After the initial shock of Fleur's death, and much crying from one of the unicorns, they finally calmed down enough to read the short summary included in the letter.
"Well, Rarity, it says here that she was strangled, but not manually." Twilight glanced over and saw a puzzled look on the other pony's face. "The perpetrator didn't use his hooves. Most likely, some type of belt or rope. However," a picture was included, and was floated out, "it would take a lot of pressure to create indents this deep. He must be strong. Think Big Macintosh strong."
"But, but he couldn't have done this!" Outrage was clear in the voice.
"No, no, I know that! Besides, he's been with you for the past week, around the time when she was killed. So, unless he snuck out while he was supposed to be doing his chores, went all the way to Canterlot and back in a couple hours, he should be innocent. An even at his top speed, is would be very near impossible."
Crisp, sharp knocks came from the other side of the room. "Package for a Miss Twilight Sparkle and Miss Rarity!" It was the postpony.
Twilight walked over to the door, opened it, signed a slip, and levitated the package inside. "Thank you!"
Rarity zoned in, curious. It was covered in normal brown packing paper, and tied with fraying twine. The librarian shook it slightly with her magick. "It must be the shipment of books that I've been expecting." A giddy tone crept into her voice. "One copy of Twilight's List, another of My Little Dashie, and Silent Ponyville."
"Well, everypony does love to write stories about us, don't they? We're famous!" They both shared a laugh.
"Let's open it up, then! I want to put these on the bookshelves." A pair was scissors was used to slice through the tape. When that was done, the cardboard flaps were lifted. Instead of seeing the cover art for one of the three above stories, they observed a lock of hair.
A two-tone, pink, curly lock.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
The package from earlier had scared Rarity, and to be honest, she still was, but that wasn't going to stand in the way of mourning politely. She was going to go to Fleur's funeral, which was to be held in Canterlot, three days from now. Twilight and Big Mac had both offered to come, but neither of them knew Fleur de Lis. It would just be awkward for everypony.
Packing her bag hurriedly, putting her two best gowns of black on the top to prevent creases, it took a short amount of time. Wanting to get to Canterlot a day early to have some time to herself, the unicorn checked the bus schedule on her dresser. Seeing the next train to her destination was going to leave in an hour, she put her blue travel bags by the door, and made some tea to calm her nerves. Going to the train station, she was met by a crowd of her friends.
"Oh, thanks for coming to say good-bye. To be honest, this whole matter has dampened my mood." She dabbed tears away with a hoofkerchief. She stepped onto the train. "Good-bye! I'll be back in two days."
"Bye, Rarity!" "Be safe, ya hear Rare!" "Love ya sug'rcube." "Oh, um, have fun. I guess."
As her pastel friends disappeared out of sight, Rarity stopped waving, and sat down smiling.
"Rarity! What a pleasure to meet you here."
Purple curls went flying as the dress-maker whipped around. "Fancy Pants! What brings you here?"
"Oh, I'm going to Fleur's funeral too. In fact, I was coming here to see your latest creations when I got the news. Tragic, isn't it? Strangulation is a painful way to die." Fancy Pants' entire face drooped in sadness, including his blue mustache.
"Yes, yes it is. I'm so very sorry. I remember how close the two of have always been."
"Well, we shall have to keep on living, won't we? Say, I have some business to take care to when we arrive, but will you give me the pleasure of getting a cup of tea together?"
Rarity tried her hardness not to squeal and stomp her feet in a giddy frenzy. Instead, she tried to keep the pleasure of her face, and in her cultured voice. "I too have somethings to attend to as well, but I may have some free time later. Shall we say, four o'clock? We can also get a light supper. I hear the Princess's Moon has a wonderful Chai tea lemonade."
"Alrighty then, four o'clock it is. Can't wait to see you Rarity!" He kissed her hoof, and went back to his sleeping compartment.
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Fancy Pants. Kissed. Her. Hoof.
This was amazing! The dress-maker knew her connections in Canterlot were good, but not good enough to permit one of the most prominent figures in fashion to kiss her delicate hoof!
"Eeeeee! This is fabulous!" Gaining odd looks from passerby, Rarity quickly composed herself, but not without a small giggle. "Oh, but don't forget Rarity, you need to pick up some flowers for the service. Hoity Toity also wants to talk about my upcoming line. In fact, what's my next line going to be?"
The next our or two in the fashionista's sleeping quarters consisted of brainstorming her new line. Crumpled balls of paper littered the floor, as well as broken pencils. Finally, indigo eyes shining, she levitated a sketch into the air.
"Perfect! It'll be a hit with all those friends of Fleur." The dress was destined to be white satin, with many mini gold and pale pink fleur de li rimming the bottom. A large purple one was on the chest like a crest.
It was a homage to Fleur herself.
Fabrics were extracted from blue luggage cases and set on the bed, barely settling before being cut by scissors. Rarity planned to start the dress now, and finish it in time for the funeral. Not only would it get free publicity, but might also be seen as a gesture to Fleur. Either way, it was going to be beautiful.
"A couple more stitches here... One more fleur de lis around the edge here... Oooh! Idea!" One lone fabric flower was taken out of the bag. It's multi-color blue petals shimmering wonderfully in the light. It was promptly placed, and stitched in the middle of the larger fleur de lis, almost directly over where the heart was located.
This one in turn was a memorial to Fancy Pants. The placement was to show off their love.
