*ding ding ding*
Hmmm~ thread by thread, stitching it togetherrrr~
Oh! It's you! Hi! Um, hello there, my best customer. Welcome to Carousel Boutique. What can I do for you?
Aww, look at your shirt! The poor thing's all torn up! What in Equestria were you doing to ruin this?
...Oh. I somehow understand now. The Apples tend to work their projects rather hard, don't they? Might explain the, ah, mud. Mud? MUD! Don't take another step into the boutique until I've gotten a towel!
...Here we go. That's it. Be sure to step on the mat. That's very important.
...I assume you're here for repair, not purchase?
Not to worry. This mangy old thing can be fixed in a jiffy. Come on, take it off and give it here.
I can understand the merit of having "Crap clothes" to wear in work environments. Tough, stable, kinda stained? It's got to be an article you don't care about any more. I don't think I could stand to do that to any of my creations! I put too much care into them to see them reduced to...crap clothes.
Oh, that's very sweet of you, darling. My clothes always get the job done. Regardless if it's crap or not.
Ugh, just listen to me. I feel so uncouth, spewing words like crap all over the place.
Yes, there are plenty of worse words. But if you let any of them near Sweetie Belle, your hide will be next. Got it?
Good! I'm so glad we agree.
I might take some time to repair this hole. If you're looking for something to do, you can… hmm, browse… see if there's something you like...
...or you can just collapse onto the couch. That works too. Just don't put your feet up on the table.
...
… Are you all right? You've barely spoken a word since you entered. And you sound so… heartbroken. Would you like a cup of tea?
No? My, my, this is serious. Scooch over. I need to have a seat.
Now… what's troubling you? I can practically feel the aura of negativity radiating off of you. And you feel so cold! Though that may be an effect of the-
-what...?
...O-oh, my… I simply don't… know what to say!
Aww, come here. You poor thing!
How long has it been since you and… her broke up?... That recent? Wow. It must still be fresh, then. I didn't know you were doing work on the Apple's to take your mind off her!
Oh, that's got to be terrible! Trust me on this, I've been in the same boat before, darling.
Yes, I have, believe it or not. It was… seven? No, eight years ago. I thought that Celestia's nephew was a great opportunity for me. It… ended up disastrous. To say the least.
Mm-hmm. I aimed rather high for my first relationship, didn't I? Look, look, there's nothing wrong with that! You should always aim beyond your dreams. That way, even if you don't reach them, you're still farther than you ever thought you'd be.
Profound? Oh, it's nothing, darling. The moral has been said plenty before. I suppose it's the verbiage that does it, right?
But believe it or not, I failed in a relationship a second time! Yeah. This time it was with an author who had a total crush on Applejack. I ended up changing the very essence of who I was to try and win his heart. But I failed anyway.
And nonetheless--look at me! Can you look at me and say I am not successful? I have grown and matured further than I could have ever imagined! I have shops all over Equestria. I have saved my friends, and the world, many, many times. I simply have that inner strength within me. And that's without a boyfriend! Imagine how much you can grow with a partner! Don't let this discourage you in the future!
Listen to me. You don't have to make the same mistakes I did. You can learn from them. She left you because of who you were? Then she isn't yours. What kind of partner will only accept you only if you change the fabric that makes up who you are?
Yes, the fabric joke was intentional. Congratulations on noticing.
The truth of the matter is a simple thing. You are who you are. There's nothing you can do about it except try better every day. You have flaws. But guess what? So do I. And my friends have helped me through them. And we'll help you through this as well.
… Why, thank you for your kind words, darling! I just… want to help you any way I can. Hm?... You're right! No wonder I'm the Element of Generosity! Heh heh…
Is there… anything else I can do to help?
Dah… a-a date?
… Oohhh. That… Yes, I can see how that makes sense. You think you need something to fill that void in your heart. But oh, darling, who am I to replace the mare you've loved for so long? And besides, your joy shouldn't be dependent on another. That joy lies within yourself. I learned that for myself.
But… look at me. Look at me. There we go. I'd… be honored to go on a date with you.
It… can be romantic. But it can also be platonic. Remember, these things take time. If you sweep in too quickly, the mare might run away. A stallion must be gentle in their approach. Us mares are rather fragile, after all.
Wait. Fragile?! Gah! No, no, fragile isn't the proper word. What am I saying? We're… precious. Yes. That's it. And so are you. And so is everypony! We all need to be treated like we're worth something. Especially those who've been hurt.
You think I'm… precious?
Oh, darling! You've no idea how much that means to me! I can't remember the last time anyone decided to call me that. Hearing it, it feels… warm inside. Thank you thank you thank you!
… Ahem. Yes, that hug was out of nowhere. But you deserve it! Any mare would be overjoyed to have a person like you as their missing half!
And yes, that extends to me as well, darling. Maybe we could create a closer friendship than we have now. Might as well try, hmm?
Anyway, you must be getting along now. I need to work on your torn-up shirt. Take something from the hangars to replace it. I insist! What, do you think I would let you go home with no shirt on? I simply cannot allow that!
Although… you do look fine without one, I must say…
Flirty? Serious? Ho ho ho ho! Oh, I'm not going to answer that, darling. You figure it out.
Oh, before you leave… When will you pick me up again?...Yes, I'm free that day. All right. At 7:00 on Friday. Got it. See you theeere~!
