//------------------------------// // A New Friend // Story: Elegance // by Ryuler //------------------------------// "Welcome to Carousel Boutique!" Rarity exclaimed as she opened the doors to her fashion store. Rarity stepped inside, with Octavia by her side. Rarity flicked on the lights, which illuminated the building with a burst of white light. Octavia's eyes widened slightly at the sudden flare, but as the blur subsided, she couldn't believe her eyes. The Boutique was like nothing she had seen before, she was speechless. Even Rarity, the owner of the store was paralyzed in astonishment. "Does it usually look this... uh," Octavia twirled a hoof "Filthy..." Rarity finished with a spiritless voice. "I am deeply sorry for the mess in here Octavia. I hadn't realized I had left it this unkempt. I had to rush my duties to make it to the performance on time." Rarity, standing to Octavia's left side, stared at her facial expression, awaiting a negative response. However, to her surprise, she received a slight giggle. "Hm?" Rarity was confused. "Why the laughter?" She giggled again "Oh don't fret over the mess dear, honestly. The way my studio looks the day of a performance is not a very appealing sight either." Rarity let out a sigh of relief and wiped the moisture from her brow. "Well, where are these fabulous fashion designs? I'm eager to catch a glimpse" "Oh, why yes of course. Right this way." Rarity gestured for her guest to follow her. They entered a section of the building where Rarity kept most of her designs and supplies. There were a few dresses fixed onto the manequines, along with assorted gems, ribbons, and other various works scattered across the room. Octavia scanned the room, it was messy, but it wasn't unbearable. Rarity's focus was fixated on Octavia's gaze. Everything she suspected Octavia had glanced at, she would glance at as well. She was a tad nervous, especially since Octavia's first impression of her store was tainted with the sight of an unorganized mess. "Oh my!" Octavia verbalized "This one is magnificent." She pointed to one of the dresses on display. It was the color of royalty, purple, with white faux fur lining. She gently ran her hoof across the fabric, examining the creation. "Oh yes, that one is definitely some of my better work." "You really do have an eye for fashion Rarity. To be quite honest, I love all of these designs." Octavia smiled and returned her attention to the purple dress. "Well that may be true, but I am not a versatile musician like yourself." Octavia giggled "Why thank you Rarity," and she turned back to the dress. The room became silent. Rarity brushed a hoof back and forth against the floor. "Octavia?," she said "Yes?" "If you really like the dress, you may take it if you wish." Octavia raised an eyebrow "Are you sure?" "Yes, it's all yours." The earth pony's face brightened. "Goodness, a thousand thank yous Rarity." Rarity smiled and gently folded up the dress, and placed it in a bag Octavia observed the luminescent moon through a nearby window as she waited patiently. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and Rarity handed her the bag. "Thank you again," she smiled at Rarity. "Twas my pleasure," Rarity replied and gave a slight bow. "Well I better get to the inn, we leave bright and early tomorrow morning." Rarity frowned a bit. "Would you like to accompany me on my trip there?" Rarity perked up "Oh yes of course. I would love to." she glanced at the clock. "Dreck!" "What's wrong?" "Uh... nothing dear, just give me a moment to change out of this dress and we can depart." Octavia nodded. Some time later, Rarity re-entered the room and Octavia followed her out the front door. She knew it would be painfully late before she made it back home, but it was well worth it. They stepped onto the path, populated by only a few other ponies, and began walking to the inn under the night sky. "My, what a beautiful night," Rarity commented "Well it is rather quaint, however the Canterlot gardens are astonishing at night when the stars are out." Octavia looked up at the sky. "My favorite time to perform is at night, preferably outside, under the stars." "If I may ask darling, are you strictly a cellist? Or do you play other instruments as well?" "Well," Octavia began "The cello is my passion, and what I am best at, however I am able to play other string instruments like the violin or viola. But I prefer my cello over anything." "You truly are a master at it." Rarity complimented "As are you with fashion." They both smiled at each other They continued their walk, and finally made it to the inn. Octavia claimed her reservation. She was handed a room key and her luggage that was left there by her director. Rarity assisted her and followed her up the stairs. The building was only 3 stories high, Ponyville didn't receive many visitors, and it was a small town. Octavia unlocked the door and the