At the Carousel Boutique, the fabulous fashionista Rarity and her little sister Sweetie Belle where working on some dresses. Recently Rarity had decided to give her little sister some sewing tips. But for the past few days, Rarity seemed to be in a funk.
“What’s wrong, sis?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Oh, Sweetie,” began Rarity. “I’m just envious of Twilight and Big Macintosh. I just wish I could find a special somepony.”
“Maybe I could help,” said Sweetie Belle with great enthusiasm.
“No thank you, darling,” said Rarity. “I’ve seen what happens when you and your little friends try to set ponies up.”
“Well why don’t you get out more to meet eligible young stallions?” asked Sweetie Belle. “I read that you meet plenty of bachelors at bars and clubs.”
“Yes, that’s true,” said Rarity. “But I always have way too much work to do. Also there aren’t many bars or clubs in Ponyville.”
“It’s been a pretty slow month,” said Sweetie Belle. “Why not take some time off to relax and just take a stroll around town?”
Rarity thought about this for a moment. It was true that business was rather slow. And while that would normally be a good time to catch up on any delayed work, she really didn’t have much of that either. Sweetie Belle had actually started to improve on her sewing, and was becoming a fairly competent assistant. It had been a while since she really had some time for herself, besides her weekly spa trips with Fluttershy.
“You know,” began Rarity. “That does sound like a splendid idea. Thank you for the suggestion, Sweetie Belle.”
“No problem sis,” said Sweetie Belle. “Everypony needs some rest and relaxation.”
“I just wish there was more to do around town,” thought Rarity.
“There’s plenty of things you can do, sis,” said Sweetie Belle. “Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and I find things to do all the time!”
“Well that’s good for you, Sweetie,” said Rarity. “But I’m not a little filly anymore. Hang gliding and scooter riding are exactly my cup of tea.”
“I suppose you have a point there,” said Sweetie Belle, with a little frown on her face.
“Oh don’t worry now, darling,” said Rarity, giving her sister a hug. “I’ll figure something out. Thank you for suggesting this in the first place.”
“I don’t want my sister to be sad,” said Sweetie Belle.
“Mom and dad certainly had the right idea when they named you Sweetie,” said Rarity.
Rarity closed shop for the day and went for a walk. It was a lovely day; not too hot and not too cold. She wasn’t sure why she was so unlucky when it came to love. For as long as she could remember, she had gotten compliments on her looks. Many ponies had pointed out she didn’t even need makeup to look good, but she loved to accessorize and saw makeup as part of the wardrobe. While she’d been on a good few dates, she’d never really had a steady colt friend. They’d often turn out to be either self centered (like Prince Blueblood), possessive jerks, jealous, or other reasons that just never worked for her. She just wanted somepony who was hard working, generous, and yes she wouldn’t mind him being handsome. It didn’t help that the male to female ratio in Ponyville was way off balance. She ended up in the park, which seemed deserted.
“Oh Rarity,” she said talking to herself. “Why don’t you just move to some bigger city? Canterlot? Manehattan? Fillydelphia? Everypony asks me that. They should know why. Mother and father need my help with little Sweetie Belle. She’s such a dear too; always willing to help even if she messes up more often than helps. It’s the least I can do for my parents, they did raise me after all. They both may be a bit tacky, but they mean well always. They did give me a little loan to help open the Carousel Boutique. Besides, my business does well enough here; plenty of ponies all over know of my shop. Knowing the prized pupil of Princess Celestia has most certainly had positive effects as well. And my friends. They are all so wonderful; I can’t imagine my life without them. Twilight Sparkle, so smart and intuitive. Applejack, such a hard worker. Stubborn for sure, but then again so can I. Fluttershy, probably my best friend in the whole world. I love our weekly spa trips. Not to mention her fashion sense is impeccable. Pinkie Pie, a ball of energy for sure, but she has such a positive personality that it’s nearly impossible for it not to catch on. Rainbow Dash, hates to look un-cool, but she’ll always be there for a friend. And good old Spikey Wikey. Poor thing has a crush on me, and while I appreciate the admiration he simply isn’t my type. Or age range for that matter. Or species even. Sure I’m still young and fit, but I won’t stay young forever.”
Rarity continued to walk about in the park; the foliage was very lovely today.
“Whoever the groundskeeper of this park is doing a splendid job,” said Rarity to herself.
Or so she thought it was to herself.
“Why thank ya very much, Miss Rarity,” said a voice with a country accent.
Rarity turned around to see a young male earth pony with light tan fur, a brown mane, and light brown eyes. He was wearing a green baseball cap, blue overalls, and had an average build to him. She had a feeling she knew him, but couldn’t quite place her hoof on it.
“Excuse me good sir,” said Rarity. “But do I know you?”
“Aw shucks,” he said. “Has it really been that long? I spose so. Maybe this will refresh yer memory.”
The groundskeeper colt pointed to his cutie mark, which was the image of three turnips. It instantly donned on Rarity who it was.
“Hayseed Turnip Truck?” she asked. “Is that really you?”
“Darn tootin, Miss Rarity!” he said with a jovial smile. “Although yah can just call me Hayseed. Or even just Seed for short! Lots of ponies do.”
“Alright then…Hayseed,” she said. “You can just call me Rarity. No need for the formalities.”
“But yer a lady, Miss Rarity,” said Hayseed. “Mah pa always said be formal to a lady. And yer the most formal lady ah know.”
“Well, thank you,” she said, blushing from the flattery. “But I thought you were living in Canterlot? When did you move back to Ponyville?”
“Hmmm,” he thought for a moment. “Ah spose it was bout eight or nine months ago. Why Miss Pinkie even threw me a party.”
“Oh, I see,” said Rarity. “That must’ve been when I was in Canterlot with my little sister for a fashion show. Pinkie did mention throwing a party for a returning resident.”
“No problem whatsoever ma’am,” he said. “The winda washin’ business really wasn’t workin’ out fer me. None of them fancy folks wanted a simple earth pony touchin’ their expensive windows. So ah moved back home and immediately got this job as the groundskeeper.”
“Well that certain was lucky of you,” commented Rarity. “You look a little different. But I can’t really pinpoint what.”
“Yer probably noticin’ mah teeth,” he said giving a big smile. “While in Canterlot ah managed to get some dental work done!”
“Good for you, Hayseed,” said Rarity.
“Ah thought if mah teeth looked better, than the fancy unicorns wouldn’t mind me so much washin’ their windas,” he said. “But it din’t help.”
For a brief second he showed a little frown. But seemed to immediately buck up.
“Oh well,” he said. “Water under the bridge as they say!”
“That’s a good way of looking at it,” said Rarity.
“Yup,” he said. “Sides, this job aint so bad really. I get tah stay in the house located near the center of the park, and the pay is purty decent for a colt with simple needs.”
“I have to admit, Hayseed,” began Rarity. “I was in a bit of a downer earlier. But hearing you’re story, and how positive you’re being about it has really cheered me up.”
“Well that’s great tah hear, Miss Rarity,” he said. “Anytime you need somepony tah talk to and cheer ya up, ah’m yer colt.”
“That does sound splendid,” she said. “I suppose I should be getting back to my shop.”
“Maybe ah’ll stop by yer store one of these days,” he said. “Ah could use some new duds, and yer store is the best in all of Equestrira.”
“Why thank you,” she said with a little embarrassment in her voice. “You’re welcome there anytime. Good day Hayseed.”
“Have a great day, Miss Rarity,” he said, giving Rarity a little bow.
Rarity headed back to her shop. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulder at the moment. She was surprised by how insightful Hayseed had been. Though she has learned over the years to never judge a book by it’s cover.