//------------------------------// // Chapter 020 - Girls Day Out // Story: Welcome to Distopia // by LucidDreamer //------------------------------// “So, the plan is… what again?” Gilda asked Lorraine as the pair headed out of the house, leaving John and Alastor to themselves. "Lyra and Rarity have a day off, so the four of us are going to Canterlot to hang out or something." Lorraine replied with a shrug. “Well that sounds interesting, but why am I coming?” Gilda raised a brow as she followed the doe. “‘Cause you’re my friend and I want to hang out with you?” Lorraine replied, looking over her shoulder. “Fair.” Gilda shrugged. “Is it weird that I only think of myself as a hen when I’m around ponies? Like, when I’m around griffons, or at the house, I’m just me; but when I go out, suddenly I’m a hen and get treated like a hen.” “No, that’s perfectly understandable.” Lorraine shook her head. "I'm honestly still dealing with how odd the gender norms here are for me. It's... Conflicting." “What were human gender role things like?” Gilda asked, tilting her head to the side a bit. "Girls were expected to... Be nice, be pretty, they were viewed as emotional," Lorraine explained after a moment. "I... I swear like a sailor, I don't care about feminine beauty standards or looking pretty or being... A coltymare so to speak. For the longest time, it felt like it was me against the world. Getting mad or upset just got me in trouble or brushed off, getting emotional was something others could use against me as fuel for their cheap shot at entertainment. I never really got comforted or had emotions really validated so I just developed into a passive doormat pretending to be tough and found emotional validation in fiction..." "Add to the fact I had little to no autonomy for years outside of my hobbies, I never really cared about being girly. Ever since John and I got together I've been trying to... figure out it's not just me against the world anymore," Lorraine continued. "Mares here are like a mix of tomboy and Disney princess and I have no idea where I fit into all that." Gilda blinked at the doe. “Uhhh… Want a hug? I really don’t know how to respond to that.” The doe's ears drooped slightly as she winced. "Sorry, too much information right? In short, the ideal human woman was a coltymare. Human guys were tough an' shit." “It’s fine.” Gilda waved a dismissive talon. “My ideal tom would probably be that, somebody tough. And don’t worry about the feeling dump or whatever, sometimes it’s good to get shit off your chest.” "It's just, I keep gettin' labelled as a coltymare in tabloids an' stuff, I'm not exactly questioning my femininity just, trying to figure what the fuck that is in a world that places a ridiculous amount of significance on outward appearance and social norms," Lorraine explained. "Feels like I'm being called out or called weak or inadequate or something." “They’re mares, they probably are.” Gilda deadpanned as she rolled her eyes. “But you know what, fuck them. Today is going to be fun and I am now determined to make it fun for you.” She puffed out her feathers a bit at that. “You’re gonna have fun too, right?” Lorraine asked. “Well duh. At least, I’ll try. You and Rarity seem more coltymare, and Lyra… is Lyra,” The hen snorted. “Lyra’s like the girl equivalent of a bro and that’s awesome.” Lorraine grinned at her. “Now I’m only imagining Lyra as a Yak and it’s oddly fitting.” Gilda blinked. The train was relatively quiet, with the exception of the dull clattering thrum from beneath the car. The mare group, consisting of Lorraine, Gilda, Rarity, and Lyra, shared a booth. Gilda was looking out the window, while Lyra was chattering about all the things they could do, while also reading from a pamphlet. Rarity, on the other hoof, was searching through the bags she’d brought. “Now darling, I know you tend to get cold easily and now that you’re a doe you have less fur and you don’t have a dragon’s internal heat source.” Rarity said as she pulled something from the bag. “So I made you this.” Rarity retrieved a bright blue hoodie, with what looked like faux-wool as a liner for the inside of the hoodie itself. “Since I had your measurements, I figured you’d need something to wear around when it’s cold.” The mare levitated it over to the doe. “Ah, thanks. You know I could’ve just waited until you got those robes done.” Lorraine replied, taking the hoodie. “Well, yes, however those take awhile. That and… another surprise I’m working on for you, but! This was quick and easy to make, so, surprise.” The white mare grinned at her. “Did you bring enough for the whole class?” Lyra asked, looking at Rarity with a shit eating grin. Lorraine