Rarity had a problem.
Her dress business in Ponyville wasn’t doing as well as she had hoped. The reason for this could be any number of factors. It could be that she was young, that the ponies in Ponyville never really wore clothes or it could even be the fact she was fairly new to the whole running-a-shop industry and nopony knew she existed.
But no. Rarity knew what the problem was and it certainly wasn’t any of those other, silly things. No, the problem was that she didn’t have competition. She was the only boutique in town and a monopoly scared customers. With nothing to compare her products against they grew suspicious they were getting a bad deal.
She needed a competitor. It was important to her business and her future.
And she very much needed someone to talk shop with because she was so bored.
That’s why she was sitting at her highest window, binoculars in hoof, watching the moving crew lug crates into the empty store a few buildings down. Rarity did that with every new pony who moved in. But it wasn’t in a creepy sort of manner! She was scoping for competition. So far there hadn’t been a single other shop with even a hint of resemblance to clothes or fashion but she could feel that this… this time was the charm.
Her months of patience were finally rewarded not a moment later as she managed to spy one of the stallion carrying a few boxes overflowing with dresses A large grin blossomed across Rarity’s face. No pony would own that many clothes of different styles unless they were planning on selling them! It was happening! She was finally going to have a friend to talk shop with and gossip with and, ehem, increase her business through friendly competition of course. Rarity peeked back through the window and scanned for the owner of the new dress shop.
She found what she was looking for rather quickly this time. In between the bulky moving stallions, furniture, and luggage zipped a small Earth Pony. She was trotting around with the skippy gait of someone looking for a way to help and finding none. Her coat was a brilliantly bright pink with her mane a few shades darker save for a black and white stripe zagging through it.
This was Rarity’s quarry for sure. Not only did the pony own more clothes than all of Ponyville, but she herself was also dressed in a cute and fashionable dress. An outfit that had obviously been tailored to her if Rarity could trust her eye for such things.
Rarity spied for a few more seconds before putting down the binoculars--deciding to continue, or approach, tomorrow. She was about to turn away when someone coming up the road caught her eye.
With a flash of magic, the binoculars were back and Rarity watched in fascination as her good friend Fluttershy approached the new pony. With little hesitation, the Pegasus struck up a conversation with the Earth Pony and soon the two were chatting happily.
If this was any other pony it won’t give Rarity pause. After all, most folks in town were overly friendly and liked to personally greet any new neighbors.
But this was Fluttershy and, though Rarity couldn’t hear what was said, the way the two were casually chatting made her sure that the shy dear hadn’t suddenly gotten over her fear of new ponies. No, the two had definitely met before.
“Curious…” Rarity muttered to herself, “You’d think Fluttershy would tell me if she knew another designer was moving to town.”
She finally left the window, tucking her binoculars away, and trotted down the stairs with determination. Apparently, she needed to invite her dear friend to lunch tomorrow.
***
“So Fluttershy, darling, deary, how have you been?” Rarity asked the fellow pony sitting across from her. The two were seated at one of those little outdoor cafes and were enjoying some finely brewed tea under the warm spring sun.
Fluttershy shifted nervously in her seat. But that was obviously because the Pegasus was uncomfortable being in crowded areas and had nothing to do with the stretched smile and boring eyes Rarity had directed at her.
“Oh, um, I’ve been fine Rarity,” she replied, fiddling with her teacup and avoiding eye contact.
“That’s fascinating, darling,” Rarity said, leaning closer, “anything new happen lately?”
“Um… Harry had a cold this weekend so I had to stay inside with him for a few days.”
Closer now. “Anything new in town?”
“Bon Bon had some mice in her basement but I got them to leave rather quickly…”
Even closer. “Anything new about ponies, hmm?”
“...did you get a new haircut?”
“Oh for pony’s sake, Fluttershy!” Rarity cried, falling back in her seat so suddenly she almost smacked the Pegasus with her horn. “I’m talking about the new pony that’s moving in on Willow Street!”
Now that Rarity had left her personal space, Fluttershy perked up and sat straighter. “Oh! You mean Pinkie Pie? Yes, she’s just started the process of moving in. She’s very nice, I think she’ll fit right in.”
Rarity’s smile was back full force. “And?”
Fluttershy’s gaze grew unfocused as she drifted into happy memories. “We met a while ago, back when I first left Cloudsdale. She’s very loud but cares for others so much. We’ve written back and forth over the years.”
“Yes, but what about her work, darling?” Rarity pressed, growing just a tad impatient.
Fluttershy’s eyes widened as she finally realized what her friend was getting at. “Oh! She does work with clothing actually. I think she’s even planning on opening her first boutique here. Isn’t that neat? It’s just like you.”
“Yes,” Rarity purred conspiratorially, “Just like me…” She leaned over and cupped Fluttershy’s hooves within her own. “Fluttershy, darling, do you know what this means?”
Fluttershy smiled widely. “Yes, now you can have a new friend to talk the ins and outs of fashion with.”
Rarity scoffed. “Well, I suppose. But that’s what I have you for, yes? What do I need with another friend?” Her smile grew wider even as Fluttershy’s shrunk away to nothing. “No no, this means that I’ll have a rival. Finally, someone to urge me to better myself and my craft so I don’t fall behind. A chance to see where all my competition is in style and design. A chance to show Ponyville just what I’ve been giving them all along!”
“That’s… nice…” Fluttershy tried to be supportive. “But… um… don’t you think it would be nicer to just be friends with her?”
“Pash,” Rarity huffed dismissively, “we’re on different sides of a war, darling. We don’t make friends with the enemy.” Her eyes grew unfocused as the Unicorn became lost in her own head. “Oh, there are so many things I must do to prepare. So many ideas to try… why I don’t remember the last time I’ve felt this inspired!”
She rose from her chair and quickly placed a few bits on the table. “I hope you don’t mind if I leave a little early, darling. I just have so much I need to do. Dresses to design, schemes to enact, you understand, yes?”
“Of… course I don’t mind,” Fluttershy answered, “But… schemes? Rarity are-”
“Thank you so much, Fluttershy,” Rarity called, already trotting away, “I’ll see you soon, tata!”
Fluttershy stared after her friend until the Unicorn disappeared around a corner. “Oh dear… I really hope she doesn’t do anything mean.”