I awoke one morning...

I had thought about many things while under that tree with Dash. Why was I here? What will happen when I'm gone? Will my life ever be the same again? So much so, if it wasn't for the gentle snoring of the pony using me as a pillow, I would have forgotten that I was even in Equestria. The rain was still falling and hadn't lightened up, and it didn't look like it was going to. Sighing, I rested my head back against the bark of the tree and had almost gotten to sleep again myself, but the sudden and loud clap of thunder startled me and woke up Dash.

"I didn't think a little bit of thunder would scare you like that, Dashie."

"Well," She sleepily began, "I don't usually sleep outside." Turning her head up to face me, she noticed my shirt. "When did that break? You should probably get Rarity to look at that."

The mention of the fashionista's name reminded me of the party. I had told the unicorn that I would be her model for the day. With the rain still pouring down, it didn't look like I was going anywhere soon. "I was going to see her today about a new set of clothes, but with the weather like it is..."

"It's only a bit of rain. Water never hurt anypony."

"I know that," I replied, "but I don't want to turn up to Carousel Boutique soaked and in tattered clothing."

"She won't mind. Unless she's been under a rock the last few hours then she'll know what the weather's like." "Anyway," the mare innocently carried on with a sweet smile on her face, "I always thought your clothes were like that."

"Gee, thanks Dash, love ya too." Ignoring the weather pony's comment on my appearance I looked up to the sky, hoping to find some sort of answer in the clouds. What I did find was that I never got around to asking Dash the question I was going to before she fell asleep. "Dash..."

"Yeah Alex?"

"Why did you pick this tree to sleep under? I was going to ask you why earlier, but you fell asleep before I could." Although I'm not complaining. You make a pretty good blanket.

Dash hesitated before she replied. "Uhh... Why should I tell you?"

"You don't have to, I just wanted to know why this tree in particular. Was it the view over the park? The lack of ponies make it easier to sleep? Was it..." I smiled gleefully as the thought of Dash sleeping under the tree because of me went through my head, but frowned as I quickly dismissed it.

"Was it what?" Dash asked, curious as to what it was I was thinking.

"Nah, forget about it." I waved off the thought as if it was nothing, not wanting the pegasus to know what it was.

"Tell me. I wanna know"

"'I want' doesn't get. I'll tell you later when we're in a more private area, who knows who could be listening?"

Groaning in frustration, Dash kept pestering me for an answer. "How could we be in a more private area? We're alone together in the middle of a storm, how much more private could you want?"

"Have you ever noticed that nearly every time we meet, it's only the two of us and no one else is around?"

"What's that got to do with it?" Dash replied with a hint of of annoyance in her voice, hint being an understatement.

"Not much really," I replied casually, "My point was that we spend a lot of time alone."

"What about the party? What about Sugarcube Corner earlier? We weren't alone then."

"I never saw you at the party, and I was only at Sugarcube corner for a few minutes. You can't really count either of those."

Unable to think of a suitable reply, the mare started stammering. "We were... But there was... What about when..."

"What about when? Go on..."

"Ugh! Why are you making this so hard?" Dash got to her hooves and flexed her wings. "If you're not going to tell me what it was you were thinking, you can freeze here under this tree." With that statement, the mare sprung into the air and flew off, leaving me alone in the poor weather. Ya dun goofed now, idiot. Best get to the Boutique.

Having trudged through the rain to Carousel Boutique, I was soaked to the bone. With the pieces of cloth I called clothing offering little protection to the elements, I had lost all feeling in my hands and feet too. I had ran to the door of Rarity's shop once it was in sight, but every step felt like I was standing on needles as blood attempted to pool back into my feet. I slammed on the door and shouted to try and gain the unicorn's attention.

"RARITY! LET ME IN!"

"Just a second!"

Why now? As I huddled against the door in the hopes that I could suck some warmth from the building, the sound of hooves could be heard clopping their way towards the entrance. I only wished they were faster as the rain kept hammering down, making sure I was really drenched. As I waited, the quiet tinkling of magic radiated from the door handle, indicating someone or somepony was opening it with magic. As soon as I saw the door open, I burst inside, surprising Rarity and almost knocking her off her hooves.

"My, what an uncouth way of making an entrance. I expected better from you, Alex."

"Sorry Rarity," I replied through chattering teeth, "But it's freezing out there, along with it bucketing down cats and dogs."

"Bucketing what-now?"

