Roger came back an hour later. I was downstairs having my own late breakfast when he got in. He apologised for storming off in the way that he had, explaining that he’d been upset by the nightmare. I was tempted to ask him again precisely what I’d seen, but didn’t want to upset him all over again. If he wanted to tell me, he would, in time. He’d gone for a walk around Ponyville, and a few of the orchards on Sweet Apple Acres to clear his head, and was now, in addition to having the lower part of his dressing gown soaked in dew, hungry for some breakfast of his own. Luckily, there were still a couple of croissants left in the oven.
Today was Saturday, so neither of us had to be at work today. Roger said he was going to stay in today and have a lazy day to himself. Normally, he has an irritating habit of working on the weekends unless absolutely necessary. So it was nice to see him take a break for once.
As for me, I’d got some plans today. I was going to head up to Canterlot for a day trip, along with Lizzie and Milano. We were going to have a little shopping spree.
Canterlot, after all, is famous for its shopping district, particularly its clothes shops. I know for a fact Roger’s tailor has his shop up there. And while there were quite a few shops that I wanted to visit, there was one in particular.
About a week ago, Rarity had finalised her plans with the estate agent to buy a fairly large store up in Canterlot. Christened ‘Canterlot Boutique’ it was to be the Canterlot branch of what she hoped would become a franchise. Her store in Ponyville already had enough business as it was, and did very well too. But Canterlot, Equestria’s capitol and home of the rich and famous, was where the money was. Plus, it would help improve her career prospects no end. If she could get herself up and running in Canterlot, she could go on to be one of the biggest names in fashion here in Equestria.
Rarity had told me about her little plan around the time of the gala, but things had only recently gone through. The store had had its grand opening a few days ago, and Rarity had been temporarily living in the city to ensure a smooth start up, with the help of her newly recruited manager; one Sassy Saddles. She would look after the day to day running of the store, allowing Rarity to return to Ponyville.
Needless to say, as both my friend, and as a fashion designer, I was keen to see how things were going. Of course, I couldn’t really buy off the rack from her, but her commissions for me have been of the highest quality. Plus, it would be just a fun trip out for everyone concerned. Lizzie and I hadn’t had a day out together in ages. And Milano could certainly use some time away from her two boys.
After finishing up my own breakfast, and making peace with my husband, I went upstairs, got dressed, and headed out.
My first stop was Fluttershy’s little cottage on the border of the Everfree Forest. After that, I’d double back and head to Milano’s house here in town. With everypony together, we’d then go to the train station, catch the ten o’clock train up to Canterlot, have lunch when we got there, and then have a few hours of retail therapy. We’d then come back by the half past five train and get home in time for tea.
After being in Ponyville for more than a year, I know the town, and a good chunk of the area around it, like the back of my hand. Heading out toward the Everfree, I soon got to the little brook than ran in front of Fluttershy’s small, cosy looking home. Crossing over the connecting bridge, I walked up to the wooden front door and was about to knock, when I noticed somepony standing beside it.
I was startled by a sudden, dazzling flash of white light off to my right, and a moment later, I knew exactly who I was dealing with.
“Why, Margaret,” a familiar voice said. “How lovely to see you here. I haven’t seen you since that little soiree you threw three months back.” It sounded like a pleasant enough greeting, but when you realise that it’s Discord talking, you take it with a pinch of salt.
I did my best to avoid rolling my eyes as I turned to the crazy lunatic that my husband calls his best friend.
“Hello, Discord,” I replied calmly. “What brings you out this way?”
“Oh, me?” the draconequus asked, striking a pose. “Well, I’m just here to have my usual weekly afternoon tea with Fluttershy. Why, what brings you out from teaching those little hellspawns?”
“I only do that on weekdays, Discord,” I answered. “And they’re not all hellspawns. Heck, I figured you’d enjoy an environment as chaotic as a classroom.” I knocked on Fluttershy’s front door.
“Chaotic?” he repeated, with an offended air. “Pah, it’s no such thing. It’s the exact opposite of chaos.”
“Well,” I replied with a grin. “Coming from you, that’s a compliment.”
