I stood frozen in mid-step; no pony has ever read me that easily before. Even if somepony would read me it would be extremely hard for them to do due to the amount of practice I put in to get everything down right.
“H-How?” I squeaked.
“Come by and see me tomorrow and I’ll tell you then dear.” The seamstress said simply, “Now it is getting late and I’m very sure both of us have a very busy day ahead of us, so I’ll bid you good evening.” The door shut behind Rarity leaving me alone in the cool evening breeze.
I galloped back home to my apartment in a panic, to say I was frightened would be an understatement. On my way back I did my best to make sure I wasn’t seen by anypony, as I galloped back I couldn’t help but wonder how she read me so easily.
Eventually I got back to my apartment, slamming and locking the door as I got through the door I slumped down by the door exhausted and frightened. How was I going to deal with this? There must be something I can do.
“I guess the only thing I can do is see what she wants tomorrow…” I muttered to myself bitterly.
I took a gander at the clock upon the wall, it was 9:30 pm and the setting sun was painting the evening sky outside wonderful shades of red and gold. I got dressed into more casual evening wear nothing much just an oversized button up shirt I was I was fond of, I more or less decided to pass the time reading a romance novel which admittedly was a guilty pleasure of mine.
There was knock on the door snapping me out of my guilty bit of happiness. I ignored it for a moment before a voice spoke up from the other side of the door.
“Hearth Fire, are you in?” The voice asked, a small smile graced my features as I recognised the voice’s owner as I opened the door. Maybe this wouldn’t be such a bad night after all…
Standing in the door way was a handsome cyan coloured pegasus pony stallion; he could melt the heart of any lucky mare with those gorgeous blue eyes of his and that crimson red mane of his made him look so sexy. I kissed my coltfriend and invited him in.
“Silver Wind, you sexy thing am I glad to see you.” I greeted him happily; he smiled back as he asked me how I’ve been. While it isn’t often we get to see each other due to him being a courier, for the most part his job sends him all over Equestria so he would usually gone for a few days so I would see him only for a day or two each week.
“I’ve been fine honey, but I think I’ve been found out…” I told him simply: Silver Wind gave me a concerned look.
“It wasn’t Flash Lance was it?” He asked concerned, I shook my head no which he let out a sigh of relief, “Thank Luna, I know your friends with him Hearth Fire but I wouldn’t trust him with something like this.”
“Yes, I know what his attitude is towards ponies like me but he’s a really good guy.” I replied, Silver Wind just let out a chuckle.
“I know, I know. Anyhow who found you out?” He asked.
“It was the owner of the new boutique in the south end of the market; she said her name was Rarity.” I explained, “She said she wanted to speak to me tomorrow, but…I-I’m worried.” Silver Wind just shrugged.
“Well did she look disgusted with you?” I shook my head no, “Then I guess it wouldn’t do any harm to find out why she wants to see you, now would it?” I looked thoughtful for a moment.
“No I guess it wouldn’t.” I replied.
“Hmm, how about I do something to ease some of that stress honey?” Silver Wind said as he nuzzled my neck.
“O-Oh…T-That does sound good.” I moaned as he led me to the bedroom…
The next morning passed by quickly and Silver Wind left to take care of a few work related errands, so I was stuck with my afternoon classes at college along with Flash Lance and one of his…least liked friends Midnight Gleam, I honestly didn’t know why Flash hung around with her especially with that bitchy attitude of hers.
“Did you hear about that boutique that opened yesterday, I heard the mare running it was some second rate seamstress from Ponyville.” She sneered; I let out a low growl of annoyance at her comment.
“From what I heard she’s supposed to be very talented.” I snapped back, “I would hardly think it’s fair to judge somepony when you haven’t even met them.” Midnight Gleam raised a brow.
“So you’ve actually met her then?” She asked.
“N-No, I have to pass by the store to get home.” I lied, “Considering the size of the crowd the boutique was attracting she must be as good as everypony is saying if she’s attracting a crowd that big, I mean it’s more your thing right so you would know right?” She nodded if looking a little unconvinced with my answer.
“Cool it you two, I don’t want to get into another argument between you again.” Flash Lance warned shuddering at the memory. The rest of the class passed by quickly, I had some coursework to deal with later but I had a week to do it which was plenty of time. Flash Lance asked if I wanted to hang out again with Midnight Gleam but I decline saying I would able to see them for a bit this weekend.
“Makes you wonder what Kindling Spark does with all his free time doesn’t it?” Flash Lance said to Midnight Gleam, she just shrugged.
