Chapter 2: All Mixed Up
The next day, Pokey was helping Rarity again in the Carousel Boutique. Standing on a platform in a very formal attire that would be warn by the elites of Canterlot, the blue unicorn was feeling a bit uncomfortable for a few reasons. Two of the reasons were that he had been standing on that same platform for close to three straight hours without stepping down and he had not changed out of the attire the entire time.
“Just a little longer, darling. I just need to put in a few more pins in the lapel and on the sleeves,” Rarity informed. Her magic levitated a pincushion with a number of pins.
The unicorn lightly nodded, not moving many muscles, “Okay then. No rush, Rarity.”
The other reason why Pokey was feeling uncomfortable was because he wanted to follow through with Caramel’s advice. Just the other day, he told him that he should take charge of the situation and tell Rarity how he honestly felt about her. Yesterday and earlier that day, he was comfortable in his abilities in being about to express his feelings. Now, however, he was less confident.
“I can’t thank you enough, Pokey. When I was given a large order for stallion designs, I didn’t think I would be able to get any of them done on time. Now look at us, we are easily ahead of our deadline!” the white unicorn mused happily as she stuck a few more pins into the clothing on the blue stallion.
Pokey smiled, “Always happy to help anypony in need.”
Rarity smiled and nodded as she finished the rest of her work in silence. As a few more pins were put in and some were taken out, the work was finally completed. “Wonderful! The last order is completed. Now if you could carefully take it off, I can get started on the sewing and finish up the entire order!” Rarity stated as she returned her materials to the proper location.
Following her instructions, Pokey carefully used his magic to get the clothing off of him. It took a minute to completely get the clothing off without ruining any of the fabric. He held the clothing with his magic to pass it off to the white mare.
Returning, Rarity took the clothing from the blue stallion with her own magic, “Thank you so very much again, Pokey. And I do apologize if I didn’t act completely lady-like while working on these designs. I never had an order like this before.”
Pokey smiled and raised a hoof, “Don’t worry about it. You were on your best behavior as far as I could tell.”
The two unicorns shared a laugh together.
“Well, I should get started on sewing this last design and put the final touches on all of them,” Rarity stated, “Thank you ever so much. It was a delight working with you, Mr. Pokey Pierce.”
“Same to you, Ms. Rarity,” the stallion stated.
Pokey watched as Rarity turned around and began to place the clothing near her sewing machine. Once again, she gathered all of the materials she would need for he work so he would not have to go far.
In his head, Pokey knew that he should leave her to his work. Yet something inside him wanted him to admit to the white unicorn how he felt about her. His hooves seemed to be frozen, making him unable to move away or avoid the inevitable situation.
Rarity turned to get some more items for her work. Her eyes caught Pokey still standing in the room, “Is something wrong, Pokey?”
Wanting to say something so he could leave, Pokey tried to speak. But the words he had planned to say were replaced with something else, “Um….I kinda have something to say, Rarity….”
The white mare tilted her head to the side in puzzlement.
“I….I like you….a lot….”
The words caught both ponies off guard. While Rarity’s face grew a light pink tint, Pokey’s face burned a bright red. He immediately regretted that he ever listened to Caramel’s advice.
“Th-That’s really flattering, Pokey. It really is. But I don’t feel the same way.”