Fabulosity in Fact

You wake up the next morning on a lavish, and surprisingly comfortable, red sofa that Rarity had the generosity to offer you in place of the decidedly average bed in your rented hotel room.

You would have turned down her offer to sleep for the night, but after a day of exchanging personal stories and going through which clothes to take to Canterlot (and which fabrics and gems to take in order to make clothes while she’s there) she offers you to stay for the night. For coffee, if you catch her drift.

Apparently she likes Affogato Café Mocha. Not exactly the kind of coffee you were expecting, but what the heck.

“You’re quite the puzzle,” you tell Rarity as you both team up to prepare breakfast - you took care of the food while she set out the cutlery and condiments perfectly, “When we were in the spa together, you certainly didn’t object to my… advances. But your jest with offering me coffee last night? You really didn’t want our coffee to be, you know, in the bedroom? Even now, I wonder how your mind works.”

She chuckles softly, yet craftily, “I know how yours works, however. I know how most mares would love to throw themselves at you. I’d like to be the exception in that aspect. Don’t forget, you may have only known me for a few days at most. I’ve known you for years.”

“You’ve been reading my magazines for years, Rarity, not my mind.”

“But whose mind was behind them?”

“Mine,” you say, “Oh. Touché. But if you don’t want me like that, why did you go along with it at the spa?”

“I was enjoying it.” she smirks cheekily, “And you never know, I might enjoy myself while we’re in Canterlot as well. If you’re a good stallion.”

That’s an incentive if you ever heard one.

*******

Rarity sure loves first-class trains. Maybe it’s the extra room for her countless bags (most of them full to the brim with fabrics or gems), or the attendant walking up and down the aisle with a trolley of sweet snacks. Or perhaps it’s the quiet, soothing atmosphere, where she can doodle dress ideas into her notepad in peace.

“I’ve been thinking about how you want me to show the greater aspect of highlighted natural beauty,” she says, admiring the view as the train climbs higher and higher up Canterlot’s mountain, “and I’ve been thinking about more and more ideas for dresses that will aid in that regard as a result.”

“How is it coming along?” you ask.

“Not bad.” she gives a small smile, “I’m trying to aim for a dress that not only makes a pony look natural but also… ahem… attractive.”

“So… you’re trying to make naturally sexy dresses?”

“Well, I, er, yes! Naturally attractive. The only issue I’m having, which is often the case with dresses of this type, is trying to make the outfit sexy without the wearer looking like a-”

“Tart?”

“Thank you,” Rarity kindly accepts the passing train attendant’s offer, and levitates the sweet, sticky snack off the trolley, taking a few nibbles as she continues, “Anyway, as I was saying, hopefully my dresses for the article will show natural beauty in the works, but will be just subtle enough so the pony wearing it won’t be dressed up like a-”

“French Fancy?”

“Ooh, I’ll have one,” you say, taking the small iced sponge cake from the attendant who is still hanging around for some reason. You take a bite out of it, and try to finish Rarity’s train of thought, “So you’re going for really simple dresses that highlight how beautiful the ponies are themselves. I think that’s a great idea! The mares would feel secure and happy with themselves, and the stallions would sure love the view as well. You should make a dress like that for yourself too, Rarity, for the sake of my-”

“Cocktail Nuts?”

You eventually shoo the attendant away.

“…for the sake of my magazine,” you finish, “You’re going to be on the front page, don’t forget.”

“Believe me, I didn’t forget that,” she grins, flipping the pages of her notepad to a specific doodle, “Take a look at this; sleek, blue velvet that not only highlights my eyes, but also shows off the curves of my… figure.”

She spent the rest of the trip showing you different ideas for all kinds of dresses. Some she had designed with inspiration from her friends, others with different places, situations and seasons in mind.

Going by what she’s shown you so far, you believe your next issue is going to be the best one you’ve had in a long time.

“Oh, that reminds me,” you ask Rarity as you pull into Canterlot station, “If you need a place to sleep instead of a hotel, you’re welcome to stay at my place. I have a good few guest rooms in my manor, but I’m just as willing to… share my own bed if you like.”

“That’s alright, darling,” she hums as she picks up her many bags (with uncanny ease), “I know a friend who has a room spare for me.”

*******

“Nonono, this must be some sort of joke,” you shake your head once again in disbelief, “Tell me this is some old Ponyville joke or something.”

Rarity doesn’t seem to care for your astonishment; she’s too busy unpacking, “What is some Ponyville joke, dear?”

“Well… this!” you gesture, waving your fore hooves around the huge guest room that Rarity was staying in, “Do you know where we are? Do you have any idea where you’re staying?”

“Canterlot Royal Palace?”

“Yeah!” you exclaim, “How did you manage to..? But the guards just let us trot straight through..! I run and own a famous magazine company, and I’m not even allowed into the Royal Palace without an invitation!”

Rarity giggles softly, “Oh, let’s just say I have a few important friends here.”

“Sure, sure you do,” you feel a little dizzy from Rarity’s sudden transition from Small-town-Ponyville lass to Friends-with-Canterlot’s-Royalty lady, “And I suppose you share a nice tea with Princess Celestia herself from time to time!”

“Only once or twice.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.” she dismisses, “Anyway, the best part of this room is all for the space, where I can work on my soon-to-be masterpieces. You probably wouldn’t want mannequins, fabrics and gems cluttering up your manor, so this guest room should suffice perfectly in that regard. But most of all,” she turns to face you, the corners of her mouth rising a little, “No distractions. The dresses may be simple to make - I could easily create the dresses flawlessly within a few days - but I’ll need my utmost concentration for it. No fancy parties. No formal get-togethers. Nothing. That almost ruined me last time I was here on business.”

“I don’t really plan on showing my face in public until my next issue sets me straight again,” you tell her, “Which is a good thing, really; that means if you need help with anything, I’m free to lend a hoof.”

“Funny you should say that,” she quips, giving you an alluring gaze, “Because if you’re free now, I could certainly use a handsome assistant to help with my dress-making…”

Curse you and your libido. How could you possibly say no to such a lovely face!? Not that you were planning to say no anyway…