//------------------------------// // 33: Dressed for Success // Story: Death of a Queen // by Arkane12 //------------------------------// “How is it so cold already?” Twilight exclaimed as she stepped out into the castle courtyard. A few inches of snow had already gathered over the grass, leaving just the green tips of the blades poking through. The guards on either side of the main gate had been equipped with snow boots and scarves. Given their usual stoicism, it seemed to be enough for them. The orange streaks of dusk blazed overhead. “It’s winter, Sugarcube. It’s cold,” Applejack said plainly as she straightened her styled mane. “I know, but it was not this cold a few days ago.” “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. This is the best time of the year!” Pinked hollered, beaning one of the guards with a snowball. “The quicker we get to the restaurant, the sooner we get warm,” Starlight explained. “Right,” Applejack led the party through the golden gates. Luckily, the stone walkways had yet to snow over, leaving a clear path. With a sharp whistle and a friendly wave, she summoned a carriage to the sidewalk. The poor pony pulling the cart had been wrapped tip-to-tail in every article of winter clothes he owned. “Where are you ladies off to this evening?” A harsh breeze stole Applejack’s answer from every pony other than her and the driver. It simultaneously sent a chill through Twilight’s thin dress. Her friends allowed her to enter the carriage first. The cabin could hardly be called insulated, but it did feel several degrees warmer than outside. One-by-one, the others piled in after her. The vehicle had been designed to hold six, but it didn’t do so comfortably. “I feel underdressed,” Twilight admitted, glancing down at her plain white evening gown before switching to admire her friends. Fluttershy wore a vibrant green dress that dazzled in the light. Rainbow chose a tasteful blue gown. Applejack preferred a simple orange getup, complete with her usual cowgirl hat. Pinkie had been wrestled into a yellow dress edged with white frills. The accents matched the powder from her short yet intense playtime in the snow. Starlight slipped into a thin dark gown that accentuated the color of her fur. Each of their outfits was completed with a set of warm baubles. Including scarves and fancy horseshoes. All six of them had styled their manes to the best of their ability without Rarity to help. Apparently, she had decided to catch up on her work before their fancy evening and had taken Spike down to her boutique to aid her. At least, that had been the reason printed on the letter that accompanied the dress currently draped over Twilight. “You’re not underdressed,” Fluttershy cooed. “You know, when you’re the princess, I think you set the standard for the dress code. I think that just makes us overdressed,” Rainbow argued. “Is that how it works? I usually rely on Rarity for things like that,” Twilight muttered. “Who cares. The dress code isn’t what tonight’s about,” Applejack complained. “Applejack’s right. We’d love you even if you were naked, Twilight.” Pinkie grinned. “That’s . . . encouraging?” Trying her best to ignore the difference in apparel, Twilight found herself gazing thoughtfully out the window. In the winter evening, a haze settled over Canterlot, blotting out most of their view of the castle. Here and there, a few lights still broke through the mist. Several bumpy cobblestone roads later, the carriage finally stopped. The trip had been longer than Twilight remembered. It had been some time since her last visit to the Crown, though, so perhaps she misremembered. That is, until she stepped out and onto the sidewalk in front of Canterlot Carousel. “This isn’t the Canterlot Crown.” Twilight cast a sideways glance at the rest of the group climbing out into the snow. “Nope.” Applejack shook her head. “Rarity wanted us to bring you here, first.” Rather than use the steps, Rainbow glided down from the cabin on her wings. “What for?” “That’s for you to find out, isn’t it?