That Summer

>You went to work for her that summer.

>Just a teenage kid so far from home.

>The antics with your friends and a broken window resulted in you working to pay off her repairs.

>You groan as Pipsqueak and Rumble tail you through Ponyville.

"This sucks! How can Mom just agree to trade me into slavery like that?"

>Your buddies laugh behind you.

"Hey shut up! This is your fault anyways," you say, pointing an accusing finger at Rumble.

>"Me? How is it my fault?"

"It was your sling shot!"

>"It's Pip's slingshot."

>"But it was your idea," replied Pip.

>"Hey, he went through with it."

"You dared me to!"

>"Well maybe you shouldn't have gotten caught," shrugged Rumble.

"Yeah, because I'm some sort of ninja, right?"

>"Well you should be," said Pip. "It's not like there are any other 5 foot apes around to take the blame."

>Ape.

>You press your foot against Pip's shoulder and kick, shoving him to the ground several feet away.

"Don't call me that!"

>"You don't need to get mad," said Pip as he rose to his hooves. "I didn't mean anything by it."

>"Yeah, Anon," said Rumble. "Just cool it. How bad can this be, anyways?"

"That lady's evil, that's how."

>"They say that when her husband passed away a few years ago, she just went crazy," added Pip.

>"Crazy how?" asked Rumble.

"Crazy as in she locks herself in her store and only comes out at night to walk the lakeshore."

>"That's not crazy," scoffed Rumble. "Crazy is like Screwloose."

"Yeah, I suppose that is pretty crazy."

>The three of you at last came upon her shop.

>"Welp, I'm out," said Rumble.

>"Yeah. Good luck, Anon," said Pip. "Oh! Before I forget. Have you talked to your mom about canceling school next year?"

"Yes."

>"And?"

"She said to quit my belly-aching."

>"Way to let us down, Anon," said Rumble.

"Bite me. Lets see you live with your teacher for a week."

>"I'll pass. See you around."

>"See ya, Anon."

>Rumble and Pip turned around to leave you to your fate.

"I hate you both. See you later."

>You turn and stare up at the decorative building before you.

>You knock three times and wait.

 

>The door opened after a quick minute and a white unicorn stood in the doorway.

>Her mane and coat were slightly ruffled in some spots.

>She wore eye glasses and had a measuring tape around her neck.

>"Yes? Oh, it's you. Cheerilee said you would be here earlier."

"Sorry Miss Rarity. Mom had me do som-"

>"You're late. No excuses. You would think Cheerilee would have distilled that into your brain already."

>You scowled hard.

>No one talks bad about your mother...

>"But I suppose we're wasting even more time making idle chatter," she continues.

>Rarity levitates a sponge and bucket to you from inside.

>"First, I want you to clean the windows. When you finish, come find me inside."

>She stepped back and closed the door.

>You stand there holding the bucket of soapy water.

>You contemplate knocking again and throwing it in her face when she answers.

>But your mom told you to work for her, and her word is law.

>You walk around the house, scrubbing each window on the ground floor.

>Looking up the the second story, you wonder if she actually expects you to climb up there and wash them.

>Probably.

>You look around for a ladder or something to use.

>There's no ladder, but there is a tree that you can use to get to the window sill.

>A small ledge pokes out from the building, going around the boutique.

>You can hold onto that while you clean.

>You hold the bucket in your mouth by the handle and climb the tree with ease.

>As you shimmy along a branch, you ready yourself to vault and grab onto the window sill.

>One, two...

>"Hi Anon!"

"Aah!"

>You're startled and fall to the ground with a crash.

>The bucket falls over your head, soaking you.

>A soft blue aura lifts the bucket from your head.

>A pair of light green eyes stare at you when you are able to see.

 

>"Sup?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Just busy being a slave. What's up with you? I thought you were at your parents' house?"

>"I'm just here to pick something up. I heard about the sling shot."

"Yeah, that was bull crap. How did you ever survive this when you were living here?"

>Sweetie Belle giggled.

>"I understand my sister. And by the way, there's a step ladder in the cellar. I'll get it for you."

"Thanks, I guess."

>Sweetie Belle went into the boutique and returned several minutes later with a box abd a ladder.

>"Here you are. And Rarity said to tell you not to scratch her windows."

>"Thanks. And no promises."

>Sweetie Belle smiled and rolled her eyes.

>"I'll see you around, okay?"

"You got it."

>She walked away, singing softly to herself.

 

>You went back to work.

>After a short while, she stopped you for lunch.

>Taking a seat at the kitchen table, she set a sandwich down in front of you.

>It was made with extreme care.

>Almost like she took a measuring tape to it to get the toothpick and olive perfectly centered.

>You reach to grab it, but get a sharp crack on the hands by a wooden spoon.

>You yelp in pain and stuff your hands beneath your arm pits.

>You glare at Rarity with slitted eyes.

>"Oh don't look at me like that. Where are your manners, young man?" she chastises.

>You remove your hands from you pits and set them on your lap.

"Thank you, Miss Rarity," you say in a sarcastic tone.

>"You're quite welcome, Anonymous."

>Rarity sets another plate across from you and takes a seat herself.

>You watch as she lifts the sandwich to her mouth and gently take a bite.

>You find it slightly odd how she chews with her eyes closed.

>When she swallows, she opens her eyes and you quickly look down as to appear you weren't staring.

>You grab your sandwich and peek up.

>Rarity was watching you.

>You slowly take a bite and chew.

>"Elbows off the table."

"What," you ask, spewing crumbs across the table.

>Rarity looks on in disgust.

>"And no speaking with your mouth full."

>She uses a napkin to wipe the table.

>You remove your elbows from the table and continue eating.

>"Looks like we need to work on your manners, too."

 

>Lunch finishes and she sends you back to doing chores, starting with the dishes.

>As the sun begins its descent, Rarity releases you of your binds and allows you to go home.

>You throw open your front door and plop face-first onto the sofa and groan.

>"Have a good day at work?" asked Cheerilee.

"No. It was horrible. She made me clean her house."

>Cheerilee chuckled.

>"That's about what I expected her to do."

"Then she hit me with a wooden spoon."

>"Oh my. What for?"

"She said I have bad manners."

>Your mother gave you a poker face.

"What?"

>"You do have some bad habits, Anon. Perhaps Miss Rarity can teach you a thing or two and maybe you can pay her with more than simple chores for a broken window."

>Hearing your own mother criticise you has got to be one of the most degrading things ever.

>You turn your face back into the couch.

>"Oh don't pout like that," said Cheerilee. "Things could be worse. Now move your flank and help me make dinner."

>You make an effort to roll off the couch and onto the floor.

>Cheerilee rolls her eyes with a smile.

>She gives you a soft kick to nudge you.

>"What do you want for dinner?"

>You follow your mom into the kitchen and prepare the quickest, simplist thing you can think of.

>Macaroni and tomato juice.

>The two of you eat at the table in relative silence.

"Hey, Mom. Is Miss Rarity crazy?"

>Cheerilee looks at you in shock.

>"Anon! What an awful thing to ask!"

"Sorry. I was talking with the guys and-"

>"No, she's not, but she's probably still reeling from her husband's death."

"But wasn't that many years ago?"

>"Since you were very young and when you could still ride on my back."

"Oh... I do remember hearing about it, but I was just curious."

>"Some ponies just can't seem to cope with it. They were such a young couple, too. It really is quite sad."

"Yeah..."

 

>The next morning, Rarity had you following her around the market to carry her things.

>Why one pony needs so much junk is beyond you.

>As you're waiting for Rarity to finish her chat with the florist, you hear someone call your name.

>"Hey! Anon!"

>You turn around and look past the pile of stuff in your arms.

"What's up, Pip? Rumble?"

>"We can ask you the same thing," Rumble said with a smirk.

>"Haha. Yeah, Anon. What gives?" chuckled Pip.

>"Thank you, darling," said Rarity. "Have a nice day."

>"You too," said Roseluck.

>"Come along, Anonymous, dear," Rarity said to you.

"Yes, Miss Rarity."

>You look back at Rumble and Pip who were biting their lips to try not to laugh.

>Their stupid smiles gave it away.

"Hey, shut up."

>"Pfft-AHAHAHAHA!"

>They rolled on the ground laughing at your expense.

>You roll your eyes and follow Miss Rarity.

>Your friends get to their hooves and follow you, still giggling like a bunch of idiots.

>"So... Dear? Miss?" asked Rumble. "What are you, her pet now?"

"No. I'm her-"

>"Servant," blurted Pip.

"No, her-"

>"Pack mule," blurted Rumble.

"No! Just an unpayed employee who must work off his debt by doing everything she says."

>A brief silence.

>"I fail to see how that's any different from what we said," said Pip.

>"It's not," said Rumble. "He's just trying to keep the little dignity he has left," he said with a smirk.

"Yeah, pretty much," you concede.

>"Anonymous, darling. Would you be a dear and set those on the counter?"

>Rarity held the door to the boutique open for you.

>You hadn't even noticed you were back yet.

>"Well Anon, you seem busy working against your will, so we're gonna cut out on ya and go play hoofball."

"I wanna play hoofball..." you whine.

>Rarity clears her throat.

"Right. See you guys later."

>You step inside and Rarity follows.

"On the counter, right?"

>"Yes, please. I'll put that stuff away later. Go tidy up my work room if you please."

"Yes ma'm."

>Rarity smiles as you turn around to do as you were told.

>It's only been a day, and it seems you've already learned.

>She was expecting that to take much longer.

>Content, she goes about her business putting her groceries away.

 

>The week goes on.

>You learned the second day how useless it was to even try to fight.

>That wooden spoon of hers scared the hell out of you.

>She even seemed to be lightening up on you with the chores and even allowing you to go at lunch.

>She was extremely grateful to have you do her daily chores because she could focus on getting her orders completed.

>Friday she asked you to stay later that night to help her finish the last big order of the week.

>You agreed on the grounds that you don't have to come in tomorrow.

>You fetched her various tools and fabrics as she expertly sewed and attatched accessories to her dresses.

>It was late in the evening when she finished the dress.

>You wipe the sweat from your brow and Rarity takes a deep sigh of relief.

>"Finally finished," said Rarity.

>You start cleaning up the shop and putting everything away.

>"Oh, there's no need to do that, darling. I'll take care of it later."

"No you won't," you say with a smile. "You'll just put it off and call it 'organized chaos'."

>Rarity smiled.

>"Yeah, I suppose. Thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it."

"No problem, Miss Rarity."

>"Darling please. Just call me Rarity. You make me feel old when you say 'miss' or 'ma'am'."

"Yes ma- Rarity."

>Rarity puffed her cheeks at your near blunder but dismissed it.

>"Well I'm going to pack these dresses for pick up. You're free to go when you finish. If I'm done before you, I'll come help."

"Okay."

>You were gone long before she returned.

>The shop was clean and tidy when you left.

>It was extremely late when you got home.

>Your mom sat up waiting the whole time.

>She jumped to her hooves when you walked through the door.

>"Anonymous! Where have you been?" she asked angrily, but with obvious worry in her eyes.

>She usually asks you about your day, but you understand why she would ask otherwise.

"Miss Rarity asked me to stay late to help her finish a big job in exchange for not coming in tomorrow."

>Cheerilee breathed a sigh of relief.

>"Well that was awfully nice of you, but I'm afraid you are going to work tomorrow."

"What?! Why! We made a deal!"

