“‘Oh, darling, I absolutely insist! In fact, I'll make us all beautiful dresses for the Gala!’” Rarity's words… coming mockingly from a very disgruntled Kai's mouth. “What part of that should have included me?”
“Stop complaining!”
“No!” Kai protested, then held up a stack of dresses. “I've made all of these, and every last one you say, ‘No, not good enough for our friends!’ Come on! This one—this one right here!” He held up a starry dress. “This one is a keeper! My best work yet!”l
“Best!? That is by far your worst! There's no… pizazz!”
“No pizazz!? Are you blind!?”
“No, I'm a fashionista!”
“So am I!”
“I'm better!”
“No you're not!”
“Oh yeah!?”
“Yeah! My dresses are way better tha—Rarity! That's scarlet—are you insane!?”
“Eek! I meant to use crimson!”
“Here!”
“Thank you! What would I do without you, Kai!?”
…With nothing much to fill a friendless upbringing, Kai and Rarity often made clothes together. And every time, it is exactly like this… for hours. Mind you, this is what true synergy is for these siblings.
To preface, the Grand Galloping Gala was fast approaching, and Rarity was made privy to just what her friends planned to wear—practically rags. Recognising this as a crime against fashion, Rarity enlisted Kai's assistance and the two were fast at work on dresses for their friends.
The issue, of course, were these two perfectionists, who wanted them extra special for their friends.
“Done! Isn't it lovely, Kai?” Kai looked the dress over.
“…Did you bleed all over it? It looks horrid.”
“Horrid!?”
And here we go again…
Chapter 17
Gala Drip
There were quite a bit of troubles fitting a dress with their friends' styles and personalities, but if there was one thing the siblings were good at, it was adapting to troublesome challenges and situations. Kai delicately placed the first accepted dress onto a display ponnequin, lightly straightening it to prevent any wrinkling.
“Hey, Rarity?”
“Hmm?”
“I'm not… slowing you down, right?”
“Why ever would you think that?” Rarity asked with genuine confusion.
“Well… I can't stitch as fast as you. You're just too precise with your magic and all. I can't even begin to compete.”
“Kai, if not for you, the sketches for the designs would barely be finished tomorrow—if that! Sure, you may not be able to stitch and sew as fast as I can, but you're my inspiration. My motivation.” She adjusted her sewing glasses. “Now, come over here and hold that thread steady.”
“Got it!”
“Now, could you hold that cloth thirteen centimeters up?”
“Here.” Although he may not have been as generally precise as Rarity, it was nearly impossible to live with a true, professional fashionista for life without picking up some skills. As such, Kai could easily eyeball distances far and short, which probably did him a few favors in battle, and even making coffee.
“Hold steady, darling. I do not want to poke you by accident.” With the skill and finesse he was used to seeing, the unicorn threaded the different materials better than any sewing machine could. “Perfection. Oh, but I really do want to spruce it up just a bit more…”
“Yeah, but being done up extravagantly just isn't Fluttershy's style.”
“Unfortunately true. That girl is just so pretty, but so shy!”
“She'd make a good model, if she could just have some self-confidence.” Seconded the saiyan. “…I think I'm gonna give her more compliments. Might help her.”
“You mean it might help you.”
“Both.” They chuckled. “…I don't think I'd ever have a shot at a girl like that, huh?”
“Why do you believe that?”
“We're pretty much the complete opposite. I haven't seen her swat at a fly. But me...” Both understanding, their gazes dropped to Kai's scarred hands, Rarity sparing a glance at a light scar on the tip of his nose.
Still, Rarity smiled as she levitated the new dress onto a second display ponnequin.
“You know what they say; ‘Opposites attract!’ Have more faith—in both of yourselves. You both are great.” Rarity covered her mouth with a hoof as she giggled. “Perhaps you could use a boost in self-confidence, too.”
