…
Pistachio was a pony with a dream, a dream that only came to young colts like him once in a lifetime. He was born on an acorn farm, but he didn't want to follow that destiny. No, he wanted to follow a different destiny.
It had been a few months since Pistachio had met his idol, Rarity. It had been Hearth's Warming Eve, a package that was meant for one of Rarity's friends had somehow ended up in his hooves. That had led to a visit from Rarity and an offer to attend fashion week in Manehattan. So it was that, as spring came around, Pistachio was eagerly awaiting that week. Waiting for his chance to be with his idol.
"Pistachio!" He heard a deep voice call out to him. "Come on down, your dinner is getting cold!"
"Coming, Dad!" Pistachio called out as he went down the stairs to join his parents in the kitchen. "What have we got tonight?"
"Butternut squash soup." His mother, Butternut, answered. Serving her son a bowl of the aforementioned soup much to his disappointment.
"Again?" Pistachio moaned. "This is the third time this week! I tell you, when I break out into the fashion industry, we won't have to eat butternut squash soup every night."
Both parents were delighted for their son's passion, but they still had their concerns. "Son, ever since Rarity came here you've been talking nonstop about breaking into the fashion world," Oak Nut cautioned. "Things like that take time."
"But Dad, look at the clothes I already made for you and mom," Pistachio protested, pointing out a pair stylish sweaters he had made for both his parents. "Surely that must mean I have some talent."
The two older ponies looked down at their son, trying to not say anything that would bring down his hopes. Suddenly though they all heard a loud noise at the door, causing them all to rise from their table.
"What was that?!"Oak Nut cried, promptly running over to the door and opening it. "Who's there?"
Looking down, Oak Nut saw a gray coated pegasus mare clumsily rising to her feet and holding a letter in her hooves. "Is this the residence of Pistachio?" The mare asked, handing the letter to Oak Nut.
"It is…" Pistachio declared as he rose from the table and rushed over.
"Letter from Ponyville!" The mare declared as Pistachio snatched the letter away! Hastily opening it, Pistachio read the letter and all of a sudden he developed a huge grin on his face.
"What is it, son?" Butternut asked.
"...Rarity is offering to take me on as an apprentice at her shop in Ponyville!" Pistachio excitedly cried, the pupils in his eyes widening as his parents stood there in shock and awe.
…
…
Rarity went about her morning routine like any other day. Getting her flagship store ready for another day of business in Ponyville. But on this particular day the fashionista unicorn was looking forward to the arrival of her biggest fan.
"Rarity," Yona greeted as she walked into the shop. "Yona hear that another pony coming to Ponyville?"
"Yes, Yona, my sweet," Rarity replied turning to face the young yak. "He is a pony I met a while back that is literally obsessed with fashion. But he needs to learn to tame these abilities through focused study."
Yona stood wide eyed at Rarity, causing her to quickly correct herself. "Oh, forgive me, Yona," She stammered. "I was quoting Celestia about when she took Twilight on. That's not quite what I meant. But I would like you to help me and be supportive of my fan when he arrives, Yona."
"Oh, Yona be supportive. Yaks best at being supportive!" Yona boasted. "That why Yona make such good cheerleader!"
"All right, Yona," Rarity nodded, happy to have another student of hers helping. "Now if you could help me get the store ready for business, my sweet. There's a lot we have to get done before we pick up my new pupil."
…
…
Meanwhile, aboard the Friendship Express, Pistachio could feel nothing but sheer excitement at the grand opportunity that was awaiting him! Here he was, a young colt, going to learn under his idol's tutelage. "Do you think Rarity will like my portfolio?" He asked Oak Nut, showing off a portfolio that consisted of drawings of ponies wearing various outfits. "Most of them are farm related, but with a chic twist."
"Well," Oak Nut replied while trying to make sense of it. "These are very nice, I suppose. I don't know much about fashion. Just remember, Son, that not everypony in Equestria can wear farm related chic."
"Not everypony can, but a few will," Pistachio protested while taking the portfolio back. "I'm not looking to be the most famous fashion designer in Equestria. But I do want to leave my mark on it." At that moment, Pistachio noticed a pony wearing a fedora hat. Reaching into his portfolio, he began to draw the hat in his own design.
