//------------------------------// // 35 But only one will do // Story: Blood Curse Boutique // by Rarity Belle //------------------------------// The dreadful remainders of the night got turned into the morning that was to be filled with nothing but glory. Fleur opened her eyes under a small moan that came from the deepest regions of her body. She let her eyes gaze through the curving circular room she found herself in and gave her eyes the time to look around. Her hooves then brought themselves over to them in order to remove a lot, if not all of the sleeping sand in them before being able to truly see where she was. She then turned her head to her left and stared into the purple mane of her lady who was peacefully asleep. Fleur placed a hoof under her head and let the elbow rest on the pillow. The action allowed her head to be raised a little as her free leg gently began to stroke through the wonderful mane of the vampony. But Rarity was not used to any kind of disturbance in her slumber as her eyelids began to gently twitch in response. “Would my lady wake up please?” Fleur spoke in that ever loving voice she had. Not even a minute later were the ice cold sapphire blue rims revealed themselves once again to the world as her head turned a little bit to face the other unicorn. “Why did you wake me up so early?” Rarity asked her before a moan of discomfort left her. “Well, it can never hurt to be up early, right?” replied Fleur under a soft chuckle. She continued to stroke the mane in a loving manner. Almost as if she was Rarity’s genuine lover. “No, no it does not my slave. Except when one just got into bed, like two hours ago,” answered the vampony in a slight annoyed tone. “E-Excuse me, my lady, I didn't know,” the larger mare said before the ears dropped themselves against the back of her head. But as a response to the words did Rarity only release some inaudible muttering. She nodded in the end gestured that Fleur had to leave her alone for the time being. The other mare got the silent note and pushed the blankets off of her body in a slow manner. Though when she did that, her own fine curves were revealed again. She removed herself out of the bed with a series of slow motions. When Fleur stood next to it did she move back over to the forehead of Rarity. She gave a very light kiss upon it and spoke an inaudible whisper to her. Only after that did she made her exit out of the bedroom in silence. At least, that was the order she had gotten. For Fleur never left the room but instead leaned against the doorway and watched over her sleeping mistress with a pair of calm eyes. ~~~~   That was a thing that caused the feeling of being watched to arise in the vampiric mare. She opened her wings in order to show her forelegs being tucked together against her chest. The wings laid themselves almost casual over the mattress and even over it. With one quick movement she sat right up in bed and she looked towards the curtains that hung before the windows. Her attention was caught by one curtain that stood open half way through. Fearing for her life almost right away had Rarity charged up her horn at rapid speed. The curtain got the blue aura around it and was pulled against the other before blocking out most of the light of the upcoming sun. Fleur watched the events as they happened with big and questioning eyes. While having discharged her horn went Rarity to stretch her body a little bit before allowing the wings to curl back up around her body which then fell back into the nightgown formation. The larger unicorn did a small step backwards as she saw the violent manner in which the vampony closed the curtain with her magic and didn't truly knew just what she had to do. For a small amount of time she just kept herself silent. “I, I opened that one in order to watch the wonderful sunrise, Rarity,” said Fleur eventually in a gentle and careful tone. She spoke them in all of her honesty but also in her defense of what may or may not come up. “Fleur, Fleur, Fleur...” said Rarity while she shook her head with calm motions. She left the bed and let her eyes once more fell upon her slave. “Sunlight kills me, having it fall upon my magnificent body only causes burn marks and probably even worse... But let’s not go deeper into that shall we, refresh yourself and make breakfast, there is something I desire to tell you...” A grin formed itself below the muzzle as she walked past the other mare and left the bedroom as a whole. “Something that is of great importance.” The larger unicorn only blinked a couple times at both spoken matters before she shook  her head and doing what was asked of her. As she ventured down the hallway while she tried to locate where Rarity possibly could have been to. Though the vampiric unicorn had already gone down the stairs and Fleur didn't want to bother her. Thus did she the only logical thing in her mind. Which happened to be opening every single door in order to find the bathroom and refresh herself. ~~~~                 She found the right door and started to do her daily routine of refreshing. The mare of high class first of all took a small but steaming hot shower. Fleur always had loved to take showers that stimulated most or all of her senses, much like Rarity did in her own manner. With a couple moans that rose up from the very soul of her body, she washed herself once again clean from any dirt that could possibly be found on her body. With the passage of time did she stepped out of the steamy shower and let the steam to flow through the entire bathroom for no real reason. It created a rather mysterious surrounding around the mare who almost seemed to disappear within it due to her white coat. She charged up her horn and