The Receiving End

by A. Tuesday

Rating: everyone
Tags: Rarity, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other
Length: 7702

Rarity gets a telephone for her business... coincidentally, so does her mother.

Connection is not only a way to come together - it is also a way to increase the distance.

Published 2012-08-08 01:14:10 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-08 01:14:10 UTC

Ring-a-Ding-Ding!

“Hello, thank you for calling Carousel Boutique! This is Rarity, owner and proprietor of said establishment; how may I help you today?”

“Rarity? Oh, that is you!”

“…Mother?”

“Hi, honey!”

“Oh, uh - h-hello, Mother. I wasn’t aware you got a telephone, as well.”

“Oh, yes! You father recently decided that the family needed one to stay in touch! You always wrapped up in your business and such, and I can’t always interrupt your life, don’t cha know? So, now, I’m able to call you and check on my little Rarity!”

“Oh, that’s… well, that’s wonderful, actually! You guys do seem to be away so often. It’s nice to hear your voice again, Mother.”

“Oh, you, too, Rarity. So, how’s everything going with ya and your Boutique shop?”

“It’s doing fine. But, you know how it is with Ponyville – not many ponies like to shop fashionably. Actually, come to think of it, most of the ponies here don’t like to even wear clothes.”

“Aw. Well, I know somepony must be buying your products, considering the business is afloat and everything, eh?”

“Of course! It’s still a full-time job! Why else would I get a telephone?”

“To call your mother?”

“….Well, besides that, of course!”

“Oh, I’m just playin’ with ya, Rare. I know how important that little clothes shop of yours is to you, and I know a telephone is a smart investment. Well, your father does, anyway. I’m not too good with all this technology and stuff.”

“Mhmm. Oh – just one minute, miss! Oh, I’m terribly sorry, mother, but I’m going to have to call you back at another time, a customer just walked in.”

“That’s fine, Rarity. Talk to you soon, then. Love you!”

“Love you, too, Mother!”

* * *

“Hello, thank you for calling Carousel Boutique! My name is Rarity, owner and proper – “

“Hiya, Rare!”

“Oh, hello, mother! Uh, what, um – how’re you doing?”

“Oh, just fine, just fine, thank ya for asking. Your father and I are just packing up to go on a trip to Baltimare for the weekend, and my luggage is already in the carriage. Just waitin’ for your father – you know how he is with trips and packing and such.”

“Of – of course, mother. You’re leaving for a trip to Baltimare? Why didn’t you tell me yesterday when you called me?”

“You’re saying I didn’t? Hmph. It must’ve slipped my mind, I guess. But, yes, we’re going for a weekend to a wine tasting event. Don’t worry about Sweetie Belle – I’ve arranged for her to stay with her friend for the weekend.”

“Oh, um – well, okay, I suppose.”

“Yeah, so, you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Uh-huh. I guess I don’t. Just as well, business is really starting to take off.”

“Is it now, dearie?”

“Oh, yes. You see, a friend of mine – the cutest little dragon named Spike, I’m not sure that you’ve met him – he’s been going off on some gem-hunting ‘expeditions’, as I like to call them, and he recently found a very large abandoned mineshaft just full of the stuff! I’ve been paying him commission for some of them, and I have a new line of dresses that are simply marvelous! In fact, that customer that walked in on our first phone conversation yesterday actually purchased two of them! I think I’ve found my hot new item!”

“Ooh, that’s splendid, dearie!”

“Yes, it’s quite – Welcome to the Boutique shop! Just one moment! – it’s quite lovely. Sorry to have to do this to you again, Mother, but another customer just walked in. I hate to let you go, but unfortunately I must. Was there, um – was there anything else you needed?”

“Oh, no, dearie, it’s fine. I just called to say I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mother. Talk to you later!”

* * *

“Hello, welcome to Carousel Boutique! My name is – “

“Hi, Rarity! It’s your mother.”

“Oh, h-hello, Mother. I’m sorry, but, this isn’t really the greatest time, I’ve got an absolutely massive swarm of customers coming in, and I’ve got to tend to them.”

“That’s quite alright, honey. Your father and I just got back from our trip, is all, and I wanted to tell you about it! I’d tell little Sweetie Belle, but – it was a wine tasting after all. I think you’d get more out of it. Not saying you have background knowledge of wine tastings – at least, I hope you don’t.”

“Of course not, Mother! But, I really do have to call you back. After business hours? Is that alright?”

“Okey-dokey, dear. Sounds good.”

“Oh, thank you, Mother! Love you! Talk to you later!”

“Love you too, Rare.”

* * *

“You have reached Carousel Boutique. Currently, we are closed, but you can find our business hours on the front door, or know that we are open from 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, and 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays. If you have any concerns, please state your name and concern after the beep. Thank you!”

