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// Episode 74: Interior Decorating 101 
// Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Season Two 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
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“So the circumference of the average room in the castle is 100 feet. And the height from the floor to the ceiling is around 200 feet. That right?” Sparkler asked while holding up a floor plan in her magic.

Twilight and Rarity measured again and confirmed the height. Sparkler smiled. “Alright. Rarity are you sure this was necessary for a trip to the housing decor store?” She asked Rarity.

“Trust me darlings. While not STRICTLY necessary, having a floor plan will most certainly help. Fine-Tune is a master of interior decorating and her interior decorating expertise is only strengthened by a floor plan.” Rarity replied.

It was a bright winter day and Sparkler and Twilight had decided to take their kids' decorations shopping. Unfortunately Twilight got hit with a lot of princess work last minute. So Rarity, who had been visiting the castle, offered to go in Twilight’s steed, saying that she knew somepony who would be perfect to help them.

“If you say so Rarity.” Sparkler said as she rolled up the floor plan.

“Trust me darlings. By the time today is done, all of your kids will have rooms fit for princes and princesses.” Rarity assured them.

“So long as our kids pick reasonable, not too expensive items.” Twilight commented.

“Aren’t you a princess who can afford anything?” Rarity asked. “I’m sure nopony would mind if you splurged.”

“And risk our kids becoming entitled brats who believe the world revolves around them? No thank you. They may be royalty by law as Twilight’s kids but they sure as heck aren’t going to become entitled self-absorbed Silver-Manes.” Sparkler responded.

The response to her comment was Rarity’s jaw dropping and Twilight laughing. “My goodness Sparkler. Silver-Mane would probably have you skinned alive for that comment.” Rarity said.

“As far as I’m concerned that convict can fall off a cliff.” Sparkler responded. “Because NOW it’s even more personal than it already was since his claims that Alicorns cannot be born directly attacks the sextuplets. And as Sparky and Misty have learned, you do not want to get on an Alicorn Momma Bear’s bad side.” She said.

“Especially one as cute as you.” Twilight said.

Sparkler smiled at that. “Speaking of cute. It’s been fun being a foal but I think it’s time to return to my correct physical age.” She announced.

“Right! The week’s up. Third time’s the charm.” Twilight said. Without skipping a beat, she lit her horn, aimed at Sparkler, and blasted her at full strength with the age spell.

Sparkler thankfully had managed to set the floor plans down in time as she was hit and engulfed in a magenta smoke.

Twilight and Rarity watched as the smoke cleared. A part of Twilight had doubted that it worked…until the smoke cleared and there, standing before them, was Sparkler. At her correct size for her age. After their brains processed this, Rarity let out a big grin. “Oh finally! Flurry’s magic has dissipated!” She said.

Hearing this, Sparkler smiled as she looked at herself. She was the right height, the right width, the right all dimensions. “Oh thank Faust!” She exclaimed happily.

Something inside Twilight snapped as she tackled Sparkler and hugged her tight. “Oh thank Tartarus you’re back to your normal self Sparky!” She then proceeded to kiss Sparkler’s face repeatedly.

Sparkler was taken aback by Twilight’s sudden tackle, but started giggling when her marefriend started kissing her all over. “Ok ok Twi, you’re happy I’m back to normal. Can you let me up now?” She asked. Still giggling.

Twilight finally helped Sparkler to her hooves and hugged her properly. “Finally, we can put this Sneeze incident behind us.” She stated.

“Eh, it wasn’t so bad. Sure it led to me not having my magic when I needed it most. But I certainly am not complaining about how it ultimately turned out.” Sparkler responded.

Rarity nodded in approval. “That’s right. Only focus on the good things.” She lit her horn and took the floor plans off the floor. “Now, let us be on our way to see Fine Tune.” She declared. Walking out of the room.

Sparkler chuckled and glanced at Twilight. “See you later?” She asked.

“I’ll be at your house as soon as I can. Try to keep the royalty thing to a minimum.” She said.

