"Coco, are you packed yet? Our train leaves in half an hour, we can't be late!" Rarity called as she lifted her last bag onto the waiting cart. "Oh, and Big Macintosh, thank you do much for helping us with our bags, you're a dear."
With a full cart harnessed to him, Big Mac calmly smiled with a simple reply of "Glad to help."
"I'm here!" Coco set her last suitcase down by the door and straightened her collar. "Sorry Ms. Rarity, I nearly forgot my sewing kit, I had to run back upstairs for it." As Coco walked across the front path of Carousel Boutique, Rarity met her half way and walked alongside her.
"Oh please, dear, just call me Rarity. Just because we're working together now doesn't mean you need to treat me like a boss; you're here to learn and have fun!" Rarity took Coco's suitcase from her and set it in the last possible space the cart still contained.
"Thank you again Big Mac, we'll be right behind you, I just have to make sure Sweetie Belle and Opal are taken care of."
Rarity gestured for Coco to follow her as she walked back inside her boutique.
"You couldn't have arrived at a better time Coco, this job is even bigger than Fashion Week in Manehattan, we'll be all over Canterlot! If I remember correctly, you've never been to Canterlot, have you?"
"Oh, well, no. I've always worked in Manehattan; Suri was my last apprenticeship, and my first big project."
"Well, Suri just had you doing her sewing work; here you'll be my assistant and co-designer! You have a talent for working quickly, so I'm more than happy to have you here, Coco."
Coco smiled happily as Rarity placed Sweetie Belle's schoolbags on top of her work table. Walking over to her own saddlebags, Rarity lifted them onto her bag with ease.
"Thank you Rarity, you have no idea how much this means to me. Especially after you let me have your job. I don't know what I would have done without it."
"Oh it was no trouble at all darling, seems we both helped each other earlier in the year and now, we get to do it again in style!" said Rarity as she set Opalescence’s cat carrier on the table beside Sweetie Belle's bags.
"Fluttershy will be taking care of Opal and Sweetie Belle is staying with Apple Bloom... Alright! We're ready!"
The train station walk relatively quiet for a weekend. Usually one might see families wanting to take a pleasant train ride around the country side or a weekend trip to Appleloosa or even Las Pegasus.
At the back of the train, the last few suitcases and kits belonging to Rarity and Coco were being loaded into the baggage cars.
As the mares approached, hooves lightly clicking on the wooden flooring, Big Macintosh pulled the now empty cart towards them.
"As promised, a few bits for your work. Thank you kindly, Big Mac." Rarity said politely as a small leather bag holding a hoof-full of coins levitated from the saddlebag and set itself into the tool bag tied to Big Mac's cart.
"Last call for Canterlot! All aboard who's comin' aboard!" The train's conductor called across the station.
"Well, let's go Coco! I can't wait!" Rarity said excitedly as she trotted over to the conductor and pulled two tickets from her saddlebag. "Here you are, sir."
"Thank you miss, enjoy the ride." Rarity smiled as the conductor led them on board and left them to seat themselves. The mares sat opposite each other at the front of the train car, each looking out the window as the train lurched forward and began to pick up speed.
"Now about the job, Rarity?" Coco asked as Rarity set her saddlebags on the seat next to her.
"Hmm? Oh, sure, what would you like to know?" Rarity asked as she began rifling through on of the saddlebags.
"I know this is for Canterlot's Fashion Week, but what exactly are we doing for it?"
"We are going to be meeting with... ah, here it is; her poster." Rarity pulled a rolled up poster out of her bag and handed it to Coco who unrolled it on the seat next to her. "Rose Blossom, she's Canterlot's newest rising star. We're meeting her later this afternoon after we check into our hotel."
The mare on the poster was tall with thin, graceful legs. Her neck was proudly arched, and she held her front hoof high with one back hoof kicked out behind her. The motion caught in the pose was made all the more dramatic with her rich pink curls blown back across the page. Her piercing green eyes seemed to burn through the paper they were printed on. Above her, the words "Fashion Week" dominated the remaining space.
