The city of Canterlot. Boltsinger had to admit he’d been coming here a lot over the past year. There was always some reason to be there, and this time was no different. He trotted down the cobblestones, a bag hanging from his wings and humming a tune to himself. Before long, he found a much larger pony trotting next to him.
“I say, you’re Prince Boltsinger, are you not?” The pony asked. His voice was ten times as posh as the other high society ponies he’d met, and it struck a chord in his memory. “Might I inquire as to what brings you to Canterlot today?”
“Oh, hello, Fancy Pants!” He replied, turning on his royal decorum. “While I don’t usually need a reason to visit such a lovely city, this time I’m here in service of a friend.”
“Oh?” Fancy Pants adjusted his monocle, looking more squarely at the Pegasus. “And which of your lovely friends would that be?”
“Fitting that you use the word ‘lovely', good sir.” He told the Unicorn, lifting up his bag. “For it’s that word and others like it that she lives for! I speak, of course, of Rarity.”
“Rarity, you say?” The posh pony repeated, bringing a hoof to his muzzle. “She hadn’t told me she was coming… Are you headed back to her boutique right now?”
Boltsinger nodded. “I am, indeed. But I’ll warn you, she’s frightfully busy at the moment. Been working on a new collection while filling various custom orders. Not only that, but with Nightmare Night coming soon, she has a lot of costumes to make so she can sell them to the young ones.”
“I see. Well, no reason not to be cordial, at least!” Fancy Pants concluded, casting his gaze forward with a smile.
Fabric, thread, designs, mannequins, and half-finished outfits. Rarity was swamped. She had help from Sassy Saddles and Coco Pommel, and even Fluttershy with her outstanding knowledge of the art of sewing, but she still had a lot of things to do with not a lot of time to do it.
“Rarity! I’m back!” Boltsinger called from the entrance. The fashionista immediately perked up, running to the display room.
“Splendid! Did you get what I asked for?” she asked, trotting down the stairs.
“Of course. You kinda made sure I couldn’t get it wrong!” He held his bag out, where Rarity took it and floated out a number of rolls of fabric. “The color examples helped a lot.”
“Oh, Bolt, these are just perfect!” she exclaimed, looking over the product. “Thank you for coming along. It’s been wonderful to have someone to fetch things for me.”
“You brought him to Canterlot to… fetch things for you?” Fancy Pants queried, stepping into view.
Rarity’s attention fell upon her special somepony like an eel on its prey. “Oh! Fancy Pants, I didn’t see you there!” She trotted over to him, nuzzling his mustachioed nose. “Yes, I asked around Ponyville for some help with all of my work, and Bolt and Fluttershy were the first to volunteer!” She looked back at her friend with a grin. “They’ve both been a tremendous help.”
“But, Rarity, darling, you could have just asked me for assistance.” the white stallion stressed. “I could have gotten whatever you needed toot sweet, no questions asked!”
Rarity turned back to him, putting a hoof on his cheek. “I know, and it’s sweet of you to offer. But I simply didn’t have time to consider all of my options before I left! My first priority was getting help and getting here.”
Fancy Pants looked the gorgeous mare in the eyes, giving off a small smile. “All right, then. Do let me know of you require my help!”
“You’ll be the first to know.” She assured, turning back to the stairs. “Boltsinger, could you come with me for a moment?”
Boltsinger made a miniscule recoil, looking over at the visiting Unicorn and then back to the shop’s owner. “Yeah, sure.” He took off, making quick work of the gap between floors and landing next to her. “What’s up?”
“Did you, by any chance, tell Fancy Pants I was in Canterlot?” she whispered as they walked.
Boltsinger nodded, just a little confused at the question. “Yeah. Was that a mistake?”
A look of uncertainty crossed her face. “Well… Yes and no… How do I put this…? Right now he’s having one of his better days.”
Boltsinger cocked an eyebrow. “Better days?”
“He’s reasonable.” She clarified. “Don’t get me wrong, I adore him, and all that he does for me, but… sometimes he gets a teensey bit pushy…”
“Pushy how?”
“So pushy he makes my landlord in Manehattan seem like a doormat.” she deadpanned. “Lately he’s been talking about what it will be like when I move to Canterlot.”