two ponies stepped inside. "I cannot wait to get some sleep. Such a long day." Octavia yawned, covering her mouth with a hoof. Rarity simply gave a slight nod and placed some of Octavia's bags on a nearby desk. She heard a groan and turned to see her new acquaintance sprawled out on the bed. "Octavia?" She threw her body to an upright position "My apologies, I'm just sincerely tired right now." "Forgiven dear," she waved a hoof "I would just like to talk some more before I go. If you're not too fatigued." The musician giggled "Well Rarity, I don't mean to sound rude but it is very late and I need to sleep." Rarity hesitantly replied "Alright. I understand..." Octavia stared at the unicorn. "Sorry for my awkward behavior Octavia. It's just that I really enjoy talking to you. My friends here in Ponyville don't find interest in a lot of the things I enjoy, but you do. It's just so disappointing that you're leaving tomorrow." Octavia glanced at the ceiling. "You know. I feel a similar manner. I had a lot of fun tonight, and I especially enjoyed our conversations, we have a lot in common." Rarity nodded and smiled. "I've changed my mind. I'll have to tell the director I won't be returning to Canterlot tomorrow morning. I'm staying for a few more days." Rarity gasped "Oh, thank you Octavia. I can't wait to show you around Ponyville." "Looking forward to it," she replied "And you can show me your store again when it's all cleaned up." They both laughed "Well I must make my way home before it gets any later. I'll meet you here in the morning. Au revoir Octavia." They shook hooves, and Rarity left the inn. ______________________________________________________________ Twilight was wide awake, and laying in her bed. She was lost in thought, staring at the ceiling. "A music performance. I never knew Rarity had a taste for music. I'm no musician though. Hmm, I wonder how long she was there. I hope she had a good time................ What all did she do? What if she met some stallion there and.... no worse. What if she WENT with some stallion. She was quick to rush me out of her store. She probably didn't want me there anyway........... No, maybe I'm thinking too much into this. Ugh why is it so hot in this room, and I don't even feel tired." Twilight slipped out of bed and downstairs to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and took a sip. "Maybe I should go visit her tomorrow. What if she's busy? I don't want her mad at me. Maybe I should just mail her a letter? No, that's ridiculous. I'll just go over tomorrow and ask if she'll be busy. Maybe we can hang out." She drank the remaining water "Hmm. Still hot in here." She wiped her forehead and poured another glass. She walked towards one of her many bookshelves. "Where was that book again?" With her magic, she scanned a few books before finding the right one "Here it is.... ugh. I almost feel embarrassed just looking at it." The book she held was titled "Impressing that Mare." She levitated the glass of water and the book in front of her, and she took a seat upon the couch. She had opened this book before, but had only read the first page. She flipped open the cover, and took a quick glance around the room. Her embarrassment and irrational fear of eavesdroppers at that moment made her jumpy, but she read anyway. "Hmm. 'Saying Hello.' Well I already know her well, skipping that part. Skip, skip, skip, skip. Hmm. 'The next time you and her have a conversation, take note of positive responses. Some responses may be more positive than others. Take note of these and remember them, try to stay on subjects she enjoys the most and the topics she seems to respond the most to.' Well that's a bit obvious. I need something more helpful than this. She took a sip of her water. Then, she heard a noise coming downstairs. She immediately closed the book and threw it under the couch. She gripped glass as if it were the last glass of water in Equestria. "Twilight?" she heard Spike call. "Yes... Spike?" "You ok? I heard you get up and come down here, but you didn't come back up. Are you sick?" "No Spike, just reading something." Twilight facehoofed "Whatcha reading?" "Just uhh... you know. Magic and... friendship stuff." ".......................................... ok. Well I'm going back to sleep." "Goodnight Spike." "'Night Twilight" Spike went back upstairs. Twilight let out a sigh of relief and sipped the last of the water. She peeked over the edge of the couch and could see a corner of the book poking out. She extended a hoof to grab it, but then she hesitated and put her hoof back at her side. "Forget it..." Twilight placed the empty glass in the sink and returned upstairs. She sat on the edge of her bed and turned towards Spike, who was now asleep. She watched him for a few moments, lost in thought. She shook her head, and lied down. She closed her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep.