//------------------------------// // 0. Prologue // Story: Scarlet Desire // by Sea Gnash //------------------------------// ~✩~ Chapter 0 ~✩~ --- ~✩~ Prologue ~✩~ ---------- A loud rumbling woke Rarity from her sleep, forcing her to sit up and remove the frilly eye mask from her face. She was used to waking up earlier than intended mostly thanks to Pinkie Pie. She had gained a habit of glancing at the clock hanging on the wall to see if trying to return to sleep would be a worthwhile endeavor. Seven in the morning was hardly the time of day she should be rising from bed, but once that rumbling rolled through her window once more, she had a feeling she wouldn't be getting any more sleep no matter how much she wanted it. With an exasperated sigh, she slipped from her bed and started for the window that allowed such a dreadful noise enter her home. Instead of Pinkie Pie setting up a party with a menagerie of sounds she claimed was music, what greeted her eyes sparked her curiosity: a series of heavy trucks carrying loads of building materials rolling through the largest road in town. Ponyville wasn't a stranger to construction, but whatever was being prepared had to be much larger than the simple homes it was known for. Curiosity piqued, she stepped away from the window to start freshening herself up for the day. Now that she knew for a fact that more sleep was out of the question, might as well take a peek at the new project. It had been pretty quiet as of late, so it was something to break up the monotony, at the very least. She stepped from her boutique with a little flip of her curled mane. It took plenty of effort to keep the tiredness from showing in her face, but a lady always had to look her best. Even if it was far too early to be awake. By the time she had showered and groomed herself, the transport vehicles had already left and reached their destination, but she had the faint sounds of tools filling the quiet morning air to guide her. Luckily, they should be quiet enough to not bother her once she was back inside her home, but that didn't quell her curiosity. Her trot through the town mostly gave her glimpses of curious ponies leaning from their windows to try and get a view of what was happening or hurrying along like she was. On top of one of the many hills surrounding Ponyville, a rather large construction team appeared hard at work getting the location ready for building. Judging by the size of the fenced off area, the finished product would be large enough to house at least twenty ponies. This sent an excited static through her. “Wow! I wonder what all this is about!” Rarity glanced over her shoulder at the sound of the familiar voice. Pinkie Pie bounced her way over with a disheveled Rainbow Dash flying along behind. The sight of her two friends put a smile on her face. “From what I can tell, they're preparing to build a rather large home, darlings. Dare I say, a mansion?” Pinkie paused her bouncing and instead leaned forward with interest at an angle Rarity swore should have made her tumble forward onto the dirt. “Ooh! A big mansion means some super fancy ponies with lots of bits are moving in! I'd need to throw a big welcome party!” “I wish they'd do it quieter. Some ponies are trying to sleep, you know!” snapped Rainbow Dash. “Besides, why would some fancy-schmancy richies want to move here of all places? You'd think they'd want to stick to Canterlot or something.” Rarity scoffed, flipping a bit of her mane with a hoof. “Well, I for one would be more than happy to welcome them in. A little extra class never hurt anypony.” Pinkie resumed her excited bouncing, forcing Rarity to step away from the cloud of dust she kicked up. “I should go tell the cakes! Maybe we can try making some nicer sweets!” “Yeah, that's fine and all, but what about me? They're building so close to my favorite napping spot! I'm never going to get enough sleep until this thing gets finished!” complained Rainbow. Rarity dramatically placed a hoof onto her forehead. “Oh, the horror! I guess you'll have to find a whole other place to nap, darling!” Rainbow glared back at her. “Yeah, yeah, very funny.” Rarity used the same hoof to cover up a little chuckle. “I suppose, all we can do for now is wait and see what comes of this. I'm sure if these ponies are open-minded enough to come here to Ponyville, they must be a delight.” “Would be nice to have some ponies with enough money to put that Filthy Rich into his place after all the trouble he gives AJ every year for that zap apple jam,” relented Rainbow. Rarity turned her attention back to the construction now that the beginnings of the foundation were underway. Images of a lavish Canterlot-style mansion filled her mind, maybe some drapes made by herself visible from the windows. Oh how much she would absolutely adore getting the chance to help furnish such a home. It would be another step in her career she could mark off her list. Twilight's castle was one thing, but it didn't have that same exciting ring to it when she knew it was a project for a friend. “I suppose only time will tell just what our new neighbors have in store for us. For now, I suppose I should stop dawdling here and actually get to work for today,” stated Rarity as she turned to trot away. She couldn't help but take one more glance back at the workers before turning around a corner.