Intelligence Witholding

It was going to take the builders several more days to finish constructing my house, so Twilight very kindly offered to accommodate me a while longer.

"You've been such a wonderful guest, and the library has more than enough room!" she assured me.

"Well then, I suppose I'm going to have too find some way to thank you." I said. "I would hate to take advantage of you."

"Really," she replied, "it's fine! There's no need for thanks."

"At least let me provide assistance around the library then. It's the least I can do."

"I'm afraid that right now there's really not much to do. It's been real quiet around town, although knowing Ponyville, it's probably just the calm before the storm."

As if on queue, the door burst open and a wildly flailing and very loudly crying Rarity flung herself through the doorway.

"Oh Twilight, the WORST POSSIBLE THING has happened!" She made the motion of fainting, then a plush couch flew in through the door and caught her. I really ought to investigate that. "Oh, I am simply RUINED!"

"What is it Rarity?" Twilight asked in a rather nonchalant, yet irritated tone. It would appear that this happened all the time. It also indicated that Rarity was a drama queen.

"Oh Twilight, I have a new range that I'm designing for Hoity Toity that's going to go on show to the whole of Las Pegasus!"

"But Rarity, that's great news!"

"It would be if my model hadn't broken his hind leg! I simply MUST see my garment's effects on a living, breathing pony before they go on show! Whatever shall I do?"

"Well you could always find a new model." Twilight responded, stating the rather obvious answer.

"If only it were that simple! My range is designed to complement a very specific figure, and nopony else I can find is the right fit! Unless..."

She hopped off her sofa, which whizzed back out of the door, and made quite a display of measuring me and inspecting my build.

"Yes........ yes! You'll work!"

"Pardon me, but what are you going on about?" I asked. She seemed quite elated about whatever it was.

"I'm saying that you have the correct contours to make my designs flourish! And with what I've got in mind, those deep blue eyes of yours will shine like diamonds!"

"So you're requesting that I model for you?"

"Why yes! But you won't have to come with me to Las Pegasus. Even if my model isn't well by then, Hoity Toity is sure to have someone to take his place!"

"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to help out a friend. If I am considered as such, that is."

"Darling, in Ponyville, we are all friends!"

"Very well then. Goodbye Twilight! I shall see you when next I do."

"Bye Quantum, Rarity. I'll see you later then."

So we trotted out the door and down the road to Carousal Boutique. I had a rather vivid memory sequence involving my first visit.

"Excuse me Rarity, but will this experience be much like my first visit?"

"Oh, terribly sorry about that! It's just that you're new and I tend to 'zone out' when a new sculpting possibility just walks in through my door. Never fear, you're not the first to experience one of my episodes. Most of my friends can attest to that. Don't worry, I'll be gentle this time, Pinkie Promise"

She then went through a series of motions that looked completely alien. She made a cross with her left hoof over her chest and then closed her eye before sticking her hoof into it, all the while reciting this chant: "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Immediately, Pinkie popped out of a nearby flower pot with the dirt and flower on her head and yelled, "You better keep that promise!" She then jumped out of the impossibly small space and flew into a nearby bush. I went to look in the bush, but she wasn't there! She'd just vanished!

"Believe me darling, you don't want to think about it."

"I'll go along with the ploy for now, but one day I shall understand her! Mark these words for they may be the last that I mention regarding the matter. She may well drive me over the cliff of insanity if my current experience is anything to go on."

So on we went, despite the slight interruption. When we arrived, Rarity called out to someone.

"Sweetie Bell! I'm home! And I've found a replacement!"

"Who is Sweetie Bell?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot to mention, I have a not-so-little sister. Do be warned, she is rather exuberant and VERY forward. Never does she mince her words."

"It's fine. I rather like forward ponies."

At that very moment, the subject walked through the door to the house area of the building. "Hey Rarity! So who's the new guy? You are new in town aren't you? 'Cause I've never seen you before."

She was only just shorter than Rarity. Now I understood the not-so-little part. Even so, I am slightly tall, and I looked down a bit to make eye-contact.

"Why yes," I replied, "I am new to town. I've only been here a few days. I am going to be Rarity's living mannequin for a day."

"So you're the replacement? Nice pick sis! He's pretty cute!"

"Sweetie Bell!" Rarity scolded her sister. I could feel the plasma of my blood rushing through my face.

"Well it's true! He's quite the stallion. Are you two planning anything?"

"No we most certainly are not! Go to your room until further notice! I can't believe you'd be so rude!"

With her head hung low and her tail between her legs, she left the room back the way she came.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I did say she was forward."

"Don't worry about it. You did warn me, but it could have been worse. At least it was a complement."

"I suppose... Well then, shall we get on with today's task?"

"Of course."

So for the day following, Rarity told me quite a lot about herself while going about her business. Her special talent and unique ability to magically locate gems and minerals, the story of her getting her cutie mark, her run-in with diamond dogs, basically her life story. And through each and every one I tasted happiness, or joy, or some other enjoyable emotion. She had lived a very happy life.

"And.... done! Finally! I have completed my designs, and by Celestia do they look good on you! If Hoity Toity can't retrieve a truly top-notch model for me, they may detract from my creations' beauty! You really do them justice!

"Well, I am overjoyed that you were able to help! I will have to find a way to thank you, but until then, you'll have to make do with meager words. Ahem. Thank you ever so much for assisting me, Mr. Bit!"

"Ms. Rarity, you are most welcome."

With that I headed back to the library for some quality reading time.