In the predawn darkness, there was a soft unzipping sound and a figure slowly sat upright. She stretched her forelegs and rubbed her orange eyes. A glance out the window to the starry sky confirmed that Celestia wouldn’t raise the sun for nearly an hour. She slipped quietly out of the sleeping bag and carefully crept to the door, pausing momentarily to gaze back through the shadows to the motionless mound upon the bed. Closing the door silently behind her, she made her way down the hall and descended the stairs.

Opening the kitchen door, she smiled, “Mornin’ Big Mac.”

The stallion set his coffee mug down. “Mornin’ Apple Bloom.”

She headed for the back door. “Thought Ah’d get a start on today’s chores. Sooner they’re done, the sooner me and Joy can go down tah Ponyville.”

Chuckling, he replied, “Eeyup.”

After a quick stop at the family outhouse, Apple Bloom hurried to get the morning chores done. She ensured the kitchen was fully stocked on water for the day and fed the pigs without incident. It being her turn, she milked the cows, with a full milk can to show for her efforts. In short order the chores were done and she trotted back into the kitchen triumphantly.

Standing at the stove preparing breakfast, Granny Smith looked up, “My, you’re up earlier than yesterday.”

“Want tah get down tah Ponyville an’ meet Scootaloo an’ Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom explained.

“Well, we’re almost ready tah eat. Go git Joy.”

Apple Bloom rushed upstairs to her bedroom. The mound on her bed lay as motionless as when she had left. “Joy, it’s time for breakfast,” she said while giving a gentle shake. To her immense relief, it appeared that her twin was more receptive this morning to being woken.

Joy sat upright and removed her sleeping mask.

“Best hurry up, we’ll be eatin’ soon,” her sister advised.

With a distant gaze in her eyes, Joy merely nodded.

Returning to the kitchen, Granny Smith said to her, “Would’yah set the table?”

Apple Bloom went to the cupboard and retrieved the flatware and plates. She ensured everypony had a juice glass and also placed Big Mac and Granny Smith’s coffee cups by their seats. Finally she got out the butter, jam, and juice and set them in the middle of the table.

Big Mac entered the kitchen followed quickly by Applejack.

“Get to tha table, we’re ready tah eat,” commanded Granny Smith. “Apple Bloom, where’s Joy?”

“Here, Mrs. Smith,” said the filly as she entered the room, wearing her usual red bathrobe. Reaching the table, she hesitated a moment until her twin indicated where she was to sit this morning. Joy sat down at the table next to Apple Bloom and directly across from her brother.

Granny Smith loaded everypony’s plate with a fluffy biscuit covered with steaming hot sawmill gravy before taking her seat.

Joy looked uncertainly at the food before her.

“Yah don’t like biscuits an’ gravy?”

Shaking her head, she replied, “I have never had it before, Mrs. Smith.”

“Really?” asked an astonished Apple Bloom.

“Yes,” confirmed Joy, still gazing downwards. “Father is not a fan, so mother never makes it.” As everypony continued to stare at her, she reached with her left hoof for her fork, only to discover it was where it should not be, but rather on the right side of her plate.

The rest of breakfast passed quickly. Apple Bloom again talked about meeting up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and the tour they were going to give. Applejack suggested they take Joy to meet Twilight at her castle. Granny Smith reminded them to be home in time for dinner. Joy remained quiet and surreptitiously used the pear jam on her toast when nopony was looking. And Big Mac remained as talkative as ever.

Forty-five minutes later found the twins on the old, dusty country lane that led to town. Apple Bloom was in the lead, constantly talking about the fun they’d have or the ponies they might encounter throughout the day. She frequently stopped and urged her twin to keep pace. Joy, meanwhile, walked slowly and often would pause to brush the dust from her orange dress with lavender trim.

Reaching Ponyville, Apple Bloom turned right and led Joy down a street lined with houses, eventually stopping before one of them. It was a nice house that was not too large and not too small. Like all its neighbors, it exhibited timber-framed construction and featured a pitched thatch roof. However, unlike its neighbors, squat Tuscan columns stood at each end supporting an overhanging second floor with a large green garden overflowing the planters.

