"No paperwork and no assignments for the first time ever," Sassy Saddles muttered under her breath. Not the most accurate thing she'd uttered, but any cause for celebration where she skipped along the sidewalks of Manehattan was fine by her. "Managers and seamstresses alike need these moments. We need more days like this!"
However, no day had nothing on the agenda, even if those items were leisurely.
Sassy stood inches outside a small but charming boutique, Cup of Coco, and gazed at the mannequin on display. The dress it wore sported a bright blue color, its flowing design reminiscent of the ocean, and passersby she noticed stopped to get a closer look at the garment. While no one was looking, Sassy pranced in place and donned a radiant grin, then leaned against the boutique's window.
"This is what you've been working toward," Sassy squealed as she regained her composure. "If you're able to impress the pickiest of socialites in Equestria, you've surely made a name for yourself."
Sassy approached the humble boutique with a confident stride and pushed the door open. A slight breeze swirled past her, and the cool air tickled her coat. The first thing she noticed about the boutique, other than the sparkling wooden floors and meticulous organization, were the fabulous dresses on display or for sale. There weren't many of them in the cramped room, but each one caught her attention for at least a second.
A cream-colored mare with a light blue mane sat at the back of the room, hunched over a table and surrounded by completed dresses. Coco Pommel was in her natural state, which rarely ever changed, but the sewing machine's clacks were somewhat rhythmic. Without warning, the clacks disappeared, and Coco stood upright and examined her latest creation with narrowed eyes.
"Collar might be a little too large," Coco muttered under her breath. She stroked her chin and hummed for a moment. "Stalwart Shield is supposed to be a chivalrous character, and in the ballroom scene, she's described as wearing a dazzling, flower-like dress. The frills and patterns should be dramatic enough to reflect this, but at the same time, it should accentuate her character in the play." A sigh left her mouth, and she sat back down, brow furrowed. "A few minor adjustments for the collar, chest, and butterfly patterns should do the trick."
"Are you busy?" Sassy called out as she made her way through the boutique. Shuddering, she then covered her mouth and blushed. "Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting. I can drop by later, but I'll promise to get you something nice if you're too swamped with work."
"You're not being bothersome at all," Coco said as she playfully waved her hoof. She swiveled in her seat and looked at Sassy, the former's lips curled into a soft smile. "Make yourself at home. I'd hate to turn away a close friend." The seamstress activated the sewing machine once more and resumed her work. "What brings you to my boutique? Do you need help with something?"
"Thankfully, no." Sassy rubbed the back of her neck. "All of the boutiques I'm managing, yours included, don't have anything of the utmost importance coming up. In fact, everything has been rather quiet, and I was actually hoping to spend some time with you."
"Then you've come at the right time." Coco feigned a chuckle, then stuck her tongue out whilst she made the revisions to her newest creation. Even without the modifications, it shone underneath the light and would've surely garnered attention at the next Grand Galloping Gala. However, Coco tweaked the design as though it was riddled with holes or misplaced buttons. "There's some snacks in the backroom, plus a coffee machine if you need some pep in your step. I'll get them for you—"
"Oh, it's perfectly fine. You've obviously got a massive play coming up, and I don't want to be burdensome." Sassy chortled, then leaned closer to the incomplete dress. The floral pattern gave it some flair, and it seemed like the perfect prop for an upcoming play or show. "I thought maybe we could have some lunch together. You and I know how busy our lives can get with all these commissions and plays and whatnot, so don't feel like you need to go."
Coco nodded in an instant. "To think I was even busier while working under Suri's direction."
"Isn't she the plagiarist? She's a salespony nowadays, right?"
"Exactly, but she's nowhere near as bossy." Taking a deep breath, Coco puffed her chest out and leaned away from the desk. She turned off the sewing machine and looked back at Sassy. "Anyway, the last part should only take five minutes, and then I'd love to spend time with you. It's been forever since we went somewhere as friends, not co-workers."
"At least we're not those kind of co-workers." Sassy rolled her eyes and groaned, lips slightly puckered. "It's a minor miracle that Hoity Toity hasn't thrown Stopwatch Stitch out a window. That moron is always flirting with deadlines, and how he manages to complete everything with minutes to spare is something I'll never fully understand."
Coco shrugged, but donned a sheepish smile. "Explains his name, but I don't know why anypony would procrastinate. The thought of running late is enough to send chills down my spine." She shuddered, cheeks somewhat rosy, and then giggled. "Those hurriedly made dresses never turn out well."
"Now you know how I feel." Sassy took a step closer to her friend, the latter standing upright and stretching her muscles. "Looking after some of these designers is like being a foalsitter. Actually, maybe ninety percent of them are high-maintenance ponies." She raised her head and touched her chin. "They're nice ponies, but—"
"They're not the easiest co-workers in the world." Coco touched her lips and blushed. "That's why it's always so refreshing whenever us designers are sharing breaks with each other. You get to know a side of them that's not always visible whenever you're working on a collaboration."
"And then you have ponies like Rarity, who're always a delight to work alongside. But sometimes, she—" Sassy rubbed the back of her head "—she can be a little melodramatic."
"But she's still the best!"
"Yes, we owe much of our success to that generous mare." Sassy turned away from the desk and rubbed her shoulder. "Anyway, I'll meet you at the Shooting Star Cafe when you're done with the dress. It's only a block away, and you can't miss it."
Coco trotted ahead of Sassy. "I've been there a few times."
"Then it's settled! Let's—"
"Fashion emergency!" a voice shrieked. Its owner charged into the boutique and clenched a newspaper between her wing and side. Sassy recognized the mare as Colorful Couture, who'd made a name for herself by warning seamstresses, designers, and managers of upcoming occasions where an increase in work was inevitable. The violet-colored mare's widened eyes, tightened cheeks, and uncombed white mane turned even the bravest of seamstresses and managers pale.
Sassy's smile disappeared like a mirage. She shuffled a little to the left and tried to get a better look at the newspaper Colorful Couture brought with her. There was a mention of Princess Twilight Sparkle, but otherwise, it seemed like every other newspaper article.
"Is something wrong?" Coco asked while she shrank away.
