//------------------------------// // Filly Days (Part 2) // Story: Twilight's School for Gifted Unicorns // by Crimson_Moon //------------------------------// "Worst...Birthday...Ever." When she first convinced Princess Twilight to show her how she made friends, Celestia didn't expect it to take this long! "Why are we even in here? I thought we were going to Donut Joe's!" "We are, but I'd like to do some shopping along the way." Twilight spoke, browsing through the various dresses on the shelves and racks throughout the boutique they ended up in. "Drat, nothing fits my size!" She mumbled in her breath. They all agreed to go incognito for this trip, so Twilight came disguised as a unicorn version of herself, with a neatly combed straight mane and tail, and a Cutie Mark of a book and quill; her real one was way too recognizeable. They were pale imitations of her true form, but it got the job done. "Did you find one yet, Bookworm?" A nearby clerk asked the disguised princess. "No, not quite." She smiled. "This may seem an odd question, but do you happen to have any plus sizes available? I'm shopping for, uh, a friend from Saddle Arabia so not many things fit." "What's Saudi Arabia?" The filly asked "Bookworm". "It's pronounced 'Saddle Arabia', Celestia, and they're friends of m- Princess Twilight's." "I'm afraid we don't have anything of that size, unfortunately." The salespony mentioned regrettably. "However, we do have the seamstress on duty, if you'd like to talk to her. She's also a third generation owner of Canterlot Boutique to boot!" It can't be... Could it? "Um sure, I'd love to meet her!" Twilight smiled nervously. If she's from the family I'm thinking of, my cover could be blown in an instant! They did have a flair for the dramatic, after all... She motioned for Flash Sentry. "Get ready to leave, and quick." "Why, what's wrong?" He asked, currently donning a blue and orange striped scarf around his neck. At the Princess's request, he had foregone his Guard's Armor for this trip. "The Seamstress is here-" She drew out the word to hint at the meaning. "Ring any bells?" Suddenly, the Pegasus' eyes grew to pinpricks. "We're so royally gonna be found out..." Meanwhile, the White unicorn filly still looking at dresses her size was confused as to what was happening. "What's going on? Why are you freaking out? It's just a seam- seem... Dress maker!" She turned to Bright Star for answers. "Let's just say they're... Old friends, or at least related to some." Star straightened out her glasses and business suit she still kept on, even for this outing. "Unfortunately, they also have a flair for the dramatic, so depending on which one we get, it could get way too crowded to, well, be just normal ponies going clothes shopping, and turn into a Royal catastrophe, if you catch my drift?" "Ohhhhhhhh!" She think she understood now. "Wait, why does it matter who it is?" "Well," Bright chuckled. "You'll soon find out." She pointed to a pair of heated voices growing closer behind a pair of dress curtains nearby. "For the last time, Mr. Hoity Toity the Third, we will not sell mass production goods!" An elegant voice exclaimed. "But think of the profit! There's money to be had here, and I already cornered the market everywhere else, so I implore you, listen to me and start some designs for my factories... Or else you'll have some... competition on your hands." Another voice argued back. "*Gasp* You're extorting me!? Your grandfather would turn over in his grave if he heard all this! Our family used to be friends, why the change of heart?" The voices came closer, becoming louder with each step. "Oh please! You honestly believe that marketing campaign you call 'old friends of the family'? I am part of the Canterlot Elite! Why should I listen to some hodunk mare from Ponyville when it comes to Friendship?" The other voice mocked. "My family's clothing factories can turn a profit faster than these two-bit fabric shops can!" "...You get out of my store right now Hoity Toity, or so help me I'll press charges!" The curtains parted in a silver magic, revealing a beautiful unicorn mare with a silver coat along with a rosy mane and tail, with lavender highlights. The other pony looked like a Brown coated stallion with a similar swept back silver mane and large amber fashion glasses on. Huffing, Hoity Toity marched out the entrance to