Chapter 2 - The Seamstress
 
 
Bloomington, a small, charming town located in the center of Equestria. Almost every living soul knew of its location due to the enormous Blooming Tree, but its tourist attraction remained steady, never dropping nor rising. New faces would come and go, yet they all had positive remarks about the friendly townsfolk.
 
Rarity and Sweetie Belle lived on the right side of town, closet to the Blooming Tree's location. To avoid contact, Rarity decided to take the back way. A shirtless satyr with tasteless rags would raise questions, something Rarity wasn't prepared to handle. Eventually, Rune arrived at Rarity's home, the Carousel Boutique. Sweetie Belle waited in front of the door. She had not gone inside.
 
        "She told me to wait," Sweetie Belle said, shaking her head. "I don't understand what she's doing! It's just a room! I doubt you'd wreck it."
       
Rune studied the exterior. What was it that made the structure attractive? The Boutique was a tall building. But what else? The colors? The unique design? Suddenly, Rarity opened the door, almost smacking Sweetie Belle in the rear. Sweetie Belle quickly returned an annoyed look on her face.
 
        "Oops! Sorry, Sweetie Belle. You shouldn't stand in front of a door. Now Rune, come inside!"
       
Rarity's demeanor changed. At first, it was full of doubt, but instantly, it was anticipation. Rarity grabbed Rune's arm and pulled him inside. One word popped from his mouth.
 
        "Wow!" he said, looking around in amazement.
       
Everything, the pony, human, and satyr mannequins, the fabric, the colored yarn, and the abundance of supplies, were organized neatly. If something was essential, Rarity knew exactly where to go, and moving around was unnecessary due to the ease of magic. It was perfect work place. However, a green stain in the middle of the floor caught Rune's eye.
 
        "Don't mind that!" Rarity said, detracting his attention from the mess. She urged Rune to enter the guest room. The entire area was covered in plastic.
       
        "Geez, Rarity," Sweetie Belle said. "Did you have to cover EVERYTHING?"
       
        "Well, yes."
       
        "The bed's covered, too! How is he supposed to keep warm?"
       
Sweetie Belle grabbed the plastic with her teeth and pulled it off.
 
        "Sweetie Belle! What do you think you're doing?!"
       
        "Poolin the astic off!"
       
        "What?"
       
Sweetie Belle spit the plastic from her mouth. "Pulling off the dumb plastic!"
 
The filly then jumped onto the bed, kneading her hooves on the clean sheets.
 
        "Stop that!" Rarity ordered. "Those sheets aren't to be trampled with!"
       
        "Come on, Rune!" Sweetie Belle urged, ignoring her sister.
       
Rune moved to the bed and sat down. His hands rubbed over the smooth, cotton fabric. The sensation made him beam. He lay down, feeling an intense pleasure of comfort. Sweetie Belle did the same. Rarity bit her lip. She wanted to stop them. Her precious inspiration was ruined. Yet watching Sweetie Belle enjoying herself made Rarity's expression change. Despite the trouble her young sister would cause, Rarity could not take the sudden happiness away. As a result, she lifted the plastic covering the rest of the furniture.
 
        "Rarity?" Sweetie Belle tilted her head, curious to know what her older sister was doing. Rune rose up.
       
        "This is a temporary change of heart, Sweetie Belle. Now Rune, I entrust you will care for this room and not wreck my hard, inspiring work?"
 
        "O-of course," he nervously answered. He couldn't imagine what would happen if he ruined one particular spot.
       
        "Let's go, Sweetie Belle."
       
        "Aw, but I want to stay here."
       
        "Our guest needs to settle in. It is rather rude to pester one who chooses to relax."
       
Sweetie Belle sighed. She wanted to find out more about Rune. Maybe it was a way to earn her cutie mark, a symbol of great importance; however, there was no time today. Tomorrow would be the same result, as she had school.
 
Sweetie Belle leaped off the comfortable bed. Before she exited the room, she looked back at Rune. The satyr gave off a small smile, a gesture of appreciation.
 
