Chapter 14: Rarity’s Gift
The Friendship Express came to a roaring stop as it entered Canterlot Station. As the doors were opened, dozens of ponies exited out of the train and began to make their way to their own destinations. They did not pay attention or notice Applejack among them. Nor did they recognize the white pony that accompanied her wearing a tan sun hat and matching dress that was just long enough to cover the cutie mark on her flank.
“Well,” Applejack said as she stepped out into the light, “Here we are.”
Coloratura took a moment to admire the sunny weather in Canterlot. She then closed her eyes and slowly took in a deep breath. After a moment of holding it in, she exhaled with a gentle smile. “It feels like it’s been so long,” Coloratura replied as she opened her eyes again.
“But weren’t you here just recently?” Applejack asked, “Some sort of good will tour?”
Coloratura gave a gentle smile. “Yes. But it’s hard to enjoy the sights when you got bodyguards pushing you to the stage.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Applejack snickered, “I never did like being popular like that.”
“It’s kind of a shame you didn’t pursue a career in music,” Coloratura smiled to her friend, “You were actually pretty good at playing the guitar.”
“Sorry, but the stage life is not for me,” Applejack laughed.
Coloratura laughed at Applejack’s remark. A part of her envied Applejack for her simple life. For Coloratura, it wasn’t always easy being popular. For one thing, she could not walk out in public unless she covered her identity. As soon as ponies spotted her famous cutie mark, they would rush to her side asking for pictures or to shake hooves. There were even a few that still wanted ‘Hoofsies’, even though Coloratura did not like doing that anymore.
Coloratura then let out an exhale of breath as other thoughts ran through her head.
“You okay, Rara?” Applejack asked.
Coloratura looked to the ground but maintained her gentle smile. “Just a little nervous I suppose.”
“You? Nervous?” Applejack said in surprise, “You manage to stand on stage in front of hundreds of ponies and you’re worried about meeting Rarity?”
Coloratura gave a small laugh. “Not meeting her,” Coloratura corrected, “It’s just that I’ve never been on a friendship quest like you have. Truthfully, I’m not exactly sure what to do.”
Applejack put a reassuring hoof on Coloratura’s shoulder, “I know what you mean. I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first quest either. All that really matters is that you be yourself.”
“I suppose your right,” Coloratura said. She was still getting over the idea that she had been summoned by the Friendship Map. When she first felt her cutie mark reacting, she didn’t know what was happening. It wasn’t until Applejack had arrived in Manehattan and explained the situation that she realized she had to come to Canterlot and help Rarity. But even with Applejack’s assurances, she was still nervous about what she was supposed to do.
How was a pop singer supposed to help a fashion designer?
Coloratura admitted she had some experience in fashion, but not much. She was able to tell apart certain designs and explain how she wanted her clothes to look. But, creating dresses from scratch was way out of her league. The only thing she ever sowed was a badge onto her uniform when she was at camp, and that was when she was a filly.
“So have you ever been to the Canterlot Boutique before?” Applejack asked as she led the way.
Coloratura fell into step beside her. “A couple of times. But Rarity was never there. I would only just browse.”
“Just browse?” Applejack asked in confusion, “But Rarity told me you actually purchased a few of her dresses?”
“I did,” Coloratura happily replied. She then gave a sheepish smile. “But it was always through my agents. It’s hard to go shopping when every pony wants to meet you.”
“One of the drawbacks of being popular, right?” Applejack commented.
“True,” Coloratura nodded, “But when I see other ponies smile when I sing…well…It’s totally worth it,” Coloratura explained.
“Sounds just like Rarity when she makes a dress,” Applejack commented.
Coloratura felt her confidence grow a little as she heard this. At the very least, she and Rarity had one thing in common they could share. Maybe she could use that to help Rarity.
In truth, Coloratura did not know Rarity very well. They had met when she had sung in Ponyville and Rarity had provided her with some costumes for the event. However, Coloratura didn’t have the time to get to know Rarity as an individual. A part of her regretted that since Applejack spoke so highly of her.
And then there was Spike. Coloratura knew even less about the little dragon than she did of Rarity. She had met him once, but only exchanged brief greetings. After that, he just faded into the rest of the crowd. Coloratura had to admit she was curious how a young maiden such as Rarity had fallen in love with a little dragon like Spike. Like so many other ponies, she thought the relationship was ‘odd’ and a little ‘unnatural’.
But could such adoration exist between a pony and a dragon?
AJ seemed to believe it could. For Coloratura, this was enough to question her previous views. She had never known an instance when AJ had lied to her. However, Coloratura still felt she needed to hear the words from Rarity herself. She needed to know why of all things a pony had fallen in love with a dragon.
