Green Is Your Color

“I just don’t understand the appeal of… what did you call it? ‘Talking turkey,’” Rarity said as she watched her sister and her friends trying to imitate a turkey.

“It’s all in good fun,” Applejack chuckled. “And there’s an art to it. You can’t just make the same gobbles over and over, otherwise the turkey’s gonna get bored. Whoever can keep the turkey’s attention the longest wins the turkey call.”

Rarity smirked. “Has Fluttershy been in a turkey call before? Why, she could talk to an animal for hours on end!”

“I reckon so!” Applejack agreed. “I asked her to join last year’s turkey call, but she was too afraid to get on stage in front of everypony during the competition.”

“The poor dear,” Rarity lamented. “So, everypony has to try and gobble with a turkey on stage? Like a performance?”

“Yup.”

Rarity watched as Sweetie Belle made some uncivilized gobbling noises at one of the turkeys. The turkey stared at her blankly for several seconds, then abruptly swished around, giving the filly a face-full of plumage. “Ouch!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo giggled.

Rarity gasped as the gears in her brain turned. “IDEA!” she exclaimed, so loudly that the turkey let out a loud gobble and waddled off. With a glint in her eye, Rarity rushed over and placed her hooves on Sweetie Belle’s shoulders, a very wide smile on her muzzle. “Sweetie Belle! You have got to let me design you a hat for the turkey call! It’ll have big bright plumes just like a turkey’s, to look elegant on stage and keep the turkey enraptured. It’ll be sure to help you in the competition, while adding style to boot!”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened as she cowered beneath her sister’s appraising gaze. “No way, sis!” She scrambled away, then threw her hooves around Scootaloo. “Make the hat for Scootaloo instead! She’d make a way better turkey!”

“Hey! Why me?” Scootaloo cried.

“Um… because… you have wings?” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

Scootaloo glared briefly then rolled her eyes. “Well, I say the hat should go to Apple Bloom. Her mane is like a turkey!”

“What?! No it’s not!” Apple Bloom protested.

“So none of you three want a turkey hat?” Rarity asked. “I promise it’ll look good!” She tutted at the retreating fillies, turning to the only other pony. “Applejack? How about you?”

Applejack scrunched her nose. “Uh, mighty kind of you, Rarity, but I think I prefer a more natural look for the competition.”

“Fine, but I will not let this idea go to waste.” Rarity grinned, rubbing her forehooves together. “I’ll just have to make it for myself!”

“Perfect!” Rarity exclaimed as she stitched the last blue feather onto the headpiece. “And just in time for the spa!” She levitated the turkey hat onto her head and stepped out of Carousel Boutique, ready to show the world her latest creation. She trotted through the town square on her way to the spa.

“Rarity!” Applejack called from her apple stand. She hid a chuckle behind her hoof. “That your new design?”

“It most certainly is!” Rarity chimed. “What do you think?”

“Oh, it’s something.”

“Something extravagant?” Rarity tried to tease out, fluffing the feathers on top with a hoof. “Or something plain? Something magnifique?”

Applejack shrugged. “It’s cool.”

“Well, you just wait until everypony wants one for the turkey call,” Rarity declared.

Applejack chuckled. “If anypony asks for a getup, you know I’ll send ‘em to you,” she promised.

Rarity continued on her way to the spa, catching a few more looks from other ponies; whether good or bad, Rarity needn’t mind. She closed her eyes and raised her head up high, knowing the route to the spa by heart. Even if many other ponies laughed or scoffed, Rarity knew the design would speak to at least one pony out there, and then all the fuss would be worth it.

“Stop,” a curt voice spoke out.

Rarity opened her eyes; before her were two ponies carrying a light blue pony with a white mane and black-and-white striped outfit on a pillow. In an instant, all of Rarity’s legs froze. “P-Photo Finish! T-The most famous fashion photographer in all of Equestria!”

Photo Finish leaped off the pillow and trotted around to Rarity’s side, her purple goggles angled towards Rarity’s hat. “Yes, yes…”

Rarity turned her head to address the celebrity, barely containing herself. “You like my hat? I made it my-”

“Stop!” Photo Finish exclaimed, darting to Rarity’s side and making her face forward. “No move. I observe.”

“Uhm,” Rarity mumbled as she stood stiffly, waiting for permission to move again.

