"Hey there, little sis!" exclaimed Zephyr as Fluttershy gingerly opened the front door of her cottage. "Guess who your baby brother brought by for you to meet?"
"Oh...," the yellow Pegasus with the pink mane shyly said. "Who?"
Zephyr enthusiastically opened the cottage door all the way to reveal Nish Pony, Quacky Pants, Spike, and rarity.
Fluttershy gasped.
"Oh, my!" she blushed while taking a step back. "Is that...?"
"You guessed it, sis!" boomed Zephyr while moving alongside her. "The one, and only, Nish Pony."
"Oh, my," Fluttershy said bashfully.
"Nothing to be all nervous about," assured her green-coated brother. "Isn't he the one who takes those pictures you like?"
"Well...," stumbled Fluttershy as she took further notice of Spike and Rarity. "Umm..."
"Well," said Zephyr. "I'll just let you all to your time. After all, this breeze needs his z's."
***
Zephyr shared a few more words with Nish Pony about his sister before flying his way back to his apartment up in Cloudsdale.
"I hope we're not intruding," stated Rarity.
"Oh, not at all," assured Fluttershy. "I'm just, well, a little surprised."
"I tend to get that response from ponies when they meet me in person," stated Nish. "Most think I keep everything all hidden away in a private studio. However, I'm all for total exposure anywhere and everywhere."
Fluttershy turned beet red.
"Yeah...," she giggled nervously.
"Speaking of," said the orange Unicorn. "I was wondering if perhaps you may want to help me with showing off one of the Crystal Empire's latest fashion trends?"
"Me?" the timid Pegasus squeaked.
Nish gestured for Rarity to help him get the box of clothing and jewelery he had made for her. He then magically sorted through it until he pulled out the minky socks.
"Would you mind modeling these for me?" he asked. "I'd have my model, Quacky Pants, here do it. However, as Minty is more looking into the mare market, I think you and this quaint cottage would be perfect!"
"So...," said Fluttershy as she lowered her head. "It's not for 'Modelling Mares'?"
"Oh, no," grinned Nish Pony. "Though, I would say a cutie like you would certainly make a wonderful subject for that publication."
"Okay," agreed Fluttershy. "What do you want me to do?"
"Well," stated Nish as he magically adjusted his glasses. "I'd actually like a word with you and Ms. Rarity as you give me a tour of your cottage. I want to make sure we showcase these socks as 'Minty-Fresh' as possible."
"What about me?" asked Spike.
"I actually have something very special just for you," beamed Nish. "Quacky will tell you all about it once we start our tour."
"Oh!" gasped Fluttershy. "I didn't properly introduce myself to your friend."
"No worries," assured Quacky Pants while extending his hoof. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Fluttershy."
Fluttershy gazed at the green-coated pony and gave a bashful look of recognition.
"Pleasure's all mine," she said.
"Okay, then," said Nish Pony. "on with the tour to showcase these minky, Minty socks!"
***
While Rarity, Nish, and Fluttershy were away, Quacky Pants looked over towards Spike.
"Nish and I can't help but notice how you and Rarity look at each other," he said.
"...," blushed the purple dragon.
"No harm in having a crush," assured the Earth Pony model with the red mane. "We were just wondering if you'd like to try a little something? You know, to get her attention."
"What would that be?" asked Spike.
Quacky Pants opened the box they had been toting around all day and pulled out a pair of frilly bloomers covered in heart prints.
"Do you still have that apron with you?" he asked.
"Yeah...," replied Spike while fidgeting with his fingers.
"Would you put these on and then slip on the apron?" asked Quacky.
"I, uh, guess I could," stated Spike. "Though, why?"
"Nish and I have a little theory about Ms. Rarity," Quacky stated. "We just want to see if it is true."
"What's that?" asked Spike eagerly.
"We'll see," grinned Quacky. "Just get dressed up and start doing a little cleaning around in here until they come back."
"Okay," stated Spike. "But no funny business."
Quacky Pants giggled as he took a seat upon a nearby chair.
"No funny business," he assured.
***
"...And this is my Butterfly Garden," stated Fluttershy.
"You have many wonderful spots we could really showcase off these socks!" cheered Nish. "It's hard to pick just one!"
"That's very kind of you to say," stated Fluttershy.
"If you don't mind me asking," inquired Nish. "Could you direct me to your restroom?"
"We actually just passed it on our way out here," said Fluttershy. "It should be the second door on the right as you head in."
"Thanks," said the fashion pony with the yellow mane. "I'll be right back."
***
Rarity and Fluttershy were now alone.
"Fluttershy, darling," the white Unicorn said softly. "Your brother said you were familiar with Nish and some of his, umm, works?"
"Mmm-hmmm," hummed Flutters while she wished Zephyr knew when to keep private matters to himself.
"Well," continued Rarity. "Tell me. What is it you read that he does?"
"Well," stammered Fluttershy. "There's his work in 'Better Stables and Fields'."
"And...?" pursued Rarity.
Fluttershy got really close to Rarity.
"Promise not to tell," she squeaked.
Rarity felt nervous, but had to know the answer.
"Promise," she assured.
Fluttershy mumbled for a moment before she was finally able to whimper out the answer.
"'Raw Stallion'," she gulped.
"'Raw Stallion'?" wondered Rarity.
"Yeah...," replied Flutters meekly.
"Not to pressure you," said Rarity. "But how did you learn of this publication?"
"Tree Hugger," replied Fluttershy. "She knows almost all there is to know about Nish Pony."
"Really?" asked Rarity with a hint of disbelief. "How's that?"
"Tree Hugger is all about the pony body and what makes up our essence," answered Fluttershy. "She subscribes to all of Nish Pony's exclusive magazines. 'Model Mare', 'Raw Stallion' 'Rainbow Pride', and 'Kink'."
"Four publications?" pondered Rarity. "I thought he was just a trendsetter through his work in 'Better Stables and Fields', 'Whose Hooves', and 'Hometown Styles'?"
"He is," Fluttershy said timidly. "However, his own magazines are, well, a bit different."
Rarity thought on the hilltop sunrise photo shoot and the tight swimsuit under the bridge.
"You don't say," she stated simply.
"I was actually surprised to see you working with him," remarked Fluttershy. "He's a part of a new movement that Tree hugger has been closely following that is based out of the Crystal Empire. One where we embrace our pony selves no matter our interests, orientations, and such."
Rarity was tempted to ask Fluttershy more about what she knew about Nish Pony. However, the orange Unicorn had just made his return.
"Okay, ladies," he greeted. "How about we get things started back in the foyer and living room area?"
"Sounds great!" exclaimed Rarity.
Fluttershy just blushed and smiled as she lead the pair back to the entrance to her cottage.