Chained Hearts - A Love Story

Rarity bustled about her private workroom, the late-afternoon sun casting long shadows over the organized chaos. Though she typically relished the creative energy of her inner sanctum, she found herself feeling uncharacteristically self-conscious after the conversation over lunch. Metal Tested would be arriving soon to work on the price list for his jewelry, and she didn’t want him to think that all of her private space was as cluttered and disorganized as the storage room she had hastily converted into a workspace for him.

“Oh, stop it, Rarity,” she told herself firmly when she found herself rearranging the same fabric samples for the third time, catching her reflection in a mirror. “This is a workshop, not a ballroom. He won’t care. He’ll probably even appreciate the atmosphere.” Still, her thoughts wandered back to her new associate as she continued straightening up. Creative, thoughtful, skilled…Metal’s shy earnestness was a refreshing contrast to Canterlot’s fawning social climbers, not to mention the overcritical fanponies who had boycotted her after the Friendship Journal was first published.

Of course, she reminded herself, this is all purely professional. Admiring his work and wanting to nurture his talent were the only reasons she intended to receive him in her private workspace. It was just generosity, plain and simple. If anything, she hoped to inspire him to see his own potential—and perhaps reassure herself that her faith in him wasn’t misplaced. Yes, that’s all it is.

A knock on the boutique door interrupted Rarity’s train of thought and she looked up from her drafting desk with a start, her magic freezing in the act of re-spooling a length of ribbon. That must be him! she thought, trying to ignore the odd little flutter in her chest. After a quick glance in the mirror and a final adjustment to her mane, she trotted out to answer. Pleasantly professional, Rarity, she reminded herself, arranging her expression in a polite smile. Just be pleasantly professional.

She reached out with her telekinesis a few steps from the door, opening it with a flourish. “Hello, Met-Oh!” The words caught in her throat as she recognized the visitor, then relaxed into a softer, more familiar smile. “Well, now, look what the cat dragged in…himself!” she teased.

Capper chuckled, doffing the top hat Rarity had given him during the celebration of the Storm King’s defeat and giving a theatrical bow that swept his opera cloak out to one side. “Rarity, my favorite fashionista,” the tall, feline-looking Abyssinian purred in his honey-gold voice, affecting a hurt tone. “And here I thought I was forgiven for that series of unfortunate misunderstandings back in Klugetown.”

Rarity chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, you managed to make up for it,” she nodded. “But this is a surprise. I never expected to see you in Ponyville.”

“Just in the neighborhood,” Capper explained smoothly, tucking his top hat under one arm. Under the opera cloak, he still wore his signature red coat, though Rarity could tell that he’d had it expertly cleaned and mended since the last time they saw each other. “Thought I’d drop by, play tourist and see how everyone’s doin’, if you’re not too busy.”

Rarity hesitated, glancing at the position of the sun. Do I really have time for an unexpected guest? Finally, manners won out and she nodded. “Well, I am expecting somepony,” she admitted, “but I can certainly spare a few minutes for a friend. Please, come in.” She stepped aside, letting Capper step through the doorway.

Capper purred softly as he strolled into the shop with his usual easy confidence, his tail flicking behind him. He looked around, taking in the boutique with a discerning eye, his whiskers twitching with curiosity. “So, this is where your fashion magic all began,” he commented; as always, there seemed to be an amused lilt to his voice, as if he were in on a joke no one else knew. “I dropped by the Canterlot Carousel last time I was in the city. That Sassy Saddles has almost as good an eye as you.”

Rarity preened ever so slightly at the compliment, but waved a hoof in mock modesty as she closed the door. “Oh, you flatter me, Capper,” she demurred. “Sassy and I also got off to a bumpy start, but she’s been an absolute treasure since we worked out our differences.”

“Well, she’s got some mighty big horseshoes to fill,” Capper nodded. A glint of light caught his eye and he turned to see the display of Metal Tested’s chain jewelry in the window. “Hello…” He strolled over, leaning in for a closer look. “Nice little shinies, Rare. You outdid yourself this time.”