Colorful Couture nodded without hesitation, then jogged in place as sweat dripped down her forehead. "How about a festival that's supposed to start in a week, and we've only just gotten notice?" she shouted, almost out of breath. "Oh, and don't think any of us can weasel out of it!"
"How come?"
"Everypony's invited, and they're sweetening the deal by enticing ponies with all sorts of benefits and goodies! All of the biggest names in Equestria are gonna be there, and hundreds more are certain they'll attend! Skipping out on this festival would be like shooting yourself in the hoof, and the festival organizers want all the dresses to have friendship as a theme!" Colorful Couture caught her breath. She fidgeted for a moment and then slid the newspaper across the floor, which came to a stop inches away from Sassy.
Princess Twilight Sparkle Announces Festival of Harmony
100,000 to Attend Biggest Festival in Equestrian History
Sassy rubbed her eyes. She brought her attention back to Colorful Couture and stretched a hoof toward the mare. "Wait, that must be a typo. That's twenty times the attendance of your average Grand Galloping Gala, and four times as much as the Summer Sun Celebration!" She blinked a few times, mouth agape for a moment. "You mean to tell me that Equestria's hosting a festival that big, and we've just gotten notice?"
"That's what the newspaper says," Colorful Couture replied. She crawled backwards while Sassy and Coco stared at her with widened eyes. "Look, I would've told you sooner, but the festival was literally announced last night! You think I'm just sitting on this like it's nothing?"
"Do they seriously expect us to commission a series of dresses in a week?" Sassy jogged in place and sweat dripped down her forehead. "We've gotta get everypony together! Do you know what will happen if one of the boutiques I manage produces mediocre dresses? It'll affect all the boutiques I'm managing!"
"I think you're looking too much into this, Sassy," Coco replied as she nudged closer to her friend. She rubbed the latter's back and turned to face Colorful Couture. "Would it be possible to delay the festival by two or three weeks? We've worked under strict time limits before, but this might be too much for anypony." Lowering her head, she tapped the floor and pursed her lips for a moment. "Is Princess Twilight also managing the festival? Announcing it this late doesn't sound like her."
"She announced it, so it's safe to say that's she's also in charge of overlooking the festival." Colorful Couture took a deep breath. "Anyway, I'd love to talk some more, but I've gotta tell the other seamstresses and fashionistas. Some of 'em are meeting up at the Shooting Star Cafe to collaborate, and—"
"That's where we planned on going!" Coco stepped back and swished her tail. "I mean, those were the plans before we got your message." She trotted toward her boutique's front door. "I know you have a lot on your agenda, but you're more than welcome to come along if that's not a problem."
"And we'll need to discuss plans right away!" Sassy exclaimed, then paced back and forth whilst she gazed at the other two ponies. Her muscles twinged, aches coursed throughout her body as what felt like a million ideas rushed through her mind in a matter of seconds. "Let's not waste time. Celestia knows we don't have much of it!"
"Yeah, what she said," Colorful Couture added. The mare twitched uncontrollably and avoided eye contact as laughs passed through her lips. She rubbed her right foreleg and bit her lip, then shouted, "You know who to call if something happens! Best of luck, kiddies!"
As Colorful Couture swooped out of the boutique, Sassy and Coco turned to face each other and wore bemused expressions. The room fell silent, a sharp contrast to the panicky tones that once polluted the air. Even the chatter outside ground to a halt as news of the festival likely spread throughout the city.
"We're stuck, aren't we?" Sassy whispered as she donned a dour look. Her shoulders sagged. "Whoever else organized this festival must be intent on everypony showing up. Of course, this just invites trouble given that it has Twilight's name attached, but those are small things."
"I wouldn't call those small," Coco muttered. She crossed her forelegs and frowned, a sigh escaped her mouth. "Remember the wedding in Canterlot?"
"I suppose the wedding could've gone worse in hindsight." Sassy rubbed the back of her neck and watched as Colorful Couture barged into an apartment across the street, whereby finely dressed ponies scrambled outside and gawked at the newspaper. She blinked, then continued, "Why did she call us 'kiddies' again?"
Coco shrugged, then shook her head. "I have no idea."
"They want us to make what?" a stallion shrieked at the top of his lungs.
Another pony followed suit and bellowed, "Dresses made out of friendship?"
The Shooting Star Cafe wasn't meant for such meetings, but nevertheless, it transformed into a hectic conference room. Most of the current patrons had some kind of relationship with the fashion industry, many of them recognizable from a distance with their frilly hats and long scarves, and those who weren't merely sipped their tea as they watched on with perplexed faces. Clacks occasionally joined the endless chorus of complaints or concerns, a sharp contrast to the elegantly designed chairs, tables, and portraits that breathed life into the cafe.
"I mean, what does making a dress that represents friendship supposed to mean?" a yellow-coated unicorn asked. Despite knowing Lily Lace for an hour or two in total, Sassy's ears ached whenever the budding designer's voice squeaked, which was far too often. "I'm really good at making hats and dresses, but this totally makes no sense."
"They're usually symbolic in nature," Coco explained as she rested her hooves on the table. "You can't literally make a dress out of friendship, but little quirks and features can represent something once they're given meaning. It's a lot like abstract art."
Lily Lace tilted her head. "Uh, what?"
"Abstract art," Inky Rose replied. The gray mare then shook her wings and turned to face Lily Lace. "It uses shape, color, and form in such a way that it has no clear counterpart in reality. I think what Miss Pommel is trying to say is that it's up to the seamstress to evoke a meaning from each design."
"No need to be formal, Inky Rose," Coco replied, cheeks flushed. "And yes, that's the general principle behind the dresses we'll likely be making. Trying to convince passersby that these works of art represent values of friendship, whether they're honesty or loyalty or anything in between, won't be easy. However, we should have a lot for the festival if we apply some creativity."
"Like what?" a third voice retorted. Unlike Lily Lace or Inky Rose, however, Starstruck evoked most of the stereotypes commonly associated with those in the fashion industry, whether it was his pompous aura or expensive suit that would've saw him out a thousand bits if stained. "We need to make sure that everything stays consistent, and there's a possibility that fashion critics will know we're pulling stuff out of thin air!"
