RARITY POV
 
>Being a mentor is a cumbersome, but satisfying labour.
>It's frustrating when she can't understand what you're trying to teach her, sometimes, but it would be more so if she refused to learn at all.
>And yet, despite all she's had to deal with, she never...Stopped trying.
>She hesitated, yes, and quite a lot when she was just starting out, but that gradually grew less and less as time went on.
>She's a surprisingly good student. You weren't expecting her to have such a drive for improvement.
>In fact, today was the first you've seen her act like ‘that’ in quite a while.
>This wasn't the first time you've had to calm her down after she...Overheated.
>As with her reluctance, these mood swings occurred rather frequently in your earlier sessions, but they've since decreased in intensity and occurrence.
>You can only assume this means that she's finally coming to terms with these strong emotions of hers, and learning how to restrain them. Which is very good news.
>Not only does it mean that she'll be able to focus on your sessions, or that she'll be able to gradually grow out of the more impulsive, impatient Rainbow Dash that she used to be...
>...But she'll ALSO be more able to hold herself together when she, ahem.
>You giggle.
>'Meets with her prince.'
>Ah, you remember your first love.
>Who forgets?
>At that time, you were the shy, nervous one, and he was the one who was experienced.
>In more ways than one...
>...A-a great way to, set the bar, as it were.
>Her interests may greatly differ from your own, but, perhaps, you're not so different, deep down.
>Gazing into her lovesick eyes is like peering back into your own, lost little eyes. Mulling over the concept of 'love', with the dangers - and benefits - of succumbing to desire.
>They're like a mirror to your past, in view of your long lost innocence.
>...And she could use a haircut.
 
>You have to wonder what will happen after she succeeds, though. Which she will, undoubtedly.
>Will she still want to remain friends with you?
>You've been trying to make your time with her seem more than just a means to an end, and you genuinely enjoy her company.
>...You hope she does, too.
>"H-hey, Rarity, could we take a break?"
>Ah. Poor thing. She's exhausted.
>She's no stranger to exercise, but it's not as if she's used to this.
"Certainly, darling."
>You take your hoof off her shoulder, and let her left hoof fall.
"You've done very well." You walk over to the cupboard to make the tea. "How long are you deciding to stay?"
>"Eh." She shrugs. "I'll let you know when I get bored."
>You giggle.
"It's wonderful to know that you've been enjoying it so far."
>She turns wide eyed for a second, then shifts uneasily, looking away.
>"Urh, well, y'know, it's, uh, Sort of...It's not-"
"Yes, yes, I know all about it." You give her a playful grin. "Cinnamon, again?"
>"...Y-yeah." She rubs her head sheepishly. You can see a smile playing hide and seek around her features.
>An idea comes to you.
>Who would say no to some more 'quality time'?
"Say, Rainbow Dash, would you like to help me make the tea?"
>She appeared to have expected you to say that, like one would expect a waiter to ask for a tip.
>She growls begrudgingly.
>"Fine. B-but only 'cos I've got nothing else to do."
"Thank you." You wink at her.
>You find the tea box labelled; 'Cinnamon & Honey' and take it off the shelf.
>You open it, and take two bags out.
"Strong, or weak?"
>She grins, and puts her hooves on her hips. "Strong. Duh."
>You're not sure if she's serious, or just trying to make you smile.
>Regardless, your laughter is her reward.
 