“Heh. Maybe.” Kai seemed almost bashful as he watched his sister gather more cloth and settle it onto... The Table Where Rarity Miracle Happen, or, you could be normal and call it TTWRMH, or you could be in the know, and just say, The Table. ...Sibling thing. “Gettin' started on…?”
“Let us see…. Twilight's was first… that was Fluttershy's… Next is Applejack's!” Rarity happily began on the next dress.
“Stubborn Applejack. I remember when she was all, ‘I don't need nopony's help, ya hear!?’” His southern drawl was a little over the top, but it was passable. “By the end of the first day, she was so tired, I had to walk her to her barn so she didn't knock out on the spot.”
“Reminds me of another certain stubborn somepony. One that would train everyday until collapsing, and I had to carry to bed.”
“Who would that be?” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Well, I'm living a slower lifestyle, now.”
“Yes. That reminds me, I never asked, but you're okay to be helping me, right? After all, your café has acquired quite a bit of popularity.” She had a point. Being a convenient source for hot beverages and light snacks during a harsh winter, plus the talk in town from customers, Kai's Café became a quite well known spot with the locals.
Kai waved her worries off.
“It's not like I've got any employees, and everypony understands the concept of taking a day off.”
“You really should look into getting some employees.” The mare pushed with a grimace.
“Not too many have a passion for coffee. 'Sides, I don't know how feel about hiring anypony in town. I mean, they only just recently started caring that I existed. I'd just be…”
“Spiteful?” He pointed with a snap, indicating that was the word he was looking for. “Kai… I know we've only occassionally spoken about it… but, just how much do you hate the townsponies?”
“Honest? Deadly honest?” Rarity nodded. “Being treated like I never existed for my entire life, only changing from that norm when they wanted to insult me or run from me, or the few who wanted to try to hurt me…” Kai gave his sister a certain… look. Like staring down a cold, calculating villain. “It's all enough to wipe out this entire place.”
“I… knew it was bad for you, but I never thought it was that bad…”
“It wouldn't be bad for an ordinary pony. Or, well, whatever would be treated like me. But… when you have the kind of power I have, you start to wonder. Why put up with it when I could just destroy it all?” He shrugged, carrying over some fabrics to Rarity. “You, Sweetie Belle, mom and dad. You're about the only reason I don't do something stupid. And, hey! It's turning out good, right? Ponies don't hate me, I only hate them a little, and we're both making new friends. It's, uh… What's that word…?”
“…Serendipity.” Another snapping point. “…Will you ever forgive them?”
“Who can say?”
“Could you at least try? For me?”
“It isn't that simple, Rarity. It never will be.”
“Why can't it be?”
“…Bes just the way Equestria is.” On Kai's mind, was how he found those who accepted him without batting an eyelash about his nature, only when he left Equestria. It showed him how narrow-minded this place's peace had made them. Celestia's peace.
“Haven't you met anypony other than us that likes you for you?” Rarity questioned worriedly.
“Hm… Ah!” His mind went to a couple he knew. “Yeah. My first customers. They were newer to Ponyville—never seen them before. They like me. Oh! And there was that other guy bit over a week ago who was visiting with his family—the kid was asking all kinds of questions. And…”
Rarity smiled. Finally, a breakthrough. Ponies Kai liked, and liked him back. Perhaps figuring out his destiny of coffee was for the best.
It was three days later that Rarity, with Kai's help whenever he could, finished everypony's dresses. And, unable to help herself, she made Kai formal attire for the Gala as well. Now the full group followed after Rarity with closed eyes so they didn't ruin the surprise.
“That's it. Keep them closed. Don't look.” Rarity instructed as she led them to her displays. She was very excited to be able to show her friends her work. “Okay, you can look now!”
The group opened their eyes excitedly, but the girls' excitement seemed to die out upon seeing their new outfits. They all let out gasps of surprise.
“These are your new outfits. What do you think of your old duds now, Applejack? Pretty swanky, are they not?” Rarity asked, displaying a mostly green dress with brown sprinkled about in some areas, green, apple themed horse-boots, with the whole dress being kept together by an apple shaped brooch. There was also a stetson hat with apples on it.
