Rarity walked towards the exit of the train station, still thinking about the incident. What sort of pony would play with fillies in such a place? Someone could get hurt if they weren’t careful. And it had ruined her wonderful mane. She turned to her right and looked at the reflection in the window.
“It isn’t so bad…” she said to herself with a fake laughter. “I just… I will just have to get to a place where they have the proper tools to fix this.”
As the mare left the station and started to make her way towards the city proper, Rarity could see the stallion that had run into her just a short distance in front of her; before he turned to his right and disappeared into an alley.
“Phew, I really was not looking forward to running into him again,” she said, just loud enough for herself to hear it, as she passed the alley they had gone into.
“… explained why I can’t do that already,” The stallions voice made her stop for a moment. “Those ponies would make life difficult for me if I did.”
“Oh, you really shouldn’t listen in on other people’s conversation Rarity.” The mare tried to keep going, but she stopped the moment one of the fillies asked him why.
“Because that is how they are. You don’t want me to go away do you? Who is there?” The adrenaline kicked into to Rarity when she realized that she had turned around and started to move closer to the voices. In her absentmindedness she had accidently stepped on something, alerting them to her presence.
Quickly she took several steps backwards and was caught in a group of ponies that happened to pass by, leading her away. The last thing she saw before they rounded a corner was a hooded head peeking out from the alley.
**
“Perfect! Just perfect,” the white mare beamed as she looked in the mirror. A dark blue earth pony stood behind her with a brush in his mouth. “Now, how much do I owe you for that?”
“Nothing at all, Miss Rarity; Mr. Pants sent a letter yesterday to inform us that he will be covering any expenses you might have today.” The earth pony put down the brush and gave her a professional smile. “Now, is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No, this treatment was more than enough,” Rarity turned away from the mirror and smiled back at him. “But you can be sure I will be back the next time I am in Canterlot.”
“Thank you, Miss.” The earth pony walked over to the door and opened it, holding it open for her and letting the sound of the streets outside fill the shop. As she went outside, she could see that it was nearing midday.
Around her Rarity could see all sorts of shops, from the expensive ones with names recognized all over Equestria to small local ones. Before she could decide which shop to visit first, a couple of well-dressed ponies approached her.
“Miss Rarity, is that you?” a unicorn stallion with a navy blue coat and blond hair spoke as he approached with a light grey earth pony mare dressed in a light pink dress. “Truly, ‘tis wonderful to see you, we haven’t met since the Canterlot Garden Party. I assume you are here for Fancy Pants’ sake?”
“That I am,” putting on her most sophisticated posture she gestured towards one of the many outdoor cafés. “Why don’t you join me and get something to eat?” Without waiting for an answer she started to walk in the direction she gestured, knowing that they could not decline such an invitation. Not from one of Fancy Pants favorite party guests.
“Now, I would like a simple daffodil and daisy sandwich,” Rarity said as one of the waiters came over to the table she had taken a seat by. The two ponies from the Garden Party had quickly made their way over to her, sharing her table and giving the second waiter to approach the table their orders.
“Tell me Rarity, how was it that you came to know Fancy Pants? I cannot recall him ever mentioning you before the time leading up to the Garden Party,” the grey mare asked, but was almost immediately distracted by a shout.
“Not him,” Rarity mumbled to herself as she recognized the voice.
“What was that?” the stallion at her table said, raising an eyebrow. “Not who?”
“Oh nothing,” with a slightly nervous tone she cast a quick glance at the rugged looking stallion in the distance where he was playing with some fillies. “It is just that the last time I ran into that pony, I ended up on the ground, with him on top. He behaves most inappropriate, if you ask me.”
“Undoubtedly, I have seen him before. Real trouble maker than one, and from what I hear he does it only to entertain those young ones. And the way he dresses is horrible, no sense of style what so ever.” As his courtship went on about the stallion the navy blue stallion leaned his head slightly to the left as he followed him with his eyes.
“He does look familiar, but I cannot remember where I have seen him.”
To Rarity’s relief the strange pony she had met earlier that day disappeared around a corner with his group of young ones and turned back to the ones at the table. “You have probably seen him around the city; he seems to be all over this place.”
“Maybe,” he spoke slowly before he threw a glance to the skies. “Oh dear, look at the sun! Sorry to cut this short Rarity, but it seems we have spent more time here than we should. We have a train to Manehatten we have to catch.”
Before she could object the ponies at her table had already gotten to their feet and were headed down the street. For a second or two Rarity traced them with her eyes, only to return to her food.
**
The sun had just started to set as Rarity exited the last store on her list, levitating s handful of shopping bags while she was making her way towards the castle. She would have to work fast if she wanted to be on time for the party.
Ideas for the outfit had been spinning in her head ever since she had noticed that she had to make one and now she was putting them together. It would be a lot like the dress she had made for the Grand Galloping Gala, but the colors would be dark blue rather than purple, and she wouldn’t have the tiara.
“Miss?” She heard several sets of hooves behind her, along with the familiar voice. “Can I ask you something?” She thought she heard a nervous undertone as she turned around, standing face to face with the stallion that had appeared throughout her day. He had thrown back his hood, revealing a part of dark green eyes.
“Oh, it’s you,” she tried not to sound too annoyed, but she wasn’t sure she managed it. “Was there something you wanted?”
“Well…” he was dragging his hoof at the ground for a moment. “It is just that the girls…” he gestured to the group of fillies a short distance behind him. “… won’t stop nagging about you, and-“ He swallowed. “And how I should ask you out tonight.”
“Oh,” with a shocked and nervous laughter she started to glance around, looking for an easy way out of the situation. Seeing none, she turned her attention back to him. “Well, I am terribly sorry, but I am going to a party hosted by Fancy Pants tonight.”
With a slightly disappointed smile he nodded at her. “Well, I shouldn’t get in the way then.”