"It's always worked for me," Inky Rose muttered as she pressed the tips of her hooves together. A slight smirk ran across her face. "But my designs usually have a Gothic theme, not something abstract like friendship. I don't know if my style fits that theme." Shrugging, Inky Rose leaned forward and narrowed her eyes. "I guess that's why all of us need to collaborate."
"Agreed," Coco replied as she forced a smile across her face. "Our dresses will have some differences, but as a whole, there should be some commonality that promotes the idea of friendship. Even the mere existence of a common trend can make this work, and it'd show that friendship helped us collaborate on a massive project."
Sassy glanced at Coco and gave her a nod. "You make an excellent point." She stroked her chin and raised her head. "However, we'll need to come up with a consensus. What features would not only suggest friendship, but include ones we'd have no trouble incorporating into our own styles?"
"I doubt you're interested in using belts, zippers, or tall boots," said Inky Rose. She donned a slight smirk. "I can try branching out a little, but—" she waved her hoof in a circular motion "—but don't be surprised if I'm sticking with dark colors. That's kind of my thing."
"I'm totally about bright colors, frills, and see-through cloth," Lily Lace added. "Like, my style is the opposite of hers, and it'd look super-weird if we combined them. We totally need to find something similar about ours, but unless I start adding belts to my dresses, that ain't happening!" She groaned and rolled her eyes. "Don't you see, we're wasting our time! We need to sketch rad ideas right now!"
Sassy sighed and touched her cheek. "Hm, that does pose a problem. Maybe we could find some kind of compromise, but that's only if your dresses are that different."
"Oh, they're different," Starstruck said as he clasped his hooves together. The stallion furrowed his brow. "Finding a similarity between them is practically impossible. You'd be changing the meaning of similar to make it work. Believe me, I've tried!"
Sassy gave a nervous chuckle and fiddled with the collar of her dress. "I think we're going about this the wrong way."
"You think?" Starstruck extended his foreleg, brow raised and mouth opened. His lips moved, yet no words escaped his mouth, and he then rolled his eyes and sighed. "Collaborations are great and all, but working with completely different visions will get us nowhere!"
"Compromise is an essential part of friendship, right?" Coco asked. "If we can produce a few dresses that blend our styles, it might fulfill the festival's theme. It's worth a shot, right?"
"But there's nothing wrong with having our own styles dominate one or two dresses at most," Inky Rose murmured. She gently tapped the table. "While it's important to compromise, we cannot forget about our individual talents. We could always celebrate those things, proving that friendships can withstand different tastes."
Coco touched her lips and smiled. "My friend and I should've thought about this more. You make an excellent point, and we might be complicating things for what should be straightforward. My friend and I apologize for disturbing your meeting and—"
"Uh, you don't need to apologize. This is what brainstorming is like." Inky Rose raised her hoof, then touched her cheek and shrugged. "I'll try to add some quirks in my designs that'll fit with the festival, but it might take some time. I suggest that everypony does the same."
"Totally the easy way," said Lily Lace. She pouted, then crossed her forelegs. "Like, we've gotta be so much more creative if we're gonna impress everypony at the festival. Just doing the same stuff isn't gonna work when ponies are expecting stuff about friendship. Seriously, what does a dress about friendship look like?"
"How about something like Princess Twilight's dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala?" Coco suggested. She wore a wide grin, though her stretched cheeks suggested it wasn't genuine. "It'd seem obvious, but we can do a lot of interesting things with dresses based on astronomy or classical literature."
"The second one fits you perfectly," Sassy added. The seamstress winked at Coco, then looked at the others. "However, we might run the risk of making our dresses redundant. If they're all the same, we'll definitely earn the critics' ire, and that's the last thing we need."
"And it'd seem like you're just vying for Princess Twilight's attention," Starstruck said with narrowed eyes. "She might be excited, but this is the Festival of Harmony, not the Appease Princess Twilight's Ego Festival. You might be a star, but these kinds of requests require more thought." He leaned back and shuddered, yet a crooked smile ran across his face. "We're designing outfits that'll garner attention, no matter who's wearing it."
Coco sighed and nodded. "When you put it that way, my idea does sound foolish. Fashion critics would be able to tell right away that we're tacking on the meaning of friendship to our usual dresses." She paused, lips curled into a frown. "They need to be a little different than the norm."
Inky Rose raised her hoof. "But we can still use our style most of the time, right?" The seamstress stood up and raised her head, and everypony else followed suit. "I'm going to ask Rarity some questions. You're welcome to come along, but it might be our best choice."
"And what makes you think she'll know?" Lily Lace retorted. "If anything, she's probably freaking out like the rest of us!" She tugged at her mane and bit her lip. "You know what she's like! She's probably gonna be decorating the stage on the day of the festival, pretending like she has no care in the world when she's totally flipping out on the inside!"
"We don't know that," Coco said as she stared at Lily Lace and furrowed her brow. She took a deep breath, then looked back at Inky Rose and smirked. "You actually bring up a good idea. Honestly, I'm kind of embarrassed that the thought never crossed my mind."
Inky Rose said nothing, but merely widened her smirk and gave a slight nod.
"I don't know how she'd help, even with the social connections," Starstruck scoffed. He froze in place after a few steps and donned a nervous expression. "I know that's how we get ahead in the business, but this one's different. Besides, she lives in Ponyville, and you know how absurd prices are for train tickets!"
"Gonna have to agree with Starstruck," Lily Lace added. "Not with the whole Rarity being unable to help thing, but totally with the ticket prices being expensive thing. I'm so gonna write her a letter and hope for the best, and if she's got some advice, I'm gonna take it."
"The ticket prices aren't that ridiculous," Sassy replied. She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. "Maybe they're not inexpensive, but it's something all of you could afford. Are you embarrassed at the prospect of asking Rarity for help, or is there something else going on?" She wiped her brow, narrowing her eyes and scrunching her nose. "To think I saw myself as the panicky one."
Lily Lace nodded as quickly as possible. "It's totally the nerves."
"Time and money, my friend," Starstruck said as he turned away from the other ponies. "I can't go around wasting time on something that might not work. Besides, staying put will give me time for working on my latest works. Maybe after another cup of coffee, inspiration will strike."