Photo Finish did a full three-sixty wearing a stern expression. Then once she was done, she said, “Absolutely marvelous.”

“Ooh, thank you!” Rarity beamed, finally relaxing.

“Canterlot is too saturated with more of the same,” Photo Finish said. “Fashion world needs something new. I come to Ponyville to rediscover… the magics.”

“The magics?” Rarity asked.

“The shape - such attitude, one can’t help but look. The green feathers - such pizzazz.” She outstretched a hoof, and one of her helpers tossed a suitcase onto the ground, which sprang open into a camera. Rarity only had a split second to pose before Photo Finish snapped a picture. “Will take Canterlot by storm. Must see more.”

“Well there’s certainly more where this came from,” Rarity proudly declared. “I am Rarity, owner of Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique. Every outfit can be custom tailored to bring out everything that makes a pony special.”

Photo Finish gave a single nod. “I want to see more of your creations. But first I must see all Ponyville has to offer. Your shop, four o’clock.” She snapped her briefcase closed and leaped onto her cushion. “I go.”

Rarity blinked several times, then raised her hoof to her forehead and collapsed in the dirt. No matter - she was headed to the spa anyway. I can’t wait to tell Fluttershy about my new opportunity!

I wish I never told Fluttershy about my new opportunity, Rarity seethed. She watched from afar as Photo Finish ushered Fluttershy into the makeshift studio. Rarity had seen the pictures from the photo shoot at the park; the outfits did not have much to speak of, although Rarity had to admit they did go well with Fluttershy’s coat. Most of Rarity’s objections came from how Photo Finish always seemed to snap the pictures at the strangest times, like whenever Fluttershy was scared or trying to hide. They were hardly what Rarity thought were the best representation of her friend, but somehow the pictures were such a hit in Canterlot that every big name in fashion was coming all the way to Ponyville to see Fluttershy walk the runway in the flesh. Rarity sighed and trudged away.

Meanwhile, in the studio, Fluttershy wished she could trudge away.

“How do you feel? Excited? Overjoyed? Thrilled beyond your wildest dreams?” Photo Finish asked.

“N-nervous…”

“Nervous? Don't be ridiculous. All these ponies came all the way from Canterlot to see you. They are going to love you.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “Oh no, why did you bring them all the way here? They’re not going to like me, and they’ll be so mad they came all the way from Canterlot to see such a let down…”

“Too much competition in Canterlot and all the models do the same flashy things,” Photo Finish explained, shaking her head. “These ponies need something new to see! Now that they are in Ponyville they only have you to look at, whether they like you or not. You see my genius plan, yes?”

Before Fluttershy could respond, music started playing in the showroom. “Your cue. Now go!” Photo Finish commanded.

The moment Photo Finish shoved her past the curtains, Fluttershy was bombarded by bright lights and flashing cameras. She immediately tried to hide behind her mane, but her usual pink curtain was tied back. Fluttershy was frozen; everypony would certainly laugh at her.

You must do this for me, Rarity’s voice echoed in Fluttershy’s head.

Fluttershy exhaled a breath and put one hoof forward. “I can’t let Rarity down,” she mumbled to herself. “I must do this.” She angled her head down and closed her eyes and ears to ignore all the ponies looking at her, trying to imagine that she was simply walking across the little bridge in front of her cottage, surrounded by her animal friends. “I must, I must, I must!” she repeated with each step.

She opened her eyes just in time to avoid walking off the end of the runway. She flinched at the drop and the ponies below staring up at her. She jerked her head up and to the side, squeezing her eyes and ears shut again. Sure enough, everypony started laughing at her. The sound pierced her ears, making her want to melt into the floor as she endured the crowd’s judgment.

“So graceful,” a voice commented just below Fluttershy’s left.

“So lovely,” another responded.

Fluttershy’s ear perked, and she peeked her eyes open to glance to her left. The two mares were gazing at Fluttershy with warm smiles, not cackling sneers. Unfolding her ears fully, Fluttershy realized that the crowd seemed like they weren’t laughing at her, but actually cheering for her. Fluttershy stood up straight and dared to put on a small smile.

