It's Truly a Sight, Rainbow
Rarity found herself unable to finish the dress. But, unlike whenever this happened before, the problem could not be solved by increasing the number of gems. She didn't need another cross-stitch above the hemline that would take her hours to retrace and restitch. Nor did she need some sort of inspiration to motivate her.
What she needed was a better curtain. How could she be expected to slave away with her charts and sewing machine when the pegasi had made it such a beautiful day outside. The clouds were just few enough that the sun's rays could fall over ponyville, but numerous enough that there were plenty of places for one to lie down in the shade and simply watch life pass by.
Ever since she'd taken over Rainbow Dash's job as weather manager, even if it was due to a magic spell that lasted for less than a day, she'd had a new appreciation for the work the pegasi did. Something, she noticed, not everyone else seemed to care much for. On the days like today, no one bothered to thank the numerous pegasi walking, or flying, around. Yet on days with rain, fog, or any other weather condition that was unfavorable, the pegasi were at the very center of the blame. They'd blamed her for everything that went wrong when she took over. Admittedly, it was her fault. She'd had absolutely no idea what she was doing. Though she apologized numerous times for the frostbite. And the sunburns. And the colds. And she found herself still getting the cold shoulder from a few of the mares whose manes she'd ruined.
Sure, the pegasi made mistakes. Sure, sometimes there had been thunder when there should have been sunshine. And yes, it hailed instead of snowed a bit. But the majority of the time, no, all the time, they worked hard to create beautiful days that any resident of Ponyville would be proud of. Lately, Rarity found herself making a point to thank as many of the members of the weather control team that she could. Today was no different.
"Well hello there, Thunderlane," she said as she stopped near the charcoal coated stallion and his lighter toned younger brother.
He turned and smiled at her. And her heart couldn't help but flutter for the briefest of moments. Yes, they had dated for a while. But they both decided that they simply weren't made for each other, and parted amicably. They'd remained friends, but she couldn't help the fact that he was quite dashing indeed.
"Hey there, Rarity," he replied.
"Absolutely splendid weather we're having," She said as she looked up.
His smile seemed to get brighter. "You're enjoying it then?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes, the weather team has been doing simply marvelous work."
He blushed. "Well thanks, Rarity. I'll make sure to tell them that you said that." He cleared his throat. "How have you been?"
"Oh, I've been working on my spring-rain line. It's going to be simply divine. It's finished but needs to be tested. Which I plan on doing as soon as it rains."
"Congrats, Rarity."
"And how's my favorite little darling today?" she asked, turning to Rumble.
"Thunderlane said that he's taking me out for ice cream," the young colt said excitedly.
"Did he? And what flavor are you going to get?"
"Cinnamon-Apple Twist!" He shouted, hovering as he pumped his small wings.
"He's been begging for it all morning," Thunderlane sighed as he ruffled the younger one's mane.
"I wanted a Double Scoop though," she heard Rumble mutter.
Rarity smiled, motioning for the little one to come closer. She whispered something in his ear. They shared a grin. Then looked to Thunderlane, both putting on the most dramatically anguished faces they could.
"Thunderlane," Rarity cried. "You simply must hurry and get this poor colt some ice cream. Look at his face." She held him up in front of Thunderlane. Squishing his cheeks together. "He's wasting away to nothing."
"Must... have... Double... Scoop..." Rumble added.
Thunderlane deadpanned. "No Double Scoop."
"Pleeease?" Rumble begged, giving his best puppy dog face
"No."
Rarity joined Rumble in begging. "Pleeeeeeeease?" They said together.
"No." He took a step back, glancing around for a way out, but knowing he couldn't just leave Rumble alone. It was obvious that he was close to cracking. Just one more would push him over the edge.
They moved in closer, Rumble on the right and Rarity on the left. "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?"
He sighed, caving in to the demands of the puppy eyed duo. "Fine..."
"Yay!" Rumble shouted as he hopped around joyously.
Rarity laughed and Thunderlane, who tried to glare at her and failed, soon joined her.
