made the struggle so very worthwhile. Rarity almost felt herself moved to tears as well, and she fanned her face, smiling happily. "You like it, then?"
Cheerilee inhaled slowly, like she was searching for something to say, and she gasped out, "It's wonderful!"
Rarity giggled. "Excellent! I believe so, too. Perhaps a bit dressier than your date will expect, but the element of surprise is just as essential in love as in war, is it not?"
Cheerilee giggled, wiping at her eyes and nodding. "Yes."
Rarity could not help but trot happily to Cheerilee and sweep the emotional mare into a hug. "Oh, I'm so excited for you! And I'm so happy to help you in some small way for your date!"
Cheerilee smiled, standing up and doing a slow turn, admiring herself in the mirror with genuine enthusiasm for a few moments. Rarity gave her the moment, standing quietly and eagerly watching Cheerilee's reaction. After a happy swish of her tail and a grin, Cheerilee swallowed hard, looking up at Rarity. "This is wonderful. Really."
Rarity could sense the hint of nervousness, and she smiled. "Perhaps the boost of confidence you needed to face your date?"
Cheerilee's smile faltered, and she glanced down. "I... hope so!"
"Hope so?" Rarity stepped back, looking Cheerilee up and down. "Miss Cheerilee, if I may say so, you are a beautiful mare, and you've garbed yourself in excellent taste. What could you possibly have to fear?"
Cheerilee blushed. "I-its just been so long. I know I'm very out of practice."
Rarity frowned, considering the issue for a moment, before brightening up. "Ideaaa!"
With a quick step to the front of the shop, she switched the sign around to 'closed'. She turned, smiling as Cheerilee blinked at her in confusion. "We are going on a date," Rarity declared.
Cheerilee stiffened, blushing as she stared at Rarity, "W-we are?"
Rarity sashayed past the startled schoolteacher, nudging her hip with her own in a playful way as she moved by. "Of course, darling. A little preparation. A... study date, if you will excuse the pun," Rarity giggled, and Cheerilee did as well. "You and I will dine on the finest leftover salad I have in my kitchen, and I will play the part of the dutiful—and might I add, extremely lucky—pony you are attempting to woo."
Cheerilee's blush deepened until her entire face was nearly the same color as her mane—an adorable shade of pink—and she stammered, "Oh, I, um... I don't want to impose?"
Rarity knew a sale when she heard one, and she grinned over her shoulder. "Nonsense, darling! As a teacher, you must appreciate the advantage of preparation before a presentation? And, let us not kid ourselves, a first date is a presentation of sorts."
Cheerilee nodded, obviously warming to the idea, and Rarity smiled, "Now, come with me to the kitchen, I have a delightful breakfast nook that we can sit at. Though perhaps... would you say this date is a mane-up sort of affair, or mane-down?"
Cheerilee bit her lip, hesitating. "I don't know. I was planning on wearing it as-is? I don't want to... pretend to be somepony I'm not."
Rarity smiled, "Honesty is a fine trait to want to portray, and perhaps an up-do would be too much when combined with the dress. Plus, if you are going for a stroll after, it is likely to ruin anything you do to your mane. Down is more than fine, though. You have a lovely mane. Do you use much product?"
Cheerilee blushed, one hoof reaching up and running through her two-toned mane. "Oh, well, I do try to take care of it."
"It shows," Rarity said, before trotting past Cheerilee and leading the way into the kitchen. "Come along, then! It wouldn't do to keep your date waiting, darling!" She added with an airy laugh.
Cheerilee hesitated, and Rarity glanced back over her shoulder, noting Cheerilee's uncertainty. She smirked and flicked her tail playfully, brushing the curled tip of her tail across Cheerilee's nose. "It's impolite to keep a lady waiting," she said, winking, and Cheerilee blushed before following Rarity as she made her way into the kitchen.
With a few quick bits of magic, Rarity cleared some drying dishes from a nearby counter and set out two plates and forks. She stood expectantly beside the table, smiling at Cheerilee. Cheerilee stood opposite her, glancing around nervously. "So... what now?"
"Well, I suppose it is worth asking. Are you going out with a stallion, or a mare?" Rarity asked.
Cheerilee blushed. "O-oh, um..."
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "I promise, I won't judge."
Cheerilee nodded, "Well, um... a mare, then?"
Rarity grinned, "How exciting! Then let's sit together. Otherwise, were I portraying a stallion, I'd be expected to seat you first."