>"I'm sorry Anon, but your commitment was for a week of work. It's only your last day so it shouldn't be that bad."

"But Moooom," you groan.

>"No buts," she said. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Yes."

>That was a lie.

>You've been too busy to eat.

>"Oh, okay then. Well go take a bath and go to bed. It's way past your curfew."

>You have no objections.

>You're way too tired to argue.

>A quick bath later and you're crawling in your bed.

>You fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

 

>Your mom allows you to sleep in late before you go back to the boutique.

>The shop is still open in the morning on Saturdays, so you don't knock as you enter.

"Miss Rar- I mean, Rarity?" you call. "Are you home? My mom said I had to come in today even though you said no."

>You stand in the foyer and wait.

>You don't hear any response so you decide to walk through the shop.

>You don't find her anywhere downstairs so you go upstairs and call her name once more.

>You have apprehensions about walking through her living space without permission, but you proceed.

>You call her name again with no response.

>You come across her bedroom door slightly cracked open.

>Sobs and soft cries can be heard coming from the room.

>You peek in and slowly open the door.

>Rarity was sitting on the edge of her bed, staring down at a picture frame.

"Miss Rarity?"

>Rarity shrieked at the sound of the unexpected voice.

>She quickly stuffed the picture frame into the nightstand drawer and turned towards you.

>"Anon?! W-What are you doing here? I said you don't have to come in today!"

"I-I'm sorry. My mom told me to come in anyways and... Is everything okay?"

>Your show of concern calmed her and she sat back down.

>She pulled the picture from the nightstand once more.

>"I don't even know anymore," she said, her eyes locked onto the photograph.

>You were standing in the doorway, but slowly made your way to the bed.

>You peer over her shoulder at the photo and she tilts it for you to see better.

"Is that?"

>"My late husband, yes," answered Rarity.

>The young stallion in the photo was a unicorn with a brilliant white coat and well-kept blue mane.

"What was his name?"

>"Elusive."

>Rarity smiled.

>"And let me tell you, he was true to his name. It took quite a while for him to agree to a date with me."

>Her smile disappeared.

>"We were only still newlyweds when... It's our anniversary today."

>She began to choke up again.

>You decided it would be wrong to ask what happened.

>You take a seat beside Rarity with no objections from her.

>As she begins to wail again, she leans into you and cries into your chest, wrapping her forelegs around you.

>You sieze up and your eyes go wide.

>You have no idea what to say or do.

>This is beyond your level of normal thinking.

>You never knew anypony who's died so you can't sympathize with her.

>You extend a hand and hover it over her shoulder for several moments before softly bringing it down.

>With no objections, you bring your other hand around her and hold her softly.

>You sit awkwardly for what feels like 20 minutes.

>Rarity has stopped crying and only the occasional sob escapes her.

>You softly caress her mane in silence.

"I'm sorry," you finally say to break the silence.

>"It's not your fault," said Rarity. "It's nopony's fault. I've been trying to make it on my own, but I don't know how much longer I can do this..."

>You tighten your grip ever so slightly.

>Rarity curls in your embrace.

"Maybe you just need someone to talk to."

>"I've tried talking to my friends, but they don't seem to fully understand my pain."

"I wish I could help."

>Rarity turns her head up to you for a moment but goes back to staring at the wall before the two of you.

>"I know you do, darling. But I'm afraid you are also too young to understand a broken heart."

>You sit in relative silence for a few more minutes.

"Well, I think we should go get our day started," you suggest.

>Rarity sits up and smiles at you.

>"Yes, I think that would be best. Thank you for the talk."

>You stand off the bed and walk to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

>"But you don't work tomorrow?" questioned Rarity.

"I know," you say with a reassuring smile.

>You close the bedroom door and leave the boutique.

>You have a whole new understanding and respect for her now.

>You're almost glad your mom forced you to come to work today.