the shop with an upturned nose. "Um, Miss Belle?" The salespony from earlier cautiously approached the elegant seamstress. "Yes, what is it?" She sighed, letting out an exhausted breath. "Well, we have some clientele that requested plus sizes. I was wondering if-" Suddenly, she was interrupted by an exaggerated gasp. "Is it the Princess?! No, a Griffin? Oh my gosh, it's a Hippogriff, isn't it?! Please tell me it is, I love a challenge!" Bouncing from her dour mood, the mare excitedly beamed at the salespony. "Um no, it's, well, it's a normal unicorn mare, Miss Belle, but she is shopping for," she quickly glanced around for prying eyes. Saddle Arabians!" The pony harshly whispered. Saddle Arabia was in the middle of a terrible war, so to hear mention of them this far in Canterlot was unusual to say the least. "Saddle Arabians, you say?" The tall mare sounded worrisome. However, her grandmother would rise from thegrave if she dared turn anypony away! "*sigh* Very well. Where are they-" She spotted that familiar purple coat out of the corner of her eye. "... Is that her?" She pointed to the unicorn, now trying to make herself as invisible as possible. "Why, yes! May I introduce you to Bookworm and her fr-" "Yes, yes, it's a pleasure and all that. Could you... Excuse us a moment? I believe these ponies are..." She glared into Twilight's violet eyes with her own silver ones. "VIP clients. What a pleasant surprise, 'Bookworm'." She smiled down warmly at the disguised mare. If Twilight were in her real form, the unicorn could easily stand shoulder height to her, but as she is now, the mare looked like a giant. "Um, hi, eh heh." Clearing her throat, she continued. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss...?" "Goldie Belle, though I'm sure you've heard of me from... friends of the family." She gave Twilight a knowing look. "Would you care to follow me? I'm afraid our store hasn't offered plus sizes in a very long time. At least none that weren't tailor made." "Of c-course! Would you mind if my friends come along, too?" She gestured to Celestia and the others. "Not at all, Pr- *ahem* 'Bookworm'. Right this way." She led the troupe back towards the curtains Goldie came from, shutting them tight behind her as soon as everypony passed through. Continuing, they walked up the flight of stairs and into what would normally be a fabrics and design room, but was hastily converted to an impromptu bedroom by the looks of things. "This is safe a place as any, I suppose..." Miss Belle mumbled under her breath. "Care to drop the disguise, Darling?" "I-I don't know what you're talking ab-" "Oh please!" The mare scoffed. "I mean 'Saddle Arabia'? Seriously? Of all places, you choose a country currently at war with itself? Luckily it wasn't my twin sister, Silver, who spotted you or else you'd have Equestria Daily here faster than you can say 'Tabloid'! " The Princess sighed. "That obvious, huh?" Goldie Belle nodded. Giving up the charade, she lit her horn, and as if a balloon were being inflated, her body expanded until a magical POP! Could be heard. Gone was "Bookworm", and Princess Twilight took her place. "That's better! Now, what can I do for one of our most respected clients today?" The seamstress beamed. "Me? Oh, uh... A new dress? Maybe? I'm n-not sure entirely." Whatever courageous energy Twilight had when disguised was gone, replaced by that same awkward shyness Celestia saw before. Behind her, both Flash Sentry and Bright Star facehoofed audibly. "Can't take her out of the castle even once without that awkward social anxiety turning up." One of them mumbled under their breath. Luckily, the princess didn't hear, or pretended not to at the very least. Come to think of it, Celestia would have to agree with the two. In fact, the entire time she's been alive, the little filly couldn't think of one single newspaper or event where Twilight didn't smile and wave for precisely five minutes without promptly trotting away on "important princess things". Things were beginning to add up in the little unicorn's mind. "What do you mean 'maybe'? Are you or are you not here for a fitting?" Goldie berated the princess. "Uh um, I-I mean yes?" She stammered only to have the other mare giggle. "Oh Twilight! As awkward as Granny Belle told us in her stories." Lighting up her horn, Goldie floated over several tape measures, sample