"That's what they all say," Coco muttered under her breath.
"What was that?"
Coco blushed and smiled sheepishly. "Just thinking out loud!"
"Guess I'm not the only one who does that." Starstruck rolled his shoulders and sighed, then resumed walking toward the exit. "Time to get working, and I hope all of you are successful in your endeavors. We'll need to depend on our managers to keep a schedule to survive."
"Depends would be an understatement," Sassy said in an instant. "Then again, you depend on us, which means we're practically connected. Neither of us could excel in the business without a seamstress making the clothes or a manager doing the paperwork and sales."
"But we'll need all the help we can get," Coco murmured under her breath. She shivered as though the temperature plummeted in a fraction of a second. "Without a guiding hoof or ten, we'll never understand what the festival wants from us. Oh, I hope it's not too much of a hassle."
Unfortunately, the future wasn't keen on answering those hopes.
"What if Rarity doesn't have any suggestions?" Sassy murmured.
The seasoned manager and Coco traversed over the cobblestone pathways of Canterlot, all while endless chatter filled the air as the roads became increasingly crowded. Clacks and bangs echoed around them, all while ponies hoisted wooden beams on their backs. A few tents lined the roads, but while most of them were incomplete, their supports swayed with the wind, and a few even toppled on their own whenever given the gentlest of nudges.
Clenching her teeth, Sassy swished her tail back and forth and took deep breaths. She tried to relax, but each shabbily built tent or distant groan sent chills down her spine. They all reminded her of the looming deadline. However, one thought soon crept into her mind.
"She cannot possibly know what the festival wants from everypony, right?" Sassy continued. She took another deep breath, chest puffed out as she shivered. Her eyes quickly shifted toward Coco. "And what if she's not allowed to provide suggestions because of some blasted contract? Or perhaps—"
"Sassy, it'll be okay," Coco interrupted, then patted her friend's back. "It's been two days since we met with Inky Rose and the others, and Rarity has surely come up with something since our message came out." The two nodded in unison, then continued making their way through the bustling city. "We're almost at her boutique, and she's probably arranging things for the festival. She might be close friends with Princess Twilight, but it'd be silly to think she's not anxious."
"You've known Rarity for longer, so I should take your word." Sassy took a deep breath. Raising her head, she glanced a little to the left and noticed a pink and purple structure that stood out from the usual marble-coated buildings. Canterlot Carousel, one of the most renowned boutiques in the city, was one that she managed on Rarity's behalf and her greatest achievement. Ponies entered or left the boutique with bright smiles, often with a tote bag or something they'd bought.
Those smiles vanished seconds after they stepped outside, immediately assaulted by clacks and shouts and the most poorly organized festival preparations in history. It certainly wasn't something Princess Twilight would've approved, which made her involvement all the more surreal.
"This is a disaster!" Rarity shrieked from within the boutique.
Coco narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips as she gazed at the boutique. "I've got a feeling that Rarity isn't taking the surprise announcement too well," she said, sporting a nervous smile. A few laughs escaped her mouth. "I've worked alongside her on more than one occasion, and if we were pressed for time, she always acted a little—" Coco waved her hoof "—melodramatic."
"Seems to be a recurring trend for designers," Sassy murmured. She looked back at the boutique and approached its front door, and Coco followed close behind. Clacks rang into her ears, at which point Sassy turned back to her friend and muttered, "However, I doubt she's too stressed about the ordeal. We'll just ask for some advice and hope that it's usable."
"What counts—" Before Coco finished her question, two bees swirled around the mare. Their buzzes were impossible to ignore as they blared over the other ponies' conversations. She twitched and flailed her forelegs for a moment, then took a deep breath as the bugs flew away. She blushed and giggled, then cleared her throat. "As I was saying, what counts as usable?"
"Anything that'll spare us from the critics' ire." Sassy turned to face the boutique's front door, then knocked on the wooden frame. "Rarity, could we please speak with you for a few minutes? Coco Pommel and I have a few questions we'd like to ask."
The door swung open. Sassy stepped back and gazed into Rarity's eyes as the white-coated unicorn held the door open with her magic. The mare's purple mane was in dire need of a comb, and the seamstress's eyes were droopy and bloodshot. Measuring tape rested on the mare's neck, and she wore a pair of stylish but slightly askew spectacles.
"Did we pick a bad time?" Coco asked as she fidgeted toward Rarity.
Rarity shook her head, rubbed her eyes, and puckered her lips. The mare brought a cup of coffee toward her with magic and took a few sips. "Not at all, dear!" A yawn escaped her mouth, and she raised her head and waddled back into the boutique. "However, I'm also busy preparing for the festival. It's dreadful getting everything ready in time, and because of these little inconveniences, I cannot take custom orders right now."
Smirking, Coco looked up at Sassy and nudged the latter's shoulder, prompting the latter to blush. In hindsight, it should've been predictable that Rarity would've been either exceedingly drowsy or fretting over the smallest of details, maybe both if everything went south.
"Is everything okay, Rarity?" Sassy murmured. She extended her foreleg. "You look like you've been up all night. Trust me, your dresses won't turn out better if you don't get some sleep. I've been there with management, and I know for a fact that all of the designers I've worked alongside would argue the same."
"Oh, I'm just fine!" Rarity twirled like a ballerina. Chuckling, she blinked a few times and took another sip of her coffee. "Princess Twilight is busy with friendship problems, and the ponies in charge of organizing in her place are woefully incompetent! They won't even have enough guards, which means somepony is surely going to steal our generously sewn gowns!" She caught her breath, eyes widened. "Everything's fine, darling! I'll have these dresses ready for the festival, and then it'll be time to continue decorating the stage, lights, gardens, and a thousand other things." Nervous looks surrounded the mare as her cackling intensified. "It's not a problem whatsoever!"
Coco touched her chest and feigned a soft smile. "We could help if you're having trouble." She fidgeted for a moment and cleared her throat. "Besides, we've had struggles of our own ever since the announcement became public. The prompt is really vague."