*beep*

“Rarity, it’s your mother, and it’s almost ten o’clock at night! You said you were going to call me after business hours, but I don’t think you did. You’re probably caught up in crunching those sales numbers or maybe relaxing with friends. Hope the latter – from what you’ve told me, you’ve been working very hard. I guess I’ll tell you about the wine tasting at another time – I really want to hear your reaction to some of what happened!

“I was just calling to say I love you, Rare. Call me back when you get this, okay? Bye.”

* * *

“Hello?”

“Oh, Mother, thank Celestia! I’m so sorry I missed your call last night.”

“It’s – it’s fine, Rarity. Though, it’s five o’clock in the morning… very early for me, especially you. Your store doesn’t open for another four hours, from what your answering machine tells me.”

“Yes, yes, I know, I know, but I have an important meeting with a very special pony, and he can only do it in the morning. You may have heard of a gentlecolt called High Class?”

“You mean that fancy-schmancy fashion designer?”

“The very same! Well, he gave me a call last night, talking about my new gem-studded dresses. We talked for hours about them and what he wants to do with them. He want to have my line in Manehattan! The most cosmopolitan city in all of Equestria! I mean, I’ve had some other designs in that city – but, the way they’re selling here in Ponyville, where ponies rarely buy clothes at all, I’m sure they’ll be a big hit over there.”

“That’s wonderful... dearie.”

“Oh, mother, I heard that yawn. Did I wake you?”

“A little bit, yes. But, it doesn’t really matter. I have to be getting up anyway, you know.”

“Okay then. Just – I didn’t want to disturb you or anything.”

“No, no, it’s fine – I love hearing calls from my daughter. Ooh, and now I can tell you about the wine – what was that jingle in the background?”

“Oh, he’s here! Terribly sorry, Mother, but I have to go! Love you lots!”

“Well, uh – l-love you, too, Rare – “

* * *

“Hello, thank you for calling Carousel Boutique! My name is Rarity, owner and proprietor of said establishment; how may I help you today!”

“Rarity, it’s your mother. What’s all that noise in the background?”

“It’s my customers, Mother. You should see them! My new dress line – I think I’m calling it the “True Gem” line – took off like a Wonderbolt in Manehattan, and ponies are going absolutely crazy over it here and there!”

“That’s wonderful, dearie – but, I haven’t talked to you in a little over a week.”

“I’ve been so swamped, Mother, with all these dress demands, I haven’t had time for much else! In fact, the only reprieve I’m getting is going to dinner with Spike later tonight – you know, that dragon I was telling you about?”

“That’s – “

“Oh, I have another call. Mother, can you please call me after business hours from now on? I hate to be rude, but I need to keep the line clear during the day.”

“Y-yes, that’s – that’s fine, Rarity. Just called to say I love you.”

“Love you, too, Mother. Goodbye!”

“Goodbye, sweet – “

* * *

“Hello, and thank you for calling Carousel Boutique! How may I help you today?”

“Uh, Rarity?”

“Oh, sorry, Miss Rarity is out to dinner with her associate. I can take a message for her when she gets back, if you would like.”

“Wait, I though – hold on, who is this?”

“My name is Tiara, I’m one of the new employees Miss rarity hired to keep up with the demands of the business. I run Customer Service.”

“Uh-huh. Customer service?”

“Oh, yes. Carousel Boutique is getting quite popular, and one pony alone can not handle the workload! So I and a couple other ponies haven been hired to help run the store, Miss Rarity, of course, being our boss and still the proprietor and owner.”

“I see. That’s, um – different.”

“It’s a fairly new change. Now, can I take a message for Miss Rarity for you, Miss…?”

“Just tell her that her mother called and said she loves her, please.”

“Can do, madam. Thank you for calling!”

“Yes, um, okay, I suppose. Goodbye.”

* * *

“Hello?”

“Mother! Glad I caught you!”

“Rarity, what’s going on? I haven’t talked to you in a month and a half!”

“I know, I know – it seems like it’s been a while. And it has, it has. But, you should see how prosperous I’m doing! I had even had to hire out a couple employees – “

“Yes, I talked to one. Tiara, I think her name was.”

“Oh, yes! Tiara’s so sweet. But you should see how business is down here. I’ve started work on another dress line, because I’m fear that ‘True Gem’ is beginning to die down. It should be a smash hit, though, now that I have associates to review it for me!”

“That’s – that’s wonderful, dear.”

“Isn’t it? Oh, and I simply must tell you – I’ve been invited to open up a store in Manehattan! I doubt that, if I take it, I’ll be living there long – only a month or so – but then, I can hire someone else to run it, and then I’ll have two stores. Carousel Boutique’s becoming a franchise, Mother!”