        "Let's explore around when I'm free!" Sweetie Belle said.
       
        "Sure," he replied.
       
The door closed; the latch clicked in place. Rune was alone. Even with Rarity's warning, he decided to observe the inspirational room. Looking around wouldn't hurt. Like the main room, this room had the same setup. Clean, neat, and organized. Sweetie Belle had mentioned it was just a regular room. Rune inclined to agree. In what way would the room inspire Rarity? Thinking about it made him frustrated. Instead, he headed toward the bathroom. He was curious.
 
The bathroom lights instantly lit up as Rune stepped inside. A sensor detected whoever entered. Rune walked to the marble sink and ran his fingers across the smooth surface. His head drifted up. He stared at the reflection in the mirror. He saw himself, his human identity. He had an oval shaped face. His skin felt smooth. He had short, thick, black hair. His eyes... his gentle, violet eyes caught his attention. Rune leaned closer to the mirror. Something about his eyes bothered him, but what was it? He wished to know, yet a terrible feeling, dwelling inside his mind, frightened him. Time ticked away as Rune continued to gaze at himself in peace. Night approached all too quickly. Unfortunately, the answers would come another day.
 
The next morning, Rune awoke to the sound of an adorable voice.
 
        "Wake up!" Sweetie Belle hopped onto the bed.
       
        "Oof!" Rune yelled, his drowsy eyes snapped open. The filly had landed on his stomach.
       
        "Oh, sorry!" she apologized. "I think it's easier to do that with Rarity. She's not as wide as you."
       
        "Not as wide as Rarity?" Rune sluggishly repeated Sweetie Belle's words.
       
        "WHO IS WIDE!?"
       
The loud, upset voice made Rune and Sweetie Belle jump. Rarity came in view, her face twisted in annoyance. She was dressed in her morning robes. Her bed mane looked natural as it was let down; no hairs stuck out.
 
        "Well?" she asked, waiting for an answer.
       
        "You misheard!" Sweetie Belle explained quickly. "I said the bed wasn't wide, and... and you should get a bigger one!"
       
Silence. Complete silence.
 
        "I... suppose I did mishear you," Rarity said, buying it.
       
        Sweetie Belle jumped off the bed. "Come on, Rune! You're hungry, right? I made breakfast!"
       
        "You mean helped!" Rarity reassured, but her young sister dashed ahead. Rune sneaked away and followed the excited filly. Rarity touched her chest, pushing on her soft, white skin. She found nothing wrong, but the word wide still irritated her, especially with her name spoken.
       
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Rune looked at his elegant plate of cooked eggs and toasted bread.
 
        "We didn't know how you liked your eggs, so we just fried them!" Sweetie Belle giggled. She seemed proud to cook something tasty, especially for a guest.
       
        "All you have to is take this." Her hoof grabbed the fried egg and set it on top of the bread.
       
        "And then..." Sweetie Belle bit down on the combined food. A joyful expression appeared on her face.
       
Rune mimicked Sweetie Belle, from placing the fried egg to chomping down the meal. His eyes lit up as the flavor overcame his taste buds. Sweetie Belle smiled brightly at his reaction.
 
        "Hehe. Delicious, right?" she asked, causing Rune to nod.
       
Rune and Sweetie Belle continued to munch away. Rarity had not joined them, though Sweetie Belle knew why. Soon after, their bellies were stuffed, full of protein and sugar. Rune had wished to stay still, but Sweetie Belle insisted him to join her and wash the dishes.
 
        "I always take care of the dishes," Sweetie Belle said. "It's my duty to help whenever I can."
       
Rune looked at the pans. One contained a few uneaten leftovers. The other contained burnt eggs.
 
        "Ignore that!" Sweetie Belle immediately placed the pans in the sink.
 
Rune ignored the travesty of the burnt eggs. He did not question her as to what happened to them.
 
        "All we need is a little bit of magic soap!" she said.
       
