//------------------------------// // Rarity's New Boutique // Story: United We Stand! // by pinkudesuu //------------------------------// Funk Trolls “‘Sup, Miss R!” Darnell called as he entered the boutique space they gave to Rarity. They insist that it’s free, but Rarity insists that she’ll take it as loan for now. She’ll be paying them back for their generosity in no time, she says. Darnell looks around the room, its lights are off so the Prince fails to make out any object much less how the entire place looks after leaving Rarity to tidy the place for 2 days now. Other trolls near the place had heard sewing machines all night and Rarity singing with her lovely voice, funk music could be heard as she worked on some things. “Am here to check up on you!” Darnell calls out once again, now hearing a set of walking taps in a room illuminated with lights. “Miss R?” Suddenly, the room opened to show Rarity, now with a different look than the one he saw her with 2 days ago. Now with shiny layers of fabric on top of her coat. A purple top with gold lines that looked like flower petals around her body figure. Her coat underneath is now an ombre of white to blue and purple. It still consists of the gold and purple fibres he’d seen her with 2 days ago. Her luxurious purple hair is properly styled now and put up in a high ponytail, still sporting the three blue diamond hair clip. By her ears are the same coloured three diamonds with golden strings dangling from it. Her makeup now glittered from before. “You are just in time, Prince D!” Rarity says bringing out the mannequins dressed with new Disco Funk Clothes he had never seen before! “I needed a model for my newest collection! I must say that it took me quite a while to get used to my new anatomy, but who knew how easier it was to sew with just hands?!” Rarity talked his ear off with her experiences in those 2 days he had left her with as she brought out more of her handmade collections of clothes while opening up the windows and lights of the place. Allowing Darnell to actually see the extent of how much Rarity had actually done under 2 days. “This place is lovely, it’s just the right space for my clothing lines! Mind you, I never make the same clothes unless on special occasions, never again! I make unique styles! I assure you,” Rarity says as she hangs some clothes by the rack. The walls of the place are pristine purple. Pink curtains around some mirrors with platforms, probably where you try on clothes and see how it matches you. Mannequins placed conveniently around the place with cool styles. There’s a staircase by the farthest corner, which probably leads to Rarity’s personal room. But all-in-all, the place is sick! “You made all of these in 2 days?” Darnell said, almost speechless, “Man, that’s sick! Mad respect to you, Miss R.” “Oh my, it was just 2 days? I swear I thought only one day had passed!” Rarity said, confused. “I could make a whole new line in two days, but maybe it’s because I still haven’t got used to all of this yet.” She said as she looked at her hands, “But no matter, what’s important is you’re here, Prince Darnell!” Rarity grabbed a cloth from the back room once more and quickly ushered the Prince to one of the changing stations. “We must make haste! I can’t wait to see how you’d look on these!” “These?” Darnell muttered, but relented anyway. Once finished, he opened the curtains fully and checked out the clothes on him. “Dang, Miss R! This looks great! Can’t believe you thought of styling it like this!” “Oooh, it does!” Rarity said excitedly as she flashed a camera his way, “To the left! Now pose! Right there! Yes! Amazing! Fabulous!” Darnell posed for every picture Rarity shot gleefully. Darnell tried a number more of clothes which Rarity also took pictures of. “Thank you very much, Prince Darnell,” Rarity said as she looked at the developed pictures of the clothes, “With these pictures of yours modelling all that I have styled, I’m sure my boutique will be booming with customers thanks to you!” “Glad I could be of help, Miss R,” Darnell says and handed Rarity the bags where the clothes he had worn were placed, “Here’s the clothes you had me try on! They’re really sick, I’m sure everyone will be lining up outside your boutique even without my help!” “Oh don’t be silly, dear,” Rarity says, humble, “And you keep those as thanks! I won’t be taking no’s! So come along now, a girl is hours away from her boutique’s opening!” “But–” “I would really appreciate it if you spread word about my boutique, but no pressure!” Rarity says comically as she gently but quickly pushes the pink funk troll out of her Boutique, “I have my ways of making myself known. You’re invited to my official opening in… let’s see…” Rarity glanced at the digital clock outside, the one in the middle of Vibe CIty for all to see. It was currently 14:00 (2 PM) o’clock. Not a lot of trolls are outside