"Son, what are you…?" Butternut asked, only for Pistachio to shush her while he concentrated on drawing. "Hang on a second, Mom. I just got hit with some major inspiration!" For several minutes, Pistachio focused onto his work as the train neared Ponyville. Once it was done, he turned his attention back to his parents. "What do you think?" He asked, showing his parents the drawing he made. "It's a fedora with gold fleece!"
"Gold fleece hats, son?" Butternut remarked. "Might be something to show Rarity."
..
…
Rarity and Yona stood on the platform, waiting for Pistachio's train as it pulled into the station in Ponyville.
"Here he comes, Yona!" Rarity giggled while excitedly looking at Yona. "He's here! He's here! My biggest fan is here!"
"Ponies always act like this?" Yona thought to herself. "Yona learn something new each day! No wonder Sandbar always look so excited when he around Yona."
A few moments later, the unicorn and the yak saw Pistachio and his family get off as Pistachio gasped with excitement.
"Pistachio, sweetheart! Welcome to Ponyville!" Rarity said as she hugged him. "I hope the train ride was good."
"It was better now that I'm meeting you again!" Pistachio excitedly replied. "I can't wait to show you the ideas that I've been coming up with! In fact, I even had inspiration while on the train! Here, take a look!"
He showed Rarity the cover of his portfolio, but she didn't open it up. "Indeed, I can't wait to see your work, Pistachio," She remarked and then motioned to Yona. "This is my assistant, Yona the Yak. She's a student at the School of Friendship. I've taken her under my wing from time to time."
"Yona glad to meet Pistachio!" Yona declared as she embraced the colt.
"Um, great to meet you too, Yona," Pistachio declared as he struggled to free himself from the yak's killer hug. "I trust you're big into fashion?"
"Yona like fashion," Yona nodded as she ended the hug. "Rarity even teach Yona how to impress Sandbar."
Rarity winced, remembering the time she'd helped Yona prepare for the school's Amity Ball. To say it hadn't gone well would be an understatement.
"Really?" An unaware Pistachio inquired. "That must have been something for you. Was it a formal affair?"
"It was, but... Yona went overboard that night." Yona admitted with a blush.
"Oh, sorry to hear that. Still, it must've been quite a sight for a yak to get all dressed up." Pistachio commented.
Before anything else could be spoken, Rarity decided to leave the station with her guests in tow and cleared her throat to signal this intent. "Come along, darlings. There's much we have to do today." She didn't want the conversation to dwell on the Amity Ball if she could help it.
…
…
"Welcome to my boutique, Carousel Boutique to be exact!" Rarity declared as she allowed Pistachio and his parents into her boutique. "This is the heart of my fashion empire. In other words, this is where the magic happens, Pistachio."
Pistachio's eyes widened in shock! He couldn't believe that he was finally here, in the home and business of his biggest idol. And he was amazed at the amount of clothes that were on display, on dress forms for all to see. "This is incredible!" Pistachio gasped as he attempted to touch one of the displays. "Why, this is…"
"Uh, I wouldn't touch that, Pistachio," Rarity suddenly interrupted. "In fact, none of the displays are to be touched by anypony other than myself. Rules are rules, you know?"
"I guess you're right, Rarity," Pistachio sighed and backed away. "What kind of fabric is it?"
"It's silk, darling. Fresh off the presses." Rarity declared.
"I wish I could make silk garments just like Rarity. I wish I could make anything like Rarity does." Pistachio thought to himself.
"Now, son, it's time for us to be leaving," Oak Nut spoked. "Good luck, and we hope to see you soon with your inspired work! Tell us all about it when the time comes."
"Of course. You'll be the first ones to know." Pistachio replied as he hugged his parents tightly and saw them off. Once they were gone it was time to get down to business.
"All right," Rarity began a short time later, as she led Yona and Pistachio into her workroom. "As you can see, I already have some orders that need to be filled. So, Pistachio, I would like you to see if you can work with certain fabrics. Are there any fabrics you're familiar with?"
"Well, I do have experience with wool given that I live on a farm," Pistachio acknowledged. "We have sheep and we…"
"Hmm, I don't seem to recall seeing sheep on your farm," Rarity interrupted. "What have you made with wool?"