“Well, are you going to take the offer, then?”

“What, to live there?”

“Mhmm.”

“Well, I can say that I’ve been strongly considering it – but if I take it, Mother, I must let you know, that, um…well…”

“Well what?”

“… there’s no telephone up there. So, I can’t really talk to you as frequently as I do now.”

“Oh, well, um – I suppose that’s the price to pay for fame and fortune.”

“Ha, I suppose, if you’d want to put it that way. But, I can still call you on the payphone, so I’ll make sure to do that at least twice during the course of the month. I promise you, alright?”

“O – okay, dearie. Please do. I miss hearing your voice. It seems you’ve been so wrapped up in your business that you barely have time for family anymore.”

“Don’t say that! Of course I do!”

“We haven’t had dinner together as a family in the longest time, though. Ever since you went off on your own, and your father has those business trips – and Sweetie Belle’s going to be very busy soon, now that theatrics are beginning to start up in her school. The director says she’ll probably get the lead when the musical rolls around.”

“Marvelous! That’s my little sister!”

“Well, if that’s how you really feel, then I expect you to be there, Rarity.”

“Of course I will be, mother. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Well, I’m telling you now, even though it’s six months away. I don’t want your business to get in the way of supporting your little sister in her ambitions. She supported yours.”

“Mother! I’m offended that you would even think that way!”

“Well, you haven’t really been around much, and if you’re leaving for this trip in a month…”

“Hmm, you do have a point. Tell you what, bring Dad and Sweetie Belle and yourself over to Gustav’s and I’ll buy us all dinner. Just like old times, eh?”

“Oh, well – that’d be very nice of you, dear.”

“Great! Let’s do it, say, Saturday night? Does that work for you?”

“I believe so…”

“Fantastic, I’ll see you then, Mother!”

“Yes, see you, Rarity. Love you!”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“Oh, uh, Mother? I guess you couldn’t answer, then. Oh, well. I guess I’ll tell you anyway.

“I, um… I’ll be opening up the new store in Manehattan. I leave… tomorrow, actually. I’ve been given a lot of new details rather unexpectedly. I showed High Class the new dress line, and he was nothing short of ecstatic. He wants me to leave tomorrow morning and um… well, I’ll be staying for more than a month, it would seem.

“He wants me to stay there for a full year. Yes, that’s… right, a full year. I can have him install a telephone down there, so I can talk to you, but I’m afraid I’ll be missing Sweetie Belle’s show in five months.

“I hear she didn’t get the lead, though – depressing, but at least I won’t be missing as much now that she’s a minor part.

“… That came out terribly, didn’t it?”

“I’m… sorry, Mother. But, honestly, my business is growing at a faster rate than I would’ve imagined, and I have to leave so many of my friends behind to pursue this dream. Including, and it pains me to say it, my family.

“I promise you, I’ll be in touch, and I’ll let you know if anything about my situation changes. Once I get the new telephone, I’ll make sure to call you and give you the number.

“And, of course I’ll call Sweetie Belle on the night of her performance. I don’t want business to destroy my ties with family, and I am determined not to let that happen.

“I… I guess that’s it. I’ll talk to you soon, Mother.”

* * *

“Thank you for calling Carousel Boutique. My name is Tiara, how may I help you?”

“Yes, hello, it’s Rarity’s mother. I’d like to know the telephone number for Rarity’s office in Manehattan.”

“…”

“Hello?”

“Well, madam, Miss Rarity doesn’t have a telephone in the Manehattan Carousel Boutique.”

“She… doesn’t?”

“I’m afraid not, no. The only way she’s been able to communicate with us is through the mail system. Lately, however, she’s gotten quite tied up in her work, so even we haven’t really written to her in about a month or two.”

“Oh, well… she told me nine months ago that she was having a telephone installed.”

“I’m sorry, madam. I’m sure she means well. Perhaps the order for one is just taking exceptionally long.”

“Yes… maybe. Thank you again, Miss Tiara.”

“My pleasure, madam.”

* * *

“Hello?”

“Mother, I was recently given a letter that you tried to call me.”

“Rarity, where are you?”

“Manehattan, of course. I’m using the payphone.”

“You told me that you were getting a telephone installed in your work!”

“Well, I – I was! But then, the dress line took off, and I got wrapped up in other things, and I’m designing another dress line and making public appearances and I have a fashion show in five months, so it looks like I’ll be staying a bit longer than I’d hoped.”

“Rarity – “

“In fact, the only person I’ve really been seeing just to mingle and chat with is the person I’m seeing. You remember Spike, right?”

“Rarity – “

“He’s such the gentledragon. Truly makes me feel like I’m the only mare in the world.”