yet, but in a few hours, the night market will start and trolls will be outside buying stuff. Especially since it’s a Friday. Darnell realised what a perfect opportunity this is for Rarity. “In three hours tops!” Rarity said, also thinking along the lines Darnell had realised. With that, the door of Rarity’s boutique closed and Darnell was once again left to wonder just where Rarity had come from. Shaking his head, he somberly wonders if Rarity’s personality will be the same as his twin sibling’s. Instead, he walks to the way that’ll lead him back home, deciding at the back of his head to make a point of wearing one of Rarity’s designs during her opening in 3 hours. The time of the hour came. 17:00 (5 PM) At that exact time, Darnell was outside of Rarity’s boutique wearing one of her shiny designs. He had tried to spread the word, but new things coming inside Vibe City is rarely a surprise anymore, so not many trolls have planned to stand by and wait. Not wanting to waste the Friday Night Market opportunities pass by. There were almost only 5 of them. Other trolls are walking by the side, only sparing the signage Rarity put with “Grand Opening” a simple glance before walking off again. And then the light show started which immediately captured everyone’s attention. With the sound of a saxophone and beat, the music started. [Music Start!] Dance the Night - Dua Lipa https://open.spotify.com/track/11C4y2Yz1XbHmaQwO06s9f?si=935a90e31a8347c7  “Are we just on time?” Darnell turned to see both his parents arriving and nodding to the beat of the music. “Perfectly on time!” Their son said enthusiastically. They all turned as the door loudly opened and a red carpet rolled out. A fog machine could be heard starting as it stepped up the scene of Rarity stepping out of the door, wearing one of her designs as she sang. “Baby you can Find me under the lights Diamonds under my eyes Turn the rhythm up Don’t you wanna just Come along for the ride” As she sang, she modelled her clothes. She made a show of a quick change performance under not even a second while she spins. It was like she just made a twirl, and suddenly she had a different cloth on! Oh my outfit so tight You can see my heart beat tonight I can take the heat Baby best believe That’s the moment I shine Now, a lot of trolls are watching her performance. No one’s ever done an opening like this before! Cuz every romance Shakes and it bends Don’t give a damn Rarity pulled a few willing random participants in on her on-the-spot catwalk, being able to dress them quickly that certainly fits their vibe. When the nights here I don’t do tears Baby no chance I could dance, I could dance, I could dance Watch me, dance Dance the night away My heart could be burning but you won’t see it on my face Watch me, dance Dance the night away I’ll still keep the party running not one hair out of place It was such a cool quick transition; One moment, no one could be bothered to even swing by to glance at Rarity’s boutique, but now it seemed almost everyone in Vibe City is watching her every move! Some trolls have even used their flying vinyl discs to be able to watch the opening. Lately I’ve been Moving close to the edge Still be looking my best I stay on the beat You can count on me I ain’t missing no steps Rarity danced as she stepped on an empty small vinyl disc. Other trolls that are now wearing her designs are following her every dance step on beat. Cuz every romance Shakes and it bends Don’t give a damn When the nights here I don’t do tears Baby no chance I could dance, I could dance, I could dance  Watch me, dance Dance the night away My heart could be burning but you won’t see it on my face  Watch me, dance Dance the night away I’ll still keep the party running not one hair out of place Both the Queen and King now joined her music and catwalk. With her vinyl letting her move faster and freely, she encircled the couple with a quick swoop and suddenly, they now wore different sets of clothing and their hairs have been changed to match the style. Both of them are now also singing along to the music Rarity had started. When my heart breaks You’ll never see it, never see it When my world shakes I feel alive, I feel alive I don’t play safe Don’t you know about me Rarity now sang as she stepped down off the vinyl disc and headed for her door with a strut. Creating anticipation for the official opening of her boutique I could dance, I could dance, I could dance Even when the tears are flowing They’re diamonds on my face I’ll still keep the party going not one hair out of place Even when the tears are flowing They’re diamonds on my face I’ll still keep the party going not one hair out of place Finally, finally! Rarity opened the door to her boutique and welcomed everyone in. Everyone could barely fit inside, but they dared not to overcrowd Rarity’s boutique. Watch me, dance Dance the night away My heart