“And Twilight! I made this dress for you and I designed each outfit theme to perfectly reflect each pony's unique personality.” Now, she displayed a blue dress that had several stars of different blues and white on it. From the display, a white star would be added in the mane to complete the outfit.
“She stole the idea of your dress from me.” Kai chimed in with a smirk, earning a sharp look from the fellow fashionista. She made no comment, however.
“Oh, it took me forever to get the colors right on this one, Rainbow Dash, but I did it. Oh, and it turned out beautiful, don't you think?” Next, was a rainbow-patterned dress, with golden horse-shoes and a tiara of sorts.
“And I know you are going to love yours, Fluttershy. It just sings spring!” The next dress was green with flowers around the bottom of it. There were green shoes, a blue, butterfly-themed brooch, with the same accessory being used as a hair-clip.
“And Pinkie Pie, look! Pink! Your favorite!” Then, a pink dress, with blue and white around different spots. There were pink shoes with blue bows, and a white hat to complete it.
“I couldn't forget about my own brother, now could I? You're always moving, so I made yours with that in mind.” Lastly, hung up on the wall was a sapphire vest-like top, black sleeves with white cuffs, a white sash, black pants under a long, sapphire, skirt-like cloth, complete with white and blue boots.
“Aren't they all amazing?”
Everypony looked at their clothes, then to each other, and finally at Rarity.
“Wow… They're…” Twilight tried to find the right words.
“Yeah, they're…” Rainbow Dash was no better off.
“They sure are… somethin'.” Applejack put lightly.
“Yes! Something.” Agreed the purple unicorn.
“I love something! Something is my favorite!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
“It's… nice.” Said Fluttershy.
Rarity looked at everypony worriedly.
“But what's the matter? Don't you like them?” The girls looked away nervously.
“They're very nice…” Twilight trailed off.
“And we're plumb grateful 'cause you worked so hard on them.” Applejack added.
“There's something… missing.” With what seemed like a rejection from her own brother, everypony thought that was a good time to be honest.
“Mine's just not as cool as I was imagining.” The ponies glared at Rainbow Dash's blunt let-down, to which she shrugged. “She asked.”
Twilight gave Rarity an apologetic look.
“I guess what we're all saying is that they're just not what we had in mind.”
“Yeah.” They all agreed.
Rarity wouldn't have been fazed otherwise. Truly, she wouldn't. Although she could be sensitive at times, she knew her career was one of critique and rejection. But… but from Kai, too? Her own brother? She teared up, holding herself back as much as she could as she nodded.
“I…I see… W-well—”
“That's it!” Everypony jumped and looked to Kai in surprise. The saiyan grinned and held up his left hand. “It's missing this! Right on the front!” He exclaimed enthusiastically, refering to his newest feature.
Rarity gasped, then matched his grin, allowing a few of her tears to fall.
“Of course! I'll get right on it, darling!” With that, she zipped out of there with Kai's clothes.
The saiyan looked to the others, who were still a bit surprised.
“What kind of jerk would I be to reject a heartfelt gift, right? But, some constructive criticism ain't bad.” It seemed that, in his musing of what was missing, Kai hadn't heard the girls unanimously reject the dresses… which only made them feel worse.
The girls traded glances, realising now that they were in the wrong completely.
Even though everypony knew Rarity's skill, only Kai had been unsurprised by her arriving with his customised clothes a mere four minutes later. She lifted it to him with magic, smiling so happily at him.
“Here you are!” Now, right on the front was a cup of coffee, exactly like Kai's cutie mark. He grinned as he accepted the article of clothing.
“Sweet! Thanks, Rarity! I'll try it on, now!”
“Um, Rarity?” Rarity's smile dimmed just a bit upon meeting Twilight's gaze. “We want to try our dresses on, too. May we borrow the changing rooms?”
“Huh? But… I thought you didn't…”
“We were bein' mighty inconsiderate. The dresses are perfect, Rarity.” Applejack spoke, her tone as apologetic as she and the others looked.