Boltsinger stopped, gawking at her. “You’re moving to Canterlot?” he asked, pointing a hoof at her.
“No, no! Not at all!” She told him, raising her hooves defensively. “But he talks about it like it’s a certainty… Even though I’ve expressed no such intent!”
“Have you told him that?” he wondered.
“Of course, darling! Several times!” She looked back at the important pony, showing both a swoon and lament at the same time. “But he seems downright convinced that things are going to go his way… Always mentioning how I’ll ‘come around’ and agree with him.”
“Sounds like somepony else I know…” the stallion teased. Rarity quickly nudged him in the side as hard as she could, making him wince with pain. “What? You know I’m right…”
“That’s beside the point, dear.” Rarity huffed, turning back towards the work room and floating small bits of cloth to him. “Here are some samples for the next fabrics I need. And if you could get some jewels, I would be most appreciative.”
Boltsinger took a look at the samples, stowing them away in his mane. “Got it. I think I’ll take Fancy Pants with me. He should be able to help.”
“Yes, yes. Go ahead and do what you need.” she said, waving him off. “Do come back soon, though.”
The Pegasus took a cordial bow. “But of course.” He jumped back down to the floor, putting a hoof on Fancy Pants’ shoulder. “And we’re off!”
The day was done. Outfits for the collection were complete, and Rarity was enjoying a much-needed rest. She had a mud mask on, laying back with a contented sigh in the local spa, a pair of ponies taking files to her hooves. She heard hoofsteps beside her, a rump hitting the floor. “You see, my dear? This level of comfort is what will be the norm, someday!”
“I don’t know what you’re on about, Fancy Pants.” Rarity retorted. “I assure you that my usual spa is quite blissful!”
“Yes, but it doesn’t have the regality that you’ll find here.” he stated, resting on his fetlocks.
“That’s true, but I’ve come to prefer the simple ways they do it.” she reasoned. “And that’s one of the many reasons I have no intention of moving to Canterlot.”
“That is what you keep saying, but I know better.” he said, convinced that he was absolutely right. He stood up making for the door. “After all, if we’re to wed at some point, you’ll have to come live here.”
Rarity sat up, removing the cucumbers from her eyes and looking at him. “Whatever do you mean by ‘if we’re to wed'?”
Fancy Pants looked back, wiping his monocle with a handkerchief. “Oh, nothing. Just putting ideas out there!”
“Putting ideas out… That was practically a proposal!” She shouted, almost ready to get up from her seat. The spa ponies convinced her otherwise by grabbing her hooves and continuing her hooficure, causing her to ease back into a state of relaxation.
“What did you say about a proposal?” Fluttershy wondered as she sat in the chair next to her, only a miniscule amount of the facial treatment on her cheeks.
“Oh, Fancy Pants is talking about ‘if we’re to wed'.” Rarity stated, giggling a little at the mention of it. “I think he really means it this time, too!”
“Oh my! That’s…” Fluttershy paused, trying to decide if the next word was appropriate. “... wonderful!”
“Isn’t it, though?” the designer dreamily asked, a definite swoon in her voice. “I know that marriage was the goal and all, but… To think it might actually happen!” She gave off a content sigh.
“That certainly sounds exciting, but…”
“But…?”
Fluttershy sat up and gave her an honest look. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
“Darling, of course I’m ready! I’ve been wanting a ring on this horn since before he even thought to come into my shop!” She reasoned, her voice strong and confident. “Why wouldn’t I be ready?”
“Oh… No reason. I just… Oh, never mind.” Fluttershy lowered her head, slowly getting up from her chair. “I hope you get exactly what you need!”
Rarity turned to look at Fluttershy, lifting herself up on her elbows. “What’s wrong, dear? You look like there’s something on your mind.”
Fluttershy waved a hoof in front of her. “Oh, it’s nothing important. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Fluttershy, if it wasn’t important, you wouldn’t have brought it up.” she stressed. “Please, tell me what’s bothering you.”
The yellow mare brought her forehooves together, making a sort of twiddling motion with them. “Well… okay…” She looked Rarity squarely in the eye. “If you marry him and leave Ponyville, wouldn’t you have to close your Carousel Boutique?”