Cheerilee nodded, and she and Rarity sat across from one another. Rarity's horn lit up, and she brought a few candles out from a cupboard and a box of matches. She lit two and set them in the center of the table, before turning out the lights in the kitchen. The ambiance was immediate, as the kitchen disappeared into soft shadow, leaving only Rarity and Cheerilee seated in a pool of warm light. Rarity produced two cups filled with water and set them on the side of the table. "I would typically offer you some wine, darling, but seeing as this is merely a practice round..."
"I could definitely use a glass," Cheerilee said, smiling nervously.
Rarity laughed, "Perhaps, then, a small sip of something to fortify your nerves?"
"Please?" Cheerilee asked, leaning forward a bit.
With a glow of her horn, Rarity produced two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. She poured a careful measure into each glass and offered one to Cheerilee, which she took with a grateful nod. Rarity raised her glass in salute as the earth pony mare carefully held the cup in both hooves. "To a successful first date."
Cheerilee took a large swallow of her wine, and exhaled slowly, trying to relax. Rarity leaned back in her seat, taking a careful sip of wine, and smiled at Cheerilee. "So... Cheerilee. Do you mind me calling you that?"
Cheerilee smiled softly. "I prefer it to being called 'Miss' all the time. It makes me feel old."
Rarity smiled. "I can certainly understand that, darling. Often ponies take to calling me 'Lady' Rarity, in a no-doubt similar gesture of respect as your honorific 'Miss'. As much as I appreciate the gesture, it makes me feel like an old mare as well." She giggled.
Cheerilee smiled, glancing down into her wine glass pensively, and she grew quiet. Rarity allowed the silence to stretch for a moment before chiming in. "The best course of action is to ask questions when there is a need for conversation. Everypony likes talking about themselves, and being attentive during those moments can give insights into your date."
"Oh, uh," Cheerilee hesitated, glancing up at Rarity, and she bit her lip, considering her next move before finally speaking up. "When was the last time you went on a date?" she asked.
Rarity raised a single manicured eyebrow and smirked, "Not the type of question I was considering, but it'll do." She exhaled, and said, "Honestly? It's been nearly a year."
Cheerilee blinked, her ears perking forward, and her jaw dropped open before she recovered enough to speak. "What? Why? How's that even... I mean, Rarity, you're... you're Rarity! Element of Harmony, successful businessmare, generous to a fault, and... beautiful. So beautiful." Cheerilee blushed, "And you're telling me that it's been almost a year since you went on a date?"
Rarity blushed as well as Cheerilee stared at her, and she looked away briefly, her horn glowing as she brought a bowl of salad and dressing to the table. "Don't be too surprised, Cheerilee. All of those things make for an impeccable resume, but they also have a great downside. I am, to put it mildly, an intimidating mare. Ponies barely see me as a relatable mare, much less a dateable one!"
Cheerilee shook her head, "I find that difficult to believe! I can't imagine how you don't have ponies falling over themselves to ask you out!"
"Well, I certainly have my fair share of those sorts of encounters. But those ponies are often not interested in me, but the connections I can bring them, or the opportunity to promote their business... or any number of other things." Rarity sighed, looking wistfully at her seat.
Cheerilee smiled uncertainly, and took a long sip of her wine before she spoke again. "They're idiots, then. Just... just being able to be with a mare like you should be enough for anypony to be happy."
Rarity blushed, looking up at Cheerilee. "That's very kind of you." Their eyes met and lingered, and Rarity found herself suddenly feeling nervous.
"That wasn't too forward, was it?" Cheerilee swallowed. "I'm just... I'm not the best at flirting."
Rarity remembered herself then—remembered that she was trying to help this kind mare prepare for her real date. "A bit forward, yes, but some ponies appreciate that." She smiled.
Cheerilee giggled, and some of the tension fled with her gentle laugh. Rarity lifted a bit of salad onto both of their plates, and she smiled. "During dinner, a safe topic of conversation is often about the food or wine. If you need to bring up things, again... questions are always sure to please."
Cheerilee nodded, leaning down and taking a bite of the simple salad. Rarity used her magic and a fork to enjoy a taste of the salad. She suddenly wished she had something nicer to offer Cheerilee, and sighed. "So, Cheerilee, tell me, why don't you date very often?"
Cheerilee glanced up, surprised, and swallowed. "I... well... I'm always very busy. I have grading to do, lots of work around the school, and if I'm not working, I'm trying to prepare for work. It's sort of a vicious cycle. That, and nopony ever really, uh, asks me."