Rarity laughed softly. “While I’d love to take the credit for that little treasure trove, I’m afraid they were made by a new collaborator of mine,” she explained. “May I offer you some tea?” As she spoke, she started walking back toward her private workroom, where she kept a small magic-powered kettle for heating water and a tea service for entertaining clients.

“Catnip, if you got it,” Capper quipped. “I’ll give anything a try, though.” His eyes lingered with feline curiosity on the jewelry display for a few more moments, reaching out to flick at one of the hanging necklaces before turning to follow Rarity. “So, new collaborator, huh? Must be quite the talent to earn a spot in your shop. What’s their name?”

“His name is Metal Tested,” Rarity explained, her horn glowing as she set the kettle to boil and arranged the tea service and a tray of scones. She motioned Capper to a plush, comfortable chair. “He moved to Ponyville just recently; in fact, we only met the day before yesterday. I’m actually waiting for him so we can standardize a price list for his work.” She leveled Capper a pointed look. “And before you get any ideas, he is a friend and business partner, nothing more. I heard quite enough untoward suggestions from my friends at lunch, thank you very much.”

“Whoa, now!” Capper laughed, raising his paws in mock surrender. “No need for claws quite that quick, glamour girl. Can’t blame a cat for being curious.” Sweeping off his opera cloak, he hung it and his top hat on a coat stand before casually sprawling into the offered chair and making himself comfortable. “Why’s your fur so ruffled, though? Hittin’ a little too close?”

“Perhaps I’m just tired of hearing it,” Rarity said, shaking her head. “I don’t know why everypony I talk to insists on reading more into it than there is. Scone?” Her horn glowed again as she floated the tray of snacks up to her Abyssinian friend.

Capper chuckled, taking a scone with an exaggerated air of gratitude. “Maybe just to see you blush,” he teased. “You do wear flustered well.” He nibbled his scone, ears flicking playfully.

“I am not blushing!” Rarity protested, stealing a glance in the nearest mirror just to make sure it was true. Her cheeks did look a bit pinker than normal, but surely not for the reason Capper implied! It’s just the light, she told herself. Yes, just the light. Clearing her throat, she focused back on Capper, schooling her expression back into poised, friendly composure. “But enough about me right now, Capper. What about you? How have you been keeping yourself lately?”

Capper chuckled knowingly, but let the subject drop. “I’m a motivational speaker now,” he said, nibbling at his scone. “Had a tour in Las Pegasus recently, teaching ponies how to be as charming and persuasive as yours truly. After that, your Princess Luna decided she needed me for a special quest. Very hush-hush” He put a claw to his lips, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Let’s just say she needed my…particular skillset for a delicate operation in a decidedly indelicate environment.”

Rarity’s lips curved in a wry smile. “With your sense for theatrics, perhaps acting would suit you better than motivational speaking,” she teased gently, though a flicker of pride passed through her heart at how the former con artist had risen above his Klugetown past. Perhaps, if Capper agreed, Rarity might include his story in a School of Friendship lesson about second chances.

“What? And go around pretending to be somecat other than my gorgeous self?” Capper put a paw to his chest in a mocking imitation of hurt feelings. “Rarity, I thought we were friends.”

The two of them shared a chuckle at Capper’s melodramatic tone, just as the tea kettle began to whistle. While Rarity spent the next few moments preparing the tea, Opalescence poked her head in curiously, unnoticed by either pony or Abyssinian. Her bright green eyes locked onto the flicking tip of Capper’s tail, a soft purr rumbling in her chest as she crouched down, her rear legs tensing. Just a few moments to get the timing right…and then she pounced, her seven-pound body colliding with the offending appendage in a flurry of needle-sharp claws and teeth.