“So perfect for my new advertisement!” a voice exclaimed, followed by a new wave of camera flashes. Fluttershy grimaced as all the lights blinded her and rooted her to her spot. Her wings twitched as she fought the urge to undo her mane’s styling and hide behind it, cursing the hair bands holding back her protective curtain; the whole outfit felt like a prison by now. She stood there waiting for all the attention to end, but it never did. Only when she finally cracked her eyes open again and begrudgingly looked around did she see Photo Finish at the curtain urging her to walk back. Of course! She was supposed to end it! Taking a deep breath, she slowly walked the length of the runway back to the curtain, afraid to look at anypony or falling.

“Phew, glad that’s over,” Fluttershy sighed as she slipped behind the curtain.

“Flootershy! We already have ten clients lined up for individual photos,” Photo Finish exclaimed, grabbing her shoulder. “We go!”

Fluttershy mewled in discomfort as she was dragged to the fitting room. “W-what are we doing next?” she gasped out.

“These ponies want pictures of you wearing their outfits or holding their products. We will go through the requests one at a time.”

One of Photo Finish’s helpers entered backstage; Fluttershy glanced through the doorway and saw the long line of dressed up ponies. She slumped in resignation, letting all her limbs go slack as the helper switched her outfit. At least modeling for one pony at a time wouldn’t be as bad as all those ponies staring and judging her on the runway.

Won't you just take the picture already? Fluttershy internally begged while enduring ten whole minutes of tiny adjustments. The last three clients hadn’t taken nearly as long, but this time the mare fussing with the blue dress with white frills just wouldn’t stop. The mare would adjust the flowers on her headpiece, stare for ten seconds, then nudge them a little and repeat.

The client finally walked back to Photo Finish behind the camera. “Wait, the armscye is too loose,” she said, strutting back to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy groaned and slumped, her wings drooping. She squeaked when the mare pulled on the dress, tightening its hold on Fluttershy’s forelegs. By the time they finally took the picture, Fluttershy could barely feel her front hooves.

The next client was a stallion who made stylized tea kettles and wanted a picture of Fluttershy showing off the kettle while wearing a matching dress. Photo Finish picked out an outfit with a middy collar, they took the picture, then the client asked to add a shawl lapel. Photo Finish shoved it on, they took another picture, then the client decided to take it out and swap more things in, repeating the process many times over.

“You are making my dress’s pleats look so uneven!” another client wailed. “Turn the other way. More. No, go back. Now the other direction. Good, now let’s do it three more times!”

“This here is my latest toile masterpiece,” the next client proclaimed, forcing Fluttershy into a white dress with matching shoes and a crown. It was the worst outfit she had had to wear so far, so tight and itchy.

Finally, Fluttershy could see the light at the end of the tunnel. There was only one client left in line, a mare who looked a little younger than herself. “Hi!” the young mare chirped, skipping through the door with a light green dress. “I’m a new designer and I’m so glad for the opportunity to feature my couture with an amazing model!”

Fluttershy tried her best to smile as the mare brought the dress to her. “Happy to help. It’s nice.”

“Oh no no no,” Photo Finish exclaimed, whipping her tail at the dress. “You used a backstitch here when it clearly called for a topstitch or maybe even a traditional blanket stitch.”

“What’s wrong with the backstitch?” the young designer asked.

“It went out of style years ago. It lost… the magics. Now go.”

The mare bit her lip with wide eyes, then turned for the door and rushed out with her head low, dragging her dress along the ground behind her. Fluttershy gasped.

“Flootershy! Excellent work, my shining star! Now rest up and get ready for tomorrow.”

Fluttershy was about to speak up about giving the last mare a chance anyway, but the realization that she was done for the day took over. She was done. She was done! Now she could go home, rest with her animal friends, talk to Rarity about her horrific experience, and never enter the studio again. Then she stiffened.

“Wait, tomorrow?” Fluttershy whimpered. “What are we doing tomorrow?”

“We have more clients already lined up for tomorrow. And as photos and gossip spread across Canterlot tonight, more ponies will come straight to Ponyville tomorrow because they will not want to miss out! You will be a star that shines across all of Equestria!”

Right. I can’t give up now, I have to shine across all of Equestria, Fluttershy lamented. She crawled her way to the door, but before she could escape, the tea kettle salespony was back, bursting through the door; Fluttershy squealed and hid behind a clothes rack.

The salespony spat a bunch of pictures onto the floor at Photo Finish’s hooves. “Look at these photos. The hems are clearly machine-stitched, and the overdesign is reminiscent of prêt-à-porter and not true Prench haute couture!” He crossed his right foreleg over his left, closed his eyes, and stuck his nose into the air.