But would Rarity be willing to confess her feelings to an almost complete stranger?
“Here we are,” Applejack said.
Coloratura awoke from her thoughts and looked at the boutique. At first glance, she could see the outside was just as she remembered it. Applejack had told her Rarity had renovated the interior, so Coloratura was anxious to see the results. However as she turned to Applejack, she found her friend was no longer at her side. Quickly she turned and saw that Applejack had stepped a few feet behind her. “Wait! Aren’t you coming in?”
“Nope. Someone has to find us lodging,” Applejack replied. She then gave a reassuring smile to Coloratura. “Also Twilight said you had to do this alone. Some kind of rules of the Friendship Map.”
Coloratura began to slightly worry when she heard this. She had hoped AJ could assist her since she had no experience with Friendship Quests. “But…What if I need help?”
Applejack gave her friend a reassuring smile. “Just believe in yourself. The map selected you because it knew you were the right pony for the job.”
“Has it ever been wrong?” Coloratura asked.
“Nope,” Applejack shook her head, “And I know you can do this, Rara.” Applejack said as she walked up and placed a reassuring hoof on Rara’s shoulder.
Coloratura placed a hoof on Applejack’s hoof and smiled. “I’ll do my best,” Coloratura said.
Applejack smiled as she removed her hoof. “I know you will. Good luck,” Applejack then left Coloratura’s side and proceeded down the road.
There was no doubt in Coloratura’s mind that Applejack trusted her. Turning around to face the building, Coloratura steeled herself. With a small sigh, she made her way forward into the boutique.
As she entered the main show room, she was astonished by all the hard work that had been put into the room. She saw entire new line ups for dresses, the stage had been fitted with new drapes and decorations, and everything looked clean and pristine. However, there was one problem she did notice after a moment.
There were no ponies to admire all the work put into the boutique.
The only comparison Coloratura could make to the empty building was her singing on stage, but no one was around to hear the song. It saddened Coloratura that Rarity had put in all this hard work to make the boutique spectacular, but no one wanted to see it over some simple gossip.
Slowly, Coloratura made her way to the center of the showroom. “Hello?”
“Oh! A customer!”
Coloratura turned her head and looked up a staircase that led from the main showroom. It did not take her long to recognize the manager of the boutique.
Sassy quickly came running down the steps to greet the new arrival. “Welcome to the Canterlot Boutique. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Coloratura knew Sassy in name only. She had briefly met the unicorn while hiding her identity in one of her browsing trips. No doubt Sassy did not recognize her in the hat and dress. Of course, that was idea as to why Coloratura wore them. “Hi. I’m an old friend of Rarity’s. I was wondering if I could see her.”
Sassy’s mood shifted from one of pleasantries to one of concern. She then glanced towards the back room for a moment before looking back at Coloratura. “I’m afraid she is…indisposed at the moment. She’s currently preparing for an upcoming fashion show.”
“Can you tell her that Rara is here to see her? I’m sure she might recognize me,” Coloratura said.
“Rara?” For Sassy, the name sounded familiar, but she could not place it at first. She also thought she recognized the voice. It wasn’t until she noticed the teal stripes mixed in with the dark purple of her tail that Sassy began to recognize the pony in front of her. “Wait...Are you…?”
Coloratura removed the hat from on top of her head and gave a sheepish smile. “I’m-“
“Countess Coloratura!” Sassy interrupted as her jaw dropped in surprise.
“Actually,” Coloratura corrected, “it’s just Coloratura now. But I prefer Rara.”
“Oh!” Sassy smiled happily, “It’s a pleasure to meet you! Please! Let me get you something!” Sassy said excitedly as she frantically looked around for something to serve her guest.
“No thanks,” Coloratura quickly said. It wasn’t hard for Coloratura to see that Sassy was a big fan of hers. Normally she liked to get to know everyone she met, but Coloratura thought it was probably best to skip the pleasantries so she could help Rarity. “I was hoping to see Rarity. Is she here?”
Sassy’s mood darkened as she looked to the back room again. “Well…Yes. But she’s been…well…preoccupied.”
“Is she okay?” Coloratura asked in concern.
Sassy’s eyes darted between Coloratura and the back room. “She’s…been under a lot of stress lately. It’s probably best not to see her now.”
“Please. I was sent here by AJ - I mean Applejack - to help her. Maybe there’s something I can do,” Coloratura said.
