"I still don't understand how your digestive system can process minerals like that."
"Uh… what?"
"I don't know how you can eat gems."
"Ohhh…"
Spike tosses up a gem and catches it with his incredibly long tongue, much to Matt's horror.
"Ech. And I certainly don't like that."
Spike insisted the two of them have a 'bro-day'. Matt liked the young dragon enough, aside from his eating habits. They had stopped by Sugarcube Corner for a bite to eat and Spike ended up ordering jewel encrusted treats.
"Oh come on, lighten up." said Spike, before expelling a powerful, fire powered belch.
Matt jumped back in fear. "It's like you're a tiny, inexhaustible furnace."
"Hey, I'm not that small."
Matt looked down at him, noting Spike was about one-fourth of his size.
"Right… did you have anything else you wanted to do? It's getting terribly cold out and I don't have a thick coat or scales to keep me warm." Matt said with a shiver also noting that the day was almost over.
"Uh… Not really." replied Spike. "I was gonna head over to Rarity's… Hey! Maybe she could make you a jacket?"
Matt thought it over for a moment, before coming to an obvious conclusion; he was flat broke.
"That would be very nice, if I could somehow pay for it."
"Just ask Twilight to cover for you. She pulls in the big bits."
"I'd rather not. I don't need to burden her anymore then I already do."
Spike shrugs. "Hey, I tried. Maybe Rarity'll give ya freebie."
While the idea of a handout displeased him, it was better than nothing.
"Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose. Lead the way."
They made their way across town, headed to Carousel Boutique, making small talk all the while.
"So why do you think you can repel magic?" asked Spike, referring to the previous night's events.
"I'm not sure, although I do have a theory. I need to talk to a certain pony before I can confirm it, though."
"Who's that?"
"The pony who calls himself, 'The Doctor'. He knows something about humans." He said, recalling the odd chestnut coated pony. "I haven't seen him around in awhile, though."
"You know that weirdo?" Spike replied in surprise.
Matt sighs. "Yes, Spike. I do. Although I'd probably call him 'interesting' over 'weirdo'."
"Is he even a doctor?"
Matt sighs at just how valid the question is. "Probably not."
They arrived at the boutique, opening the front door to the sound of tiny bells jingling.
"Just a minute!" they hear in a sing-song voice.
Rarity emerged from behind a curtain leading to another room.
"Spike? Matthew? What a pleasant surprise!" she exclaimed.
Matt began to respond in a polite manner, but was cut off as Spike lazily walked towards her.
"H-hi… Rarity." He stuttered out.
"I'm in the middle of something, but do come in. I'll show you what I've been working on." She replied, signaling them to follow her beyond the curtain.
"I thought you had already finished your winter line?" Matt inquired.
"Oh, I have! I just shipped it the other day. This is just for fun." She answered.
Spike hazily waddled after her and Matt followed soon after. Rarity had led them to what Matt had assumed to be a work room. Within, he spotted what seemed to be Rainbow Dash, facing away from the door. She was all dressed up in a fancy, frilly, and elegant dress.
"Rarity, can you hurry it up?" pleaded Rainbow. "This thing's kinda tight…"
"I never thought I'd catch you in a dress, Rainbow Dash." Matt jested.
Rainbow turned, surprised to see who Rarity had brought back with her.
"Oh! Well… ya know…" she said, rather flustered.
"Rainbow's just helping me with a little pet project of mine." Rarity declared. "Maybe you can lend an opinion?"
"Hm? How so?" he replied.
"Well, I've been desperately trying to find a way for Pegasi to accessorize properly, especially when in formal wear. The addition of wings and a dress makes it near impossible to make room for something like saddlebags." She said.
Matt crossed his arms and circled around Dash. He looked her up and down, making Dash the slightest bit uncomfortable.
"I see what you mean." he finally said.
"Why not just give the dress big pockets?" Spike chimed in.
"Because putting something in said pockets may drag the dress down, maybe even tear it, depending on weight and fabric used. The risk is just too much of a chance." explained Rarity.
Matt had since moved on from the conversation and began to examine Rainbow Dash's back, where her wings were. He touched the space in between them which triggered Rainbow to unfurl them with a gasp.
"S-sorry…" she said. "They're a little sensitive, heheh…" she laughed nervously as Matt delicately continued his inspection.