Photo Finish eyed the pictures. She then abruptly whipped her tail. “Flootershy! Where are you going? We must redo this shoot.”

Fluttershy collapsed at the doorway in defeat.

Rarity could hardly believe her eyes and ears as she trotted down Mane Street and through the town square. Canterlot ponies - no, not just Canterlot ponies - ponies from all across Equestria were here, in Ponyville, wearing the latest trends and speaking in many accents. And it was too obvious what they were here for.

“Get yer Sweet Apple Acres apples! Fluttershy’s favorite apples in all of Ponyville!” Applejack hollered across the square. Every apple crate at her stand had a picture of Fluttershy carrying apples. Daisy, Lily, and Rose’s flower stand had a poster of Fluttershy holding out a bouquet of flowers. Nearly all the stands had some Fluttershy-related advertising and the ponies from out of town ate it up. A shadow cast over Rarity, and when she looked up she saw Rainbow Dash flying a banner of Fluttershy enjoying carrot juice.

“Howdy Rares!” Applejack called out. “Check out these here photos Fluttershy got for me! Her popularity is doing wonders for my business.”

Rarity tried so hard not to roll her eyes in a most unladylike fashion. “How generous of her.”

“She’s helping out the whole town,” Applejack smiled.

“I can see that,” Rarity deadpanned.

“Hey, I heard you were the one who got Fluttershy the job with that highfalutin fashion pony. So I gotta thank y’all too.”

Rarity bit her lip. “Oh, it was nothing. I’m glad for Fluttershy.”

“Next Cutie Mark Crusaders sleepover is on me, promise!” Applejack laughed. “Now, shouldn’t you be at the shop selling some Fluttershy-themed dresses? I’d bet my barn door on all these ponies being mighty interested in a yellow dress with pink frills right about now.”

“Hmm,” Rarity thought, putting a hoof to her chin. She looked around the street, bombarded with all the Fluttershys winking at her. She had been so caught up in her jealousy that she hadn’t even thought of the silver lining. “You know what, Applejack? You always did have the most practical ideas. I’m off to the boutique.”

“Good luck!”

An hour later, Rarity grimaced at the cheap creation she had thrown together - a yellow dress with pink frills. What was I thinking? Of course Applejack doesn’t know the first thing about fashion. She tossed the dud aside and perused her fabric shelf. What would scream ‘Fluttershy’ the most? Green for nature, for sure. Light green, for natural beauty and grace. Flowers, certainly, and butterflies too. But keep it simple. Hmm, that dress Photo Finish gave her could be a good start. She chuckled to herself. What was I thinking with that sparkly and feathery getup?

Suddenly she heard a commotion outside the boutique, followed by the ring of the welcome bell and a slammed door. Fluttershy was here, and she was so much larger than life that she could brush off all the fashion reporters with attitude and pizzazz. “Wow. Look how popular you are,” Rarity remarked. She quickly composed herself. “You must be having the best time ever!”

Fluttershy tried to smile but couldn’t, still trying to catch her breath and get all the camera flashes out of her vision. “Oh yes… best time ever…” she breathed out, which couldn’t have been farther from the truth. She had just crawled out of the studio in order to go to the spa with Rarity early and escape all this madness.

The bell rang again before Fluttershy could continue. Turning her head, she spotted Photo Finish rushing in, like a dragon who had spotted her prey. Fluttershy grimaced; good thing she was facing away from Rarity.

“Flootershy! I have been looking for you everywhere. We have the thing at the place!”

Fluttershy held in a groan, the hope of an early, extra long spa session fading away. She couldn’t refuse Photo Finish; not in front of Rarity. “I’ll see you at the spa? Our usual time?” Fluttershy managed to get out.

“Of course! I can’t wait to hear all about the… thing at the place,” Rarity forced out, not even managing to keep up a smile. She had to hide her face behind her coiffure. By the time she looked back, Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen, hidden beyond the crowd of ponies outside the boutique. Rarity growled to herself. I found Photo Finish first! I’m the one who should be mobbed by strangers wherever I go!

Another ring of the welcome bell gave Rarity a jolt, and she quickly cleared her head. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique!” she greeted the newcomers.

“Is she still here? We heard Fluttershy was here,” one of the ponies asked, looking around.