with the help of her magic there was another towel levitated towards her and dried herself off which got followed up by the grooming groom her coat. Then she calmly combed her mane and tail and as last applied some makeup on her face. Being hundred percent satisfied with the way she appeared, Fleur looked into the mirror with a set of dreamy eyes which managed to cause her to giggle. The pinkish maned unicorn left the bathroom after a small clean up and made her way down the hallway and stairs. Her course was then proceeded by going through the living room and into the kitchen in order to be with her mistress once again. Within the walls of the kitchen she found the still grinning Rarity. The unicorn also allowed her deadly fangs to be visible even though she was hidden in the shadows. Some the sunlight made its way through the uncovered window of the back door in silence. Fleur began to prepare herself to make a simple breakfast for herself that went under the guidance of the vampiric mare who pointed out where everything stood. The slave set everything on the kitchen table before she took place behind it, sitting right across her mistress. Fleur began to eat like the lady she was and it was after the first couple of bites she spoke. She asked the question about the words spoken earlier that morning. “Are you going to tell me what you wanted to tell, Rarity?” “Why yes, yes I am,” the vampony spoke while she tried her best not to go into a hunting mindset. “Last night I have been thinking about what other uses I can possibly have for you…” The more she spoke her words, the more her red rims glared into the purple ones of Fleur. Rarity had started up another hypnotizing session, or ‘glammer’ as it called in many vampiric folklore. In the mind of Fleur had the gentle hooves of Rarity become claws that clustered themselves around her very being. Something that resulted in some static ringing that could be heard within her ears as the world around her slowly blacked out up to the point that only those deadly red rims could be seen. Nothing else was to be seen except those eerie and haunting irises. “You are going to reopen my boutique, you shall be standing behind the counter every day, taking the orders and handling most of the costumers. Do not worry about the teachings, that is where I shall help you with. And given how I am not around when you are doing that, if anypony asks you just why you are here, you answer them all the same. After the death of Fancy Pants, everything slowly crumbled down for you, losing what you had for your feeling, hitting the gutter before I took you in. The house and personal stayed, but you got kicked out. Understood?” her voice spoke in a dreamy yet demanding manner. “Speaking of your mansion, send them a letter later today that you have found your true love in life. Another, mare.” Fleur could only nod to that was said before the world slowly turned back into its more normal state. The claws were released from her mind and turned back into hooves while the static noise faded away into the distance. Rarity stood there like nothing happened as the larger mare twitched her ear gently under a lot of blinking, wondering what just happened. “So, what are you going to do now?” asked Rarity in a serious manner. “R-Run your boutique, my lady,” answered Fleur. But her answer seemed forced. Almost as if it pushed out of her mind so that she had to remember it. ~~~~   “Very, very good… Finish your breakfast, then we shall begin,” spoke Rarity before she moved herself over to the working area. More specifically, to a spare cloak that she could use for future endeavors. Impossible that that actually worked, heh, what’s going to be next? she thought to herself. She couldn't really believe her glance had actually worked. The vampiric unicorn then left the kitchen as a whole and made her way swiftly over to the working area. It would have been there where she would look for something. Something that could replace the thing she had worn for months upon them. Something that she considered an old fashion and needed to have something new. Something rather fresh and unique. A something that matched her even more and was a lot more to her liking. “Ah!” Rarity spoke up as she had found something that was completely to her liking. Instead of another black cloak she had found herself another one. One that was used for a dress design which was already way overdue to begin with and possibly even cancelled. The design was something to keep the mare busy in her free time and her skills sharp as they could be. She pulled the cloak from the main design and allowed it to fall over her own body. The ivory white color got covered in a rather warm and inviting red which felt a lot more comfortable around the body of Rarity. Even though the coloring was different, the effects and functions stayed the same. The vampony placed the hood on herself and only the rims were visible once again as she allowed time to catch up with her. The mare waited for the time to be ripe, she waited for the door to open, and stay open for the first time in literally months. ~~~~                 Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, tok. Echoed through the boutique as both unicorns watched at the clock. “Half past eight, time for the store to open itself, my slave. You know what to do,” said Rarity after she had returned into the kitchen. Fleur only gulped loud in response. She didn't had any idea just what she had to do for she had never worked a day in her life. The larger mare left the kitchen as it was and made her way over to the front door a little nervous. Her magic turned the sign from ‘closed’ to ‘open’ with hesitation, before she just opened the