Rarity sighed, shaking her head. "Well, aren't we quite the pair? Two eligible, beautiful mares, victims of our success and skill."
Cheerilee laughed, raising her glass. "I'll toast to that!"
Rarity laughed, raising her glass and tapping it gently to Cheerilee's. They both took a drink, and Rarity found herself gazing across the table at Cheerilee once more. Cheerilee's gaze fell to her dress, and she smiled. "This really is wonderful, Rarity. I'm so grateful to get a chance to... to practice with you."
Rarity smiled. "Of course, darling."
Cheerilee swallowed, suddenly reaching up and wiping at her eyes with one hoof. Rarity leaned forward. "Are you all right?"
Cheerilee nodded. "I'm just... I feel very lucky, right now. Blessed. This... this date, it had left me feeling awful and frightened, but now... now I think I'll be all right."
Rarity smiled, standing up and turning on the lights. "Excellent." Cheerilee looked up, blinking owlishly, and Rarity offered her a hoof. "Come, dear. Let's get you cleaned up. A little freshening up, and you'll be ready to face the evening!"
Cheerilee took Rarity's hoof gratefully, and allowed herself to be lead upstairs to Rarity's vanity. Rarity sat her down in front of the large mirror and set to work, adding a little eyeliner and mascara. Cheerilee was quiet, recovering from her emotional moment, but after a few minutes she asked, her voice steady one more, "Do you have a brush I can use?"
"Of course. A little work on your mane will have you looking fabulous!" Rarity said, offering a brush. Cheerilee took it carefully and began to brush out her mane, making certain she was presentable. Rarity smiled and stood up. "I hope you don't mind, but I need to clear the table. Come down whenever you're ready, darling, and we'll settle the bill for the dress."
Cheerilee nodded, and Rarity left, allowing the mare some space to collect herself. She trotted downstairs to the kitchen and tucked away the leftover salad in her refrigerator. She lingered over the mostly empty glasses of wine for a moment, and with a sigh she finished off both of them, before turning to rinse the glasses in the sink. The soft sound of Cheerilee clearing her throat interrupted her, and she turned with a smile. "Darling, I—" Rarity's voice caught in her throat.
Cheerilee had pulled her mane up into a loose bun, and had redone her bangs slightly, achieving a slight curl to her forelock that fell attractively over one eye. The makeup Rarity had touched-up completed the look, and combined with the black dress, Rarity found herself stricken by the mare before her. Cheerilee smiled. "What do you think?"
Rarity swallowed, attempting to compose herself as her eyes followed the lines of the dress, admiring Cheerilee's figure for longer than was strictly professional. After a moment, she managed to say, gently, "You look amazing, Cheerilee. I mean that."
Cheerilee blushed. "Thank you, Rarity. For everything. I feel so... confident, and attractive, and... capable!"
Rarity approached her, smiling as she reached up and adjusted the set of the dress slightly, her hoof lingering on Cheerilee's chest. "I did nothing less than bring out the qualities you already posessed, darling. I promise."
Cheerilee smiled and reached out, pulling Rarity into a tight hug, and Rarity giggled as Cheerilee nuzzled her cheek. "You're amazing, Rarity."
Rarity closed her eyes for a moment and sighed happily. "I appreciate it."
Cheerilee finally pulled away from the hug, smiling as she retrieved her bit bag, and she set it down on the counter. Rarity did a few quick calculations in her head and smiled. "I believe that the grand total is eighty bits."
Cheerilee smirked and dropped a large one hundred bit coin on the counter. "Don't try to fool me. The tag on the green dress that was the same make said ninety, and I owe you something for the help, at least!"
Rarity shook her head, "Ah, no, the black fabric is somewhat cheaper, and the final cost represents that. Let me get you some change!"
As Rarity ducked behind the counter and grabbed the key for her bit box, only to hear the clatter of hooves. She looked up over the counter as Cheerilee opened the front door of the boutique, grinning at Rarity. "Thank you for everything!"
"B-but, your change!" Rarity raised one foreleg imploringly.
Cheerilee giggled and winked. "I'll come by and tell you how it went tomorrow. Deal?"
Rarity smiled gently. "Deal."
With that, Cheerilee darted out into the late afternoon, leaving Rarity alone and the boutique quiet. Rarity smiled, taking the one hundred bit piece and locking it away securely. With a sigh, she relaxed subtly, allowing her posture to shift as the weight of the day pressed on her. Rarity walked back into the kitchen and resumed cleaning the dishes, smiling to herself. She set the two plates and two cups and two wine glasses back into the cupboards, and she wondered when she'd get the opportunity to bring them out like that again. She shook her head. "Feeling sorry for ourselves, are we?" she murmured, and laughed softly.