“Rarity!”

“What, mother?”

“I’m calling you for a reason!”

“And what’s that, mother? Just to say that you love me, like all your calls were always about? And how they’re still about?”

“No, Rarity! Your father! He’s in the hospital!”

“My… what?”

“Your father had a heart attack two days ago. He’s in Intensive Care. Of course, you wouldn’t know that because you don’t have a telephone installed in your business, even though you said you would.”

“Dad… dad had a…”

“He’s in Canterlot General. If you can pull away from your ‘fancy-schmancy’ business for a while, I’d suggest coming over here. He hasn’t talked to you in over a year. And he’d really like to see you. I’d really like to see you.”

“Of… of course, Mother. I’m booking the airship as we speak.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you then, dearie.”

“Good… goodbye, Mother…”

* * *

“You have reached the Carousel Boutique in Manehattan. Currently, we are closed. Please state your name and reason for calling after the beep.”

*beep*

“Hi, Rare, it’s Mom. Thanks for coming out to see your father the other day. I know we all miss you, but he does, especially, and you gave him the good spirits he needed. He’s doing better now, but he still has a heart condition. Canterlot General has the best doctors for cardiovascular stuff, so we’ve decided to move up there for the time being. Should be back in Ponyville by July, though.

“Sweetie Belle’s living with the Apple family, from what I understand. She really didn’t want to make the move up with us, wanting to finish out her year of school first, so they graciously allowed her to stay the last couple months. Can you believe she’ll be a freshmane in high school next year? Time does fly, you know?

“I also wanted to apologize for snappin’ at you on the phone a couple days ago. I know how important your business is for you – and I don’t say it often enough, but I am so very proud of you. It’s just that, well – I don’t want your business to run your life. You have many ponies that care for you, myself included. We don’t want you out of our lives so much, you know?

“Just, um… just wanted to call you and tell you I love you, I guess. Heh, things don’t really change that much, do they? I won’t really be calling you as much anymore – what with your father to take care of and all that, and with him unable to work for a while I’ll have to start looking for work. I’ll be sure to call you when I can, though.

“Love you, Rarity.”

* * *

“Hello, Rarity speaking.”

“Hi, honey!”

“Mother! So good to hear your voice!”

“Oh, yes, I know, we don’t talk often enough! How’s everything in Manehattan?”

“Things are going just fine, Mother. In fact, not too long ago I went to the opening of another Carousel Boutique in Fillydelphia!”

“Oh, yes, you certainly are franchising, now! It’s good to see that my daughter’s dreams have come true. Both of them, actually.”

“Yes, I almost forgot. How’s Sweetie Belle and her thespian-ism? She’s a sophomare now, isn’t she?”

“Well, why don’t you ask her yourself? I figure we’d come up to your house in Manehattan next week so we can celebrate Hearth’s Warming Eve together!”

“Mother, that sounds delightful. If you don’t mind, my ‘special friend’ will be there as well. We’ve been going steady for about two years now – between you and me, I think Spike’s going to propose soon.”

“Of course I don’t mind! In fact, I don’t think you’ve ever actually introduced me to him yet.”

“I haven’t? My goodness, that must change! He is quite the person, you know. A true gentlecolt – even if he is a dragon.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Yes. How’s work back in Ponyville?”

“Oh, it’s the usual. I’m a decent shoes salespony, but I’m not a professional.”

“You mean you haven’t left yet? I thought Dad went back to work months ago.”

“Oh, yes, he did – but, I didn’t see any reason to quit. With both girls out of the house for the majority of the time, I need something to do, now don’t I?”

“I suppose so.”

“I also noticed you finally got your own phone!”

“Ha ha, yes, indeed I did. It’s been three years since I got my first telephone in Ponyville, and now I have my third phone, specifically for me! Aren’t you proud?”

“Well, it took you long enough, that’s for sure.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, dearie – nothing at all. Is someone knocking at your door in the background?”

“Oh, yes, that’d be Spike. Sorry, Mother, but I must go – we’re going out for a weekend cruise just by the bay.”

“Sounds super! I’ll let you go, then. Love you, Rarity!”

“Love you, too, Mother!”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“Hi, Mother, it’s Rarity. I just wanted to tell you how thankful I am that you, Sweetie, and Dad came to my wedding! I can’t believe it’s only been half a year since out Hearth’s Warming get-together; it seems like it’s been forever. Sweetie Belle just became a junior? Two more years and she’s completely done? It kind of blew my mind.

