The bright afternoon sun shined over Ponyville, warning Jade's fur as she trotted beside Rarity. The soft breeze blew through Jade's short mane. She and Rarity had just left a restaurant for lunch.

“What do you have planned for us now Rarity?” Jade asked.

“Well, with the Grand Galloping Gala coming up, I thought I'd make you a dress for it.” Rarity replied. Jade's eyes widened.

“Oh...well you see…” Jade looked away awkwardly. “Me and dresses don't really mix. Can't I just go without?”

Rarity gasped. “Heavens no! You must wear formal attire.”

“But does it have to be a dress?” Jade groaned. “I hate dresses. They're uncomfortable and hard to move in. As a pegasus, I bet that would be even worse.”

“Well, I could make you something that isn't a dress.” Rarity suggested.

“If you insist.” Jade sighed. “Then I suppose it's fine.” After a bit more walking, the two ponies reached a fancy looking building. Jade assumed it was Rarity’s fashion shop, whatever they called them. Rarity pushed the door open and a little bell rang. There was a startled meow from inside the shop. Jade looked up, expecting to see a cat and she did. However, it wasn't what she expected. The cat was really tall and walked on two legs. He gazed at Rarity, nervously messing with his paws.

“Hi Rarity!” The cat's tone was nervous as well. Rarity raised an eyebrow.

“Alright Capper, what did you do?” She asked.

“Nothin!” Capper exclaimed. “The boutique is exactly how ya left it!” Rarity giggled.

“Oh I'm just teasing.” Rarity replied with a playful wink. “I like seeing you all nervous and flustered. It's cute.” Okay they like each other, Jade thought. Rarity turned to Jade. “I don't believe you two have met.” Rarity realized. “Jade, this is Capper a…” Rarity paused to giggle. “Close friend of mine.” Rarity turned to Capper. “Capper, this is Jade-”

“The pony from the portal.” Capper interrupted.

“Mhm.” Rarity nodded.

“Nice to meet you.” Jade greeted awkwardly. Capper bent down, extending his paw toward her. Jade awkwardly accepted the “handshake.”

“Capper, do you think you can deal with any customers that come in while I work on an outfit for Jade?” Rarity asked.

“Of course.” Capper replied. Rarity trotted away toward the back of the shop. Jade hovered in circles just above the ground. The shop was empty and Capper and Jade were both awkwardly silent. Jade was wondering what she could say.

“Is flying in circles a habit for you pegasi?” Capper randomly asked. Jade skidded to a halt midair and gazed at him.

“It is for me now I guess.” Jade answered. “Not that I can fly as a human.”

“Well you sure got the hang of it pretty quickly.” he commented.

Jade shrugged. “That's what everyone says. I'm just a natural at flying despite never having wings. I don't know why.” An awkward silence followed. “Anyways...what was up with you back there?”

“What was what now?” Capper asked.

“You like Rarity, don't you?” Jade asked.

"What?!” Capper exclaimed. His cheeks were red, just like Twilight's had been when she confessed to Pinkie. “No way! We're just friends.” Jade raised an eyebrow. Capper sighed as his ears drooped. “Alright fine, I do like her. I'm pretty sure she just wants to be friends though.”

“And I'm pretty sure she likes you back!” Jade insisted.

“And how could you possibly know that?” Capper asked.

“She literally called you cute.” Jade replied bluntly. Capper chuckled and blushed once more. “Just ask her to the gala already!”
“I was plannin’ to…” Capper admitted. “I suppose I can when she gets back.”

“Jade!” Rarity's voice called. “I need your input on something!”

“I'd better go see what she wants.” Jade flew toward the source of Rarity's voice. She was in a small room in front of a pony shaped mannequin.

“I've drawn out a design for your outfit.” Rarity explained, levitating a piece of paper toward Jade. “Do you like it?” She looked at the paper. It depicted a pony wearing a sweater studded with glitter or gems or something shiny, Jade wasn't really sure. The pony also wore flats and a hat.

“Yeah, this is nice.” Jade replied.

“What color would you like it to be?” Rarity asked.

“Whatever colors would work for me I guess.” Jade replied. Rarity observed her for a moment.

“I'm thinking you would look good in blue, red, purple, or black.” She suggested.
“How about a black hat with a blue sweater?” Jade suggested.