“Sorry, you just missed her,” Rarity said exasperatedly. “But, you’re still in luck! I’m having a huge sale on some of my best designs!”

“And you are?”

“Rarity, of course,” Rarity said, striking a pose.

“Never heard of you.”

Of course. Ponyville was currently mobbed by ponies across Equestria. For one reason and one reason only. Just as the tourists were about to leave, Rarity exhaled and put on another fake smile. “What if I told you Carousel Boutique is Fluttershy’s favorite place for all things fashion?”

“Yeah right,” one of the lost customers scoffed. “I don’t see any endorsements here.”

“Maybe I could believe you if you had anything in here that even sort of resembled Fluttershy,” the other pony remarked, slamming the door.

The thing at the place turned out to be a ballet showcase at the studio. A designer named Hoity Toity handed Photo Finish a piece from his brand new ballet line to put on Fluttershy. Nopony heard Fluttershy’s protests about not knowing a thing about ballet. Now she was on stage with a blue stallion with a bright orange mane and an outfit that complemented her outfit’s colors. The stallion pranced around her, moving in elegant circles. He repeatedly tried to invite Fluttershy to be part of his elaborate performance, but Fluttershy withdrew from his inviting hooves with a whimper each time.

Eventually her co-star gave up on a joint performance and proceeded solo. Fluttershy stood still and stiff as a statue, blocking out the dignified cheers and whoops from the audience. She tried to imagine she was sitting still in a mud bath instead, thinking of the spa visit that she was surely going to miss at this point. At long last, the graceful stallion took a bow to the tune of much applause. Hoity Toity walked onto the stage with a rack of related designs and started talking about his new ballet-inspired fashion line. Fluttershy took the opportunity to start sneaking off the stage.

“Fluttershy, my dear,” the ballet performer suddenly spoke up. “You are even more endearing up close than from afar. Would you be mine for the evening?” he asked, extending an inviting hoof.

Fluttershy stood in place, looking between the handsome stallion’s eyes and the welcoming hoof. She pulled away, hiding behind her mane.

“The performance is over,” the stallion continued. “It would be an honor to get to know you better. No need to be shy,” he encouraged, giving a warm smile.

The whole studio had gone silent; everypony had stopped paying attention to Hoity Toity, who had, in turn, stopped advertising. All eyes and ears were on the two performers.

“I heard a place called Sugarcube Corner is a popular spot,” the stallion mentioned. “A favorite of yours, I suppose?” Pause. “Or perhaps you would prefer to lead the way around your fine little town?” he asked.

“Um…” Fluttershy tried to start, twisting her hoof on the floor. Whatever she tried to say from behind her protective pink curtain came out as only high pitched squeaks, followed by chilling, freezing silence.

“My apologies,” the stallion finally said. “That was rather forward of me.” He gave a serene smile. “I wish you well on your career, Miss Fluttershy.”

“Ugh,” Rarity huffed, surrounded by several failed yellow and pink designs littered across her creation room. “Why does everything have to be Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy? Why can’t anypony notice my designs?” she complained. She had spent days trying to take advantage of Ponyville’s momentary status of a hotspot, but her jealousy got in the way of making anything she would even remotely consider selling, even after admitting the problem to Twilight.

Rarity could always go to the studio herself and ask Fluttershy for a poster to hang outside the boutique. Fluttershy would make it for her right away. How could Rarity be so jealous of somepony so kind? Somepony who was her best friend!

“Some best friend I am,” Rarity lamented. “I haven’t even gone to one of her fashion shows to support her.” She stood up resolutely. “Time to correct that,” she decided, putting aside her failed dresses and heading to her wardrobe. If she was going to a high society event, she was going to dress her best. “Just because Fluttershy is famous doesn’t mean I can’t be fabulous!” she declared.She settled on a layered purple cape with a blue collar and matching headdress that wrapped around her horn. Yes, she would catch eyes for sure!

A quick trot across the Fluttershy-infested town, and Rarity was strutting into the studio. She quickly realized two things. One, there were no seats left because the place was utterly packed, and two, all eyes were on the runway waiting for Fluttershy, so obviously nopony would notice her in the back. “Guess it’s time to see what all the fuss is about,” Rarity huffed, looking towards the stage.

Rarity watched Fluttershy walk down the runway slowly with her head down, as if watching every step. If Rarity didn’t know better, she would have thought Fluttershy was scared of something; her friend did often scare easily, after all. That was supposed to be me up there, Rarity thought bitterly. All those eyes on Fluttershy were meant for me!

