Echoes of Equestria

“You better not let my sister catch you like that,” Sweetie Belle warned as she accompanied me, covered in mud, on my walk back to Fluttershy’s cottage. “One look at you and you’ll be in a bath before you have time to register how you got there.”

“Oh please,” I replied with a roll of my eyes. First of all your sister isn’t that bad and secondly, what are the odds she’s gonna come out of the boutique as…”

“My gracious! Celestial! You’re a mess!”

Before I could even turn my head toward the speaker I found myself being hauled off and dumped into a tub of soapy water. Spluttering as I surfaced I heard Rarity saying, “Get yourself cleaned up dahling.” And a minute later a smug looking Sweetie Belle came in.

“Not. A. Word.”

Giggling she about faced and closed the door.

Well, since I’m already in here. I used my magic to grab the luffa and soap and got to bathing. After drying off I left the room and saw Sweetie Belle waiting for me. “Told ya.”

“I thought I said not a word.”

Waving me off, she continued. “So, planning on sticking around. As long as you’re here I mean.”

“Why? You got something planned?”

She shakes her head. “No. Just thought you might like to take this time to connect to my sister. That seems to be a thing you’ve been doing. First with Twilight, then Pinkie, then Applejack. I thought my sister could be next.”

“Oh. Hmm. You know what. You’re right. This is as good a time as any. I paused and thought for a moment. “By the way. Why did your sister just happen to have a bath waiting anyway?”

“You know my sister. Always prepared.”

“Wait, so she just…” Rarity walked past us, excusing herself as she headed toward the bathroom. A moment later we hear the water running. “…keeps the tub full all day doesn’t she?”

Giggling she nods. “Yup. Keeps a fresh bath warm by occasionally emptying a bit of water and running more hot water into it.”

“She could put boy scouts to shame.”

“Huh?” Sweetie cocks her head and blinked confusedly at me.

“Probably some club with boys back in his world,” Rarity remarked as she joined us in the hallway again. “I take it their always prepared too.”

Nodding I quoted, “Be prepared. A simple motto, but it basically boils down to always being ready for any and all eventualities. A boy scout is always prepared.”

“Well, good on them. Nice to know their teaching your young such good values back home. By the way. Are you gonna be rushing off now?”

“Actually, I’ve decided to hang around here for a bit. Take this time to connect with you.”

“Oh? So, it’s my turn is it?”

I glanced at Sweetie Belle and then back to Rarity. “So, I’m guessing the whole town knows what I’ve been doing.”

“Well, it’s only logical. You’re hoping that by getting closer to us you’ll find some way to connect with the Pinnacles.”

“Yeah. That’s exactly ri… How did you know that?”

“Like I said. It’s a logical assumption.” Yeah. That confirms it. They are a lot smarter than the show ever gave them credit for.

“Well, I couldn’t be happier that you chose me today,” she continued as I followed her into the fitting room. “As it just so happens I have a number of colt couture that you could model for me.”

“I immediately regret this decision.”

“Oh come now. You can’t possibly have an issue with this. Aren’t you humans dressed 24/7?”

“Being dressed isn’t the issue. I just don’t want to play dress up.”

“Oh, but you simply must dahling. I need a colt for the final fitting for the entire line.”

“U-uh, nope, no, negatory, nuh-uh, nyet, nein, non, nay, nix, naw, nyine, nao, nah, and ne. I am so out of here.”

Sweetie Belle was in front of me as I turned. “You may as well just consign yourself to your fate.”

“Why should I?”

“Look,” she said, angling her chin back behind me. Before I can turn, I hear Rarity begin to sob.

“OK. Look,” I begin as I turned back around and saw her puppy dog face complete with tears. I swallowed hard as I tried to hold my ground. “T-this pathetic display isn’t g-going to… to…” He lower lip quivered. “Ugh! Fine! I give up!” I sighed. “Do with me what you will.”

“Oh I just knew you’d see it my way dahling. Thank you so much. Now this first outfit is an orange ensemble which is right across from the color wheel of blue, so I know that it will looking simply smashing on you. And then I have a number of other outfits for you to model for me afterwards.”

“Help me,” I whisper pleaded to Sweetie who simply shrugged. “Sorry. It’s out of my hooves.”

Well then. Guess I should do as she said earlier and just consign myself. I sighed as I strapped in for a long day of modeling.

***

“This is thoroughly unpleasant,” I groused several hours later.

“Oh dahling. Don’t you think you’re being a little overly dramatic.”

“Hello pot. Name’s kettle. You’re…”

“Black. Yes dear. You really need to come up with some new material dahling.”

I harrumphed and turned away from her. “Am I done here?”

“Nearly. Just have to place this final pin and… Finito.” She levitates the outfit off from me. “You may step down now dear.”

“Finally. Do you have any clue how difficult it is to model clothes for hours on end?”

“Yes, dear. I do.”

“When I decided to spend the day with you that was not what I had in mind.”

“Sweetie, you helped out a friend who needed help. Isn’t that fulfilling enough for you?”

Sighing I think over her words for a bit. “OK. You have a point. I guess. Still I would have preferred something more active. Like actually sewing something.”

“You mean… you sew?” Rarity asked, her eyes shining.

“Well, not professionally, but I have been known to darn my own pants when they tear. And let me tell you. It is not easy when the tear is not on the seam.”

“Oh dahling. I could teach you an easy method to repair tears like that.”

My eyes lit up with excitement as I excitedly exclaimed, “You could? Really?”

“Come dahling. We have work to do.”

I follow her eagerly. This day is starting to look up.