//------------------------------// // At the Boutique // Story: Two Nymphs, One Pony // by CitreneSkys //------------------------------// Fluttershy gently knocked on the door, patiently waiting in front of the door. The sun had crept further along the sky, and all too late she realized she was late for the scheduled fitting session. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, how may I-Fluttershy!” Rarity grinned as she saw her friend in her doorway. With one hoof, she embraced the yellow pegasus with a hug. “Darling, you are late! What happened?” “Nothing!” Fluttershy smiled, her wings fluttering at her sides. “Well, nothing too big, at least.” She followed the white unicorn into her boutique. Fluttershy was amazed at the assortment of dresses on display. No matter how many times she’s been in the shop, she couldn’t get over the sheer creativity Rarity had. “About time!” The yellow pegasus pricked her ears, turning towards where she heard the brash voice. A pegasus she knew all too well came barreling towards her, flicking her rainbow mane. “Oh! Hey Rainbow,” she smiled, playfully pushing the blue mare off of her. “Sorry about being late, I got held up last second.” “Do tell! I wanna know!” Pinkie sprung up from her seat, a partially finished dress fitted onto her flank. Her curling mane puffed as she stared intently at the yellow pegasus. “Um...maybe later...Rarity? About that dress for the Gala-“ “Oh! Your’s right here, darling,” waving a white hoof, she showed the pegasus her dress-in-the-making. It was a lovely mint-green dress, accented by small yellow and pink butterflies that were stitched into the fabric. Fake vines acted as the strings for her ballet shoes, and the collar had pearls stitched into. Gingerly, she touched the fabric. “Is it...silk? “Right on the nose!” Rarity smiled, levitating the dress towards her. “I know it’s not done yet, but I need you to try it on, just so I know you fit.” “Alright,” she smiled placing the unfinished dress onto her shoulder. Walking over to the dressing room, she quickly put in the dress, letting it fall off her flank. Trotting out, Rarity looked at her, narrowing her eyes at the seems. “Is it tight, anywhere?” She inquired, to which Fluttershy shook her head “No! It’s actually quite comfortable.” “Hm...I think this shade of blue clashes too much with your coat,” she mused, poking at the collar. She pulled out her glasses and note pad, writing down her observation. Fluttershy wiggled out of her dress, handing it back to the unicorn. Rarity levitated it with her blue magic, turning towards a certain farm pony in the back, “Hm... Applejack, what about you?” As Rarity began to bombarded AJ with questions, the yellow pegasus went over to sit next to Twilight. The lavender unicorn barely noticed her, writing down in a scroll while having another book out. “Hey, Twilight.” “Hm,” she uttered distractedly, turning towards her, before brightening. “Oh! Fluttershy! Just the pony I want to see.” “...this is about Thorax and Pharynx, isn’t it?” “What gave me away?” “You are outlining a changeling.” The parchment that laid at her hooves was, indeed, covered in notes and diagrams of a changeling. Fluttershy wasn’t sure how much of it was Twilight's photographic memory and what was inferred. The navy maned unicorn blushed, looking away. “Oh right...I am....uh....” They became quiet, before letting out a giggle. The unicorn shook out her head, focusing her purple eyes on the pegasus. “So, learning anything new? About their social life, habits, anything?” Fluttershy tried to rack her head from this morning. “Um, Thorax and Pharynx are siblings...if that means much to your research...” “Sibling?” Twilight echoed, jotting it down in her notes. “...so they do have familial relationships...I wonder if it’s just siblings. Do they have mothers and fathers? Is their Queen their mother? It’s like that for bees so it’s possible...” Fluttershy jumped as a soft bell rang, looking up. Rarity, it a hoof still on the bell, sighed, smiling. “I think that’s enough for today,” she levitated the unfinished dress, packing them away for a later date. “Let’s take a break and have some tea, okay?” Mixed cheers and sighs filled the room, and all six gathered around Rarity’s dining table. Twilight sat close to Fluttershy, bring along her papers and books. Pouring tiny cups with steaming green tea, each pony took their share. Fluttershy relished the green tea, feeling it soothe her nerves and throat. Twilight’s cup was the only one untouched. The lavender unicorn was still writing down notes, completely obvious to the situation around her. “Uh, Twi?” AJ called, catching the unicorn's attention. “Mind getting yer head out of yer book, would ya?” “Sorry,” she sighed, placing down her research. Pinkie picked up the paper, running her eyes along with the parchment. “What’s all this?” She asked, pointing to a small doodle of a changeling. Rainbow laughed. “Is it the monster of your next novel,” she snickered. Rainbow never really did like books. “Uh, no offense Twilight, but the thing looks pathetic.” “It’s not a monster from a novel. It a real creature; the Changeling.” “Ohhh right right right,” Rainbow kept a cocky grin. “Tell me, does it change into anything it wants and attack you? Next thing you tell me is a monster is that the ancient Cragadile exists.” Twilight gave the blue mare an unimpressed look. Sighing, she pointed to Fluttershy, gesturing to her to take her side. “Um... actually it does exist...” She quietly said rubbing a hoof along her forearm. “You too, Fluttershy?” “Uh-huh, I’ve met two in the Everfree Forest. I’m currently housing them-“ “Wait, darling, they live with you?” Rarity asked, stirring some sugar into her tea. “Well, I guess you could put it that way.” “Fluttershy, they are wild animals, why don’t you just let them roam the forest?” “They aren’t wild animals,” Fluttershy said sternly. “And even if they are that doesn’t demean them in any way, but Thorax and Pharynx can talk and told me all of this. I can’t leave those two alone!” The table was silent as Fluttershy took a deep breath. “Sorry...” “Sugar cube, these creatures are real?” Applejack pointed to the sketch. She nodded. “And they can change into anything they want?” Rainbow budded in. Again, she nodded. “And do they eat emotions but sometimes hut for food but also only eat love and happiness and not sadness because it makes them feel bad?” Pinkie rushed her words, not stopping until she was done. “Um...how did you know?” The pink earth pony shrugged. “Just a hunch.” “I’m still not convinced,” Rainbow admitted. The yellow mare sighed, face hoofing. “You aren’t going to believe me unless I show you, huh?” Mostly everyone but Twilight and Pinkie nodded, their skepticism clear as day in their eyes. The pink earth pony jumped up from her seat, smiling. “I believe Fluttershy, she wouldn’t lie about all this.” “Ah not saying she’s lyin’, just want to proof right in the front door of me,” the farm pony said, rubbing the back of her head. “Sorry Fluttershy, but ah gotta see it to be sure.” “It’s fine, it’s fine just...how about you guys can come over in two days? I need to make sure the nymphs are okay with it...” “Of course, darling,” the white unicorn smiled, lighting her horn to pour herself more tea. “We wouldn’t want to make the poor changelings uncomfortable.” “Oo! And maybe I can through them a welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville to come-“ “Um...let’s save that for later, okay?” With an eager nod, Fluttershy prepared herself for questions her friends might have. As she sipped her tea, she calmly explained to her friends what had happened the day before. The tea no longer had the same calming effect, as Fluttershy silently freaked out over how to tell the nymphs.