“Oof!” Fluttershy squeaked as she suddenly face-planted on the floor. The whole room gasped. Fluttershy got up, stretched her limbs, only to trip again.

Rarity smirked. Come on, Fluttershy! I never would have done that!

The next moment, Fluttershy was making all kinds of animal noises. Rarity was taken by surprise, but then shrugged it off. Communicating with animals was Fluttershy’s special talent, after all. Still, the ponies here wanted a certain high fashion image, one which Rarity still thought she could provide better than Fluttershy.

“Get her off the stage!”

“She’s an embarrassment to all things fashion!”

Rarity felt heat rise in her cheeks. They’re supposed to be her fans! How dare they yell at her for trying to be creative and sharing her special talent!

“I, Photo Finish, have made a terrible mistake!”

Rarity snapped to attention at that statement. That’s not true! Fluttershy is a graceful, thoughtful, creative pony! All the ponies were yelling and heckling at this point while Fluttershy cowered on the runway, as if frozen by the spotlight. And she’s my best friend. I can’t leave her like this!

“Bravo!” Rarity shouted over the crowd, stomping her hooves on the ground as loud as she could without chipping a hoof. “I say bravo! Such attitude! Such pizzazz! She’s invented an entirely new type of modeling!” Rarity noticed the crowd turning their attention away from the cowering Fluttershy and towards her, so she made her “bravos” and stomps louder. Anything to let Fluttershy escape with some dignity intact.

“Bravo!” another pony suddenly shouted, stomping their hooves too. The whole crowd soon followed. Rarity grinned wide, the outcome even better than expected. She had gotten everypony to see the error in their ways and appreciate Fluttershy for who she was! But when Rarity looked up at the runway, Fluttershy was practically crawling back to the curtain with her head down. Rarity wanted to comfort her friend right away, so she started walking towards backstage.

A lavender mare with a yellow mane pushed through the crowd to intercept Rarity. “You clearly know a thing or two about fashion. Would you be interested in attending my own show in Canterlot?”

“Oh, can we talk later?” said Rarity, not stopping her trot. “I need to find my friend.” She bumped into another pony.

“You there, miss fabulous! Can I interest you in-”

“Terribly sorry, but I have something very important to attend to at the moment, if you could excuse me…”

“Your head piece is magnificent! Where did you get it?”

“I love how your cape sparkles!”

Rarity pushed past the growing crowd, scrambling to get to the backstage door no matter who or what got in her way. After much tussling and brushing ponies off, she crashed against the door and knocked her hoof against it several times.

“What do you think you’re doing?” the security pony next to the door demanded.

“O-oh… I’m Fluttershy’s friend, you see, and I need to talk to her,” Rarity said with a sheepish smile.

“A likely story,” the security pony rolled his eyes. “I cannot let just any rabid fan in.”

The backstage door opened and one of Photo Finish’s clothing designers popped her head out. “Ooh! What a fabulous outfit! Come in and let me see!” she exclaimed, grabbing Rarity with both front hooves, pulling her in and slamming the door before anypony else could comment.

“Why, thank you, darling, but I’m here to talk to Fluttershy. Do you know where she-”

“Wow, the fabric has the perfect amount of sparkle, and what brilliant color choices,” the designer gushed.

“Ahem, yes, how about I let you examine the outfit while I go find my friend?” Rarity said. She trotted behind a changing blinder, came out and handed her dress and headpiece to the mare then ran further backstage. She burst through the first door she saw, but was met by an empty room full of props. Slowing down, Rarity shuffled past each door until she heard Fluttershy and Twilight’s voices.

Rarity threw the door open. “Fluttershy! Are you alright?” she asked.

Fluttershy’s wings snapped up in surprise. “I’m great! I’m a super famous fashion model,” she said, attempting to bat her eyelashes. “Why wouldn’t I be great?”

“Up there on the runway, everypony was turning on you, and-” Rarity paused. I couldn’t stand how unthoughtful they were? I wanted to scold them for making fun of your creativity? No… that’s not what my first thought was… Rarity’s eyes started tearing up. “Oh Fluttershy, it’s so awful…” Rarity cried, squeezing her eyes shut. “I wanted them to,” she admitted softly.

“You did?!” Fluttershy gasped.