door of the shop. The rising sun shone directly into the gap that was created. Rarity, who was standing right in it, closed her eyes and awaited what would happen. Yet when she realized that she wasn't burning at all, she allowed herself to bath into it. It just showed and revealed how effective the cloak’s fabric was for her. Fleur was the first hoof witness of it all as an outsider. “You will know what to do,” said Rarit under a wink. A wink that was more of which that one iris disappeared for a moment and then returned. “If, if you say so my lady,” replied Fleur even more nervous. “But one thing has to be clear, I will be around here, watching you, and watching you alone. Do not call for me, treat me as a customer or client and use the excuse that I am sick, terrible flu and cold from my evening trot yesterday. I was outside when the storm just erupted and then quickly made my way back here,” demanded Rarity a dead serious voice. After that she just wandered around the shelves and mannequins that stood in the shop itself. Her eyes gazed upon just what she actually had on display, while she waited for the commotion to begin. Waiting to see how Fleur would do it in her spot and she knew there was no way back. Her plan would either be a hit or a terrible miss if even one saw through the lies. ~~~~                 Time didn't had to progress long before the very first ponies entered ever so carefully. They allowed their eyes to gaze upon the - here and there dusty - store that was owned by the unicorn. “Is, is this place truly open again?” one of the ponies asked and Fleur gave a gentle nod in reply. “Unbelievable, this place closed down months ago, I thought she had lost either the will or had gone bankrupt,” a unicorn stallion with a blue coat spoke after he entered the boutique. The mare behind the counter allowed a small chuckle to escape in response to the received words. “Dear sir, the Carousel Boutique is not a one-pony-business anymore but has evolved into a private company,” she replied to him with a faint smile. “Wait, what? You mean that unicorn is still alive!?” he replied while his head turned over to Fleur in a questioning manner. “What sort of witchcraft did she do in all of those months?” “Oh very much yes, except she is having a terrible flu right now, poor thing can not even get out of bed. As for your witchcraft accusation, I suggest that you take a look upon the horn on top of your head. The answer lies within there,” answered Fleur with a gentle tone in her voice. “Hmph, suppose that seems alright, but what about you, Dis Lee was your name right?” In response to those words Fleur gave a nod and he spoke up again. “Just why are you here then, and not in Canterlot?” In reaction to those words was it the red cloaked pony who stopped moving a muscle and perked its ears under the thick fabric. The creature wanted to hear just how Fleur was going to save herself out of the situation. “That is quite the long and boring story, sir. I am quite sure you aren't interested in a tale of sadness on this rather beautiful day, no?” she replied with a smile on her face. It was a smart excuse for the facts were true and she managed to keep a straight face during it all. Straight enough to let the emotions play through but hide the lies. The unicorn stallion huffed deep before he turned himself back around in order to make his departure from the store. “Suppose you have a point there, good day miss Dis Lee. And tell the mare of this house, I send my regard and wish her to be well soon.” He passed the cloaked Rarity and allowed his eyes to fall upon her rather slender behind as even through the fabric were those magnificent lines still clearly visible. Rarity took of course note that he was staring at her because of his steps slowed down or even stopped for a little bit of time. “Eyes straight ahead, loverboy,” she spoke in a changed voice that was more matching a mixture of Rainbow, Twilight and herself. The eyes of the stallion shot open and he continued on his way out under a soft muttering and a deep blush that stood on both of his cheeks. “Tick, tock, goes the clock... how long till one comes with lady’s smock?” was another thing he then could hear coming out the hood of the cloak. The stallion turned himself around with a raised eyebrow and just looked her into the eyes. The more the two made eye contact it became harder for Rarity to keep her fangs hidden in her mouth and they slowly elongated themselves. Yet they never dared to pass her lips. “Excuse me, but what did you just say to me?” the stallion asked got the faint look of remembrance in his eyes. “Nothing but an old nursery rhyme, that is all,” the unicorn replied in the same, but changed tone. The stallion released a deep huff through his mouth while the blush gently faded away. He turned back around and just left the building as a whole, without another word being spoken. ~~~~   The rest of the morning kept going quite easy for both of the mares their liking. Of course there were ponies who kept coming in and out to see what was going on there. Yet the most of them were at their own work which resulted in they both having a couple hours that would be easy for them. The slave of the unicorn tried her hooves on some sewing work. Despite being as nervous as one possibly could be, she took a couple deep breaths as she stood in the working area. Her eyes rested upon a mannequin, a rather simple dress concept drawing and the materials needed. She let her horn coat itself within the purple aura and a piece of fabric, treat and a needed got levitated in the air. Fleur gently allowed her eyes to be closed off of from the world and was about to do her ‘job’. Surprisingly enough did