could be burning but you won’t see it on my face Watch me, dance Dance the night away I’ll still keep the party running not one hair out of place Darnell can be seen being gushed on by other trolls, now realising that the style he was wearing is one of Rarity’s works. When my heart breaks You’ll never see it, never see it When my world shakes I feel alive, I feel alive I don’t play safe Don’t you know about me Rarity was by the side, watching her hard for apparently two days straight? Be paid off with the bustling crowd trying on clothes unique to them. Styles that match their vibes. Even if the income doesn’t meet the effort she put into creating these, she feels as though watching the excitement of the Trolls’ expression to find the style that matches them and only them is rewarding enough. I could dance, I could dance, I could dance Dance the night! Truly, spreading her style around the world is always a refreshing start to Rarity. Watching everyone enjoy the limelight, even for a moment, is rewarding to watch. She watches every troll leave her boutique with her designs either bagged or worn on the spot. Some of it she gave for free, some had given her far too many coins. But it was all worth it in the end. “Great job there, Miss R!” Darnell’s voice interrupted her musings. He approached her with his parents following behind, “You really do know how to bring in a crowd even without my influence!” “One cannot be considered a fashionista without straining some passerby’s necks after all!” Rarity replied with confidence, and then turned to the royal family once again, bowing, “But really, thank you for your generosity, really. I wouldn’t have been able to do all of this without your utmost trust in me.” “With all things considered, I say you deserve it more than you think,” Queen Essence says as she raises Rarity’s head by her chin softly, “And please, there’s no need for that anymore. You’ve proven yourself more than worthy of recognition amongst our tribe.” Rarity’s eyes dilated and sparkled, touched and in awe at what she had declared, “I am?” “Mhm!” King Quincy nodded and hummed a ‘yes’. “I say, I’ve never seen an opening be as grand and successful like that before! And the style and clothes you have created, truly a work of art befitting our tribe!” “Told ‘ya!” Darnell said with pride. The door of Rarity’s boutique opened once again and came in more Trolls that have seen and heard of the new style being created around Vibe City by none other than the new Troll in town, Miss Rarity. “Well, it seems there’s more clients that’s still coming in,” Essence says. “The night’s still young after all,” Quincy nods and smiles at Rarity’s way in a comforting and reassuring way, “We won’t keep you off your time now. You still have a boutique to run still.” “See ‘ya, Miss R!” Darnell waves as the royal family leaves, the other Funk Trolls bow as they leave, “Good luck on your first Friday Night Market!” Rarity waves until they are finally out of sight and sighs. Preparing herself to once again interact with her clienteles. It’s gonna be a long night. And after this night, she’ll have to create more designs in preparation for the next night and the next.  Then she’ll make a donation for the styles the performers would wear. And also buying more materials during the day. A routine she has long gotten used to as she opens a number of branches of her boutique across Equestria. Mentally she plans her next actions. The first week is always the most work inducing as the people always love new hypes. But it’ll die down eventually and settle on smooth client talks and bookings. She knows this enough. She remembered how her friends had once worked her to the bone with their requests. Ah, such fond memories. Her mind stills at the reminder. Right… Her friends. This world is not… Equestria. But such excitable music you can’t help but dance to, it has already wormed to her heart. The rhythm to which the trolls speak and the way they sway their hips to a simple sound of beat and horns. The electric guitar piano gifted to her by one of her new clients as a mode of payment sits by her cashier table. Had she been too comfortable? Had she made a mistake in fitting in too much? Has her generosity been taken too far? Once their friendship quest is resolved, will she be able to leave this place with no regrets? Is it still too early to feel this attached to the people of this world?  All these questions, she refused to acknowledge. It’s still too early to decide after all. It’s not like she can do much if she leaves this sanctuary and tries to look for her friends alone. What can Rarity do when all she can do is give and give? Besides, the royal family is already helping her. The least she could do is situate herself and pay them back for all their help in taking her in and helping her search for her friends. Everything is gonna be fine. She’ll make sure of it.