The bluish purple stallion curled around on his back, and his face locked into one of the goofiest expressions that Purity had ever seen. His eyes bulged up like saucers and his tongue stuck out of the corner of his mouth. "Blackberry, I presume?" Purity asked, stepping back a few feet. The other stallion just nodded, his mouth drooping open wider.
Well, get up already. Don't keep prostrating yourself on my floor, acting more like a baby rabbit than a full grown stallion. Purity blinked, knowing how un-ladylike it would be say something so tactless out loud. He just reached out a hoof.
"Please let me help you up, darling," Purity said. Blackberry shivered from his head down to his sides as he nudged himself upwards. Purity grabbed him with both hooves, and she yanked.
"T-t-thanks," Blackberry squealed as he sat up straight. Purity smiled, and the other stallion tried his best to do the same. Blackberry still looked about to collapse again in any second.
Oh, praise Celestia, what am I supposed to do with you stallions? Purity recognized that gaze anywhere. I suppose you're thinking about tulips, cupcakes, and a long movie. You might even have something more serious cooking in that thick skull of yours. Am I really that irresistible, even now? Purity titled his head to the side, letting his thick blue mane wiggle over his shoulder. He saw Blackberry's eyes feasting on every inch of it. I guess I should be impressed. Not even an extra Y-chromosome can stop my charms. Purity let out a tiny giggle. I just might humor you yet, darling.
"I was, I mean, I'm here to pick-up something," Blackberry stammered, fidgeting backward against the wall, "Something special. I guess, though, it's special to me. I'm sure you do that all the time." He tried not to make eye contact, looking up along the racks of hats alongside him. "I guess I shouldn't say pick-up, since I'm ordering it right now."
Purity magically lifted up a clipboard and a small quill. Blackberry watched as the items sailed over to Purity's side. Purity's eyes then ran all along the other stallion's body. He looked down from Blackberry's short yet thick and curly mane, doused in a purplish black color almost like oil, over to his lighter, bluish purple coat. Purity's eyes narrowed at Blackberry's tail. Did you get it clipped in a door as a foal or something? All I can say is 'ouch, darling, very ouch'.
"S-s-semi-formal day w-wear," Blackberry said, still gazing blankly at Purity. He took a gulp, straighenting in his spot. "That's what I'll need for my upcoming concerts."
"So, darling, you are a musician?" Purity asked, jotting down some quick notes. Those natural bluish stripes going down his side would look just smashing with a vibrant ocean blue suit. Or maybe it would be more like a sport-coat? Maybe add some sky blue touches on the collar as well? "That sounds fantastic, and I'd love to talk with you about it." She squinted, gazing at Blackberry's soft, young face. Those gigantic eyes look so darkly blue that they might as well be black. Does that mean a distracting hat, maybe a bowler hat?
"Wow, thanks," he muttered back as Purity sped through line after line, "But I should, uh, confess--" He shuffled around a few inches. "I'm just a technical staff pony. I'd love to play, of course, but maybe... I guess it not in the cards yet."
"Please, darling, don't ever put yourself down in my boutique," Purity declared, putting down the clipboard as he stepped around Blackberry. Pieces of fabric shot out across the air high above them. "The most important thing in life is to believe in yourself. Remember that there's beauty in all things. You just have to look hard enough, knowing that you can do anything if you put your mind to it."
Blackberry grinned, and he seemed to breathe easy for the first time since he stepped into the shop. Purity looked up, trying to spot the right color tone specifically. No, no, that light of a blue could never do! No, that blue is just ruined by the shimmering sides running down the fabric! He twirled around, feeling her tail drooping along her legs and his eyes darted above. Blackberry's eyes burned into Purity's flank, but the white unicorn tired to keep that out of his mind.
That was a filthy lie, Rarity. I mean, Purity. Some things are just ugly without a shred of beauty. He looked back at Blackberry. Not him, of course...The other stallion had gotten up, gawking at all of the tailoring items going through the air. Purity thought he'd rate Blackberry something like a seven out of ten. Although, something about that cheerful awkwardness felt almost charming. Purity took a little breath, and he looked back up at the fabrics.