"Now then...Ah, have you ever made tea before?"
>"Uh, Yeah." She answers quickly.
>You're not entirely convinced, but you'll humor her just this once.
"Good." You check the kettle.
>You put it on just before you started practice, but it isn't quite whistling just yet. You can hear it bubbling, though.
>Might as well talk for a little while.
"So, Rainbow Dash, how was your day?"
>Her brow furrows.
>"Eh, it was...OK, I guess."
>Well, you're not going to make do with an answer like THAT.
"Just, OK?"
>She looks slightly nervous.
>"Y-yeah. I, uh...Overslept."
>You raise an eyebrow.
"Really?"
>She nods. "Yeah! Last night really took it out of me."
"Were you...Out partying? Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course, I'm merely curious."
>She squirms under your gaze.
>"I...Guess."
>Oh, no. Did she...?
"...You didn't get DRUNK, did you? AGAIN?"
>"Wh-what? No! I-" She cuts off, and sighs despondently. "L-look, I didn't do it on purpose. This time. I-it just sorta happened, y'know?"
"These sort of things don't just 'happen', Rainbow Dash." You search through the cupboards while you talk, for cutlery, plates and cups. "You had a drinking contest with Anonymous again, didn't you?"
>"I-it...It was in the moment! I tried to 'watch my limit', l-like you said, but, it's hard to think when you...Y'know."
"Get drunk?"
>She growls at your blunt response, and indignantly folds her front legs.
>You sigh.
>She didn't come here to be offended.
"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, but...You know that we're supposed to be working on fixing these, 'habits' of yours. It's not good for you."
>She doesn't say anything, still peeved, but in shame.
>You dislike reprimanding her like this. She's your friend.
>However, you dislike the idea of all of your and her efforts going to waste even more.
>'Good medicine tastes bad'.
 
"Well, did you get home safely, at least?"
>Occasions like these bring you back to the time that started it all.
>She was quite literally lying in the gutter when you found her.
>You're glad you mustered up the courage to bring her home - even at risk of your reputation and, by extention, your career - as it led to having one of the most genuine friendships you've ever experienced.
>Still, the memories often come back to haunt you.
>They remind you of the importance of her lessons, at least.
>"Yeah. Twilight took me home."
>You breathe a sigh of relief.
"She did? I'll have to thank her later."
>And REALLY thank her. Who knows what could've happened to Rainbow Dash if she hadn't've shown up.
>She's always had an uncanny aptitude for being in the right place at the right time.
>A doubt begins to fester in your mind, and you're quick to set it to rest.
>"You DID say 'thank you', didn't you?"
>The look on her face tells you she didn't.
>"I-I, she had a lot to say, and-" She cuts off part-way, finding a better excuse. "We, uh, had a talk, and I made her feel better. S-so I didn't need to!" She puts her hooves on her sides proudly.
"That's..." You sigh, letting it go. "Just, renember to thank her, properly, next time you see her."
>"I know, I know."
>Phweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...
"Ah! Time to make the tea."
>Tea is wonderful for times like this. It's relaxing to make, and even more so to drink. It practially nulifies all tension.
>In the stress of your business, making and serving tea has been a major contribution to your success. Without it, your creative spark would've declined and vanished long ago.
>You turn off the heat, and take the kettle off the hob, and put it on the side.
>You use some of the water in the kettle to warm up the inside of the teapot, as well as the cups. You won't need all of it.
>The teabags go in first. Always. Two for Two.
 
>Then, you pour the rest of the kettle's water into the teapot, which only just reaches past the spout.
>You have a feeling this tea will be just right.
>One needs to find a balance between how much water goes in. Too much, and it'll lose some flavour, too little, and you won't get too many cups out of it.
>It's almost like life, really. Too much of something, and you won't know what to do with it all, and it won't taste as nice. If you have too little of something, the taste will be much stronger, but you'll need to savour it.
>And making a good cup of tea is like bringing order to your life. Over, and again.
>Being the element of generosity, your understanding of this is almost compulsory, in a way.
>Now, it's time to stir it.
>Ah. Rainbow Dash is supposed to be helping, and you've almost finished.
>She needs to indulge in this joy as well.
"Now, Rainbow Dash, you shall be the one to stir it."
>You look in the drawer for an appropriate utensil, take it out, and present it to her.
>She looks somewhat taken aback.
>"J-just stir? But that's...Easy!"
"It's as easy as it is important. Now take the spoon."
>Reluctantly, she takes the spoon in her mouth, and you release your magical grip on it.
>You step to the side to allow her access to the teapot.
>Lifting herself up by placing her hooves on the table, she gets into position.
>And that's as far as she goes.
>...She seems to be sniffing in the aroma, and clearly enjoying it.
>You'd better snap her out of it before she starts drooling. You want to drink this tea too.
>You clear your throat.
>Suddenly alert, she takes a quick glance at you before begining to stir, hurriedly.
 
