Yet more Torment...

Firestorm was still trying to get over the shock of the terror-sus standing in the doorway. He was rather lucky that Rarity clattered into the room at that point, cutting off his incredibly stupid reply. As the mannequin trundled into the room, it picked up quite a bit of speed. Rarity skidded in behind it in a rather ungracious manner, and caught the runaway pony form before it accidentally crushed something/pony important.

She scrambled in front of it, waving a hoof as she exclaimed, "Dear Sir, your protective gear is ready to save your life!...Would you like that on cash or credit?"

A loud guffaw was heard beyond the door, and Firestorm watched a very bemused Chasing Haze step into the room, revealing that damn rainbow mare his cousin was forever hanging out with. He buried his head under a hoof and waited for it to be over,

Chasing Haze chuckled lightly at Rarity's reaction, earlier, she'd seemed so controlled...And then Rainbow Dash causing more hilarity by pretty much laughing herself out of the air. Chasing shook his head and wandered over to the mannequin. He was a little worried to see how ill the gear fitted the form. "Uh, Rarity? I know you're the designer, but that suit doesn't fit that thingy right, does it?"

Rarity looked at the gear she'd put together that morning. It was a rough copy of a pegasus flight suit, but with a few liberties taken. Of course, considering the line of work this was meant for, the had to be made of much tougher stuff, In this case, Triple lined and treated silk, with overlapping pads at the shoulders and haunches to make up for the loss in elasticity. The Neck had a thick padded collar, and the neck and face were fully covered with a hood similar to the one on Firestorm's coat rather than the usual skin tight suit. Along with it was a pair of protective goggles and a pair of special saddlebags.

It was coloured oddly, too, with the body and hood being divided by a thick powder blue line running along both flanks and on either side of the neck. Above the line, the material was black, below, white. A similar pattern graced each leg, giving the suit a crosshatched look, but Rarity had been faithful to Rainbow's instructions. She tossed her mane at his comment, "Well, of course it doesn't the mannequin! It was designed for YOU, and I don't happen to have any Broadwing-shaped mannequins just lying around. Do you like the colours? I think they are so you."

Chasing looked taken aback. "Ah. yes...that...And it was a nice thought to use the pattern, too..."

Rarity glared at Rainbow Dash, now sitting just inside the doorway, breathing hard. "See? I told you he had better taste than that drab design!" She looked downcast.

Rainbow was confused too. It was his family scheme, after all. But after what she had just been subjected to earlier that day, she wasn't in the mood to question. She sighed impatiently and looked expectantly at Chasing Haze, "So, are you gonna take it or buy your own?"

Of course Chasing was going to take it, he had no money as of yet, so he graciously thanked Rarity, "I will definitely take it, it looks as if it could stop a hundred lightning bolts! Thank you miss Rarity, for your speed, am still surprised at how quickly you made it."

While Rarity was basking in the afterglow of his praise, He stripped the Mannequin and packed the gear into the saddlebags it came with.

As Rainbow Dash took care of the bill, being weather chief and all, Chasing Haze walked over to the now standing Firestorm.

"Hey, mate, why so sullen? And what are you EVEN doing here?" He looked quizzically at the other pony.

Firestorm mumbled under his breath, not sure himself what he actually said. Then he looked up. "Rarity's my cousin, and I needed a place to rest and clean up while here. I'm in Ponyville buying fuses to make up for some that were RAINED ON a few days ago."

Chasing cocked his head. "Oh, so you're related to Rarity? Makes sense then, why you were swimming in her creek earlier."

Firestorm was staggered for a second, and didn't get a chance to respond before Chasing continued. "Well, since you're in Ponyville, maybe we can grab some hay tomorrow?"

Rarity overheard them, "What a wonderful idea! Rainbow and I will treat you two newcomers to a nice meal at the bakery! And maybe we can invite some other ponies to?" She said, looking over to Rainbow Dash, who shrugged non-commitedly. "Meh, I'm cool with that."

"Great! See ya then, mate. Bye Rarity!" And with that, the two pegasi took off for Celestia knew where, leaving a chattery Rarity and a terrified Firestorm, not having a chance to reply.

And now he'd have to sit through an entire meal with her

Rarity may not have picked up on her cousin's discomfort, for she asked, "Now Firestorm, I heard you talking to our esteemed guest. I take it you're staying at Rosewood, correct?"

Firestorm knew he would regret this, but he would not risk meeting that weird blue featherbrain sooner than he had to. "Well...I was kinda hoping you could put me up for the night, Rarity, considering how I'm already here and it's getting late..?"

Rarity glanced at the high afternoon sun outside before answering. "Oh...kay. Listen, you CAN stay here, but you should get out and meet some ponies. Maybe even go to the library or something, I have no doubt Twilight would be immensely happy to hear about your Powder. Why, you would look almost charming right now...if you didn't look so miserable."

Firestorm shot her a glare. "And I guess you will make it unbearable to just stay here, right?"

Rarity looked up at the ceiling. "Well, I do have another order you could help me with..."

She looked back down to see the front door swing closed, leaving her in an empty room. She smiled. There you are cousin. Maybe you can get some courage before tomorrow. She walked back up stairs with a spring in her step.

Eyes looked down on the gaudy building, watching as the two pegasi flew a frolicked away, followed shortly by the grumpy unicorn. They ignored him. The bigwing was the one they wanted.