Discord turned and briefly sneered at me before Fluttershy opened the door. The moment she did, his whole demeanour changed. Gone was the semi-cynical, semi-evil, entirely crazy nutcase, and in his place was a perfectly polite and upstanding pillar of the community. If only he could be like that all the time.
“Oh, hello, Discord,” Fluttershy said softly as she opened the door. “Here for our weekly get together?” He nodded happily before scooping the little pegasus up in his arms and hugging her. When he released her, she turned to me.
“And I know you’re here to pick up Lizzie, Margaret,” she added. “She’s been looking forward to this trip up to Canterlot all week.”
“As have I,” Discord broke in. “Now kindly take your little flutter pony daughter away so Fluttershy and I can have our tea.”
Snapping his fingers, Lizzie suddenly appeared in front of me, dropping to the ground with a slight thud. Turning and spotting a grinning Discord she ground her teeth.
“Discord, if you wanted me to leave, you could have just asked,” she said irritably. Discord nodded.
“Yes, but this is quicker,” he countered. Lizzie snorted and turned to Fluttershy, who nodded in understanding.
“Discord, it isn’t nice to kick ponies out of their homes. Lizzie was going to go in a minute anyway. Next time, just be patient, alright?” Discord’s face fell, and he nodded in understanding. “Now apologise to Lizzie.”
“Oh, very well,” he sighed. “I’m sssssooo…” he was struggling.
“Sound it out,” I replied jokingly. Discord glared at me.
“Fine, I’m sorry. Will you please go now?” he asked exasperatedly. Lizzie grinned and getting up, picked up her saddlebags, which had also been teleported in with her, and trotted over to me.
“Okay, mam. I’m ready,” she declared. She then turned to Fluttershy. “I’ll see you around six, okay, Fluttershy? Bye, Discord.”
With that, we headed off to Milano’s.
Lizzie and I talked for a bit as we headed back into Ponyville. She effectively works two jobs at the moment; one for money, and one for the good of her own conscience. When needed, she works with Rainbow Dash and the rest of the team busting up clouds, setting up rainfall schedules, and, of course, takes part in tornado duty each year. But a fair chunk of her time is also spent helping Fluttershy look after her ‘animal friends’ as the butter yellow pegasus calls them. After all, that was the whole reason she ended up becoming a pegasus in the first place.
As it turned out she’d had quite a busy week.
“So, I’m holding station about a hundred yards away, right? Dash and Flitter are still pulling Thunderlane’s back legs to get him out of the cloud, he’s still swearing like a trooper for flying into the damn thing, and poor Derpy’s just standing on top of that storm cloud apologising for nearly hitting him with a bolt. And all the while this bloody great rain squall is bearing down on us. So it ended up with just me and Cloudchaser taking on a storm meant for a dozen ponies. We’re both thinking ‘we are so screwed’, when Dash finally gets Thunderlane free, he goes shooting across the sky, slams into the storms centre mass and bang, no more storm.”
Lizzie burst out laughing as she finished her story. Despite living with the sweet little animal caretaker, her life is anything but dull, certainly more exciting than mine usually is. Still, it did sound pretty funny, and I found myself laughing to. From what I understand, Thunderlane is supposed to be one of the best flyers in Ponyville, he went to the academy the same time Rainbow did after all. So, the idea of him getting stuck head first in a cloud was pretty comical.
“Well, as long as you don’t end up like that, I’ll be happy, Lizzie,” I replied. “He was alright in the end, wasn’t he?” Lizzie snorted.
“Please, the only thing that even got bruised was his ego. It just had to happen after he was boasting about how he was going to follow Dash and apply to the Wonderbolt Reserves. Ain’t karma a bitch?” I grinned and laughed at that before adding.
“Don’t use that kind of language, dear. It’s very crude.”
“Yes, mam,” Lizzie replied disinterestedly.
We were now coming up toward Milano’s house. Looking in one of the upstairs windows, I could see through the closed blinds the lights of a video game, evidently Button was having one of his weekend binges playing games.
Walking up to the door, I rapped on it with my knuckle.