everything went quite well for her feelings. The feeling was quite well placed for she did an amazing job on the piece of fabric. After a couple of minutes had the piece become part of a much bigger whole. It matched the already existing stitches perfect while its placement was amazing. The larger unicorn opened her eyes to witness just what she had created, her head simply couldn't get it that she made such a thing but smiled proudly nonetheless. What was unknown to Fleur though, was the fact that it wasn't her own body that did the movements. It was the lady of the boutique who did it for her. A mistress who never allowed her gaze to drift away from her slave. Through their mental connection gave Rarity many different supplemental directions to Fleur on just what to do when as she obeyed them without even one single question as she thought she was in control of her own body. And since it was such a simple dress, Rarity knew exactly just what had to go where without even looking at the sketch herself. ~~~~   The news of the boutique being open again didn't just stayed to those passing by. No, it spread itself like a raging fire across town. Many wouldn't believe it and went to have a look for themselves, only to have their mouths fall open in amazement for the business running once again. None of the town’s residents could ever have truly believed the facts that the building would be open again after such a long time of mysterious working. It was only around mid-noon that the news came to five ponies who had gathered themselves in a tree library that stood near the middle of Ponyville. Four of them had heard the rumors on their way to towards it and none of them couldn't believe it. They thought of it just being some gossip doing its turnaround them all but the option of it being the truth was rather high. The four of them were invited to join a tea party that was organized by the mulberry coated mare who lived within the tree. Everything was truly sugar and spice and even done by the books. A thing one loved, the other four however, not so much. “Hey Spike, how’s it hanging?” the always so fast Rainbow Dash spoke up. She was the first one who caught the baby dragon coming down the stairs. All the remaining four mares looked up to him as well and he looked back to them. “What can I say? Except still dealing with her and such,” he replied before he joined the party. “You ain't going to be the de-” said Rainbow before she suddenly was cut to a hold. Applejack’s hoof was crammed in her face just to shut her up. “Spike, it’s mighty lovely that ya made it here today,” the cowgirl said with a smile. Rainbow removed the hoof out of her face and she made a couple noises nopony even though she could possibly make. “Blegh, ever heard of soap, AJ? Anyway, what she said.” “Don’t look for a fight with me, partner.” “Quiet you two!” Twilight interrupted before she took a calm sip of her tea. “We have gathered here together, in order to just hang out as friends. Not to bicker like a set of elderly mares. Plenty of time to do that later.” Both Rainbow and Applejack nodded and bumped their hooves together as the good sports they had become to one another. Ever since the Running of the Leaves from some years ago had the two been able to glue each other behind the wallpaper. Yet also to share a good laugh with one another. For that race was not only an eye opener but also changed the way the two mares looked at one another. ~~~~                 The talking continued there were more and more ponies who kept coming in and thus kept crashing right into their tea party that was set up. Out of all the ponies that were present, it was the mulberry mare of the house who eventually lost her patience. She could tolerate a lot but even for her there were things that could go too far. When just another pony walked into the library and literally shouting the news, the remaining four ponies and the dragon all took cover under the table as Twilight’s face began to twitch of rage while she rose up from her chair. The pony who entered gulped loudly before the mare jumped up into the air and her mane and tail erupted in a raging hellfire while her coat turned into a yellow coloring. “Out, now!” she yelled with years of suppressed hate and rage. Her voice almost reached the levels of the royal Canterlot voice which caused the pony to be literally blown out of the door. The enraged unicorn calmed herself down after these happenings but her breathing became heavier and heavier. The rage that was flowing through her mane and tail became carefully slower. One of her friends, Applejack to be exact, was the only one who dared to crawl from under the table and spoke in a friendly yet calming voice. “Twilight, are ya alright?” “Yes, yes I am Applejack,” the unicorn replied. Her mane and tail lost their touch of fire and turned back into their hairy selves while her coat returned into the mulberry state. “Let’s go girls, I want to see it now for myself,” she spoke before she gave off a flick with her tail, sending the last embers out of it. “Especially after so much interruption about it all.” From below the table then appeared Rainbow Dash who flew up to Twilight and nearly tackled her against the ground with a worried look. “Are you insane!?” “From time to time, yes. Now can you get off of me, Rainbow?” replied the librarian in an annoyed tone. The pegasus just did what was asked for she didn't want to meet the flames she could bring up. Her eyes turned over to the table where the two other ponies, a pink earth pony and a light yellow pegasus who wore a light blue shirt over her body, crawled out from. “Any of you two having a problem with this?” The both of them shook their heads. The pink