fabrics, and pins. "What dress would you like me to tailor?" She smiled, holding up several different styles and colors of fabrics to the Princess's coat. Twilight awkwardly shuffled in place. "Um, I'm not sure. Something simple?" Miss Belle simply nodded back, floating away several of the test fabrics. "If you don't mind my asking," the seamstress floated over a pair of red fashion spectacles, eying a particular number on one of the tape measures. "Why Canterlot Boutique and not your personal seamstresses and dressmakers?" "I-I well, um, you see..." She stammered. Facehoofing again, Bright Star interrupted. "She doesn't have any!" That shocked even Flash Sentry, a Royal Guard who literally patrols and protects the Princess herself,. "None at all?" Star shook her head. "Woah! Really, Princess?" Celestia asked. She sighed. "I never really saw the point. I mean, asides from big,cities like Canterlot and Manehattan, nopony wears, well, anything really! It's been like that for at least a few hundred years." Goldie Belle gasped dramatically. "A Princess, saying dresses are pointless?!" "I kinda agree with her on this one, Princess." Bright Star adjusted her spectacles. "You have many dignitaries during political meetings that would take great offense to, well I wouldn't call it nudeness, but there's no better word for it." The princess sighed. "Well, when you put it like that..." "If it helps Princess, I still think they're dumb!" Celestia spoke up. "Well, at least I have you on my side, my faithful protegé!" She giggled, picking up the filly for a hug. Humming away, Goldie Belle finished the last of the trimming and took out the pins holding fabrics in place- her work was finished. "This is truly my most elegant masterpiece! A dress that is simply Divine!" Taking off her glasses, she sat and squee'd at the sight- Princess Twilight Sparkle was dressed in the most elegant purple gown, with pink accented highlights and several glittery layers covering her hind legs. Looking down, Twilight furrowed her brow. "I asked for simple." "And simple it is! Simple colors, simple fabrics, Simply Divine! *gasp*, this gives me an idea for a new dress line!" She zoomed over to a nearby worktable and began drawing up sketches. "Okaaaay, moving on... Celestia, do you like yours?" She looked down at her student. After the dressmaking began, Miss Belle couldn't help but try and make a pair for Celestia as well, much to her objections. However, looking down at her white and gold dress, the unicorn started to change her mind. "I, uh, like it." She shyly spoke up. "Alrighty, all done with these designs!" Goldie set down her pen. "How much do I owe you, Miss Belle?" Twilight motioned to Bright Star, taking out a checkbook. "Hmmmm..." she pretended to think. "How about.... Free? As much as the temptation to empty the Royal Treasury is, I must decline. This one is a gift." "A-are you sure?" She simply nodded her head. "Okay, then what about Celestia's? At least let me pay for-" a hoof stopped her. "A wonderful friend once told me the gift of generosity is reward enough on its own." Princess Twilight sighed. "Well, I guess it'll do. I just didn't want to get it muddy. I don't think my 'friends' would appreciate if I showed up in a ruined dress..." She smiled sadly. "Are you paying them a visit, then?" Miss Belle asked, a knowing look coming on her face. Twilight nodded. "Good, I think they'll appreciate that. Muddy dress or no." After saying goodbye to Goldie Belle, Twilight wrapped their gifts and handed them to Flash while she donned her "Bookworm" disguise again. Continuing the impromptu journey, Twilight proceeded to walk down the dwindling streets of Canterlot and approached their destination: Donut Joe's. "Finally! Now let's go say hi to all your friends!" Celestia giggled and sprinted through the doors, only to see it completely empty save for the stallion behind the counter- Donut Joe VII. "Well heya Kiddo! What's got you all jumpy today, huh?" He smiled, polishing a coffee cup. "Hi Mister Joe! Have you seen anypony else come in? Like some ponies that look like they could be a Princess' friend?" "Aside from little ol' me, you mean? Nah, been empty all day, Kid!" Suddenly the doors opened again to reveal the rest of the group trotting in. "Celestia, I told you I'd show you how I made friends, not that they'd be here!" Looking up, Twilight smiled and waved at Donut Joe. "Hi Donut Joe!" "Well as I live and breathe! A pleasure, your Highness!" He chuckled, bowing. "It's not every day we get a Royal Librarian in through here. How ya been?" He winked. "Oh, uh fine I guess. 