//------------------------------//
// Boutique Blues 
// Story: Compilation: The Canceled Stories 
// by 1pony4all 
//------------------------------//

Ponyville
Carousel Boutique
11:47 PM

Nights in Equestria used to be a deep, thick dark, the stars and moon only barely lit the world around us. Hind sight makes me think it had something to do with Celestia's grief over the loss of her sister. Tonight is beautiful, the moon is only a thin crescent that splits a purple and blue tapestry woven of the finest silk. Stars shine like tiny diamonds, twinkling as if they have a life of their own. Luna had outdone herself yet again, not that I would know, I've been locked away in my room, a tray of the finest salt at my side, 4 years old, aged to perfection.

It's not every night I'm cooped up like this, no, normally I'm finished with my work and in bed by this hour. After all, I'm a responsible adult, I own a business, I'm known and respected throughout the town. But even respectable people do unrespectable things. In my case, I'm burning the midnight oil trying to finish a new dress design while well exceeding my daily recommended sodium intake.

A quick glance at the clock makes me wince, tomorrow was upon me, looming over me like a lion before crushing my windpipe. Another glance at the waste basket at the side of my desk tells me that I'm no better now than I was where I started.  A candle slowly burns at my left, the small flame casting shadows across the blank sheet of paper before me, mocking me and my creativity.

I sigh and stand up from my velvet cushion on the floor, my legs ache from stillness and thank me for the excessive. I walk over the the nearby window and examine the landscape of my home town, a chill breeze wafts around me. Casually, I levitate a salt lick from the tray, it's sharp sourness slipping past my tongue warms me in the chill night air.

All the lights in the town are out, any sane pony would be in bed at this hour I suppose. Thinking of sanity, I glance in the direction of Sugar Cube Corner, home to a dear friend of mine. During the day, the sweetest aromas drift from it's interior, attraction all manor of ponies to it's cream filled goodness, but at night, tonight, it's lights remain off, a few thin whips of smoke escape the chimney into the night. Even the not-so-sane need their rest I suppose.

My weary eyes drift across the horizon to Sweet Apple Acres, the sprawling mass of apple trees dotted crimson by the fruit hanging from their branches. Of course, the Apple family was all asleep, they were the most responsible people in this town. They could be quite dull come to think of it.

I lick my salt cube again as I turn to face the door to my room, perhaps I just need some fresh air. I quickly blow out the candle on the desk and slip out the door. The hallway is dark, the only source of light is the moonlight seeping in through the window. Slowly, I walk towards the stairs, pausing to check on Sweetie Belle, sound asleep in her bed, a small doll clutched tightly to her chest. I work my way down the steps, careful to avoid the creaky one, in to the main room of the Boutique.