After penning the last entry into my work calendar, I added the final work order to an overstuffed folder.
“I never thought business would get good enough for me to not keep up with it all,” I muttered to myself. “If this keeps up, I'm going to have to learn to live without sleeping at all.”
The shop’s bell ringing drew my attention to the door. “What can I do for you today?”
Filthy Rich smiled and gestured to the suits on his back. “You forgot about my appointment didn’t you?”
I looked back down at my calendar. “Does it count that I remembered it if I wrote it down?”
“Not quite.” He looked around the shop. “Your inventory is getting a little low.”
“You're being kind. The place is looking barren. I’ve had so many special orders lately I haven’t had time to make anything for display sales.” I tapped my hoof on the calendar. “About the time I clear this thing off, it fills right back up.”
Rich nodded towards the calendar. “Do you mind if I have a look?”
I spun the calendar so it faced him. “Go ahead. I never write a client's name in this.” I levitated the suits from him. “Let me put these in the back and I’ll be right with you.”
I went into the back of the shop, put the suits away, and pulled my supplies together.
As I was retrieving my file on Filthy Rich's measurements and a list of past purchases, his voice came from the front, “From what I can tell, and I'm not a specialist in tailoring, you will be working some very long hours for a while.” There was a pause, before he asked, “You sure you can do all of this on your own?”
I returned to the storefront with the items I needed. “I'm sure I can do it. It will be rough, I won't lie, but I'll push through.” I levitated Rich's file to the countertop. “Would you like to step into the changing room?”
Rich waved a hoof in dismissal. “Here is fine.”
“This will just take a couple of minutes.” I noticed, as I jotted down his new measurements, that he had lost weight. “Now I see why you needed those alterations. Are you training for the Running of the Leaves too?”
He snorted. “I hardly have time to sit down anymore, much less eat. With Princess Twilight opening court and drawing more ponies to town, I'm constantly having to work with my suppliers to make sure that the store remains stocked.”
“I thought Spoiled helped you with that.”
“She has been helping me keep up with the store, but she also has been spending more time with Diamond Tiara. Diamond shocked her and me both, the other day with some things she did at school. We've even been thinking about hiring an associate manager to help with the business.” He looked around the shop again. “Consider getting help yourself. Celestia knows, you could use it.”
I rolled up the measuring tape and placed it on the counter. “I'm managing well enough on my own.”
“Pin, you should be doing more than just 'managing'.” Rich pointed a hoof towards my calendar. “You have one lunch scheduled for the month, and that's with Rarity. If you two are still holding to your agreement, your conversation will be limited to niceties, business, and, knowing Rarity, some gossip.”
I chuckled, as I put my tablet down beside Rich's file. “Are you Filthy Rich, the stallion that is known for working till he falls asleep at his desk, or do I need to call one of the Guard because I have a changeling impersonating my friend?”
“I haven’t fallen asleep at my desk in a long time. I have Spoiled and Diamond now. The business is great, but it’s not the most important thing in my life. They are.” He locked eyes with me. “Not too long ago somepony suggesting that I should hire help to run the shop so I could have a little time to myself would have made me laugh. Now, I’m not only considering it, I’m wondering where the best place to advertise the position is.”
The seriousness of his tone took me aback. “Rich, I’m sorry, I meant nothing I said as an insult.”
The intense look faded, and Rich’s smile returned. “I never thought you had. I’m just worried that you’re making the same mistake I did.” He nodded towards the door. “Speaking of doing something other than work, you need to get out of here.”
“I appreciate you trying to get me out of the shop, but I can’t. I have too much to do this afternoon.”
“Now I am worrying about you. You’re not a pony that forgets things. Look at your calendar again. If you run, you can still make it.”
I looked at the calendar. After reading the day’s entry, I smacked my forehead with a hoof. “I can't believe I forgot! If I’m late, she’ll have my tail!”
*****
With seconds to spare, I sat down across from Rarity. I was grateful that The Grazing Meadow was an open air cafe. The breeze felt wonderful, and my rushed arrival did not disturb anypony else.
“Darling, there was no need to run. You're allowed to be fashionable late occasionally.” After taking a sip and putting her teacup down, Rarity shook her head. “Poor thing, you're still panting. Have you been doing too much getting ready for the Running of the Leaves?”
After taking a gulp from my glass of water, I answered, “It's not just the run, I'm drained from using my magic non-stop for hours the last few days.”
“I know that feeling all too well. I hope you don’t mind, I ordered your usual for you.”
“Thanks.” I took another swallow from my glass. “I didn't mean to cut it so close, I was talking with Rich about the shop.”