“I also wanted to say that I’m very sorry, but I’m not going to be able to call you for a while. My newest dress line is going on a worldwide fashion tour, and I’ve been called upon to be there at every one of the shows. I’ll be gone for a good couple of months, I suppose, but shortly afterwards I’ll be back in the saddle here. I can’t wait to tell you all the sights I’ve seen and all the ponies I’ve met and…

“I’m sorry, I’m just so excited! What, with Spike and I starting a new life together and my business doing exceedingly better than it was before and…

“It’s a lot. It most certainly is a lot.

“I suppose I should let you go then. Give my regards to Sweetie and Dad. Love you all! Talk to you later.”

* * *

“Hello, Rarity speaking.”

“Oh, so you’re home, then?”

“Oh - hello, Mother. Can we keep this short? I’ve got a press conference in an hour and I’ve got to be across town.”

“Already? But, didn’t you just get back?”

“Well, yes. I’m a pretty formidable figure in the fashion industry, now, though, so I’m always on my toes. At least I got to see the sights of the world for a year. When I said ‘back in th saddle’ all those months ago, I meant it. Immediately back.”

“Good… well, good to hear. Your business isn’t… running you, again, is it?”

“I should hope not. No, I still have control over if I can and can’t go. But, seeing as how there isn’t really anything to stop me from going to this one, I feel that I should attend.”

“Okay. Um, well, I have Sweetie Belle’s theatric dates early this year.”

“Do you? When are they? I’ll be sure to mark them on my calendar.”

“Well, I should hope so. She’s a senior this year, Rarity. Her last high school performance. She got the lead last year – she’ll no doubt get it again this year. And, you still haven’t been to any of her shows!”

“I know, Mother, I know, and I regret that. That’s why I promise to be there, at this one.”

“You said that about one of hers a couple years ago.”

“That was different. Before I was a more mature and sophisticated pony than I already was. Now, when are the dates? I really must be going.”

“It’s on the weekend of April 11. Close to eight months from now. We’ll most likely be going to the Saturday show, but there’s also one on Thursday and Friday if you can’t make it to the one with us.”

“April… eleventh… got it. I’ll be there, Mother. Now, I hate to cut our chat short, but I really must be going.”

“Okay, honey. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

* * *

“Hello, Rarity speaking.”

“Happy New Years’!”

“Oh… Mother. Happy… New Years’ to you, too.”

“Wow, honey, do you sound tired. What, up late last night partying?”

“More like working. I had a load of paperwork to fill out for my new line’s shipment to Manechuria.”

“Working? On New Years’ Eve?”

“A bit, yes. I don’t mind the work, actually. It’s what keeps me calm.”

“You know what would keep you calmer? A bit of sleep. Did I wake you?”

“A bit, yes.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll, um, let you get back to sleep then.”

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll be sure to call you again later today, when the board meeting’s over.”

“Board meeting? On New Years’ Day? Rarity, you have got to be out of your mind, working on holidays like this. Your business is running you again. I thought that phase had passed.”

“It isn’t running me, Mother. It’s what I like to do. I love my business.”

“If you say so. I’ll let you get some shut-eye, alright? Goodnight, Rarity. Or, rather, good morning. Love you.”

“’Night, Mother.”

* * *

“Hello?”

“Rarity? Oh no, wait, this is Spike! Hello, Spike, it’s Rarity’s mother!”

“Oh, hey! What’s up?”

“Well, as much as I love talking to you, I’m looking for Rarity. Is she around?”

“Unfortunately, no. She just left out for work again.”

“I thought business hours ended at six o’clock.”

“She extended ‘em. She wanted to have the shop open to later hours, and decided she’d do a shift of running it tonight instead of all the phone calls and paperwork she usually does. Wants to kind of get back to basics, I suppose.”

“But, doesn’t that mean more work for her later?”

“A bit, yes. She doesn’t mind, though.”

“Aren’t you worried for her?”

“To be honest, yes, actually. She overworks herself too much, and she always tells me it’s because she likes what she’s doing and enjoys her work. My guess is that she loves it so much, she doesn’t want it to possibly fail. So, she does most of the work, including handling all of the paperwork and calls.”

“She didn’t hire anyone else?”

“Tiara offered to do it, but Rarity told her she didn’t want to burden anypony with too much of her own business. Even when she takes a break, like she is tonight, she’s actually working. I imagine running the Manehattan store must be a lot easier than doing what she always does.”

“Oh…okay, then. I was just calling to remind her of Sweetie Belle’s show in a month.”

“Oh, yes! We have that marked on the calendar. We can’t wait to be there! Despite what people think, I’m a huge lover of the arts. Wouldn’t miss it for the world, and my Rarity wouldn’t, either.”

“That’s… good to hear. Tell her I called and said I loved her, alright?”

“Definitely.”

“Thank you. Talk to you later, Spike.”

“Bye!”