Coco looked back to Rarity as she leaned back in her seat.
"However, Rose Blossom isn't just another client. She's managed by Ivory Tower, one of Canterlot's top names in fashion; anything Ivory likes is destined to sell. Ivory wants Rose Blossom's career to take off during Fashion Week, so we need to design a whole line for her to get the job done. All we're doing today is meeting the client and getting their information; what looks best on them, what they will and won't wear sizing, pricing, and of course introducing ourselves. We'll get to shopping later."
"I'll just follow you; you seem more used to this than I am anyway." Coco said as she took in everything they would have to do today. Rarity obviously thought it was much easier than it sounded.
"Don't worry; you're new to this Coco. It'll be different but you'll get into the swing of things quickly, I'm sure. All we have to do today is listen and mingle: easy as sleeping on a Sunday morning."
"Ah Canterlot, only the most gorgeous city in Equestria, and without a doubt the finest." Rarity stood for a moment in awe at her favorite city. Never had this magnificent kingdom managed to disappoint her. "Come on darling, there's not a moment to lose. We're meeting Ivory Tower at her office."
"What are we going to do about the rest of the luggage?" Coco paused for a moment as she followed Rarity off the train.
"Oh I never worry about that; I arranged for our bags to be taken to our hotel rooms. Like I said, not a moment to loose!" said Rarity in a chipper tone. With a skip in her step, Rarity broke off at a trot with Coco right on her heels. "Ivory Tower's office is only a few blocks away, right above her boutique, "Castle Couture". She'll already be there with our client. Tell you what, to make the most of our time after we're introduced ourselves, why don't you take Rose Blossom's measurements while I take care of the orders with her manager?"
"Oh, sure, I can do that." Coco trotted quickly beside Rarity as the two left the station and entered the shining paved roads of Canterlot. "Oh my... It's so different from Manehattan."
"I think you can thank the Princesses for that. It's always had this charming appeal. I dream of living here one day; maybe I'll even move my boutique here! I promise you Coco, you'll have the time of your life here."
Lining the streets were masses of shops. Cafes dotted the corners with customers seated on padded pillows, sipping cups of coffee or tea. Some talked with friends, while others sat quietly alone, reading for watching others stroll by under the afternoon sun. Those who walked the streets were clothed elegantly. Mares with long dressed made from fine silks and velvet to warm them from the late autumn air. Stallions cloaked themselves in fine black suits, some wearing long sleeved shirts fastened with gold cuff-links. The sounds of hooves on stone echoed through every street and mixed with countless voices and the creaking of the wheels of delivery carts and carriages.
Coco's eyes widened as she took in the sights and sounds of the capital city of Equestria. It seemed lost in time compared to her home in Manehattan. The sounds which should have seemed familiar were almost alien when placed in this setting. A city where every building could have been a castle inside, and where streets were lined with candle lanterns instead of electric lights. Even from the road, the castle of the royal Princess sisters dominated the city, rising into the sky with its white walls glittering with sunlight.
"Ah, here we are; Castle Couture." In front of them was a large door with a rounded top and large window. Rarity pushed open the door with her hoof and allowed Coco to pass her. A bell sounded their entrance as the door closed behind them. Spread out in front of them was a large room that was dotted with multiple stages, each fitted with mirrors for one to examine themselves. Beside each were multiple racks containing anywhere from a single outfit to multiple dresses and suits, each with an identification tag attached to it.
Coco looked from the room towards Rarity as she approached a unicorn mare who sat at the front desk, her eyes scanning the contents of open binders.
"Hello there, we're here to meet with Ivory Tower, we're her two o'clock appointment." said Rarity politely as the mare looked up from her papers. Without speaking, she looked behind her and made a small fabric bound book levitate toward her. It settled silently on the desk in front of her and opened to a listing off time slots. Her hoof slowly trailed down the paper until she reached two o'clock.
"You're names?" She asked blandly, pushing her blue bangs to the side.
"Rarity and Coco Pommel."