rolled her eyes at the mint green mare and put on the hoodie. “Awww, thanks.” “Lyra, now that you mention it.” Rarity smiled happily at the other unicorn as she rummaged through her bags again. “Rares, I was kidding.” Lyra blinked. “And I’m not.” Rarity pulled out a black hoodie and levitated it to Lyra. “So you never get cold.” Lyra immediately put hers on. “Well, it is warm.” “Don’t tell me-” Gilda was cut off as a green hoodie was tossed onto her face. Rarity pulled out one last one, a royal purple hoodie, was pulled out and donned by the white mare. “Yay, hoodie friends.” Lyra giggled. Gilda sighed and put hers on. She did struggle a bit, and Rarity had to help the hen get her wings through the holes cut for her wings, but eventually all four were in hoodies. “And Lyra, in case you’re wondering, Twilight knows an excellent Holding spell. It’s why I only need two bags instead of a few dozen.” Rarity tittered. “Well that explains a few things.” Lyra nodded. “So, what’s the plan for today?” Lorraine asked. “Well darlings, just in case, I made a list of some things we could do and see once we’re there.” Rarity said, pulling out a pad of paper and flipping it open. “Don’t worry, I have everything planned.” “So, you’re doing what again?” Alastor asked the smol bug as he trotted towards the door. “I am going to retrieve Koromaru from Fluttershy’s as well as get that adorable kitten, because I need a cat in my life.” John said with a nod to the much taller buck. “Would you like some company?” Alastor asked. “Sure.” John shrugged. The pair ended up leaving (not before John locked up), and started down the path towards Fluttershy’s. “So Al, how have you been since Nightmare Night?” John looked up at the buck. “Just fine, though I must admit James, that I find Lorraine’s new appearance… distracting from time to time.” Alastor said, glancing down at him. “I know right, she’s adorable.” John nodded. “Though, in all seriousness, I understand. You see a slightly small, attractive member of your own species. I can’t fault you for that.” “And, I must remind you, Johann, that her appearance bothers me little, well, perhaps a little now. It’s now her personality within that appearance that is so distracting.” Alastor returned his eyes to the path. “But it’s always been her personality- Wait a sec. When’s your heat thing again?” John scrunched up his face in thought. “Not for another few weeks at least.” Alastor shook his head. “And when that hits, I will be gone for a couple months, I will sojourn to find a place to camp out, and, in modern terms, deal with it.” “Huh. Good to know.” John nodded. “And thanks for the info in advance.” “Of course.” Alastor nodded. “And how are you handling your doe’s appearance?” “Eh?” John’s face scrunched up again as he looked at the buck. “I mean, I still just see her so a little thing like turning into a smol doe girl is just a bonus on top of her being her. If that makes any sense whatsoever.” “I believe I can see the appeal.” Alastor nodded. “Though, thinking back on Nightmare Night.” John continued. “As a bit of a tonal shift, Mourning Star called me princeling, and I’m not sure if that was meant to be taken literally, or if he was just fucking with me. Also he mentioned Destiny, so I’ve basically been trying to chill and not overthink things too much.” The smol bug sighed. “Anxiety sucks. Though a good way to counter that is to go into the forest, turn into a monster, and punch some rotten trees.” He nodded. “I believe you. On the stress relief part, at least.” Alastor nodded. “As to Mourning Star… I have long since stopped listening. Most of what comes out of his mouth is half-truths at best, and lies at worst.” “Well, he is pony Satan.” John nodded. “Lying is kind of his deal.” “Quite.” Alastor nodded as the pair turned to head up to the small path that led to Fluttershy’s front door. It wasn’t lost on either of them that the birds stopped chirping when Alastor approached. “Huh, animals can sense demons.” John blinked. “Obviously.” Alastor chuckled as barking was heard from within the house. The door opened and Fluttershy peeked out, only for Koromaru to push his way out of the door. On laying his eyes on the pair, the dog gave a small look of annoyance at the buck, then walked over to sit in front of smol bug for pats. Pats were given. “Hello.” Fluttershy said, smiling at the pair as she opened her door fully. “Here for Koromaru?” “Yes, however I am also here for something else.” John said, looking at the mare. “What’s that?” Fluttershy tilted her head to the side, curiously. From the house came cat meowing. The ragdoll kitten that John had gushed over came running out. It yelled until it