Diamond in the Flames

"Oh, this design is absolutely stunning!" Silk Thread gushed, staring at the dress. "I absolutely love the novel use of accents in the front sleeves."

"Why, thank you!" Rarity nearly bit her tongue trying to avoid informing her that the particular technique she was employing had been used on and off throughout history, most recently about twenty years ago, and that every fashion designer with any amount of education knew this.

Of course, Silk Thread wasn't a professional designer, only a noble who thought she knew far more about fashion than she really did. She was also a very rich noble who enjoyed commissioning dresses, so Rarity continued to bite her tongue as she watched her ooh and ah over the design that Rarity had made passable despite her commissioner's best efforts.

"Well, I daresay this more than meets my expectations," the noblemare finally said, after thoroughly displaying a complete lack of good taste. "I'll have the payment wired to your account."

"Thank you," Rarity replied politely. "I shall have the dress packaged and delivered to you tomorrow."

"Wonderful." Silk waited patiently as Rarity helped her take off the dress without damaging it. "By the way, I've reviewed your application for the Vernal Gala, and I think you'd be the best candidate to design the outfits for the performers."

And there was the other reason Rarity had taken on this commission. "Oh, thank you so, so much," Rarity said, layering as much saccharine as she could without coming off as insincere. "I promise, you won't regret it."

"I should hope not." With the last piece removed, Silk Thread stepped off from the fitting area. "Shall I see you on Thursday to further discuss your duties?"

Rarity nodded. "I'll have my ponies contact yours and arrange a time."

"Very well." Silk smiled. "Have a nice day, Rarity." With that, she left the shop, and Rarity collapsed onto one of the chaise lounges she had scattered throughout all her places of business.

She wasn't physically tired. Not more than usual, anyways, considering that sleep was often an afterthought for her. No, her exhaustion came from the soul herself, the spirit losing its willingness even if the flesh was strong, leaving Rarity staring up at the ceiling and wondering if this was all her life would ever be.

When she'd been younger, she'd believed that, with the right combination of luck, skill, and hard work, she'd be able to soar to the top of her field. And once there, she believed she'd have the freedom to create without limitation, her artistic vision inspiring others as the great designers had once inspired her. It would be perfect, and it would make all the networking and compromising worth it, in the end.

A bitter laugh escaped from between Rarity's lips. It was comical, really, just how naïve she'd been, all those years ago. To think that she'd ever be able to create what she wanted instead of having to conform to the vision of whatever noble or CEO had dreamt up.

There was a knock on the door. With a sigh, Rarity stood up and trotted over, opening it to reveal her assistant, Lace Trim.

"Miss Rarity?" Lace Trim held a folder in her hooves. "The latest reports from Accounting just arrived, and your meeting with Bridlebit is in ten minutes," she said, referring to the head of the marketing department for Carousel.

"Thank you, Lace." Rarity took the folder from her. "I shall be along shortly."

Lace Trim gave her a polite nod before making her exit, and Rarity stared at the folder she was holding with her magic. Even after all these years, Carousel Fashions was running on the knife's edge of profitability. It wasn't as bad as when she'd started out, when a single bad season would mean bankruptcy, but Rarity still had to monitor trends very carefully and make sure she tailored her designs to take every advantage she could.

Hence the meeting with marketing in a few minutes. Stars, but Rarity couldn't remember the last time she'd been able to create without the burden of capitalism on her shoulders, drawing on raw inspiration to create her art. Everything had to conform to specifications, and while Rarity understood that and didn't begrudge those working under her for trying to make money, it still galled her that she was trapped under the hooves of ponies who wouldn't know good fashion if it bit them on the flank.

Rarity glanced at her desk, and the framed pictures she had sitting atop it. Whenever she felt like this, she used them to anchor herself, to remind herself that there were still good ponies in the world who appreciated her genius.

There was a picture of her at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Fancy Pant and Fleur de Lis, the only two ponies in Canterlot she felt she could trust. They weren't perfect, but they had an understanding that while everypony in this city had their own agenda and motives, they would at least deal honestly with one another. That was more than could be expected from anypony else in this accursed industry.

Next to it was a photo that had been taken at a sleepover with the girls, which had taken place after one of their Friendship Councils. Rarity considered herself so, so lucky to have such true friends who would support her, no matter what. Of course, they didn't understand her struggles, didn't understand the nature of her profession, as much as they tried, but Rarity still appreciated that they would die for her, and she for them.

The final picture was the one that Rarity treasured the most, and the most recently taken one as well. In it, Sweetie Belle was gazing up at Rarity with love in her eyes, the Fillydelphia skyline in the background. She'd taken this picture during their first date, when Sweetie hadn't been paying attention to the camera, too busy allowing herself to appreciate Rarity's beauty.

Her dear sister had changed everything in the past year. Now, every time Rarity felt the creeping ennui sapping away at her spirit, she only had to think of the mare who loved her more than any other in Equestria, and whom Rarity loved in return in every way.

It still stung that she had to hide her relationship, but she understood that others wouldn't have understood their bond, and they were both in positions where they couldn't afford to have this come to light. Which was why any pictures of the two of them had to be interpretable as sisterly love and nothing more.

"One more week," Rarity told herself. "One more week, and we can hide in the shadows together once again." They could have a nice familial outing, and at night, when they retired to their room, she could show her darling little sister the full extent of her love.

Rarity held onto the warmth that thought gave her as she opened up the folder and prepared for the upcoming headache of dealing with finances and marketing plans.

The world could try to hold her down, but with Sweetie by her side, she would never break.