"Ivory Tower is waiting for you. Go upstairs, her office is the first door to the left. You can't miss it."
"Thank you, Miss." Rarity smiled as she and Coco turned to begin the climb upstairs. Coco followed closely behind her and as Rarity reached the top, she took a moment for a deep breath. "Alright, this is it. Let's go." Rarity extended a hoof to push open the door but it flew open before she could reach it.
"There you are! Rarity, I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about this little rendezvous." Just inside the doorway stood a tall unicorn mare. Her coat was the color of cream against an ivory mane and tail, both silky and long.
"I wouldn't dream of it Ivory, not for all Equestria!" Rarity said in a delighted tone as the she stepped inside.
"Oh, you have an intern?" Ivory Tower's intense blue gaze fell to Coco who stood timidly a step behind Rarity.
"Oh no, she's not my intern, she's my assistant. Her name is Coco Pommel and she's quite talented; she'll be helping me with everything you have for us."
"Well, pleased to make both your acquaintanceships. Let's not waste any time, Rose has a party to attend tonight and we haven't a moment to lose. Rose, darling!"
"I'm ten feet behind you, Ivory, no need to yell for me." Across the room, the voice calling back to Ivory belonged to a soft pink mare. Her mane and tail were as long as she was tall, and curled elegantly to the ground below the seat she sat in. In front of her levitated a small book, which she placed lightly on the table beside her when she was called, revealing two dark green eyes slightly narrowed against an emotionless face. Slowly she stood up from the chair as Ivory approached her. "As you both know, Rose is my newest upcoming star. She has a series of débuts planned, for which I'll need your highly recommended expertise in making her look as perfect as possible."
"Highly recommended? By whom?"
"Rose's sister actually, I believe you know her. She'll be back momentarily; she stepped out with her rather handsome better half." Ivory straightened Rose's curls with a stroke of her hoof as Rose stared blankly at Rarity and Coco. The lack of emotion in Rose's eyes made Coco curiously look her over, as if trying to find what had made her so off putting. "Anyway, let's go over what you'll be doing for Rose in terms of wardrobe, shall we?"
"Of course. Coco would you mind taking Rose's measurements? We'll save them some time." Rarity asked kindly as she took a small notebook and quill out of her saddlebag.
"Sure, no problem Rarity." Coco glanced over at Rarity, but quickly followed Rose as she walked to the over side of the room, her tail swishing widely with each step.
"Tail high, dear! Remember, your mother knows how beautiful it makes you look!" Ivory called over before resuming her talk with Rarity. "Now, Rose looks best in light, flowing fabrics so nothing with too much structure; we want her photographers to catch her nature curves. Silk, satin, lace, anything like that is fine for you to use, even velvet if you can make it thin enough..."
"I hate velvet." Rose muttered under her breath as she turned to face Coco. "Look, I've had this done so many times, I know my measurements. Just let me tell you, going through it again is just ridiculous."
"Huh?" Coco looked up from her saddlebag, half way through taking out her measuring strip. "A-Are you sure? If anything's wrong you won't get the right fit." Coco's voice trailed off as Rose nodded before she finished speaking.
"I told Ivory she didn't need to schedule this meeting. She's has so many designers measure me I don't think she could even count them all. Just write them down okay, please?" Rose insisted in a hushed voice as she extended a hoof halfway towards Coco.
"Well," Coco paused for a moment, but seeing that the slightest touch of concern in Rose's eyes, she nodded, "alright. Just, uh, name them off when I ask. Let's see, height at the withers? In inches; I can do the conversions later."
"Thanks uh, Coco, right? Oh, and forty point eight." Rose said with the smallest hint of a smile.
"Forearm length?"
"Twelve point two five."
Coco quickly jotted down the various measurements listed off by memory. Rose met each question with a quick answer, her eyes glancing across the room occasionally at Ivory and Rarity.