 

>The next morning, you wake up on your own and make your way to the boutique.

>You knock three times and get invited inside.

"Good morning, Miss Rarity. What do you-"

>Rarity cleared her throat.

"Oh, sorry. Rarity, what do you have for work today?"

>"Well somepony ordered a single dress so it should be an easy day. Why don't you go sweep out the foyer and we'll go from there."

"Okay."

>You do as instructed, but decide to go beyond and sweep and mop the entire shop.

>It's lunchtime when you finish mopping and you go find Rarity.

>She leaves you waiting at the kitchen table while she goes to put the completed dress away.

>After several minutes of waiting, she finally returns with-.

>Your eyes go wide and your jaw hits the table.

>Rarity had walked back into the kitchen wearing a lacy black garment and striped purple socks.

>Her head was slightly turned to give a sultry pose.

>You can tell it's something she hasn't worn in quite a while.

>She had just enough makeup on to bring out her eyes that much more.

>She smiled and her saucer-like sapphire eyes gave an allure gaze with a hunger even a boy can recognize.

>She walked towards the table with an exaggerated hip swing.

>You said nothing.

>All you could do was stare.

>Rarity walked behind you and rose onto herhind legs.

>She threw her forelegs over each shoulder and brought her head down beside yours.

"Miss Rarity I-I... I don't-."

>"Shh..." she hushed quietly.

>She hugged your neck and rubbed her face against yours and sighed.

>You take notice of the wonderful aroma that radiated from her.

>"Don't call me 'Miss'," she said.

>Her scent filled your nostrils, intoxicating you to the point of total obliviation to what she's saying.

>You close your eyes and inhale deeply.

>If you could name the scent, it would have to be something like Vanilla Rose.

>You breathe it in as slow as possible so as to smell her perfume for as long as possible.

>You exhale through your mouth after your lungs fill to capacity.

>A large smile comes across your face.

>You are in a state of total bliss.

>"Do you like it?" askes Rarity.

>Your eyes snap open and your smile disappears.

>Rarity giggled, an obvious difference in her laughter.

>"Elusive bought it for me. When I would wear it, he would go absolutely crazy. I suppose the scent has gotten stronger with age."

>She stood there in silence.

>You still did not speak.

>"I thought about what you said. About how you can help."

>You turn your head slightly to try to look into her eyes.

>"I just need help getting over my depression. And I must say, I've grown particularly fond of your company over the last week."

>She gives a playful nip to your ear lobe.

>"I think I'm ready to let him go."

 

>You find yourself sitting on the edge of her bed.

>Rarity was standing on her hind legs, her forehooves in your hands and sharing a deep, passionate kiss with you.

>Without words, she peeled your shirt off and layed you on your back.

>She had climbed on top and ran her hooves over your smooth skin.

>Her coat felt like velvet to the touch.

>Her silken garments added a second sensation.

>There was a softness in her eyes.when she undid your belt.

"I-I... Uh... I never..."

>Rarity softly touched a hoof to your lips.

>"That's quite alright, darling. Just follow my lead, okay?"

>You nod slowly as she pulls your pants off.

 

>In the blissful afterglow of your heated passion, Rarity curls into you and rests her head on your chest.

>You look down and lock eyes.

>A storm in all its wonder rages in your lover's eyes.

>You ask an innocent question, one she is all too eager to answer.

>She gives you a paying job for the rest of the summer.

>You even got a few benefits on the side.

>Rarity allowed you to bathe in her pristine bathroom before you went home.

>"How was your day?" asked Cheerilee when you did finally get home.

>You walked past her and to your room.

>Your head hit the pillow and you were out.

>And it was still early in the afternoon.

 

>It is now years later.

>You still remember that night.

>You never had another summer where you learned so much.

>And never have you held another mare quite like then or felt the same as you did with her.

>She was definitely somepony special.

>If you could work another summer at the boutique, you wouldn't hesitate in the least.