Chapter 1: Chic Boutique
Rarity stepped back and admired her newest order. It was a stunning light green dress that was going to be used by Fluttershy on her wedding day. Demonheart had ordered it and asked Rarity to keep it a secret. Rarity smiled.
“That Pegasus is such a romantic at heart...”
She was so engrossed in her thoughts, she almost forgot about the time. Sweetie Belle walked into the upstairs workshop.
“Sister! It’s time for my lessons!”
Rarity snapped out of her reverie. She smiled at her sister.
“Of course! Let’s go see Ranger hmm?”
Ever since Rock Ranger had taken Sweetie belle under his wing as his pupil, her confidence had skyrocketed. She’d never have the same air about her as the rock star or his mare, but she would be able to sing in front of large crowds.
“Probably be proficient in a few instruments as well...” She muttered.
Rock Ranger was waiting outside with a smile on his face. Sweetie Belle ran up to him.
“Ranger!”
She hugged the purple Pegasus tightly. He looked at Rarity and nodded.
“Miss Rarity.”
“Ranger.”
These two never really spoke much. There was something between them that just didn’t seem to allow decent communication, but neither of them understood it. Nopony really did. It was strange, but they didn’t dislike each other, so nopony really payed much attention to it. The duo left, discussing the content of the next lesson, while Rarity returned to her boutique. Her fabrics and silks and ribbons called to her, begging her to turn them into something amazing.
~*~
Gray was tired. Tired of walking, tired of searching. Just plain tired. He’d stopped by a small town to stock up on supplies and ask around. It was a dreary town, sad and colourless. There weren’t any jobs going for an actor, but there was a lot of hyped talk about a place called Ponyville. Apparently one of the previous occupants of the town had gone there and never come back. One of the ponies had received a postcard from him though and he thought it was pretty brilliant.
Gray, ever tired of walking, shouldered his pack and pressed east towards the town of Ponyville, determined to find something there.
~*~
Demonheart was trying on a creamy white suit that Rarity had just made. He looked a little uncomfortable.
“I... I don’t know Rarity... It clashes with the red I think...”
Rarity looked at the outfit critically. He was right, the white clashed horribly with the red. Demonheart smiled.
“It’s comfortable though, and the design is...”
He looked at Rarity and smiled.
“Fabulous.”
Rarity smiled happily.
“As always Demon! But you’re right, the white doesn’t suit the red, what was I thinking? Perhaps a nice dark colour to better suit your colouration... Perhaps a purple?”
Rarity’s horn glowed and a roll of purple silk floated towards Demonheart. The deep purple accentuated the red rather than clash with it.
“Oh, it looks divine! It’s perfect! Demon, I need you out of that suit! I have more work to do!”
There was a tinkle at the boutique door and a gunmetal grey unicorn walked in. His deep green eyes lit up when he saw the inside of the boutique.
“Simply... Marvellous!”
Rarity walked up to the strange stallion.
“I’m sorry, I was with a client. Welcome to Carousel Boutique where everything is chic, unique and magnifique! How can I help you today?”
The unicorn smiled. She had the loveliest manners.
“I’m Gray. Just to clarify my position, this is in Ponyville, correct?”
Rarity nodded. Gray sighed in relief.
“Oh good. I thought for a moment I was lost.”
Rarity eyed his mane with the eyes of a critical hawk. It was slightly dishevelled and his tail showed signs of heavy travel.
“How long were you travelling Gray?”
Gray looked at Rarity, noting her perfectly groomed mane and tail.
“Is it that obvious already? Ugh, this will cause me no end of grief.”
He took his heavy pack off his back and set it upon the floor. He looked around, eyes going everywhere at once.
“I don’t suppose there’s anywhere I can get it styled is there?”
Rarity laughed softly.
“My dear, you’re in a fashion boutique! I don’t just do clothes you know!”
Gray grinned at her.
“Miss Rarity? We’re going to get along just fine.
~*~
Rarity was styling Gray’s mane. She’d decided to go with a light curl for his mane and braid his tail. His tail had already been cleaned and braided, revealing a theatre stage shaped cutie mark. His hair was soft and silky, easily styled.
“So Gray. Where did you travel from?”
Gray smiled, not moving his head or neck.
“Well, the last town I was in was a boring sort of place. No colour at all. Some place called Coltsvale.”
Rarity gasped.
“Coltsvale? Well well! Joy Bringer came from the same place!”
Gray chuckled, trying not to move his head unsuccessfully. Rarity frowned and lightly cuffed the stallion.
“Hold still.”
Gray smiled, holding back more laughter.
“I wasn’t born in Coltsvale. I was born in Fillydelphia. It certainly isn’t as grand as Canterlot, but by Celestia, their fashion was second to none!”
Rarity’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Fillydelphia... I really want to go to one of their fashion shows..... To see my own designs in them!”
Gray shrugged, earning another light cuff.
“Eh, it isn’t all that Miss Rarity. Actually, I used to think the fashion was the best in Fillydelphia... But then I walked into this boutique!”
Rarity gasped.
“You really think so? You truly think my fashion is the best? Better than Fillydelphia?”
Gray responded instantly.
“Oh yes. No doubt about it.”
Rarity almost glowed with pride. Her work had been recognised as good by fashion designers before, but never on this scale.
“Are you a designer Gray?”
Gray sighed.
“I only wish. If I was a designer I’d have a job.”
Rarity smiled. He may not be a designer, but she knew she had a steady client on her hooves.
“I’m sure you’ll find a job Gray. What do you do?”
“I’m an actor. But I’ve had a rather large spate of bad luck lately. Actually, that’s not entirely true. I haven’t been able to get on stage since my school days.”
Rarity frowned.
“Why not?”
“The directors would hire me, pay me a few days worth and then ditch me for a more experienced actor. They’d spend less money on me for the first few days see?”
Rarity was horrified.
“Oh but Gray! Surely they’re not allowed to do that! It’s just not right!”
She’d stepped away from his newly styled hair. It was very lightly curled, making it ever so bouncy. His tail was meticulously braided and not one strand was out of place. Gray looked at her and smiled sadly.
“There’s nothing anypony can do Miss Rarity.”
He walked over to his bag and pulled out a pouch of coins.
“How much do I owe you?”
Rarity shook her head.
“Oh no, the first is always free Gray.”
Gray rolled his eyes.
“No, I must give you something! A lovely mare such as yourself cannot survive nor buy lovely fabrics with nothing!”
He extracted fifteen bits from the pouch and placed them on her work table.
“I’ll give you fifteen bits... Is that enough?”
Rarity sighed.
“I told you, the first is free.”
Gray nodded.
“Yes, it’s enough.”
He walked out of the boutique, leaving a pleasantly frustrated Rarity to fume over his stubbornness.