Hiroki treated himself to a small helping of leftover rice to quiet the complaining from his stomach. The next half an hour was spent rising and scrubbing dishes clean. Meticulous sweeping and dusting commenced soon after. Pressed for time or not, there could be no fault with his establishment for the evening ahead. He pushed all of the smaller tables together to make one large banquet sized table, leaving a space at the head where he would place the grill. The grill was still outside... and it had to be dealt with.
The elderly Unicorn had been completely honest with him when he sold it. The heating element was indeed missing, but the grill otherwise looked like it has been taken care of. Perhaps just a bit dirty from it's time as a table. Or more likely when he'd had to shove it through town to get it back. Thankfully he didn't have to spent a great deal of time to clean the appliance and soon enough the grill was scrubbed and fit for service. He'd let the grill sit while pondered the best way to heat it. The clock tower chimed four, causing his ears to perk up and his eyes to go wide. He still needed to barter with Rarity over cloth. In his haste to get his errand done Hiroki left his hat hanging on the wall and his front door propped wide open.
He'd shove the grill inside when he got back.
The calm air of neutrality was replaced by a dogged expression as Hiroki crossed over the river, his hooves thumping lightly against the bridge. He became aware that he'd left his hat behind when he paused to adjust it, finding his hoof rubbing along the top of his wild cerulean mane that was still pulled back haphazardly into a tail. A frown tugged at his mouth as he peered at the front of Carousel Boutique. Personally he thought the building was a bit ostentatious, much like Sugarcube Corner, but to each their own. He pushed through the front door and the bell jingled overhead.
"Coming!" Rarity's singsong voice called out in response from her storage room.
Hiroki stood there and his viridian eyes roamed about the various clothing on display the boutique. His frown persisted and he fidgeted with discomfort at all the bright colors facing him from every which way. So many dresses. It was then that he caught sight of himself in a mirror, frowning heavily at what he saw. His coat was flecked with dust and his blue hair disheveled, despite being pulled back and tied. His treasured white headband was dirty from sweat and in desperate need of washing.
Many samurai strove to look their best at all times and often wore bright colors to flaunt their station. In this respect he could relate with Rarity, even if he put less stock in fashion than she did. He thought it an act of humility to appear simple, but at this moment he felt he just looked shabby. Hiroki snorted derisively at his reflection and turned away to see Rarity standing before him, smiling brightly.
"Hirok! How absolutely wonderful to see you here. Welcome to Carousel Boutique where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique! What may I do for you today? See something you like perhaps?" Rarity beamed at him, looking most excited to hear what sort of fashions might interest the samurai.
"I came to ask for your help, and if you are available this evening?" Hiroki kept his eyes forward on Rarity. Perhaps if she didn't catch him looking at her wares he might be able to avoid the subject of fashion entirely.
"Ooh! You're having some sort of fancy dinner party this evening, right?" Rarity practically squealed with excitement, but there was a look of confusion now showing on Hiroki's face. She blinked, then chuckled and gave him a wink. "Spike came by earlier and mentioned it."
"Spike... the dragon?"
"He's not just 'the dragon'. Spike is one of our dearest friends. An absolute sweetheart!" There was a moment of tender reflection until Rarity hmph'd and tossed her hair back, frowning at the samurai.
"Please excuse, I meant no offense. In fact dragons are looked on with reverence where I come from." Hiroki bowed his head deeply and this seemed to reassure Rarity. After a final moment of scrutiny she nodded and smiled brightly once again.
"Oh nothing to fret about of course. Now then... we were discussing this evening? I'm delighted to say that I will be in attendance. I wouldn't miss a chance to have dinner with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna for all the silk in Equestria!"
"That is most pleasing to hear." Hiroki smiled and let out a quiet sigh of relief. It was short lived when Rarity suddenly had her measuring tape roped around his neck, tugging it taut.
"Now just let me take your measurements..." Rarity snaked the rope around him here and there, her horn gleaming with her magic. "Oh dear, now this won't do..."
Hiroki looked quite uncomfortable as he was measured, pulling his sword free and leaning on it like a walking stick. His sigh of relief was replaced by one of exasperation. A sigh that Rarity could not, or chose not to hear. He opted to simply wait it out instead of interrupting her while his mind drifted away. As she continued he found himself reflecting back to the first time he was fitted for armor...
He tried to remain still, but couldn't keep from squirming as two Earth pony attendants struggled to strap piece after piece of tosei-gusoku armor to the fidgeting colt. A Unicorn stallion with a similar gray coat stood nearby, his expression a mixture of pride and amusement. The young colt bucked and accidentally kicked one of his attending armorers, knocking him over. It was then that the father waved both serfs back and knelt beside his son.
"Father, I do not understand."
"Be still Hiroki, this is important. I wore this armor at your age, as did my father, and my father's father. You must learn to wear it properly. How to move in it. How to fight in it." The Unicorn pats the young colt on the back.
"But why? Uncle says that peace is coming and that we need not bother..."
"Always show my brother respect... but always remember that though we are all samurai, he is not like us. His talent is politics. Peace is fragile and must be nurtured carefully, but this does not give us room to be careless. Warriors like us will always be needed. If we do not make war, we are needed to keep the peace."
"I think I understand. We must be ready all the times?"
"One day you will be called to battle. Whether it be by me, the Shogun, or the Divine Empress herself. As samurai we are bound by honor to answer that call. For our land, for our people." Hiroki shrank a little, his eyes growing crestfallen until his father leaned in to embrace him. "Do not be afraid. Honor the spirits of your sword and your armor. They will protect you..."
The Unicorn waved their attendants back over and they continued strapping armor to the young colt.
Hiroki shook his head slowly, having lost himself in thought for far too long. Feeling light headed his viridian eyes blinked rapidly and when he finally refocused he found himself standing inside the lobby of Ponyville Day Spa beside Rarity. The twin Spa ponies stood before them both, giving the samurai an appraising look before smiling widely at their best customer.
"I... do not understand... why am I here?" The samurai was most befuddled and turned to meet Rarity's gaze.
"Well I simply can't fit you when you're caked with dust. The standard treatment please! Don't you worry one little bit, Aloe and Lotus will take excellent care of you! You should be... err... crisp! Yes, that's it. Crisp, before I start fitting you for a new suit." Rarity gave a matter-of-fact nod.
"Correction: YOU do not understand... I only need-" Hiroki began, but was cut off as Aloe and Lotus moved beside him. He shifted defensively, resisting the urge to brandish his sword. Accustomed to this nervous reaction from first time customers they simply smiled as they boxed him in and began to usher him along to take care of him.
"I-I have no time for this!" Hiroki growled as he tensed up and stood tall, planting all four hooves to keep the twins from dragging him any further. This was met with little success as Aloe and Lotus were determined not to let their best customer and friend down.
"Relax and enjoy yourself!" Lotus assured him gently, giving him a warm smile.
"Yes, leave everything to us!" said Aloe, a soft giggle escaping her.
"But I only needed a length of cloth-" protested the samurai as he was pushed and pulled simultaneously, his voice fading down the hallway as he was hauled away. Rarity smiled brightly, completely oblivious to Hiroki's reluctance as she called after them.
"Just come back by the boutique when you're all set!"
Aloe and Lotus were true to their word and treated Hiroki to all the extravagances the day spa had to offer. Or at least all the extravagances their standard package had to offer. The samurai's headband was taken away to be cleaned and he reluctantly removed the beads wrapped around his foreleg. Their energy faltered when they tried to take his sword from him, receiving a piercing glare that would have given even Nightmare Moon cause to hesitate. He would clutch his sword tightly, keeping it close throughout the entire ordeal. Despite this brief setback Hiroki did not want to appear rude or ungrateful. Thus he accepted his fate and spent the better part of an hour being scrubbed and cleansed.