Rarity fell back again, a sharp laugh escaping her ordinarily calm form. “Oh, darling, that’s preposterous! Getting married wouldn’t force me to close my Carousel!” Her laughter died down, letting her composure take its usual place again. “It’s not like Fancy Pants expects me to give up my home base and the foundation of my life’s work just for him!” She fell back into her relaxation for but a moment when the thought passed again. “Right…?”
Finally, the collection was done. The showing was that night, and all that was left was to fill some Nightmare Night orders, which Rarity was certain she could finish at her leisure. She did a few last minute alterations to a particular piece, still stewing on the idea Fluttershy had placed in her head days ago. Changes happen, yes. Especially when one considers the possibility of matrimony… she thought, the needle hanging in the air by the outfit she worked on. There was much to consider, but the most important thing right then was making sure the presentation of her new ‘Be Jeweled’ collection goes off without a hitch. Or, without a smudge, as the case may be.
“Rarity!” Boltsinger called from just outside the room. “Everypony’s here! You ready?”
“Just about…” She finished one final stitch in the outfit, setting everything into place. “Done! Let’s begin!”
Boltsinger nodded as Rarity lit up her horn, trotting out into the showroom with the mannequins floating behind in her magical grip. “So, ‘Be Jeweled’, huh? Where’d you get the inspiration?” the stallion inquired, eyeing the dresses that now surrounded him.
“That would be telling, dear.” Rarity teased, looking coyly back at him. “You’ll find out along with everypony else!”
Boltsinger blew a raspberry. “Well, fine, I’ll just find out the hard way, then.” he said in mock offense, flapping his wings and heading into the crowd below, where Twilight and their friends stood in front.
Rarity happily trotted down the stairs, taking her position onstage as she floated the mannequins over and behind the curtain. She faced the crowd with a smile as the room went dark, a spotlight shining upon her. “Fillies and gentlecolts! Thank you so much for coming to the debut of my new fall collection!” The gathered ponies all stomped and clapped, showing their enthusiasm in as many ways as there were ponies. “Thank you! Thank you! But I haven’t even shown you all the outfits!” She walked back and forth on the stage, noticing many ponies in the crowd. “As you may know, I’ve always had a tendency to splash a few gems into many of the ensembles I’ve created…”
“A few hundred gems!” Boltsinger added, eliciting a laugh from the crowd.
Rarity giggled into her hoof. “Yes, I know, I use a lot of gems!” The laughter died down as the stylist cleared her throat. “Anyway, I use a great many gems in my creations, yes. You see, gems and other crystals have always been fascinating… and dazzling to me! Why, I got my Cutie Mark by being able to find them with just the magic of my horn! But I never really knew the full extent of their value! At least, not until I had a long and involved conversation with my good friend Maud!” She floated a small quartz crystal over, looking at her reflection in its facets. “These magnificent rocks can be so much more than beautiful. They can help you to ease your mind and soul, making you feel better about yourself and your place in the world. Thinking about all of that, I couldn't help but be inspired!” She stepped aside, opening the curtain behind her and raising her foreleg to highlight the outfits that were revealed.”Ponies of Canterlot, I present to you, Rarity’s ‘Be Jeweled’ collection!” From the second floor, Sassy Saddles ignited her own horn, lifting the outfits into the air and floating them all over the crowd. They all had more of a crystal theme than the gems that were typically used. One was a deep garnet dress in a Victorian style, a flared up collar with poofy shoulders and a long train. The crystal in question lined many seams and hems, but in small doses, so as to not weigh it down. Another was a bright pink with white accents, pieces of rose quartz along the waist and the seams of the sleeves. It looked to puff out, making the wearer appear bigger than they actually would be. Several more dresses, each inspired by a different crystal, were presented to the audience placed in their midst as Rarity stepped down from the stage. “With this particular collection, I feel that it’s better to show than to tell, because the outfit that draws you in may very well be the outfit you need most! For that reason, the ‘Be Jeweled’ collection is going without a signature piece, celebrating the highlights of each outfit’s unique splendor!”