“How is he? I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“He’s busy, just like everypony else these days, thanks to Twilight holding court.”
“I never thought I would see high fashion come to Ponyville.” Rarity looked down the road, towards Twilight’s castle. “Twilight has changed this town so much; there are moments I don’t even recognize it.”
“While having more business is good, I could do without all the disasters she seems to bring with her.”
“A little excitement never hurt anypony. Besides, it gives us an excuse to break the routine now and then. Speaking of which, is everything at the shop okay?”
I hesitated; long enough for her catch it.
“Pin, whatever it is you’re about to say, don’t lie. If you need help, just ask.”
“While that is generous of you, I‘m going to push through it.” I smiled, as she rolled her eyes at my joke.
“Is it getting that bad?”
“I’m the only tailor and haberdasher in town. While that’s great for business, it’s not so wonderful for having time for anything else. Rich took one look at my inventory, or lack thereof, and suggested that I hire somepony to help out.”
Horte Cuisine bringing our meals caused us to hold our conversation. After he left, I immediately put fork to my salad. Rarity did not make a move to eat, but silently studied me. After a few seconds of her doing nothing but stare at me, I felt self-conscious. “Do I have lettuce on my face or something?” I kept my mouth closed and ran my tongue across my teeth. “Or is it stuck somewhere?”
She shook her head. “You look fine. I was just thinking.”
“Dare I ask?”
After finishing a dainty spoonful of her soup, she said, “I’ve been a little overworked here lately myself. Managing both of my boutiques is proving to be more time consuming than I thought it would be, and I finished up another commission for Sapphire Shores.”
“Congratulations. I’m sure she will love your designs.”
“Thank you. I’m taking Sweetie Belle with me on the trip to deliver the outfits to Sapphire in Canterlot. We'll be leaving in two days. Sweetie has been asking to go on one of my trips, and Sapphire asked if Sweetie would be with me when I delivered the outfits. I simply couldn't disappoint both of them.”
“That must get you some points with Sweetie, being friends with one of the biggest pop stars right now.”
“I can’t say it hurts.” Rarity dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin, wiping away an imaginary bit of food. “After I square everything away with Sapphire, I was going to do a little Equestia hopping to find inspiration for my next line. I’m planning on taking Sweetie with me. I’ll admit, I have not been spending the time with her I should. I hope that this trip will help make up for it a little.”
“Sounds like you’ll be gone for a while.”
“We’ll be away most of the summer. We might swing through on the way to another city to see everypony and check in on things, but we’ll be away far more than we’ll be here.”
“Do you need somepony to watch the shop? I can check on it every day.”
“Thanks for the offer, but it won’t be necessary. A friend of mine needed a place to stay till she finds her next position. I offered for her to stay at my place in exchange for her keeping care of Opal and the shop.” Rarity put aside her empty soup bowl. “I thought that you might want to ask her if she would be interested in helping you with your shop too. It would work well for both of you.”
“What does she do? I’m interested, but I don’t really need a book keeper or anything like that. I need help with making stallions' formal wear.”
“She is a costume designer. The theater group she is working for in Manehatten is taking time off to relax before their next production and she needed something to tide her over till they required her skills again. I offered for her to stay at my place and keep the shop open, but the orders I have been getting from Canterlot have been keeping me busy enough as it is. You would do her and me both a favor if you would let her help you rather than keeping the shop open and taking more orders while Sweetie and I are on our trips.”
I chewed the last bite of my salad and mulled the idea over.
“She's coming in this afternoon. We could come by your shop later so you can meet her.”
I nodded and swallowed. “I could use the help. Even if things don’t work out, it can’t be any worse than the last time I got ‘help’ around the shop.”
Rarity laughed. “I can assure you, nothing like that will happen.”
*****
The shop, though still having too many empty spaces on the shelves and racks, was as neat I could make it. I cleaned myself up too, but held off wearing clothing. As much as I wanted to give a good first impression, I did not want her to think me the stereotypical arrogant and conceited Canterlot unicorn.
To keep to the front of the shop and still be productive, while waiting for Rarity and her friend to arrive, I started a list of items that needed to be restocked. Having help around the shop looked more and more appealing as I added item upon item to the list.
The door's bell rang, and I turned to greet my guests. Seeing Rarity’s friend, I froze.
“It is nice to know you appreciate having two beautiful mares enter your store. However, a gentlecolt should never stare,” Rarity said, gracefully breaking the silence.
Inwardly thanking her, I slipped into my best manners. “I apologize. My store is not often graced by such fair patrons.” I bowed to them and lowered my eyes to the floor. “How can I be of service?”