“Milano! It’s me!” I called out. A moment later the door opened, and Milano stepped out.
She had, like Lizzie, got a couple of saddlebags on her back. I’ve always wondered about that. Why the hay do they have saddles never mind saddlebags in a world where nopony rides horses? Walking out my friend briefly hugged me in greeting.
“Hey, Margaret. Hi, Lizzie. You two ready to go to the station then?” I nodded.
“Yep, you sure Button’s going to be alright on his own for the day?” I asked half seriously.
“Yeah, he’ll be fine,” Milano replied, nodding. “I’ve left him some food in the fridge and he’ll be busy with his games all day. Gibson’s even better, literally, sometimes I think that all I do is feed ‘em, clothe ‘em, and let ‘em out to pee.” We all laughed at that. I then looked at my watch.
“Woah, hey, we better get a move on. The train will be here in ten minutes,” I warned.
We were soon at the small station that represented the last stop on the mainline before the terminus up at Canterlot. Roger was usually able to ride for free, as an employee of the Crown who had to travel for work, he had a travel pass instead of having to spend his wages on tickets every day. And I bet he’s glad for it, because a day return to Canterlot was bloody steep; ten bits each no less.
Still, we’d probably be spending a bit more than that today and it was a rare treat. We all soon had our tickets and went to wait on the platform. It wasn’t too busy, not many ponies travel from Ponyville to Canterlot, although there were one or two other ponies on the platform, including a guardsman that I happened to recognise.
“Hello there, Strong Shield!” I called out to the one eyed guardspony, catching his attention.
The unicorn (actually a friendly changeling, but shhh) walked over to the three of us. Lizzie and I knew him from both the Summer Sun Celebration and we were both there when he accidentally got found out. He’s now fairly good friends with Bones and has taught him a few tricks. He’s one of two friendly changelings I know of, the other being Charlie, except he’s a soldier rather than a drone, with intelligence on par with a pony. He’s still a guard, but due to his PTSD, or whatever ponies call it, he is now a senior instructor in Canterlot.
“Hello, Margaret,” the grizzled, one eyed guard said as he walked up. “Are you heading up to Canterlot too?”
“Yeah, the three of us are heading up there for a shopping spree,” I replied. I then turned to Milano. “Milano, this is Captain Strong Shield, a friend of my son’s. He helped him learn a bit about defensive magic.”
“That I did,” Strong Shield replied. “And I’m no longer embarrassed to admit it. Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” He touched the brim of his helmet in respect.
“So what brings you down here then?” I enquired nosily.
“Well this is my weekend off,” he explained. “So I figured I might come down and say hi to that rookie of yours. Kid’s come a long way since I first met him. But now I’m heading back to just take it easy for a day or two”
At that moment, we were interrupted by the train whistle, and the familiar bright pink of the Friendship Express came around the corner. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen on train tracks, and I remember the days of BR. Still, it runs better than anything British Rail ever did, and it’s stopped by the odd leaf on the line.
When it came to a stop and the odd passenger had disembarked, the now four of us boarded together and settled down in the same carriage.
Trains are a bit of an issue for me in Equestria. Since ponies just sit on their hind quarters, they don’t need seats raised off the floor. Luckily though, there is plenty of headroom, so I can get by sitting Indian style, cross legged. But it isn’t exactly comfortable on a middle length journey.
Buy hey, it’s cheaper than back home, it’s on time, it’s well maintained and clean, and you don’t take your life in your hands when you use the loos. So, we all settled down for the ride up the mountain.
Lizzie, Milano, Strong Shield, and I all chatted amicably as the train rattled along at about fifty miles an hour. The old guardspony seemed glad for the company. I suppose that, given his situation, he can’t afford to risk being too friendly with other ponies. Still, he’s friends with us, Shining, and the princesses. Cadence most of all, respects him for his actions during the Royal Wedding.
We all grabbed some drinks off of the trolley that went up and down the train (another five bits gone) and before long, we were pulling into Canterlot station. I groaned slightly as I got to my feet, my back protesting the excess work. Luckily it soon passed and along with everypony else, I dismounted into the sprawling, glittering capitol.