"Well I'd best be off," she said when the merriment had died down. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find Rainbow Dash do you?"
"She should be somewhere over there," he said as he gestured towards the Everfree Forest. She's doing a bit of cloudshaping on the edge of the forest."
"Then I'll be on my way," Rarity said as she began walking in the direction he pointed out. "Thank you, Thunderlane, and have fun at Sugarcube Corner, Rumble," She called over her shoulder.
"Double Scoop," Rumble chanted as they walked. "Double Scoop. Double Scoop. Double Scoop."
Thunderlane sighed. He'd been looking forward to getting an Oats n' Berries Blitz. But Rumble had his heart set on a Double Scoop. Which costed about as much as two ice cream cones. Oh well. He didn't get to see his brother too often, so he'd treat him whenever he could. Even if he hadn't had anything to eat. Nothing. At all. He patted his grumbling belly and pushed the food fantasies from his mind.
"Can I help you?" Mrs. Cake asked.
"Yeah, I'll take a Double Cinnamon-Apple Twist," Thunderlane said as he dumped all the bits he brought on the counter.
She hesistated. "And...?"
"That's all."
"Well, you gave me enough money for a Double Scoop and another cone if you want it."
That couldn't be right. He'd definitely only brought enough money for two cones. He'd counted it out at home and just before he bumped into...
He gave a quiet chuckle. That mare was one of the sliest girl he'd ever met. That thing with Rumble had been a really good distraction.
"I'll take an Oats n' Berries Blitz, please."
She smiled, gathered up the bits and went into the back to make the cones.
I think I might be able to pull a few strings and get it to rain tomorrow.
Rarity laid on her back and stared up at the clouds as Rainbow Dash slowly, and arduously, molded the clouds into a variety of shapes. From simple ones that she felt nostalgic just looking at, to much more complex ones. She'd arrived right as Dash was finishing up her rendition of her own Element of Harmony. The lightning bolt seemed right at home in the sky.
"Hey, Rarity," Rainbow Dash called down. "Be with you in a second. One more cloud to finish up."
"Take you time, dear," She called back. I'll just enjoy the show."
And what a show it was. Rarity couldn't help but marvel at the acrobatic prowess of Dash. To some, her dives and flips may have seemed like pure theatrics, but to the dressmaker with an eye for design, she could see the effectiveness of Dash's technique. She used her wingtips to add detail to the cloud as she sped around the sides. Her spinning gave her enough momentum to break through and come out the other side.
Every move in her arsenal had a purpose. That didn't mean she didn't showboat a little. She had an audience and she was going to use it. Who was Rainbow Dash if not a bit egotistical. She tried to keep it to a minimum though. She didn't want to ruin all of her hard work after all.
After she finished, she gave a few flaps from her wings to push the cloud away. Letting it drift in the air. She made her way down to Rarity, who had been waiting patiently.
"Hello there, Rainbow Dash."
"Hey, Rares. What brings you out here?"
"Oh its much too nice a day for me to sit in a stuffy old shop. Besides, I could use a break."
"Same here," Rainbow said as she took a seat beside her. "Luckily that was the last batch for the next few days."
They were both silent for a moment. Simply taking in the sights of the sky. The sun started to set, and they could both take in the wonder as Celestia began to yield the world's safety to her sister's night. The sun hit the clouds just right, and the silhouettes were displayed along the land. Neither of them spoke. Each now partaking in the game ground gazing.
Rarity understood it now. Why Rainbow Dash took so much pride in herself and her work. Few ponies saw the beauty that she and the weather team worked so hard to create. They had to seek praise, and confimation that their work meant something elsewhere. For Thunderlane, he most likely found that in his little brother. Rainbow Dash, obviously, found it in herself. But even so, the friends had collectively noticed that Rainbow's bragging had decreased extremely. While that pride still existed, the need to share her opinion of herself for all to hear had nealy vanished. Rarity briefly wondered what brought this change, then decided that it didn't matter.
Rarity was the first to break the silence.
"It's truly a sight, Rainbow."