“Tell me again why you needed me to come with you to Canterlot.” Rainbow Dash requested, hovering above the streets of Canterlot with the friend she understood least.
“Why, it’s very simple, darling. I need somepony to give me an excuse to leave any stallions that are… A little too undesirable… Without seeming like a complete prude!” Rarity explained. “Besides, it’s been too long since you and I spent some quality time together! It’ll be fun!”
“So I’m your wing mare, huh?” Rainbow started, thinking on the idea. “Yeah, I can get behind that. But why do we have to do this in Canterlot? There’s plenty of guys in Ponyville.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “Dashie, Ponyville is too familiar. All of the ponies there feel too much like family to try and… romance. I’d much rather look around somewhere more sophisticated!”
“So, it’s too much of a hick town?” the Wonderbolt clarified, making the designer jump in place. The rainbow mare dropped to the ground laughing, soon picking herself up and walking alongside her friend. “Don’t worry, Rarity, I’ve got your back!”
“Thank you.” she replied. They walked in silence for a few minutes, Rarity eyeing a number of notable stallions as they passed. Eventually, her attention turned back to Rainbow Dash, a question beginning to tug at her lips. “So, how is your little romance going, dear?”
Rainbow shot Rarity a confused glance. “Uh… What are you talking about? I don’t have a romance going on.”
“Oh, right!” The couturier corrected, turning her attention forward again. “Of course you don’t! I just assumed that, with you spending so much time with Soarin, that things were… well, you know!”
Rainbow thought on what her friend had mentioned, the stallion in question coming to mind with a measure of pink crossing her muzzle. “No, I don’t know.” The warmth she had been experiencing made a triumphant return, slowing her down. “There it is again…” she mumbled.
Rarity chanced a glance back at her suddenly-slower friend. "What was that?"
Rainbow Dash tensed. "Uh... Nothing!"
A wry smirk formed on the coutourier's lips as she continued her trot. "Very well, then. Let's get to the boutique! There's much to be done!"
Rarity stepped out from behind the changing curtain, modeling a particularly elaborate black gown to offset her white coat. It had a simple gold belt and bracelets, each featuring a single appropriately-sized amethyst in a diamond cut, and knotwork covering each layer of fabric. “So, what do you think?” she asked, glancing over at Rainbow Dash.
“It looks cool.” Rainbow answered nonchalantly. “But why do you need some fancy outfit when we’re just going for a night on the town?”
Rarity laughed into her hoof. “Oh, darling, why would I not need to look gorgeous?” She strutted over to Rainbow Dash, looking her over and floating some measuring tape up to her. “It’s as much to attract attention as it is to make me feel good about myself! And I don’t intend to be fabulous alone, tonight!”
“Uh, what are you talking about?” the cyan mare inquired, squirming at the proximity of the measuring tape. “I don’t need some frou-frou getup!”
“Oh, please, darling, let me make you something!” Rarity pleaded, pouting. “I promise it will be simple!”
“Simple, huh?” the flyer repeated. “Will it be cool?”
“I guarantee it will fit you to a ‘T’!” She assured her, putting her outfit on a hanger and getting to work. “Let’s see… if I’m designing for Rainbow Dash, I need to take advantage of her… attributes.” She looked back at the mare she had in mind, who was leaning against the pure white wall, trying to look aloof. In the seasoned eyes of the designer, the colors of her mane popped out against the blank canvas that was the wall. “I see it!” She declared, her eyes showing stars. In that moment, she floated over a rather large roll of white fabric and scissors, the outfit slowly taking shape.
After several minutes, Rainbow Dash peeked over Rarity’s shoulder. “So, what kind of outfit are you making, anyway?”
Rarity let her gaze turn to Rainbow, another smile forming as she picked up the pace. “I’m thinking something fetching, alluring, form-fitting… Yet also powerful, evocative, and intriguing! A canvas upon which your true colors can shine!” She sewed each piece together, creating a solid white dress with a thin profile, slots made just so for wings to poke out. The skirt went as far as her knees, allowing room for her tail and lacking any frills. The shape clearly had flight in mind. On the hooves, shoes and straps of a glorious gold were placed, the straps coiling themselves up the legs to stop just short of her joints. The collar flared out, but only slightly, so as to accentuate the wearer’s mane, should it be long enough, and a tight, but not choking necklace placed just above the collar, a brilliant sapphire crested over the heart. When the shape was complete, Rarity backed away. “Well, dear, what do you think?”
