It was more busy than usual at Canterlot Carousel due to Hearth's Warming being just around the corner. This was the perfect opportunity for customers to seek out any last minute deals on special dresses made by Rarity. The fashionista mare herself was extremely busy with last-minute requests or emergency fix-ups. Even with the help of Sassy Saddles along with a few employees, the boutique was still busy. The afternoon was when the crowd of customers finally died down until the boutique had no more customers. Rarity along with her other employees slumped to the ground as they were completely exhausted.
"Thank Celestia it's over." One of the employees said.
"This is why I hate working during the holidays." Another employees commented.
"On the plus side, you all get a pay raise thanks to the sales." Sassy Saddles reminded.
"We should all rest up a bit before we restock the racks. Who knows when there will another rush coming." Rarity said as she looked at one of the racks which only had a few dresses and other outfits hanging from there. The employees tried their best to get up and make their way to their break room in the back. Sassy Saddles noticed that Rarity making her way to the rack of clothes.
"Aren't you coming, Rarity?" Sassy Saddles asked.
"In a minute, I just need to reduce the the prices on these outfits." Rarity said.
"Well, make sure you get into the break room as soon as you're done. I can't have our boss completely exhausted when there are customers coming." Sassy Saddles said before she entered the break room. Rarity started to change the price labels on the dresses. She sighed as she was finally done with the prices. Before Rarity could put up the out to lunch sign, the door's bells rang. Rarity saw none other than Trixie Lulamoon standing at the entrance.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie has arrived!" Trixie said as she entered the boutique. Rarity couldn't help but grumbled under her breath. Although Rarity didn't have a grudge against Trixie anymore, Rarity still hated that she had to deal with one more customer.
"I apologize, Trixie, but we were just about to take our lunch break! Please come back in half an hour and we will help you."
"Trixie doesn't require any of your outfits at this moment!" Trixie claimed. "Trixie is here to request your aide as you are also close friends with Starlight."
"What do you mean by that?" Rarity asked curiously.
"Starlight is a very close friend to Trixie and Trixie wants to get Starlight the best gift for Hearth's Warming. Unfortunately, finding the perfect gift for Starlight is a difficult challenge even the Great and Powerful Trixie can't handle. Luck came to Trixie when she spotted your boutique nearby and thought that you might help Trixie."
As much as Rarity wanted to throw out Trixie, Rarity put some thought into it. Perhaps Rarity could use this opportunity to go out for a bit and seek inspiration for her upcoming spring collection.
"Alright, Trixie, I will help you find the perfect gift for Starlight." Rarity said as she got her winter outfit on. She then informed her employees to keep resting and just restock the racks once they were done. All of them nodded and Rarity exited her boutique with Trixie.
Rarity led Trixie through the busy streets of Canterlot. The bright Hearth's Warming decorations and the falling snow made the city look festive.
"So Trixie, do you have any idea what Starlight might like?" Rarity asked.
"Well, Trixie first thought that Starlight might like a new spell book since Starlight is a magical genius. But Starlight knows a lot of advanced spells that practically came from almost all of the spell books sold in Equestria."
"That is true, perhaps you can give Starlight a gift that involves something she likes other than magic." Rarity suggested. "What are Starlight's other hobbies?"
"Spending time with Sunburst, playing Dragons' Pit, making hot coco...oh!" Trixie said while her face lit up. "Starlight really likes flying kites! Perhaps Trixie should get Starlight a special kite!"
"That's a great start! I also know where we can find a great kite for Starlight!" Rarity said as she led Trixie to a new direction.
"Trixie knew that asking you for help was an excellent idea! Trixie never would have thought about it until you came along." Trixie said.
"It never hurts to get a different point of view." Rarity said while they kept trotting. "Here we are!" Rarity said excitingly.
Trixie's jaw dropped from what she was seeing. It was a large, tall building that was completely decked out with Hearth's Warming decorations. There were many ponies entering and exiting through the multiple entrances it had. On the side of the building, there was a long sign attached with the word: Marecy's on it along with a large red star.
"Welcome to Marecy's! One of Canterlot's top-of-the-line department stores! You can find anything you need here." Rarity said as trotted towards the store with Trixie following. When they entered the building, Trixie was amazed as the store's interior was just as large as the exterior. There were many floors in the store and Trixie could see customers travel to each floor through some elevators and escalators.
"This place is ginormous! How can Trixie find Starlight a kite if there are so many things sold here!?" Trixie commented.
"That is why there are directories so no one can get lost while shopping." Rarity said as she made her way to one of the large directories. "Hmm, kites are more likely to be in the sports toys department which can be found on the sixth floor."
"Perhaps we can take one of the elevators to quickly get up there." Trixie said.
"I'm not sure if that is possible." Rarity pointed at the long line near each of the elevators. "We can take the escalators as not many customers are taking them."
Trixie grumbled a bit. "Fine, let us take the escalators." Trixie said. Trixie and Rarity began their ascent to the sixth floor. They went from one escalator to another. As they kept going, Trixie was impressed to see each floor as it had a certain department. Trixie decided to chat with Rarity to pass the time. "So do you often shop here?" Trixie asked.
"On some occasions," Rarity answered. "I usually shop for the special fabrics that get sold here. I also browse around the dress department to see what other designers have made."
"Trixie bets that it must be hard for your business ever since this store opened." Trixie commented.
"Not exactly," Rarity said. "The clothes sold here are from corporate brands and there are large bulks of them. My clothes are different as each one of them are unique and are customized based on my clients. The last time I made a reproduced line was when I made the Princess Dress. I must tell you, making that dress over and over again really drained me."