"Not too fast."
>"Ahrrm, Ahrmm."
>She procedes at a steadier pace.
"Just a liiitle bit faster than that."
>She speeds up.
>...Urgh, now she's going too fast again.
"Slow down, just a little."
>"Rrrgrrhtyyy!"
"Pleaase, Rainbow Dash, it's almost perfect!" You try and think of a good way to describe it. "The, ah, tea needs to, slowly 'sloosh' around in the pot."
>Not the best annalogy, but you hope she understands.
>...Ah, it looks like she's got the hang of it.
"Very good! Exactly that speed."
>You count 20 seconds.
>...
>...
>Time's up.
"Alright. Thank you, darling. You can stop now."
>She takes the spoon out of the teapot and takes her hooves off the table.
>Before you can ask to take the spoon off her, she flicks it around so the concave goes into her mouth, in a sort of showy taste test.
>You're not sure what she was expecting. The spoon falls from her mouth to the floor with a loud clatter.
>"Hot, hot hot HOT!"
>You've never felt such a strange mixture of mirth and disaproval.
>You sigh.
"Rainbow Dash..." She's looking at you pleadingly. "Run it under a cold tap. It should help."
>You're not an expert on tounge burns, nor first aid, but that's typically good for burns in general, isn't it?
>She quickly turns on the tap, bends over the tabletop and sticks her tounge under it, panting heavily.
>Considering what you're trying to teach her, her current posture is concerning, to say the least.
>...Her wellbeing is of greater concern, of course.
 
"It'll be a few good minutes before the tea is ready." You look at her, worriedly. "You don't need to drink it, you know."
>Fueled by pride, she takes her tounge from under the tap.
>"I-I'm thine! I can thtill drink it!"
>You stare at her for a few seconds.
"Rainbow Dash?"
>"Yeth?"
"Tounge."
>At first, she doesn't seem to understand what you meant, but it hits her, and she quickly retracts her tounge back into her mouth.
>"I-I'll, uh...I'll be fine."
"Are you sure? You don't want to to make it worse."
>"Yeah. Come on, I can take it." She spreads her front legs. "It, it doesn't even hurt any more! See?"
>On one hand, she's definitely lying.
>On the other, this kind of attitude is a rough diamond of what you're trying to teach her. Which is very promising.
>Well, if it was serious, she wouldn't've been able to speak so clearly.
"If you're certain. But don't force yourself."
>She grins triumphantly.
>"So, uh, how long is it gonna be?"
"5 minutes. Give or take."
>She groans.
>"Come ON. Seriously?"
>You roll your eyes.
"Well, there is something we can do to pass the time, suppose."
>She doesn't appear to be too interested, but she's still curious.
>"Really? What?"
"Dance, talk..." You give her a hopeful smile. "Try on some dresses?"
>She immediately cools up. "U-uh, talking could work, I guess-"
>The sound of a bell tinkling rings thoughout the studio.
>Oh, no.
>You forgot to close the boutique.
 