Rarity took a deep breath and tried to relax. "I'm not surprised everypony is having trouble with the prompt." She then stretched her foreleg and touched the boutique's wall. "It's unnecessarily vague, but Twilight was insistent that everything is about friendship. I think she was focusing on the idea that ponies in the fashion business would collaborate, come to a compromise, and design a marvelous dress that seamlessly blends their styles."
"We tried that with Starstruck, Lily Lace, and Inky Rose. To be honest, it looks like collaborations will probably be out of the question, even if Inky Rose was open to the idea." Coco stroked her chin. "Failing that, what should we do next? Getting designers into the same room is hard enough."
"It feels like we're the only three in the business who fully appreciate the nuances of friendship." Rarity inched away from the two ponies. She then motioned a hoof and donned a slight smirk, her posture slouched. "Anyway, please make yourselves at home."
Sassy trotted into the boutique while Coco followed close behind. Not much had changed about Canterlot Carousel since her most recent visit. The dresses were all organized by category and situated beside the leftmost and rightmost walls, Rarity's sewing table was to the back, and bright lights and floral decorations gave the place some flair. It was luxurious, but not too much to where it seemed pretentious.
Rarity turned to face her friends once more, then yawned. "I do apologize for my less than glamorous behavior," she said with a smirk. "Ever since the Festival of Harmony was announced, I've been working from dawn until two o'clock at night. Three hours of sleep at most will negatively affect anypony's outer beauty."
"Sounds dreadful," Coco replied. She took a deep breath and rubbed the back of her head. "I passed out in the middle of my boutique a few months ago, and I think it was during that stressful fashion show. It was kind of scary, even if I won the contest."
"I've made use of my fainting couches on more than one occasion." Rarity giggled, and she began twirling her mane. "Anyway, Inky Rose asked me a similar question about designing garments for the Festival of Harmony. However, there is one problem."
Sassy arched an eyebrow. "What would that be?"
"I won't be one of the judges!" Rarity pulled the fainting couch toward her with magic, but merely sat down on the plush furniture as she clasped her hooves together. "Instead, I've been decorating a festival that's dreadfully organized! I'm truly sorry, but how does anypony expect this to end well? It'll be the worst possible thing!"
"Festivals are never straightforward, right?" Sassy approached Rarity and sat down on the couch, then shimmied a little so that Coco could've taken the space in the middle. "You might not be judging our creations, but you must know something about the prompt."
Rarity sighed, then turned to face Sassy and Coco. "Unfortunately, it appears that each pony will need to justify their own definition for what counts as symbolizing friendship. I tried coercing ponies into changing the prompt, and Twilight understands my position."
"Did it work?"
Rarity shook her head in an instant. "Of course not! They weren't willing to listen and acted like they know everything about fashion! That's a bold lie to tell ponies such as myself!" She took a deep breath. "Twilight isn't too happy with them, however, which means they could be replaced by someone who knows what they're doing. Let's hope for everypony's sake that's what happens."
"Sounds like a complete mess," Coco muttered. She touched her lips, then clasped her hooves together and shimmied closer to Rarity. "I know we're all stressed about our roles, but it must be especially taxing for Princess Twilight. I hope things turn out okay for her."
"All of us are in agreement." Rarity pushed herself upright, then took a few steps away from the couch. "Anyway, I do have a few suggestions about the prompt, but they may not be to your liking. I sincerely apologize in advance if they do not work out."
Sassy bobbed her head. "It's better than nothing. You don't mind if I share your advice with other designers and seamstresses, right? I'm overseeing more ponies than just you and Coco, and it would be rude to keep it between us three."
"I'm all for being generous, so please share my words with your friends and colleagues." Rarity rubbed her eyes and smiled. She touched her chest. "Express what you think represents friendship, and don't be afraid to disagree if you must."
"We've explored the idea of dresses that all have something in common," Coco said, then touched her cheek. "It could be interesting, and maybe I could make a few decent dresses with Sassy's input. Is that a good idea, or should I try thinking more about the prompt?"
"I think that's a wonderful idea, darling." Rarity walked over to where Coco sat and froze in place once she was a few steps away. "Some ponies may need some convincing about why it represents friendship, but it's surely better than sewing dresses without considering the prompt. A friend of mine once tried it, and the results were truly horrifying!"
"They couldn't have been that bad." Coco's cheeks became rosy, and she stifled a giggle. "It's not like those costumes that needed to look like disco balls."
Rarity shuddered. She leaned back and donned a crooked smile. "Actually—"
"That awful?" Sassy replied. "I doubt we'll be in that much trouble, but we do appreciate the warning." She paused for a moment and clasped her hooves. "Lastly, would you have any suggestions for what these dresses might have in common? I know it's a lot to ask, but it would greatly help us all."
A sigh passed through Rarity's lips, and she lowered her head. "Unfortunately, you'll have to figure that out on your own. I'm terribly sorry for not helping out enough, but—" she raised her head and smirked "—I'll do my best to ensure that everypony has a wonderful time at the festival."
Sassy swallowed a lump and waved her hoof. "Oh, it's perfectly fine." She wiped the sweat that clung to her forehead. "All of us will surely have something presentable for the festival. It'll only take working all but three or four hours in a day!"
"We could honestly use an extension," Coco muttered. She stood up and crossed her forelegs. "I know the festival is already under construction, but surely Princess Twilight and the other managers wouldn't mind a short delay. It'd make the festival more enjoyable for everypony."
Rarity scrunched her nose and bellowed, "Believe me, I tried!" Sighing, she flung herself back onto the couch and reclined on the cushions. "I sincerely apologize for not being able to do more. If there was some way I could give you more time, I'd certainly oblige, but it's not like any of us can travel through time!"
"What about your friend?" Coco stroked her chin, but shivered as a nervous grin ran across her face. "Oh, right. Starlight Glimmer probably wouldn't be too keen on using time travel irresponsibly a second time. Doubt a festival's the most important thing in the world."
"You know that story?" Rarity sat up and lurched closer to her acquaintances.
"Starlight told me about what happened a few days after we became friends." Touching her chest, Coco assumed a warm smile as she gazed into Rarity's eyes. "It's one of those things she tells some new friends, knowing that they're going to find out eventually."