* * *

“Hello, Rarity speaking.”

“Have you bought your tickets yet?”

“Mother, tickets for what?”

“You’re joking, right?”

“Tickets for…?”

“Sweetie Belle’s show? In two days?”

“Oh, yes…oh, yes! Of course! Of course I bought the tickets, mother! Spike went down to Ponyville not too long ago and got them. We’ll be coming down on Saturday, so we can watch the show with you guys.”

“What a relief. I thought you had forgotten about it.”

“Please, mother, I wouldn’t forget about my sister’s most important show! Not in a million years.”

“That’s good. It’ll be good for you to come down. You’ve been so wrapped up in that fashion business of yours that you’ve barely had time for anything else, or so I’ve heard.”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, mother! Of course I have time for other things. But, speaking of the business, did I tell you that Carousel Boutique is opening up another store?”

“No, you didn’t.”

“… You don’t sound nearly as excited as I do.”

“Look, honey, I’m very proud of you and your business, but it’s not your entire life. Yet, you act like it is. How come you aren’t this excited when we discuss Sweetie Belle’s show?”

“Well, because… because…”

“Never mind, Rarity. I know, it’s your business, and her show – I get it. But, there’s more to life than your business and its new stores. Like, for instance, family.”

“I know, Mother, I know. Trust me, it’s not getting that out of hand.”

“Good. So, where’s this new store and when’s it opening up?”

“It’s going to be in Canterlot, and, within the next two weeks or so… I… forget the date. Ooh, I just realized, speaking of fashion, I’m going to need something fabulous to wear to Sweetie Belle’s performance!”

“Heh, that’s my Rarity. Always trying to be ‘fabulous’. I remember when you did the wardrobe for a play.”

“Yes, and now I must do wardrobe for going to a play. I should start looking, now, actually. I have one more meeting to go to before the weekend, and I want to get that out of the way so nothing at all will distract me from attending this performance.”

“Good for you, Rare. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Mother.”

* * *

“Hello, Rarity – “

“I can’t believe you!”

“… Mom? What’s the – “

“You promised! You promised me you’d be there!”

“Be wher – oh…”

“He was there! Your own husband was there at the show and you weren’t!”

“Well, he bought the tickets, and he was – “

“No excuses! None! You’ve crushed your sister, you know that? She was really hoping you’d be there!”

“Oh, Mother, I’m sure Sweetie Belle is fine.”

“Fine? She did a spectacular job! But you’ll never know! You never went to any of her performances! You couldn’t even make it to the last one! How would you like it if she wasn’t backing you up the whole time, huh? She was always trying to help your Celestia-damned business.”

“Mother, I know you’re upset, but – “

“Don’t you ‘but’ me! I can’t believe you! I can not believe you! After you promised you’d be there, you still didn’t show up! Oh, but Spike did!”

“Yes, I know. He – “

“And do you wanna know what he told me?!”

“… w-what’d he tell you?”

“He said that you were in Canterlot at your new store’s opening!”

“Well, it had been planned that it was going to be Saturday. And Canterlot’s – “

“I don’t care how important Canterlot is to you, Rarity! You missed your sister’s final performance! Her voice rivals that of an angel’s, but you won’t know! You went to your business meeting.”

“A store opening. And, Mother! Can’t you see how important this business is to me?! I run one of the largest up-and-coming fashion industries in Equestria!”

“Then you should have other ponies be at the opening!”

“They needed me! I needed to be there!”

“No, you needed to be here! Supporting your sister! But instead, you chose business over family! Again!”

“I’ve never chosen – “

“Are you listening to yourself talk?! Are you?! Do you know how many times you couldn’t talk to me, or shut me out, or how many gatherings and events you missed because you were away?! How many of Sweetie Belle’s shows you’ve missed?!”

“Mother, my Carousel Boutique requires me to – “

“I could care less about your boutique! The fact that a pony puts a company, a corporation, over their own flesh and blood for years is sickening. Even more so when it’s my own daughter!”

“How dare you, Mother! Degrading my boutique because I missed another one of Sweetie Belle’s musicals.”

“Not another one, Rarity! All of them! Every. Single. One.”

“Well, I think it’s hardly fitting – “

“You know what, Rarity? It’s hardly fitting for me to call you my daughter anymore! It’s hardly fitting to even consider you part of the family anymore!”

“… Mother…”

“Don’t. Save it. I’m done talking to you, Rarity. If you ever decide to detach yourself from that industry, apologize to your sister, but don’t come to me. You aren’t welcome in my house any longer.”

“Mother, I – “

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“Mother, you are being outright ridiculous! You know how important that business is to me! You know how hard I’ve worked to sustain it! Sweetie Belle can always do community theatre or in college should she choose to pursue it! I don’t need to be there to let her know that I care and wish the best for her!