saw John, then pranced over to the bug to flop onto its side and demand pets. “That.” John said pointing at the kitten before petting its head. “I think she missed you.” Fluttershy giggled. Then she blinked. “Wait, you’re here-” “For a pet, yes.” John nodded. “This one.” He said, continuing to pet the purring cat. Fluttershy gasped. “Oh my gosh! Come in! Let me get you everything you need!” The mare said as she rushed back into the house. John stopped petting, long enough to back up and engulf himself in flames. When the flames receded he was on a pair of squat hooves and had lanky arms ending in rough black digits. He used his new hands to pick up and hold the kitten to his chest, where it immediately started to knead his chitin. John waddled into the house as Alastor shrugged and followed the strange changeling. “When I said shopping I wasn’t expecting this.” Rarity sighed as she stood in between racks of comics. “What? Comics are fun.” Lyra said, glancing up from her copy of FeatherMare. “I wanted to pick up the newest copy of Power Ponies for Spike and once we do that we can go somewhere you want to go.” Lorraine said, before noticing what Lyra was reading. “Oooo, that looks familiar.” “It’s a Super Sentai comic series.” Lyra held out the comic. “The comics are great, but they don’t do the show justice.” A white earth pony interjected, pausing as she passed by the group. She had a long ginger mane with a single hair somehow defying gravity and poking straight up from her bangs. She had brown eyes, half-hidden by thick-rimmed black glasses. Around her neck was a pair of black headphones. She was also wearing a forest green coat with a hood that had thick wool for the inlay of the hood itself. “Hey, you mentioned somebody called Spike liking Power Ponies, right?” The mare asked. “There’s a special edition copy over here.” She said before dragging Lorraine off. Said dragging led a few racks away where nopony was around. “Mwehehe, stage one complete!" the earth pony giggled and it finally clicked for Lorraine why this pony looked familiar. "Futaba?" the doe asked cautiously. "The one and only!" the mare gloated and appeared to be scrutinizing the doe. "Huh, Joker wasn't kidding, you really are adorable. Anyway, you know who I am sooo..." "So what?" Lorraine asked and tilted her head to one side in confusion. "Who's your favorite character!" Futaba exclaimed with an eye roll. "You know! Out of the Phantom Thieves, you learned about us from a videogame right?" "I, uh, yeah?" Lorraine replied dumbly as she struggled to process the situation. "So you're actually-" "Futaba Sakura, Phantom Thieves Navigator," the mare said. "We may all be ponies now but we don't look that different." "To be fair, I didn't want to get my hopes up," Lorraine stated. "I don't wanna fight a god." "We don't want to either but we all got dragged here and decided to change people's hearts because hoo boy, ponies are crazy," the earth pony complained. "Joker said you were here too and asked us all to keep an eye out and say hi if we ran into you." "Ok, why?" Lorraine asked. Futaba blinked in surprise. "Because you're one of us, duh! You're like our guardian angel or something. Joker had you in his head for over a year so of course he wants to make sure you're okay." "In his head? Like he could sense my input as the player or something?" Lorraine asked. "Basically," Futaba replied with a shrug. "He felt your emotions and stuff too, said it was sort of like one-way telepathy. He had full control over himself, he could just tell you were on our side." "Good to know I wasn't hijacking him," Lorraine said, relieved. "So, what now?" Futaba shrugged. "You meet the others then we team up? Joker just wanted you to know we're here if you need anything," the mare paused and nonchalantly picked up a comic and gave it the doe. "Here's the comic I told you about, I'll have Mona drop off our contact information later." She paused and looked mischievous. "You gonna spill the beans about who's your favorite?" The doe sighed and flatly replied. "Akechi." "What? Seriously? The edgelord?" Futaba exclaimed but grinned and giggled wickedly. "Oh the others are going to freak when I tell them!" "I figured, it was nice meeting you." Lorraine said and the snickering mare only cackled like a supervillain. Lorraine smiled as she trotted back to the girls, who were still hanging out and reading. Gilda had found a comic called Murder Falcon of all things. Rarity was starting to gush over the costumes of the Power Ponies. “What was that about?” Lyra asked as Lorraine returned. “I’ll explain in a min.” Lorraine said as everyone gathered the things they were going to buy. "Ok