Apple Bloom trotted up to the front door as Joy waited patiently on the street. Knock! Knock! A moment later it opened to reveal a plump earth pony mare, with a scarlet mane and a sky-blue scarf wrapped around her neck.

Looking up at the mare, Apple Bloom greeted, “Good morning Miss Holiday.”

She smiled sweetly. “Good Morning Apple Bloom. Looking for Scootaloo?”

“Yeah, we are showing my twin sister around Ponyville,” she explained as she swept her foreleg back towards the filly in the street.

With Holiday’s eyes on her, Joy waved awkwardly.

The mare chuckled, “Yes, Scootaloo has been excited to meet your sister. She’s been talking about it the past few days.” She turned and yelled, “Scootaloo, your friends are here!”

A moment later an orange filly squeezed by the mare. Bounding down the front steps, she shouted, “Bye Aunt Holiday!” As she reached the end of the yard, she smiled, “Morning Joy!”

The mare waved from the front door, “You three have fun!”

The fillies went down the street in the other direction, with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom trotting out in front and Joy quietly walking behind them. At last Scootaloo asked, “Something a matter, Joy?”

Blinking as she was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts, she responded quietly, “Oh, so that was your aunt?”

Scootaloo slowed down so she could walk beside Joy. “Yes,” she confirmed.

Joy opened her mouth, but then gazed off in the other direction.

Cocking her head, the pegasus prompted, “Something you want to ask?”

Joy looked embarrassed as she gazed down towards the street. She began, barely above a whisper, “Oh... I was... I was merely wondering where....”

“Where my parents are?” finished Scootaloo.

Nodding her head, Joy again looked away.

Scootaloo hung her head low, “My parents are away. They study rare creatures and are on an expedition. It’s too dangerous for me to go with them, so while they’re gone some of the ponies in town watch me. This week Aunt Holiday and Aunt Lofty are looking after me.”

“Oh, that’s... nice of them.”

Scootaloo sighed, “Yeah, I really miss my parents. They’ve been gone a while.” After a few moments she suddenly brightened up, “But this way I can stay in Ponyville with my fellow Crusaders and I get to know a bunch of the townsponies really well. Last week Rainbow Dash spent the night at my house!”

Joy nodded but returned to being quiet.

A minute passed then Scootaloo asked, “So what about your parents?”

Joy looked up, “My parents?”

“Yeah, what about them?”

She glanced away again and murmured, “I thought you knew. They are dead.”

Apple Bloom’s ears twitched and her back straightened, but she didn’t say anything.

Scootaloo, wide-eyed, quickly explained, “I meant your family in Vanhoover. I heard you have family up there.”

“Oh.... Mother and father.... Actually, they are my aunt and uncle.... They raised me as their own foal. It... it was quite a shock when I learned they were not my real parents.” An awkward silence followed until Joy continued, “Father runs the store in Vanhoover while mother is in charge of the family business.”

“That’s cool. I’ve had some of their pear jam, it’s really good. Not as good as zap apple jam, but still pretty good.”

Joy merely nodded.

“So, do you have any brothers or sisters?”

Joy nodded, “Apple Bloom, Applejack and MacIntosh.”

“I mean in Vanhoover?”

Joy shook her head.

“You’re an only foal like me?” Apple Bloom shot her an angry glance. Scootaloo quickly amended, “I mean, you’ve still got your sisters and brother here, but in Vanhoover you’re like an only foal.”

After a few more minutes the trio approached a small pond on the edge of town. The far end was dominated by an unusual combination wind-and-watermill. Nearer to them stood a small timber-framed house that was oddly taller than it was wide, reaching three stories in height. They approached the door of the home. Knock! Knock! A moment later the door opened to a small white unicorn filly.

“Good mornin’ Sweetie Belle,” said Apple Bloom.

“Good morning everypony. Come on in!” She waved the three inside then closed the door behind them. “I can show you my room before we go.”