“But, I do need to be there for these openings! It’s a public appearance! All the big hot-shots were there, and I’m considered a big-time fashion producer now! I wouldn’t have sealed my name in destiny if it wasn’t for tonight! Princess Luna was there, Mother!

“Sweetie Belle has an amazing voice, no doubt. But she works for a few months and it’s over. I have to work almost 24/7 to keep this up! If I don’t, I lose everything. This business is my life! And I do not shut-out family, despite what you may think! I’ve accepted your calls. I could’ve hung up on all of them. I’ve had you over for Hearth’s Warming Eves. I could’ve shut you out. But I didn’t.

“Just because I couldn’t make her musical doesn’t mean I don’t care about my family! And I don’t know what it’s going to take for you to understand that!

“Why am I even arguing with you? Sure, you’re boiling mad now, but it’ll go down. Then you’ll see the errors of your ways.”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“Mother, Spike came home. He told me how wonderful Sweetie did onstage, something I was sure of even though I wasn’t there. He also told me how upset she seemed that I wasn’t there.

“She must take after you. Would you kindly explain to her that my business is a full-time job, and that I can’t always be there to support her in person, but that I was always there in spirit? I don’t need to break the heart of my youngest sister, either.

“Or, rather, maybe I’ll have Spike do it. You seem a bit too mad to handle yourself at the moment. I’d do it myself, but I’ve got a business venture in Canterlot for the next week that can’t be missed. If I was truly shutting my family out, would I not just leave Sweetie Belle to cry, ignorant?”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“Well, I see that you haven’t decided to call back, even after a week. Spike says you haven’t, either.

“Look, I apologize for calling you delusional or offending you or anything like that. It’s very unbecoming of a lady to say those things to anypony, especially to their mother. But, you must understand what my business means to me. It is my life. My destiny. And keeping up your destiny is a full-time job.

“I’m not sure what yours was, but, you’d want all the support you could get in achieving your destiny, wouldn’t you? I need to have family not opposing me in my decisions. If anything, I’d love more for you to be supportive.

“I mean, I see how you all support Sweetie Belle so… much. Uh… well, everypony except me, that is…”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“I’ve… done some thinking. I haven’t really been to any of Sweetie Belle’s shows, have I? Not even a single one?

“Spike tells me she’s a wonderful actress. Sings like a goddess, and can fit into a role like it were… like it was one of my dresses. The very same dresses that keep me from… watching my little sister’s… destiny.

“I, um – I don’t really know what to say. It just dawned on me that I’ve never been to any of them. Never been there to tell her ‘good job’ or demand an encore or give her the standing ovation she probably deserves. I’ve been too caught up in the fashion business.

“I’m beginning to wonder - all those stores being opened and the ponies I’ve met and the places I’ve seen – I’m beginning to wonder if it was worth the price of not seeing a fantastic show with a fantastic girl.

“A fantastic sister.”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“It’s been a month since the musical, you know. I’m guessing you’ve decided you aren’t going to talk to me anymore, are you, Mother? I understand. I would never want to see me again either if that was the way I truly acted.

“If you’re listening to any of this, tell Sweetie Belle that I’m… sorry. It won’t mean much, but… it’s all I can really do for her. If I could go back in time to see those shows, I would.

“I think maybe… maybe I wasn’t treating everyone else right, either. You had to yell at me over the phone, all those years ago, that Dad had a heart attack. I haven’t seen him in half of a year. I owe him so much more than just those. I almost lost my own father, and I was too blinded by my business to see that.

“I was shutting you out, too, wasn’t I, Mother? All those times you just tried to talk to me I told you no, sometimes for good reason, sometimes not, and tell you I would eventually catch up. How many times have I lied to you? How many times have I told you that specific lie?

“Actually, I don’t think I want to know.

“I’d say ‘I’m sorry’, but I don’t think it does any justice here.”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“I’ve relocated back to Ponyville, Mother, in case you notice the phone number’s different. Though, I highly doubt you listen to these messages anyway, so what’s the use?

“I saw some of my closest friends for the first time in years. They’ve all… grown up. Two have gotten married. One’s moved away. One has foals of her own. I just… I can’t believe how long it’s been. I haven’t seen them in years. My closest friends.

“I also caught up with Sweetie Belle. She… she felt uncomfortable talking to me, but I told her what I could. What I needed to. It tore me up inside, seeing how she rejected me. We used to fight when we were younger, but this… this was distancing.

“She seemed to lighten up. She ‘half-forgave’ me, as she called it – the other half would come with time.