so," Lorraine began to explain as the group walked down the street, purchases stowed away in saddlebags. "Persona 5 revolves around a bunch of highschoolers getting put through shit thanks to some horrible people and they fight back by accepting the fact that people suck and someone has to do something about it. That acceptance manifests as a mythical, historical or literary figure with magic spells or superpowers to beat the crap out of the demonic versions of the people screwing them over." Gilda burst out laughing. Rarity looked confused. Lyra- “That is so cool!” Lyra gasped as she stared wide-eyed at the doe. “I want one!” "No, you do not want one..." Lorraine sighed. "Persona in and of themselves are manifestations of the psyche, they were a part of you that you refuse to acknowledge until circumstances or a higher power forces you to confront that part and tame it. That's probably why persona are classed as shadowmancy here, they're shadows that are tamed and trained." “And yet, can’t you turn into one?” Rarity asked. “Yep, she can.” Gilda nodded. “That giant unicorn form thing.” "John gained a persona form too, on Nightmare Night," Lorraine added. "That means we're needed for something, every previous persona user gains their persona as a way to fight against something that would otherwise destroy the world... With the Phantom Thieves and Koromaru here too, it's probably something big," Lorraine smiled bitterly. "Or with Akechi here, maybe whatever it is will make a ‘bullshit trivial threat’ on his life again for shits and giggles. Or maybe I'll meet Shinjiro just to watch him get shot, or, or maybe I end up fighting a god." “Darling, stop, you’re going to stress yourself out.” Rarity patted her shoulder. “Even though you’re probably right.” Gilda shrugged. “I mean, you chat with Nightmare, right? And John has Solaire on speed-dial. So, it’s not like something dealing with gods would be out of the ordinary at this point.” Lyra commented with a shrug. "They're real people who've been through so much and plopped in front of me as if I'm one of them," Lorraine said. "I don't feel like I've earned that right and yet... It really feels like something is out to get us and we'll need all the help we can get. Nightmare is helping yes but she's lost a lot of the power and influence she had a thousand years ago, an’ gods may be gods but they have rules, a way of doing things so they don't break things even more. So, if something is trying to screw us over, the gods would have their hands tied." “You… have a point.” Lyra admitted. “Perhaps that’s why dealing with Nightmare Moon was so strange. Yes, yes, I remember you telling me the whole thing between Luna and The Nightmare, but honestly,” Rarity sighed, “I don’t believe the gods have the kind of power to just snap their claws or digits and affect the world in some way anymore.” She shook her head. “Even then, if they could do so, back in their time, why would they even need all those servants and children?” “You have a point.” Gilda hummed. “Maybe they aren’t as powerful as we imagine? Like us mortals put them up on some kind of pedestal.” “Counter argument.” Lyra raised a hoof. “What if all of their power is focused on something that’s incomprehensible to beings like us. Like, what if they have to deal with Cthulhu or something like that?” "...What if there's a power vacuum in the areas they're not overseeing but everyone thinks something should hold dominion over those areas," Lorraine suggested seriously. "And something else took over because of that shared belief?" “Eh?” Lyra blinked. “How so?” Rarity asked, tilting her head a little. "Destiny, Cutie Marks, ponies as a whole believe in concepts like destiny as a tangible force of nature... Nightmare even stated the rom-com bullshit I had as a luck dragon wouldn't go away when I changed species because it outside her sphere of influence," Lorraine explained. "Ponies are more orderly than other races, they control practically everything... shit, I hope I'm not right." The doe looked worried as she explained. "There was this thing in Persona 5, a god of control born from humanity's shared apathy, a collective desire to ignore problems in society rather than work to fix them. A life of eternal stagnation, sound familiar?" “Beyond you mentioning it, no.” Gilda raised a brow. “That sounds simply horrible.” Rarity frowned at the doe. “And sounds like something that could happen honestly.” Lyra deadpanned and shrugged. “Then again, my money’s on ancient evils that the Princesses decided to stick in a box rather than permanently deal with.” "Don't any of you see how weird it is that ponies are so stubborn whenever changing long-standing