Previously on Rarity “Quest:”           Not much, admittedly. You spent the morning hanging out with Spike, before breaking the news to him that you are after Rarity's affection. You and he are now in a sort of friendly rivalry, though who knows how large a role that will play in the future. Maybe he'll step his game up, maybe he'll roll over and see what happens.           Not long after your little trip out with Spike, a letter from Celestia arrived, along with two train tickets to Canterlot. Turns out Celestia got your letter right away and was prompt with her response. You and Rarity packed things up and took a cab to the station, where you boarded the train and were shown to your luxury sleep room, complete with complimentary wine.           Rarity gave you a brief overview of how to behave, though she seems confident that you know how to handle yourself. After a glass of wine, and the train making her fall on you rather ungracefully, the two of you decided it was time for bed, and carefully climbed into the one bed together.           Before drifting to sleep, you thought you felt something touch your back gently. You were too tired to check what it was, if it was anything at all, and fell asleep.           But today is set to be a day with trials and one particularly important dinner. Will the Princess be impressed by you? Will you handle yourself like a true gentleman? But most importantly, what will you do to win Rarity over and make her admit it? It's time to find out, on session 6 of Rarity “Quest!”   It's morning now, you realize as you stretch your arms and give a great yawn. Light peeks in through the curtains that cover the window above the head of the bed, casting thin lines of orange light across the room. You turn your head to your left and spot Rarity, her back turned to you, still asleep on her side of the bed.   The train still clatters along the tracks, creating a steady rhythm. Your destination can't be far after a nights sleep, so your remaining time on the train is surely drawing to a close.     >You decide to get some breakfast and coffee via room service, ringing them up and asking in a quiet voice. >Fifteen minutes or so later, there's a gentle knock on the door, and a unicorn usher stallion levitates two trays of eggs, hashbrowns and a single large pancake each into the room and sets them on the small table. A moment later, he sets two mugs of coffee beside them, along with cream and sugar. >You thank him for his service, and he tips his hat before heading back to his quarters. >A deep breath from behind you informs you that Rarity is waking up. With a hoof over her mouth she yawns, then rubs an eye as she sniffs the air, the smell of coffee permeating everything in a pleasant haze. >She doesn't say much of anything as she rises from the bed to take a seat at the now food laden table. She adds a healthy dose of cream and sugar to her coffee before taking a sip. >You take your seat across from her as she uses a fork and knife to cut a dainty bite sized piece of her pancake and munch on it, still quiet.   >The quiet is….nice, but you'd rather she say something. So you try to start up a conversation. >"So, did you sleep well?" >She gives a small pause as she chews another bite of pancake, before washing it down with a swig of coffee, "Yes, thank you." >Perhaps she's still waking up. >"Well, is there anything you'd like to do in Canterlot before the big dinner tonight?" >"Thank you for the offer, but it's your trip. We should do what you want to do before your interview with the Princess." >A small intercom in the corner of the room buzzes to life softly, the voice of the conductor announcing that the train will arrive in Canterlot in about an hour.   >"Well, thank you for joining me. I appreciate your company and expertise for such situations," you tell her. >"It's no problem at all. Thank you for inviting me, though I do wonder why Princess Celestia would invite me to dinner with the two of you. One would think her interview would be more of a one on one affair. Oh but what am I saying, I'm excited for it!" she smiles across her half eaten breakfast at you as she speaks. >You smile back at her before looking about for that brochure Twilight gave you. You find it, and ask Rarity if she'd care to see a show before the dinner. >"Again, this is YOUR trip. I'm just here to accompany and advise you since you asked so nicely. If that's what you'd like to do, I'll be happy to tag along." >Well, that's a yes. You think. >"Any shows you'd recommend for a first time Canterlot visitor?" >"They aren't region specific dear, the only difference are props and quality of acting. And I'd recommend," she pauses, her cheeks turning a little red as she puts a hoof to her face, "Oh this sounds terribly awkward, but the only good show I saw on their line up this season was a romance. 'Yarn of a Seamstress,' I think it was called."   >You give a mild chuckle, "With a title like that, I'm not surprised you'd recommend it." >She laughs at your joke as well, "Yes, that did strike me as a bit of a coincidence." Her nose scrunches a bit, "Oh, d-did I say coincidence? I just meant the title, since I am also a seamstress. Not that it's a romance. Ha, haha…" >There's a knock on the door, saving Rarity from any further slips of the tongue. It's the usher, and he retrieves the used dishes from the table using his magic as Rarity asks him to leave the pot of coffee. >She quickly pours herself another mugs worth as the usher recedes to the hallway.   >"Well, coincidence or not, it sounds like something I'd participate in."   >You sip your own coffee as you gauge Rarity for a reaction, hoping your hint got through to her. >She's sipping her coffee when you give her your line, and she gives a small cough, excusing herself and wiping her face with a napkin before responding, "Yes, it's gotten very good reviews. Even from some of the harsher critics out there. They say the love interest to the lead actress has a way with words and presentation."   >You move onto discussion about places to eat, Rarity talking about the Canterlot Chateau as being the highest class place in the entire city. "It doesn't have much seating, yet it's immensely popular. That's why it's so difficult to get a reservation, though I assume they made a special case for the Princess." >You ask what all there is to do in the city besides what's on the brochure, to which Rarity sort of shrugs. >"I'm accustomed to coming to Canterlot for social meetings, which usually take up most my time while I'm here. I wouldn't worry too much about it, if we're going to a show that will eat up most the time between lunch and our dinner. We do need time to check into the hotel and make sure we look elegant for your meeting."     >The rest of the trip passes by as the two of you chat about your plans for the day, and soon the whistle sounds as you pull into Canterlot. >The two of you exit the train and an Usher fetches your bags for you. You take a look around the sparse station and immediately are drawn to the three armored figures standing at one end. All wear gold armor with blue plumes, two wielding spears while the third, a unicorn, stands between them. >As soon as you spot them, they spot you, and the small force walks in your direction. >They stop a short distance from you, and the leader, or you at least assume he's the leader of the band, looks up at you. >"We are here to escort you to your hotel, guest of Her Highness Princess Celestia. Rest assured there is no danger, this is merely a show of care by our benevolent ruler." >You've never been escorted by an armed guard before, and the sensation is odd as they lead you through the bustling streets of Canterlot. >Perhaps 'streets' is the wrong term, as you spend your time on one very large thoroughfare through the center of the city, ponies of all kinds and classes staring at you and Rarity. All step aside as the guard walk forward in perfect unison, clearing a path until you come to the hotel. The guard stop outside the doors, the two with the spears forming an arch of sorts over the doorway while the unicorn salutes. >"Here is where you shall be staying, for as long as you need, by order of Celestia. All expenses will be paid for you, and She encourages you to enjoy yourselves. Should you need the Royal Guard for any reason, the desk man can contact us for you." >They stand beside the doors until you and Rarity enter the hotel, and you can hear them march off in unison as the door shuts behind you.     >With that bit of excitement out of the way, the two of you check into the hotel. You're given two keys, one for each of you, and told it's a VIP Suite on the third floor. >An Earth pony bellhop runs up with a dolly and loads your bags on them carefully, sweating bullets the whole time. Maybe the guards spooked him, or maybe Rarity's bags are heavier than they look. Hard telling without asking. >Meanwhile, Rarity is gushing over the presence of the Royal Guard. >"They don't just roll out the Guard for anyone! She must really consider you an important guest, though who can blame her?" >The three of you reach the third floor, the young Earth pony panting as he wheels the carts to your door. Rarity unlocks the door and he carries the bags in ahead of you, one at a time, finally loading the final one in the closet as Rarity enters the room. She gasps, "Oh my goodness! Look at this room, at this view! How marvelous, quick come look!" >Meanwhile, the Earth pony leans against his cart, catching his breath.   >You feel generous, and tip the bell hop pony 10 bits for his troubles. He thanks you, bowing his head and slipping the bits into a pocket on his uniform before wandering off with his dolly. >You walk into the room to see what the fuss is about   >It's a large room, burgundy in color like the sleep car was, but with gold trim in square patterns. A large, crystalline chandelier hangs in the center of the ceiling, casting a brilliant light on a dark red, cushioned couch under it. The couch faces a wall sized window, facing out to the street below, giving you a view of the busy street and the many ponies going about their business. Off to the right is a kitchen, fully stocked with a refrigerator and stove. There's a pantry door beside the fridge, and you can only assume it's fully stocked. >To the left is a set of double doors, the gold embroidery of a leafy design, the doorknobs each having a deep red gem in the center of them. >To the left of those double doors is a bar, the wall behind the bar stocked with row upon row of bottles. >Rarity is sitting on the couch, dumbfounded.   >You walk to the couch beside Rarity, and very slowly take a seat, the view of the city and its occupants below you stealing your words, save for one. >"Wow." >The two of you are silent for a while, which allows you to notice that despite the view of the city below you, you don't hear anything from it. The room must be sound proofed, or magically enchanted, or something. >Eventually, Rarity speaks. >"This is…incredible. Look how luxurious this is! Those gems, the, the gold trim! It's done just right, only the edges of those squares being trimmed so it doesn't look gaudy, this couch is probably made from the finest threads and materials in all of Equestria, and the gems on those handles! You'd think they'd cheap out on those, just put some kind of filler gem in them, but no, no! I can tell even from here, those are of the highest quality! They'd fetch tens of thousands of bits if not more! And they're mere knob gilding! And this view! I can see down the thoroughfare and this side street right across from us! I wonder if they could see us up here if they just looked up. And I bet at night this street is just lit up like a stage!" >She seems to be no longer at a loss for words at least.   >"I could get used to this kind of view. Even with the blinds closed." >She looks at the window, "There don't seem to be any blinds. Odd, how are we to have any privacy should we want it? Would we have to move to the bedroom?" >She seems to preoccupied with the room itself still to pick up on any subtleties in language right now.   >As she gets up to look around the main room some more, you decide to check out what you assume is the bedroom. >You walk to the double doors, which are taller than you, meaning that to a pony they are gargantuan, and slowly open them outward. You gently grip the knobs, some notion of possibly damaging them entering your head. >The doors swing open, and you find a light switch on the right side of the entrance. You flip it, turning the chandelier of the bedroom on. >It's also a glittering crystal chandelier, though this one has a light blue tint to it, enough that you notice it's different, but the light isn't harsh on the eyes. >The bedroom is a softer shade of red, the glittering gold trim no longer present, instead replaced with a thin, semi transparent blue one. It sparkles under the light, looking like running water to the eyes. >The bed itself is large, the sheets red and soft. Next to it is a nightstand, stained dark, the swirls in it dignified and polished. A chest of drawers sits opposite the bed, and a closet is in the right corner. A section of the wall across from the bed blazes blue, and you wonder what it is before getting a better look at it. It's….an analog clock, but made of….energy? Magic?   >You reach toward the blue energy clock, and are a mere inch from touching it when a gasp makes you jump away from it as your heart leaps to your throat. >You turn and see Rarity staring at everything once again and relax a little. She scared the crap outta you. >You resume to touching the energy clock, hesitantly at first, then finally putting a finger into the circle that makes up its body. >It's….cold. Kinda. It feels like a cool breeze, the sensation that of air flowing around your finger. The area your finger is in distorts slightly, but when you remove your finger the clock regains its original shape. It's clearly magic. >Rarity is running a hoof along the transparent blue trim near the light switch, while staring at the bed and chandelier. >"It's…..it's a gem…or a crystal….the, the entire trim, is, is…." >In slow motion, she wanders forward to the bed, and promptly falls onto it, turning as she falls so she faces upwards while she swoons. >You take a look at the magic clock and see that it reads 12pm. Your stomach growls and confirms that it is indeed lunch time.   >It's a lot to take in for one so fashion and luxury oriented as Rarity. Luckily, though the room is stunning, you are far less attuned to such things and are able to retain your footing and thinking. >You're hungry. Rarity probably is too. So you ask her if she wants something to eat, kneeling beside the bed and speaking relatively quietly so as not to shock her out of her…admiring?. >"Y-yes, I'd…I'd like that. Just….give me a moment." >You wonder aloud what time that show starts, and an unidentified voice responds with a question of its own, "What is the name of the show?" >You and Rarity both jump and look about the room for the intruder, but find no one else present. You stare at one another in terror, before the voice sounds again, "What is the name of the show?"   >"Uh….Yarn of the Seamstress." >A moment of silence follows, then the voice calls out, "Yarn of the Seamstress, next showing at 2pm. Approximate run time, three hours with a thirty minute intermission." >You look about the room as the voice gives you the information you desire, but nothing in the room has changed. Is it the clock? A voice from nowhere? Invisible pony? >Finally Rarity's nerves fray, and she asks, "Who or what are you?" >"An enchantment cast by Princess Celestia, with assistance from Twilight Sparkle. Reminder, your dinner with the Princess is scheduled for 6pm sharp at The Canterlot Chateau." >"A-are you alive?" you ask, looking at the clock since it is the only other "face" in the room. >"No, I am merely an enchantment that responds to verbal prompts, providing information as needed or desired, within reason."   >"Okay, uh, where's the nearest place to get some food?" >"The nearest location of available food, is approximately 300 feet North of your current position." >You look about the room, and realize that distance equates to roughly where the kitchen is. >"Where's the shower? I could use one." >"Approximately 45 feet to your left if you are facing the clock." >That's….the closet? You wander over and open the door, finding that it is not a closet, it is the bathroom. >"Where's the closet then?" >"At the entrance to the suite, you passed it on your way in."   >You take a look in the bathroom >It's polished white tile, each tile with a red design in the center. Upon closer inspection, the design is that of a phoenix. The design is intricate, with many details, but despite it's small space it still appears elegant when you look closely. >The bar on which the towels hang is golden, perhaps made of gold. There are 3 towels that hang on the towel rack. 2 are red with a black phoenix on them. >The third is white, an image of the sun in the center of it.   >The sink itself is polished, ivory in color, with a gold faucet and gold trimmed, ivory shaded handles. >The shower curtain is white, a single sun emblem in its center, just like the towel. >The tiled floor has a single, long, red mat from the edge of the massive tub/shower to the entrance. A toilet sits between the sink and the large tub. >Upon closer inspection, the tub/shower appears to be also a hot tub or something. It has water jets, that's all you can tell from a quick look. >All in all, a stark contrast to the red room outside, but still very classy looking.   >You ask the enchantment AI thing about room service, you aren't sure you want to cook something yourself. >"A personal chef is on hand to make you any dish you desire, should you not feel like making something yourself." >You also want to know how much tickets for the show are. >"Usually they are anywhere from 50-150 bits a ticket, depending on seat. However, you are a guest of Princess Celestia, and as such will be allowed to use the private viewing booth, if you so desire." >"How about travel time to the theater?" >"By foot, about twenty minutes. By cab, a mere five."   >You ask it to predict traffic density and travel time between the theater and The Canterlot Chateau, causing it to go silent as it calculates. >"Based on time of day after show, expected attendance, and usual traffic patterns, my estimate is fifteen minutes by walking as long as you stay to the thoroughfares."   >You ask Rarity what kind of meal she'd like >Unfortunately, she's still out of it, merely murmuring something incoherent. >"How about you get that chef to make us a specialty lunch of his. Something….relatively light, please." >"Of course. Your meal of seasoned potatoes, light garlic vegetables, hearty salad, and a creme de menthe stuffed pastry for dessert, for two, will be ready in about forty minutes."   >You lie beside Rarity on the bed, putting your arms behind your head as you wait, telling Rarity that the bathroom has a hot tub. >She doesn't really respond, so much as just giggle. >A thought strikes you, so you roll over and ask Rarity, "Hey, what're we going to wear to the theater?" >Her eyes remain closed and a smile is still on her face, "Oh don't worry about that, our clothes are packed in my luggage. Be a dear and bring those to me, would you? I'll get them straightened away right after I…take this all in."   >You head back into the main room to grab Rarity's luggage, when the chef comes in through the front door. >You sort of blink at him as he nods to you, passing by and heading for your kitchen. >You turn and look at him, wondering what exactly he's doing here. >He must understand the look of confusion on your face, because he just smiles and says, "We make the food in the suite for our VIPs. Some of them like to watch the creative process. Don't mind me." >Well, that's different. Regardless, you grab Rarity's luggage and haul it into the bedroom, laying one on the bed next to Rarity and leaning the other against the side of the bed. >"Thank you, I'll get the clothes laid out now that I'm feeling myself again." >You decide you'd like to take a shower, and inform Rarity that you'll be doing so. >Before you shut the bathroom door you lean your head out and tell Rarity, "By the way, you're adorable when you're star struck."   >Before the door shuts you catch sight of Rarity sitting up suddenly, her face nearly as red as the sheets she lies on. >You shut the door with a laugh and proceed to take your shower, noting that even the bar of soap is a red color and features the phoenix design as well. Peculiar.   >When you're finished, and dried off, you wrap a red towel around your waist and crack the door open to see if your outfit is laid out on the bed for you or something. >You catch Rarity flattening out the top to your outfit with her hooves, spreading the fabric flat to get rid of any wrinkles while her tail sways back and forth gently. She seems to be humming to herself.   >You tiptoe behind her with only your towel about your waist, looking over her shoulder at the outfit she's flattening out. >It's a suit, every button along the front having a light blue gem inside it, while the cuff links are dark, navy blue gems. The thread quality is apparent even to you at a glance, and the entire outfit says classy without being overbearing about it. >Rarity's humming stops as she realizes you're behind her, a tiny jump accompanied with that realization. "Oh, don't sneak up on me like that while I'm distracted! Gave me a fright!" >"Looks good. What's that tune you were humming? It sounded nice," you remark. >"What? Oh, n-no song in particular, I was just humming to be humming I suppose," she regains herself, picking up the top of your suit by the shoulders and raising it in front of her appraisingly, "You could have let me hand the outfit to you in the bathroom you know, if you would be more comfortable with that."   >"You've seen me in a towel that was smaller than this, if you recall." >She blushes a bit at the memory of you showering at her boutique, and perhaps the subsequent confrontation with her parents, "Yes, well, I just wasn't sure how comfortable you are like that when I'm around." >She makes sure your hands are dry then hands you your outfit, and you retreat to the bathroom to change. >When you come back out, Rarity has also changed into her dress. It's a light blue, similar to the color of her cutie mark, and the gems in your buttons, with a dark blue lining. It loosely hangs about her body instead of billowing outward, and it's short, leaving the lower half of her back legs visible. The section near her flank is also semi transparent, and the outline of her cutie mark can be seen. Her hair is done up in a bun, with a single long strand coming down across one eye, straightened instead of curled. >You walk out and feel magic straighten the neck of your suit and check your buttons, tugging gently and straightening any lingering crinkles in the fabric. >"Well, don't you just look fabulous, if I do say so myself." >She looks up at you with a smile, and you can feel some magic push your hair around a bit until Rarity is satisfied with how you look. "There, perfect!" >It feels good. The cloth isn't itchy, it feels like it fits well. Not too close but not too loose. It's still a suit, so moving too much isn't advised, but it doesn't seem to need too much breaking in.   >You compliment the fit of the outfit, telling Rarity she's done an exceptional job. >And despite yourself, you can't keep your eyes off her. >She notices your staring and smiles, doing a tiny spin to show off her dress, making her strand of hair twirl and her dress flair out briefly. >"Do you like it? I thought the colors matching your gems was a nice touch, and I was going for a short summer dress style. Something playful, but elegant." >"You…are stunning. Absolutely gorgeous." >You can't really stop yourself from saying the….second thought that comes to mind. >Rarity's cheeks turn red again, and she bats her eyelashes, "You really think so?" >You're about to continue when the chef calls out that your meal is ready, and that it lies on the dining table beside the kitchen. The two of you turn and call out your thanks as he bows his head, complimenting how the two of you look before departing. >The two of you eat lunch, avoiding spilling anything at all costs. >Turns out the chef only made one pastry.   >You offer the pastry to Rarity >"Oh, I couldn't. You're the special guest, and I still need to fit into my dresses! Haha!" >You ask if she's sure, telling her it's a creme de menthe pastry. >"Hmmm, well, those are rather tasty. Alright, I'll have a bite, nothing more." >She takes a fork to the pastry with her magic, cutting downward on one end, which causes a tiny bit of creme to jut out the other side. Luckily, it stays on the plate. >Rarity makes a face before lifting the entire thing into the air using magic, and takes a bite out of the end she didn't cut, getting a healthy amount of creme around the edges of her mouth. >She makes an "Mmmmm," noise, before using her magic to levitate the pastry to your face. >You bite down, and a gob of creme oozes out the side you bite down on, threatening to land on your nice suit. >It suddenly halts in mid air, Rarity using her magic to manipulate two items at once. She drops the blob of creme back onto the pastry plate as you finish eating the remainder of the pastry. >"Well, that's one crisis averted," she comments as she licks her lips before dabbing at them with a napkin. "How much longer until the show?" >"Thirty minutes," the enchanted voice calls. >"Oh, thank you," Rarity looks to you, "Well, should we head out then? It said it would take twenty minutes, and it would behoove us to show up a little early."   >The two of you head out to the theater, ponies on the street stopping to watch the two of you pass, and not so quiet comments about the stunning mare and her entourage follow in your wake. >It's a nice stroll, uneventful and the weather is nice. >You reach the theater with some minutes to spare, informing the ticket pony you'd like entry. >He looks at a piece of paper off to the side, then slides you a key. "For Celestia's guest. Enjoy the show!" >You take the key, slightly puzzled until you present it to the usher. He guides you up a single flight of stairs and to a door set off from the rest of the balcony seating. >He unlocks the door, then hands you the key, "Just return it to the ticket booth after the show," he says before heading off to guide others to their seats. >You enter the booth. It's relatively small with 4 well cushioned seats, extra wide so that a pony can lay in them if they choose to. To her credit, Rarity does not choose to. "I could ruffle my dress, and we aren't even at the main event for our trip." >There's a pair of theater glasses, allowing you to observe the actors from your perch. Without further ado, the play begins and the two of you have the best seats in the house.   >The play begins with the seamstress in center stage, lamenting the ill luck that has befallen her. Her parents push her to marry one she does not love, while a handsome stranger catches her eye and tears her world asunder. >Strangely enough, she falls for a non pony. Sort of a humanoid creature, with absolutely massive paws and a dog like head. Or at least the representation of one, you're pretty sure it's a pony or two in a suit. >Rarity has a bit of a knee jerk reaction when the…thing…first arrives on stage. Just a "What?!" said a little too loud, making her blush as she regains control of herself. She appears shaken.   >You're not familiar with this creature, and you want to check on Rarity, so you ask her what that thing is. >She sighs, whispering back to you, "Once…I was nearly…enslaved, by a set of creatures that look similar to that," She perks up a bit, using a hoof to toss her strand of hair to the side confidently, "But, through ingenuity and my charming personality, I was able to get them to work for me. Eventually my friends arrived and whisked me away to safety, along with a wonderful amount of gems." Her mood sours a little again, "Still, I wasn't aware Canterlot knew about them, let alone incorporated one into a play. Just felt a little….uncomfortable, for a moment. I'm sorry, I'll stop distracting you from the play."     >You ask if she's alright, if she needs to leave. >She takes another deep breath, "No, no I'll be fine. Just…surprised me. Thank you, for your concern though." >You tell her you're glad she got away, otherwise you'd be unable to spend this time with her.     >Rarity looks at you, her eyes softening as she scoots over in her seat until she's right at it's edge, as close to you as she can be without sitting in your lap. >Slowly she puts a hoof over the side of your chair, setting it on your leg, just above your knee. She murmurs something, but you can't hear her so you lean towards her and ask her to repeat herself. >She leans close to you, her lips brushing your ear. >"Thank you, that….means a lot to me." >The next moment, her lips are on your cheek, gentle but confident. >The kiss breaks with a tiny smack, and her head lingers near yours for a moment before she leans back to a proper sitting position, her hoof going back to her side of the arm rests. >You smile as the two of you return to observing the play, a good feeling hanging in the air between the two of you.   >Eventually it's time for intermission, and the two of you sit in your chairs while others file out for drinks of water and bathroom breaks. Neither of you say anything, not wanting to ruin the moment that's lasted so long.     >Galvanized by her display of affection, you decide to make the most of this moment. >You stand up from your seat, and take the few steps to stand on the other side of her, before sitting in the same chair she sits in. There's room for the both of you since she's sitting upright, leaning slightly forward with her front hooves together over her back legs. She gives you a questioning look before you put an arm around her, gently. >She relaxes, letting out a breath that holds more to it than just air, and leans her body into your hug. >Her left hoof comes up, and you use your left hand to grasp it firmly but gently. >Rarity doesn't say anything, but when you look at her you see tears in the corners of her eyes, and a smile on her face.   >You spend the rest of the play like that. In each others arms, silently content with the presence of the other.   >Both feeling that you're right where you belong.                     "A weave of silk is nothing compared to the loom of love, its intricacies more complex than the most elegant stitch, its fragility making silk appear as steel in nature."