“Sweetie Belle, have your guests arrived?” came a refined voice from the kitchen.

“Yes.”

A moment later a beautiful white unicorn mare gracefully swept into the room.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

The mare stared dumbly at the little earth pony dressed in an orange dress while the three other fillies stood slack jawed. For such a small pony, she had a remarkable set of lungs.

Recovering, the mare asked, “Are you okay, dear?”

Joy stared wide-eyed at the unicorn.

When there was no response, she turned to her sister, “Sweetie Belle, would you care to introduce me to your friend?”

“This is Joy, Apple Bloom’s sister.”

Said earth pony stood perfectly still with her unblinking eyes fixed squarely upon the unicorn.

“And this is my sister Rarity.”

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

The four gazed astonished at the filly as they pulled their hooves from their ears.

Taken aback, Rarity opened her mouth but was interrupted –

“OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!” The filly began bouncing up and down. “OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!”

Rarity tried again, “Joy – ”

“I can’t believe it’s you!” She began prancing in place. “I can’t believe it’s you! This is the greatest thing ever!”

The three fillies continued to look on in shock. Their new friend had completed leapfrogged one through ten and was now dialed to eleven.

“Rarity!” gasped Joy.

Before anypony knew it, Joy was vigorously shaking Rarity’s hoof.

“Joy?” began Apple Bloom.

Joy turned to her sister. “Apple Bloom, do you know who this is!?”

Confused, she said, “Uh – Rarity?”

“Rarity!” exclaimed Joy, the word having a complete different meaning than to her twin. “The fashion designer! The pony whose dress made the cover of Cosmare! The designer who won Manehattan Fashion Week! The mare featured on the cover of Vanity Mare magazine!” She continued vigorously shaking Rarity’s hoof.

Suddenly understanding, Rarity said, “I see you’re a fan of my work.”

Turning back to the mare, Joy said, “Oh yes! I absolutely adore your gowns! They’re fabulous! It’s an honor to meet you!”

Rarity smiled graciously, “The honor is mine.”

Joy glanced down and saw she was still shaking Rarity’s hoof. She let go and stood back, blushing in embarrassment before explaining, “I’ve seen your dresses for sale in the finest boutique in Vanhoover. They are absolutely fabulous! I ever so wanted to meet you. When mother went to Canterlot on business, I pleaded to go along so I could visit your boutique, but you were at your Manehattan location that day. We spent hours at Canterlot Carousel and... it was divine! I knew you had a boutique in Ponyville, but I didn’t realize you still lived here. If I had known that, I would have been more excited about coming here.”

“I do spend time in Manehattan and Canterlot,” Rarity conceded, “but Ponyville will always be my home. In fact, it is where I design and sew most of my outfits.”

Her eyes going wider, Joy asked, “It is?”

“Yes, dear. Would you like to see it?”

Joy inhaled deeply and everypony covered their ears, but she displayed incredible self control. Joy nodded enthusiastically, “Yes.” She pranced in place. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

“Well, perhaps you could come by after your tour?”

Joy’s enthusiasm tempered. “Yes... our tour.”

The three fillies exchanged glances. With ears laid back on her skull, Apple Bloom stepped forward and said, “Maybe we could give you the tour after lunch?”

Joy looked hopeful. “Really?”

Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah.”

Joy turned back to Rarity with wide, pleading eyes.

The mare smiled again, “Well, if your friends are acceptable to it, we could go see Carousel Boutique now if you would like?”

Joy smiled widely, “Oh yes!”

Turning to the other three, Rarity said, “I will see you three at Carousel Boutique at say, one o’clock?” She was met with three nods. “Excellent!” She addressed Joy, “If you will follow me?” Rarity stepped out the door with Joy in toe, leaving the other fillies alone in the house.

The three stood there, speechless. Finally, Sweetie Belle broke the silence. “That was unexpected.”

“Yeah. But hey, at least she’s not mean like Babs Seed was,” added Scootaloo, only to receive a poke in the ribs from Sweetie Belle.

