"Decorations," Spike read off the list as they entered the town hall.
From the ceiling hung banners of differing colors. Some depicted stylized ponies while others held images of flowers or other summer related icons. From the front of the balcony sat a large bouquet of summer flowers. Great lengths of fabric expanded out from the bouquet, following along the banister encircling the upper most floor of the great round room. The pattern was mimicked at the middle floor, but with the flowers put off to the sides slightly more, alternating the rhythm of the decor.
"Beautiful..." Spike said, the words coming out in an almost breathless whisper.
"The decorations do look pretty good," Shining Armor agreed.
"That's one less thing we have to worry about," Twilight stated, "and one step closer to getting to the library."
"Not the decor," Spike said, "her." The young dragon pointed, causing the two unicorns with him to look in that direction.
Standing on the red carpet near a curtained entryway stood a white unicorn mare. Her tail and mane were of a royal purple color, with the mane ending in curls at the tip and tail curling like a delicate corkscrew. With her back turned to the group, it was easy to see the three lozenge cut diamonds adorning her flank. Shifting, her horn glowed a pale blue color as she used her magic to lift and look at various ribbons, discarding one after the other with a simple "no."
"How are my spines?" the dragon asked, patting the side's of his head. "Are they straight?"
"Somepony has a cruuush," Twilight said, her voice taking a musical lilt to it.
"No I don't!" Spike responded automatically, the purple of his face taking on a brighter, redder tone to it.
After letting out a chuckle, Shining Armor left the two as they began to bicker at each other while he walked up to the mare.
"Good afternoon."
"Just a moment please," the mare stated, "I'm 'in the zone' as it were." Several more of the ribbons before she finally stopped.
"Ah, yes." With her magic, she started tying a shining red ribbon around one of the wooden supports. "Shining is always the right choice, is it not? Why Rarity, you are a talent." She turned, fluttering her long lashes above her blue eyes. "Now then, how can I help you-oooh my."
Rarity stopped as she looked at the unicorn stallion standing before her. His coat was a lovely white color. The mane, tail, and hooves were all a deep shade of blue, with a lighter shade streaking through this mane and tail. The mane was short with a slightly unkempt look, although more in an intentional look than sheer laziness. There was also a slight unshorn style to his fetlocks. On his flank was a blue shield with a pink six point burst of magic in the center and three stars above.
"I don't believe I have seen you before," she finally said, taking a step closer. "As I was saying, how may I help such a handsome stallion as yourself."
Shining Armor's own face heated up as he stumbled to try and get a coherent thought out. He was not exactly used to having mares call him handsome. It probably did not help he spent most of his time studying, or with his sister when she was visiting.
"Uh," he finally managed to say, "I... I'm just here to check and see how they decorations are going."
"Well as you can see," Rarity held up a hoof, motioning to the room around her, "they are coming along quite well. So, you are here for The Summer Sun Celebration?" She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yes. I-"
"Then you must have a wonderful outfit to wear for the event. I would love to see it."
"Actually, no. I-"
"WHAT?!" the unicorn mare gasped in horror as if she had been personally insulted. "A handsome young stallion such as yourself is planning to attend a celebration with the princess, and you don't have a proper outfit?"
"Well I-"
"Oh this simply will not do," Rarity stated with a sniff. "Come along, darling."
Before he could register what was happening, Shining Armor found himself being forcefully pushed by Rarity. He found this more and more confusing as it continued. The mare was not using any magic, he could tell that much, but he could not stop her. He was a full grown stallion, and she did not look like a very strong pony to him. In point, she reminded him of porcelain, something so delicate it would break easily. All the same, here she was pushing him without seeming to be strained by the effort. Spike and Twilight quickly followed
Next thing he knew, he was in front of a mirror, be treated like a mannequin. Rarity had him standing there as she placed him in outfit after outfit, often rejecting them as soon as they were on.
"Too military,"
"Too old fashioned."
"Too retro."
"Too formal."
"Too casual."
"Too traditional."
As this was all going on, the pair of adults were watched. Spike watched Rarity closely, taking in every movement of the mare with hearts in his eyes. Twilight watched as her brother was put in outfit after outfit. She could not help but laugh at some of the outfits and how he looked like he was being tortured. As she watched, a thought occurred to her. Maybe she could get Rarity to help her see what Shiny looked like in make-up. Between the two of them, he had to have very little chance of resisting.
"Go on, darling," Rarity said as she wrapped a tape measure around Shining Armor's neck, "you were telling me where you were from." Her horn glowed as she held up a pad of paper and pencil, quickly writing down measurements and notes.
"Well," Shining Armor said, trying not to move as he was measured, "We were sent from Canterlot to-"
"Canterlot?" Rarity squealed excitedly. She then began to speak rapidly. "Oh, I am so envious. The glamour. The sophistication. I have always dreamed of living there. I can't wait to hear all about it." She moved closer to Shining Armor, pressing her neck to his. "We are going to be the best of friends you and I."
"F... Friends?" Shining Armor blinked in surprise and confusion.
"Yes, friends," Rarity repeated. "Well, to start at least. We'll see where things go from there." She a slight wink, smiling at the stallion.
"Excuse me," he said as he pulled away, "but we still have work to finish."
"Oh, of course," Rarity said with a smile. "You go ahead darling and I will see you and your dear friends at a later time. I still have a few things to finish up myself." She gave him a gentle pat before turning and heading out of the main room.
Shining Armor watched her go, trying to figure out what all happened. Once she was out of sight, he started for the door, stopping only to go back and pick up Spike in order to carry him out since he was not moving on his own.