Chapter 8 A Smoldering Shopping trip

Silverstream sat in a cafeteria of sorts munching on some pancakes. “Mornin.” Smolder waved and sat next to Silverstream while carrying a tray with a deep red ruby on it. 

“Good morning Smolder.” Silverstream smiled.

“So. You still wanna spend the day with me?”

Silverstream nodded and pulled up a small paperback booklet. “Of course I do. I got up early and checked out the travel book for where we're stopping today.” She opened the booklet and pointed to pictures of clothing stores. “There are all kinds of cool boutiques there, Maybe we could go shopping for some new outfits together.”

“What! No way Silver,” Smolder waved her arms in front of her. “That sounds waaay to girly and cute for me.”

Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. “Oh come on Smolder. I promise it won't make you too frilly.”

Smolder sighed, “fine I'll do it, but only for you Silver. Just don't tell anyone else about this.” Smolder gave Silverstream a sly wink.

“It stays between us.” Silverstream winked back. 

“Oh.” Smolder reached behind her back and produced a scroll. “Misty sent you a letter after you had left.” She handed Silverstream the scroll and eagerly unfurled it.

To my friend Silverstream. I appreciate you want to help me procure my lost item. I've contracted somepony to bring me the object I seek. I'm unsure where this pony is at the moment and she's being hunted by a fairly ruthless individual. If by some coincidence you encounter a yellow pegasus mare answering to the name Daring do. Or a brown earth pony stallion answering to the name doctor Cabelaron please let me know as soon as possible. As for you Silverstream I'm glad you're getting lots of attention. I genuinely hope you that one of these two women fall in love with you sometime soon. Have fun with Smolder. Yours truly Misty feather

Silverstream's eyes went wide. “Oh...”

“What's up?” Smolder cocked an eyebrow.

“Misty is looking for somepony I think I spotted on board earlier. I should write her back as quickly as possible. Come with me Smolder. I need you to send my reply.”

Smolder nodded and followed Silverstream back to the room. She opened up a fresh sheet of parchment and started writing as swiftly as possible.

Dear Misty feather. I'm sorry for writing you so early in the morning. I'm just letting you know I saw Dr. Cabelaron on the cruise ship and they're perfectly safe. I hope I've helped you put your mind at ease; I know how stressed out you can get by your job. Yours with more hugs than usual Silverstream.

Silverstream quickly dressed up the letter and Smolder sent it off.

“Ok with that out of the way, let's get back to breakfast.” Smolder left prompting Silverstream to follow.

---

Smolder and Silverstream stood outside a fairly nondescript pagoda with a silhouette of Rarity plastered on the roof.

“Gee, I never knew Professor Rarity opened a shop so far away from Ponyville.” Smolder rubbed the back of her head.”

“Me either.”

They entered the building only to be greeted by the sight of Rarity herself manning the relatively modest wooden counter. “Welcome to Rarity, for you's Kirapei branch. Wait a minute.” Rarity narrowed her eyes. “Smolder? Silverstream? What are you doing all the way out here, shouldn't you be in school?”

“What are we doing here?” Smolder pointed back at Rarity. “What are you doing here?”

“Darling I'm here to supervise the opening of my new Kirapei boutique. Now be honest dears and tell me what you're doing all the way out here.”

“Smolder is taking me on vacation for a few days to unwind from some stress. We got permission from Headmare Starlight and everything.”

Rarity stood there for a few seconds before nodding. “Ok girls I believe you, just remember if you're lying to me you'll be in big trouble.”

Smolder smirked. “No problem.”

“Now then.” Rarity grinned. “What can I help you girls with today?”

“We want some new dresses.” Silverstream grinned and Smolder nodded.

“That's excellent darlings.” Rarity clapped her hooves together. “So what kind of dress do you want Smolder?”

Smolder grinned.“I'll just take something extremely usual, uninteresting, and totally not in season.”

Rarity lowered her eyes and grinned. “Come now Smolder, don't be such a sourpuss. Frills and yellow are in this season, and you'd look simply exquisite in something like that.”

Smolder sighed, “if you insist Rarity.”

Silverstream rolled her eyes before Rarity started speaking to her. “How about you darling?”

“Oh.” Silverstream piped up. “I'm looking to impress somepony I'll take an outfit that'll make me look beautiful.”

Rarity nodded. “I see. I've got just the kind of outfit in mind for you but first let me take your measurements.” Rarity levitated a measuring tape and measured their various heights and widths. “Ok then, just wait up here girls and I'll prepare your dresses.” She turned around and went back into a room behind the counter. 

Smolder leaned against the wall. “So, are you having fun Silver?”

“Oh yes!” Silverstream grinned, “I've gotta hand it to you, this vacation is exactly what I needed. Sometimes I worry the whole thing is just a dream.”

Smolder chuckled, “yeah, glad you're having fun. So who's the dress for?”

“Oh nobody in particular.” Silverstream giggled.