Rainbow looked at the outfit, letting her mouth hang open. “What do I think?” she repeated, finally blinking. “What do I think?” She jumped into the air, hovering in place as she spread her forelegs. “This is awesome! Are you sure I can have this?”
“Darling, I made this specifically for you! Of course you can have it!” She gathered up the various pieces of the outfit, guiding her friend behind the changing curtain. She floated the garments over to her, using a simple spell to help her into them. “It looks good, but it’s still… missing something. Aha!” She lifted several products over, creating a veritable cloud of beauty products as the bell rang. The fashionista paused, pulling away. “Just a moment, dear, somepony at the door!”
Rarity trotted down to the main room of the shop, where a large-chested and mustachioed white Unicorn stallion stood, looking around at the wares. His wavy blue mane and tail had a gloss to it that made it clear he took exquisite care of it, and his eyes and hooves matched the hair’s color almost perfectly. His Cutie Mark consisted of three golden crowns with purple gems situated in them, and he wore a black tailcoat with a purple vest, white button-up shirt, and a purple bow tie along with a monocle over his left eye. He turned to the owner of the establishment, giving forth a smug but ecstatic grin. “Why, Rarity, how wonderful to see you!” he greeted, walking up to the mare. He took Rarity’s hoof in his, giving it a proper greeting kiss. “How have you been, my dear?”
Rarity raised her hoof to hide her muzzle, where she had felt a blush creep in. “It’s good to see you, as well, Fancy Pants. I’ve been well.” She moved to the counter, standing at the register. “What brings you to my shop?”
“I had heard that the most beautiful thing in my favorite boutique in Canterlot was finally on the market, and wished to partake.” he started, walking over to the register. “I do hope that is still the case.”
“Oh? And what’s the most beautiful thing here?” Rarity wondered, looking around.
Fancy Pants took her hoof once more, leaning against the counter and looking into her eyes. “Why, you are, my dear.”
For the first time since her dating escapades began, Rarity’s heart skipped a beat. Her free hoof rose to her mouth as her eyes grew wide. She looked at his hopeful, smiling face, finding herself at a complete loss for words. After a moment, she mustered up the strength to speak. “I-I-I don’t know what to say!”
“Say you’ll accompany me on the town, this evening, of course!” He suggested. “I’ll see you at precisely eight o’ clock, yes?”
Rarity began nodding rapidly. “Oh, yes! Definitely!” She confirmed, walking shakily back out from behind the counter. “I just… need to finish some things up here… Ta-ta~!” She raised her hoof, gingerly waving it as she went up the stairs. Fancy Pants smiled and took a bow, making his exit.
“Hey, Rarity!” Rainbow Dash called from upstairs. “What’s going on? Don’t leave me hangin’ like this!”
Rarity snapped back to normalcy, finishing her trek back up. “Yes, of course, dear! Coming~!” She entered the workroom, once again lifting the beauty products and putting them to use. “I just had the most wonderful customer, darling!”
“Yeah, I heard it from up here.” Rainbow stated, her face obscured by the cloud of mane care. “That Fancy Pants sure is a smooth talker. You still gonna need me to play wing mare tonight?”
Rarity smiled, finishing her work and taking a step back. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to be looking so lovely without setting you loose on the world, now would I?” She floated a mirror over, giving the Wonderbolt a good look at herself. Her mane had a water-like wave to it, both her bangs and the hair on the back of her head somehow showing every color present rather than the usual three-color split between them, and there was a touch of pink only slightly evident on her face that didn’t come from her natural blush. She recoiled a little at the sight, then took a look at her tail, which had the same wave treatment as her mane. “I knew you wouldn’t want too much in the cosmetics department, but I felt that a hint of blush would help to accentuate your features.” She pulled the mirror away, guiding her over to one that would show her entire body. “So, what do you think?”
Rainbow took a look at her full reflection, raising her hoof and flexing her wing. She felt like she could go top speed in this getup without any trouble at all! The pure white was something she wasn’t so used to wearing, since most of the outfits she got were tailored to mirror the colors in her mane, and this was a stark offset. Looking closely, she could see how the offset was complementary. While her outfit was a single white, her cyan coat and her rainbow-colored mane and tail, admittedly along with the blush on her cheeks, seemed to pop out more vividly than ever before. She found herself smiling at what she saw, striking poses as if she was being photographed. Rarity released a giggle from her lips, snapping the Pegasus back to reality, quickly stepping back and putting her ‘cool’ expression back on. “Uh, yeah! It looks cool, I guess…”
“Well, we’ll both be turning heads tonight!” The designer declared, floating her own outfit back over and going behind the curtain. “Even if I already have the best date in TOWN!” Her speech quickly devolved into excited, squeeing laughter as she robed herself, earning a laugh from the mare in the room with her.
