Spike Has Three Mommies

Chapter Sixteen

Rarity frowned at the dull shimmer on her bejeweled bracelet. It didn’t bode well for Spike’s progress.

However, she didn’t have time to dwell on it. She was far too busy.

Rarity sighed happily. She was busy! People wanted her creations! Was there anything better?

After taking another quick sip of tea and a bite into her biscuit, she turned her attention to the four automated sewing machines. They were stitching through reams of fabric and dumping the finished product into large baskets on the floor. Nothing to worry about there. But there was something new this time.

A flock of sparrows flitted about the workshop, feeding reams of fabric into the sewing machines and banding together to lift up the finished products from the baskets. Meanwhile, a handful of rabbits and squirrels were consulting one of Rarity’s old sewing textbooks and doing their best at cutting and weaving the fabric into separate articles of clothing. In the middle of the workshop stood Fluttershy, holding up a clipboard and wearing one of the biggest smiles Rarity had ever seen on her.

The animal helpers had been her idea. They were very dedicated and easy to train, Rarity was pleased to discover. Even if their first attempts at fashion weren’t haute couture; those would-be clothes had been slipped into a basket under Rarity’s desk, eventually to be burned and buried outside. But it made Fluttershy happy and Rarity was glad for the help.

“Yes, right over there,” said Fluttershy. She pointed one of the squirrels toward a shelf, where all the shirts and blouses were being folded and stored. “Keep up the good work, Stephen!”

Rarity looked down at her notes. They’d produced enough clothes so far to cover every student at the local school—twice. It was shaping up to be one of her most productive mornings ever. This clothing line needed a good name. “Woodland Creations” wasn’t terrible, but she could do better.

With a quick spread of her wings, Fluttershy came to hover near the desk. She put down her clipboard and gratefully accepted Rarity’s offer of a cup of tea. “I think they’re due for a break in a few minutes. Are you sure everything’s coming out right?”

“Why, of course, dear!” Rarity patted her friend’s wing. “I could never have handled so many orders all by myself. Your friends are doing a wonderful job, believe me!”

Fluttershy smiled. “Oh, good. I was so worried they couldn’t manage the chevrons on the boys’ jackets—”

A pointed cough interrupted the winged girl. Rarity looked over Fluttershy’s shoulder, noticing a cross-looking rabbit. He held up a pocket watch and stamped his foot.

“Oh, my,” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Done already?” She lifted her hands and spread her wings. The animals all stopped at once.

“Um, sorry to interrupt, but you’re all doing a great job! Refreshments are downstairs!”

“And do wipe your feet!” Rarity warned. She didn’t care how clean these animals were. They’d all been outside. In the dirt and grass. Where people could catch all sorts of nasty things.

After all the animals had tidied up and gone downstairs, Fluttershy finished her tea. Then she tilted her head and frowned.

“What is it?” asked Rarity.

“Well, it’s… it’s your bracelet.” Fluttershy pointed at her friend’s wrist. “It’s still glowing.”

Rarity examined the bracelet. The gems were flashing just as they’d done the day before. Proof that poor Spike was still having accidents.

“I’m quite sure that Twilight can handle things at her end,” Rarity said. She nodded to herself. “I’m sure she has a dozen new spells that’ll fix this right up. She’s very resourceful, you know.”

Fluttershy smiled and nodded back.

A furious twitter caught their attention as a blue jay came flying into the workshop. It landed on Fluttershy’s outstretched hand, clutching a roll of paper in its talons.

“For me? Oh, thank you, Mordecai!” Fluttershy unrolled the paper and examined it. Then her eyes went wide.

“Darling? What’s the matter?”

“We need to see Twilight right away!” Then Fluttershy stopped and cringed at her tone. “Um, if it’s not too much trouble…”

Rarity took the message and read it over. Her jaw dropped. “Oh. Oh, my. No trouble at all…”