Canterlot really is like something out of a fairy tale to me. Everything about it is just so fantastical and beautiful. It’s just such a shame that more than a decent chunk of the populace are stuck up, arrogant assholes.
Strong Shield bade the three of us farewell and headed up towards the castle that dominated the upper area of the city. We meanwhile, continued straight ahead toward the large shopping district.
But before all that got started, we all fancied some lunch. It had been a fair while since breakfast and I was starting to feel a bit hungry. So, we began to wander around looking for somewhere to eat. The trouble is though, that Canterlot, being the bed of the nobility, prides itself on everything fanciful. Most restaurants, while worthy of Michelin stars and a spot on MasterChef, weren’t exactly filling. Plus, according to Lizzie, who’d heard it from Bones, who’d heard it from Pinkie Pie, most of the food was bland and virtually inedible.
So we wandered, past what seemed like almost identical restaurants, all supposedly granted prestigious awards for their dishes. I guess it’s just an acquired taste. Eventually though, while walking down a small side street, I picked up the scent of something more palatable.
“I smell Indian!” I declared happily. “Lizzie, can you smell it?” Lizzie paused in her step and sniffed the air a moment.
“Yeah, I can!” she replied excitedly. “I didn’t think ponies did Indian food. C’mon, let’s go find the place!” Milano too, had picked up on the scent.
“Mmm, that does smell good. What is it though?” she asked.
“Curries, Balti, Rogan Josh, Masala, Korma, Bombay Allu potatoes, all sorts of spicy stuff,” I explained. “We all used to get a take out of the stuff every once in a while. It’ll kill any diet you’re on, but it tastes great. And if it’s anything like a Balti house back on Earth, it should be a great place for lunch.”
With Lizzie leading; as a pony she had the better nose, we set off in search of a decent curry.
Before long we found what we were searching for. It was indeed a proper curry house, lavishly decorated and with the strong spell of God knows how many spices coming from within. The three of us quickly headed up the steps and through the front door. Much to my surprise, the place was quiet. With that smell carrying for miles, I would have expected half of Canterlot to coming here. But it seemed we were the only customers. The only sound to be heard, apart from sizzling pans, was some sitar music being piped in from somewhere.
“Er, hello?” I called out curiously.
A moment later, there was a sudden clanging of pots and pans, and a few shouted words in a foreign tongue, though it sounded very much like Punjabi. And a second or two later, an orange coated, purple maned unicorn mare came trotting out. This being Canterlot, she was dressed up a bit, with a yellowish shirt with purple trim, and a red bandanna type scarf around her neck.
“Hello, welcome!” the mare greeted excitedly, with a noticeable, though not unpleasant, Indian accent. She certainly didn’t sound as if she was from Microsoft Technical Support.
“Hi there,” I replied. “Could we have a table for three please?” The mare nodded and gestured for us to follow her deeper into the restaurant.
We were settled in at a fairly large table. The mare was even kind enough to replace my chair, which while suited for ponies, didn’t quite fit me, with a large cushion, which was more than suitable. She then gave us a menu each before briefly heading back to the kitchen to bring us a plate of poppadoms and dips.
Lizzie and I quickly picked out what we wanted. Milano on the other hand, who’d never set hoof in an Indian restaurant, was a bit thrown by the bewildering choice of food on offer. With some coaxing, we convinced her to try a vegetable korma; a mild dish that was always a safe bet. Just as we came to an agreement, the mare came back out form the kitchen.
“Hello, again,” she said. “My name is Saffron Masala. What can I get for you three today?” We each put our orders in, as well as getting a large bowl of pilau rice and some naan bread to share.
By the time we’d finished, we were all damn near full to bursting. The stuff was just as good as it had been on Earth, albeit without any of the meat dishes. Milano seemed to enjoy it too, overcoming her slight hesitancy around the same time she took her first bite. Saffron was also very glad of the business. Apparently, they’d set up shop not too long ago, but were still struggling to get off the ground. Canterlot ponies seemingly wouldn’t go anywhere unless it had three horseshoes on the door.