        "Magic soap?" Rune asked, intrigued by the product name.
       
        "It's just regular soap. Magic's used to easily rid any kind of mess, but if you combine them together, you can wipe away anything."
       
Sweetie Belle poured the soap onto the pans. The scraps disappeared, as if they have been eaten by the soap.
 
        "Hey, that's neat."
       
        "Then I scrub away, and you rinse!"
       
        "Is that all I do?"
       
        "Yeah! It's not hard."
       
Rune blinked before agreeing. The simple job took less than ten minutes to finish. During that time, Rune heard Sweetie Belle hum. A low, soothing hum, but it caught his attention.
 
        "Uh oh!" Sweetie Belle said, looking at the clock. "I have to go, or I'll be late for school!"
       
In an instant, Sweetie Belle exited the kitchen and ran upstairs.
 
        "Gah! Watch where you're going, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity said.
       
Rune could hear the filly's hooves trotting back down. She popped her head inside the kitchen.
 
        "Bye, Rune! I'll see you in the late afternoon, so we can go explore around together!"
       
Sweetie Belle then departed, giving the satyr no chance to say goodbye. As Sweetie Belle rushed her way out, she left the door wide open.
 
        "Sweetie Belle! You forgot to close the door again!" Rarity shouted.
       
        "Sorry! Bye, Rarity!"
       
Rarity shut the door and shook her head. Rune noticed she fixed herself up, bringing her original beauty back into style. Her attention quickly turned to him.
 
        "Oh, Rune! There you are. Would you mind following me?"
       
Rune followed Rarity to the open area with three mirrors, one in front and two on both sides.
 
        "Stand right here," she instructed, pointing to the circular platform.
       
He stood on it. His height increased about three inches.
 
        "No, I mean next to it," she waved him off.
       
        "Oh," Rune stepped down.
 
        "I need to take some measurements."
       
A cloth measuring tape floated near Rarity's head.
 
        "Lift you arms, please."
       
Rune obeyed. The tape wrapped around his waist.
 
        "Hm," Rarity said, using her magic to grab a pencil.
       
Rune struggled around. He was curious to know what Rarity wrote down, but her head blocked his view. He could smell the sweet scented conditioner she used for her mane.
 
        "Rune, it's important that you stay still."
       
        "Sorry," he apologized.
       
His neck, his chest, his arms, his hips, and his legs were all measured.
 
        "Let's see," Rarity studied her notes. "I bet you would look great in this!"
       
The pencil touched the sketch pad's surface. Rune watched as it curved in every direction, hypnotizing him. Her talent and skills were surely recognizable across the land, yet it did not seem to be the case.
 
        "What do you think?" she asked, showing Rune the sketch pad.
       
He stared at it. A frown emerged on his face.
 
        "It will look absolutely fabulous on you!" Rarity tried to convince.
       
        "Fabulous?"
       
        "Yes! Extraordinary! Magnificent! Just like the dreams I have!"
       
        "Uh..."
       
        "Or is it not to your liking? Do not be shy. You won't hurt my feelings. Really!"
       
Rune bit his tongue. It was now or never.
       
        "Could I get something simpler? It's impressive, but it's not my style at all."
       
Rarity smiled. She understood his feelings.
 
        "How about this then?"
       
Rarity continued her work, fixing each detail she made. It only took less than a minute to finish, further impressing Rune.
 
        "And done! Well?" Rarity smiled.
       
Simplicity. Rune asked for it, and he got it. He gave a small nod to Rarity, presenting his approval.
 
        "Splendid!" she said, her voice full of excitement. "I shall be back! Feel free to wait right here."
       
Rarity gathered certain materials she needed. She knew exactly where to look.
 
        "I need this. And this. And this. And this."
       
The items levitated around the mare's head. Rune watched as Rarity proceeded to the second floor, the essential supplies following behind, like baby ducklings waddling after their mother. And so, Rune waited. He waited and waited. He endured until his legs became tired. Then he sat. Four hours passed by. Rune lingered around, for he had fallen asleep on the platform. A voice roused him.
 