“From the little filly I care the most about, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“I saw you at Sweetie Belle’s wedding, Mom. You and Dad were up front, Spike and I were in the back. I didn’t dare go up to you, though – I didn’t think it’d be right, considering you refuse to talk to me on the phone.

“Just as well, you didn’t even notice me there. I can live with that, I guess. Not even Dad noticed me, but I did notice his walking. He breathes so heavily. He isn’t a large pony. Is he having other problems? Or does that just come with age?

“Sweetie Belle’s husband seems like a very nice pony. Spike and I talked with him for a bit – apparently, he and my sister were high school sweethearts. Huh. I guess if I had gone to her musicals, I would’ve seen that coming, now wouldn’t I?

“Speaking of Spike, I fear that time when dragons go to take their ‘nap’ is fast approaching. I doubt I’ll live long enough to see the end of it, but for now, I’m keeping him close. I don’t want to have any regrets when he sleeps.

“I don’t want to have any regrets with anypony anymore. But, I'm afraid that can’t be fixed.”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“Sweetie Belle came by two days ago. She told me Dad was back in Intensive Care, after a second heart attack. I didn’t hesitate this time. I rushed right up there and comforted him, staying overnight.

“I told him everything. You weren’t there, you had left the room when I entered – pretended like I wasn’t there again. He told me how disappointed you still are. I… I don’t know what I can say. What I can say to make it better.

“But I told him how sorry I was. How I regretted everything I had done with this fashion business. How it just tore me away from everybody. And yet, I was still doing it. He told me that he was always proud of me, and yet I still had something to learn.

“He told me that destiny is a road with many rest stops.

“I’ve never heard him say anything philosophical like that in years. Heck, I haven’t talked to him face-to-face in almost a decade. It’s…it’s been a while. A long while.

“Too long. But, it was so good to see him again.

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“I apologize if you were expecting me to say something meaningful at Dad’s funeral. I… I couldn’t. I didn’t know what to say.

“I just finished crying about five minutes ago. I can’t believe that his heart problems got to him. He wasn’t that old at all. Certainly not old enough for heart failure, in my opinion. And, I don’t know what I could’ve said that would’ve done any justice to him.

“I’m only glad that I made peace with him. I told Sweetie Belle this, and she told me that she had completely forgiven me. Remember, that ‘half-forgiven’ thing she told me that I told you about, all those years ago? If you even listened to the message.

“I did help write the eulogy. Sweetie Belle and I did it.

“It’s still hard for me to believe that he’s gone. It’s even harder for me to believe you’re still here, because you just avoid my existence. I know why, though. And I don’t blame you.

“I blame my attitude towards my destiny. I hate it now, all the things that I had done to achieve it. I had placed business before my own family – I refuse to do that anymore.

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“I stepped down today as CEO of my corporation. Retired. I don’t want any part of it anymore.

“I let that girl, Tiara, who’s no longer a young mare, but a married woman with one foal of her own, become the head of the company. She was thrilled, and understood why I stepped down.

“That’s it. No more paperwork, or phone calls or running of the stores or anything like that. I am affiliated with the founding of Carousel Boutique, and that’s it. I am no longer anything of the company other than a symbol.

“Even that is hard to live with, now that I realized what it meant to get there.

“But, at least it’s over.”

* * *

“Hello, you have reached 761-8009. Please leave a message after the tone.”

*beep*

“Hello, Mother, it’s Rarity. I, um… well, I don’t have any big news. It’s just… it’s been twenty years since you’ve last spoken to me. I feel like I could be talking to this answering machine the rest of my life.

“I’m glad I stepped down, made peace with everyone I could. I don’t know if I could ever make peace with you, but we could start, if you’re willing. If you’re not, well, I probably deserve it.

“But, save that for another time. I just called to say I love you.

“Goodbye, Mother.”

* * *

“Hello?”

“Rarity? Is that you?”

“M-mother?”

“Yes, it’s…it’s me, Rare. How – how are you doing?”

“F-fine… yourself?”

“Eh, a little tired, and a bit old, heh, but other than that, never better.”

“Oh, I… I s-see…”

“Something wrong, dearie? You sound like you’re crying.”

“It’s just… it’s so good to hear your voice again, Mother.”

“… it’s good to hear yours, too. But, let’s not linger on all the sentimental stuff, huh? I called to talk to my daughter, not cry with her.”

“O-of course… I’m still your daughter?”

“Of course, dearie! Now, enough of this introducin’ stuff – I know who you are, you’re my Rarity! What I want to know is what my Rarity is up to nowadays.”

“W-well…S-spike and I….before he takes his n-n-nap…we’re going to Baltimare.”

“Ooh, that’s a neat-o place! When your father was alive, we used to go there often. For what reason?”

“We’re... we’re going to a wine tasting.”