Sassy took a moment to considerer Coloratura’s request. She knew Applejack was a close friend of Rarity’s and it was no secret that Coloratura had some connections with Applejack. However, a part of her feared what Coloratura might think if she saw the state Rarity was in. Still, Sassy wanted to do everything she could to help Rarity. She only hoped Rarity’s state of mind would not scare Coloratura off. “I…suppose,” Sassy said hesitantly, “Follow me.”
Coloratura fell into step behind Sassy as she led the way. As they entered the back room, Coloratura could see why Sassy was hesitant to let her see Rarity. The room was a mess of fabric and sewing instruments scattered all over. A few dresses that were on some mannequins appeared reasonable for presentation were put off to the side. But as Coloratura followed the clothes up to Rarity, she could see the sewing and craftsmanship started to appear more desperate and convoluted. A few that were near Rarity’s feet made Coloratura flinch in disgust. The color of the clothing clashed with one another and were barely being held together by stitches that were only too obvious to the naked eye.
In the center of the mess was Rarity, with her back turned to them. Coloratura could see that the young maiden was no longer in the pristine form she remembered, but appeared frazzled and was mumbling incoherently as she sowed on a table.
“Um…Rarity?” Sassy called out.
Rarity quickly turned holding a new atrocity in her hooves. A maddening smile decorated her face. “Look Sassy!” Rarity said as she held the dress for Sassy to see. “Maybe this one! I’m sure this will get pony’s attention!”
Sassy visibly cringed at the result. “I’m sure it will, but maybe you should try again,” Sassy replied gently.
Rarity looked down her work as her bottom lip quivered. She then burst into tears. “YOU DON’T LIKE IT!”
Sassy cringed at Rarity’s reaction. “I’m sure it just…needs a little work.”
Rarity looked down at her work again. Her mood then switched from one of sadness to maddening determination. “Your right! With a little touch up here and maybe a ribbon there…” she replied. She then turned back and began working on the dress again – assuming anyone could call it that.
Coloratura moved closer to Sassy and whispered in her ear. “Is she okay?”
“She’s been stress sowing ever since she got here. The results have not been pretty,” Sassy whispered back.
Coloratura flinched a little as she realized her job might be harder than she thought. Of all the ponies, why did the Friendship Map choose her? For a moment Coloratura wondered if she was in over her head. Yet, she could not ignore a pony in distress. “Excuse me, Rarity,” Coloratura spoke as she stepped forward, “I’m not sure you remember me. We met in Ponyville a few years back.”
“A customer? Let me-” Rarity turned excitedly around to see the new arrival. Her excitement was then replaced by shock and awe as she realized who she was looking at. “Wait! You’re Count…Count…Countess…”
Coloratura gave a small smile and waved before answering. “Actually it’s just Coloratura now. But please, call me Rara.”
Rarity leapt from her seat as she went to greet her new visitor. “Welcome to the Canterlot Boutique! Do you need a new dress? Yes! I’m sure I can come up with something! I have plenty to show you!” Rarity spoke quickly as she gathered some of her failed attempts off the floor. “Perhaps something like this! Or maybe this one!”
Coloratura quickly intervened. “Actually, I was sent by AJ. She said I had been summoned here.”
“Summoned?” Rarity paused. She then looked to Coloratura in confusion. “Summoned by who?”
“By the Friendship Map,” Coloratura hesitantly replied. Coloratura wasn’t sure how Rarity would handle the news that the Friendship Map thought she needed help.
“Oh,” Rarity’s mood switched to one of irritation, “I suppose the map thought I had a friendship problem.”
“Well…” Coloratura gave a simple sheepish smile, “Yes.”
“And it sent you to help me,” Rarity continued.
“It did,” Coloratura hesitantly responded.
“Well…Console away,” Rarity said as she rolled her eyes and turned back to her sewing. “Obviously, I did something wrong. After all, every pony thinks that I’m…” Rarity then buried her head in her hooves as she leaned on the table, “UNNATURAL!” she bellowed.
It was hard for Coloratura to grasp that she was looking at the same pony she remembered in Ponyville. She could see that Rarity had lost all her confidence in herself and was distressed about losing Spike. For a moment, Coloratura wondered how she could reach out to Rarity in her current state of mind. However, as Coloratura gazed at all the dresses on the floor, an idea came to her mind. “Maybe…the Friendship Map thought you could make a new dress for me.”
Rarity turned around again and looked at Coloratura questioningly.
“Personally, I was never fond of dresses like this,” Coloratura said as she looked down at her dress. “I’m more of a tank top type of pony.”
Rarity looked at Coloratura with half lidded eyes. “You want me to make you a tank top.” she unemotionally replied.
“If…it’s not too much trouble.” Coloratura said as she did her best to smile. She began to wonder if Rarity thought the request was too simple for her standards. But the idea of starting simple seemed like a good idea at the time.
