//------------------------------// // Chapter 241 - Chrysalis's Gift // Story: Dadonequus Discord (Book 2) // by CrazedLaughter //------------------------------// “So where are we going, Anon?” Diamond asked as she trailed behind you through the snow.  With the war over and your team victorious, you actually found yourself in a pretty good mood, and decided to bring Diamond along to show her a surprise. That surprise being the very gift you had planned for Chrysalis. “We’re going to see if Chrysalis’s gift is ready. I put in a work order two weeks ago and I want to see if it’s done. And if it is, I wanted to see if her ‘sister’ approves.” Diamond squeed in excitement as she pranced over to your side. “Really?! Oh, no, I totally got this. Trust me, I know what she likes. So, work order, huh? Aha! So the Carousel Boutique then? That’s where we’re going, right?” Well damn, that was quite the good guess. “Yeah, nice guess.” “I figured. But why are you having Rarity make your gift? Couldn’t you make it yourself?” Diamond asked, curious as to why you didn’t use your horn instead. But before you could answer, she thought about it for just a second before coming to an answer. “...Unless you wanted whatever it is to be of the highest quality. But then, couldn’t your magic do that too?” You shook your head. “It could, but no. When it comes to chaos magic, even what I think could be the highest quality just might not be. I usually have a good hold on most of what I construct through my magic, but I want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect.” “Oooooh, that makes sense. Well, being of the upper class myself, I can totally understand arranging for such a high quality gift.” Diamond said, suddenly standing tall and raising her head. She gave you a regal yet stoic look, before giving you a smirk. “So, gonna tell me what it is?” You smirked right back at her. “Nope. You’re gonna have to wait until we get there.” “Awww! Come on!” Diamond said, stomping her hooves as she became flustered. “Please? Hmph!” Diamond turned away from you, annoyed with your secrecy. “Whatever, not like I need to know. And I was gonna give you a kiss and everything” You almost laughed, she immediately became annoyed with you before you could answer her pleas. “C’mon, Diamond, don’t be like that. Look, we’ll be there before you know it. I mean, if you want me to ask Miss R-” But suddenly, Diamond stopped and interrupted you as she looked forward with her eyebrows furrowed, and her hoof pointing directly at your face. “No! You will not be getting me a gift for Hearthwarming. As a pony of the upper crust and the elite, it is bad form to take a gift when I could afford ten of said gifts myself. In other words, Mother told me to make sure you do not get me a gift, as it would make the papers and make our family look greedy.” Diamond said, sounding dead serious about it. Wut? “Seriously? But I’m the Hero Colt, and your coltfriend. How does that make sense?” “It makes total sense. I’m supposed to get you a gift, and all you have to do is be by my side. It’s only for Hearthwarming, Anon, that’s all. You can get me a gift on any other day, just not that day. It is a little weird, since it’s usually a rich stallion giving his marefriend a gift. But it isn’t bad! And besides, your magic is kinda cheating anyway, you always get me what I want. So I agree with Mother, utterly and completely.” Suddenly she approaches you with sultry eyes, and gives them a flutter. “Plus, it’ll give me a chance to impress you. You can’t be the only pony in this relationship who knows how to impress their love.” Well damn, that was a lot of justification for just getting you a gift. But the way she was looking at you, and her eagerness to impress you. D-damn, fine, let her have it, you’ll be happy just to see her happy. “Y-yeah, I guess you’re right. Okay, I think I canWEFASDFSDGSD” Suddenly, out of nowhere, a giant snow boulder plows right into you from the side. “What?! Not again! Hey! Come back here with my Anon!” Diamond yelled out as she gave chase to the snow boulder. But she didn’t have to go far before it came to a sudden halt. “Huh? Did somepony say something?” Said the voice of Pinkie… W-who, wait, was she in the snow boulder? WAS SHE THE SNOW BOULDER?! “I did! Now stop this instant or there’s gonna be trouble!” Diamond said as she tried her best to keep up with the boulder. You were just trying to pull yourself out, but the constant movement just kept you stuck halfway buried as your screams were muffled by the snow. “Trouble?! Oh no!” Suddenly, the damned thing jolted forward and back, the momentum sending you forward face first into the snow. “I don’t want to be in trouble! I was just trying to beat the world record!” Pinkie said as only her muzzle poked out from the snow. “World record? World record in what?” Diamond asked, utterly confused. “In… snow rolling?” “Exactly, mostly, kinda! It’s more ‘mare trapped in biggest rolling snowball’ than ‘snow rolling’. What do you think so far?” Pinkie asked, curious to know what Diamond thought about her ever growing snowball. “Uhhh, it’s pretty big. But is