It being a lazy Sunday afternoon, and a summer one at that, most of the shops of Ponyville were closed for the day and the streets lacked the normal hustle and bustle seen during regular business hours. That’s not to say it was completely deserted. There were still a few townponies out, tending to their gardens, sharing a picnic, or playing a game with friends. In particular, three little fillies trotted down the main thoroughfare in Ponyville towards a well-known landmark, one whose richly decorated exterior seemed out of place in a town dominated by simple timber-framed and thatched-roof buildings.

“Yeah, who knew your sister was into fashion?” said Scootaloo.

“Or she was such a big fan of Rarity?” added Sweetie Belle.

With a sigh, Apple Bloom shook her head, “Ah sure didn’t, that’s fer sure.”

“I wonder if they’ve had a good time,” remarked Sweetie Belle as she turned the handle to the back door.

The three entered the kitchen to find the fashionista and her awe-struck admirer sitting at the table. Rarity levitated at cup of tea in front of her while Joy sat captivated, munching on one of the hors d’oeuvres her host had generously offered.

“...it was a truly stunning gown, though she did have to have it thoroughly cleaned afterwards,” Rarity shuddered. She looked at the new arrivals and smiled, “Hello girls.”

Joy turned to Apple Bloom, “Rarity was telling me of the Grand Galloping Gala dress she designed for Princess Celestia.”

“Oh, yeah, the Smooze covered her in ooze at the Gala,” remembered Sweetie Belle.

“You were there?” gasped Joy. “How did you get a ticket?”

“She was my date,” explained a smiling Rarity with a nod of her head. “In fact,” she said, sweeping a foreleg towards the three, “Apple Bloom was Applejack’s date and Scootaloo was Rainbow Dash’s date.”

“All three of you went!”

The fillies nodded.

“I even made a darling dress for each of them,” added Rarity.

Joy glared at Apple Bloom. “You have a Rarity original! When were you planning on telling me about it?”

The twin rubbed her chin. “Actually, Ah think Ah have two of her dresses – ”

“Two!”

“Well, the Gala an’ the one fer Princess Cadence’s wedding.”

“And don’t forget the costumes that she made for Sweetie Belle’s play,” reminded Scootaloo.

“Three!”

“Ah reckon it’s three.”

Joy declared with no room for argument, “You are showing me those dresses when we get back to the farm house.”

Apple Bloom shrugged, “Sure. Why not. You can even try them on.”

Joy squealed with glee.

“Ooh,” remembered Rarity, “you should also have Applejack show you the dresses I made for her. Let me think... I made two Gala gowns... a dress for Princess Cadence’s wedding... one for Twilight’s coronation... and she has one from the Ponyville Days town festival.”

“Applejack has five of your gowns!”

“And I also made her a wonderful cape that goes ever so well with her hat.”

“Applejack is so lucky,” Joy said with an obvious longing in her voice.

Rarity thought for a moment, “You know, while you’re here, I could make you a dress.”

Joy sucked in her breath while the others covered their ears. Seeing everypony’s reaction, she exhaled and stated formally, “I would be ever so grateful, Miss Rarity.”

Rarity tsked, “Think nothing of it dear.”

“Oh no, to have a true Rarity original – it would be a dream come true.”

Rarity smiled and giggled, “Nothing would give me greater joy than creating a dress for somepony who so appreciates my work.”

Joy blushed a deep red.

“So, are y’all ready to see Ponyville?” asked Apple Bloom.

Joy looked to her twin. “Actually, I was hoping to spend a little more time here,” she said, then turned back to Rarity for a moment, “if that is acceptable to you?”

Rarity glanced over to the fillies before addressing Joy. “Wouldn’t you like to spend time with your friends?”

“Well,” Joy demurred. “I would really like to learn more about fashion. There are some good designers in Vanhoover, but none of them can match your talent.”

Apple Bloom took a breath as she stepped forward, “Go ahead then, ’sis. We can do the tour tomorrow.”

“Oh, thank you Apple Bloom.”

“Just remember, Granny wanted ya home fer supper.”