“Ouch! What the-?” Capper jumped and yelped, his fur bristling as he looked down at the tiny assailant latched onto his tail. His initial surprise melted into a chuckle at her defiant gaze. “Well, now, who’s this little molly?” he asked, lowering a paw in an offering of truce. “You’ve got quite a grip, there, don’t you?”

Rarity couldn’t help chuckling at the former con artist’s momentary discomfort as she poured the tea. “That’s Opalescence,” she introduced her pet. Opalescence sniffed at Capper’s fingertip, her ears twitching as if weighing whether to accept the gesture. Finally, with queenly resignation, she let him rub between her ears, though she kept his tail held firmly under her front paws, her own flicking as if to remind him who was really in charge. “And I’ve found she has an excellent eye for scoundrels,” Rarity added teasingly. “You may want to be careful.”

“A scoundrel? Me?” Capper chuckled, accepting the delicate teacup Rarity floated over to him and glancing down at Opal. “You’ve got me all wrong, Miss Opal. I’m a gentletom now, through and through.” As if to prove his point, he let out a series of feline-sounding trills and chirps, the sounds strangely melodic and soothing.

Opalescence blinked, then tilted her head, looking up at him with a new mix of curiosity and suspicion. Her ears swiveled as if trying to decipher the sounds and her eyes narrowed slightly as she weighed whether the intruder in her domain might require further reprimand. Finally, though, she seemed to settle for holding his tail firmly between her front paws and grooming the tip with deliberate care.

Capper chuckled, sipping his tea and looking back at Rarity. “Looks like I’ve been accepted into the queen’s court,” he grinned. “Lucky me.”

“Lucky you, indeed,” Rarity smiled, taking a sip of her own tea. “Though I’m unsure if she’s bestowing you a privilege or simply trying to demonstrate the level of personal hygiene she expects the next time you visit.”

Capper raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Well, now, I’m honored to have my grooming standards evaluated by Ponyville’s premiere expert in elegance. And her unicorn friend, too, of course.” He raised his teacup to Rarity in a playful toast.

Rarity gave him a look of mock affront, but raised her own teacup with a wry smile. “I shall take that as the compliment it was almost intended to be.”

Capper chuckled, but his response was interrupted by another knock at the boutique door. His ears flicked and he glanced over his shoulder toward the main sales floor. “That your friend?” he asked, curiosity sparking in his tone.

“It may be,” Rarity said, taking a final sip of her tea and setting aside her teacup. “Please, excuse me for a moment.” Rising from her chair, she gave her mane one final toss and trotted out to answer the door, resolutely ignoring Capper’s low chuckle behind her.

This time, it was indeed Metal Tested waiting when Rarity opened the door. He nodded when he saw her, a slight, nervous smile tugging at his lips. “You didn’t give a specific time, so…” He shrugged slightly, rubbing the back of his neck with a forehoof. “I asked somepony when the school closed and figured a few hours’ leeway would be safe.”

Rarity’s own smile softened, warm and welcoming. “That’s quite alright, Metal Tested,” she said. “Come in, please.” As Rarity stood aside and Metal entered the store, she explained, “I was just having tea with another friend, but -”

“Oh…bad timing?” Metal interrupted worriedly, hesitating near the threshold. “I can come back…”

Rarity shook her head. “No, that’s quite alright,” she said, her tone reassuring. “He showed up unexpectedly while I was waiting for you. Please, come back to my private workroom; I’m sure he’d love to meet you.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned to lead the way.

Metal Tested lingered a moment, still looking doubtful, before dutifully falling into step behind Rarity. His gaze wandered, taking in the elegant details of the boutique’s displays, but inevitably landed on Rarity again as she moved ahead of him. Her every movement seemed measured for maximum poise and grace, and Metal couldn’t stop his eye from flicking-briefly, admiringly-to her hindquarters. He quickly averted his gaze, his ears tilting back and cheeks flushing in embarrassment. With new determination, he focused on the ponikins and clothes surrounding them rather than the beautiful mare in front of him.