there even a world record for that kind of thing?” Diamond asked. “Nope, which means I just have to keep beating my world record until I’m number one!” Pinkie cheered with a gentle giggle. Diamond was perplexed, just staring near blankly as she was unable to comprehend the situation. “Uh, okay? Sure, um, alright. Well, um, I’m just going to go get my Anon now. Good luck with the world record thing.” “Thanks! Well, goodbye! Don’t be surprised if I’m in the newspaper tomorrow! Byyyyeeee!” Pinkie exclaimed as the snow boulder began to roll forward seemingly on its own. Diamond only stood there for another moment, utterly confused by what just transpired, before walking over to you. You had just managed to pull yourself out of the snow as you rolled backward onto your back. “Anon, are you okay?” “Is winter over?” You asked, staring straight into the sky. “Ummm, no?” Diamond asked, being cautious about her answer, as to her, you seemed upset. “Then no…” You answered. After getting back up and trying to get over being ran over by a damned snow boulder, you and Diamond continued the trek to the boutique. Diamond was worried about your emotional well-being, as you had become a little more silent. She moved to your side, and snuggled into you during the walk. “Diamond?” You said, wondering what she was doing. “Hm? Oh, I was just trying to keep you warm. You’ve been in so much snow I was worried you were getting cold.” She said, avoiding looking into your gaze, as she didn’t want to see if you were still upset, and just wanted to imagine you were already cheering up. Hmmm, did you even have a reason to be upset? Because you knew what this was, she was making sure you were okay. Hm, perhaps this was what companionship was really about, just having someone to be there when you lost sight of what was making you excited in the first place. So you have another unlucky set of circumstances, who gives a shit. Even the dynamic duo’s pre-Oh shit. “Crap!” “W-what?” Diamond said, looking hurt as she stepped slowly away from you. “A-Anon?” “Huh? Oh no! No no no! I was just, I mean…” Goddammit, you didn’t mean to spook her, you just realized Snips and Snails never came out of that snow pile. You had to think fast! You slap on your horn, and quickly melt the snow around you as the ground immediately blooms flowers of every kind around both you and Diamond as warmth sprung forth from their petals. “I thought you were cold, so uh, now you won’t be, right?” “O-oh, oh!” Diamond felt sudden reassurance, and even giggled as she looked down at the flowers. They looked so beautiful. But at this point, she has grown used to some of your magical shenanigans as she gave you an arrogant smirk, while still blushing about your gesture. “I mean, I appreciate it, and the flowers are really pretty. But if it’s meant to keep me warm, then wouldn’t you have made a road of flowers for me?” “Y-yeah, um…” She was right. But then, suddenly, Diamond cuddled into you again, making you silent. “Don’t worry about it, you’re enough to keep me warm, Anon.” She said, giggling as she nuzzled into you. …Heh, this was nice. The trek continues, Diamond close to you, a smile never leaving your face as her affections creeped further and further into your heart. Eventually, the both of you came upon the Carousel Boutique. You approached and knocked on the door, ready to greet Rarity. “Who is it?” Said Rarity from behind the door. “It’s me, Miss Rarity! I just wanted to come by and see if my commission was ready.” You said. “Anon? Yes, please, come in, the door is open.” Rarity said. Welp, it was time. You slowly opened the door, with Diamond following after. And what you both saw, holy shit. No, really, holy shit, what and how did this happen? There were many a pony mannequins lined up side by side by gender. The male side were dressed in all kinds of both gangster and mafioso attire from various eras, along with detective styles as well. While female style mannequins were all dressed in various femme fatales dresses. One was a red dress with the black rose outlines, with a large hat meant to veil some of the face, lined with black roses as well. Another more jazzy and contemporary, with an air of mystery around it. Where the hell did all this come from? “Wow… It’s like all that gangster stuff Big Sis talks about. Is this all her present?” Diamond asked, utterly amazed. “Uhhh…” Was it?! You only asked for one suit for Chrysalis. Suddenly, Rarity entered the room, hovering a black box with green ribbons in front of herself with her magic. “Oh, no no, that is what I have to present as my new ‘Noire’ line. Chrysalis’s gift is right here.” Rarity says as she sets it on a table for you. “There you are, Anon. I hope it’ll be to her liking.” “B-but, what is all this? I don’t remember providing so much reference material.” You were just stunned. For this project, you only provided Rarity some human pictures of some gangsters, and some schematics for the suit itself, including Chrysalis’s measurements. “You didn’t. Luckily for me, all I had to do was have your aunt ask your father for everything I required under the guise