ANON POV
 
>You walk into the boutique.
>Can't say you've ever had too many excuses to visit.
>Not aiming to become familiar with the place, you take a look around.
>It's fancy, alright. It has some lacy curtains, rounded walls, and many sophisticated dresses are on display.
>You have to admit, if anyone's going to make you any clothes, it's Rarity.
>...Not like you've ever asked her for anything.
>The only time you really ever came in here was to ask Rarity to make some underwear for you.
>Reluctantly.
>You could deal with wearing the same pairs of clothes you've had since you came here. That's fine.
>Underwear is a different matter.
>You've been wearing the same damn white, long sleeved business shirt and black jeans for YEARS now. To work on the farm, day-to-day tasks, competing with Rainbow Dash, and it's still completely fine. No tears or loose threads...
>The closest you've ever come to repairing it is washing it if it got dirty.
>You're almost tempted to strip naked simply for the sake of change. You're pretty sure the residents wouldn't mind.
>But you're saving that for when this world finally gets to you and you have a mental breakdown.
>It'd be a great place to start.
>Maybe you'll just tear the sleeves off. Give it a good old "last surviving member of the human race" kinda feel.
>For all you know, you could be.
>Jokes on them, though, if they all suffered a tragic apocalypse or something.
>You're just chilling out over here.
>...Huh. You would've expected Rarity to be here by now.
"Rarity? You in here?"
>"WAaaAaaAAH!"
>There's a rush of wind, the sound of something falling over and the distressed meowl of a cat.
>Not exactly your first expectation.
>...Wait, was that Rainbow Dash? It kinda sounded like her.
>Nah, couldn't be. Why would she be here?
>"Comiiiing~!"
>Rarity quickly exits out of what you guess is her studio, and skids to a halt in front of you.
 
>So, wait, that was Rarity?
>Does she adopt RD's voice when she's scared, or something?
>You wait for her to get her bearings.
>"I, I do appologise." She clears her throat. "W-welcome...Anonymous. Why on earth are you-" She cuts off. "A-ah, what brings you here?" She finishes, with a nervous laugh.
>Well, you do suppose she wouldn't've expected you, of all people, to show up here. Maybe that's why she was so startled.
"Hi, Rarity. I, uh..." You only now come to realise how needy your request might come off as. "I know that you've, uh, only just given up your chance to go to the gala, for me, and it would be wrong of me to ask you for anything, but...I haven't got anything to wear."
>If you went there in these clothes, you'd look like you were going to an after-work party, but recieved the wrong address and went in anyway.
>"S-something, to...?" She looks confused, having seemingly forgotten the purpose of her own establishment. "Oh! Of, course! Yes!" She laughs. "Ah..." She stares in the direction of her studio.
"Should I, just, walk on in...?" You slowly head towards the room.
>"Noooooo, nononononoNO!" She blocks you off. "It's a MESS in there right now! I, um, w-would you be able to come back some other time? Say, tomorrow? Same time?"
>It seems you caught her at a bad time.
"Well, not the same time, tomorrow. I'm not sure if Applejack will let me have time off again, this week. It'd really help if I could get it done now."
>Although, it's been a pretty crazy week. You wouldn't be suprised.
"Maybe I could help clean up? I've got some free time on my hands, anyway-"
>"Oh, that's quite alright. Ah, when you finish work tomorrow, prehaps?"
>That seems pretty reasonable. Except...For one thing.
 
"I'm...Not sure I'll be able to squeeze it in then, either."
>"Wh-wha, w-why not?"
"I...Usually hang out with Rainbow Dash around that time. She often has me until the end of the day, and I can't imagine her wanting to go here of all places."
>She looks like she's about to object for a second, but closes her mouth, staring directly at you.
>"Y-yes, I...Don't think she would." She looks forlorn. "Right...Then, I suppose it'll...Have to be now."
>Really? That easily?
>It means a lot to you, personally, but there are a lot of ways that could be compromised for the sake of convenience.
>"Follow me." She moves on ahead of you and puts her head through the bead curtain obscuring the studio's contents.
>After a few seconds she re-emerges.
>"Could you, ah, wait for me to clear a few things up?"
"Sure."
>She vanishes behind the curtains, and you can hear the chime of magic being channeled, as well as objects moving around, shadows visible from under the curtain.
>After what seems about 40 seconds of this, she appears again.
>"Come on in." She gives a sweet smile.
>You walk through the bead curtains.
>The bead curtains don't appreciate being walked through, but you shake them off.
>It's rather cluttered in here. It is a studio, though, you suppose.
>Manikins of ambiguous gender decorate the sides, many wearing dresses or dresses in progress.
>With all of the equine based puns in this world, you're surprised they spared the manikins.
>You mean, come on. Manekins? Perhaps manequines? Jeez, they really dropped the ball with that one.
>"Wait right here. I'll go and find my tape measure."
>She really wasn't expecting anyone today, was she?
>You don't know her all that well, but you've got reason to believe she'd be more organised than this.
>Maybe she moved a lot of things around before you entered, and she lost track of where everything was.
>It must've been a pretty big mess for her to move the whole room around.
 