“Maybe he has a double life we don’t know about?” She joked.
“Really?” Flash Lance laughed at the idea, “All he seems to do is study, I can’t blame him though…”
Once again I found myself alone in my apartment; my coltfriend wouldn’t be back for a few more hours. I decided to get ready and head over to see what Rarity wanted. It was once again a lovely cool summer afternoon which considering how hot it was yesterday, the weather team must of decided to cool things off a bit today. The Carousel Boutique was once again as busy as it was yesterday I let out a small amused giggle at the sight of a small green and purple dragon running around trying to take everyone’s order.
“Would you like a helping hoof?” I offered: The small dragon just gave me a sheepish look and nodded. I helped him take the care of some of the orders for the next two hours.
“So uh…what brings you here?” The dragon, Spike asked. “Not that I don’t mind the help of course.”
“I’m here to speak with Rarity; she said she wanted to speak with me today.” I answered simply: Spike just nodded and ran off to tell her I was here. I was left alone for a moment or two so I once again found myself admiring the dresses, thinking back to Midnight Gleam’s earlier comment I shook my head, that mare wouldn’t know really talent if it hit her square in the face.
“Ah Darling it’s so wonderful you decided to come to see me, I was worried if I scared you last night.” Rarity said kindly.
“Yeah you kind of did, but my coltfriend said it wouldn’t be a bad idea to see what you wanted with me at the very least.” I answered politely, Rarity let out an amused “hmm…”
“Darling if you wouldn’t mind I think it would be best if we continued this conversation in private.” She suggested, “Spike would you please be dear and tend to the customers while I speak with my friend her?” Spike nodded as Rarity led me into a private room upstairs.
Rarity offered me a seat and a cup of tea which I accepted politely, the room around us was full of bits of paper with various dress designs on them, some of the stuff was still packed in boxes but that didn’t matter much to me.
“Now the reason I wanted to speak with you is well…out of curiosity, is why a stallion such as yourself is doing here dressed as you are? If you don’t mind me asking.” Rarity asked.
“…I’m a mare.” I corrected her, “…or at least I want to be one…” I whispered suddenly looking ashamed. “It’s not easy when you don’t match with yourself…” Suddenly Rarity looked at me with an understanding.
“…I see, please forgive my mistake I really didn’t mean to upset you like that, but I simply had to know why you were at my boutique and in that dress you said you made that yourself didn’t you?” I nodded, “Hmm you remind me of a young filly in exactly your situation, her name was Glitter Shell she was such a dear. I think she should be around 19 years old now.”
“I have to ask Rarity, how did you figure me out so quickly?” I had to ask, as it was bugging me to no end. “The amount of practice I put into getting the body language, mannerisms and even getting my voice the right pitch I would imagine I wouldn’t be read so easily.”
“Well if you must know darling, you were putting too much effort into your body language.” Rarity explained, “Oh don’t fret though it is easy enough to miss unless you know what you’re looking for.” I thought about this for a moment it made sense though, a pony like myself wasn’t exactly a common sight around these parts. “Right I guess we should get down to business then, now when I first saw you I asked you where you got that outfit from and you said you designed and made it yourself am I right?” Rarity asked: I just nodded in confirmation. “Now with my boutique open here and the one back in Ponyville I find myself in a somewhat awkward position, I need somepony to help run the store here while I’m back in Ponyville but it can’t be just anypony.”
“So you need someone with some dressmaking experience?” I asked.
“Why yes dear, not only that but also somepony with the talent for it.” Rarity explained, “You could say I’m looking for an apprentice, you would be paid of course for your efforts and I would imagine you want a little more time as yourself if you know what I mean dear.”
“Why are you doing all this for me?” I asked; Rarity just smiled at me warmly.
“Because I have seen first hoof how hard it is for somepony like yourself, that and I want to help.” Rarity explained, “I can even the see the fear of being found out, the frustration that you have to deal with in daily life and most importantly I know very well you can’t look at yourself in the mirror without being disgusted with yourself unless you’re dressed as you are.” Rarity paused for a moment allowing me to take in what she had just said. “Like I said before darling I am very willing to help you in any way I can.”
“Can I think about it for a bit?” I asked dumbfounded, “What your offering is a very generous opportunity.” She smiled.
“Why of course dear take as much time as you need, and don’t you worry yourself darling I won’t say anything.” Rarity said simply, I bid her goodbye and went home to think about what she said. I wonder what Silver Wind would say about all this…