Saffron showed me an article about this big important food critic, and my korma nearly came back. The pale, white mare looked like something out of Alien vs Predator. I knew for a fact I wouldn’t be taking culinary advice from…whatever the hell she was (I don’t care what anypony says, unless she has a genetic test done, there’s no way I’m admitting that she’s a pony).
We paid our dues and thanking Saffron and her father for the meal, heading back out into Canterlot. Our next stop was Rarity’s newly opened Canterlot Boutique.
Heading back out the way we had come, we made our way back toward one of the main thoroughfares through the city. Rarity’s new store was in quite a prestigious spot, not too far from the castle.
We soon found ourselves in the fashion district, if you want to call it that, a sort of concentration of clothing stores. We passed one small shop where I recognised the name; Elusive’s. He’s Roger tailor and has made up a couple of suits for and regularly does repairs for him too. Like Rarity, he is extremely gifted in his craft, although his talent lies with stallion’s fashion than mares.
Rounding a corner, we found ourselves a little ways in front of Rarity’s new store. There was just one small problem. There was a great sodding queue outside. I’m not kidding, there had to be the better part of a hundred ponies trying to get in. I guess Rarity’s business really had boomed.
“Bloody hell!” I exclaimed. “Looks like Rarity’s doing well for herself.” Lizzie nodded in agreement.
“Do you two want to try somewhere else first and come back when the crowd dies down?” Milano suggested.
“I don’t think this crowd’s going to go anywhere,” Lizzie replied. “Besides, we’ve still got plenty of time. And you know how great a designer Rarity is.” Fair point, I thought to myself.
So, we spent the next half hour or so queuing to get inside. Lizzie and Milano took the opportunity to lie down on the pavement to let their lunch go down. Eventually, after the better part of forty five minutes, we got in through the door.
The place was much larger than Carousel Boutique back in Ponyville, but the décor wasn’t too dissimilar. All around, well to do ponies were milling around or going to the counter to pick up their orders. To my surprise, I saw no sign of Rarity at all. Then I remembered that she’d hired somepony to act as manager to help with running the shop. I figured she would be in back, working on her newest designs. I’d heard about her recent flagship pieces; dresses based on the style and personality of each of the princesses.
But as I looked around, I realised something was off. In Carousel Boutique, you will find many dresses and different designs, but it’s a damn rare thing you’ll find two that are identical. This new store though, everywhere I looked, seemed to be stocked to the gills with just one design. If I remember rightly, it was the one based on Twilight’s stained glass window in the castle, and dedicated to her. Still, they seemed to be selling like hotcakes. I just never pegged Rarity as the type to mass produce anything. I looked to Lizzie and Milano, and they both had the same questioning look on their faces. We were about to proceed further into the shop, when we were jumped by Sassy Saddles.
“Hello, and Welcome to Rarity’s Canterlot Boutique,” she said with just a bit too much flair. “Can I interest you three in one of our famous Princess dresses?” With her magic, she levitated the same dress we’d seen all over in front of us.
Now, the alterations I’d need aside, I couldn’t help but see it as a bit bland if I’m honest. It was nice, but it was lacking something somehow, and by the looks of their own expressions, Lizzie and Milano agreed.
“Can we see some of Rarity’s other designs?” Lizzie asked curiously. Sassy Saddles looked perturbed.
“But this is the bestselling dress in the entire store!” she replied. “Our marketing surveys showed that this design is most popular with customers.”
Okay, marketing surveys? Since when did Rarity rely on marketing surveys, or make one design ad nauseum? Something was off here.
“That may be so, but we have particular, individual tastes,” I replied evenly. “Could we perhaps see Rarity for a moment?” The seemed to rattle Sassy even more, she even seemed offended.
“Oh, Rarity is far too busy working on new Princess dresses right now, I’m afraid. She asked me to deal with the clientele.” Did she now?
“I’m not looking to see her in a professional capacity,” I said carefully. “She and I are good friends.” Sassy laughed a false laugh.
“Of course you are, dear,” she replied sarcastically. I needed some vodka to throw in this cow’s face.
Luckily, before that could happen, a very tired looking Rarity trotted out.