"High end sweaters, hats, hoof warmers," Pistachio answered. "Where I come from, that's all I work with, mostly."
"Well, how about this, Pistachio?" Rarity suggested. "Can you make me an organza scarf given that we're nearing the fall season? It shouldn't take you very long."
"All right," Pistachio nodded, readying himself to accept the task given to him. "I can do that."
"And if you create it to my standards, it will be featured in my fall collection," Rarity told him. "Everything we're doing here is fall related after all."
Pistachio was awestruck, but quickly settled to focus on the task at hoof. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint his idol. Rarity watched her biggest fan work his magic.
An hour later Pistachio continued to work on a hat, trying his best to make it according to his idol's standards. He wasn't a unicorn and he didn't have magic, but he still did his best.
"How Pistachio doing?" Yona asked while stepping away from her own work.
"Shh, let him concentrate." Rarity whispered as she and Yona watched with keen interest.
Pistachio was done not long afterward. He had created a wool hat in the style of a fedora. Rarity studied it carefully as Pistachio waited for an answer. "Hmm, for an earth pony with a desire for fashion who spent most of his life on a farm," Rarity commented as she took a closer look at the hat. "This isn't bad, Pistachio. It's... acceptable to a degree."
"So, what do you think? Does it go on the display?" Pistachio asked as he felt his heart flutter.
"Yes," Rarity replied, putting the hat on the stand. "But this is basically your first step in a high level fashion environment, darling. If you are to have long term goals in the fashion industry, then you must be challenged accordingly. By the way, would you mind if I showed this to my friends tonight?" She asked him. "I think it would be best if you learn how to receive feedback from your clientele."
"Of course, Rarity," Pistachio excitedly answered. "I'm sure they'll love it."
…
…
Rarity was as good as her word, showing off her new student's hoofmade fedora to her friends a short time later.
"Hmm, not too shabby," Applejack remarked as Rarity's friends all looked at the hat. "Are you sure he came from a farm? He's got more of a fashion sense than I do."
"Of course he did, Applejack," Rarity replied as though offended by the suggestion. "Pistachio certainly has a lot of potential to make it big in the fashion industry. Still, he's got to understand that the road isn't always going to be an easy one."
"In other words, he needs to be tested," Twilight commented, as she also studied the hat. "Kind of like how I was tested back in the day."
"Exactly, Twilight," Rarity nodded. "Pistachio is ambitious, but he might be too ambitious and I'm worried how he'll feel if I have to criticize him." She knew it would come to that eventually, but she was dreading that possibility.
"We're always criticizing the recruits at Wonderbolt Academy," Rainbow Dash pointed out. "It took me a while to accept it, but it's for the better. Let him make his own mistakes, Rarity. Part of failure is learning how to improve for next time."
Just then, the door knocked and Celestia entered the room. "What's going on here?" She asked.
"Oh, Rarity was just telling us about a new fashion student she's taking on," Twilight answered. "He's quite big into fashion. And he seems to have a gift for it as you can see."
"So he is," The elder alicorn remarked, taking the hat and placing it on her head. "He's quite the artist." Seeing Celestia with the hat on made Twilight chuckle to herself slightly, amused to seeing her mentor wearing something other than her crown.
At that moment, Luna happened to trot by.
"Sister, come look at this!" Celestia declared, motioning for Luna to come into the throne room. "Check out this hat Rarity's latest fashion student made."
Taking the hat, Luna placed it on her head and produced a mirror to look at herself wearing it.
Luna inspected the hat. "This is very…unusual. Surely he must use such magic to make such a garment." Suddenly, however, her head began to feel itchy and she hastily took off the hat. "Sorry, sorry," She stammered, giving the hat back to Rarity with an embarrassed look on her face. "I just can't stand wool. It makes me itch. Rarity, you must teach your pupil how to make clothes not related to wool for my sake."
"If you say so, Luna. I'll try to have him work with less itchy material." Rarity reluctantly commented..
"Ah, don't worry about it," Pinkie Pie reassured her friend, taking the hat and placing it on top of her curly pink mane. "See? My mane is so curly, and there's no itch on me."