Evening came, and Rarity stood in the showroom at Canterlot Carousel, making some minor adjustments to the displays even despite wearing the gown she planned to go out in. She hummed softly as she did her work, excited for the evening before her. Rainbow Dash was upstairs, keeping herself busy with a Daring Do book as she waited. At long last, the bell rang with the opening door, Fancy Pants coming inside with a relaxed smile. Rarity stopped her work, turning with a flip of her mane to face the big-horned stallion. “Welcome back, Fancy Pants.” She greeted with a curt bow.
“Good to be back, my dear.” he replied, offering his own bow in return. “And I must say, you look lovely this evening!” He walked up next to her, offering his foreleg. “Shall we, then?”
Rarity coupled her foreleg into his. “We shall!” She looked back, directing her gaze upstairs. “Rainbow, darling, we’re leaving!”
“Okay. Have a good time!” she called back, closing her book and heading to the window. She took off into the main streets of the city, watching her friend begin her date. She followed behind them on the ground, where the two Unicorns began conversing. Rarity would often recoil with a laugh. Smooth talker and a comedian, huh? She looked around, where several passing ponies stopped in their tracks, their heads turning to get a look at the mare in black while commenting about Fancy Pants’ sudden interest in her. Rainbow looked on with a smile at the reveling Rarity.
“And who is that mare behind them?” somepony asked, drawing Rainbow’s attention. She looked around, seeing just as many heads turning to look at her as the glamorous mare she followed. She found herself unsure of what to do or say with all of these eyes having fallen upon her. Standing out, she was used to. But that was for something like flying or just being awesome. This was a new kind of attention, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. This became even more clear when a haughty-looking stallion trotted over and offered his hoof.
“Ma’am, would you be so kind as to allow me to escort you this evening?” He asked, his eyes hopeful.
Rainbow reeled back. “Uh… well… No, I’m just out to meet up with a friend!” She explained. It wasn’t a complete lie, either. Rarity was right there in front of her, completely lost in her own little romantic world. Rainbow cantered ahead to both get away from the stallion and to get a little closer to Rarity. “Hey, Rarity,” she whispered, causing the Unicorn’s ear to fold back to face her. “You seem to have this all in hoof… I’m a little creeped out by some of these guys, so… I’m gonna go get a little insurance of my own. Be back soon.” Rarity nodded, her gaze still on her companion for the night as the rainbow streak flew off into the distance.
There was a knock at Soarin’s door, causing his head to poke up from the pile of his possessions to look around. He carefully rose out of it, making his way to the door as he loosened up his wings. Finally, he opened the door…
And all looseness in his wings went away completely. “R-R-Rainbow Dash?!” He began, looking her over with a face so red it looked as if he were about to burst into flames. “What’s going on? And… why are you dressed like that?”
“Get dressed and come with me!” she told him, her face stern and pink. “I need your help.”
“Dressed?” he repeated, looking confused. “What are you talking about?”
Rainbow’s face grew pinker still. “Put on something fancy and come with me! Rarity needs me and…” She paused, unsure of how to phrase her thoughts. “... And I need you!”
Soarin swore he had never seen this mare looking quite so bashful, among other things. He lingered for but a moment, then quickly acquiesced, retreating into the house to find the closest thing to formal wear he could. He emerged in a simple black jacket with a sheepish smile on his face. “How about this?”
Dash reached forward and grabbed his hoof with hers. “That’s perfect, now let’s get to Canterlot!” She hurriedly stated, pulling him out of the house and taking off towards the mountainside city.
Soarin fought his wings for control, loosening them up again as he flew beside the white-clad mare. “What are we doing in Canterlot, anyway?”
Rainbow groaned, slowing down to let him properly keep up. “Rarity is on a date with some high-class pony named Fancy Pants, and she had me follow along to give her an excuse to leave in case it all went south.”
“Well, that explains the… uh… outfit.” He said, the red returning to his face. “You look beautiful, by the way!”
Rainbow Dash’s wings faltered, sending her plummeting a few feet before she caught herself, putting her hoof over her heart. Again with that weird feeling… She looked back at Soarin, a smile unconsciously forming on her muzzle as she turned to face her destination again. “Thanks… Anyway, she made this outfit for me, and as soon as I went out, some hoity toity stallion trotted up and wanted me to go with him! So, I figured I’d get some… insurance… of my own. Nopony is gonna try and ask me out if I’m already on a date, right?”