Sassy rubbed her temple. "Wait, what's this about time travel?" she asked, eyes narrowed.
"Long story," Rarity and Coco replied in unison.
"I'll take your word for it." Sassy clasped her hooves together and gazed at the spotless floor. "It must've been quite interesting for them to apologize and forgive each other." She narrowed her eyes, but as she mumbled to herself, she stood tall and gasped. "That's it! Coco, I know what the festival's prompt desires!" she announced. "We'll return to Manehattan and get our fellow designers up to speed!"
Coco's eyes became the size of dinner plates and shimmered like stars. "Really?"
"Really!"
"I do hope your plans work out," Rarity added. She touched the back of her head with both hooves, then leaned back and smirked. "If something comes up, do not hesitate to send me a letter, and I'll reply as soon as possible. Just don't wait too long, because I've gotten many letters since the announcement came."
"Understood!" Sassy meandered toward the boutique's front door. "Anyway, we must be off. I wish we could've stayed a little longer, but with an assignment like this, I dread the thought of running late. I'm sure your friend can relate based on the stories you've told me, Rarity."
Coco nodded in agreement as she caught up to Sassy. Upon reaching the manager, she shifted her attention to Rarity and waved at the mare. "Goodbye, Rarity," Coco said as she pushed the front door. "I hope your assignments go well, and we'd be delighted to help if you need it."
Rarity waved back at the two as they left the boutique. "Take care, darlings!"
Sassy and Coco closed the boutique's front door as they stepped back into the chaotic roads of Canterlot, and the number of ponies that carried equipment or something related to the festival seemingly doubled since they first arrived at the city. That wasn't necessarily a good thing.
The clacks and bangs were louder than ever. Construction ponies barked orders at each other, which were often followed by indistinct grumbles or profanity. Even the locals wore deep frowns as they trotted through the chaos, the lack of excitement palpable. However, that hadn't stopped a few ponies as they gawked at the incomplete tents and booths.
"I hope their misfortune is a good omen for us," Sassy murmured.
As time marched forward, no good omens came since their meeting with Rarity. Staying up late and waking up early became the norm, and while these weren't alien concepts to Sassy or Coco, their bloodshot eyes and deep frowns persisted through those days.
That wasn't the biggest problem they had at the moment.
"One day left! One day left!" Sassy shrieked as she frantically paced back and forth. She huffed and puffed as though she'd just completed a marathon, narrowly avoiding the displays and unclothed mannequins that dotted Coco's boutique. As Sassy glanced at Coco's finished work, her heartbeats intensified. "What are we gonna do?"
"You've spent all day visiting boutiques," Coco replied. The sewing machine whirred over her voice, though it was just quiet enough to where she was mostly audible. "Hopefully, they're doing okay, but we need to work fast and efficient. There's no time to worry so much."
Sassy rubbed her eyes and looked back at the recently completed dresses. A series of dresses based on important ponies in Coco's life were neatly applied to a series of mannequins, and each of them evoked a few similar details. All would've wowed audiences at most fashion shows, but this was different.
That was Sassy's hope, and she had no idea what Coco must've been thinking as the seamstress stuck her tongue out and applied the finishing touches on her fifth dress. It was a light blue garment with purple accents, and its flowing design evoked a gust of wind. A white scarf came with the dress, which complemented its design.
"How many are left?" Sassy asked, tapping the floor and glancing at the completed dresses. A few mannequins lacked clothes, but those that wore Coco's dresses all evoked a palpable beauty. She recognized the leftmost one as being inspired by Rarity's coat and tail, hence the presence of sparkling diamonds, but the others were nevertheless perfect for any formal occasion.
"Two more, including this one," Coco said over the sewing machine. She wiped the sweat off her brow, then leaned closer to her latest creation as she began stitching what looked like a small thunderbolt. "I just need to finish the pattern, make some final corrections, and then start on the last one."
Sassy trotted in place. "Which means you'll be done hours before the deadline, right?"
Shrugging, Coco stopped the sewing machine, and silence finally lingered throughout the boutique. A few seconds later, Coco gazed at Sassy and donned a smirk. "Make that one more to go." She folded the completed dress. "I'm especially proud of this one."
"Thank goodness!" Sassy forced a laugh as she lifted the completed dress, then dressed one of the mannequins. The dress looked even better when worn. "Can't help but remember a pony I met during last year's Grand Galloping Gala. Nevertheless, the colors are fantastic."
"It could always use improvement," Coco said before she nodded.
"I think the fashion critics will be delighted by your creations." Sassy clapped her hooves for a brief moment. Lowering her head, she faced Coco and made eye contact with the mare, the latter wearing a sheepish smile. "Perhaps the festival won't be so troublesome after all."
"Can't be too sure about anything." Coco tilted her head and shrugged. "Even if our dresses amaze ponies, there's always the chance that everything doesn't work out. Besides, almost everypony we've met in our lives will be attending, and with crowds that massive, we'll never please them all."
"You're right." Sassy stroked her chin. "There's still much to consider once the dresses are finalized, and as per usual with these contests, some eager judges or critics might want to see our progress." She rolled her eyes and groaned. "You know what they can be like."
A series of clacks rang in the air. Shuddering, the hairs on Sassy's coat stood up as she turned to face the front door. A cream-colored unicorn with a raspberry mane pushed the door open and trotted inside, flanked by two shorter mares with long, smooth manes. The taller mare wore a pair of sunglasses, taking them off and revealing her green eyes as she trotted into the boutique.
"Shining Sundae!" Sassy exclaimed as she sped toward the visitor. "I wasn't expecting to see you here. You were busy helping with the festival last I heard." She rubbed the back of her neck and wore a sheepish smirk. "I hope everything's going well for you."
"Guess you could say that," Shining Sundae replied in a smooth voice. She turned to face Coco and flicked her tail. A slight smile and half-lidded eyes adorned her face. "I've been busy all week, and no time travel spells landed in front of my doorway, so excuse the surprise visit. Besides, I'm excited to see what Equestria's rising star has the show us!"