But it was apparent to Rarity that Pistachio still had a lot to learn. Still, she didn't want his dreams to be crushed. She hadn't become a fashion expert overnight and it would be foolish to expect the same of Pistachio.
…
…
The next afternoon, Rarity, Yona and Pistachio gathered at Carousel Boutique to resume work on the fall line as well as continue Pistachio's training. Rarity was remembering the conversation that she'd had with her friends, about Pistachio reacting to criticism and working with other material.
"All right, Pistachio," Rarity spoke up. "You're probably wondering how your hat went over with my friends."
"Yes, what did they think of it?" Pistachio excitedly inquired. "Tell me! Tell me!"
Taking a deep breath, Rarity kept her composure. "Most of them…liked it, Pistachio." She confessed.
Pistachio frowned ever so slightly. "Just…liked it Are you sure about that?" He asked Rarity.
"Well, if I can be blunt here," Rarity went on. "It seems to me your fondness for wool is…probably not enough for some ponies."
Dismayed, Pistachio tried to figure out how to change his mentor's feelings. "W-what do you mean it's not enough for some ponies?"
"Well, if you stick to one kind of fabric, Pistachio," Rarity explained while placing Pistachio's hat back on the dress form's head. "Then you quickly lose your creativity as an artist. Now, I'm going to test you in something that should give you a decent challenge."
Pistachio gulped nervously, but tried to stay focused on what was going on. "I'd like you to make me…a gala dress!" Rarity told him.
Pistachio let out a sharp gasp, amazed that Rarity would give him such a request! "A gala dress?" He cried, briefly pacing back and forth. "But…but I've never made one before!"
"Well, there's no better time to learn than right now, darling," Rarity told Pistachio as she put a hoof around him. "Remember, as your fashion mentor I must challenge you accordingly." Quickly regaining his composure, Pistachio accepted the challenge.
"And," Rarity added. "I won't be the only one judging your work."
"You won't?!" Pistachio blinked in surprise.
Rarity nodded. "I've also reached out to a dear friend of mine from Manehattan, Coco Pommel. She was my first fashion student. My protege you might say. She ended up starting her own boutique in Manehattan. And we still keep in touch to this day."
Pistachio felt his heart sink ever so slightly upon hearing that Coco Pommel was coming to see work…his work! Dashing away to get started, Pistachio's behavior couldn't help but make Yona feel slightly confused.
"Yona wondering if this good idea." Yona remarked, causing Rarity to look at the yak.
"Of course it is, Yona," Rarity insisted. "Pistachio is ambitious. But he kind of has to be brought down a little bit in order to be better. Now, let's go meet Miss Pommel while he gets his work done."
Pistachio, meanwhile, got immediately to work on the assignment Rarity had given him. He was more than a little nervous at having to do something so big so soon. "Come on, Pistachio, you can do this!" He thought to himself as he used the sewing machine. "Just don't... give... into the pressure!"
Working as hard as he could, Pistachio managed to craft up what he thought was a decent gala dress while reflecting on his farming background, hence the brown coloring of it. "All right," He whispered, while looking at the dress he had created (which had seemed more difficult than it actually turned out to be). "It's all up to Rarity and Coco Pommel now. I hope they'll like it."
…
…
At the Ponyville train station, Rarity and Yona waited as the express from Manehattan arrived. A few moments later, an earth pony mare with a short light blue mane and tail and a purple collar emerged. "Rarity, good to see you again!" Coco chuckled as she and Rarity embraced.
"Good to see you too, Cocol," Rarity added. "And thanks for coming all this way to meet my new protégé."
"You mean…her?" Coco wondered, raising an eyebrow in confusion as she looked at Yona.
"That's my veteran protégé, Yona the Yak," Rarity corrected. "I'm talking about my other protégé, Pistachio. You know, the one who's from Sweet Acorn Orchard? As of now, he's making something that I am sure will live up to your standards. Anyway, how are thing back in Manehattan?"
"Oh they couldn't be better, Rarity!" Coco happily exclaimed. "Actually, I just picked up a new assignment making costumes for a new show on Bridleway."
Meanwhile, back at Carousel Boutique, Pistachio readied his presented gown to the best of his ability, completely nervous at what would come next.