Rarity caught the glance as she subtly glanced back to ensure Metal was following and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She was more than accustomed to the occasional admiring look—she always strived to look her best, and few stallions could be called subtle—but she appreciated Metal’s quick attempt to compose himself. His shyness and determination to remain respectful lent a certain charm to his demeanor.

Slowing her pace slightly, she lifted her head with a touch of pride and gave her tail the slightest of twitches, a gentle, teasing motion that could easily pass as incidental. Her expression remained perfectly composed as she glanced back again, eyes sparkling with subtle amusement and curiosity.

Metal’s ears pinned back as his blush deepened, though whether it was due to her perfectly-timed tail movement or his own wandering thoughts, Rarity couldn’t be sure. Still, a small, private smile graced her lips as she turned her attention back forward. There was something undeniably endearing about Metal’s earnestness. Of course, this was just a bit of mild, casual flirtation, all in good fun, not a true sign of romantic interest…no matter how she imagined Rainbow Dash laughing about it if she knew.

“Oh, Capper!” Rarity chirped as she led Metal Tested back into her private workroom. Capper still lounged in his chair, sipping his tea, and glanced over at Rarity’s greeting. “This is Metal Tested, the new artisan I spoke of,” Rarity introduced the stallion behind her, stepping aside to let Metal enter past her. “Metal, this is Capper. My friends and I met him during our…eventful journey beyond Equestria to seek help during the Storm King’s invasion.” She kept her tone light, delicately omitting the exact circumstances of their meeting.

Metal Tested paused when he saw Capper, blinking. Rarity saw his ears tilt back slightly, his eyes drifting upward as if trying to recall something long forgotten. “Um…Sra-khara rrani mi lunara?” he said nervously as he bowed his head politely to Capper, the phrase coming out as a series of hisses, chirps and soft growls.

Capper and Rarity both blinked in surprise, their ears tilting forward curiously. A heartbeat later, Capper broke out in a grin, nodding his head to Metal. “Mia-shara! She-rrhanya?” he replied before looking back at Rarity with amusement. “You didn’t tell me your new jeweler spoke ‘Sinnian, Rarity.”

“I didn’t know,” Rarity chuckled, shaking her head. “What did you two just say?”

Metal Tested rubbed the back of his neck again, blushing and tilting his ears back bashfully. “I only know a little,” he explained. “One of my parents’ Border Guard postings for a few years when I was a kid was down in the Bone-Dry Desert, near the Abyssinian border. The base was outside a trade oasis and I learned just enough to get by.” He glanced at Capper. “I was trying to say, ‘the silent guardian travels under the moon,’” he continued his explanation, addressing Rarity though his eyes were still on Capper. “It’s supposed to be a greeting between travellers.”

“Mm-hm,” Capper nodded. “Bit formal, more like something you hear in a story or between nobles than on the road, but it works.” He sipped his tea, his whiskers twitching with amusement. “You came down a little hard on the growl, though. Sounded like you were bringing up a hairball,” he teased.

Metal’s blush deepened. “I haven’t spoken Abyssinian since I was ten,” he muttered. “We’re probably lucky I didn’t end up insulting your grandmother by accident.”

“Hey, it’s more than I hear most ponies trying,” Capper chuckled, giving a dismissive wave with a paw. “Props for that. Back in Klugetown, we had so many creatures speaking so many languages, I could go through half a dozen in one conversation.” He glanced at Rarity with an easy smirk. “And to answer you, Miss Purple Mane Perfection, I was saying, ‘Hi, how’s it going?’”

Rarity shook her head. “Well, I must say, this adds a fascinating new twist to what I know of you, Metal,” she smiled, motioning him to a seat before retaking her own. “Traveller across Equestria, artisan and now a scholar of languages. You’ll turn out to be an international spy next.” She chuckled with kind amusement at the thought of the shy, sensitive pony taking on such a role. “Would you like some tea and scones?”