“Oh don’t worry about me.” Sparkler responded. “I’ll keep Rarity in check.” She added with a wink. Before kissing Twilight on the cheek and following Rarity.

Twilight was now alone in the empty room. She suddenly pranced in place. “Finally the age spell worked! I was worried for a moment there.” With that, she walked out of the room to do what Celestia assigned her to do.





Soon, at a shop in Ponyville, a middle-aged mare was behind the counter sorting through counter items when she heard the door open. She raised her head above the counter just in time to see a pack of kids rush into the store, followed by a pair of mares. One of whom she knew.

“Ah! If it ain’t Rarity. Got some friends with you this time I see.” She said.

“Indeed I do Fine-Tune.” Rarity replied. “I’ve brought Sparkling Medley and her children, who need their rooms decorated.” She said.

Sparkler smiled and nodded. “Nice to meet you Fine-Tune. I’m told you’re the girl to talk to about interior decoration?” She asked.

“Ya done heard right. I pride myself on making sure everypony’s houses’ interiors are well decorated. I take it you and the little Alicorn rascals need your rooms decorated?” Fine-Tune asked.

Sparkler nodded. “Just my kids.” She said.

Rarity nodded and rolled the floor plans for the castle’s average room. “We got six foals that’ll be living in a castle soon. This floor plan should be the same for all their rooms with marginal fluctuations.” She announced.

“There is a budget for each kid though.” Sparkler interjected quickly. “Not unlimited budget.”

Fine-Tune just chuckled. “Trying to not let your kids become entitled Nobles eh? I get it.” She said. She looked at the floor plan. “Quite a bit of space to work with.”

“Think you can do it?” Rarity asked.

“Just need to know their personalities and I’ll get them rooms looking perfect for them.” Fine-Tune replied. “So who’s up first?”

Sparkler turned around back to her kids who were browsing the aisles in the store. “Hey Crystal! Wanna go first in getting decor for your room?” She asked.

Crystal beamed and nodded. “Sure!” She ran up to the counter.

And off they went. Fine-Tune interviewed the sextuplets to find out their personalities and get an idea for their rooms. Crystal wanted it to be the most princessy, Sky just went with things related to flying, Lumber was all about the animal theme, Lightning wanted a movie themed room, and Trail was pinned to be into the racing scene. Fine-Tune got to know all of the kids…well, all except one. Every time she was called, Melody let one of her siblings go before her. She let all her siblings go before her before Sparkler noticed what was going on and asked Melody about it.

“Melody? You Ok?” She asked. “You look kinda down.”

Melody glanced at her mother, nervousness ridden on her face. “Do I have to get my room decorated?” She asked.

“You don’t want your new room decorated?” She asked. She did remember that Melody’s room was ALREADY decorated, but she was under the impression that Melody wanted to move into one of the castle rooms.

“Actually…I was kinda hoping I’d keep the room I have. Why fix what’s not broken right?” Melody replied.

Sparkler smiled. “That’s perfectly fine sweetie.” She hugged Melody. “But if you want we can get new decorations for your room.” She offered. She didn’t want Melody to be left out of the fun.

“But what would I want though?” Melody asked. “Do I ask for more colt things or do I get filly things? Seeing as I’m a filly now…” She said.

Sparkler knew what was going on then. Melody must’ve been having a gender crisis. Should she get a filly oriented set of decor since she was a filly now or retain some of her coltish past by getting more coltish decor. She smiled. “Melody. You can get whatever decorations you want. Colt or filly oriented. It’s you and that’s what matters most.” She said. “If you want pink bed sheets. You can. If you want rocket ship action figures. That’s totally fine.” She told her.

Melody smiled. “So it’s ok to like both sides?” She asked. After a nod and a smile from her mother, she beamed. “Well, I have been thinking about maybe asking for pink furniture…and then adding a pink strip to my wall…”

Sparkler giggled. “Hang on. I’ll go take some measurements real quick of your room.” She turned her head to Rarity. “Hey Rares, mind watching the kids while I rush home to take some quick measurements? Melody’s decided she’s keeping her current room.” She explained.