Rarity giggled. “First, you can stop the sweeping and bowing, and then I would like you to step over here so I can introduce the two of you.”
Following Rarity’s suggestions, I put down my list and made my way over to them.
“Coco, this is Royal Pin,” Rarity said. “Pin, this lovely mare is Coco Pommel,”
I smiled and held out my hoof. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Coco returned my smile and took my hoof in a solid shake. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Darling, I hate to ask, but may I step into the back for a moment?” Rarity said.
“Treat this like your home.”
“You’re too kind. I’ll just be a moment.”
I turned back to Coco. “I would like you to do the same. If you decide that you want the job, we’ll be spending a lot of time together. I would like you to be as comfortable as possible while you’re here. What is mine is yours.”
Her smile brightened. “Thank you. You have a very nice place.”
“I am afraid you're not seeing it at its best. It’s in need of more items on the shelves for it to look like it usually does.”
“Is that what you were working on when we came in?”
I nodded. “There’s more work to do than I realized. I can't tell you how much having you here is going to help.”
Rarity stuck her head around the frame of the door that led to the back. “Pin, sorry to interrupt, but can I see you for a moment? It seems your facilities are low on inventory as well.”
“Sorry about that.” I levitated the parchment to Coco. “If you would like to look over what I have written down so far, please do. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as I stepped into the back, Rarity waved me further down the hall. I quickly and quietly went to her.
“Pin, what's wrong?” she asked, under her breath. “Why did you freeze like that?”
I motioned for her to follow me and led her to my workroom. I pointed to the second workspace I had set up for Coco. “Everything is all wrong!” I whispered, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. “I can’t let her see things like this!”
Rarity looked at the room for a moment. She turned back with a confused expression. “What are you talking about? Everything is arranged perfectly.”
“For a unicorn, it is.”
She looked back into the room. After a moment, her eyes widened and she gasped.
“Rarity, I swear to Celestia and Luna both, I didn’t do it on purpose! I didn’t even think about it! I set things up the way I would have them. Had I thought about it, it wouldn't be like this! You know I don't thin-” She put her hoof over my mouth, stopping my frantic words.
“Dear, I know such a thing would never cross your mind.” She gently touched her horn to mine. “Take a deep breath and calm down. Go back out and talk to her before she wonders what is going on. I’ll be there in a minute. I’ll take care of this.”
“May the Sisters bless you, Rarity.”
I returned to the front, taking the brief time to travel the hall to compose myself. As I stepped through the doorway, Coco regarded me with a curious look. “Is everything okay?”
“The bathroom down stairs had run out of soap. I had to go upstairs and grab some.” I smiled out of embarrassment and nervousness. “I’m afraid that I’m not giving a good first impression.”
“I’m sure that if you weren’t so busy something like that wouldn’t happen.”
“I'll be honest, I'm beyond busy. I'm swamped. It's almost to where I'll have to turn clients away to make sure I can meet my deadlines.”
She grinned. “It so happens that I'll have a clear calendar in the next couple of days.”
“That is exactly why I wanted you two to meet,” Rarity said, as she joined us again. “Pin runs a well maintained and organized business. When he told me that things had been getting out of hoof for him, I thought the two of you could help each other.” She looked at the list Coco was holding. “Is he already putting you to work?” Rarity looked at me askance and raised her nose into the air. “Here I thought you a gentlecolt, and have even been saying so to Coco, and it turns out you are nothing but an uncouth, ill-mannered lout,” she said with mock indignation.
I put a hoof to my chest. “You cut me to the quick. Allow me the opportunity to prove to you I possess some measure of civility by providing you two lovely ladies with a meal.”
Rarity, nose still in the air, replied, “If you would include my sister in the outing, then I would entertain the idea.”
“She is welcome to join us.”
Rarity turned to Coco. “Excuse me, I have overstepped myself. I did not mean to speak for you. If you do not wish to give this ruffian a chance to redeem himself, then the whole affair is off.”
Coco drew herself up into a regal posture. “All ponies err. So long as they recognize their transgressions, and they set to never repeat them, they should be granted the opportunity to atone.” She regarded me with a look that caused me to stand taller. “I trust that if I afford you such a chance you would not squander it.”
Her manner and voice held all the nobility that a mare of one of the high houses would have possessed, and it struck something in me. Instinctively, I bowed to her. “I will do all in my power to earn your forgiveness.”
Coco's giggling broke the mood. “I guess those old acting lessons stuck with me better than I thought.”
“If you would be as so kind, could you show her where she will work?” Rarity said.
I rose back up. “Right this way.”