The ponies in the shop gathered around each of the dresses, all marvelling at the works before them and sharing their thoughts. Rarity spent a great deal of time approaching each group and giving a full explanation of each dress, along with the properties of the crystal that inspired them. As she finished up with each group, numerous orders came in for the dress in question. After an hour of showing, somepony in the crowd audibly cleared his throat, catching the attention of the entire gathering.
“Wonderful showing! Simply marvelous, dear!” Fancy Pants called, the ponies around him making a path while he approached the shop’s owner. “But there’s one gem you forgot to mention in the night’s revelry.”
“And what gem would that be, darling?” Rarity queried, walking up to him with a definite saunter to her step.
“Why, the most beautiful gem of all!” he answered, lighting up his horn and pulling forth a box. “The diamond!”
Rarity’s eyes widened considerably as a gasp sounded all throughout the room. Fancy Pants had dropped to one knee, letting the box he carried rest in his outstretched hoof, open wide to reveal a diamond ring cut to resemble one of the three that made up her Cutie Mark. Rarity gingerly raised her foreleg as she stepped back, mouth hanging open. “You mean…”
“Rarity, darling, I positively adore you!” The posh pony declared, reaching farther forward. “Would you so me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Rarity was speechless. Everything she had wanted in the last nine months, her pining, her fancy outfits, date after date with no success, all of it. It came down to this moment. Here she was, right at the moment of truth, and all she could think of was the things her friends had said to her.
“You just don’t strike me as the ‘happily ever after’ type.” Rainbow Dash had said, the words repeating themselves over and over. “You’ve got too much planned to just give into some guy for the rest of your life!” And she was right. She had a fashion empire to run! But this was love she was talking about.
“Wouldn’t you have to close the Carousel Boutique?” Fluttershy had asked her. But that clearly couldn’t happen. Sure, Fancy Pants had been on the pushy side more often as of lately, but he’s not unreasonable.
And then there was the biggest question. How do I feel about him? He’s certainly pleasurable company, and our evenings together are positively resplendent, It’s everything I wanted, but… is this how I wanted it? She stepped forward, eyeing the beautiful diamond in front of her, and the smiling stallion that presented it to her. She gave him a warm smile in return, bringing her magic to life again and closing the box. “Fancy Pants, I appreciate all of this. Really, I do. But… I’m not entirely sure at the moment. Could you maybe give me some time to think about it?”
Fancy Pants’ face was the next to change. He retreated the box and returned to all fours. “Time to think? You don’t mean…?”
“I mean exactly what I say, dear. I require time to think.” She put her hoof on his cheek, looking into his eyes. “This is an awfully big decision, and I want to make sure that it’s what I want before I give you my answer.”
“But… This isn’t how this is supposed to work…” he started, completely overcome by his confusion. “I courted you, and we had a wonderful time! Then… Then… After all that, I’m supposed to propose, and you’re supposed to say yes! This just…” He put his hoof to his forehead, trying to make sense of it.
“Is it really so hard, my dear?” The designer asked, coming in closer. “It’s not as if I’m breaking up with you. I’m just going to get my bearings.”
A heavy sigh came from the noble stallion. “All right.” he finally said, remorsefully relenting. “But do come up with an answer soon, if you can.”
Rarity gave Fancy Pants a kiss on the cheek. “Of course, darling. You’ll be the first to know.”
Fancy Pants strolled through Canterlot the next day. How could his courtship have gone so awry? Turning him down? Time to think? What sort of noble pony does these things? All of this rushed through his mind, and it made the beautiful Rarity all the more enticing to him. Now, more than ever, he hoped his now-strange courtship would succeed.
“I say! You’re Fancy Pants, are you not?” a baritone voice asked in a bad imitation of a posh accent. Fancy Pants cocked an eyebrow, raising his monocle as Boltsinger came to a landing next to him. “How are you doing?”
“Quite well, old chap. Quite well.” the suave stallion told the messy one.
Boltsinger gave him a flat face. “You sure about that?”
“Of course!” he retorted, replacing his monocle in a huff. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because of what happened last night.” he replied. “It’s not every proposal that goes… quite in that way.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. It is on my mind today.” he admitted. “I just don’t understand. Every proper courtship I’ve seen has always ended with marriage! It’s how every noble pony goes about it!”
