//------------------------------// // 22 // Story: Twilights Mane Passion // by Darkonshadows //------------------------------// Tress felt like a deer being shined on by flashlights, she knew she forgot something in bringing up her importance and Twilight not knowing she once worked with Fleur was one of them. It was her secret to keep so she was sure Twilight wouldn’t be too harsh with her. “Tress I’m… well actually that explains a lot. I did kind of calculate your earnings and savings to be in the range of several types of jobs that could earn you money like that. I forgive you Tress.” After saying this Twilight gave Tress a great a big hug, though the other pony looked confused. “I take it that by the fact that Rarity said ‘were’ means you quit that to come live here with me. You had a well paying exclusive job and you just gave it up. You also didn’t tell me about it because I might have asked to meet Fleur or something like that and then things might have spiraled out of control. With me being her fan and all. Still though, how did you meet Fleur and get a job with her? You must really value our friendship and that job must have meant very little to you.” “Forgive me for… you… I… wow when you put it all like that, it seems I truly don’t care what kind of job I have as long as I’m at my best friends’ side. I was even willing to sit on a hot stone ledge getting stared down by five dangerous maws full of teeth for minimal pay no less. It’s good honest hard work though and you wouldn’t choose a morally bad job for us to do.” She still felt pretty bad about it, but Tress was glad that at least Twilight understood immediately and had already somewhat guessed what kind of job she had when they were in Canterlot. “It would have been boring if you weren’t around and I’m pretty sure your parents wouldn’t have disowned me for staying with them. We really should write them and describe that hydra in great detail. I’m sure they're just happy that I’m making sure their daughter eats something once in a while that didn’t come to life.” “Still though, how did you land a job with Fleur? She’d probably only work with a pony that… you befriended her didn’t you?” Well that was the easiest explanation to Twilight, Fleur is a pony who didn’t like others trying to change who she was and Tress wouldn’t have tried that at all. In fact Fleur would have welcomed a pony who treated her like she wanted to be treated, even if she was a pony with a gloriously nice mane. “Better questions, when and where did you meet?” “What is all this I hear in chatter, is there something the matter? The end result of the potion formula I have almost managed to make, though some testing it still may take.” Zecora walked in and stopped to stare at Rarity who was looking perplexed by the zebra that walked into the room. “Is that a new guest in your house I see? For I have done you a favor after the rough times and have made some tea. It looks like the need to make extra is in store, for I see another pony coming through the door.” “I would like that very much.” A battered and bruised Fluttershy closed the door behind her after entering with a slow limp. “Fluttershy are you okay? Who did this to you?!” It wasn’t only Tress that asked something like this, but she was the loudest to vocalize her distress. Fluttershy smiled sweetly at Tress. Fluttershy’s answer was to simply unfold her right wing and hold out what looked like a mummified white rabbit in it. Her wing stayed lightly wrapped around its body. “It’s okay Tress; it doesn’t really hurt… ow… that much. I just had some problems with stopping the animals from ruining Ponyville’s crops. This little angel had a tree fall on him and I might have gotten a little roughed up trying to help him and while stopping the other animals from causing any more problems.” The shy mare noticed her purple pony friend immediately slap a hat on her head that had a red cross on it and Fluttershy sighed. Twilight wasn’t going to let this go until she got a look for herself. “Come on Fluttershy let’s get you cleaned up. How’s the rabbit holding up and why did you come here?” Fluttershy was led out of the room by Twilight, who had quickly forgotten about Fleur in lieu of a more pressing concern. “My word, that poor dear looks to be having a much worse day then you were.” Rarity saw the protective look on Tress’s face and decided to stay quiet about any suggestions that came to mind, they were either just dress ideas or possibly a trip to the spa. She was still apparently in hot water with Tress. “That’s a friend of ours who came to Ponyville with us; we knew her dream job was rather dangerous. At least we didn’t call her in for finding your cat. She may have gotten it worse than us today, but she certainly wasn’t in nearly as much danger as we were.” She knew she couldn’t protect Fluttershy from everything, even then Tress still felt bad that her friend was injured like that. No pony could be everywhere at once. Sitting down to tea was a nice calming affair; Zecora went and brewed extra for everyone while Twilight was busy looking over Fluttershy. Fluttershy only had a sprained hoof, a few light cuts and plenty of swollen bruises across her entire body. The rabbit was doing much worse than Fluttershy was, it was a surprise that it was still alive and that Fluttershy managed to save it. “Is there another reason other than apologizing to someone you think is a celebrity that you’re even still here? Because I’m not a famous celebrity Rarity, I just worked with the nicest one I’ve ever met. She’s just a pony like the rest of us, so drop the pedestal bit already.” Taking a sip of tea, Tress gave Rarity a sharp look. “Because I truly doubt you’re still here for business and even need the help of the Trouble Takers.” “I just wanted to come ask you a few things about Canterlot. What the city is like and how glamorous it is. Maybe also learn something about the ponies I insulted with my poor tact along the way.” Well Rarity hoped she could learn something from this. She may have caused even more trouble by coming to the Trouble Takers home. How could a pony as glamorous as Tress currently appeared to be just walk away from all that and such a city as Canterlot? That wasn’t the only thing, how could she be okay with getting