Blushing, Coco inched back and looked away from the visitor. "Um, I wouldn't call myself a rising star. Inky Rose would be Equestria's rising star in the business. I'm just a pony who's best known for making costumes of disco balls and fancy dresses for Bridleway."
"You don't need to act so humble, Miss Pommel! Give me some energy like all the famous designers!" Shining Sundae looked upwards and trotted with long strides. "I know you're embarrassed about the disco ball, but let me tell you, it was the best anypony could've done with that request."
Coco touched her chest and smiled. "You can call me Coco."
"Gotcha!" Shining Sundae swished her tail like a propeller, leaning her head back and then sported half-lidded eyes. "All those other chumps haven't impressed me with their designs. They're looking way too much into the prompt, and it's been mostly eyesores with the occasional gem. However, I know you have the skills to turn my fortune around!"
Coco swallowed a lump. "I'm trying my best, but some of them may not be to your liking. I wouldn't want to disappoint you." She approached Shining Sundae, stopped on a dime once the two were a few steps apart, and wore a faint smile. "If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them."
"Oh, I hope you like them," Sassy muttered under her breath.
Shining Sundae's ears twitched, and her eyes focused on Sassy. "Nervous, eh? I don't think the other boutiques' designers will be too stressed when they're fixing things. Most of the seamstresses you've partnered with have produced decent dresses and suits. A few were a bit risque, but that's nothing they can't fix."
"Yes, but this week has been—" Sassy crossed her forelegs "—especially tiresome."
"The whole industry's with you on that one. Anyway, let's get to the most important part of the afternoon." Shining Sundae glanced at the dresses on display and gave a curious look, then brought her attention back to Coco. "Alright, we all know the lazy prompt, but how do your dresses meet it?"
"It's about what they mean to me," Coco replied. She raised her head and glanced at the row of mannequins. "These dresses all represent the characteristics of a pony I'd forgiven in the past, eventually becoming friendly acquaintances. The colors, style, and pattern all represent their personalities."
"Is that so?"
Coco nodded in an instant. "For example, this dress represents my growing friendship with Rarity. The purple strands around the puffed collar and the plentiful diamonds represent her marvelous appearance, and it's complex but elegant design will bedazzle other ponies."
Shining Sundae leaned closer to the dress and stroking her chin. "Very interesting," she said. Pursing her lips, she turned to face the two ponies in her entourage and whispered something under her breath. The fashionista's companions approached her and whispered.
Sassy arched an eyebrow and crept toward the critics, her chest tightened. "Is everything—"
"I've got it!" Shining Sundae exclaimed. She raised her head and wore a beaming grin. "These dresses are wonderful! Such meticulous craftsmanship should be praised, and you'll have all kinds of ponies wanting them! I'm sure they'll be a hit with the ponies you've thought about."
"You really feel that way?" Coco asked as she inched away from the fashionista.
Sassy clasped her hooves together and squealed with delight. "Don't be so humble, Coco!" She lurched closer to Shining Sundae until the latter leaned away, and a massive grin tugged at her cheeks. "Okay, I might've gotten carried away. But what's the downside?"
"Downside?"
Coco rubbed the back of her head. "I think she means that you have some criticisms." She took a deep breath. "I know my dresses aren't perfect, and they may not be to your liking, but I'm more than willing to address your complaints. It'd be foolish not to listen."
"And that's why so many ponies think you'll go far." Shining Sundae glanced at Sassy. Her tail gently swished back and forth like a pendulum. "As for your friend, I understand why she's a little—" she tilted her head "—uptight. She's got the weight of the world on her shoulders with how many boutiques she manages. Guess that's what happens when you form contracts with so many designers."
"Naturally!" Sassy replied, rubbing the back of her neck. "But you've got to lend a helping hoof."
"Anyway, I think you're focusing too much on what the ponies look like rather than what dresses they'd look good wearing. Think about that for next time, okay?" Shining Sundae rolled her shoulders. "They're some of the most exquisite designs I've ever seen, and you shouldn't toss them whatsoever, but I think you were looking into the prompt too much. The judges will surely notice."
Coco's shoulders sagged. "Oh, I guess you're right." She sighed and crossed her forelegs. "When you put it that way, I should've focused on something a little different. They're nice, but not the right kind of nice." She shrugged, then tilted her head. "Guess I'll take your advice."
Shining Sundae shrugged and donned a faint smirk. "Hey, it could be worse."
"How?" Sassy shrieked. She scrunched her nose and leaned even closer to the critic until their muzzles were inches apart. "We have less than a day to prepare for the festival, and most of today has already been spent sewing three of these dresses!" She began jogging in place again, then took a series of deep breaths as the air felt cooler. "Unless you have some wise ideas, I don't think we'll have enough prepared for the festival! And that's not counting the other unfortunate designers!"
"I'm gonna tell you two the same thing I told them." Shining Sundae cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes. She motioned a hoof to her entourage, and both ponies walked back until they were beside the front door. "If you're willing to work through the night, everything will be okay. Just remember that you'll be better off designing dresses that compliment your friends' style rather than have it look exactly like them. But don't sweat it." A groan escaped her mouth. "If the prompt weren't so vague, everypony wouldn't have overthought it."
"I guess it's too late to correct that," Coco murmured. She took a deep breath, then straightened her posture and smiled. "Anyway, thank you for steering us in the right direction. It'll be undoubtedly hard, and I don't know if we'll have enough designs for the festival, but at least we can take solace in knowing that ponies will appreciate them."
"You've got the right idea." Shining Sundae trotted to the front door. "Anyway, I sadly must be going right now. There are other designers who may need more than just a few simple suggestions. Even if you can't meet the deadline, anything you bring is better than nothing."
Coco gently raised her hoof. "I actually have one more question." She furrowed her brow and gulped. "How come you waited until the last day to examine our dresses? Wouldn't it have made more sense to check on our progress a few days ago? And how come nopony told us to meet with you if we had any questions."
"I mentioned wanting a time travel spell when I got here, remember?"
Coco and Sassy nodded together.
"I was so busy with everything, it was impossible to have everything completed days in advance! Blame that pink pony who convinced the princess that such short notice was okay!" Shining Sundae widened her eyes, and her bottom lip trembled. "Besides, I was only assigned this little tour when the festival's organizers hired me out of desperation. I would've came with my own line of clothing, but I had my own problems."
