Obsession and Regression

2

Rainbow Dash was a pony who kept her commitments. She showed up at Rarity's shop two days later a bit before 5. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were loading up a small, yet sophisticated-looking 2-pony drawn carriage with materials and designer outfits.

"You say my cider's almost too expensive, yet you can afford this?" Asked Rainbow, eying the golden vehicle.

"It's at the Client's expense... she wants us to show up prepared and in style."

"Oh."

Rainbow helped with what she could, but got in the way more than anything else. Carrying fabric she unraveled... hat boxes she dropped. Rarity asked her politely to wait in the carriage, and Rainbow Dash grudgingly did as she was instructed. The unicorn got in herself only 10 minutes later to have the carriage take off almost immediately after.

"They waste no time..." Commented Rainbow.

"At this pace we'll be there soon. All you have to do is wear a few outfits and smile."

"I can totally do that. It's worth it for the cider!"

Rarity rolled her eyes. Either way, Dash would get paid... but if the outfits didn't sell, the Unicorn would be out quite a bit.

The ride took them to the outskirts of Ponyville. All in all, about 45 minutes and they were there. Rainbow peered out of the window as the drivers trotted along. There were few houses in this part of town, and those that were there looked very nice. Rarity mumbled something about "gen-tree-vacation" or something. Rainbow Dash was only partially listening.

"We're here!" Rarity exclaimed as a gray Earth Pony Butler in a black jacket opened her door.

She and Rainbow got out. The cyan Pegasus was expecting to see a mansion with giant walls, but instead she laid her eyes upon an old country house, somewhat modest in size. It reminded rainbow of Sweet Apple acres... it was just on the opposite side of Ponyville.

"Welcome! My servant Ironhoof will get your things," said an angelic voice from the other side of the coach.

The speaking pony approached. Rarity smiled upon seeing her Client and Rainbow was taken aback. She was a slightly older Pegasus pony, but not some stuffy old mare like she was expecting, a little chunky. Light gold in color, she had a long, brilliant gamboge mane with light strands. For lack of a better word, she was gorgeous.

As Rarity and she chatted, Rainbow Dash felt Rarity's eyes flitting back to her every now and again... she realized her mouth was hanging open.

"And you must be the model?" Asked the light golden pony, extending a hoof to Rainbow Dash.

"Yes ma'am! Name's Rainbow Dash! Pleased to meet you!" Replied RD, taking her by the hoof and giving it a hardy shake.

"Likewise, Miss Dash. My name is Buttercup."

"Buttercup, huh? That's pretty!"

Rainbow Dash suddenly took an interest in her name, unsure if Rarity had even mentioned it before.

Buttercup turned towards Rarity:

"We'll be holding the fashion show in my living room. I want to see 3 of your best, most varied designs of dresses, 3 matching hats per dress. Ironhoof will show you to the dressing room and help you set up. I look forward to seeing your modeling debut... Miss Dash."

Buttercup then left the two standing in her driveway with the butler getting their bags together.

"She's charming, isn't she?" Rarity asked Rainbow, who was in a stupor, floating ithrough the air.

"Yeah..."

* * *

Rarity and Rainbow were taken through the house. The ceilings were surprisingly high for a two-story home and on the walls were hanging 100 year old portraits of various ponies, everything from Princess Celestia and Luna to the founders of Ponyville. They came by one smaller, newer portrait before entering the living room with Ironhoof, one portrait which Rarity had not initially seen but it made Rainbow Dash come to a screeching halt. It looked just like her... as a foal.

"Rarity, check this out! It's me!" Rainbow exclaimed.

Rarity and Rainbow both looked at the picture. Sure enough, Rarity saw it too: as far as she was concerned, that was Rainbow Dash... as a foal.

"How did she get this?" Asked Rarity.

"That's her foal," replied Ironhoof, lugging a collection of cases on a cart. "Please keep in mind that although you are guests you are not here for pleasure, Miss Dash, so keep your mind on your work and comport yourselves in a professional manner. As we've precious little time to get set up, the mistress is quite eager to see what you've got to show her," he turned to Rarity, "you only have a single model... a cute one, but inexperienced one at that."

"He's being a bit curt, but he's right, Rainbow. We absolutely must remain focused if we want to impress Miss Buttercup."

"Sorry!" Exclaimed Rainbow, getting in line behind Rarity. "I'm focused."

"Yes, we are ready... setting up should not take more than a few minutes at best." Rarity turned to Rainbow. "The dresses are simple and easy to put on, but please don't come into the living room until I've seen you do a full twirl and I've given you the nod."

"Fine."

The living room doors swung open. Sitting in the center of the room on a very large and luxurious-looking tan couch was Miss Buttercup, sipping tea. She nodded once they entered, smiling as they passed. They were lead into a back room, a 10x12 ft. fitting room, with toilet and sink.

"Here we are," said Ironhoof. "I will keep the Mistress entertained while you set up. Good luck, Miss Rarity!"

"Thank you, Ironhoof," Rarity said, unzipping her bags with her magic. "Okay, Dash... let's get you dressed."

* * *

Rainbow Dash waited nervously behind the curtain as Rarity introduced her.

3 outfits, 9 hats... She thought. Here we go....

"The first outfit is a fashionable, yet simple Sporty ensemble worn by the model Rainbow Dash." Rarity looked back at her and nodded, then Rainbow entered... feeling Miss Buttercup's eyes on her. "The outfit is made of light-weight Egyptian cotton and comes in a variety of colors... this color, in particular, midnight blue, matches Dash's eyes and fur color scheme."

"It's hard to have anything look less than spectacular on a pony with a rainbow mane, yet one as lovely as Miss Dash." Commented Miss Buttercup.