Rarity straightened up, smirking with determination, and she returned to her work room. She sat down, focusing herself once more on her work. Her latest dress, however, looked suddenly drab. Rarity's mind still wandered to the black dress Cheerilee had worn, and how stunning it looked. Pink on black was such a strong color combination, and Rarity smiled suddenly as she was struck. "Ideaaa!"
Black and pink fabric swirled around her and she focused herself on creation. Magenta undertones, pink highlights, black as a base... it came together so quickly, and soon Rarity stood before the beginnings of a whole new dress. She walked around it, smiling, and froze as she noticed the black fabric was not simple black, but a subtle print. Little dark grey flowers dotted the dress, adding a contrast to the black surrounding them, and Rarity was immediately reminded of the way Cheerilee's cutie mark flashed beneath the high cut of her dress...
Rarity threw back her head and groaned, before rubbing her forehead with both hooves, wincing both eyes closed. She exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself down, center herself and focus on creation. Every time her mind grew still, though, she remembered the grin and wink, the happy sound of her voice. Rarity cleared her throat, and turned on her heel, marching upstairs to her room, directly to her vanity. A little makeup, some adjusting of the mane, a bit of perfume... and something classy. A deep blue dress, studded with sequins that sparkled and popped. Rarity stared at herself in her mirror and grinned. She hadn't been out on the town for days, as she'd been wrapped up in work. Cheerilee had so happily trotted out into the evening, ready to face her date... Rarity could manage that, too. She nodded once and made a ridiculous kissy-face at herself in the mirror, and laughed as she strolled out of the boutique, locking her door behind her.
Ponyville was in the grips of evening, now. Street lamps had been lit and the roads were quieter, full of ponies seeking dinners or coming home from work. Rarity trotted, overdressed and loving it, and she made a few quick turns down well-known roads. Ponyville did have something approaching a nightlife, after all, and she was determined to seek some fun. The sound of happy voices drifted out of a nearby establishment, and Rarity turned, examining it. "The Navel, hm?" It was not the most glamorous establishment, nothing more than a simple cider bar, but Rarity could hear happy ponies, and that was what counted.
With a deep breath and a self-assured smile, Rarity trotted in the front door of the bar. It was a simple affair inside, just booths and tables filling the space and a long wooden bar that was polished and taken care of. Pictures of ponies filled the walls of the place, and Rarity examined a few closely before realizing that they were photos of ponies in the bar, itself. Regulars, customers, friends. Rarity felt herself warming to the place immediately, and she trotted over to the bar, a sashay in her hips and a smile on her lips. She sat down elegantly on a stool at the bar, and the bartender—a graying stallion—trotted down to her. His eyes widened a bit, but he seemed professional, and he nodded, speaking with a rough Fillydelphia accent, "Welcome, miss. What can I do for ya?"
"Top-shelf cider, please, and salt the rim," Rarity said quickly, raising her voice to be heard over the chatter of ponies. She glanced over her shoulder and pulled out a one-hundred bit piece and set it on the bar. "And a shot of the same for everypony else."
The bartender smiled and raised his voice. "Round of shots on the house, courtesy of this pretty gal!" Cheers filled the bar and glasses were raised in Rarity's direction, and she waved and smiled.
The bartender made change for Rarity quickly, and Rarity pushed the bits back across the bar. "Ah, no. I'll be opening a tab tonight, so consider this a down payment, as t'were!"
"Sure thing!" The bartender said, busying himself with pouring shots and making Rarity's drink. Within moments the bar was bustling with ponies grabbing their free shots and ordering fresh drinks, and Rarity was content to sit and sip her drink. The cool alcoholic cider was smooth on the way down, leaving her tasting the sweet notes and exhaling out the heat of the drink. She giggled and lapped the salt on the rim. As she took another sip, a flash of pink caught her eye, and she turned in her seat.
Cheerilee stood in the middle of the room, halfway to the door, her head low and ears flat as she slunk towards the exit. Her eyes were locked on Rarity, and when Rarity turned, she froze in place, pinned by Rarity's gaze. Rarity noted the running mascara, the trembling lip, and she practically leapt from her spot at the bar as she trotted to Cheerilee's side. "Cheerilee, darling! Is everything all right?"
Cheerilee practically winced as Rarity approached, and she let out a sigh. "Y-yes. I'm fine. I was just going home."
