"Ohh Bonjour~" Rarity greeted us at the office causing me to groan, she was an hour early, "Fleur De Lis, I am Rarity Bell, proprietor of the Carousel Boutique in Ponyville I'm sure Sasha has told you all about me~" she cooed leaning forward.
"Oui, the only reason I'm looking over your designs in because Sasha requested I do," Fleur deadpanned leading her to the office as I poured a few cups of coffee with the aide, "So Ms. Rarity why don't you show me some of your designs, I understand if you don't have any floor models the closest opening for a new designer is small and far away." she told the white mare as the aide and I put down the two cups and I took a seat on the couch.
"Oh, well I thought I'd give you a little background before ho-" Fleur put up her hoof stopping Rarity in whatever she was going to say.
"Only the design and quality of work interests me, I do not need a sob story, or a story about helping me get higher into nobility because you know a noble, or the princesses," Fleur told her.
"But I do know the princess quite well in fact," Rarity told her putting a book on the table, "I was just going to offer maybe trying to work a meal in with her, my pleasure of course." Rarity chuckled, opening her designs, and Fleur shot me a look.
"Sasha when is our next dinner with the princess scheduled?" Fleur asked me as I pulled out my planner.
"It would be in two days, Fleur." I said getting a nod and causing Rarity to sweat a little.
"I-I see, Sasha mentioned nothing of your connections during our meeting," she stumbled out, "w-well my designs might seem elaborate but I assure you they will hold up," she laughed out pointing flipping through and swallowing hard.
"Please calm down, even with your little 'connections' thing, you're still further in my opinions book than most are," Fleur tiredly said looking over the sketches, getting a relieved sigh from Rarity who began to speak about how she was keeping them flexible yet durable enough to withstand a day on the town. It took a few more hours before Rarity finished and was lead out, "I will keep you in mind Rarity," Fleur called out with a smile before turning around and groaning, "Please tell me we haven't missed dinner with the filly?" she begged me, I simply shook my head and held the door open for her.
We took our seats at the table of one of the nicest places in town, even getting a balcony table with the cool afternoon breeze flowing over us. Copper Dream and Silver Line showed up a minute after 5 had passed and quickly sat across from us, "Now Copper remember I know you're excited but you must maintain your manners in a restaurant like this no yelling in joy or crying if you need to cry let me know and I'll take you outside okay?" she asked getting an enthusiastic nod in return.
"Once again, I'm so sorry it took so long to get this set up, but things got really hectic for a while after I got back," I told the two, Fleur smiled gently before grabbing me as I lost my balance knocking over my silverware and glass, tightly gripping my head, I waved her off as I let out a strained breath, "headaches are killing me." I grunted out standing up and heading to the bathroom.
"You didn't stop me." I looked up and saw Nightmare Moon in the reflection, spinning around I drew my saber igniting it, seeing nothing around me, I lowered my saber, turning it off and clipping it back onto my belt, with a reluctant turn to the sink I looked at the mirror, nothing reflected behind me. Washing my hands I headed back out and couldn't truly focus for the rest of dinner as Fleur gave snippets of advice to the filly and her mom.
"I was just seeing things," I reasoned as I reached my front door, Fleur raised her eyebrow, "I saw something in the bathroom that gave me a start, it wasn't real, probably didn't get enough sleep last night," I explained opening the door, "Good night Fleur." I said shutting the door behind me.
"Good night Sasha," I heard muffled by the solid wood.