of her being ‘curious’. Your father, of course, wouldn’t question it if it came from her. Anon, I’ll say this once more, just because I’m a lady doesn’t mean I can’t handle some unsightly things. I’ll have you know that I’m quite a fan of the ‘Noire’ setting, so seeing the drama of human criminal life was actually quite fascinating.” Rarity responded as she approached you, giving you a gentle pat on the head. “Next time, when I ask for all the reference material you can provide, I really do mean that.” Christ, Discord, were you that easy? “B-but, all the violence and, er, smoking stuff, a-” But Rarity cut you off with a giggle, as she found your reaction quite adorable. “I did watch that human film, Anon. As a fashionista, one must understand that inspiration can come from even the worst of places. And while I admit some of what I saw was more gritty than I’d ever expect, I had already been prepared enough thanks to knowing beforehand how humans can be. And besides, how could I miss out on all those detective stories? Darling, thanks to all this inspiration, I’m sure my new ‘Noire’ line will be a hit!” Rarity exclaimed proudly, before calming down and clearing her throat, feeling a tad embarrassed as she walked over to a closed curtain within the room. Holy fucking shit, she was serious. Well, it was impressive, you could even recognize some of the stuff you saw before you even better as you took a closer look. Everything from ‘The Godfather’ to ‘Dick Tracy’ was on display here. Alright, you were impressed. But then… You neared the box containing Chrysalis’s gift, and prepared to open it. But as you did, Rarity pulled it away slightly with her magic as she gave you a gentle yet cocky smirk. “Ah, ah, Anon. That box is to remain closed until it is time to open it. However, as you are the commissioner, I made an exact copy of the suit to present to you and to modify later for your marefriend’s use.” Wut? Diamond, however, lit up from those words, a suit matching Chrysalis’s? She was absolutely beaming just from hearing about it. “R-really? You’re going to make one for me too?! I didn’t even know about the gift until today, a-and… Um, how much will it cost? I want to pay you right now! No matter the price, I know Daddy can pay for it!” Rarity giggled as she raised her hoof to signal her to calm down. “Now, now, I won’t have none of that. It is nearing Hearthwarming after all, so consider this a gift for the both of you.” Double wut? “W-wait! This is too much. I mean, how did you even know Diamond knew Chrysalis? How? A-and, what do you mean ‘the both of us’?” What was going on? Rarity gave you a playful yet condescending look. “It doesn’t take a detective to figure it out. Scrappy is quite close to Chrysalis, and I swore no ill will towards her for the information he gave me. Scrappy is an affectionate fellow, he’d do anything to make her and his friends happy. So, one can say I’m just making sure that happiness is delivered. I mean it when I say I want Chrysalis to be absolutely satisfied.” She then looks at Diamond and gives her a wink. “And don’t you worry, your secret is safe with me.” What in God's name did fucking Rarity do to somehow get that kind of secret out of him?! “I-I see. Um, uh. T-thank you, Miss Rarity.” “Thanking me already? Anon, please, at least wait until I reveal the surprise. And please, react however you like. But keep in mind they won’t be fully ready until later, and even then, you’ll have them come Hearthwarming.” Rarity said with another giggle before taking a breath, suddenly looking quite professional. “Now then, without further ado.” She pulled the rope down next to the curtain, and finally, it was revealed. The copy of Chrysalis’s suit was suited onto a replica mannequin of the Queen herself. It wore a stylish jet black fedora with a horizontal emerald stripe and a blood red feather sticking out from the side. The suit itself was black with emerald stripes moving down horizontally, with white cuffs at the end of each leg with emerald gem buttons. The undershirt was white, with black buttons and a red tie. It was stylish as all hell, and it even had… Is that a tommy gun laying on the side of it? Holy shit, you hoped it was a prop.  The second suit was on a mannequin based on you. It was Dick Tracy’s trademark fedora and trench coat, with the only real difference being the chaos symbol representing your cutie mark represented on a black handkerchief in the undershirt’s pocket. “Wow! It looks so amazing! A-and I’m going to get to wear this too? It looks so… Oh! I wish I could wear it right now! What do you think, Anon, would I look totally cool wearing that? I bet I’d even look a little scary, huh?” Diamond said as she hopped around the mannequin, taking it all in, posing in a way that she thought made her look mysterious and dangerous. Considering the colors would actually look good on Diamond’s pink figure… Yeah, it really would. But you were a bit too much in awe to answer. Rarity is fucking amazing, she really went the extra mile to make it all work. Even getting what she needed out of Discord and Scrappy. Brava, Rarity, brava.