herd traditions are brought up? That only Canterlot seems to have gotten the memo that people are people?" Lorraine asked. "Canterlot, where the Phantom Thieves are going around exposing corrupt individuals?" “Ponies are sticklers for tradition, especially earth ponies.” Lyra said after a moment of thought. “They’re followed by unicorns, then pegasi. Even other race generally treats people like people as you would say. So, it might just be a pony problem. The problem with that is that there are a lot of ponies.” “Even though all these changes are backed by the government?” Lorraine deadpanned. “Darling, we’re not saying we don’t see the issues, especially now,” Rarity spoke up, “it’s the fact that different cities and towns will adopt the changes differently. Even though the three tribes unified, each town and city nowadays is like it’s own tribe in a manner of speaking.” “And Ponyville is one town that does not like change.” Gilda nodded, rolling her eyes. “It worked for my granpappy it’ll work for me!” She said, adopting a thick southern drawl. “How much time have you been spending at Sweetapple Acres?” Rarity raised a brow at the griffon. “Too much.” The hen deadpanned. "Then that begs the question, why are the Phantom Thieves here and out changing hearts?" Lorraine asked. "To do so means they'd need access to the cognitive world, the physical manifestation of the subconscious mind. That mare at the comic shop was a member of the Phantom Thieves but she said they all look like ponies now. They're not from this world." “So, they’re like Koromaru?” Gilda asked. “Or you and John for that matter.” “Huh, think John could turn into his old form?” Lyra commented. “Is the fact they’re here that concerning?” Rarity asked, looking at Lorraine. "I don't know if the Thieves are here to save the world or what... I haven't asked the Nightmare if she had anything to do with them being here," the doe admitted. "I dunno if I want to know..." “So, maybe relax and focus on enjoying the rest of the day instead of over thinking things?” Lyra suggested. “Lyra! Too blunt!” Rarity scowled at the mint colored mare. “She’s not wrong though.” Gilda shrugged. Lorraine sighed. "Sorry... Forget I said anything." “Darling, we’re not forgetting anything, we just want you to actually enjoy yourself.” Rarity patted her shoulder. “Yeah, since you were a living stress ball for awhile there.” Gilda nodded. “And if you want to vent all your worries, you can do that… later.” Lyra giggled. “Fuck, I’ll buy you dinner sometime and you can vent.” “So long as you tell Bon Bon first.” Rarity glanced at Lyra. “What? Of course.” Lyra pouted at the white mare. "It's not just venting..." Lorraine grumbled. “No, it’s you thinking out loud and worrying.” Gilda booped the doe’s nose. “And today’s not about worrying.” "... People died in those games, so I'm sorry if I'm getting worked up over the fact that it was all real and could happen again!" Lorraine snapped. The doe took a deep breath. "I just want to figure this shit out, nuke Yaldabaoth or whatever is pulling the strings in the face and actually feel like I deserve to be in the same room as the characters I respect and care about." “But… Aren’t they people too?” Lyra asked. “So, shouldn’t you treat people like people?” The unicorn smiled smugly at her. “Not discounting the fact that you might have to fight a god or two.” Gilda added. “Just thinking about the stuff that won’t make me lie awake at night.” “Getting worked up is fine, dear, that’s why we should do something like this more often, I think.” Rarity nodded. "The Phantom Thieves know me. With Koromaru it was fine. I could accept that since the events of P3P weren't as fresh in my mind. That story was over, the world was saved, everyone went on to live their lives and meeting Koromaru was more like reuniting with an old friend," Lorraine stated. "... The game the Phantom Thieves are from- the version I played anyway- impacted me pretty badly, I got pretty emotional over it. So I just... don't feel like I've earned a place alongside them just because my actions in a game affected their world to an extent... I wanna meet them an' have fun with them but I'm worried about what they might think and why they're even here." “Well, one of them seemed happy. Based on what you said at least.” Gilda nodded. “Would the others be that different?” “She has a point.” Rarity nodded. "I think the others would be fine, except one and he's the one I'm worried about," Lorraine said sheepishly. "He's... my favorite character... I don't think he'll like me very much and I wouldn't want to butt in if they're all working together." “That Akechi guy?” Gilda asked. “Oh! The