THE VEILED ELITE
PROLOGUE
Rarity sighed contentedly as she perched atop the handsomely decorated stool and swirled her second drink of the night, this one stronger and fruitier than the last. Her greatest pleasure at social gatherings – other than forging connections with potential clients, of course – was people-watching, an art she had perfected long ago so that any target wouldn’t have the slightest clue that he was being scrutinized by very discerning eyes. After deeming one of the groomsmen perfectly delectable, she noticed a red-head on the other side of the dance floor, wearing a tangerine gown so obtrusive that Rarity had to look away.
What had the designer been thinking?
With a slight smile that she couldn’t suppress, Rarity lifted the glass to her mouth and took a dainty sip, feeling a buzz race down to her fingertips. Her dresses today had been utter masterpieces; she had lost count of how many people came up to her after the ceremony and raved about how elegant and majestic Cadence had looked in her gown, the way the draping flattered her figure and the long lace train added just enough drama. It was enough for any designer’s ego to swell tenfold.
As she finished her drink and considered returning to the smartly-dressed bartender for a third, a regal-looking man with striking gold eyes took a seat next to her. She wondered, as were most people’s first thoughts when meeting with a stranger, if he was a Terra, Magus, or Aether. It was easier to pick out the Aethers, as their delicate feather wings were almost impossible to hide, but distinguishing between Magi and Terras was much harder. As if to answer her thoughts, the gentleman lifted a glowing finger and magically raised his own glass to his lips. He swallowed and smiled at her and Rarity decided to converse with the gentleman for a while; having already declined several invitations from Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and a few hopeful young men, she wasn’t really in the mood for dancing and she knew that as soon as she stood up, one of them would manage to lasso her onto the dance floor. “Lovely wedding, isn’t it?” she began conversationally when the man did not speak first.
“Indeed.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “You must be the designer of the princess’ gown: Rarity.”
“That I am,” she sang, looking down at her empty glass. She frowned; she really wanted another drink.
“I really must applaud you, Miss Rarity,” the gentleman continued. “I haven’t seen such fresh, inspiring work since Hoity Toity’s debut collection, though he does seem to have lost his touch recently. His latest collection was a crime against fashion.”
Rarity grinned at the gentleman’s comment; she had been thinking the exact same thing ever since she saw that spread in the magazine but Fluttershy had refused to hear a single negative word about her idol and none of her other friends would sit still long enough for her to rant. “Thank you very much, though I hate to say that I agree with you about Hoity Toity. His use of tulle on that ball gown was a disastrous mistake. I’m afraid his reputation has eclipsed his talent.”
“It happens here in Canterlot more often than I’d like to admit,” the gentleman sighed.
As she opened her mouth to respond, a voice calling her name interrupted her thoughts and she whipped her head around to see Fancypants making his way through a throng of dancers. Suddenly energized, Rarity got to her feet, teetering only slightly on her high heels. She hadn’t seen Fancypants since her last visit to Canterlot and she was delighted to see that he was just as happy to see her as she was to see him.
She then remembered the gentleman and looked down to see his rather pleasant face turn quite sour. “You know Fancypants?” he asked her slowly.
“Why, yes, he was so good to me the last time I was in Canterlot. I didn’t expect to see him at the wedding, though.” Rarity bit her lip. “You don’t mind if I go speak with him, do you? It’s just that it’s been quite a few months since we last—”
“No, no, go on.” The gentleman waved a hand carelessly, though he sounded rather bitter. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from darling Fancypants.”
“Thank you for understanding. It was very nice talking to you, Mr. …”
“Altair.”
“…Mr. Altair. Perhaps we will meet again?”
He sipped delicately from his glass as he watched her approach Fancypants eagerly.
“Perhaps.”
~~
“Rarity, jolly good to see you!”
Fancypants looked as handsome and polished as ever in his tuxedo and iconic purple bowtie. His dark hair had grown slightly longer since the last time Rarity saw him and she wholeheartedly approved of his trimming his rather old-fashioned mustache. It had been beginning to look rather grandfatherly, if she remembered correctly.
“It’s lovely to see you as well, Fancypants!” Though she was quite proud that she had managed to glide gracefully to his side, she couldn't suppress her grin. As much as she adored her hometown and her friends and family, Canterlot was where she truly belonged, strolling down the swankiest boulevard and attending distinguished social functions with Canterlot’s most eminent socialite at her side. That, and a few casual drinks together wouldn’t go unappreciated; she really wanted that third drink. “I must say that I’m delighted to see that you’re here. I noticed you weren’t at the ceremony.”
Fancypants laughed heartily as Rarity smiled patiently. “Yes, I do apologize for not being able to see the debut of your beautiful designs, though, from what I can see of it at the moment, it truly is a stunning piece.” She followed his gaze to where Cadence was dancing with Shining Armor, her head resting on his shoulder, the tiny crystals that lined the sweetheart neckline shimmering in the soft light. Rarity couldn’t help but sit up a little straighter; the praise that she had received from the other guests paled in comparison to that of Fancypants.
“Only the best for the best,” Rarity declared, with a faux-modest shrug; she was really giggling like a schoolgirl on the inside. “Princess Cadence deserves the perfect wedding.”
“I fear she may take it as a personal insult that I was not in attendance for the better half of the occasion.” Fancypants frowned as he watched Cadence and Shining Armor smile at each other as they rotated in place, swaying the slow melody of the quartet.
“I’m sure if you have a good reason for arriving late, she won’t be too angry with you. That and an expensive wedding present,” she added, noticing how his expression darkened and attempting to lighten the mood. She toyed with the idea of suggesting a few drinks – surely that would calm him down – but decided to wait until a more appropriate time.
“Two silver goblets encrusted with sapphires from my mines,” he answered without skipping a beat, still frowning at the happy couple. “Do you suppose that they will do? I’m afraid my reason for arriving late isn’t very…reasonable.”
“And your reason would be…?”
Fancypants sighed and finally looked back at Rarity. “It’s nothing you need to trouble yourself with, my dear; just some complications within a few of my companies. It’s sure to get straightened out soon enough.”
Rarity wasted no time in taking advantage of the momentary silence to direct his attention to the bar yet as she sipped her third drink of the night beside Canterlot’s most beloved citizen, she did not notice the pair of narrowed golden eyes, watching and waiting.