"... and finally, Rose is scheduled to entertain the most elite of Canterlot at the Grand Galloping Gala. There, she'll mingle with the crowds before headlining in the night's fashion show entertainment hour. The theme for the night is anything to do with winter, forget the silly theme name. That is a perfect time for some sort of lace gown with snowflake trim; ah, it'd be perfect." Ivory Tower mulled over her words while making a thin teaspoon gently mix cream into a cup of coffee.
"Not a problem. Winter is always the best time for lace; luckily is looks as if Canterlot will have a warmer winter this year so Rose should have no trouble with thin material." As Rarity's quill put the final marks on her notepad which now contained multiple used pages of notes, a knock sounded at the door.
"Ah, come in dear!"
"I'm terribly sorry for stepping out; I had some issues to settle. Rarity, you made it!"
"Fleur De Lis? You're Rose's sister?" Rarity asked in a surprised manner as her notebook settled back into her notebook.
"That I am, I recommended you to Ivory. After those extraordinary outfits you wore to the Wonderbolt's Derby, the Garden Party and my yacht party, I knew you'd be a wonderful designer for Rose. Not to mention, Ivory has some amazing connections all over Equestria that you'll have access to."
"I cannot thank you enough for this, Fleur. Really, thank you. Oh, Coco, are you done with those measurements?"
"Just finished, Rarity, and, hello there, I didn't catch your name."
"Call me Fleur, Coco. Nice to see another mare with exceptional tastes in Canterlot; I adore that hair piece."
"Oh, thank you Fleur, Manehattan treated me well." Coco set her notebook back into her saddlebag as she and Rose walked back over to join the trio.
"Are you ready to go Rose? Mother wants us to be ready before the party to greet everyone."
"Sure, whenever you're ready." Rose responded, lightly brushing her pink curls back behind her ear.
"Rarity, are you available tonight? We'd love to have you both attend this little get-together my mother has planned.
"Oh well, we didn't have anything planned exactly. Are you sure? We would hate to intrude."
"It's no intrusion at all, you're always welcome." Fleur said with a chuckle as she tossed her silky mane back over her shoulder.
"Well, if you insist then of course I'd love to attend. Coco, would you like to come along?"
Coco looked from Fleur to Rarity as the two spoke in elegant tones, and crossed one front hoof over the other when Rarity turned to her for an answer. Manehattan never had many parties. It was to business oriented to plan much other than business meetings and small company gatherings.
"I uh, well, sure. I've never been to a Canterlot party before, and there's always a first for everything."
"Marvelous! I'll have you put on the guest list as soon as I arrive back home. You'll find us at the Silver Gates Villa, just off Diamond Boulevard. The first guests should be arriving around six o'clock; we'll hope to see you then."
"Of course, thank you again Fleur, and it was nice meeting you Rose." Rarity said kindly as the sisters turned to leave the office. Rose quietly closed the door behind her without a word and with only a shimmer of magic left behind.
"I do believe that's everything, Rarity, and now it looks as if we'll be seeing each other again tonight. You must tell me more about your successes then, yes?"
"Oh, sure Ivory, of course. Perhaps I could hear some of yours as well? I can tell you about Fashion Week in Manehattan, exactly where I first met Coco."
"Perfect; we'll talk then. Until then, you get ready, the hostess, Red Velvet, values punctuality. I suggest you aren't late, you'll never hear the end of it."
"We'll be right on time. Thank you once again Ivory, this has already been a wonderful experience." Rarity and Coco both stepped outside the office, and Rarity breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "This is perfect Coco. I'll let you see Ivory's notes later, I'm sure we can come up with some marvelous designs for Rose's débuts."
"Well anything we make will have to be long-legged. Rose is taller and slimmer than I expected. She's... well, not entirely all for this, I think." Coco rubbed the back of her foreleg with her hoof, thinking back to Rose's request to entirely skip the proper measurement process.
"Oh, everyone gets a little frazzled before a party, especially when you're under Ivory's management. Now! Let's get back to the hotel and get dressed, you'll love Canterlot parties; all the sophistication and class, you'll never experience anything like it, I guarantee it." Rarity excitedly tossed her royal purple mane back as she turned and trotted towards the stairs.