“Yes!” Rarity exclaimed, levitating some fabrics and junk out of her drawers. “That will do quite nicely!” She immediately began sewing the outfit at her sewing machine. Suddenly, another thought came to Jade.

“Hey Rarity, I just wanted to ask a silly question.”

“Ask away.” Rarity replied, still focused on her sewing.

“Do you like Capper?” Jade asked. Rarity froze in place. She turned around, revealing her blushing face.

“Well darling…” Rarity was giggling nervously. “It depends on what you mean by like. If you mean in a friendly way, then yes I do-”

“I mean in a romantic way.” Jade interrupted. Rarity paused before clearing her throat.

“Well...yes.” Rarity went back to sewing. “But can you really blame me? He is quite the charmer.” Rarity giggled. Jade chuckled in amusement as she flew out of the sewing room and back into the main one where Capper was.

“What did she want?” He asked.

“She just wanted to know what color I wanted my outfit to be.” Jade answered nonchalantly. After a slight pause, the bell door rang and a pony walked inside. Capper raced toward the cashier register.

“Welcome to the Carousel Boutique.” Capper greeted. The pony looked up at Capper, her eyes widening in alarm.

“Um...where’s Rarity?” The pony asked, her expression shifting to one of disgust.

“She’s busy.” Capper replied, leaning against the wall. “I’m running the boutique for now.”

“But why would she leave YOU in charge?” The pony’s condescending tone made Jade angry. “Couldn’t she have left a PONY in charge?”

Jade’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?!” she exclaimed. The pony gazed up at her in surprise. Jade froze for a moment. Remember what Starlight said. “You’re here to shop for clothes, not to attack Rarity and her friend who willingly took this job!”

“And who are YOU to tell me what I can and can’t do?!” the pony demanded.

“I can’t.” Jade hissed. She flew toward Capper’s side, gazing down at the pony. “But Capper here could easily refuse you service for being a racist bigot.”

“Maybe I don’t own the shop,” Capper added. “But Rarity did leave me in charge, so she must trust my judgement.” He seemed pretty laid-back considering the situation. It was kind of admirable. “Or are you saying YOU don’t trust the element of generosity who helped save your home multiple times?" The pony made baffled noises before walking toward a rack of dresses. The pony carelessly placed the dress and a few bits on the counter, scowling at Capper and Jade. Capper grabbed the bits, placing them in the cash register.

“Thanks.” Jade tried her best not to sound like she was gloating. The pony growled before taking her dress and leaving the shop in a huff. Jade and Capper turned to each other, fist bumping and laughing pridefully.

“Jade!” Another voice called. Jade and Capper turned to see Rarity, dashing out of the hallway levitating some clothes. “I finished your outfit!” It was a glittery blue sweater with a black hat and black flats, just like Jade had asked for. Jade landed in front of Rarity.

“It looks nice.” Jade nodded.

“I’m glad you like it!” Rarity exclaimed. She levitated the outfit into Jade’s hooves. “Go try it on! There’s a dressing room right over there!” Jade nodded and trotted away. She wondered why she needed to go in a dressing room to put on clothes since ponies usually didn’t wear clothes anyways.

“Rarity.” Capper’s voice sounded right as Jade was out of sight. “Can I ask you something?” Jade excitedly gazed around the corner of the hallway. He’s going to ask Rarity! Jade slipped her sweater and shoes on and put her hat on. Her sweater thankfully had two holes in it for her wings, so she could still be able to fly. Rarity looked up at Capper.

“Sure!” Rarity exclaimed. “What is it?” Capper’s gaze suddenly met Jade’s. Shoot! I’ve been spotted. Jade gestured with her hoof for Capper to continue. He looked back at Rarity.

“Well...as you know that gala is coming up.”
“The grand galloping gala.” Rarity corrected.
“Yes, that.” Capper replied. “I got tickets if you wanted to...go with me...as my date.” Rarity squealed and leaped up at Capper, throwing her hooves around him.