Detective Prince?!” Rarity gasped. “Him?! Oh, he’s so handsome! I’ve always ha-” Rarity froze. “You…” She looked at the doe girl. “You like him?” She blinked, seemingly mentally at war with herself. “He’s nothing like he is on TV.” Lorraine deadpanned. “That is if it is actually him.” Rarity blinked and calmed down. “Yes… You’re right.” “Well, why don’t we just find one of these Phantom Thieves and ask them?” Lyra asked bluntly. "Oh right, Futaba said the whole gang was keeping an eye out for me," Lorraine realized sheepishly. "I could try to think of places where they could be?" “Such as….” Gilda waved a talon. “Where’d they hang out most in the game?” “Cafe Leblanc.” Lorraine replied instantly. “Oh, they have wonderful coffee.” Rarity said with a happy sigh. “Well, where is it?” Lyra asked. “Oh, are we going there now?” Rarity blinked. “Well, if it’s the cafe from the game, then it’s where we’ll find one of them.” The doe nodded. Cafe Leblanc seemed a little small, but it was quaint. It was almost… homey. The left wall beyond the front door had a set of three booths. Directly to the left of the booths was a long counter that seemed to be strewn with various magazines. The wall above it had flyers and various notes stuck to it. There was a small walkway between the booths and the bar, said bar had cushy dining table chairs sitting at it instead of the standard bar stools. The bar itself was covered with jars of what looked like spices. Hanging above the bar were a pair of blackboards, one blackboard seemed to have a list of drinks. The second one had the special of the day. The back of the bar was a clutter of shelves holding jars with various types of coffee beans. Further into the cafe the walkway split. It split, with one leading to a small kitchen, barely visible behind the bar. Beyond that the main path led to what looked like bathrooms, with what looked like storage further beyond. A black cat sat on top of the bar. Its muzzle, paws, and tail tip were all white. It wore a gold collar. When the girls came in fully, it perked up. It’s eyes were a vivid, bright blue. It looked towards the back and gave a meow. “Yeah, coming, gimme a sec.” A voice called out from the kitchen. From the kitchen, a dark gray bat pony trotted out to the bar. He had gray eyes, and a short and frizzy black mane. His tail was just as short and frizzy as his mane. On his flank was the image of a playing card with a harlequin on it. He wore a green apron, though some of his, seemingly racial, chest fluff popped out from the top of the apron. “Ladies!” He said, propping himself up on the counter of the bar with his fore-hooves. “Afternoon! What can I get you- Oh! Rarity! Lovely to see you again.” The bat pony winked at Rarity, causing the mare to giggle. “So! Have a seat, I can get you some menus, unless you know what you want already. Oh, and I’m Wild Card. Though you can call me Wild.” “Wild, please, a lady can only take so much.” Rarity tittered as she led the other three to a booth. “Oh, I’m sure you can take a little more.” Wild chuckled as he trotted around the bar. Rarity and Lyra took the inner seats, leaving Gilda and Lorraine to sit on the outside across from each other. Some nice black menus were set in front of each of them. “Now, are you four looking for somethin' hot, are you hungry for somethin', or do you need somethin' to cool down with?” The stallion just oozed charm. “Yeah, question,” Gilda spoke up. “Do you ever turn it off?” “Turn what off my fine, feathered feline?” He smiled at her. There was a faint blush on Gilda’s cheeks. “Ahem. I’ll… have the… dark… roast. Black. Please.” She said grumbled into her menu. Lorraine snorted a giggle as she looked over the menu. “Oh, like it dark and hot? I see.” Wild nodded, before scribbling on a notepad. He looked at Lyra. “And what can I get you, my golden eyed filly?” “A, I’m married.” Lyra spoke up, giving him a deadpan stare. “B, I’m bringing my wife back here with me next time. And C, I’ll have a chocolate mint latte.” “Spicy.” He chuckled and looked at Rarity. “And, Miss Rarity?” “I’ll have my regular, thank you Wild.” Rarity smiled, folding her menu and gathering the others menus to stack them. “Triple-shot espresso…” Wild mumbled as he scribbled. “And how has your heart not exploded yet?” He commented before looking at the doe. “And… Goodness, you don’t see an exotic example of nature’s beauty like you everyday. What can I get you sweetie?” “A hot chocolate and some banana bread.” Lorraine replied with a smile. “Absolutely.” He winked at her (to no effect) before turning and trotting towards the kitchen. “Keep an eye on them.” He said as he passed the bar. The cat meowed. “So, does