>Wait, you heard a cat. Where's the cat?
>You look around the room.
>Ah. It looks like it's lounging on a pile of throw cushions.
>...You didn't know Rarity did cushions. You could get some for your couch.
>Obviously, you're not going to ask for any right now. That'd be greedy.
>Plus...You really don't like the look the cat is giving you.
>You've never seen a cat express such contempt through a stare alone.
>"Fouuund iiiiit~"
>Rarity returns. a tape measure trailing after her, suspended in her magic.
>It's as if it's underwater or something. It moves fluidly, but without concern for gravity.
>Magic's awesome.
>"Alright then." She wraps it around your waist, taking your measurements. "What kind of clothes are you looking for?"
>You honestly don't care.
"Uh, a tuxedo? It's just something to wear to the gala, really. Could be any old suit."
>She shakes her head. "No, no. It can't be ANY old suit if you're going to the GALA, darling." She checks the end of the tape around your waist. "I'll see what I can come up with."
>As long as it won't restrict your movement. Practicality over style any day.
>Wait, how much will it cost?
 
>It's not like you're renting it. It's probably going to be custom made.
>You mean, you're a human.
>The market for human clothes in this world is going to be fairly niche.
>Pretty sure she'll be in need of compensation for making this for you. Weither she wants the money or not, you're paying her.
"Listen, uh, I know you didn't ask before, but if you need some money for this, I've probably got enough."
>She giggles.
>"Anonymous, please. You don't need to pay me at all."
>But, you're like, loaded.
>You don't really spend much money on stuff unless it's food.
>Any necesities were given to you for free a long time ago when you first came here, and you got a paying job only a few months in.
>That's a very long time for money to build up. You're practicaly begging to toss it at something fancy.
>"I'm actually rather looking forward to making some clothes for you."
>Huh?
"Why?"
>She smiles, and wraps the measure around your chest.
>"Well, I'll be the first pony ever to make clothes for a HUMAN. Not many species other than ponies ask for clothes to wear, so I'm rather glad you asked."
>I suppose when she puts it that way, it'd be a welcome chalenge.
>But if there's an opertunity to get rid of some money, it's now.
"Rarity, I WILL pay you for this. You've given away your chance to go to the gala for me already. It's the least I can do."
>"...Hm."
>...
>That's it? No protest?
>Seriously?
>She removes the measure from your chest.
>"Arms out, please."
>Yep, she's totally dropped it.
>Just, y'know, accepted your offer.
>No questions asked.
>Fine.
 
>You hold your arms out, and she wraps the tape around your left bicep.
>"Oh. Your arms are...Rather muscular."
"I suppose it's what you get for working on a farm for a living."
>"Hmm, quite~" She gives them a squeeze with the tape.
>If you didn't know better, you would've presumed she was testing how firm they were.
>But she's probably just trying to get an accurate mesurement.
>...Was that a growl?
>You heard a growl just now. Somewhere in the room.
>Was it the cat? It definitely didn't come from Rarity.
>Seems like Rarity heard it too.
>"...A-anyway. I'll have, to, factor those in. It'll help make something that doesn't feel too...Tight."
>A fair point.
>She looks at the measurement for a little longer.
>"So, as I said, to not restrict you in the clothes, I'll have to get, ah, two measurements. Of both arms."
>What does she mean?
>"Could you, ah...Flex? Please?" She then adds, rather loudly; "For no other reason than to make sure you are COMFORTABLE, this a proffesional, and not at all unreasonable request, that has been asked ONLY for the purpose stated and for no ulterior reason at all, I promise."
>It's almost as if she was directing it at someone else in the room. And that someone being a member of a court of law.
>"...So, ah, flex, if you will." She gives an expectant smile, and loosens the tape measure.
>Well, you heard her.
>You flex the muscle out as far as it can go.
>She brings the measure back in, and you hold it while she checks.
>"Very good. Thank you, darling."
>Is she blushing?
>Well, of course she is. The request she had to ask for the sake of your comfort was a little racy, to say the least.
>It's quite admirable, actually. Her dedication to her job.
>Truly, she's a professional.
 