“Yes! Of course!” Rarity squeaked. Capper was stunned for a moment before he hugged Rarity back. Jade couldn’t help but smile. Rarity backed out of the hug. “Wait...now I have TWO extra gala tickets!” Rarity realized. Capper looked like he was about to say something but Rarity cut him off. “Sweetie Belle!” she called. After a few moments, a unicorn filly came barreling down the stairs. She had white fur and purple hair like Rarity so Jade knew immediately that they must be related.

“What is it Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“There's a been a change of plans regarding the gala.” Rarity explained. “Since I'm going with Capper, you get to have both of my gala tickets!” Rarity levitated two golden tickets toward Sweetie Belle. The filly gasped in excitement.

“Yes!” She cheered. “I can go with Button Mash after all!” She bounced out of the boutique excitedly. Rarity looked around.

“Now...where is Jade?” Rarity asked aloud. “She’s been in that dressing room for a while now.” Jade stepped out from behind the wall.

"I’m right here.” Jade announced. Rarity and Capper gazed at her. “How do I look?” Rarity squeaked excitedly and trotted toward Jade.

“You look absolutely stunning!” Rarity replied. Jade backed away a bit, smiling awkwardly.

“Thanks.” Jade replied. “I should uh...probably take it back to the castle and hang it up for later.”

“Sounds good.” Rarity replied with a nod. Jade trotted toward the door. “Ooh! Capper, I should make you something for the gala too!” Jade smiled as she walked out of the shop. They’ll make a cute couple as well. Jade began flying toward the castle. She would have to figure out who she wanted to give her extra gala ticket to eventually. Twilight was going with Pinkie, Rarity was going with Capper, Applejack was going with Apple Bloom, and Fluttershy would most likely go with Discord. Jade pushed open the door of the castle. Starlight was reading a book on the couch in the main room.

“Hi Starlight!” Jade called. “I’m home.” Starlight looked up from her book.

“Hi Jade.” Starlight replied. Jade flew onto the couch, folding her feathery wings. “How was your day with Rarity?” Starlight’s gaze shifted toward Jade’s sweater. “By the looks of it, she’s already made you an outfit.”

Jade nodded. “Yeah, it’s for the Grand Galloping Gala. I didn’t want to wear a dress but Rarity insisted I wear something formal, and this is the result.”

Starlight chuckled. “Yup, that sounds like Rarity.”

“Speaking of the Gala...who are you going with?” Jade asked.

“My friend Trixie.” Starlight answered. “Who are you taking?”

“I don’t know yet.” Jade admitted. “Everyone I know is already going with someone else.”

“Well, maybe you could meet someone new.” Starlight suggested. “Tomorrow you’re spending the day with Rainbow Dash. She’s pretty social, maybe she’ll introduce you to some new ponies.”

“Maybe.” Jade repeated. I guess I can just send the ticket back if I can’t find someone to give it to before the gala. She hovered above the couch. “I’m gonna call it a night.” Jade yawned as she flew upstairs.

“Goodnight!” Starlight called. Jade flew into her room and slipped off her outfit. She folded the sweater and put the outfit next her nightstand before grabbing her journal and pencil.

Dear diary,
Today was my day with Rarity. She is a strange pony but I like her. She is quite different from me, as I don’t really care about fashion and for Rarity it’s practically her whole life, but it seemed to work. We spent most of the day just going around town, as Rarity was enjoying having a day off from school. Then after lunch we went to her boutique and I met one of her friends, Capper. He is a cat...that walks on two legs. Equestria is really weird. I never know what I’m going to get next. Capper was a cool guy though, and he and Rarity make a pretty good couple. Within minutes of seeing them together, I could tell they liked each other. I don’t really know how, I just had a strong feeling that they did. Also, I used Starlight’s advice and it actually really worked. I was able to successfully stand up to some racist (speciesist?) pony, with some help from Capper. It makes me sad that there is such racism in Equestria though with all the different species, I guess it’s bound to happen. Anyways, Rarity made me an outfit for the gala. I insisted that I didn’t want a dress so Rarity instead made me a sweater and a matching hat and shoes, which is fancy enough by her standards I suppose. I don’t know, I’m not the right one to ask. I don’t know anything about fashion.
Jade put her book aside and let out a yawn as she settled down to go to sleep.

Author's Note

Have you noticed the racism in the show? Even before they brought specific attention to it in season 8, it's been shown that Equestria has some racist ponies. Anyways, I decided to bring attention to it.