"Wow, Trixie could sort of understand how you would feel. It is similar to how Trixie wouldn't rely on the same magic tricks throughout her shows. She would try to invent new tricks to not only to entertain her audience, but also test herself to see if she could do them!"
"Huh, I'm actually surprised to have some things in common with you, Trixie." Rarity said.
"Trixie can be quite relatable once you get to know her." Trixie said in a modest tone. Rarity and Trixie made their way up to the fifth floor where it had the fabrics. Rarity suddenly stopped before she and Trixie went on the next escalator.
"Sweet Celestia!" Rarity said as she made her way towards one of the displays on the fifth floor. "Look at all of these luxurious fabrics! Not to mention they're on a special deal!" Rarity quickly used her magic to levitate a few of the fabrics that she really wanted.
"Uh Rarity, shouldn't we get to Starlight's gift?" Trixie questioned.
"Huh? Oh! In a minute! I just have to pick up some extra things first!" Rarity said as she continued to gather up some more fabrics. Trixie groaned as it might take longer than a minute. Trixie decided to make her way to the next escalator and deal with Rarity later.
Trixie finally arrived to her destination and she was shocked to see so many kinds of toys for foals to play with. Trixie put on a determined look before she made her way to one of the aisles. Trixie went from one aisle to another in hopes of finding the one that had the kites. Trixie felt more lost as she kept trotting. She kept wondering until something caught her sight. One aisle contained nothing but a variety of kites. Trixie felt overwhelmed with joy as she had finally made it to her destination. Now Trixie had a new problem: What kind of kite would Starlight want? There were so many kites that had different designs. Trixie thought carefully as she didn't want to pick the wrong kite for Starlight. Trixie soon found herself looking at a particular kite that was in the shape of a large snowflake. Trixie read the label on it and found out that this particular kind of kite can be flown during the winter. Trixie quickly picked up the kite with her magic and felt triumphant.
Trixie heard the store's intercoms turn on and a stallion's voice spoke. "Attention Marecy's shoppers, we have an announcement to make. There will be a fifty percent off sale on everything in the kite section of the fifth floor. Be sure to take this opportunity before the deal is over." When the intercoms turned off, Trixie started to feel shaking on the ground. Trixie turned to see a stampede of shoppers making their way to the kite section. Trixie yelped before she quickly got out of the aisle. The customers went on to grab whatever kite that was available. Some of the customers started fighting among themselves to get the kites they're fighting for. Trixie felt a bit terrified that customers would go at such lengths for a shopping deal. As Trixie quietly made her exit, she was stopped by a stallion.
"Hey! That kite is mine!" The stallion said as he prepared himself.
"Get your own! The Great and Powerful Trixie has already claimed this kite!" Trixie said.
"It's not yours until you buy it." Another mare said as she got closer to Trixie. "Other than that, anything goes!" Some customers began to charge at Trixie to get her kite. Out of instinct, Trixie pulled out one of her smoke bombs and threw it on the ground. This caused a large smoke screen which confused the customers. Trixie made her way out of the smoke and down the escalators. One of the shoppers noticed Trixie and the shoppers went on to chase after her.
'These shoppers are relentless!' Trixie thought as she ran down the escalators. She has to make it all the way down to the first floor in hopes of getting to the cashiers and make the payment. Trixie was somehow able to get out of the last escalator before making it to the first floor. Before Trixie could make it to the cashiers, she was surrounded by some more shoppers who wanted that special kite.
"There's no running for you now!" One of the shoppers said. Trixie feared for the worst as not only she will be attacked by shoppers, she won't be able to give Starlight the special gift. Before the shoppers could pounce, some rubber balls were thrown at all of them. Trixie saw Rarity standing from the far distant while levitating some more rubber balls with her magic.
"All of you should behave yourselves! This time of the year should be about sharing and caring, not fighting over worldly possessions!" Rarity used her magic to throw some more rubber balls at the shoppers. Trixie took the opportunity to run to the cashiers. Rarity quickly ran to join up with Trixie.
"Trixie can't believe you saved her!" Trixie said.
"Of course! I saw those shoppers chasing you and I just couldn't let them attack you!" Rarity then levitated a basket full of fabrics. "I also got my fabrics!" Trixie and Rarity soon spotted some more shoppers charging towards them like a herd of buffalos. Rarity stopped in her tracks and faced the stampede.
"What are you doing?!" Trixie asked.
"Go on ahead! I'll buy you some more time!" Rarity said as she levitated a few pillows. Trixie nodded before she went to the cashiers. Rarity started to throw pillows left and right at the customers. Most of the customers fell, but a few more took their place. It wasn't long until the store's security guards arrived to stop the rioting customers. The fighting grew larger and almost everyone in the store was involved with the brawl. Rarity was able to get out of the store with only her outfit a bit messed up from the fighting. She adjusted her clothes to make herself look tidy again.
"Rarity!" Trixie said while making her way to her. "Trixie is relieved to see you in one piece!"
"Yes, there was a little skirmish in the store. But I was able to get out in time before the security guards came." Rarity then realized that something was wrong. "Oh drat! It seems that I have lost the fabrics I picked up from the store."
"It is quite alright, Rarity." Trixie said as she levitated a shopping bag with Rarity's fabrics inside. "While you were dealing with the shoppers, I took the opportunity to purchase your fabrics along with my kite!"
"Oh Trixie, you shouldn't have!" Rarity cheered as she took her shopping bag.
"Trixie insists!" Trixie said. "Consider it payment for you helping Trixie with gift shopping."
"Trixie, I really appreciate you for being friends with me and Starlight. Now I'll have to repay you for getting my fabrics. Would you be interested in a new cape? I got some ideas for what could look great and powerful on you." Trixie and Rarity giggled as they made their way back to Rarity's boutique.
