Afternoon was beginning to turn towards evening by the time Rarity returned home to the Boutique from her daily rounds of shopping. Her horn glowed brightly, and a good six or seven bags of various retailers gracefully floated themselves down onto the polished floor. Her Changeling companion, not quite as gifted, struggled to pull the remaining few bags inside. Rarity frowned.
"DO be careful, darling. There are some very expensive, and might I add hard to find, gemstones in that bag." She warned. The Changeling didn't seem to pay attention, and pulled all the harder, nearly ripping the bag on the edge of the door. Rarity bit her lip with worry, and took the bags herself. "Never mind, thank you very much, dear. You've been very helpful. Come! We have much work to do, and not a moment to lose!" She tossed her mane back, and pranced into the back room where she kept her materials.
Her companion followed, and immediately found itself thrust into a world of girly fabrics and gowns. Rarity seemed absolutely dedicated to finding the right look.
"This one, this one, this one, oh my stars that's HIDEOUS, what was I thinking..."
Her model stamped its hoof in irritation several times before Rarity finally stopped.
"Whatever is the matter? You act as if you don't enjoy the chance to-" Her eyes widened. "But of course! All these dresses, they aren't your style at all, are they? You wouldn't happen to be a male, would you?"
The Changeling rolled its eyes, as if it was obvious. Unfortunately, they DID all look exactly like.
"Oh! And here I am putting you in all sorts of dresses!" Rarity laughed. "You just wait right there, and I'll get you a snazzy little jacket instead!" She made her way to the closet, but was distracted by a knocking at the door.
Four sharp knocks in rapid succession. A brown earth pony who had been waiting in her lobby immediately bolted upright. "Not again!" He exclaimed, and ran out the back door.
"What in Canterlot was his problem?" Rarity mused, swinging open the door. "I guess you just never knooooo-oh!" Her eyes widened.
"Good afternoon, Rarity." Princess Celestia said.
"Miss Celestia, I don't... I'm not prepared... I look absolutely horrid!" The designer fussed. She always wanted to look her best when meeting a superior, who knows what of connections they might have?
"That's alright. May I come in?" She asked, clearly not caring about the state that Rarity was in.
"Of course!" Rarity said, stepping aside. "My Changeling and I were just working on a new look for the upcoming Summer Solstice."
"Precisely why I'm here." Celestia said.
"You want a dress for the summer solstice?! From me?!"
Celestia laughed. "No, Rarity. Your Changeling. I'm checking up on all of them, you're my last stop before heading back to Canterlot. Is he behaving himself?"
"Oh, yes indeed!" The fashionista replied. "He's been a pefect gentle....pony?" She wasn't sure what the terminology for Changelings was.
"That's wonderful to hear, and it seems to confirm Twilight's suspicion that they mean no harm." Celestia said. "All of the four Changelings who have appeared seem to simply be lost and confused, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't undestimate them."
"Of course, Princess." Rarity said. "I wouldn't dream of causing him any harm, he's actually been a wonderful help with Sweetie Belle having the day off. I didn't want to interrupt her sleepover this morning, or her visit to Scootaloo's this evening. Such interruptions are terribly uncouth."
Celestia smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. Would you care to send me a letter on your findings? It's the strangest thing, but I don't seem to get as much mail as I used to. I do miss hearing from my little ponies, it's a nice break from writing new laws, paying taxes and studying up on diplomatic relations. I miss my letters." She admitted.
Rarity looked guilty. "Oh, of course, I'm sure something can be arranged. Truth me told, I do miss writing letters as well, with the exception of those AWFUL ink stains. Completely ruin my hooves, you know."
Celestia nodded. "Very well, my business here is done. Good night, Rarity. Let me know if anything comes up." She turned to leave, satisfied with her findings for the day.
Rarity waved. "Oh, and Princess! What about the Summer Solstice?!" She called.
"I suppose a new gown might be advisable." Celestia said. "Put Luna and myself down for an order. That is, if it isn't too much to ask."
"Oh, not at all, not at all, don't you worry!" Rarity waved, and watched as the golden chariot took off on its return voyage to Canterlot. She waited until she was safely back inside the Boutique before letting out an excited shriek, bouncing up and down like a filly. "Two orders for the Princesses! This will require another round of shopping!" She announced, and raced back to her workroom.
"Helper! We depart at once! I've just-" Rarity blinked. The Changeling was gone, leaving behind only an open window. Rarity peeked outside into the fading light. "He's gone? But why? Where? And worst of all, he took my favorite lavender gown with him!" Rarity stomped her hoof, and screamed out the window, scaring off a nearby owl.
"HEATHEN!"
Rarity's cry of rage echoed over the ears of two Changelings, one of them still wearing a frilly light purple dress. The second changeling snickered with fits of laughter, while the first whacked its comrade upside the head. A series of clicks was exchanged. Both creatures looked both ways, left and right. Finding themselves completely alone, they snuck through the entrance to the Everfree Forest and quickly vanished into the overwhelming darkness that waited within.