From Rags to Fancy

Twilight has not had an easy life by any means. Having been orphaned on the streets since she was a filly she’s had to survive on what she could find, the charity of others, and to her shame steal when she got desperate enough. It was late into the fall and winter was only a stone’s throw away. She clothed herself in what she could to keep warm, although winter in Canterlot wasn’t anything new to her having gone through it for years now and she likes to think it’s made her more resilient especially since it gets colder here than most places from being so high up a mountain. Despite her situation Twilight always had an interest in learning managing to teach herself from books and other things ponies have thrown away over the years. It wasn’t as good as a real education but she wasn’t stupid. Also do to her life of poverty she’s never been able to fine her talent and get her cutie mark.

The sun was setting and street activity was low as this was the time of day when most ponies have returned home from work but before others went out for the nightlife. Twilight was sitting just inside an alleyway hoping to catch some passersby that would spare some bits. She then noticed a pegasus stallion as they started to walk by. “Excuse me sir but could you spare a few bits?”

The stallion stopped and looked at her. “Sorry I don’t do charity.” He then looked her over a little. “But I wouldn’t be opposed to you earning some bits by performing a service for me.”

“What do you mean?”

He took a quick look around and saw no other ponies nearby. “You know you do something for me and get paid for it.”

He took some steps towards her and she backed up a little starting to feel uncomfortable. “Like what?”

He leaned in and gave a smile. “Use your imagination.”

It was in that moment it clicked and she had an idea of what he wanted. “Oh no I-I’m fine.” She was about to leave but he wasn’t taking no for an answer and pounced getting on top of her. “Hey, get off, HELP!”

“Shut up and don’t make this harder than it has to be. You had to be wearing clothes.” Twilight did her best to try to fight him off but he was much stronger and she was so scared she couldn’t concentrate on using her magic. She started crying and screamed hoping somepony would hear. The stallion was wrapped in an aura then ripped off of her and was thrown into the wall, thankfully before things went any further.

“Get away from her you fiend!” Twilight looked over and saw a well-dressed unicorn stallion with a coach in the street behind him. “Now leave before I summon the guard.” The pegasus was pissed at the interruption but didn’t want to stick around in case the guard did show up and flew off. The unicorn went to Twilight and offered a hoof. “Are you alright Miss? Did he hurt you?”

She took his hoof and he helped her up. She started wiping her eyes. “I-I’m fine, and no. I’ve just never been in that situation before.”

“Well it was a good thing I was passing by when I did. I’ll make sure to have his description given to the authorities. My name is Fancypants.”

She was starting to calm down feeling safer in his company. “I’m Twilight Sparkle.”

“A pleasure to meet you Twilight. Now if you don’t mind me asking how old are you? You seem rather young to be wondering the streets by yourself.”

“Uhh eighteen or nineteen I think.”

“You think?”

“I’m not sure when I was born. I’ve been living alone out here for as long as I can remember.”

“That sounds horrible having to survive out here since you were a filly.”

“Well thank you for showing up when you did. I should get going.”

She was about to walk away. “I wonder would you be interested in coming back to my home for the evening? You look like you could use a good meal, bed, and…” *sniff, sniff* “bath.”

Twilight couldn’t believe what she just heard. No pony has ever made an offer like that before. Is this really happening? “Sure, that sounds great.”

“Splendid.” Fancypants walked back to his coach and Twilight followed. Once they were inside he signaled the driver to continue and they started on down the street. “So you never knew your parents?”

“That’s right. It’s just been me, although most ponies I meet are decent folk. I’ve met some shady characters before but whoever that was back there is the worst I’ve ever encountered.”

“Have you had any sort of schooling?”

“No I haven’t.”

“Well you have quite a vocabulary for somepony that’s un-…that hasn’t had an education.”

“I’ve managed to teach myself a few things over the years mostly with books I found that others have discarded. I love reading, it helps take my mind off of…well everything.”

“Impressive, it’s not easy to self-learn especially if you had to teach yourself literacy.”

“That was a little challenging but I managed.”

“So what’s your talent in?”

Twilight looked away. “I’m not sure yet.”

“Oh you don’t have your mark. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have brought the subject up.”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know.”

A few minutes passed and the driver pulling the coach spoke up. “Sir we’ll be at your estate momentarily.”

“Ah good to hear.” They passed through the gate and Twilight looked out the window. Now she thought Fancypants was well off based on his appearance but it was soon clear that he had bits to burn as they pulled up to a large three story manor. “Here we are, home sweet home.”

Twilight was in awe for a moment. “Umm what do you do for a living?”

“I deal in politics mostly but I also have investments in some business ventures that net quite a profit. Now let’s journey inside.”