The space between her wings wasn't the widest, but it could probably fit a small bag of some kind. Instantly, he was reminded of a style of backpack often found back in his realm. Single strap across the chest with enough room for a few items.
"I think I've got it." He declared.
"Uh… got what?" asked Spike.
"Just use a single strap to-" he cut himself off, realizing he didn't know the best way to explain his idea in pony terms. "It'd be easier to show you."
Rainbow let out a yawn. "Can it wait 'til tomorrow? I've been standing here all day."
Rarity was the next to yawn. "I'm feeling a bit tired myself."
"Alright, we'll be back tomorrow." stated Matt. "Come along, Spike."
He was met with no reply.
"Spike?"
He looked over to see the young dragon asleep atop a small table near the door. The ponies giggled as Matt bid them farewell and picked Spike up, ready for the small journey home and completely forgetting to ask for a jacket.
Spike was heavier then he looked.
He came home to find Twilight already asleep in her room. He delicately lowered his reptilian friend into the basket at her bedside before getting started. He silently took two quills, an ink pot, and some parchment with him on the way out.
Thanking his ambidextrous ability, he took a quill in each hand and began work on what he'd call a master piece, drawing up sketch after sketch and design after design. He worked long into the night, all the while feeling the indefinable urge to hum to himself.
Hours later, after the sun had already risen, Twilight made her way downstairs to see Matt asleep over piles of paper with one ink quill in his hand and another nearby. She smiled warmly and tiredly walked over to gently shake him awake.
"Matt?" she called softly. "… Matt?"
His eyes cracked open and he took in his environment, before quickly being at full alert. He stood; a desperate attempt at straightening out his back. He looked down and noticed the work of art in front of him. He then remembered he had finished his work and fallen asleep.
"I have to go." He said.
"… You just woke up." Twilight rebutted.
"I know, but Rarity has to see this. I'll be back!" he said, snatching up the paper and jetting out the door.
Twilight just shook her head. He left so quickly, she didn't have time to tell him about the ink smeared all over his face.
Moments later, he arrived at the boutique. He wasn't surprised to see Rarity just beginning to open up shop. It was still early, after all.
"Matt? What's all over your face?" she said the moment she saw him.
"No time for that, look!" he said, unfurling the paper in his hands.
The paper had a hand drawn picture of a Pegasus with a pack on its back, drawn from multiple angles. The pack was held on by one strap that wouldn't interfere with the limbs at all, resting just in-between the wings and crossing between the forelegs.
Rarity stared at the picture awhile longer.
"Do you like it?" asked Matt.
"… No." was her response.
He felt his heart sink at the thought of missing sleep for nothing until she folded up the paper and looked directly at him.
"I don't like it… I love it!" she exclaimed.
His expression rebounded immediately.
"Fantastic! Do you think you can make one?" he asked, letting his excitement show.
"Oh, darling… Of course I can. I just need some time…"
A day passes, and Matt eagerly awaits the results of he and Rarity's endeavor. He casually strolls into Carousel Boutique, hearing the familiar sound of tiny bells jingling.
"We're back here!" he hears what sounds like Rainbow Dash say from beyond the curtained hallway.
He rushes back to be greeted by a tired looking Rarity and an excited looking Rainbow. Rainbow also happened to be sporting a backpack that looked as if it were from his world.
"Amazing." he said, noting the quality of the pack.
"Oh… it is, isn't it?" said Rarity.
"I've gotta admit." begins Dash. "I had my doubts. But this thing is pretty cool!" she declares, all the while flying about to prove it can handle gravity change.
"It is…" Rarity trails off. "Matthew?"
He pulls his attention away from the pack to face her.
"Since you're the designer here, I'd just like to ask… Would it be alright if I sold these bags?"
He would've taken a moment to think it over, if it was his decision to make.
"Of course. I mean, I may have designed this one, but I'm not the original creator. And I doubt anyone from my world has anything to say about it."
"Oh fantastic! I have a feeling they'll be a hit!"
Rainbow Dash had since removed the bag, loosened the strap, and quickly slide it over Matt's form.
"I think it's only fair you get to keep the original. Besides, brown is not my color." she said.
He was happily surprised the bag had even fit around his torso, but accepted it either way.
Though he did forget to ask about that jacket.