>She does the same with your other arm, and your legs.
>"Not sure what I can do with the shoes. It's not really my area of expertise."
>You look down at your shoes.
>They're a little worn, sure, but they don't have holes in, and the sole is still attached firmly.
>Whoever made these things made them to LAST.
>But another pair could be useful. If you could get some.
>You're not sure how to translate human shoe size over to pony shoe size, though. The concept could be somewhat alien.
>"Nevermind, I think I have a good idea of what to make." She retracts the tape measure. "I'll keep in touch about it and let you know how it's coming along."
>You breathe a sigh of relief.
"Thanks, Rarity. I hope it won't be too challenging."
>"Oh, it shouldn't be too hard." She giggles. "So...Are you planning to go with anypony?"
>Wh-what?
"AnyPONY? Uh, isn't that a little...Wierd?"
>She tilts her head to one side. "Wierd how, darling?"
"Well, uh...I'm a human."
>"Yes?"
"A-and she's a pony."
>"...She's a pony, then?"
>CRAP.
"No! Uh, well, I-I, uh, I didn't mean-"
>She giggles again.
>"Don't worry, darling, I won't pry." She smiles. "I hope she says yes."
>She's scraping it reeeeally close with that tone.
"Th-thanks."
>Something catches your eye.
>Opal has gotten up, and is currently toying with some cloth, sticking out of a discarded pile of fabrics.
>It's split at the end. And rainbow coloured.
>Kinda looks like-
>"Aaaanyway darling, ah, it was nice to see you, but I'm sure you have better things to do than hanging around here."
>She gives a gentle push to your backside and escorts you out of the studio.
 
>You don't have too much say in the matter, and she gives you one last push in the direction of the door.
>As much as you don't like being pushed around, she's right. You've got to find Rainbow Dash.
>You walk towards the door and open it, bending under the small arch.
>"Have a nice dayyyy~"
>You close the door.
>Odd.
>Well, she seems nice enough.
>She seemed rather willing to give making human clothes a shot, and she didn't tease you about wanting to ask a pony out.
>...Although from what she made it sound, it didn't seem as taboo as you expected.
>Maybe it's considered normal, for that kind of behaviour?
>You've figured that since you were so different a species to what's normaly seen in this world, that there'd be at least some nervousness, if not fear.
>This is Rarity, who you'd presume is an expert on manners, and the preferences of others, so...You can trust this.
>Well, you're less reluctant to ask Rainbow Dash out now.
>...Wait, a second.
>She gave you, who may as well have been a complete stranger, her chance to go to the gala.
>She seemed so suprised to see you today, and must have some knowlege of your work schedule.
>She asked to measure your muscles?
>Asked who you were taking to the gala?
>Rarity has a crush on you!
>Can't believe you didn't see that before. It seems so OBVIOUS now.
>Well, that sucks. Now when you ask Rainbow Dash out, you'll know you'll be leaving someone who helped you get there heartbroken.
>You mean, it's not like RD has a crush on you. She might be open to the concept of going on a date with you, sure.
>But still, it's a crying shame.
>Ah, well, you can't help who you fall in love with, after all.
>You can only hope she gets over it before she finds out.
>Now then. To do something you've never needed to do before.
>Find Rainbow Dash.
>You wish you had the GPS locator that she has on you. She finds you so easily.
>And you don't even know where to start.
>...Stand out in the open?
>Yeah, that seems like your best bet.