Metal Tested’s ears flicked embarrassedly as he took the offered chair. “Yes, please. But really, I’m nothing as special as that,” he said. “I just picked up a few local phrases wherever we went. Ornithian was actually the hardest; with its tonality, it’s almost sung as much as spoken, and…” He shrugged. “Well, I’m pretty tone-deaf.”

“You did well enough yesterday when we were setting up the display,” Rarity pointed out as she poured Metal a cup of tea and floated it over to him along with the plate of scones.

Metal shrugged again, taking the teacup and a scone in his own telekinesis, his eyes not quite meeting Rarity’s, as was his wont. “I don’t honestly know what happened then,” he admitted. “I’d never done a number before…well, not one that wasn’t just in my head.” He gave Rarity one of his characteristic shy smiles. “Maybe your voice brought it out of me.”

“What’s this about a number, now?” Capper asked as he nibbled his scone, green eyes darting back and forth between the two ponies with feline curiosity.

Rarity chuckled, the sound as delicate as her tea service. “Oh, Capper, you know how it is when the music comes up and simply sweeps you away. Metal and I were arranging his jewelry display yesterday, and the moment carried us into a delightful duet.”

Capper’s grin widened as he leaned back in his chair, his tail flicking with a flourish. “Oh, yeah, I know all about that,” he purred, his tail flicking and tugging gently against Opalescence’s grip. “A touch of flair, a bit of a beat, and suddenly you got the whole city singing along.” He shook his head, his grin taking on an ironic cast. “Hope this little duet of yours hit all the right notes. I don’t see the one I sang for you and the others back in Klugetown making any ‘Best of’ albums.”

“That sounds like a story,” Metal spoke up, sipping his tea and glancing cautiously between Capper and Rarity. “What happened?”

Capper shrugged, brushing some scone crumbs from his lapels. “I was in deep with some bad creatures back in Klugetown,” he explained frankly, glancing at Rarity. “Let’s just say when I first met the Fashion Femme and her friends, I saw an opportunity to get out of a tight spot-at their expense.” His grin had a touch of ruefulness. “Not my proudest moment, but a cat’s gotta start somewhere.”

Rarity shook her head; she hadn’t intended to bring up Capper’s past. “You had your flaws, Capper, as we all do, but you managed to make up for your misdeeds,” she interjected gracefully. “He tried to mislead Tempest Shadow when she was pursuing us,” she explained to Metal, “and after escaping her, he helped us infiltrate Canterlot to rescue Twilight from the Storm King.”

“Your fault, really, Rare,” Capper smirked slightly, his whiskers twitching. “Nothing came free in Klugetown ‘til you did these little beauties.” He fingered the gold buttons that still decorated the lapels of his red coat, despite the further repair work he’d had done on it.

Metal Tested watched the interplay between the two, his head tilting slightly as he tried to sort through the layers of humor and history. “I didn’t know any of that,” he said. “The papers talked about you being helped by Capper and those air pirates, but they didn’t talk about how you met them.”

“What about you, M.T.?” Capper asked, taking a sip of his tea. “What’d you do during the Storm King’s invasion? Any grand adventures or close calls under your saddle?”

Metal frowned, lowered his gaze as his hoof pensively traced the edge of his teacup. “I…wasn’t in Canterlot,” he said slowly. “I was farther north, near the Crystal Mountains. The Storm King’s army never made it that far.” He shook his head, ears angling back slightly. “We heard that something bad happened at the Friendship Festival that Princess Twilight put together, but by the time we knew it was an invasion, it was already over. Everything I know of it comes from books and newspapers, or occasionally talking to ponies who were there.”

“Was that where your family was stationed?” Rarity asked, sipping her tea.

Metal’s shoulders tensed at the question and his hoof stilled on the rim of the teacup. He quickly shook his head, looking into his tea as if it held the secrets of the universe. “No,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t living with my family then. It’s…one of those things I don’t like talking about.” He glanced sidelong at Rarity. “I wish I’d had the chance to be as brave as you and your friends, taking on an army single-hoofed.”