anyone mind if I go talk to the cat while we wait?” Lorraine asked. Rarity gave her a look, Lyra shrugged, and chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Talk… to that cat?” Rarity asked. “Just let her talk to the cat.” Gilda shook her head. “It’s probably some Destiny thing.” “I can understand him, video game logic… thing.” Lorraine tried to explain, before getting up and walking over to the cat. The cat look at her and meowed. "Hello Morgana. You're a pretty kitty," Lorraine replied happily. "I need to bring John here, he'd love you." The cat murred and deadpanned. "You are gorgeous, you'd be a hit at pet shows." the doe said. Morgana stood up and stretched, flicking his tail back and forth while meowing again "I'm Lorraine, I'm guessing you know about the whole weird video game... Stuff going on?" Lorraine asked. The cat nodded and trilled. "So all of you had perfectly happy lives here in Equestria and then you remembered your lives on Earth... " Lorraine mused. "So, what have you found out so far?" Morgana paced back and forth on the bar while yowling. "Distortions caused by emotionally enhanced dreams? Have you tried talking to the shadows of your targets?" Lorraine asked. The cat sat down and murred. "A gate blocking entry that I can help with," Lorraine deadpanned. "Okay, yeah the universe is out to get me." Morgana mewed and headbutted her muzzle. "I didn't say no, I'll help you guys... Just don't expect me to fight..." Lorraine huffed. Morgana did a cat’s best impression of a reassuring look, and trilled. "You guys got an email or something? We can work out a plan later." Lorraine suggested. The cat trilled and begged for pets. “So… Is Joker always like that?” She asked, stroking Morgana’s head. Morgana trilled and rolled his eyes. “So, I know we don’t normally wear clothes, but these are nice.” Lyra said, looking over the frilly white dress she was wearing. “Says you, I like wearing clothes.” Lorraine said as she trotted around in black pants a white shirt, and a long black coat. She did a small twirl. “How do I look?” “To be perfectly honest darling, I’m not sure black is your color.” Rarity said with a hum, tapping her chin as she glanced from Lorraine to other ensembles she’d put together for her doe friend. “Though, it’s strangely refreshing not having to look through dresses. Perhaps I should do a line of clothes for mares based on stallion’s designs?” “I dunno.” Gilda shrugged, as she sat on a bench. “Won’t catch me trying on anything.” “But Gilda, I’m sure you’d look great in a dress.” Lyra said with a shit-eating grin. Gilda deadpanned at the mint mare and crossed her arms over her chest. “No.” “I’m with Gilda, no dresses.” Lorraine agreed. “You do you though.” “I will do me, or Bon Bon will do me, either’s fine.” Lyra shrugged before trotting back towards the dressing room. “Hmmm, I wonder how green or blue would look on you?” Rarity levitated a pair of coats up next to Lorraine to compare. As they tried on various things, they got a variety of looks from passers by. Mainly looks of confusion from the mares, and more than a few stares from stallions. The doe wasn’t even paying attention, however Rarity drank in every approving look. Lorraine moved one of her hind legs back and forth experimentally as she tested a pair of tracksuit pants. "I can see why ponies don't wear pants but I for one, am happy to just find a pair that fits me." “Heh, trying to find something that can show off your lack of a flank?” Gilda chuckled at the doe. “I’m sure John would love something like that.” “Ha ha.” Lorraine replied flatly. “No, it’s more for comfort.” “But you can have both comfort and style.” Rarity said with a nod. “Rares, my style is comfort.” Lorraine replied to the white mare. Lyra came back out and hung the dress back up. “So, are we actually going to buy anything?” “Oh, I might.” Rarity nodded. “I’m mainly here for ideas.” “Oh, I’m getting pants and shirts.” Lorraine nodded. “I found shirts with funny things on them.” “Hey, cute shirts are fine,” Gilda commented. “It’s a lot better than those mares that wear shirts or dresses that show off their chest fluff or flanks.” “I’ve provided most of those, sorry about that.” Rarity said with a sigh. “Don’t apologize for making money.” Gilda shot her a look. “I mean, if they want to wear that stuff, that’s their call.” Lorraine nodded. “True. Though I don’t know what the deal is,” Lyra spoke up, “we normally don’t wear clothes, right? So why wear clothes to accent what we already know is there?” She hummed. “Then again… socks are a thing.” Rarity blushed and gasped. “Ugh, don’t remind me.” Lorraine groaned. “Why are socks lingerie, they’re socks.”