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. Most of the group filed in through the front door, leaving Twilight, Fluttershy, and the driver out in the cold. “I hope you don’t mind waiting. Tonight’s a special night for Princess Twilight. We’ve got the bits to pay you for it.” Fluttershy batted her lashes as she spoke. “Not many customers out tonight anyways,” he shrugged. “Sure thing.” With that matter dealt with, Fluttershy joined Twilight at the door. Neither of them entered, though. Instead, they stood beneath the harsh winter wind, staring at the familiar scene playing out before them. Twilight watched the two reflections in the storefront glass. Though only a few days ago, that night with Fluttershy belonged in another life. The alicorn struggled to recognize the jovial mare that mirrored her. “You seem happy.” Fluttershy’s voice sounded gentle beneath the breeze. “I am.” “Because of her?” “That’s a part of it. I know it sounds crazy. It is crazy.” “A bit.” Even beneath winter’s claw, Twilight’s collar simmered. “I know how you feel about her. I won’t ask you to accept it.” “It’s alright, Twilight. She makes you happy. That’s enough for me to try.” “Thank you, Fluttershy.” The Carousel’s door wrenched open, revealing a confused Applejack. “What in tarnation are you two still doing waiting around out here?” “Twilight was just helping me fix one of my shoes,” Fluttershy lied. An unconvinced Applejack stepped aside, allowing Twilight and Fluttershy inside. The boutique looked different than Twilight remembered. Clearly, it had undergone extensive renovations since her last visit. The storefront had been remodeled into a waiting room of sorts. Expensive looking sofas and deep-cushioned chairs had been arranged for guests to sit and chat while they waited for their fitting. A grand marble staircase in the corner spiraled up toward the second floor. From here, she could see the rows of finely dressed displays and aisles of clothing for sale. Back on the first floor, hidden away in the back, a hallway led to the rest of the store. The group made themselves comfortable. Fluttershy and Applejack joined Rainbow Dash and Pinkie over one of the meeting areas, joining their debate over the end of the Buckball season. Starlight had crashed solo on one of the couches, her arm tucked beneath a pillow and her face buried into the soft plush. Only the occasional shuffling indicated her consciousness. “Twilight?” A sharply dressed Spike appeared at the mouth of the hallway. “Rarity needs you.” “Me?” Twilight asked. Spike nodded, leading her to Rarity’s office toward the back corner of the building. “She’s waiting inside,” Spike announced before leaving to join the rest of their friends in waiting. Taking a moment to make her dress presentable, Twilight knocked on the door. “Rarity? Are you in there?” “Twilight? Please, come in.” Bracing herself, Twilight complied, stepping into the spacious office. Several desks were scattered about the room, each one flanked by cases of sewing materials and various machines to aid in their use. A couple of half-finished dresses hung around the room on blank mannequins. Rarity stood at the far end of the office with her back to Twilight. For the moment, she seemed lost in finishing the needlework on her latest project. “Spike said you wanted to see me?” “I’m just adding the finishing touches now,” Rarity explained, searching one of her nearby baskets for the perfect gem to complete the design. “On what?” “You’ll see. Take a seat over there.” Without turning, Rarity pointed toward one of the unoccupied chairs around the room. As Twilight made her way toward her seat, Rarity made sure to block the view of her newest dress. That didn’t stop her from noticing the purple fabric draped over the model. “So, why all the secrecy?” Twilight inquired. “Because, it’s a surprise,” Rarity said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “For who?” “That’s a surprise, too.” Twilight settled into her seat, careful to keep her dress from wrinkling as she did. Bored by the wait, she started to twirl the chair aimlessly. She moved slowly to keep the plastic and metal from squeaking. Rarity fished another gem from her collection. Based on the coloring, it must have been a ruby. She held it up to the unfinished dress. Seemingly unsatisfied, she returned it to her collection before retrieving another to test. The newly selected diamond fit her tastes better, as she slotted it into the seam. “There. That’s better,” Rarity mumbled as she nodded to herself. Annoyed by her chair, Twilight found another way to occupy her attention. She retrieved a magazine from one of the shelves nearby. She knew next to nothing about fashion but insisted on losing herself in a review of the latest Manehatten fashion show. She only ever made it halfway through. “Finished,” Rarity announced, stepping aside to show off her latest creation. “Wow.” Twilight returned the magazine carefully to its place on the shelf before getting a better look at Equestria’s next big fashion trend. “What do you think?” Twilight took a moment to drink in the view. A figure of a mare had been draped in a stylish pink dress. A waterfall of frills cascaded down the gown, blossoming out into the flowery pattern like an old-fashioned ball gown. Several purple sections had been fitted in between. A glittering golden trim edged the silken exterior. “It’s beautiful, Rarity,” Twilight