“That’s acting on the premise that Rarity is a ‘noble pony’.” the Prince pointed out, raising a poignant hoof. “You know that Rarity is originally from Ponyville, right?”
“Of course I know that! I learned that shortly after meeting her.” he stated, thinking back on that period all those years ago. “That somepony from Ponyville could get a room at the castle, show such refinement, and yet still be able to stand up for her friends… I was thoroughly impressed!”
Boltsinger chuckled, remembering his own experience with the fabulous mare. “Yeah, she’s a real gem, that one.” he put his hoof on the posh stallion’s shoulder. “You’re lucky to have her.”
Fancy Pants hung his head a little, maintaining as much composure as he could. “If I even still have her after all this…”
Boltsinger nudged him hard in the side with his wing. “Don’t sell yourself so short. I’m sure she isn’t going to leave you. She just needs to sort things out.”
The noble winced, straightening up and looking curiously at his current companion. “You seem… different today… More direct.”
Boltsinger shrugged. “I’m just not being as formal with you. That’s something you’re going to have to get used to.”
“I see…” There was a moment of silence as Fancy Pants cleaned his monocle lens. He turned to the orange pony again, a question burning in his mind. “If I may be so bold… How did your courtship of the Princess come about?”
A short, almost sarcastic laugh burst out of Boltsinger. “‘Courtship'? Oh, that’s a good one!” He exclaimed. “I didn’t ‘court’ her or anything. Heck, I tried to keep things at a friendship level for a long time!”
“No courtship? For a Princess?!” Fancy Pants wondered, seemingly bewildered at the mere thought. “Well then how did… whatever you call it... go?”
“So, you remember that Grand Galloping Gala where my brother punched me through the wall?” he led.
“Yes, of course. It was only the biggest disturbance I’ve ever seen at the Gala.” He pondered the various Galas he had been to over the years, a few more events coming to mind. “Well, save for that time the chaos spirit brought his ooze friend…”
“Well, that was kind of the start. There was an unwitting confession at that point, just before I got beaten up.” the Pegasus continued. “Let’s see… I spent a few days in Las Pegasus after I flew away, and then Twilight kinda tracked me down. We stayed two more nights there, and then went home. Then I sorted out my feelings, told her about them… I told her I wanted to be friends more than anything else, but before I could even finish, she kissed me.” He thought for a few moments more. “Then… I think it was about a year, give or take a few months… I decided I was gonna propose.”
“And then you did, of course!” Fancy Pants guessed. “And live happily thereafter!”
“Nnope. Not that simple.” Boltsinger corrected. “I had a bit of a major freak out that caused me to willingly run away. Then after about a week, Twilight simply needing me in her life brought me back to her.”
Fancy Pants blinked at the statement. “Her ‘need’ for you? How can one’s ‘need’ for you suddenly whisk you away to them?”
Boltsinger chortled. “I’ll go into detail about that later.” he assured, not wanting to talk the stallion’s ears off any more than he already was. “That landing, though, sorta broke my wings. So I waited ‘till I was better before I finally popped the question. And, boy, was it a doozy of a pop! Then, we saved Equestria, then we got married.”
“You talk of saving Equestria like it’s a side note!”
“It probably is, for Twilight. Besides, you asked how the relationship developed, not what we did in the meantime.”
“I suppose you do have a point.” Fancy Pants admitted, coming to a stop in front of a fountain in the plaza. “But you’ve been living happily ever since, yes?”
“Happily is subjective.” Boltsinger countered. “Are we happy with one another? Yes. But… That doesn’t mean we’re without worry. Life is always an adventure. Especially lives like the ones Twilight, Rarity, and all of the Element-bearers lead. Besides that, just ‘being happy’ isn’t the point of all of this.”
“And what is the point, exactly?” the monocled pony inquired.
“You heard me say that it took me about a year or so to propose, right?” he started. Fancy Pants nodded, easily recalling the information. “That’s the thing. We didn’t rush into the proposal. We took our time, lived our lives, and continued to cement our places in each other’s lives.” He sat down on the edge of the fountain, taking a look into the water. “Rarity told me a while back that the thing she was wanting with her big dating escapade was to have something like Twilight and I got. She actually admitted to jealousy. Something like that normally takes a full-on half-hour long friendship lesson to do!” He looked back at the stallion his friend had come to call her special somepony. “So, tell me. How much do you know about Rarity as a pony?”
