Pocket Change

Chapter Music

Change

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I took a few deep breaths, Trixie and I sitting on the edge of the stage. "So...the reason you almost died was that you wanted to surprise me with a new stunt?"

Trixie nodded her head in shame. "You're mad, aren't you?"

I removed my hand from my face and clasped my hands in my lap. "No, Trix, I'm not. But," I paused thinking about what to say next, "you scared the mess out of me. You seriously can't do anything like that again."

"Yeah, Trixie knows," she mumbled joylessly.

Trixie wasn't the best at taking any form of criticism or scolding, so when she acknowledges her wrongdoings, you know you've gotten through to her. I threw an arm around her shoulders, bringing her in for a one-armed side hug. "I'm glad you're still among the living."

Trixie returned the gesture and at that moment, I made it a point to pay Rarity back in some way. She's only done me favors thus far, favors that I'm sure I didn't even deserve.

After school got out, I signed up for try-outs on the Junior Basketball team and immediately headed straight for the Carousel Boutique. The schedule Rarity gave me indicated that her shift was almost directly after school. I figured I'd give it a shot working at the shop after all. I also wanted to thank Rarity personally.

Reaching the storefront, backpack in tow, I stepped through the doors, a welcoming bell sounding from overhead. I spotted Rarity behind the counter, overlooking what looked to be a long list as she wore a pair of glasses. Shortly after I walked through the doorway, Rarity had looked over in my direction, a smile spreading across her face. I felt extremely out of place in a store like this, but it's not like it was unmanageable.

"Oh good, you're here," Rarity said as she stepped from behind the carrying some clothing over her right forearm, "the shifts just about to start, go get dressed."

She handed the clothes off to me, which I took. "Rarity, I-"

"Ah, bup bup, go get dressed first, dear," Rarity urged.

"But-"

Rarity was suddenly pushing me toward a dressing room, a familiar feeling of paralysis overtaking my body as I glided across the floor. "Alright, alright, I'm going," I relented. There she goes using her magic again.

Pulling open the curtain and closing it behind myself, I could hear the tapping of Rarity's foot on the other side. She must really want me to put these clothes on. I took my current clothes off, stuffing them inside my backpack, and switched them into the clothes I had been given. Looking at myself in a nearby mirror, I couldn't help but feel that I looked good in them. The outfit consisted of four pieces: a white button-up long sleeve shirt, a dark grey servers vest, dark grey slim-fit wool trousers, and a little grey bowtie to top it off. I step outside of the dressing room, carrying my backpack in one hand and tugging a bit at the bowtie with the other.

"Oh, my, you look absolutely stunning," Rarity said as she clasped her hands together and inspected me from every possible angle, "here let me get that for you." Rarity offered, taking my backpack. She moved behind the counter, placing the bag in a cabinet before walking back over to me, and adjusting my tie a bit.

Rarity hummed to herself, as she took a step back to inspect me. "We should do something about that hair though, follow me, won't you?"

Leading me through an open doorway, I found that it opened up to a larger room that looked like a mini barbershop. "Take a seat, please."

I picked the closest chair and sat in it. Rarity began searching through a few door drawers before finally finding what she was looking for. She began working on my hair with a comb and brush, spraying and cutting here and there.

I decided now would be an opportune time to finally get what I wanted to off my chess. "Rarity," I paused for a second to articulate my thoughts, "I wanted to thank you."

She turned my head as she snipped a stray piece of hair off. "For what, dear?"

"For...everything, actually: sparing me, paying me, offering me a job, and saving my friend and me. You're pretty amazing now that I think about it," I admitted.

"Well, aren't you just a sweetheart? It's no trouble at all darling, I just did what I felt was right," Rarity conveyed with the utmost sincerity.

What she felt was right...

"There, all done. A lot better now, don't you think?"

Staring at my reflection, I couldn't help but smile to myself. "Definitely."

As instructed, I was currently organizing various clothing racks by size, most of it was women's clothing so it was a bit difficult getting used to it, but Rarity helped me out. As I hung up the last few articles of clothing, the store's doorbell went off. It was a girl, no older than I, and Rarity. She seemed to strike up a conversation with Rarity, the two of them laughing and smiling. At some point, the girl started looking me over with a sultry expression, saying something to Rarity that I couldn't hear. Given the expression and Rarity's sudden tomato shade of red, I could only guess it was probably something perverted. I didn't really mind, it wasn't like I was in earshot to hear it.