“Don’t worry girls,” reassured Rarity. “I will ensure Joy returns to Sweet Apple Acres in time for your family dinner.”

With that, the three fillies headed towards the door. “Ah’ll see ya back at the farm,” said Apple Bloom.

“Bye, Apple Bloom,” said Joy.

“See you later, Rarity,” said Sweetie Belle.

“Bye,” called Scootaloo over her shoulder as she left the boutique and pulled the door closed behind her.

The old hinges on the kitchen door groaned. Applejack looked up from the pie she was making to see the door swing open, revealing her little sister. “Apple Bloom, what’cha doin’ home so soon? An’ where’s Joy?”

Sighing, she said, “Joy’s at Rarity’s.”

“She is?” asked a surprised Applejack.

“Turns out she’s real into fashion and is a big fan of Rarity’s.”

“So she stayed with Rarity after your tour?”

Looking down at the floor, Apple Bloom muttered, “We didn’t go on the tour. We went to Sweetie Belle’s an’ when Joy saw Rarity, she went all crazy. She’s spending the whole day with her.”

“Ah can only imagine how ya feel.” Applejack came over to nuzzle her sister. “But ya did somethin’ nice fer yer sister. Ah’m sure they’ll be plenty of time fer ya tah spend together.”

“Yeah,” said Apple Bloom, not entirely convinced.

“How ’bout a slice of apple pie? Baked fresh this mornin’ an’ still coolin’ on tha window sill.”

“No thanks. Ah... Ah think Ah’ll go to my room.”

Applejack watched her sister slowly walk out of the kitchen.

“...and then Miss Rarity let me see the gowns she is currently working on for the Canterlot Royal Fashion Show, and then she showed me her designs for the upcoming fall season, and she explained her plans for her Manehattan boutique....” Joy was, well, overjoyed at dinner, breathlessly recounting her time spent with Rarity at Carousel Boutique.

An amused Applejack watched as her new sister said more in the first ten minutes of dinner than the entire time since she’d arrived in town. Still, she managed to interrupt her sister, “Sugarcube, Ah know yer all excited ’bout meetin’ Rares an’ all, but ya should eat yer supper ’fore it gets cold.”

Joy looked down at her plate of food which she hadn’t touched since it had been placed before her. “Yes, Applejack.” Quickly she began devouring her food, though it seemed her appetite had less to do with the cuisine and more to her distracted mind. With mechanical precision, Joy would carefully cut her food, take a dainty bite, chew thoroughly, swallow, wipe her mouth, give another explanation about a fashion lesson she’d learned from Rarity, then repeat the process.

While Joy was going on and on, Applejack looked over at her other sister, “You want seconds, Bloom?”

The filly shook her head, “Naw, Ah’m not hungry.”

Applejack quirked an eyebrow, “Ya sure?”

“Yeah.”

As Joy finished another bite, Applejack said, “So, what’s on y’all’s docket for tomorrow?”

Joy wiped her mouth, “Tomorrow Miss Rarity is going to teach me the basics of fabrics and how they are used in fashion.”

“Tomorrow?” questioned Apple Bloom. “Ah thought we were goin’ tah show yah ’round town.”

“I am sure there will be plenty of time to explore Ponyville later,” dismissed Joy.

After supper Joy dragged Apple Bloom upstairs, intent on seeing the dresses Rarity had made for the filly. Applejack busied herself with cleaning up, then relaxed in the living room with a good book. That is until Joy came downstairs wearing the pink gown from the last Gala and politely requested that Applejack show her the dresses Rarity had made for her. And so Applejack went to her closet and pulled out all the clothes Rarity had so generously provided. She even showed her sister Rarity’s first attempt at her Grand Galloping Gala dress. Joy was horrified, claiming that gorgeous fabrics and utilitarian galoshes went beyond a fashion faux pas. It was a crime against fabulosity!

Author's Note

Hello everyone! Here's this month's chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

I'm having a blast at Everfree Northwest. I've just finished Iron Author competition. I plan on publishing my story when I return home. Until then, have a good weekend!

V/R,

Dreadnought