He was fortunate enough to avoid the mud treatment, the sour look on his face serving better than a stop sign. This look of displeasure faded, but had not vanished by the time he was subjected to some kind of deep tissue massage. In this regard the samurai left the twins positively vexed. Outwardly Hiroki looked no different than any other pony they'd treated, but neither had ever attended to a warhorse before. Aloe couldn't seem to find a place along his back that was responding to the movement of her hooves and waved Lotus over to help her. Their hooves dug deep into his muscles, but for all their effort it felt like they were trying to push a boulder. They finally gave up in this endeavor and ended with an herbal bath to ensure all the dust and grime was out of his steely gray coat.
After this was done his personal effects were returned and Hiroki bowed his head deeply, despite giving no verbal thank you. The twins smiled and bowed in return as he left. The sun was growing lower in the sky and he could waste no more time with this nonsense...
Moments later the door to Carousel Boutique was thrown open, the bell chiming loudly.
"Coming! Is that you Hiroki? How did everything-" Rarity came over to greet the samurai and felt herself intimidated all over again when she got a good look at him. He didn't even have to point anything sharp at her. "-turn out?"
His gray coat now held a sheen to it that, judging by his earlier appearance, she'd have thought impossible to achieve. If only Applejack would agree to go to the spa every now and then... It gave him the appearance that he himself were actually forged from steel. That wild cerulean blue mane had been drawn back neatly and pulled up into a top-knot. His headband was clean and fresh, the rising sun blazing proudly against the white cloth. On the other hoof now that his coat was so clean, the scars on his cheek, forelegs, and shoulder were now much more prominent. She'd have gone so far as to say he looked rather dashing, if it weren't for the sour expression marring his face.
"Well... you certainly look refreshed!" Rarity smiled nervously, her horn gleaming with magic again and her measuring tape floated alongside her as she trotted over to him. "When I'm finished you'll look like royalty. Now what sort of suit-"
"Īe. Stop." Hiroki snorted and narrowed his eyes, causing Rarity to shrink a little. "Please listen. I only need a length of cloth."
"What? You mean you don't want a suit or anything? Well why didn't you say so from the start?" Rarity straightened herself up and brushed her mane aside with one hoof, looking indignant. Hiroki's eye twitched in annoyance. He had been saying so from the start, but he kept his composure.
"I need cloth for nobori. A grand banner. To welcome Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."
"Of course I'll help you, but a banner? I make clothing here. Don't you think this is more fit for Pinkie Pie to take care of?" It was clear Rarity as rather disappointed that her brilliant fashion design was not called for.
"I need something specific. Plus I already asked for her help with something else..."
"I understand. So what did you have in mind exactly?" She led Hiroki to her inspiration room and over to one of the shelves where she kept her fabrics. Her cat Opal was curled up on a roll of white linen. Hiroki leaned down to inspect the cat and she raised her head, giving an auditory warning in form of a growl.
"Something half white, half red. Two feet wide by six feet long. If you have a bit of paper, I can show you."
Rarity placed a sheet of paper and a pencil in front of Hiroki, who took them and hastily sketched out the design of his desired nobori. Split diagonally near the middle, it would be white above and red below. At the top would be a red circle much like the rising sun on his headband. Below it was the pattern of a horizontal gold diamond, split into four smaller diamonds. It would need quite a bit of stitching here and there so it could be secured to the bamboo pole that would hold it.
"The red circle over white represents the sun and the heavens of my homeland, while the four diamonds are the emblem of my clan."
"Oh yes, now I see what you mean. This shouldn't be any problem at all!" Rarity smiled and nodded as she peered over the design, making a few mental notes. Hiroki bowed his head deeply in thanks, depositing a few bits on her desk before leaving her to work.
"I have one last errand to run before the sun sets. If you finish before I return please feel to bring it over. I have left the door open."
Hiroki showed himself out, the fading light of the setting sun washing over him. He snorted again as he smelled himself, now reeking of flowery perfume from the herbal bath Aloe and Lotus had given him. He had to remind himself this was all to make a good impression and that he'd smell appropriate again in a day or so. Rarity had assured him his nobori would be ready, so last on his checklist was to see Fluttershy.
"I should have just enough time..."
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