“I’m jealous!” Rarity screeched. “I wanted all the attention, and instead it was going to you! I even started hoping that you would do something silly so your modeling career would be over. But then, when it started happening, all I could think was, ‘How could I want you to fail at something you love so much?’”

Fluttershy blinked away her growing scowl, letting out a soft breath as she turned a softer gaze towards the floor. “Oh Rarity, I hate being a model.”

“You do?”

“More than anything,” Fluttershy sighed, closing her eyes. She didn’t want to see Rarity’s reaction to her snubbing her best friend’s dream.

“Then why did you keep doing it?” Rarity asked, confused as ever.

“I was afraid if I quit, you’d be mad at me for not wanting to shine all over Equestria.” Fluttershy looked at Rarity, hoping her friend wouldn’t be too offended. The best case scenario would be if Rarity fainted on the spot.

“Of course not, darling,” Rarity responded. “And I thought if I told you how jealous I was of your success, you’d think I was a terrible friend,” Rarity got out before she steeled herself, praying that Fluttershy didn’t think so. She would dearly miss their spa days.

“Never,” Fluttershy immediately answered.

Rarity’s eyes widened at Fluttershy’s kindness. Here she was, wasting days of work trotting around town being jealous and begrudgingly trying to upheave her whole boutique selection over a problem that could’ve been solved on the very first day. “All this time…”

Every grueling fashion show and client could have been avoided. “If we had just told each other the truth…”

Rarity smiled, meeting Fluttershy’s eyes. “I promise never to keep my feelings a secret again.”

“Me too,” Fluttershy agreed. “Pinkie promise?”

Rarity nodded. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” the two of them recited in unison, holding their hooves to their hearts, then pointing to the sky, and finally over their eyes, laughing afterwards.

“You were brilliant. Brilliant!” called out the eccentric and dreaded voice of Photo Finish. “I’ve already got six photo shoots lined up for tomorrow alone.”

Rarity winked. Fluttershy beamed. “I’m sorry, Photo Finish, but I don’t think I can make any of them.”

“Whaaaaat?”

“We go!” Fluttershy and Rarity declared simultaneously with a hoof bump, giggling past Photo Finish.

“Can we head to the spa?” Fluttershy suggested as they trotted to the exit. “I could really use some relaxation after this whole mess.”

“Of course, darling! I was just about to suggest it,” Rarity smiled. She pushed open the door.

“It’s Fluttershy!”

“Fluttershy, over here!”

A mob of fans surrounded Rarity and Fluttershy the moment they stepped out of the backstage door and into the main gallery of the studio, and the guard pony was mysteriously missing. Fluttershy whimpered and hid behind her mane. She had forgotten that her career wasn’t over in the slightest.

“Don’t worry,” Rarity whispered into Fluttershy’s ear, wrapping a hoof across her shoulders. “Just keep walking with me.” Rarity pushed through the crowd with Fluttershy in tow, using force when necessary. Fluttershy buried her face in Rarity’s mane and kept walking, ears folded to drown out the noise. When they got out of the studio, Fluttershy fluttered into the air, feeling free.

“Fluttershy, you absolute star!” a mare called out, following them out of the studio. “I want you for the cover of my magazine!”

“Excuse me, dear, but Fluttershy is done for the day,” Rarity interrupted, shooing off the pony.

“Fluttershy! Tell me all about your thoughts on your latest photo shoot!” a pegasus reporter with a notebook in hoof demanded, flying up to Fluttershy’s face.

Fluttershy whimpered and landed beside Rarity, nestling into Rarity’s side again.

“Don’t you ponies know the first thing about personal space?” Rarity spoke sharply, pushing the reporter away with a little magic. As more ponies pursued them, Rarity hollered, “Fluttershy is not in a mood to speak with anypony. You can all go home now!”

“Thank you,” Fluttershy murmured as they hurried over to the spa.

“It’s the least I can do,” Rarity said. “I’m so sorry I got you into this mess in the first place. I should have known how much you detested the spotlight, but I was only thinking of myself and my own desires.”

Fluttershy gave Rarity a tight hug. “As long as you’re here, it’ll be okay.”

After many more struggles, the two of them finally made it through the spa’s doors. “Miss Fluttershy!” the blue spa pony, Lotus, exclaimed. “What can I get for Ponyville’s latest star?”

“The usual,” Fluttershy smiled.