offered. “You like it?” “I do. I mean, I don’t know much about the world of fashion, but I like it.” “I’m glad. Want to try it on?” The seamstress removed her dress carefully from the figurine, levitating it over toward Twilight while smoothing out the creases and double-checking the seams. “What? I don’t know if I’m the best model for it.” “But you are, Darling. Who better to be at the head of a fashion trend than a princess?” Twilight couldn’t argue with that. “All right. I guess I could do it, if you really want me to.” Rarity relinquished the dress to Twilight, but she refused it. “Is something wrong? There’s a privacy curtain over there, if you need it.” Rarity noted, adjusting her glasses. “Would you be willing to . . . help me?” “With what?” Rarity asked hesitantly. “I’m having some . . . trouble with my magic at the moment. Cadence had to help me into this dress,” Twilight admitted with an embarrassed grin. “Oh. That’s not a problem, Darling.” With a burst of magic, Rarity unzipped Twilight’s dress. The white gown dropped to the floor, allowing Twilight to step out. “Here. Step inside,” Rarity commanded, holding the new outfit open. Twilight did as she was told, fitting each of her legs into the right spot. Rarity pulled the gown tight, fitting each strap into place as she examined her handiwork. “Comfortable?” “It’s softer than I thought it would be,” Twilight noticed. “Of course. It’s incredibly expensive exotic silk. Quite rare, if you don’t know where to look for it. It is most definitely worth the effort though. You look ravishing, Twilight.” Twilight blushed, waving a hoof nonchalantly. She turned to the mirror nearby, twirling to see each intricate detail of the outfit. The seams had been fitted with small diamonds, causing the dress to sparkle as she moved. “Does it fit alright, or should I make some alterations?” Rarity admired the view. Not just of Twilight in the new dress, but of the foalish joy that radiated from the princess. “It fits perfectly. Snug in all the right places. When will these be ready for sale? I’m already sold.” “It’s not quite finished yet. There’s another piece to it.” Rarity returned the white gown to a rack nearby, only adding to Twilight’s confusion. Before returning, she retrieved a small silver case from one of her bottom desk drawers. She set it on the desk itself, motioning for Twilight to join her. “What’s that?” Twilight inquired. “The finishing touch.” With a dramatic flourish, Rarity snapped open the clasp on the case. Inside, reclined on a throne of red cushion, sat Twilight’s tiara. “Is that . . .” “I didn’t steal yours, if that’s what you’re asking.” Rarity chuckled. “It’s an imitation. A good imitation, though. I noticed after the whole Sunset Shimmer debacle, you stopped wearing your crown. So, I thought you would like one you can still wear in public.” “Rarity . . .” Twilight’s eyes misted. “I’ll take it you like it, Darling?” “Of course. I . . . It’s lovely.” Still dressed in her best smile, Rarity lifted the crown from its case, setting it gently on Twilight’s bowed head. When she rose, she held her head high. Somehow, the sudden weight felt comfortable. It felt right. “How could I ever repay you for this, Rarity?” “This is a gift, Twilight. I wouldn’t charge you for that.” “But it couldn’t have been cheap. I mean . . .” Rarity shushed her. “Stop right there, Princess Sparkle. I won’t hear another word of this. If you must consider some sort of payment, then just think of this as me repaying the debts I owe you. None of us would be where we are today without you.” “You’re going to make me cry,” Twilight sniffled. “Don’t do that. You’ll ruin your makeup,” Rarity taunted playfully. “It probably needs to be fixed anyways.” “Nonsense. As I said, you look ravishing. Now, why don’t we let our friends see your new look?” Rarity led Twilight back out into the storefront. She captured the room’s attention by clearing her throat, but once the others looked up, they only saw Twilight. They blinked a few times in unison. “Whoa,” Rainbow muttered. “You can say that again,” Applejack agreed. “It’s beautiful, Rarity,” Fluttershy added. “Where can I get one?” Starlight questioned. “Where did you get the crown?” Spike wondered. “As much as I enjoy all of us standing around admiring my work, we have a reservation to keep. Give me a moment to make myself presentable, and then we’re off to the Canterlot Crown,” Rarity announced. Stuck in the moment, Twilight could only nod. She wanted this moment to last forever. A perfect moment. One she spent with her friends gathered by her side, with the excitement of a lovely night ahead. In this moment, she finally forgot the nagging dread nuzzling at the back of her mind. Tonight would be perfect.