        "...ne?"
       
        "Mm..?"
       
        "Rune!"
       
        "Ah!"
       
Rune picked his head up, a shocked look on his tired face. Warm saliva dripped down from his mouth. A repulsive expression appeared on Rarity's face. Rune quickly wiped the drool away with his arm.
 
        "Did you remain here all this time?" Rarity asked.
       
        "I--."
       
        "No matter!" she said, cutting him off. "It is finished!"
 
Rarity placed the sewn clothes onto Rune's lap.
 
        "Come!" she urged. "I need you to try them on! I cannot be truly satisfied until you are."
       
Rarity forced the clueless satyr into the nearby dressing room with the saloon door.
 
        "When you're finished changing, come on out and show me."
       
Rune took off his ragged bottoms and dressed in his new clothes. They fit him perfectly, completely snuggly. He exited the dressing room and caught Rarity's attention.
 
        "Stand on the platform," she said. "Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and tell me what you think."
       
The blue, cotton pants covered most of his legs. He could still see the holes at the bottom of his hoof, though. The grey shirt suited him but being shirtless would have worked, too. He loved it. His giddy face told his thoughts to Rarity.
 
The mare smiled. "Perfect! I'm ever so glad you fancy it! I was a teeny bit nervous, for if it did not suit you, you would have to wait."
 
        "Wait?"
       
        "Yes. I must attend to my client soon. She is eager to know what designs I have made for her."
       
The curtains from the far side opened, revealing one of the main workstations. Rune had not seen this area.
 
        "I use this space for business purposes," Rarity explained. She grabbed the stacks of paper lying on the table. Each one had different designs for dresses. "And here is my hard work. I've spent every waking moment coming up with these."
       
Rune nodded, pretending to understand her situation.
 
        "I do have a particular design that will impress her. It's absolutely stunning! The only problem is I cannot find it."
       
Rarity sighed. Her face showed signs of stress.
 
        "Am I wide, Rune?" she asked.
       
        "What?"
       
The question caught him off guard. Was Rarity dwelling on the comment Sweetie Belle made earlier in the morning?
 
        "I'd like to know what you think," she pleaded. "Surely, you don't believe so, do you?"
       
Rune froze in place. His mind went blank. His open mouth took no air in or out. He wanted to escape, yet he could not, for her feelings mattered the most. He regained his composure.
 
        "No," Rune said, his lips moved on its own as if something possessed him. "Sweetie Belle simply meant the size of our bodies. It's different. The word wide doesn't describe you. You're attractive, talented, and graceful, and that's only the first half of my impression of you."
       
Rarity stared at Rune. She wasn't prepared for that kind of honesty.
 
        "Rarity?" he called.
       
The quiet mare took the stacks of paper. Next, she wore her fancy hat and her thick sunglasses.
 
        Before heading for the front door, she turned her head and said, "I'm flattered, Rune. Your sincere words drove me speechless. Any lady would instantly be smitten. I had no idea you could be so heartfelt."
       
Neither did he. His own words shocked him. Rarity chuckled softly.
 
        "I shall return later. If you're hungry, you can check the fridge. Try not to make a mess, okay?"
       
Rune watched as Rarity disappeared from his sight. Once more, he was alone. What was he supposed to do now? He wanted to find answers to his questions, but where would he begin? The town? Maybe something would trigger his memory there. Before Rune settled on his plan, a peculiar piece of paper caught his eye. It was nestled between the extra fabric. Bits of green ink was stained at the edge. Rune pulled the paper out. It was the design Rarity was looking for. What was it doing there? Regardless, having it in his possession was the perfect reason to explore the town. He folded the paper carefully, stuffed it into his pocket, and headed out the door. The radiant sun shined, warming his skin. Rune looked onward. A small hesitation prevented him from moving, but he took a deep breath. After feeling relaxed, he set off to the town.
 
End of Chapter 2.