“A simple tank top?” Rarity repeated unemotionally.
Coloratura continued to smile. “Please?”
Rarity’s dark mood then changed to one of jubilation. “I will gladly make you a tank top!”
Coloratura let out a sigh of relief.
“First I will need your measurements!” she said excitedly. She then used her magic to grab her measuring tape and glasses. “Sassy. Take down her measurements as I read them off!”
X==X==X==X==X
Coloratura felt fortunate that her gamble had paid off. After Rarity had taken all her measurements, Coloratura began to talk to Rarity like a regular customer. Coloratura made sure to address everything she could, from materials to the kind of design she wanted on it. Occasionally, she made it a point to change her mind on occasion and asked Rarity for her advice.
Although the work was simple, Coloratura’s request helped bring Rarity back into her element of applying time, love, and contour to her work. The end result for the tank top turned out better than what Coloratura thought. The tank top was similar to the one she had used when she sang at Ponyville, but had a darker shimmer to it. In addition, the waist band had teal colored swirls that matched the teal in Coloratura’s hair.
Coloratura put the tank top on and examined the craftsmanship of Rarity’s work. “I have to say it looks amazing.”
Rarity could see that Coloratura was genially impressed by her work. She admitted it was a project she normally would not do. But, to see Coloratura happily admire her work brought some joy to her heart. Rarity then lowered her head. “I do apologize for my behavior earlier,” Rarity said, “I guess I was not myself.”
Coloratura looked up from her new tank top and turned to Rarity. As she saw Rarity’s expression, she was reminded of the same expression she saw of herself when she fretted over losing her first manager. “I’m sure it was no different from when you had to deal with me in Ponyville.”
“Well…Yes,” Rarity gave a small laugh as she remembered Coloratura’s concert in Ponyville. She recalled how Coloratura had paced around frantically while she tried to put the costume on. “But it’s still no excuse for my actions.”
“You’ve been under a lot of stress,” Coloratura replied, “AJ told me about your problems with the press...and what happened with Spike.”
Rarity frowned. “These last few days have not been easy,” Rarity said solemnly, “Ever since I was little, all I ever wanted to do was create fashion for other ponies,” she said, “But I also wanted someone to be at my side. To watch over and take care of me.”
Coloratura remained silent as she watched Rarity pour her heart out.
Rarity let out a sigh. “Have you ever been in love with someone?”
The question caught Coloratura off guard. “I…well…Truthfully, I never considered it yet. I guess it’s hard to find love when everyone loves you.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Rarity replied. “I had a lot of ponies who had simple crushes on me, but none could match the devotion of…‘him’.”
“Him?” Coloratura asked.
“My little Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity bemoaned.
A moment of silence passed between the ponies before Coloratura spoke again. “What is he like?”
Rarity was caught off guard by Coloratura’s request. “Pardon?”
“Spike. What is he like?” Coloratura asked again.
Rarity looked toward the ground. “He’s…the sweetest dragon I’ve ever known. When I first knew him, I saw he had a crush on me and I decided to treat him like all the others. To use him for my own gain. I thought he would eventually move on when he saw I was not interested,” Rarity confessed. She then gave off a weak laugh. “A pony and a dragon together. Even I found the idea…’unnatural’…at the time.”
“But he didn’t move on, did he,” Coloratura said.
“No matter what I asked or told him what to do, he would willingly stay by my side. Even when I found interest in other ponies, he still wanted to help,” Rarity then let out another small giggle, “He called it his ‘Rarity time’.”
“It sounds like he grew on you?” Coloratura replied.
Rarity let out a sniff as she was on the border of tears. “I don’t even know when it happened. Maybe it was when he gave me his Fire Ruby just to make me happy or when he openly admitted he had a crush on me. I don’t know anymore. But at some point, I realized Spike really did love me.”
“Did you ever return his affections?” Coloratura asked.
Rarity nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I…kissed him,” Rarity confessed after a few brief moments, “Several times. However, the first time we shared a kiss together was in a little cabin in the woods,” Rarity continued as she poured her heart out, “He asked if he could kiss me. He was giving me a choice to be with him or just remain friends. I never regretted the choice I made that night.”
Coloratura felt a tinge of jealousy for Rarity. Somehow in her trek to success, true love had found her. However, that tinge of jealousy quickly turned to pity as she remembered that Spike was a dragon and other ponies saw Rarity’s love as unnatural.
Rarity then struggled to use her magic to pull over a handkerchief and clean her face with it. “My apologies. It was very unprofessional for me to say such things.”
Coloratura gave a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. I think I have a better understanding now.”