“I don’t mind at all!” Rarity replied smiling.

Fine-Tune, having heard the two mares, smiled. “Better be quick. It’s the last little one’s turn.” She said.

Melody nodded and walked over to Fine Tune while Sparkler teleported to her house, quickly took measurements, and drew up a quick floor plan, with all the furniture in it for good measure. She poofed back to the store and gave Fine Tune the floor plan.

Soon, Fine Tune started helping the kids find decorations. The kids were browsing the store again and Sparkler and Rarity had found themselves in an aisle together, alone. Rarity took this as an opportunity to talk. “So, Do you know when Sparky’s and Misty’s trial is yet?” She asked Sparkler.

“Next week. We’re supposed to arrive in Canterlot two days early.” Sparkler responded. Indeed, when Celestia sent all that princess work for Twilight to do, she also sent ahead a memo saying that the Trial date had been set. “I just hope this finally puts that whole thing to rest when those two monsters are thrown in jail.” She commented.

“With everything stacked against them, jail time is basically a foregone conclusion at this point.” Rarity said. “Does Melody know?”

“Not yet. Twilight and I have to talk to her about that tonight.”

“I bet she’ll be glad that there’s now an end date to this and she won’t have to worry about those two for much longer.” Rarity commented.

“I just hope security is tight. Considering Silver-Mane and the goons that tried to foalnap me got loose, I’m gonna be livid if those two get loose as well.” Sparkler responded.

“I’m sure Celestia made sure their horn rings are up to spec.” Rarity said. “Speaking of up to spec, you thinking of asking Twilight out on your first date yet?” Rarity asked, changing the subject.

“Rarity, our first date was an utter disaster.” Sparkler deadpanned.

“And thus it should not count. No, you two deserve to have a proper first date with no rude interruptions.” Rarity explained. “One that you can remember happily for the rest of your lives. One that is more up to spec than the last one”

“Well, I haven’t exactly given it any thought. Considering what I recently had to deal with.” Sparkler said.

“Of course darling. I just bring it up because Twilight’s told me how she would very much like a proper first date.” Rarity commented.

Sparkler’s eyes widened as she turned to look right at Rarity. “She said that?” She asked.

“In the teachers lounge in the School of Friendship. She wants you two to have a real, memorable first date.” Rarity said. “Oh, and along those lines, she also went to Celestia and got her permission to dance the Alicorn Winter Waltz with you for that date.”

At that, Sparkler’s mouth went agape. “WHAT?!” She almost yelped. Had she heard Rarity right?

“Darling, you really believe Twilight would let it go that you missed out on such an important part of your species’ tradition? She was devastated when she realized it wasn’t going to happen this year. Mind you this was well after you were put under for the birth and she had stopped worrying about your assailants.” Rarity explained. “It was the one thing in the Yule Ball she was really looking forward to doing with you.”

Sparkler didn’t know what to think. On one hoof she could understand why Twilight was devastated. But she hadn’t realized it was so devastating that Twilight would go to Celestia to get permission to do it several days after the event. “She really wants to do it with me…” She managed to say.

“And…well after a few years of being forced to dance with either Cadence or a Noble, let’s just say she is not waiting ANOTHER year to finally get to share that moment with her beloved.” Rarity said.

Sparkler bit her lip. “I…I’m not sure…” She admitted.

“Why’s that?” Rarity asked. “You want to date her right?”

“I do…it’s just…I’ve only had one real date ever and…it didn’t go well.” Sparkler admitted. “I don’t want to go into more detail. And PLEASE don’t tell Twilight I’ve told you this. I don’t want her to go over the moon with worry.” She pleaded.

“I won’t say anything.” Rarity said. “But you should talk to her about this. She’ll WANT to know.”

“I know.” Sparkler sighed. She knew for a fact Twilight would want to know. But it was hard to talk about. She doesn’t even know my first magical breakdown was because of my one other date… She shook her head clear and she and Rarity resumed shopping. Sparkler would cross the bridge when she got to it.

To be continued…