Suddenly, the bell rang as Rarity, Coco and Yona arrived on the scene.
"Pistachio," Rarity called. "I'd like you to meet Coco Pommel from Manehattan."
"Oh my, Coco…" Pistachio gasped. "It's such an… honor to meet somepony like you."
"The honor is mine," Coco remarked while producing a small smile on her. "You know, Pistachio, you're starting to remind me of myself when I first started out in the fashion industry. So unsure of myself."
"Uh, yeah," Pistachio sheepishly answered. "Anyways, here's the gown that you asked for Rarity." Stepping to the side, the young colt allowed for his mentor and her friend to inspect the gown.
Yona stood by Pistachio in solidarity. "Yona knows pony tried his best." She whispered, tapping his hoof gently. But Pistachio wasn't so sure.
After a few moments, the two mares turned around to face him. "Pistachio," Rarity told him. "We've looked over this gown you made. And…even though you've tried your best. Well, Tte gown speaks to us…"
Pistachio's face dropped slightly, knowing that he'd more than likely screwed up big time.
"As if to say that it's…" Rarity sighed and produced a frown. "…Good, but not good enough."
Pistachio felt his heart sink in disappointment. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His idol, his biggest idol didn't like the work he had produced.
"I'm…I'm afraid I must agree with Rarity, Pistachio," Coco added. "Brown is a very bland color for high ranking fashion and should only be used for accents."
"Can't I…can't I just make you another gown that isn't brown?" Pistachio pleadedo, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "I know that I can do better, I've got the passion to make it big!"
"You do have the passion, Pistachio," Rarity remarked, trying to offer words of encouragement to him. "But these things take time and…"
"Well, time isn't what I have!" Pistachio in a loud voice, shocking everyone in the room. "When you say that you guys don't like my creations, it makes me feel…it makes me feel…" Not wanting to be in front of his mentor anymore, Pistachio ran off out of the workroom and into his guestroom, slamming the door as he entered!
The other three workroom occupants were left dumbstruck at what just transpired. Pistachio, the aspiring young fashion designer, had had his confidence crushed.
…
…
For several hours, Rarity, Coco and Yona paced back and forth in front of Pistachio's gown, trying to process what had just happened before them.
"Yona don't understand," Yona wondered. "Did pony not like feedback?"
"Apparently not, Yona," Rarity sighed while walking over to touch Pistachio's gown. "All that we were trying to say is that this gown is good and that he needs to try harder. Everypony will have an opinion and not all of them are going to be good ones. If you're going to be in the fashion world you need to prepare for feedback like that."
"Perhaps we should try telling that to Pistachio," Coco suggested, briefly looking down at the floor in shame. "I mean…I used to take criticism like that hard, especially after I quit working for Suri."
"Look, Coco, why don't you talk to him now that you've mentioned that?" Rarity suggested. "I mean, you were in his shoes once after all."
"Me?!" Coco stuttered. "W-well, I guess I'll try." Walking up to Pistachio's guest room a short time later, Coco knocked on the door, hoping that Pistachio would listen to her as opposed to Rarity. "Pi…Pistachio, it's me, Coco Pommel," Coco called from outside. "Can I come in?"
For a moment, it seemed like Pistachio wouldn't answer. Finally, he opened the door and motioned for Coco to come in.
"Look, I'm…I'm sorry that you didn't take our criticism very well." Coco apologized.
"Well apparently, I need a lot of practice," Pistachio sulked, sitting on the edge of his bed in disgust. "I want all my creations to be perfect, Coco."
"To be honest, Pistachio," Coco sighed as she sat down on the edge of Pistachio's bed and next to him. "I used to be just like you, wanting all of my creations to be perfect. But my strive for perfection led me to being mentored under Suri Polomare."
"The bigshot designer from Manehattan?! You used to work for her?!" Pistachio gasped!
"Well, technically I was her assistant, but yes I did used to work for her," Coco explained, trying to be sympathetic, but honest with Pistachio. "Suri was such a bigshot and I thought that by being with the bigshots, I could make it big quickly. Instead, she talked me down and I ended up staying on as her assistant."
"What did she really think of your work?" Pistachio asked.
