[Lulu]
"Peewee, get down from there!" I yelled. Said chick was climbing around the fabric shelves of the inspiration room. "You know Miss Belle doesn't want you climbing that!"
"But everything's so pretty here!"
"Down! Now!" I stomped a paw.
With a whine, Peewee jumped into a pile of scrap fabric. His disappointment quickly vanished as he began playing in the pile.
I sighed, slightly smiling at his antics. "Just clean up when you're done."
"Kay!"
Letting him distract himself, I hopped up onto my workstation. I giggled as I pulled some paper and a charcoal stick towards me. I still can't believe that this is mine!
"Really? Pinkie gave Zann his wardrobe, Joy's working on a medi-saddle bag for Conner, and Abes got a fancy looking chess set from someone. How is this a surprise?"
No no no, this is more like I can't believe that Rarity's just upped and employed me!
"Leo at the weather station, the Reckless Duo on the farm, Abes was a part of the post office. Whatever happened with that?"
Luna, I think. I tapped the charcoal against my chin in thought. That reminds me, I've been wanting to make a Princess based line. But how to start...
"Mom!" My ear twisted towards the baby phoenix. "Mom, I'm stuck!"
I twisted around to look, and immediately fought back laughter. Poor Peewee had fabric scraps wound around his wings and neck. Some scraps were far too long and had become entangled in his feet. My critical eye traced over his form, and inspiration struck.
"One second, Peewee. I need to write something down before I forget it." I put action to words and jotted my thoughts down. As soon as I finished, I hopped down and rushed to help Peewee. "Oh, how did you get yourself tied up like this, you silly bird?"
"They're a little long..."
"Only a little." I agreed.
I heard hoof-steps rapidly approaching the room's door. Assuming that it was Sweetie Belle, I picked Peewee up by the fabric and carried him further into the center of the room. I set him down as the door opened.
"Lulu, darling!" Rarity gushed as she swept into the room. "You won't believe who has come into town!"
<<Oh? Is the Royal Ponce in town?>> I snarked as I untangled Peewee.
With the distinctive tinkle of magic, Rarity began pulling parchments and tapes from their drawers. "Little Spikey Wikey's back in town! And he's brought along Ember, Luke and Smolder!"
I gasped, lifting Peewee up. <<You hear that! Spike's back!>>
<<Uncle Spike's here?>> Peewee began struggling, wanting to meet the little drake. It also undid my work in freeing him.
"And it get's better!" Rarity lifted us up in her magic and forced me to face her. "Spike's planning on staying, but the others are on their way to Cantorlot! And guess who's been asked to make them their clothing!" She began gushing and giggling.
<<Opal!>>
<<Yes?>> The cat answered from down the hall.
<<I need you to come snap Rarity back to normal!>>
Opal sauntered in, took one look around the room, then jumped up onto the giddy mare. <<Ahem.>> She cleared her throat. That was all the warning I had to cover Peewee's ears. Opal let out the loudest screech I've ever heard directly into Rarity's right ear.
I tucked Peewee to my chest and landed on my back.
"Oh, right. Sorry." Rarity blushed. "One thing at a time. And this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! And-"
<<Just go!>> Opal and I shouted, pointing towards the door.
With a shake of my head, I got back to untangling Peewee from the fabric monster. Even with Opal snipping away the worst of it, it still took us a long while freeing Peewee. Mostly because he would get impatient and start moving around, making things worse.
Finally, after a few hours, he was free.
"C'mon." I sighed. "Let's get this mess cleaned up before Rarity gets back." Our ears turned towards the door as the main door's bell rang.
"Darlings!" Rarity's voice rang through the store. "I'm back!"
"Too late." Opal snarked.
With a quick spray, I pushed the torn fabrics into the rest of the scrap pile. Opal jumped to the shelves to sleep while I picked up Peewee and made my way to the door. I stepped out into the hall in time to see Rarity reach the top of the stairs.
"Lulu, darling!" She gushed, grabbing me in her aura. "We have so much work ahead of us! I'm going to need your insight for some of this, I'm not sure how to mix her bracers into a dress."
<<Put me down. I need to get Peewee to Spike.>> I spoke slowly. <<I can help you afterwards.>> She kept me bouncing in her grip as she babbled her ideas. I glanced over at Opal. <<Help, please.>>
Opal sniffed. <<Sorry, all out of cares right now.>>
<<... Cat.>> I spat at her. Sighing, I waited until I was facing Rarity. <<Sorry about this.>> A quick spray caused her to drop me again. <<You really need to work on your enthusiasm.>> I rolled my eyes as Rarity started revving herself up again. Arceus help me, she's incorrigible...
[Yomega]
A whisper of thought rippled past my whiskers. I turned to where it had come from, sighing when the Boutique imposed itself over its impressions. Of course. Rarity's a bloody screamer...
"What?" I glanced around with a groan, and spotted a pony looking around with a blush on her muzzle.
And I still need to get a hold of that... I stepped out of the bush I was hiding. "Need to find a place in the park. Still not good enough to meditate in town." Another ripple passed over me. "Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." I growled with a tail lash. I ducked and dodged my way through town, only stopping at the Boutique's door.
I closed my eyes and opened them to the impressions around me. I felt through the door, searching for the lock, and sought out its feeling. It felt green, so I focused instead on the Marley Knocker and twisted him to raise the portcullis and slammed my head on the door. "Oh, too many imprints. It's too trippy."
I know... I mentally sobbed. Why did I agree to the Other to be this? Its Lake was so peaceful.
"So, try to find it?"
What do you think all the meditation was for? I opened my eyes and focused hard on the here and now. Ugh, something to talk to the others about at the next meeting. For now, I need to rescue Peewee from Rarity.