~Chapter 5: The Refined and the Rugged~
The nurse and I decided that for the rest of the tour, we would take a more scenic route, going through the park areas. Of course, were do we go first, but east of the Town Hall, straight for the Carousel Boutique. I gotta say, this tour is kinda shaping up to be perfect. We reach the shop, and I decide to try something. "Excuse me Miss Redheart, but do you mind if we stop in here? I would like to find out how much it would cost to get my own saddlebags."
The nurse smiles and shakes her head. "You are shopping more than walking now, you know. Stopping from place to place, planning for Bits you haven't even earned yet. But alright, we can go in."
I smile and laugh. "Yeah, I have always been about preparedness. I like to know what I want and how much it costs to budget ahead of time."
We walk up and open the door, hearing the little bell above the door ring. "One moment please!" We hear called from the back in that voice I know all too well. After a few moments, a bleach white pony walks out of a room with some material floating in the air around her, surrounded by a blue aura. She takes it to a mannequin and table, placing it down, and quickly levitates a pen to her and sketches out a quick plan for a dress. She lowers the pen down and walks over to us with a smile. "Hello, welcome to the Carousel Boutique. My name is Rarity. It's a pleasure to see you again Miss Redheart," She says offering a single smooth nod to the nurse, then turns to me. "but I do not think I have had the honour of meeting this young stallion before."
I smile and give the fashionista a slight bow. "My name is Ink, Miss. It is a pleasure to meet you."
She smiles and puts a hoof up to her chest, mildly shocked. "Why, it is likewise a pleasure, Mr. Ink! You must have been raised in Canterlot to have such fine manners!"
I smile again, albeit somewhat sheepishly. "Actually, no one knows where I am from, technically. I was bedridden for a month after receiving head trauma. I simply recognized this place as having very regal tastes and upbringing, and thought it appropriate to treat the owner of the establishment with similar traits."
The two mares laugh a bit. The nurse speaks up first. "Also, I must say, these manners are a new facet to your personality to add to your list of eccentricities."
I grin. "Well, I like to think I am adaptable person. Although this trait of mine has been known to put some ponies off."
"Well, I must say, I find it quite refreshing." Rarity replied. "Now, how may I help you?"
"I was hoping to get the pricing on a pair of saddlebags for future reference, if you do not mind." I asked.
The clothier smiled. "Not at all! In fact, let us get your measurements now, and I can get an idea and plan drawn up for you for when you are able to get them."
I smiled once again. Damn, but it's hard NOT to smile in this world! "That would be delightful. What do you need me to do?"
"Follow me, if you would. Come stand on this little platform, place your hooves on the marks, and lean slightly forward, yes, now tip your chin up, there we go, perfect! Just let me grab my tape measure." She took off for a quick second, returning with the item in question, as well as her glasses resting atop her nose. "Now, while I get your measurements, I shall ask a few questions to find out your style."
I nod my head in quick assent. "Absolutely. Ask away."
"First, simple or ornate?"
"Mainly simple, but I also like some ornate designs."
"Very well. Second, any specific pattern?"
"Tartan or plaid."
"Ahh, I see. Next, colour."
"Yellow or violet. I also am a fan of green."
"Yes, yes. Then, material."
"I have always liked the smooth, cool feel of silk, but am still a fan of standard but functional cotton."
"Mm-hm, mm-hm. Lastly, accents. Any type of metal or jewel?"
"As for metal, I like gloss silver or matte black. With gemstones, amethyst or Jade."
"Good, good. I will get started on these plans right away!" She said with a nod and smile, finishing her measuring. "You can step down now."
"Thank you." I take a light step down off of the slight dais and follow Rarity to one of her work tables where she floats over a pen and paper. She writes down all the measurements and answers for the questions. She seems to pout slightly for a second in though, tapping the pen to her lip, before smiling and jotting down yet another note.
"I think I have just the idea! I happen to have an excess of the materials for it as well, so you won't have to worry about it being too expensive." She turned back to me still smiling. "Now, was there anything else I could help you with?"
"No, that should be everything. I will get out of your hair now and let you continue working." The nurse and I wave. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Rarity! I will see you again as soon as I can afford to get the saddlebags!"
"Of course! I look forward to seeing you again! Ta-ta!" She said back, offering her own polite little wave.
~
We decided the last stop on the tour for the day would be Sweet Apple Acres, just to talk to my hopefully soon to be employer. We make our way down the path to the main house, and as we get closer, we start to hear, louder and louder, the sound of something making hard contact with wood, and then falling fruit and rustling leaves. I guess Applejacks apple bucking.
We reach the main house in time for Big Mac to pull a cart of apple barrels up to the barn. He unhitched it from his yoke, and he was obviously getting tired. He wiped the sweat from his brow with one foreleg. He looked to us, and we waved. He gave a slight wave back.
The nurse and I walked up to him, and the nurse spoke first. "Hey Big Mac! Is Applejack around?"
"Eeyup."
"She out in the fields?"
"Eeyup."
"Around where perhaps?"
He lifted a hoof and gestured over towards an area in the fields, and sure enough, we heard her buck again, and saw a tree shake in the distance. "Thank you Big Mac!" The nurse said smiling.
He nodded to her and then looked at me. "Hey Big Mac. I'm new around here; the name is Ink."
"Good tah meet'cha." He nodded to me now, and I nodded back. He pulled open the barn door, hitched himself back onto his cart, and trotted inside. The nurse and I started to walk towards the tree we saw shake, and we couldn't help but admire the smell of the orchard as we walked.
We reached the tree finally, and there was the cowgirl pony, rearing up and kicking back against another tree. A cascade of red followed, all the apples landing in barrels around the tree. She was working hard; full barrels littered the ground, and she was sweating bullets. She looked up to us and tipped her stetson in greeting. "Howdy there, Miss Redheart. How're ya'll doin'?"
"I am just fine Applejack. How are you? I trust you aren't going to injure yourself again?"
She laughed a little under her breath. "Ah' certainly ain't plannin' to. And who's this here fella? Ah' ain't seen him before."
I smiled. "The names Ink. Just getting a tour of Ponyville, and was going to ask, when I am out of the hospital, if you wouldn't mind giving me a job."
She smiled back. "Ah'm glad ya' asked, Ink. We been needin' a pony with good wings. It's mighty hard takin' buckets of apples up ta' the loft in the barn."
I smiled again. "Well, I hope to help as much as I can. It will be a good way to get my wings in shape too. Being unconscious for a month takes it's toll on your body."
She grimaced a little. "Ah' reckon it would."
"So does that mean I have the job?"
"It sure does! Come on down as soon as yer' good ta' git started, then."
I smile and offer a hoof to shake. "Thank you very much! I look forward to getting started. See you soon!"
She took the extended hoof and shook it back. "Likewise! Don'tcha go rushin' things though. Take yer time; you don't wanna git hur-"
"LOOOOOK OOOOOUT! ! !"