Rarity and High Fashion sat at a table on the deck with an umbrella shading their plates from the rays of sunshine. They had grabbed quite an assortment of fruit along with a bowl of oats. Freshly squeezed apple juice filled their glass cups and scintillated in the odd rays of light that passed through. Rarity wondered if somehow Applejack’s harvest would be in her glass. Fashion lifted the glass and took a long drink of the sweet substance before clearing her throat.
“So, you didn’t ask.” She stated rather than asked.
“He looked like he was in the middle of something. I didn’t want him to feel obligated to join us.” Rarity lied through a pitchy voice. The truth was, she wanted her time with Spike to be… well just that; her time with Spike. Fashion shook her head.
“A shame, really. I was so looking forward to meeting the only man who vexed miss Rarity of the fashion headlines.” She cast a wayward smile to the white mare. Rarity rolled her eyes and folded her hooves over the table.
“He does not vex me; I simply remember him most of all the suitors. He actually cares. You would be surprised how rare that is.” Rarity put off nonchalantly.
“I would not be surprised.” Fashion’s brow raised in a knowing look. Rarity bit her tongue. Of course this fashionista would have her fair share of stiffs and broads hoping to bed a high-end mare. It would be one of the finest notches on their belt. Fashion had always told Rarity about her pride of self-restraint. Rarity had gone so far as to guess she was still ‘pure’. Miss Fashion was not a pony who could be won by simple flattery and gestures. Rarity wanted to be as controlled as her ever since they had met a year ago. Her whole life had taken a change when the experienced woman had offered Rarity her dream job of head of Mare Fashion. She was an inspiration manifestation.
“Either way,” Fashion continued, “caring or not, I would hope you retain that dignity that so catches the eyes of high-minded mares. A lady does not go slobbering over her foal-hood crush.”
“I would never!” Rarity protested. “Good fortune brought us to this cruise together. Two old friends given a chance to catch up and converse.” Fashion raised another skeptical look.
“Friends?”
“Yes. Just friends. That’s all.” Rarity forced a smile out to her mentor. Right now, she was really wishing she had just snuck into the V.I.P. room to wait for Spike.
A wolfman crept by their table startling the two mares. His hunched form was covered in a deep black fur that looked as unkempt as the face of the creature. It walked on two legs, like the trolls, but kept its front claws poised as though ready to snatch anything in its path. Rarity was unsettled by all the new creatures aboard, but tried er best to be as open-minded as possible. These creatures would not be on board if they were not at least somewhat dignified. She remembered her initial attitude towards the changelings, the hippogriffs, the griffons, and many other races of Equestria. All of them had turned out well and good, some of them even opening an entirely new line for Rarity to work with. Perhaps that was the opportunity she needed with these new creatures.
From what she could see however, most of them opted to wear clothes regularly. Not cheap ones either. The most casual dress she saw was the swimsuits worn by the passengers, whereas most daily dress was always on the more ‘sophisticated’ side of dress. She noticed that Spike too had been wearing clothes at all times. He never did that in Ponyville or other parts of home. Maybe he’s changed more than I thought.
Fashion tossed her unwoven mane behind her head as she took another sip of the apple juice.
“These new creatures give an entirely new and startling chance for fashion. I hope this cruise is bringing you some killer ideas for the show in winter.” Rarity beamed at her chance to demonstrate her proficiency.
“Absolutely! I’ve already concocted designs for fur-based couture that will be not only fashionable, but so practical that every other line will struggle for customers!”
“Splendid. Can’t wait to see the drafts.” Fashion smiled at her friend. Then she leaned across the table right next to Rarity’s poised ears. “I also wonder what kind of ‘tricks’ our new friends have in store.” She retreated back with a devilish grin on her face. Rarity snorted and rolled her eyes again.
“Come now, I know we’re on vacation, but that does not give us the right to act like a disgusting pig.” It was Rarity’s turn to remind Fashion of her place. Despite her innocence, Fashion had quite the imaginative mind and was not afraid to explore her options. The mare had only ever dated one stallion, but had experimented with four other creatures as her partners before. Rarity had no doubt that she would be on the arm of a troll or wolfman by the end of the cruise.
“I hear some centaur boarded. I bet you they’re enjoying the gym right now. I’d be curious to know what those massive creatures are really capable of.”
“FASHION! Inappropriate!” Rarity scolded.
“What? I’m just wondering what their sets are like. I was thinking of going to the gym myself after this breakfast.” She grinned back to the flustered girl. Rarity calmed herself down and skeptically gazed at the black furred pony that stared at the trolls in the pool.
“Not the worst of ideas…” Rarity grumbled. Truth be told, she was hoping to work some of the vacation body off before it settled in. Creatures had a bad habit of falling out of routine on such a long time off of their norms.
“Great! Let’s head back and grab our things. Gym in forty-five? I hear a hot yoga is scheduled for 9:30!” Fashion stood quickly and made her way back inside the deck cover. Rarity scrambled to follow.
“Only if you promise to be my dip partner! You know I would be devastated if I strained something without a spotter like last time.”