"It's pouring it down out there. Human expression."

"Ah. If you're wondering why, Rainbow Dash told me it's because the weather team missed out on last week's rain, so they're having to make up for it now. I suppose that's what you get for leaving Derpy Hooves in charge... again..."

"Anyway, I'm here for the clothing measurements. You said you could make me a new set of clothing at the party."

"Why, yes I did. Firstly though, we're going to have to get you out of those clothes. You're leaving a puddle everywhere you stand."

"Ah... Sorry about that." I started unbuttoning what was left of my shirt having since warmed up when I entered the shop. As I dropped it to the floor with a squelch, Rarity winced in disdain.

"Please, throw it into the waste fabric basket in the back. I don't want to have to clean up after more than just Sweetie Belle's mess. Anyway, what happened to the rag to get it in such a state?"

"Oh you don't want to know about it..." I replied as I picked up the shirt off the floor. I gestured to what I thought was the back room of the shop, to which Rarity nodded. I walked through the open doorway and saw some oddly postured mannequins, each one with what looked like an attempt at human clothing on them. The clothes all looked too large for their models though, so they hung loosely towards the floor. Stepping back out of the room, I asked the fashionista what she was doing with the clothing in the back. "Rarity?"

"Yes darling?"

"What's up with the clothes in the back room? They look far too large for ponies."

"Why they're the test-runs I made based off of Diamond Dog anatomy. I figured that I should at least get some practice in before we got started. Now be a dear and pick up the measuring tape before you walk back, it should be under the spare rolls of silk lining."

Having picked up the roll of tape, I walked back over to Rarity and let her take it with magic. Why she couldn't have picked it up that way in the first place I'll never know. She directed me to a small podium with several mirrors surrounding it, letting me view myself from multiple sides. The unicorn levitated the measuring tape towards my torso, before she stopped and let out an indecisive 'hmm'.

"What's wrong?"

"You're going to have to take off your pants."

Surprised by her request, my attention moved away from the many reflections around me to Rarity herself. "What do you mean, 'take of my pants?'

"As in, remove your clothes, darling. I can't possibly get accurate leg measurements if you're still wearing something. The pair you're already wearing are far too baggy."

"Oooh... I completely misunderstood what you said for a second there."

Rarity paused again, only this time snorting in amusement. "Honestly dear, we've only just met. However, I do know of a lovely young mare called Lyra Heartstrings who's been looking for somepony like you. Perhaps you met her at the welcome party?"

"Oh believe me," I replied, "we've definitely met."

"Really? How did it go?" Rarity replied, eager to learn some gossip.

"She certainly made quite the first impression..."

"Oh how so?"

I paused for thought. Should I really tell her what happened? "Well, you know how my shirt was ripped?"

"No, not really... Oh...Ohhh...She did that? I heard rumours, but I never knew the girl had it in her. I take it you had fun then?"

"Not really, Bon Bon walked in before anything happened."

"Oh, I see. You still need to take off your clothes, dear."

I obliged and removed my trousers, allowing the mare to continue her work. We made idle chit-chat as Rarity finished taking my measurements and began working on a design. I chose a a rather flashy material that looked like it was entwined with tiny gems. As I put what was left of my clothing back on, Rarity told me it was the strongest fabric she had and couldn't tear like my shirt.

"Well dear, expect it to be ready in three days. I would have it done sooner, but I have other orders I need to fill in first. I'm sure that you'll understand."

"Well of course. I can't exactly complain seeing as I'm getting it for free." With Rarity having finished all she could do for my order, I said goodbye and started to leave. As I got up, I noticed the puddle of water that I left by the door as I entered, causing me to remembering I was missing a shirt. "Hey Rarity?"

"Yes Alex?"

"Can I grab one of your test runs and take it with me? I don't want to walk around the town topless."

"Go ahead dear, we wouldn't want you to catch a cold now, would we? Besides, I was only going to take them apart and re-use what's left."

I picked up a shirt and put it on. It was a couple sizes too large, but at least it was something. Having dressed myself, I walked to the door of the shop and left, thanking Rarity for the free shirt and soon-to-be set of clothing. The rain had stopped and the clouds were slowly drifting apart, revealing a shining sun as I walked into the centre of Ponyville. Even though I wasn't in the sharpest sets of clothing I owned, I still had to meet up with Mayor Mare about my potential job.

I hope I can talk her out of the monkey suit...