'Bookkeeping' is as hard as it's ever been!" She chuckled. "Is,it alright if I 'get comfortable'?" Unfortunately, the stallion shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Princess. I might have dead service today, but the streets are packed! Looks like you're gonna have to stay a bit cramped this time..." "Wait, you mean you already knew she was-" Celestia began. "Of course, Kid! First time I met 'Bookworm', she downed so much coffee that biologically should have been impossible, so after the bar was empty again and service was slow, I pulled her into the supply closet and asked her to spill the beans. I never lied to ya when I said I was friends with her!" He chuckled. "So, what can I do for ya, Princess?" Bright Star came up and whispered something, handing the coupon to him from earlier. "Ah, I see. Well, I know just the thing for Bookworm here." Turning on the coffee machine, Joe poured in a bag of beans-extra dark, as well as a special few he kept for insomniacs or very studious princesses. "One Megabean Special!" He slid down a coffee mug, poured the coffee in, then added a few shots of "grown-up juice"- a blend of several herbs, spices, and a hot pepper or two- a class 7 magical hazard according to the health department. "And a special Happy Birthday Surprise for the filly!" Joe pulled out a small vanilla cupcake topped with sprinkles and a small toy ring with the Donut Joe's franchise logo printed on it. "Thanks, Donut Joe! I always did like coming here with my dad!" She beamed. "I thought I recognized ya!" He chuckled. "How's your old man been anyhow? Haven't seen him a whole lot this week." "I am partially to blame for that." Twilight spoke up, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "I have been keeping him updated on your studies, Celestia." She smiled down at the filly currently munching away on her birthday cupcake. "He's very proud of you, you know." "I know, Princess!" She smiled back. The rest of the conversation at Donut Joe's went by in the blink of an eye, nothing important being said. Twilight casually talked with her friend while the other three played a few games like Tic-Tac-Toe or Uno. It wasn't until the sun started going down did Twilight realize they were going to be late. I hope we can still make it in time... Shaking her head of such thoughts, the Princess along with the others said their goodbyes. As Celestia was leaving however, she was stopped by Twilight. "So, what did you learn so far?" She smiled. "Huh? I thought we were just-" suddenly, she realized she was supposed to be paying attention to how Twilight talked to her friends! "Oh no! I'm so sorry Princess, I completely forgot! I was just having so much fun, please don't fail me!" The small filly began tearing up, fear of failure gripping her. "Oh, Celestia. It's okay, I wasn't grading you!" She giggled, leaning down to embrace the white unicorn. "I just wanted to see what you learned." Twilight smiled, cheering up Celestia. Thinking back on it, Celestia did learn a few things. Like how patience rewards friendships, such as when Goldie Belle asked her and the Princess to stay still while their dresses were being made, or how having the smallest of conversations can spark the beginnings of friendships to come, like when she was playing card and table games with Flash Sentry and Bright Star. "I learned a lot, Princess. Thank you for my present." "You're welcome, my faithful student. Now let's get you home before your father starts to worry." After all that waiting, after all the trials and failures, Celestia was excited to see what was in store; this First Year at Twilight's School for Gifted Unicorns was going to be filled with excitement! When she got home, the young filly was met with a surprise party-one in the making for all this week by Twilight and her father. Her mother was in Cloudsdale helping Luna, but sent a birthday card and best wishes from her sister. It was a night filled with laughter and joy. Celestia, for the first time in a long time, had no need for the plastic smile anymore- she was happy right here, surrounded by her new friends and family.