"Related to coming up with some designs?"
Shining Sundae shook her head. "Actually, it was about finding accommodations for Princess Ember and her friends. They were really picky about what they wanted." The fashionista flicked her tail and marched out of the boutique, her entourage following close behind as usual. "Best of luck on your dresses! Don't try to overthink these things!"
Neither Sassy or Coco muttered a single word as they stared at each other with blank expressions. They glanced back at the front door, and once it became clear that Shining Sundae departed the boutique and sprinted toward her next destination, they breathed a collective sigh.
"Now what?" Sassy shrieked before she frantically gathered supplies with her magic. Her heartbeats quickened as she sped through the boutique like a cheetah. "We've got less than a day, and that's not enough time to sketch everything! The critics will scold all of us!" She skidded to a halt, squeals pierced the air, and stood in front of Coco once more. She glanced at the floor and noticed newly formed scratches. Her cheeks became rosy as she looked back at Coco. "We're in big trouble, and nothing short of skipping a few steps will get us out of this mess!"
Coco leaned a little to the left. "I might be able to design one dress for the festival, but it won't be perfect, and—"
"One?" Sassy wiped her forehead and sighed. "Miss Pommel, no designer brings just one dress to fit the prompt, but rather five or six! Think of any colors that'd go well with your friends, and design some simple garments based on that! You heard Shining Sundae!"
Coco crossed her forelegs, cheeks flushed. "You know I'm not good when it—"
Groaning, Sassy leaned her head back and narrowed her eyes. "Fine, we'll do one dress, but don't be surprised if the critics are disappointed at our pitiful turnout. Make it the most fascinating dress feasibly possible in the course of a day, and maybe we'll be partly spared."
Nodding, Coco donned a confident smirk and trotted back to the sewing machine. "I'll try my best!"
It was not recommended to stay awake for twenty-four hours under any circumstances, lest a pony wanted to have experienced nausea, headaches, or whatever conditions might've appeared as a consequence. However, Sassy was one of those unfortunate souls who'd ignored those warnings, and it wasn't like she or Coco had any choice in the matter. There was a festival that needed their dresses.
Somehow, everything went according to plan.
"How do you do it?" Sassy mumbled under her breath. She watched her friend as the sewing machine clacked as loud as ever. Her magic then willed some of the supplies she'd used or borrowed back into their respective shelves. "Ten minutes, and then we'll have to leave. Knowing you, everything will be ready a minute before we have to pack things up. But then you'll pretend it's nothing special and—"
"Done!" Coco leaned away from her creation, then narrowed her eyes as she scanned every seam, thread, or anything that could've been out of place. She stood up and glanced back at Sassy as the latter reorganized the supplies she'd given her friend throughout the night. Coco pushed her chair against the desk, grabbed the completed dress, and wobbled toward the nearest mannequin.
"It's good, but I don't know if it's good enough," Coco muttered while she rubbed her eyes. She carefully fitted the dress onto a mannequin and examined each detail once more. After a minute or two of final checks, she cracked a smile and nodded, gazing at the mannequin's colorful garb.
Sassy ceased filing the supplies she'd given Coco earlier in the night, turning to face her friend and the mannequin. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers, unable to avert her gaze from the completed dress. From the darker colors to the intricate patterns, it was like an improved version of Sassy's signature dress. She quivered with excitement and widened her smile.
"This—is for me!" Sassy exclaimed, the tension gripping her muscles at last. Rushing toward Coco, Sassy leaped toward the seamstress and wrapped her forelegs around the mare. "You didn't need to make a dress that suits me so well! Thank you so much!"
Coco wriggled her way out of Sassy's hug, cheeks flushed as she crossed her forelegs. "After all we've been through over the past week, it made perfect sense. We're the perfect team, and I couldn't have done this without your support. A seamstress needs a manager, after all."
Blushing, Sassy feigned a chuckle and touched her mouth. "Perhaps collaborations can take many forms."
"And that's why we're such a good team. Nopony ever said that we all needed to have the same special talents." Coco swished her tail and chuckled, eyes somewhat bloodshot. She yawned and stretched her muscles. "Anyway, we still have a few minutes before we need to leave."
"That's probably a guarantee. One of Twilight's friends loves singing in the midst of parties, and both of us have lovely voices." Sassy patted Coco's head, and the latter widened her smile. "But there is one more thing I should mention. Well, something about the dress."
"What's on your mind?"
"I might've helped with some ideas here and there, but you were the one who truly took charge." Sassy donned a warm smile. "You were creative and never gave up, even when the going got tough. I know you've been so humble ever since we met, but can you give yourself a little credit for me?"
"You know I'm the humble type, Sassy." Coco's cheeks flushed, and she rubbed the back of her head. Laughs passed through her lips. "We all had our part in making sure everything was ready for the festival. I wouldn't have gotten close to designing the right dress without your suggestion at Canterlot Carousel, after all."
"But you're still proud of how much you've accomplished, right?"
Coco bobbed her head.
A series of knocks reached the ponies' ears, their heads swiveling to face the front door as it crept open. Making her way into the boutique was Colorful Couture, a newspaper clenched between her wing and side. It was like a repeat of last week, albeit without the dramatic entrance.
"Bad fashion news!" Colorful Couture shrieked. Gasping, she wobbled into the boutique and slammed the door shut. She skipped toward the two mares, slid across the floor, and a screech pierced the air. "I know you're not gonna like this bit of news, but trust me, it's important!"
"Is there something wrong?" Sassy asked with a bemused face. "I know we're not late for the festival, and everything's ready with minutes to spare."
Colorful Couture shook her head. "All of us aren't coming. Somehow, this weird pony came up to the princesses and warned of a bee invasion! Bees! Ponies somehow never noticed until now, but Princess Twilight, Rarity, and their close friends are already working to mitigate the danger! I've got the newspaper if you need proof!" She caught her breath and puffed her chest out. "She's gonna offer refunds as soon as possible!"
Sassy's left eye twitched, and she uttered the first thing that came to mind. "The fuck?"