covered in dirt and grime for less money then she made while in Canterlot? What Rarity failed to understand was that Tress cared about having friends more than having a job or a well paying business. If she had just taken a step back and saw what Tress had left behind, then she would probably make the same decisions. “Well… Canterlot is not as glamorous as it appears to be. Not saying the city isn’t beautiful. It’s just that some of the ponies that live there and the situations I got into growing up can really create a colorful opinion of it all. I didn’t have the best childhood.” One of those situations led to her having a best friend, so Twilight wasn’t that put off by growing up in a mostly friendless place. “Yeah, if you can get over the noble unicorns thinking less of others they think beneath them, when food comes to life and starts attacking you, every pony trying to change who you are to fit their world views, weird magical problems happening around every corner, having cockatrices randomly appear in your toilets and your house suddenly becoming haunted by ghosts. Well then Canterlot certainly is a shining example of a life that every single pony in the world can lead.” Tress’s view on things was definitely colored, she had seen some weird things there and she was one of the weirdest things to happen to Twilight. “I still think the demonic fruitcake last Hearths Warming was something I’d rather not relive.” Rarity looked aghast at both of them; she thought Canterlot would have more stories of wonder, not what sounded like a three ring circus. Also ghosts existed, she’d find it hard to believe if Twilight and Fluttershy weren’t vouching for Tress’s story. They even had a group picture with a smiling benign poltergeist no less. “I grew up in a really weird neighborhood. I think there was even an alicorn as a babysitter in the area, but yes Canterlot is just like any other place. It all really depends on where and how you look at things. You wouldn’t believe it, but Fluttershy lived there and was homeless for three years before my parents took her in during the most of the last two years. She’s seen more things on the streets then even I possibly have. Speaking of, how are you feeling Fluttershy?” The ponies turned to the shy mare fussing over the injured rabbit, Twilight felt sad about the injuries her and the rabbit incurred. Rarity thought Fluttershy could become a supermodel as well, she looked better when she hasn’t been roughed up by a lot of apparently small animals. She however was doing what she loved and Rarity could start understanding why these ponies and zebra were happy. Fluttershy looked so caring, it kind of melted Rarity’s heart how adorable the darling pegasus was. “I’m okay I think, something a nice little nap would help. I just hope I can nurse him back to health.” Every pony and the one zebra blushed as Fluttershy’s adorability shot through the roof as she nuzzled the rabbit causing its nose to wiggle as it stirred in its slumber. “Our friend Fluttershy is quite the sweet sight; it feels like my heart will explode or that it very well might.” The shy mare had quite the charm about her and Zecora wasn’t the only one that had that thought. “Well I guess not everything that shines is beautiful and can even be gaudy. I do someday dream of being the best fashion designer in the world. If not that, then I just want to be a really good one.” After a moment of silence, Rarity blushed at the stares she was receiving. She had just told them her dreams without a second thought. “I’ve somewhat been in your place before, all business and with no social life or fun makes for a dull and lonely pony Rarity. It seems you have a problem earning friends Rarity and if you don’t mind Twilight, I’ll take on this trouble for free.” Tress nodded to Twilight, Twilight nodded back with a smile in understanding. “Hello my name is Tress Ravel and I would like to get to know you. Is making clothing your special talent? I’m really good at making body wash, shampoo and some other beauty products. Personally I’m not really interested in dresses, but I might be willing to give at least one dress a try.” “Well no, my special talent came about in a weird way. My horn kind of went crazy and dragged me across hills, grassy plains and over plenty of places until I stopped at a big… ugly… rock...” Rarity looked down at her tea, thinking on how Tress finally introduced herself formally. Why did her tone change so suddenly? Why was Tress not being as hostile to her anymore? The rock her horn had dragged her to had looked ugly on the outside, but on the inside however… it was filled with beauty. A slight spark happened inside Rarity’s mind. Maybe, maybe coming here to apologize was just the first step to something better. “That rock wasn’t truly ugly now that I think of it; it was just sitting there on a cliffs edge. It was actually quite beautiful on the inside when exploding rainbow wave caused it to crack open; it had so many gems and jewels. My special talent is finding the beauty in things, that and I have a powerful gem finding spell that helps me locate gems in the ground. It’s what dragged me all the way out there to that rock in the first place.” Slowly a look of understanding passed Rarity’s face. “Hello my name is Rarity, I’m glad to make your acquaintance. I happen to like dresses and while I’m sad that you don’t have as much an interest in them, I do have an interest in what kind of shampoo’s you make. Your mane is quite beautiful if I must say so.” “Good, now try not to get too ahead of yourself and you’ll find yourself being drawn into our growing group of friends.” Tress plastered a mirth filled smile on her face. “Maybe we can even get you dirty once in a while.” “Yes, we’ll certainly have to see about that.” Rarity agreed immediately, looking to all the ponies and zebra at the table. A smile spread onto her face; however a frown came to her face when she noticed Fluttershy and Twilight looking at her strangely. “Did you earn your cutie mark because of the exploding rainbow wave?” Fluttershy felt a bit mystified at the revelation, Twilight was thinking the same thing she probably was. Rainbow Dash’s name was brought up again and a conversation started, Rarity soon found a best friend in Fluttershy.