Rarity’s expression softened and she waved a hoof dismissively, brushing aside the compliment. “Hardly bravery, darling…at least, it didn’t feel that way to me at the time,” she said with a small smile. “We just did what we had to for Equestria. For our home.” Her smile took on a wry cast and she chuckled softly. “In honesty, it was more like a long, chaotic scramble, and I was worried about my coiffure the whole time. I hate epic adventures.”

“I happen to think you all made the unkempt thing look gorgeous,” Capper interjected smoothly, a glint of humor in his eye. “Even if you did look ready to keel over before I stepped in to save the day.”

“Hmph!” Rarity sighed dramatically, though her lips twitched in amusement. “Still combining modesty and charm, I see.”

“It’s how I make my living,” Capper shamelessly agreed with a sage nod. “So, M.T., you said you’ve been all over. What kinda stories you got?”

Metal blushed, nibbling at his scone. “No stories, really,” he said. “Nothing very interesting, at least. I…” He glanced at Rarity, then took a deep breath, bracing himself. “With my parents being transferred for the Border Guard every few years, I got good at creature-watching…trying to learn what I could about wherever we went.”

“You ever try Abyssinian pastries while you were down there?” Capper asked. “Your pony pies aren’t bad, but we made pastries an art form.”

Metal smiled slightly.“Yeah…the pastries were one of the best things about living down there,” he admitted wistfully. “My favorite were the Abyssinamon rolls. There was this one Abyssinian baker who lived in the oasis…” His voice grew warm with nostalgia as his gaze turned inward, lost in long-ago memories. “Her name was Shiara. She was my parents’ friend more than mine, but any time I came to the market alone, she gave me an Abyssinamon roll and wouldn’t let me pay. She said I had an honest face.”

As he returned to the present, a faint blush crept onto Metal’s cheeks, and his ears tilted back slightly. “Looking back, I think I had a bit of a crush on her, even if I didn’t really know what the feelings were at the time. I remember I felt about ten hooves taller every time she smiled at me, especially when she taught me some of the language.” His smile lingered a moment, though his eyes still seemed somewhat distant, as if weighing the rare sweetness of that memory against something unspoken.

“Well, that certainly sounds like a crush to me,” Rarity chuckled kindly, nibbling at her own scone.

“Not that anyone could blame you,” Capper grinned. “We Abyssinians are a lissome and graceful species, poetry in motion in everything we do.”

Finally bored with her new plaything, Opalescence released Capper’s tail and walked over to sniff at Metal’s hoof before standing on her hind legs, reaching up as far as she could to lean her front paws against his chair and stretch. Metal smiled down at Rarity’s cat, extending a forehoof to rub between her ears, which she allowed with queenly tolerance. “Yeah, well…I got sick once when I ate one of her meat pastries by accident,” he said. “I think that put an end to any early romantic notions I might have had.”

“Ooh, yeah, you ponies would want to watch out for that,” Capper nodded. “Couldn’t have been easy, bein’ herbivores down in the Bone-Dry Desert.”

Metal shrugged. “The oasis made it easier,” he said. “But, yeah, the base had to have a lot of food shipped in. There weren’t many other ponies my age, either, so…” He shrugged again, nibbling his scone. “This is really good, Rarity.”

Rarity inclined her head gracefully at the compliment. “Thank you, darling. I’m glad you’re enjoying them.” She sipped her tea, though her eyes lingered on Metal. The slight hesitation in his movements, the way his words often trailed off, deflecting when he touched on subjects he didn’t like to discuss…he often seemed caught between wanting to open up and keeping his guard firmly in place.

Capper leaned back in his chair, his tail flicking lazily. “Sounds like you had to learn to entertain yourself, without other ponies your age.” His tone was light, but his sharp green eyes didn’t miss Metal’s discomfort.