Rarity frowned. "I have a keen sense for these sorts of things, so don't try to tell me you're fine when you obviously are not. What happened?"
Cheerilee stared at Rarity for a moment, before closing her eyes. Her ears drooped further, and she said quietly, "Nothing happened."
"I find that hard to believe!" Rarity said, reaching out with one hoof towards Cheerilee. "Come, sit down at a booth with me."
Cheerilee pulled away from Rarity's touch. "Nothing happened because nothing was ever going to happen." She inhaled slowly and spoke again, her eyes on the floor, unable to look at Rarity. "I lied about the date."
Rarity blinked, her ears going back, and she leaned forward. "I beg your pardon? It's terribly hard to hear, I thought... well..."
Cheerilee gestured towards the door, and Rarity led the way outside. They both stood together on the quiet street, and Rarity turned to face Cheerilee. "Explain."
"I lied about the date. I came into your store and I just... I wanted to get something nice for myself. But it felt so stupid to just ask for a nice dress for no reason. So I made up a date." Cheerilee sat down slowly as she spoke, her whole body drooping.
"But, darling, you were so nervous! I thought..." Rarity trailed off as her thoughts suddenly focused on what she'd said to Cheerilee earlier that day. I am, to put it mildly, an intimidating mare. Rarity smiled ruefully. "Ah. I see."
Cheerilee looked up. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Rarity, but... I just... I thought you'd have pitied me. After all, you're Rarity. So I lied to you about why I wanted the dress, and then you were... so nice to me, and then when you told me... you told me that you hadn't been on a date in a year, I..." Cheerilee covered her eyes with her hooves and sighed. "I realized you were just a mare. A lonely mare. Like me."
"And by then, it was too late to back out, yes?" Rarity said quietly.
Cheerilee nodded, her eyes watering. "I was in too deep. You'd been so kind to me, and I didn't want to hurt your feelings, so I left... and I went out... and here I am. At a bar. By myself."
"I won't claim to not be a little hurt, Cheerilee. I don't like being lied to," Rarity said.
"I know. I'm so, so sorry. I was just... afraid of looking like some desperate old mare. I was afraid of..." Cheerilee trailed off.
"Me. I understand, darling," Rarity said.
Cheerilee looked up, finally meeting Rarity's gaze, and she nodded. "I was... and I shouldn't have been."
"No, you shouldn't have been. You should have owned up to your gentle deception, darling, once you learned a little about me... but I understand how hard it would have been by that point." Rarity sat down next to Cheerilee. "I don't blame you. Lots of ponies have strange ideas about what kind of mare I am. I'd just... hoped you would be different."
Cheerilee inhaled slowly. "I should have been different. I," She swallowed, and glanced at Rarity before speaking again, "could be different. If you'd give me a chance?"
Rarity looked at Cheerilee with interest. "A chance?"
"Yes. I... Rarity, even though I lied about my date, I meant everything else I said. How amazing I think you are, and how beautiful you are. You're... incredible. And you deserve to be treated like an incredible mare. So... do you want to go on a date? A real date?"
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "My, that is quite the bold offer. Wherever did you find such confidence?"
"I learned it from you," Cheerilee said, smiling uncertainly.
Rarity smiled. "Hmm... well..." Cheerilee leaned forward eagerly, and Rarity glanced over at her. "... We are both dressed so nicely, it would be a shame for us to spend the evening alone."
Cheerilee stood up and faced Rarity. "D-does that mean...?"
Rarity raised a hoof. "I haven't forgiven you, Cheerilee... but I am nothing if not generous, and that includes second chances."
Cheerilee's smile widened, and she nodded earnestly, offering a hoof to Rarity. "I understand. Let me make it up to you. Drinks on me?"
Rarity took the outstretched hoof and stood up. "That sounds lovely, darling."
"A real date, this time," Cheerilee said, smiling, "With a mare out of my league, too! I certainly am lucky."
Rarity giggled, giving Cheerilee a playful shove on the shoulder. "Oh, stop! Flattery will only get you so far!"
Cheerilee giggled as well, bumping Rarity's shoulder with her hip as she led the way back into the bar. Rarity caught the flash of happy flowers beneath black cloth, and she was briefly frozen in place by the promise of a real date. Cheerilee looked back over her shoulder at Rarity and flicked her tail, brushing the Rarity's nose with the tips of her tail hairs. "Come on, Rarity. I was told that it is impolite to keep a lady waiting!"
Rarity blushed and smiled, and followed Cheerilee into the bar.