“Okay...” Smolder trailed off. “Nobody in particular right. You sure it's not to impress Giselle or Autumn?”

Silverstream sighed, “You're right Smolder the dress is to impress them. They're such good friends, and I want them to see something spectacular.” Silverstream sighed. “I can't wait to show them around Mt Aris... especially harmonizing heights.” Silverstream stared out into space. “I can picture it now. I'll take them up to harmonizing heights and they'll love the scenery. We'll have a picnic and then we'll dance beneath gates just like my parents did when they fell in love.”

Smolder narrowed her eyes. “What's the big deal Silver? Why are you acting like one of them is gonna marry you?" Smolder paused. "There's something you aren't telling me.”

“Huh?” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about Smolder?”

“Silver, I'm your friend. I've known you long enough to know when you're trying to keep a secret. Come on Silver just tell me what's going on? Don't you trust me?”

Silverstream groaned, “Oh alright. Misty feather sent me a magical amulet to help me find true love. I'm almost certain it's probably gonna be Giselle or Autumn blaze. I'm kinda hoping the dress will draw out which one of them I'm destined to be with. I can't go on like this anymore Smolder; I need somepony to love. It's torture watching Gallus and Ocellus be all lovey dovey outside my room every bucking morning.”

Silverstream looked up from her rant to see Smolder frowning. “Geez I... I knew you were desperate but not that desperate.” Smolder sighed. “Silverstream do you trust me?”

Silverstream slowly nodded.

“I know it's just my opinion, but I don't think either of them would make good girlfriends.” 

“But why?” Silverstream cocked and eyebrow. “Giselle enjoys her freedom as much as I do.”

“I know for sure Giselle isn't good girlfriend material, she's such a loose woman she'd probably be cheating on you within a week. 

“Ok maybe you have a point about Giselle but what about Autumn? She loves discovering new things after she got out of the woods, she's perfect.”

Smolder waved her hand a bit. “Eh I don't know... you said she lived alone in the woods for most of her adult life right?”

“Yeah, and?” Silverstream cocked an eyebrow.

“Honestly I think a woman who's been alone for so long would be pretty clingy. She'd probably get angry if you didn't spend enough time with her.” Smolder put a hand on Silverstream's shoulder. “I just want what's best for you. I think you might be letting Ocellus's smothering of Gallus get to your head. Just slow down a bit before you do something you regret.”

Silverstream mulled over Smolder's words for what felt like hours before sighing. “You're right Smolder. Maybe I am going to fast.” Silverstream roped Smolder into a hug. “Thank you Smolder. I really needed to hear that.”

Smolder hugged her back. “No problem Silver.

“OK girls, your outfits are done.” Rarity's voice called out as she entered the main room again levitating two stacks of cloth in her unicorn aura.

“I wanna try mine on.” Smolder raised her claw.

“No problem dear there's a changing booth right over there.” Rarity motioned to a small curtain set up in the far corner of the room. Smolder reached her claw out and grabbed the dress before disappearing behind the curtain.

“Lookin good Smolder, Lookin good.” Silverstream heard Smolder utter from behind the curtain.

“Don't you wanna show us your new dress darling?”

Smolder drew the curtain back to reveal she was wearing a yellow, frilly dress with a flap extending down to her knees. She wore dark blue lipstick and a silver tiara that she'd seen on her many times before.

“You look fabulous, darling.” Rarity winked.

“If you say so.” Smolder nodded back.

“I wanna try mine on next!” Silverstream piped up.

Rarity levitated her a pile of teal fabric and Silverstream took that fabric behind the changing curtain. The area behind the curtain was relatively mundane sporting only a common full-length mirror and a table for setting things on. She unfurled the first bit of teal fabric and discovered it wasn't alone. Along with the teal dress was what looked like a starfish maneclip. She slid the dress on and affixed the clip to her mane. Silverstream looked over herself in the mirror. The layered teal dress accentuated her mane well, and the starfish brought attention to her eyes. She smiled and turned to the side with a grin before drawing the curtain back.

“So... how do I look?”

“Fantastic darling with a dress like that I'm certain that you'll get all kinds of attention.”

Silverstream grinned, “aww thanks Rarity, you're the best.” She looked over at Smolder. “Are you ok?”

Smolder shook her head, “Fine. I'm totally fine, you look great Silver.”

With a smile on her face. Silverstream approached Rarity and hastily gave Rarity a bag of bits.

“Darling, You overpaid me.”

Silverstream nodded. “I know, it's just my way of thanking you for making me feel fabulous."

Rarity nodded, “no problem dear.” Smolder approached her next and handed her several bits. “Much obliged, I hope you girls enjoy your vacation.”

Both of them nodded and left the building in their new duds.

“You seriously are rocking that new outfit.” Smolder grinned.

“Same with you.”

“Hey look.” Smolder pointed to a building across the street with a neon sign that read “The Emperor's game room. “Can we go there next?”