Rarity had arranged everything perfectly for Coco. The items that I had put in inconvenient places or on distant shelves had been placed so they were within hoof reach. As I explained where things were, and answered the couple of questions that Coco had, my stomach rolled every time I saw the worktable.
After showing Coco around the rest of the shop, I led them back to the door.
“When should I pick you up?”
Rarity shook her head. “Tonight would not be a good night. Coco still needs to get settled, and I still have a lot to do before the trip. Would you mind terribly if we get together some other time?”
“I wouldn't mind at all. It will give me something to look forward to.”
“Take care of yourself and don't work too hard.” Rarity waved, guided Coco out of the shop, and pulled the door shut behind them.
After flipping the shop’s sign to closed, I walked behind the counter and sunk down so that my chin rested on the countertop. “I can't believe I did something so idiotic. I know better than that!” I thumped myself on the side of head with a hoof.
After taking a minute to breathe and calm down, I got back on my hooves. “I made a mistake. Best thing I can do is learn from it and move on.” I forced a smile and opened my calendar back up. “Now, let's see when I might be able to squeeze in a meal with them in the next couple of days.”
*****
“Come on, third time’s the charm.” Using what little focus and control I had left, I tried to get the thread to go through the center of the needle's eye. I pushed the end of the thread against the side of the eye, causing strands of the thread to splay in a variety of directions. Muttering obscenities, I put the needle and thread down. “That’s it. I’m officially too tired.”
A knock on the back door singled that somepony was visiting as a friend rather than a customer. “I'll be right there!” After getting myself to my hooves, I made my way to the store's rear entrance and opened it. I was surprised to find the Cutie Mark Crusaders on the back stoop.
“Good gravy! What happened?! You look like a timberwolf chewed on you!”
“Hello to you too, Apple Bloom.”
Sweetie Belle poked Apple Bloom on the shoulder. “You shouldn't say something like that to anypony!”
“I was just being honest!”
“That's your sister's thing, not yours. You're supposed to be polite.”
Doing my best to ignore the argument between the other two, I turned to the third filly and asked, “How have you been?”
Scootaloo grinned. “Not too bad. I hate to say it, but Apple Bloom's right. You look like you got into a fight with Bulk Biceps.”
I sighed. “I haven’t been sleeping much lately.”
“Looks like for about a week,” Apple Bloom stage whispered to Sweetie Belle.
“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie said, giving her another poke.
“It's just been a day and a half, I'll have you know. Using as much magic as I have been doesn't help.”
“You look like Twilight when she's been studying and experimenting too much,” Sweetie Belle said.
I chuckled, despite my best efforts to hold it in. “Hopefully, I won't have any break downs as spectacular as hers. What can I do for you three?”
“Rarity wanted us to stop by and give this to you.” Sweetie Belle pulled an envelope from her saddlebags and gave it to me.
“Thank you.” I took the envelope, opened it, and scanned the letter.
“Well? What does it say?” asked Scootaloo.
“It says that my plans for dinner have been made and that I should get a nap in before this evening.”
“You datin' Rarity?” said Apple Bloom.
I could not help but glance at Sweetie Belle, who had a look of excitement. “No, I'm not. It's just a business dinner that I am having with Rarity and a friend of hers. I felt horrible as Sweetie Belle's ears folded back. “Well, I guess it will not be strictly a business dinner. Sweetie will be eating with us too.”
“So, you don't like Rarity?” asked Scootaloo.
“Rarity and I are good friends, but we're not right for each other romantically.”
“Why not?” she pressed.
I sighed. “It's complicated.”
“That's what all grown-ups say when they don't want to want to talk about something,” Sweetie huffed. “Come on, girls. Let's get out of here.” Sweetie did not wait for a response and walked away.
“Hey! That's not cool! Wait a second!” Scootaloo ran to catch up with her.
“What's got her tail in a knot?” Apple Bloom said.
“Remember when you three tried to get Big Mac and Cheerillee together for Hearts and Hooves Day?”
Apple Bloom flinched and turned back. “Kinda hard to forget.”
“Sweetie tried getting me and Rarity together a while back.”
“Thin's didn't work out?”
“The long and the short of it was that, after one 'date', we remained friends and nothing more. Sweetie thinks there is still some kind of chance for the two of us.”
She gave me an encouraging smile. “Maybe you two could give it another go.?”
I tried to give a decent smile back. “Rarity made it clear where we stood. The two of us will just have to look for our special someponies a little longer.”
Apple Bloom's grin gained a mischievous aspect to it. “You wouldn't happen to like hard workin', apple farmin' mares with blond manes would you? My sister needs a coltfriend somethin' fierce.”