"Hmmm. I wonder what Fancy would think of it?" About to add three more stitches to secure the flower in place, she was interrupted by multiple raps on the door. It was opened to reveal Fancy Pants himself. His mouth was open to begin taking, but she cut him off.
"My, you startled me! I was just about to call on you. Tell me, what do you think of this dress?" Grasping his hoof in hers, the dress-maker led him to her creation. "I call it the 'Flower of our Hearts'. Do you like it? The entire design was based of Fleur, and your love for her!"
While her back was to him, Fancy had a dark look on his face. It was induced when she explained how the dress came into being. However, when she tilted her head back to hm, he smiled brightly. "Why, it's marvelous! Of course it would be, coming from you."
"Really? That means so much, coming from such an important fashion executor like you!" Rarity's eyes danced, little stars reflected in them.
"YES." Rarity flinched.
"Are-are you okay?" She shrunk a little.
He cleared his throat. "Sorry, sorry, something was stuck .Talking loud usually works. And it did!" They both shared a chuckle. "No, but I had to ask you, it turns out that tea at the cafe doesn't fit with my schedule." Rarity's face fell. "But, if you wish to come to my house, we can chat before the funeral, maybe around three. Will that be alright with you?" A piece of paper was levitated over to her. "This is my address. Even if you can't make it today, feel free to stop by anytime!"
The purple-maned unicorn's eyes popped open. A personal invitation to Fancy Pants' house? How could she say no?
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Suddenly she paused, and realized how it sounded. Her gaze shifted to Fancy Pants, who looked like he was stifling a laugh. "Wahaha!" Both of the unicorns burst out laughing merrily.
"So, I'm guessing that was a yes?" It was all they could do not to roll around on the floor clutching their sides.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Six hours after her initial contact with Fancy, Rarity was awoken from her nap by the loud sighing of train engines. Stretching her forelegs, and packing the last scraps of fabric in the smallest of her six suitcases, she began to disembark. Using her magic to roll the luggage along, she found her carriage that would lead to her suite at the castle.
"Oh, this is marvelous! I had nearly forgotten how wonderfully cultured Canterlot is. Ponyville isn't necessarily uncouth it's just that," her thoughts turned to Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, "they just don't have the best manners."
"Miss Rarity, you're here." The blue and pink carriage's door was opened, and the white hoof of a pegasus soldier was offered.
The dress-maker giggled. "My, how charming! Thank you." Turning her head back, she gave a slightly more sensual smile. He might have been a good candidate for her Prince Charming, if all these workers weren't such workaholics.
The same as last time, the orange-maned beelboy carried her saddlebags up the castle's stairs, and into her room. Again, he looked pleased to be done with the ask of lifting her bags. He offered a good-bye though, as he left. "Have a good day miss."
"Oh, I will." Her answer was absent-minded, as she had plucked the half-finished dress out, and on one of her mannequins. The finishing details were just being placed, as she noticed what time it was. "My goodness, is it three already? I guess it's time for me to leave!"
Trotting on the way to Fancy Pant's mansion, she noticed one admiring gaze after another sent her way, and beamed brightly. This proved the unicorn's thought that she was getting more sleep and in turn, looking more like her usual self. This silly 'stalker' matter had finally stopped bothering her. The ring must have been sent to the wrong address, the rock and message through the window a practical joke, as well as the telephone calls. And the lock of hair? Why, Fancy must have sent it to her to make something of it, but without the note.
A light bump brought her out of her thoughts. Rarity was so distracted, the wrought-iron gate had soon met a delicate nose. A slight purplish discoloration was beginning to form, but it wasn't noticeable enough to mar her looks.
The speaker set in the gate crackled to life. Crkk "Who is this?"
Slightly intimidated, the rich voice wavered lightly. "It-it's Rarity. Rarity the Unicorn. I was supposed to meet Fancy Pants for tea at three."
"Rarity! My dear, you should have said so! Guards, please let my... special guest in."
Walking inside, her head swung around and around, admiring each little detail: a porcelain vase, beautifully woven tapestries, genuine hoof-weaved carpets.
A voice spoke behind her. "It's so nice to see you. Come, come, the tea's boiling in the kitchen."
Rarity whirled around, met by a blue-maned unicorn. "Why, Fancy, you frightened me! Now, what tea shall we be having?" She trotted into the kitchen alongside the other unicorn.
"Oh, it's a new blend. I decided to try it out on you." They had arrived in the kitchen, where as if on cue, a kettle began to whistle. A different shade of blue magic lifted it up, and poured the golden liquid into two cups. "Care to try a cup?" He pushed it nearer toward her.
She took a sip, trying her best not to burn her pink tongue. "Mhmm, it's delicious. It tastes like citrus fruit, with a hint of mint and... and something exotic. IT almost tastes like my sleeping pills. Tell me, what's the name of this?"
"Oh, it's just Orange Ginger with some extra... herbs I added myself." His tea was untouched.
However, she took another sip. "Say, I have something to ask you. What did you want me to do with the lock of Fleur's hair you sent me?"
"What hair? I didn't send you any hair."
A flash of shock and fear pounded in her chest. At the exact moment, her eyes started to droop. She started to feel sleepy. "W-what do you mean?"
"Oh, Rarity... There's so much I haven't told you."
This alarmed her even more. Staggering up, she sluggishly moved nearer to him. "W-what did you do to m-me?" Everything was fading... The edges of her vision was turning black. "The stalker- he-he was real. W-why?"
"Because," he smiled down toward her, "you're perfect."
She collapsed in his lap, eyes almost completely shut. "I-it's you."
Everything went dark.