“It’s alright, Ms. Saddles,” she said. “I’m more than happy to see them.” Sassy turned to Rarity.
“Rarity, please. You need to keep working on your next batch of dresses.” Just who did this cow think she was ordering her boss around like that? Unwilling to endure her company any longer, I simply pushed my way past her and, with Lizzie and Milano following, went to the back of the store with Rarity.
The white coated unicorn led us to her work room. The place was like a miniature assembly line. On one side were boxes of identical material, and on the other identical dresses. It was like sodding Bangladesh! The poor mare was stuck in here all day long making the same dresses because that snooty cow out front told her they’d sell. We all did our best to offer advice.
“Rarity,” I said. “I’ve never known you to make the same design twice. Every dress you’ve ever made me, or anypony else, has been unique. That’s what makes you a great designer.” Rarity sighed.
“That may be true in little old Ponyville, Margaret,” Rarity replied. “But here in Canterlot, you have to go with the flow if you want to succeed.”
“Screw the flow!” Lizzie jumped in. “If we’d just gone with the flow, when we went for lunch we’d have eaten that inedible rubbish, instead of finding that little Indian place. Your ability to make dozens of brilliant designs is what sets you apart from the crowd.”
“Besides,” I added. “Haven’t you seen how that Sassy Saddles is acting; she’s walking around like she’s the boss!” I paused, realising I was ranting.
“Sorry, Rarity,” I went on, my voice a lot calmer. “But, it’s just that, this doesn’t seem like you.” Rarity sighed again.
“Oh, believe me, I know, darling,” she replied dourly. “This work is driving me to distraction. If this is what it is to succeed in Canterlot, then I don’t want to succeed.”
Kneeling down a little, I hugged the poor mare, with Lizzie and Milano joining me in an attempt to make her feel better.
“You can succeed here, Rarity,” I encouraged. “You’ve just got to try things a different way. Don’t just mimic what everypony else is doing. Ponies came from here to Ponyville to visit your boutique. I’m sure they’ll appreciate having your kind of store closer to home.” Lizzie and Milano nodded in agreement.
“Thank you for that, you three,” Rarity said, smiling now. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. Anyway, I hope this hasn’t put a downer on your little expedition.” I smiled back.
“I may not be inclined to get myself one of those Princess dresses, Rarity,” I answered. “But it’s good to see you at least have lots of business. And I’m sure that I’ll be back up here at some point.” I hugged her again.
“I suppose we ought to be on our way, and leave you to your work now,” I said. “Here’s hoping everything goes well for you. Though if I were you, I’d think about hiring somepony else to run this place.”
After saying our goodbyes, the three of us left Rarity to her work. I really hoped she would change the way things were going. She’d said it herself; yes, her business was doing well, but at what cost to her character? I ignored Sassy request to come back soon.
We spent the rest of the day heading around a few of the other clothes shops in Canterlot. We all had quite the little spree, although of course, my orders would take a bit longer, so it was only Lizzie and Milano who were overloaded with bags by the time we made our way back down to the station.
We got back to Ponyville just before six. We all agreed we’d had a fun time and enjoyed ourselves. But our thoughts were also with Rarity, hoping that she would find her feet in the city.
Well, the next day, we found that matters had come to a head. Fed up with making identical dresses, Rarity had decided to close down, and had Sassy set up a sale for it to get rid of the old stock. But much to her surprise, customers kept streaming in. Even better, they began to turn their attention away from those Princess dresses, and to some of Rarity’s original designs.
Rarity soon found herself swamped with orders for all kinds of different designs, just as she had in Ponyville. That convinced Sassy to come around to her way of thinking. The Princess line was promptly discontinued and before long, Canterlot Boutique was just as unique and diverse as its Ponyville forbearer. The shop quickly took off properly, to both mares delight. And with the business now running on a way that suited both Rarity’s s and her values, she was happy to leave Sassy Saddles in charge as manager, while she would continue her work from Ponyville.
I actually went up there myself not too long ago. It was like a completely different shop, and I found myself putting in more than the odd order.
Still, that queue was still bloody massive.