mare spoke her words faster than a rolling train. “Nope, not at all. I love to see Rarity again after all this time! Where do you think she has been working on all that time? Or, or maybe she took a cruise around the world!” “Pinkie,” replied Applejack as she turned herself over to the hyperactive mare. “Ah don’t think Rarity would just go without telling any of us.” “Well, you never know right, I mean, she is known for holding secrets for all of us,” added Fluttershy with a soft voice. She trotted up to the group whereas Pinkie bounced next to her. “Yes, and that secret is that she is a...” But before Rainbow could speak further, she decided to just hold her mouth. With Fluttershy being around, she always had to be careful with her words. Deep in her heart she didn't want to scare the mare much. But in her mind she knew that there was something wrong with Rarity. Ever since that day in the boutique ever so long ago had the thought never stopped as it haunted her like a ghost. “Now then, let’s go girls!” Twilight spoke and with the five of them they were off, off through the streets of Ponyville. Spike waved all of them off. His desires to see her weren't there. He was still in the recovery process and actually being there with her, who knows what would possibly happen. ~~~~                   The mulberry unicorn galloped up front with a determined look in her eyes. She was followed by Rainbow with an unusual nervous glance in her eyes. All while Pinkie bounced happily next to her. Forming the rear guard was a curious Applejack and relieved Fluttershy. Many ponies had to make their way for the galloping five. It weren't going to be them who would change their heading. After a small gallop through the streets came the building of her friend into sight and their pace finally came to a hold. When they arrived they saw the three Cutie Mark Crusaders leaving the building with their capes on and all three of them smiled like the friends they were. Twilight wanted to make a comment to them but then the shouting did its turn. “Cutie Mark Crusaders sightseers!” “Ya’ll think that can harm those three?” Applejack questioned in a worried voice. She witnessed how they just rocketed off like that. It couldn’t have ended well for them. “You never know it with them. But I suppose, they will be fine, I mean, they are responsible. Right? Sweetie is with them,” answered Twilight. Applejack gave a nod to it but the worried look never left her as a whole before the attention turned back to the building. It was Twilight who was the first one to just enter the boutique followed by Pinkie and Fluttershy. Though Rainbow didn't really wanted to go. Yet she was pushed in by Applejack who spoke some muttering under her breath. Words that nopony could hear and was best left that way. “Rarity!?” yelled the librarian out. Though aside from the cloaked pony who was looking at the many designs and shelves, there was nopony in the boutique. Or so they at least thought. Twilight gave an eye to the mysterious mare and thought to be feeling a magical aura that only Rarity could give. But her attention was quickly taken away as she sensed something else. It was after the yelling that Fleur made her appearance before the mares. She swung her hips gracefully from side to side as she spoke softly to them. “Afternoon you all, how may I help you today?” “F-Fleur!?” spoke Rainbow in utter confusion. “Why yes lady Dash, it is me.” “W-Where is Rarity?” asked Applejack. She fixed her hat from having pushed Rainbow in with a surprised gaze in her eyes. She looked over to the fancy unicorn and was more than happy to know the truth of it all. Something wasn’t right though. She felt it in her bones. “Lady Rarity is very ill at the moment, quite honestly, she has been for the past months by now, never leaving even her room. Allow me to correct myself, almost. The flu she has is just terrible and every time she thinks she is over it, it hits her again. Before you ask, yes she did call me to run her store during her absence. I truly live for you all, for I have never ever seen such illness before,” the large unicorn spoke in a lie. She placed her forehooves on the counter after she became silent. The red cloaked pony allowed her ears to twitch at the reply that Fleur gave to her friends. She could totally agree with it before continuing the window shopping. Applejack was the one who gave a couple glares over to the being in red. But then just shook it off in order to follow the conversation between them and Fleur. “Oh no, did the Hoofington Flu got her as well?” questioned Twilight to herself. Even the very naming of the disease cleared up a lot of things in her mind as she turned herself back around. “Then we must be off again, that flu is a terrible one to have for sure. And sorry for the rude interruption.” The unicorn behind the counter just gave them a warm smile while they left the building one by one. But when Rainbow passed the red cloaked pony for the second time, she could hear a deep sigh that left through the nostrils. A sigh that could only be released by one pony. Rainbow wanted to ask the red cloaked pony a question. But the yell of Twilight got in between them. The yell had a sense of urgency to it and the pegasus made her departure quicker than ever. Each of the five mares went their separate ways. The pegasus still held her suspicion about the whole matter as she flew back to her cloud palace. “Something is not right, never has been since that day... Oh Rares, where have you gotten yourself into now?” she questioned herself out loud and high in the skies. Little did everypony knew, just where she had been through all of that time since the final live meeting with the unicorn.