"She thought my creations would never fare in Manehattan," Coco explained. "Suri always said that I would forever be her assistant when she criticized my work. And it was all because I couldn't take criticism from a pony like her. It wasn't until I met Rarity and took up a new job of designing costumes that I finally learned to accept criticism. And it's made me not only a better fashion designer, but also a better pony in general."
"You know, Rarity is a great fashion designer," Coco went on. "But perhaps it would be best if I help you focus on becoming a better designer in the city where it all happens."
This gave Pistachio a new sense of hope. He had been given a second chance.
…
…
While Coco talked with Pistachio, Rarity and Yona each were waiting to learn how the conversation turned out. A few moments later, the door opened and out stepped Coco and Pistachio.
"We've talked it over," Coco said, motioning for Pistachio to step to her side. "And we believe that Pistachio would thrive better if I took him under my wing, Rarity."
"Personally, I think that's a great idea," Rarity replied while walking over to Pistachio and placing a hoof under his chin. "Look, Pistachio, I know you look up to me with all your heart, but perhaps I may be the wrong pony that can teach you all that you need to know. You need to start small, and Coco is the perfect pony to teach you all the ups and downs."
"So, does that mean that…I need to leave here?" Pistachio asked, not wanting to leave his idol.
"Only for a short while, Pistachio," Rarity said in a wise tone of voice. "And the next time you come back to Ponyville, I hope to see you as a veteran designer as well as being my guest for fashion week in Manehattan."
Shocked to hear this, Pistachio leapt forward and hugged Rarity tightly, overjoyed at all that was being given to him!
"But, um," Rarity finished, noticing the hat Pistachio had made when he first arrived at Carousel Boutique. "May I keep your hat as a reminder of all your potential?"
"Sure, why not?" Pistachio said while walking over to inspect the hat. "At least this is a reminder of when I first made my mark, here in Ponyville."
…
As the train pulled out of Ponyville a short time later, Pistachio couldn't help but take in all that had been given to him. He had been given a second chance, an opportunity to learn not under Rarity, but under Coco Pommel herself. A pony right in the heart of the fashion world and in the biggest city for fashion.
"So, Pistachio," Coco remarked as she looked through his portfolio. "These are all very nice designs. You know, I used to have a portfolio too."
"You did?" Pistachio inquired.
"Yeah, in fact it's still in my penthouse," Coco told Pistachio. "Perhaps when we get to Manehattan, I can show it and maybe you can get some inspiration. It's like Rarity said: 'You have a lot of potential, but it takes time.'"
"At least I can still be her guest at Fashion Week, right?" Pistachio remarked as both he and his new mentor shared a small chuckle.
…
…
A week later, Rarity and her friends gathered at the Castle of Friendship where she shared a note from Pistachio.
"So, I guess the right decision was made in the end," Twilight commented. "Pistachio must be learning wonders under Coco."
"He has talent," Rarity replied. "But I think he needed the right pony for guidance."
This caused all the ponies in the room to look at Rarity in bewilderment.
"Rarity, you're a great teacher," Applejack protested. "You taught Coco well, and now she'll teach Pistachio well. Who knows? He might end up lookin' for a job at Carousel Boutique or any of your stores one day."
"Speaking of Coco, whatever happened to Suri Polomare anyway?" Spike asked. "Where did she end up after she lost Fashion Week all those years ago?"
"Oh, she just dropped out of sight after a while," Rarity declared. "Hopefully she will stay out of sight for a long time."
Rainbow Dash sighed. "I thought the same thing with Lightning Dust, but she came back. I wouldn't count Suri out just yet, Rarity."
…
…
Meanwhile, across the street from Rarity's shop in Manehattan, a new shop was being put together with the words "Suri Polomare's Emporium" written on the top of the building. Inside, a light purple coated earth pony emerged with an evil grin on her face. "So, Rarity wants to make it big in Manehattan, does she?" The pony said to herself. "Well, two can play at that game. One day, I will regain my place at the top fashion designer in this town and drive Rarity away from here…forever!" The pony continued to stare at the boutique. It was her hope that over time, Rarity would be engulfed in a business war against the pony who'd nearly ruined her…Suri Polomare herself.
…
END OF EPISODE
…