Hanging up the last article of clothing, I moved over to a table with a few torn pieces of clothing. Opening the sewing kit, I got to work repairing the clothes. My stitching could use a bit of work, but it was good enough to go unnoticed without careful consideration.

My concentration was broken by a light tap on my shoulder. "Excuse me, sir, the misses behind the counter said you might be able to help me find a dress."

I looked over at Rarity, cocking an eyebrow slightly. She shrugged and smiled sheepishly in response. Placing my materials down, I addressed the girl directly. She had an overall heavy pop teen aesthetic to her, scrunchies and all. "Sure, what kind of dress did you have in mind?"

She pursed her lips, raising a finger to them. "Something flashy. The kind of dress that'll catch my boyfriends' attention. You know, get him in the mood," she said with a wink.

I almost choked on my spit at this. "I...see. Follow me then."

As we walked over to the isles of clothing, I began pressing for more details as to what she might want. "Could you tell me a bit about your boyfriend's...tastes?"

"Yeah totally, he's a bit of a pervert, so the more skin the better," she said as she pulled at the straps of her tank top under her shirt.

Okay, something to work with. I'm thinking maybe an off-the-shoulder type of dress. Honestly, I never thought I would be having a conversation like this with anyone, ever.

"So," the girl said as she drew out the word, "like, how did you and Rarity meet?"

That's a bittersweet topic, but I guess I can twist the story a bit. "She kind of found me."

"Found you?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty good with my hands, so I'm kind of good at this."

She giggled to herself as if what I had just said was funny. "You don't say..."

Right, this girl's weird. Arriving at a rack of clothing, I began sorting through it, referencing the girl's stature to an appropriate dress size. I wasn't about to ask her, I heard that it could be rude. Her colors seemed to pop, so choosing something to complement that or contrast it was the way to go. Stopping upon a light yellow dress, I pulled it out, holding it up to her. "How's this?"

She hummed to herself. "Gee, I don't know. I think I'll have to try it on first. Mind helping me out?" She suggested coyly.

Absolutely not.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I'm afraid you'll have to ask my manager for assistance with that."

The girl pouted a bit at this. I looked around in search of Rarity, only to catch her peering at us a few isles over. "Speak of the angel, there she is."

I walked over to the isle she was in; Rarity was clearly faking sorting through clothes, but I pretended not to notice. "Rarity, our customer requires your assistance."

Rarity perked up as if she had just noticed us. "Assistance? With what, might I ask?"

"Fitting a dress," I stated professionally.

Rarity stepped forward, guiding the girl to the changing rooms by the shoulder. "Oh, of course, right this way, darling. "

Thank goodness that's over with.

My shift was over now after five long hours; I swapped out of my clothes and exited the changing room. Rarity handed me another envelope as we said our goodbyes. She threw in a soft hug as well, which I returned with my free arm. Making my way out of the boutique, I decided to stop by Film and Flams, wondering how much money I had earned.

I stopped just outside the emporium, taking a seat on the nearby bench as I took the envelope out. The first thing I saw was a letter.

"Sorry about what happened with Amber. I know she can be a bit...forward, but she's a good girl and a loyal customer. For future reference, you can always refuse such a service to customers. Although... if you feel inclined to accept their request, I can't stop you. Just be sure to behave yourself," my eyes drifted down a bit further down the paper, "p.s. I threw in a bit extra for your troubles. Love Sincerely, Rarity."

Upon moving the envelope out of the way, I found $188. "Holy crap," I muttered to myself in bewilderment. If this is consistent pay, then bills will never be a concern again. I might even have extra to treat myself. Putting the envelope in my hoodie, I walked inside the store, a rustic scent filling my nose. I began walking through the isles of casings, searching for anything interesting. My eyes stopped on a pair of tactical gloves and a tool kit. I walked up to the display chase, hitting a bell that sat atop it.

The two over theoretical brothers appeared from seemingly out of nowhere and opened the cases, allowing me to examine the items. The combined cost was $32. A good deal if I do say so myself.

After purchasing the items, I placed the toolkit in my bag and tried the gloves on. The gloves felt so good, it was like another layer of skin...but better.

I fetched my phone out of my pocket as I felt it vibrate. It was Aria again; I moved the slider to answer it, putting it up to my ear.

"Yeah?"

"I'm ready," she stated.

Of course. I'm starting to second guess this whole training thing. I wonder if Rarity could help her out as she did for me.

"Cool, the same place, bring a few hoodies and jackets."

"Uh, why?"

"You'll see," I said, hanging up.

Guess I should stop by the apartment.