Rainbow's anxiety melted away with those words, as Rarity's rose a pinch. Seemed like she was taking a stronger liking to Dashie than to Rarity's hard work... a thought Rarity had conidered before even asking Rainbow Dash.

Not the worse case scenario... She thought. We can still do this.

Rainbow did an obligatory spin followed by a slow turn, showing off the dress and hat as Rarity continued to describe the outfit:

"The hat is a wide brim style, elegant yet simple..."

After a few moments of displaying the items, with a nod from the Unicorn, Rainbow went in back, changed the hat and came back out. Now Miss Buttercup remained silent, nodding to Rarity each time she'd seen enough or heard enough. Rarity's explanations were to the point and professional. All Miss Buttercup did was smile and nod, occasionally winking at both ponies when they showed even a hint of nervousness.

The next outfit was considered a Feminine style. Rainbow Dash sauntered out slowly in a rather lacy, yet not over the top, ensemble which made Miss Buttercup giggle. Rainbow blushed, and fortunately it was over soon... the golden Pegasus nodded, having seen enough of the first showing. Rainbow went back into the dressing room and put on a few more hats before finally changing out of the outfit all together.

"This next outfit I enlisted the help of my good friend Fluttershy in designing. It's based off the French Ode Couture design and several beta models have already been requested by numerous clients from Canterlot..."

Rainbow Dash stepped out, feeling literally meek as Fluttershy at the time.

Miss Buttercup's eyes widened the moment she saw the blushing cyan Pegasus. The furry outfit was simply adorable and the fact that Rainbow was embarrassed by it made it all the better.

"My, my... that's marvelous." She sat up. "Show me the hats... I've seen enough."

Rarity smiled, nodding at Rainbow Dash who went in the back in a flash.

Two more hats were quickly shown to the seated Miss Buttercup, then that was that.

* * *

Rainbow was in the back, changing out of her outfit. She overheard Rarity and the Client talking.

"That is all we have to show you today, Miss Buttercup," said Rarity, nervously. "I hope you've enjoyed our display..."

"Indeed, I have," replied the golden Pegasus. "Don't be nervous... you both did fine. Miss Dash is a very fine model... she helped sell your product."

Rainbow Dash felt Rarity's excitement through the wall:

"So you'll...?"

"Provide funds for you? Certainly, provided you deliver and can guarantee me a profit. Seeing as you're already selling some of these dresses in prototype, I don't think we'll have a problem there. I have faith in your abilities."

Rarity lost her dignified composure:

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She giggled like a filly.

Rainbow came out into the living room as Ironhoof packed up in the back.

"Rainbow!" Exclaimed Rarity, looking back at the Pegasus. "Did you hear what she--"

"Yup." Rainbow replied, not even letting Rarity finish. "She said I helped sell your product... I think I've earned TWO kegs of Apple Family cider now."

"You're definitely getting one from me," said Miss Buttercup, approaching the confident Rainbow Dash. She gazed into Rainbow's eyes, and the Pegasus couldn't help looking away, her confidence melting. "I think you're a very lovely model, Miss Dash. May I call you Rainbow?"

"Yes!"

"Rainbow... you've got just the right type of body I'm looking for... for my own purposes. I'm inviting you here next week at the same time to plan this idea with me over tea. Does that sound like something you might like to do?"

"Omygosh, yes!"

"Then consider it a date. I look forward to it."

Rainbow thought back... she had just seen the next weeks work schedule:

"But... I work at this time next week. I'm on the night shift!"

"Would you like to be excused from that?"

"How?"

"Please don't question me, Rainbow... if I want something, I get it, and I want you here that day. I can get you excused from work that day just by a simple note. Are you still interested? You're objection is the only thing that will stop me. At this point, that is."

"Yes, I'm very interested."

"Then Ironhoof will give you an official note with my personal seal... you will be excused next week. Feel free to be fashionably late," she shook her hoof, "but don't show at all up and I'll have no choice but to have Ironhoof get you. By that, I mean, come and get you."

All three laughed... though Rarity waited for Buttercup to start before she joined in.

* * *

Everything had been loaded back into their carriage. Rarity and Rainbow were cozily nestled in the carriage when Ironhoof approached and opened the door. He passed Rainbow Dash a letter in a fancy envelope:

"Do not lose this as you are expected to be here then." His voice was firm.

The rainbow-maned Pegasus saluted with a grin. He nodded before shutting the door. Once he did the carriage took off like a shot, with him stepping off its side almost at full speed... in his haste he misjudged where his hoof should be and tumbled to the ground. The two mares gasped as they looked out at him sprawled over the lawn with his cutie mark, a Mortar and Pistil, on display for all to see along with his backside. Once he got up, slowly brushing himself of in a dignified manner, the two mares relaxed as he faded from view. They enjoyed an otherwise peaceful trip home.

Rarity was pleased with herself as was Rainbow Dash. The beginning of the ride was silent, both ponies stoked the meeting had gone so well. Once they left her property, Rarity made sure both windows were rolled up:

"I told you she'd be interested in you... a bit too interested. You'll be careful next week, won't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she's clearly attracted to you... but 'the right type of body for her own purposes'? Excuse me, Dash... I don't speak that language. That sounds dangerous to me in all the... wrong ways."

"Well, if it helps my 'dar is telling me she's a top, and my guess is that she was just making it clear to me... " Rainbow replied, putting her hooves behind her head. "And I'm fine with that... I go either way."

"Okay, just remember what I said..."

"I'm Ponyville's Class Athlete!" Rainbow retorted smugly. "When there's trouble with another mare, I buck and make for the exit. It works on stallions, too, so I think I can manage an older, chubby mare."

"Very well."