//------------------------------// // Hello, Rarity! // Story: Alliance is Magic // by artsyfartsy1998 //------------------------------// The pegasi were coming close to the ground of the Ponyville main square now, and Twilight could see the Town Hall a little ways away, and a fountain in the center of an open area with some benches tastefully placed around it. The Town Hall was where the King and Queen were to appear, and it had already been washed until it gleamed in the sunshine. A unicorn appeared to be casting “stay fresh” spells on flower chains and tying them artfully and loosely around the rims of the railings on the Town Hall’s porch, which surrounded the building on both levels. She was an exceptionally pretty unicorn, Twilight noticed, with shining indigo hair that was tied into an elegant ponytail and a few strands of hair loose, those curled in a small, elegant wave near the base of her horn. She had barely off-white fur and deep blue eyes that appeared lightly mascaraed. Spike appeared very impressed, and drooled a tiny bit at the sight of her. “She’s... incredibly beautiful. Can we say hi?” Twilight felt a small pang of sadness at Spike’s disloyalty, so she told Spike that they could check up on decorations later. First, they had to go to Sweet Apple Acres and check on food. “Oh, come on, Twilight. We’re already here, can’t we just do this first?” Reluctantly, Twilight gave in, and Spike hopped on her back before they cantered toward Town Hall. Before they got there, however, a pink pony with wavy hair bounded toward them and grabbed Twilight by the shoulders, looked her in the eye, gasped, and sped away. “Um,” said Twilight, very matter of factly. “Um,” Spike agreed, bending over to look Twilight directly in the eye to see what the fuss was about. Twilight poked him away with her horn, giggling a little. They reached Town Hall in very little time, and the unicorn stopped braiding vines long enough to smile at them both. “Salutations!” she greeted them. “How are you?” “Oh, just wonderful,” Spike smiled back, leaning on his claws and grinning bashfully at her. She blushed a little at his obvious affections, and looked back down to continue braiding. “I don’t think that I’ve ever seen either of you before in Ponyville, especially not a dragon,” she said. “What are your names?” “I’m Spike,” said Spike. “And I’m Twilight Sparkle,” said Twilight Sparkle. “We’re here to check on your progress.” “Oh, did the mayor send you?” The unicorn stood up and cast her spell on the flowers before levitating it over to the railing and winding the chain around the wood. “You can tell her that I’m doing fine, and that I really don’t need any more help. I simply couldn’t stand to impose on any pony.” “Actually, the Queen sent us.” Twilight’s heart panged at this poor pony. She looked so tired, she’d obviously been working for days, and she still had much more to do. “The Queen?!” The unicorn turned to Twilight. “She sent out a professional check up? Already?! That must mean that you two are in her royal staff! You live in Canterlot, then? Oh, I’ve always dreamed of living there, such a glamorous lifestyle! There are simply no worries, it seems...” She trailed off, and turned back to Twilight, kissing her cheeks in the affectionate French style greeting. “I must treat you two as honored guests. You probably need dinner, and the kids would love a friend. Oh, would you like to see my clothing line? It’s all my work, I even rented out a building I call “The Carousel Boutique” for it. I’ve got this white hat with yellow trim and pink rosebuds on it that would look perfect on your purples, but maybe you’d need to curl your mane back a little... I could do that.” “What’s your name?” Spike suddenly asked, completely smitten. “It’s Rarity, darling, but my friends call me Ritz, when they’re teasing. It’s kind of silly of them, really.” She smiled into her hoof demurely. “I’m really not that suited for such a life, but I’ve always thought about it.” “Rarity is such a beautiful name, you don’t need another.” Spike smiled at her lovingly. “You’re really pretty, you know.” “Spike, there’s a little thing called tact,” Twilight reproachfully remarked. “I’m sorry, Rarity. We really weren’t trying to get in your way or worry you, we can check back later after you’re all finished with decorating to see how it looks.” “Oh, that’s fine. I’m fine with accommodating for guests, and I truly do want to try that hat out on you.” Rarity tilted her head curiously, scanning Twilight up and down. “And there’s this collared blouse that would suit you so well... Come with me to the boutique, it’s getting late, anyway. Maybe I’ll introduce you to the kids!” “Well-” “We would love to, Rarity.” Spike hopped off of Twilight’s back and kissed Rarity’s hoof. “Please, lead the way.” They trotted two miles down a lovely dirt pathway that followed the river in Ponyville to Carousel Boutique, a carousel based building of blue, purple and gold tints and lots of frills in its decor. Rarity opened the door, turning the “Rarity’s out, Town Hall needs to shine!” sign over to show “We’re open, if only for the moment!”. Twilight looked up at the spire on top of the building and at the storm clouds that so often covered Equestria. “Is it safe?” she asked her new friend. “Hmm? Oh, yes, dear. That spire on the very top of the building is a lightning rod, so we’re perfectly fine. Oh, Sweetie Belle!” Rarity called into the room. “Are you awake?” “Yeah, sis!” A small, white, unicorn filly zoomed down the elegant staircase. “Scootaloo, Pip, and Featherweight are all playing cards upstairs.” “All right, but tell them that they need to come down for dinner. We have guests!” “Cool! Who are they?” Sweetie Belle eyed the newcomers suspiciously. “This is Twilight Sparkle and Spike the dragon,” Rarity said, pointing at both of them at proper moments. “He,” she whispered conspiratorially into Sweetie Belle’s ear. “Has a crush on me.” “Ooooooo!” Sweetie chimed, rushing up the stairs to spread the news. Twilight rolled her eyes at the filly, and was immediately pushed into a chair in the center of a ring of mirrors. “Now, it’s time for me to do what I was born to do!” Rarity grinned. “Beautify!”