“Oh… Well, in that case, of course you may use the changing rooms!” Smiling, the girls took up their dresses and went downstairs to change. Rarity shifted her stare to Kai, who had already partially changed into his new clothes. “…What did you say?”
“Me? What do you mean?”
“I can handle constructive criticism.”
“No clue what you mean. I was stuck thinking about these.” He responded, putting on the top half of his ensemble. “I was completely oblivious to anything they were saying. How could I possibly know exactly what to say to make them realise they were being brats? No way, no how.”
The unicorn giggled, before shrugging.
“I suppose you're right.” Naturally, since he had a head-start, Kai had finished dressing quickly. Rarity looked him up and down. “Hm…”
“Am I to your liking, my lady?”
“Why yes you are. May I have this dance, my prince?” The two laughed, then shook their heads. “Really, you sir, will be the talk of the town dressed in that.”
“That would be good for business. And same for you, sis.”
“Yes, I can see it now. Who knows? Word may spread and we just may get somepony important to take notice of my dresses. Maybe to put on a fashion show.”
“Forget all the waiting, let's just have our own fashion show!”
“You read my mind.”
Their heads turned when they heard movement from the stairs. Then, they saw all of their friends in the dresses made for them.
“How do we look, Rarity?” Pinkie Pie's excited question was accompanied by the others' hopeful smiles.
Rarity gave them all a critical stare. Such scrutiny, she was likely seeing if their molecular structures had any style, too. Gaze narrowing, hoof to her chin, bottom lip out, she began.
“You all…” A pause. “…look…” The girls' smiles started to fall slowly. “…absolutely…” Rarity grinned brightly. “Fabulous!”
With that, smiles and laughs were all that surrounded the group.
“Hold up…!” Come tomorrow, there was a bigger issue at hoof. Well, for Kai, at hand, as he was lifting his to halt the baby dragon Spike from continuing. From his peripheral view, he could see that Rarity was stunned silent. “Let me get this straight… Hoity Toity? As in, THE Hoity Toity? Bigwig fashion critic who makes and breaks designers' careers?”
Often times, the girls forgot that, for all of his brawn, Kai still had similar knowledge and tendencies to their fashionista friend. Still, Spike nodded with an unfazed grin directed to Rarity.
“That's right! He heard about your fashion show.” Spike informed the fashionista. Then he scratched his head sheepishly. “Well, maybe I happened to mention it to him…” He corrected. “He's coming here all the way from Canterlot to see your work, Rarity!”
That impromtu fashion show Kai and Rarity planned was just supposed to be a small thing, no more than the group of friends attending, unless anypony else was interested in watching. However, learning what Spike had done caused Rarity's eyes to widen in shock, while the others were excited for her.
“Whoa, Nelly! You could sell a ton o' dresses to this guy. Your business will be boomin'!” Applejack exclaimed.
“Wow!”
“That's so cool!”
“I don't believe it!” As the group clearly displayed their excitment, Rarity was thrilled, and yet, very nervous. It was like being anxious, times one-hundred.
She finally broke from her silent stupor to speak.
“Hoity Toity? He's coming here? To see these dresses?” She pointed to the dresses she had made.
“Yep! Get ready for all of your dreams to come true.” Spike told her with a smile.
The audience… well, word spreads fast. How fast? Everypony in Ponyville had attended, all sitting around the walkway-stage. Yes, it was quite the reception, and sitting as close as he possibly could, was none other than Hoity Toity. Rarity was on the verge of a panic attack, but there was no time for even a word of comfort.
For it was time.
A microphone gave off minimal feedback, followed by a clearing throat. Then, the familiar voice of Spike began.
“Since the beginning of time, the elite of Equestria have longed for pony fashions that truly expressed the essence of their very souls.” Just those few introductory words had the crowd completely captivated. “Patiently waiting decades—no, centuries—for the perfect pony gown. Today, at long last, Equestria, your wait is over! Let's hear it for the breathtaking designs of Ponyville's own Rarity!”
