Feathers Are in Style Deleted Scene

Hey there loyal readers and stumblers-on. If you haven't read Feathers Are in Style Chapter 4 (On Pinions and Needles), then go do that first.

Chapter 4 was originally something else completely. While I thought it was cute, it didn't really advance the story, and it is also really short. But I did like it enough to share, so here it is, completely unedited:

---

Decorum

Rainbow landed at the Carousel Boutique's entrance. Above her, a light dusting of snow had settled on the roof beneath the clear starry sky. She reached up, knocked on the door, then opened it and let herself in, wiping her hooves on the doormat.

"Hey babe," she called to her marefriend, who was occupied with her sewing machine. "Figured it was only a matter of time until you wanted a date here. What is this, number five? Six?"

Rarity stopped her sewing and turned. "Our seventh. And I have decided, I will only be marefriends with a proper lady like myself, so that is what I am going to turn you into."

"Uh, sure." Rainbow wasn't sure. "What do I do first, babe?"

She quickly found the end of a yardstick just off the end of her nose. "First of all, you are not to use that word in my presence. You will refer to me as 'darling' from now on."

Rarity walked around Rainbow, looking her over. "Stand up straight." The end of the yardstick went behind her forelegs and tapped her chest.

Rainbow stiffened up and opened her wings. "Like this, ba—darling?"

"Hmph. You are to keep your wings closed and folded at your sides at all times while you are indoors." She waved the yardstick at Rainbow's wings, which snapped to her sides.

"And your mane," Rarity went on. "It is to be kept to the left side of your neck, instead of strewn whereever you please."

Rainbow smirked and tossed her head to reposition her mane. "As you wish, my darling. Is there anything else you desire?"

Rarity backed away to the other end of the room. "When you walk, you will walk with only the softest of steps. Come, Rainbow. Show me your walk."

"Yes, my darling." Rainbow walked as delicately as she could towards Rarity.

"Chin up!" she commanded. The yardstick returned. Rainbow pointed her nose up. "Tail straight behind you. A lady does not wag her tail like an excited dog. Being in private is no excuse for improper mannerisms."

Rarity motioned to a set table. "Sit."

Rainbow sat herself down at a plate as gracefully as she could manage. She looked from utensil to utensil.

Her marefriend walked up beside her and the utensils took on a blue halo.

"This is the salad fork, and this is your dinner fork. On the other side of your plate are your dinner knife, your salad knife, your dinner spoon, and your soup spoon." The appropriate silverware hovered as they were named.

"I see, my darling." She was completely lost.

A bowl of leafy greens and a plate of some kind of eggplant and noodle dish levitated in front of Rainbow. A second meal made its way to the plate opposite her, where Rarity then sat herself.

Rarity used her magic to lift the fork that Rainbow thought was for salads and proceeded to eat. Rainbow reached out and took her fork.

Her marefriend gave a loud gasp. "Rainbow Dash! A lady does not show her hooves at the table!"

"My deepest apologies, my darling," Rainbow answered, dropping her fork and lowering her hoof back to her seat.

She stared at her food, at a loss on how to take any of it. Eventually she leaned down, took a leaf of her salad between her lips, tilted her head up high, and set to daintily nibbling on it.

Rainbow heard a snort from across the table. She looked back down to see Rarity with her hoof to her mouth, futilely trying to hide her laughter. While Rarity was distracted, Rainbow scooped up the rest of the leaf with her tongue.

Rainbow Dash was the epitome of elegance during the remainder of their meal, eating with grace and class as appropriate for Rarity's dear marefriend.

Afterwards, Rarity stood from the table. "Excellent work, dearie. I am particularly impressed by the technique you used to drink from such a narrow glass."

Rainbow stood and made her way to Rarity's side. "But of course, my darling."

The door to the Boutique opened. Sweetie Belle walked in, then stopped in her tracks. Her eyes went between Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and the table.

She blinked a few times. "Ooh! You started dating Rainbow Dash, right Rarity?" She bounced in place.

Rainbow made her delicate walk over to Sweetie Belle and bowed deeply. "Forsooth, fair maiden, for I am indeed courting thine elder sister. I pray deeply in mine heart that we might become more accompanied with each other as thine sister and mine relationship blossoms."

Sweetie Belle glanced from side to side. "I just had to get some things for my sleepover at Apple Bloom's."

Before Rainbow could open her mouth again, Rarity spoke up. "They are upstairs in the spare bedroom, Sweetie."

The filly walked past Rainbow with a few more nervous glances and disappeared into the back. She soon returned the other way carrying a blanket, a pillow, and a green and purple stuffed dragon doll. She gave Rainbow one more glance on her way out the door.

Once Sweetie Belle had left, Rainbow Dash made her way towards the door as well. "My deepest thanks for our date, my darling. Your advice has been very educational."

Rarity opened the door for Rainbow. "Of course, dearie. I will see you next time."

Rainbow hopped into the air, shook out her mane, and flew out the door.

"See ya, babe!"

Comments

[Cold Spike]

I didn't even know you had new stories past 350... why wasn't I told?!