They made their way up to and through the door with the inside looking just as lavish as the out. Then a butler unicorn with a grey coat and mane strolled up to them. “Welcome home sir.” He then looked over and saw Twilight. “And who is this?”

“Silver Platter this is Twilight Sparkle. She’s my guest. Could you go and fetch Dusty for me?”

“Of course.”

He left and a couple minutes later a pegasus maid with a white coat and black mane walked up. “You wanted to see me sir.”

“Yes this is Twilight she’ll be staying as a guest. Run a bath and help her get cleaned up.”

“As you wish.”

“Good I’m going to go have a word with the chefs about dinner. When you two are done meet me in the dining room.”

Fancypants then strolled off. “Alright Twilight follow me.” Dusty led her to the second floor and they went down a hallway passing the occasional servant that would take a glance at Twilight. “I’m Feather Duster but everypony just calls me Dusty, and don’t mind the others we weren’t expecting any guests today so it’s a little surprising for them to see you walking around, especially the way you’re dressed.”

“Okay.”

She stopped in front of a door and pushed it open. “Here we are.” It was a rather grand looking bathroom but that wasn’t surprising based on what she’s seen so far. Dusty turned on the water and began filling the tub. “Now then let’s get you out of those rags.” Twilight undressed herself and Dusty stared for a moment when she saw Twilight’s flank to which she took notice. “My apologies I didn’t mean to stare it’s just I’ve never seen a grown pony without…”

“A cutie mark,” she said sounding a little down.

“Sorry forget I said anything.” She adjusted the water’s temperature and it finished filling. “Alright, hop in.” Twilight climbed in and submerged herself in the hot water which felt like heaven. “Do you require any further assistance?”

“No I can bath myself.”

She nodded and gathered up what Twilight was wearing. “I’m guessing you will be spending the night so I’ll go and start preparing a guest room for you. I’ll be back shortly.” Dusty left but not before leaving out shampoo and soap for her to use. Twilight began washing herself enjoying her first real bath. The only time she could wash if you can call it that was when it rained. When she finished she relaxed in the water and Dusty came back not long after carrying a towel and a brush. “All done?”

“Yeah.” Twilight got out of the tub and was given the towel. Once she was done drying herself off Dusty told her sit and started brushing her messy mane and tail. “I can do that myself.”

“Oh no I insist.”

“So how long have you worked here?”

“A couple years now. I worked at some other manors before and this is the best I’ve been to so far. Fancypants is a delight and so thoughtful. He’s a bit of a gem among the other elite and nobles that make up Canterlot’s upper class. How did you meet him by the way? I’m guessing you lived an impoverished life.”

“Yeah I was living on the streets and then this stallion approached me wanting some…sexual favors. I said no but he then tried to force himself on me.”

Dusty paused for a moment. “Oh my, that’s terrible! He didn’t do it did he?”

“No, before it went any further Fancypants was passing by in his coach and saw it. He got him off me and they fled. We talked a little and he invited me here.”

“That sounds like Fancypants alright, he’s noble like that and isn’t shy about extending a helping hoof.”

Once they were done the two headed back down and entered the dining room where Fancypants was waiting. “Ah there you are. My dear you look so much better now that you’re all cleaned up, have a seat.”

The dining room was more of a dining hall with a long table that looked like it could seat a couple dozen ponies. He sat at the tables end spot and she took the seat closes to it. “Sir I took the liberty of preparing a guest room for her.”

“Excellent, you’re dismissed for now.” Dusty look her leave and he rang a bell letting the servants know to bring out the food. “I wasn’t sure what your usual diet was like so I told the chefs not to give you anything rich.” Trays were placed in front of each of them and Twilight’s meal consisted of a salad and daffodil sandwich. To most it wouldn’t look like much but to her it was a feast compared to the scraps she usually eats and what little she could afford from the bits she gets. Fancypants had soup and salad. She proceeded to dig in. Her table manners were atrocious but he expected as much. “So how is it?”

Twilight swallowed. “Delicious.”

“Good to hear. After I’ll show you around a little and then we can both turn in for the night.” When they finished their meals Fancypants gave a quick tour. Some of the highlights were a hall for parties and a courtyard for outdoor festivities. Afterwards he showed Twilight to her room. “Here we are. I’ll see you at breakfast, pleasant dreams.”

Twilight went in and the room was nicely furnished with its own bathroom that had a walk in shower. She went over to the bed and hopped on. With the fluffy pillow, soft mattress, and high thread count sheets she had never felt so comfy. She thought this must be what a pegasus feels like on a cloud. She pulled the sheets over her and started to drift off. If this is a dream I never want to wake up.