Rarity gave a brief smile before a scowl appeared on her lips. “I just wish everyone else would hear me out. I could speak out all I want but I doubt anyone would listen.”
“I know,” Coloratura replied, “I had the same trouble when I became Countess Coloratura. I never liked all the glitz and glam, but Svengallop showed me that sometimes that’s what was needed to catch the attention of the audience.”
Rarity nodded. “Unfortunately, that is true,” she then sighed, “I just wish I knew how to make others see Spike the same way I do. Maybe then they could accept a pony and dragon being together.”
Coloratura knew the feelings Rarity was going through. She remembered how she had nearly lost herself to the whims of the public. Ponies wanted to see the Countess rather than the pony. She was forced to make herself into what her audience wanted rather than be herself…and it nearly destroyed her.
It was then that Coloratura realized that she was looking at herself rather than a fashionista in distress. Rarity was experiencing all the hardships she herself had experienced when she was Countess Coloratura. It was why the Friendship Map had sent her.
Coloratura then remembered her best friend’s advice.
“Rara. When you’re simply yourself, you’re the brightest star I’ve ever seen shine.”
It was then that a flash of inspiration appeared. “Rarity. Do you remember the night I sung in Ponyville?” Coloratura asked
Rarity looked at Coloratura and nodded. “I do. It was truly spectacular.”
“Do you remember how the audience reacted when I gave up my title of ‘countess’?”
Rarity took a moment to recall the events of that night. She did recall that a number of ponies were confused by Coloratura’s announcement to renounce her title. “I think you caught a lot of ponies off guard that night. But the song you sung after was…” Rarity had trouble coming up with the words to describe what she felt when she heard Coloratura’s angelic voice that night.
Coloratura did not need to hear what Rarity thought about the song. The answer was plainly written all over her face. “The song I sung that night was not the song I was supposed to sing. It was the one I wanted to sing.”
“What…you wanted?” Rarity asked.
Coloratura nodded. “I didn’t want ponies to see me as the countess anymore. I wanted everyone to know that the reason I sung was so I could see the smiles on their faces,” Coloratura explained.
Rarity lowered her head. “Like how I want to see ponies happy when they try on one of my dresses.”
“But you also want to be with Spike,” Coloratura added.
Rarity gave a small giggle as tears formed in her eyes. “He has been a significant part of my life.”
“Then that’s what you need to show your audience,” Coloratura replied, “Tell them your feelings."
Rarity gave a light snort. “I may be a good singer, but I don’t think a song can help me.”
“Not by singing, but with your own special gift of fashion,” Coloratura replied.
Rarity looked at Coloratura questioningly. “Come again?”
“Show everyone what Spike means to you through your own gift of fashion,” Coloratura then spotted a spool of pink thread on the floor. After reaching down to pick it up, she presented it to Rarity. “Let them see your feelings.”
“You mean…” Rarity said as she looked down at the spool of thread in Coloratura’s hoof.
Coloratura nodded. “Just like I did. Show the audience what Spike means to you…through fashion.” Coloratura said as held the spool to Rarity.
Rarity looked hesitantly at the spool. What Coloratura asked was to bare her heart out for all to see. A part of her feared what would happen. Twice before, her thoughts and feelings had been brought to the public’s eye, and it ended in disaster. “But I’m…not sure I can…”
Coloratura refused to give in. “Do it for Spike.”
“For Spike?” Rarity asked as she looked back at Coloratura.
“At least show him your true feelings,” Coloratura said.
Rarity looked at Coloratura and then back at the spool of thread. Could she really do that…for Spike? Would ponies understand what she saw in the little dragon? Would it bring her Spikey-Wikey back to her?
After Rarity considered these questions, a deep scowl crossed her face. “This is isn’t going to work!” Rarity then threw the spool to the side of the room.
For a moment, Coloratura was surprised by Rarity’s reaction. She then looked at the spool and began to wonder what she had done wrong.
Rarity closed her eyes as she stuck her nose in the air. “Spike is lavender in color! Not pink!” Rarity continued, “I’ll need something that matches his shade of lavender! I’ll also require some Emerald Green!”
Coloratura smiled as she saw the determined look in Rarity’s eyes.
Rarity then turned to Coloratura. “Thank you. Color – I mean Rara,” Rarity said, “I have to admit that I am a little scared. The fashion show is in two days. Can I really pull this off?”
“If you want, I can try to help you,” Coloratura replied.
Rarity looked back at Coloratura questionably. “Do you have experience in sewing?”
Coloratura gave a sheepish grin. “Not really.”
“You’re hired.”
To Be Continued….