I suppose I shouldn't have put that other idea in his head as well. Rats! "You can do anything if you put your mind to it" is such dime store poster garbage. Now, he'll be bugging me about a date any moment. It couldn't come at a worse time, when I literally haven't a thing to wear for this horrid new body! A little spark fluttered at the corner of his eyes. Purity suddenly squealed. "This one looks perfect, darling," he said. The thick ring of fabric, wiggling along like spaghetti on an invisible plate, sailed down through the air.
Blackberry let out a gasp, an ocean blue blur going all over him. He blinked. He looked back at Purity, who felt so happy that he hopped up and down. He curled his head to the right. "I like it a lot, thanks," Blackberry muttered. He saw Purity stepping even closer to him, finally leaning in just right by his face. Purity magically flew around some scissors and a long tape measure. Blackberry reflexively closed his eyes as the scissors passed over his hair.
"Just a moment, darling," Purity's voice said, sounding so caring that it reminded me of his older brother, "A few measurements and little notes is all I need." He heard odd little noises going about his body. He immediately lost track of time. Even with his eyes shut tight, he could see that beautiful face in his mind as clear as ever.
Time lost any meaning. Blackberry dreamed about running his hooves along that glorious blue mane, littering kisses along Purity's soft, smooth white face. He could feel his legs wrapping around Purity's bottom hooves. Every touch would have to shoot little pulses of pleasure up his sides.
"I'm all done, darling," Purity said, snapping him out of it. Blackberry popped his eyes open, and he nodded. He stepped a little to the right, looking back at the neat piles of fabric piled on the nearby table. Blackberry's eyes trailed over to the other stallion. He could only compare Purity to a piece of artwork, so pure and so flawless. Blackberry could hardly believe that he was thinking about another stallion this way, the back of his mind flaring up with fear at what his father would say.
"I guess I'll see you later, then," Blackberry muttered. Purity smiled, and Blackberry tried to smile back. Blackberry felt this sickly feeling, almost like sandpaper rubbing along his back.
"Come on, now would be the moment. It would have to be now, or never again. You'll never feel that close to him ever again. Ask him out," Blackberry whispered to himself. He seemed to shrink a few inches. He kept flashing back to what his father said about that one odd relative of his-- 'we have no coltcuddlers in our family'-- and to how his father's face burned with intensity, like an executioner's eyes.
"Ask me what, darling?" Purity replied. He fluttered his eyes as the two stallions headed to the front door.. Blackberry took a gulp; he had only ever seen mares doing that.
"I'm straight as a rail, right?" Blackberry whispered. He closed his eyes. He felt a warm, soft feeling bubbling up from his heart. He opened his eyes again, gazing at Purity for the umpteenth time. He raised his voice. "May I... I..."
"Yes?" Purity looked back blankly, but he still had on that smooth smile. His mane fluttered across his neck, the blue and white mixing beautifully. The two stallions moved even closer to the door.
"Could you, uh, if you don't mind..." Blackberry muttered, "Maybe consider... if you aren't too busy... maybe..." He sniffed. "Maybe we could have a nice lunch, or something? Together?" He winced, expecting Purity to blow up at him.
The white unicorn took a deep breath. He stepped over to the nearby table, eyes still locked with Blackberry. "I'll think about it, darling," Purity said, shifting his head back a few inches, "I'll see you tomorrow at noon or so about your outfit, anyways. We'll talk about it then."
"Great," Blackberry replied. Anything other than a screamed 'no', which he had heard from countless mares in his short little life, felt like a glorious triumph. "I'll see you then." He slid out the door. He took a few steps out into the street.
Blackberry threw himself down, and he dug his hooves into the ground. He kissed the dusty gravel again and again. He jumped up, and he just barely kept himself from screaming in happiness.
Purity watched the little performance from behind a boutique window. He sighed. Very well, darling, I'll think about it. Should I go out with him? He looked over at Opal, sleeping peacefully atop a pile of satin. Purity opened his mouth to say something, but Opal suddenly shifted a little from right to left, shaking her little head 'no'. Of course, I won't! How presumptuous of him, when we've just met? He paused, and he thought back at all of the dresses-- and now suit-- that he had to prepare. Although, I guess an escape would be nice...