“Yeah,” Metal replied, his voice quiet. “Like I said, creature-watching helped. It was just easier to be the quiet one in the background. Safer.” His smile reappeared, but didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Well, dear,” Rarity said, setting her tea down with a gentle clink of cup on saucer, “I hope you can eventually learn to step into the foreground.” Her tone was firm, but kind. “You’ve seen how your work is already turning heads in my boutique, and you have every reason to be proud of it.”

Metal glanced at her, his smile warming slightly. “Thanks, Rarity,” he murmured. “That…that means a lot.”

Capper finished the last of his tea and set his cup down. “Well, as much as I’d like to stay and bask in such delightful company, I think it’s time for me to scat,” he said, rising from his chair with a stretch and smoothing the lapels of his red coat. “Can’t be hogging all you lovebirds’ time, now, can I?”

“Capper!” Rarity snapped, her eyes flashing as heat rose to her cheeks. From the corner of her eye, she saw Metal’s jaw drop, his own visage turning an alarming shade of crimson. “That is not funny,” she sharply scolded the former con artist, “and you are embarrassing my friend!”

Capper chuckled as he retrieved his things from the coat stand, sweeping his opera cloak around his shoulders with a theatrical flourish. “But if I didn’t say it, I wouldn’t have gotten to see your lovely blush one last time before I go,” he teased. “But I want to drop in on Pinkie Pie before it gets too late, and you said earlier that you and Metal need to work on pricing his jewelry, so I’ll take my leave.” He glanced at Metal as he set his top hat on his head at a jaunty angle, tipping the stallion a wink. "Tasha-mihra sha'rra—rrha'ni khatasha!"

Metal blinked, his ears flicking forward over his lingering blush. “Um…thanks, Capper. Nice to meet you.”

Rarity shook her head as she rose from her seat to walk Capper out. “Honestly, sometimes I wonder at my taste in friends,” she murmured to the tall Abyssinian as she led him out through the store, her tone carrying both exasperation and affection. “First Rainbow Dash and Starlight Glimmer, and now you…”

“I just calls ‘em like I sees ‘em, glamour girl,” Capper grinned roguishly. “Plus, it’s too much fun making you blush.”

“I am NOT blushing,” Rarity protested half-heartedly as she reached the door, telekinetically opening it to let Capper leave. “What did you say to him, anyway?” she asked curiously. “That last part, in Abyssinian.”

“Oh, just a traveler’s blessing,” Capper replied breezily, stepping out the door and then turning back to tip his hat to Rarity one last time. His smile softened, a rare moment of sincerity slipping through his usual playful demeanor. “It really was good to see you, Rarity. I’ll try to write ahead next time, instead of just dropping in.”

Rarity felt her own amused annoyance warming at the genuine note in Capper’s voice. She doubted he’d had many such heartfelt moments in the past, and she hoped they would become more common as time went on. “It was good to see you, as well, Capper,” she said, standing up on her hind legs and wrapping her forelegs around his waist in a brief, but heartfelt hug. “I hope your motivational-speaking career continues to thrive.”

“With a voice like mine? How can it not?” Capper grinned, returning Rarity’s embrace, then stepping back as she released him. “Take care of yourself, glamour girl, and your new friend in there.” He glanced back toward Rarity’s private workroom. “Something tells me he needs it.”

Rarity chuckled. “I’ll let him decide if he wants to tell you his story one day, but yes, I feel much the same.” With a sigh, she stepped back. “Take care of yourself, Capper.”

“Always,” Capper replied, then turned and began walking down the street, whistling a sprightly tune. Rarity recognized it as the song he had used to get her friends and herself to trust him back in Klugetown, before he’d revealed his true colors…or realized they weren’t his true colors after all.

With a sigh and a shake of her head, Rarity closed the door and turned to walk back to her workroom. Metal Tested was waiting, and they still had much to discuss.