First, Twilight walked forward onto the walkway; doing her best to show off the designs of the dress. And oh, was it showed off. What would be mere beauty to another, was absolute perfection in the fashion critic Hoity Toity's eyes. He could almost seethe stars in the night sky, sparkling brightly against the dark backdrop. And yet, he wasn't looking at the sky, but at her dress.
“Oh, my…” He whispered, quite impressed.
Now, it was Applejack's turn to walk out. Hoity Toity could easily make out the vast apple fields that Ponyville had been all but famous for; Sweet Apple Acres. The succulent, red apples were etched upon her dress with such detail that he felt they would fall from the garb, and he could sate his sudden hunger for apples.
“Simply magnificent! And I suddenly have a fierce craving for some Dutch apple pie, candied apples on a stick, apple turnovers, apple cobbler…” The critic trailed off, lest he become even hungrier.
Next, Pinkie walked through the walkway. The high-class stallion's sweet-tooth was instantly triggered, and he felt a craving for several sweet snacks. He needn't worry about that, because if it got too fierce, he need only pick the candy from the mare's dress. Really, were those real pieces of candy? If not, then they looked too real!
“Brilliant!”
Rainbow Dash came forth, striding confidently. Hoity Toity looked on in confusion. He could swear it was night time, so what was a rainbow doing strutting across the walkway? Truly, the dress was just perfect! The mixing of colors was specific, yet not forced. It flowed naturally, just like a real rainbow.
“Oh, spectacular!”
Fluttershy strolled out after, walking with grace. Hoity Toity thought he could smell the undertones of grass as he looked at the dress. Specifically, it seemed that the dress sang of… spring! The tranquility of nature and animals that the season of spring brought on.
“Now this is a fashion show! All of these dresses are absolutely amazing.” He had expected that display to be the last, but was proven quite wrong when he saw another individual come forward.
Kai walked down the walkway, arms behind his back. The critic could see every specific detail, from the double-stitched shoulder section to cope with broad shoulders in motion, to the way the color scheme seemed to ever so slightly conflict with itself, but still work perfectly. He felt the power radiating, not just from the model, but from the outfit itself.
“This is…!” Hoity Toity had no more words to supply. The creator of this beauty could not only make perfect dresses, but stylish clothes for another species, entirely!? He had to know who, he had to! “Who is responsible? Step forward, show yourself!”
It was right then that the group of mares and saiyan took a few steps backs, and flicked their heads back. Walking down the walkway was none other than Rarity, now wearing a pink and yellow dress, with a golden tiara to complete the look. As she took her place in front of the others, the crowd went wild with cheers and applause.
“Brava! Brava! Magnifico! Encore!” Cheered Hoity Toity.
The mare models of the fashion show bowed, while the lone male simply adjusted his collar with a smirk.
“Oh, thank you. Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!” Rarity exclaimed through the cheers. The fashionista couldn't have been happier.
Our story would conclude the next morning. As Rarity sat in her chair sipping her mornkng coffee, Kai returned from outside and shut the door, shivering slightly. He walked to Rarity, flipping through the mail they had received with his left hand, a newspaper in his right. He handed off the paper to Rarity, who accepted it with a small hum of gratitude.
Kai sat on the couch and started noting the mail aloud.
“Spam. Spam. Resubscribing to Royal Care Mags, right?” Rarity nodded. “Oh, from Luna. Let's see...” Kai's eyes went wide. “Sis, Hoity Toity's order came in!” That letter was in her hooves so fast, it didn't even look like she had moved.
She opened the letter and read through it silently. She read it over a few more times, whispering a word or two out loud to be sure. Nodding in full understanding, Rarity proceeded to faint. Kai leaned over to read what she had. He nodded.
“Today's a drinking day, then. Lucky, lucky us. I just got some Dragonflame Liquor!” Freshly imported.
He'd be sure to buy a pin, that said "What is 'Free Time'?".