“A date?” the wide-eyed Wonderbolt repeated, skidding to a stop. “You mean we’re going on a real date?!”
Rainbow Dash sighed, stopping and facing him. “We’re going to be there for Rarity, and you are coming with me while I follow them.” She elaborated, looking stern. Soarin’s face sank a little, evident that he was making an attempt to hide his disappointment. She softened up, turning around. “But… We will be going to dinner, probably seeing a show, or something like that. Just because we’re following Rarity, that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a good time!”
Soarin perked up, flying forward and taking his companion by the hoof as they flew to the city. “Well, then, what are we waiting for?”
The pair of Pegasi landed in the same street Rainbow had taken off from, the mare looking around to find her friend to no avail. “Okay, she’s not here, but I figure Fancy Pants probably took her to some fancy place to eat. You wanna get some grub while we wait for them to show up?”
“Oh, definitely!” Soarin replied, offering his wing. “I know the best place to eat, too!”
Rainbow looked at the outstretched wing tentatively, stewing for a moment as she looked around at the gawking stallion's that beheld her. She looked back at Soarin. His eyes, alone, took in the sight if her without a single hint of ulterior motive or scheming. Only his green eyes looked at her for who she was, and the warmth made a powerful return because of it. “All right, then! Lead the way!” she declared, finally coupling her wing together with his.
They found Rarity and Fancy Pants shortly after a dinner at the Smoked Oat, where Rainbow Dash had to admit the food was delicious. They followed shortly behind the Unicorns, taking in the sights around them. Rarity had eased herself into a state of comfort with the Canterlot noble, walking closer to him as they made their way to the next destination.
After a while, Rainbow Dash and Soarin found themselves standing outside the opera house. They looked at the building, then at each other, Rainbow making a gagging motion. “Wanna go do something else until they’re done?”
“Definitely.” Soarin confirmed. “Wanna take a walk? That way we can come back and check on them whenever.”
Rainbow nodded, offering up her wing. “I think I can go along with that.”
Soarin happily took her wing. “Excellent.” He started down the road, the rainbow mare in tow, and looked around at the sights. They were both familiar with the city, but never got the chance to take in what it had to offer after dark. The lamp posts were lit, but that somehow didn’t stop the stars from shining so brilliantly that they lit up the city below, as if the whole town was designed to look it's best under the moon. They found their way to the fountain, looking into their reflections in the water. “I really meant it when I said you look beautiful tonight.” Soarin stated, drifting his gaze to look at her properly.
Rainbow smiled, stepping closer to him. “I know.” She responded, nudging him with her foreleg. “You’ve only ever been honest with me. More than I can say about a lot of ponies around here. I… really appreciate that. And, you know, coming out here with me.”
Soarin smirked and turned back the way they had come. “No problem, Crash. You can always count on me.”
Rainbow turned and walked ahead, looking back on her companion fondly. “Well, we’d better get back. Don’t wanna lose Rarity again.” Soarin nodded, catching up to her as she stumbled a little. That darn feeling again… Well, maybe it’s no so bad...
At evening’s end, Rarity and Fancy Pants stood outside the entrance to Canterlot Carousel, looking dreamily into each other’s eyes. “Oh, Fancy Pants, this was a truly splendid evening…”
“Indeed. Your company was exquisite.” he replied, leaning in closer. “I do hope you’re free to join me again soon.”
“Of course…” she confirmed, lighting up her horn and opening the door. “I’m going to be going back to Ponyville for a while to fill a number of orders, but you’re always welcome to come by. I can show you a good time there like you’ve shown me here!”
“That sounds positively delightful!" The noble exclaimed, taking his lady’s hoof and planting a kiss on it. “Until next time, my dear!” He began his walk home, waving at the mare as he left.
Rarity waved back, swooning as she walked inside. “Yes… Next time…”
“Good to see you had a good time!” Rainbow said from the stairway.
Rarity jumped out of her dreamy state, looking at the Wonderbolt. She looked like her normal self, having removed the outfit made for her. “Indeed. And how, may I ask, is Soarin?”
Rainbow scratched her head, averting her eyes. “You saw him, huh?”
“Please, darling, you’d have to be blind not have noticed the two of you!” Rarity teased, walking up the stairs. “You looked so adorable together, walking wing in wing like that!”
Rainbow’s face went pink again, putting her hooves in front of her. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! You’re not saying what I think you’re saying, are you?”
The fashionista shot a playful look at the flyer, a notable twinkle in her eye. “Just that you two make a magnificently cute couple!”