Fancy Pants’ eyebrows rose significantly, taking his own seat on the fountain’s edge. “Why, she’s gorgeous, charming, brilliantly stylish, and fiercely independent!”
Boltsinger nodded in agreement. “All of those things are most definitely true. But what else?”
“Well, she… she… She runs a business remarkably well!” The noble kept thinking, his eyes darting around frantically. “I… I’m afraid that’s all… I must admit… that makes me… uneasy.”
“And why is that?" Boltsinger asked, giving him a look that was his best imitation of Shining Armor’s ‘stern royal captain’ face.
“I feel like it’s not enough.” Fancy Pants continued, standing up. “Certainly not enough to simply marry her! I need to know more! Her tastes, her dreams, everything! I can’t simply marry her and never know who she is!” He turned to Boltsinger, taking his head between his forehooves and kissing the air on either side of his muzzle. “Oh, Prince Boltsinger, I can’t thank you enough! I know just what to do!” He dropped the now-flabbergasted stallion’s head, letting him fall to the path below and waving his wing as the Unicorn galloped off towards Canterlot Carousel.
A loud knock came to the door of Canterlot Carousel, stirring Rarity from her current work. She stopped the sewing machine and came to the door, wondering why on earth the customer in question didn’t simply come in. She removed her glasses, fixed up her mane, checked herself in a nearby mirror, and proceeded to open the door.
“Ah...! Rarity... dear... I’m glad... I’ve caught you!” Fancy Pants greeted, panting heavily with his mane tussled and his coat flared out in every direction, his tie undone and hanging loosely, as if he’d been running with reckless abandon. “I needed to speak with you right away!”
A chord was struck in the fashionable mare, who immediately pulled him inside with her magic, taking him to the nearest stool and pulling out a hair brush. “Not with a mane like this you’re not!” she declared, beginning her work on the newly-formed mess. “What in Equestria happened to you, anyway?”
Fancy Pants let his breathing calm down as he returned his monocle to its resting place. “There’s something I simply must say to you before you give me your answer to my proposal!”
The designer stopped brushing her guest’s mane, looking him in the eyes. “You must? And what is it you ‘simply must’ say to me?”
“I’ve realized that I don’t want to marry you just yet!” he announced, a large smile creasing his muzzle.
“Don’t want to…?” Rarity repeated, taken aback by the sudden retraction of the previous evening’s popping of questions. “Are you… Are you breaking up with me…?!” she asked, her eyes beginning to water.
“Not at all, my darling!” he corrected, taking her hoof in his. “Rather, I want to wait until the time is right. I realized today that I don’t know nearly enough about you! I know about you in public, and from your businesses and reputation, but I don’t know you. It came to my attention that knowing who you are as a pony is going to take time. I can’t expect to marry you if I don’t have a concrete place in your life, now can I?”
The tears continued to build up in Rarity’s eyes as her shock shifted to a smile. The bitterness of the now-streaming water faded into joy as she lunged into him, giving him a solid kiss right on his lips and wrapping her forelegs around him. Fancy Pants couldn’t hide his surprise at the sudden action, but placed his hooves on her shoulders as he pressed himself against her in return. When the need for air overtook their moment of passion, Rarity smiled at him with mascara running down her cheeks. “Oh, Fancy Pants, you have no idea what it means to me that you think this way…”
Fancy Pants averted his gaze and smiled back, wiping down his now-foggy monocle. “I’m sure I’ve got at least some idea, dear.” he assured her, facing her properly again. “Your friend was quite eloquent in my earlier conversation with him.”
Rarity laughed as she began her work on his mane once more. “I see. Well, then, I’ll be sure to let him know, as well.” She finished her brushing and proceeded to expertly fix the stallion’s outfit, soon having him looking like his usual, trussed up self. “So, what’s next? Shall we go out on the town tonight?”
Fancy Pants shook his head, putting his hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “Not this time, my dear.” He looked out the door, his face returning to its usual relaxed state. “I was thinking of spending some time in Ponyville soon, if you would have me.”
Rarity followed his lead, putting her hoof on his. “That sounds positively divine!”