Home is Where the Heart Lies

by The Princess Rarity


Une

Home is Where the Heart Lies

by The Princess Rarity


~ Chapter One ~

"Making my mark in high society!"


Lights, sparkles, beauty and elegance - all wrapped in one. Aside from a fashion show or the big city, where else could one find such perfection? This, of course, was why Rarity completely adored this posh life. Before, it was nothing but her dreams, but now she was living her fantasies, and she couldn't ask for anything more.

She lounged in the VIP section, swirling the champagne in her glass as she carefully eyed the models up on the runway. She watched them, and she couldn't help but have a feeling of pride.

A dazzling smile never left her expression as she watched everypony up on stage. Reveling in the sounds of ponies around her in the crowd softly murmuring to one another, all praises towards the designer who had worked up such intricate and unique designs that were practically perfect in any and every way possible.

This designer everypony was talking about just so happened to be her.

Oh, how Rarity loved that feeling.

Even if she wasn't literally in the spotlight, she certainly felt that way - and that was basically all she needed to be satisfied with her career.

"And this last ensemble is sold, to the pony in the front row, for two thousand bits!" the auctioneer called out, which summoned the audience to applaud as the models on the runway bowed, closing the show.

Rarity beamed. She had a feeling that her newest Summer line would take off, and she was thanking her lucky stars that it did. Absolutely adoring the feeling of everypony in this high-class society approving of her, Rarity couldn't help but shoot a radiant grin of joy to all who looked to her in awe at how such a young and new designer could make something so original, so fresh and oh-so-inspiring.

The minute that the show concluded, everypony was on their hooves, conversing amongst one another and walking around, enjoying the fashion auction's rich qualities and practically gushing over all of the designs that had been viewed over the past few hours.

This was the life.

Practically sashaying her way throughout the crowd, Rarity soon found herself in the midst of a conversation near the gardens of the convention center between two new designers and a few of the models, the lot of them talking and laughing about how last season's designs were so unbelievably tacky compared to this year's sweet sophistication and grace.

"Honestly, them Spring hats, don't get me started, y'know?" one of the models spat out in her thick Manehatten accent. "I mean, forget about it! It was like wearin' a dead fish on my head!"

The group shared a laugh, and Rarity nudged the model. "Just be grateful you were the one caught wearing it, and not the pony who designed it," she murmured, causing the others to continue with their laughter.

One of the designers then spoke up, practically glowing as she turned to Rarity.

"By the way, I just wanted to say, I am in love with every one of your lines!" she gushed. "You inspire me - like, I'm not even kidding."

The other fashionista looked as if she was straight out of high school; lanky and a bit off-course (she even had braces), but she still pulled off the ensemble she wore and claimed to have made herself.

For a minute, Rarity almost wished she was that bold at that age as she nodded to her fellow fashion-forward pony. "Thank you very much, dear," she replied. "It's good to know that other generations are appreciating my work."

The young mare waved her hoof as if it were nothing, and her companion opened his mouth to speak, only before the conversation was briefly interrupted by a voice that Rarity considered to be very familiar.

"My, my, my, Rarity, it seems that you're awfully busy, as always," somepony kindly declared, with a bit of a teasing tone.

Upon hearing her name, Rarity turned around. She smiled wide as she noticed who had showed up. "Why, Fancy Pants, I didn't expect to see you here," she replied.

Returning the smile to her, Fancy Pants nodded. "Well, you are a colleague of mine, my dear," he countered. "And I would hate to miss anything you have in store. You never cease to amaze us all."

"Flatterer," she playfully shot back with a chuckle.

He too released a bit of a laugh and adjusted his monocle as he looked to the group she was conversing with. "I'd hate to tear Miss Rarity away from you lot, but I have some business to talk to her about, if that's alright with everypony," he offered.

The group nodded in an understanding manner and paraded off, looking for other high-class citizens of Canterlot to hobnob with.

"Now, business?" Rarity questioned, raising an eyebrow curiously as she looked to the stallion before her. "Color me intrigued."

Fancy Pants kept his gaze on her and gestured back to the hall. "Walk with me," he responded as he led the both of them inside, avoiding all of the other fashionistas and designers. "As you know, I don't have an eye for fashion like the rest of the ponies here do; I only associate myself with the business because of my dear wife."

"Yes, Fleur has told me many times about your fashion fails. She even said one time, you almost walked out of the house wearing a fez and bowtie," Rarity laughed.

"Well, I thought it looked good," he said with a smile and a half-hearted shrug. "Anyhow, I've teamed up with Hoity Toity regarding his business, and he requested something fresh for the Summertime. He says he's tired of putting fashion lines where they don't belong, and what with how much this season's line is booming, he'd hate to see it flop."

Rarity pursed her lips, taking in every word as she paid attention to his statement.

"Go on," she mused.

"So, he has requested that this year's Summer Spectacular Fashion Show be held somewhere as sweet and simple as the line," Fancy Pants continued as they found their way over by the lounge, where soft classical music was being played by top musicians.

The passing bartender offered the pair a glass of sparkling wine, which they both accepted and continued their conversation.

"To sum it up, there's an upcoming fashion show, and apparently, I was chosen as the messenger to tell you that you have been selected for the host," he said simply.

Rarity's expression lit up, and she let out a breathless laugh of disbelief.

Her own fashion show to host?

She had done that before, for small things to promote her work back when her career was just starting, but now that she was somepony, this really meant something! And for a well-known company too, at that! It was yet again another dream come true in her already lavish life.

"I'm honored!" she squealed with excitement, which caused her to clear her throat and recompose herself. "I mean-" She gave a kind smile. "Thank you. I certainly won't disappoint. Might I ask where the show is to be held?"

Fancy Pants tapped his chin and raised an eyebrow as he thought. "If I'm not mistaken, you're from Ponyville, aren't you?" he pondered.

Rarity suddenly froze for a moment, feeling as if the whole room had gone blank, and she was totally alone. She downed the wine in her glass, and blinked slowly, thinking hard for a few seconds. Ponyville. Now that was a name she hadn't bothered to remember in a long time…

...and she felt shameful for forgetting.

"Yes," she murmured, now finally falling back into reality. "I am."

"Wonderful!" Fancy Pants replied. "So you're familiar with the area-"

"-that's where the celebration is being held?" Rarity interrupted.

He nodded. "It's such a quaint little town, is it not? I've visited a few times, and I have to say, it is indeed the perfect place to promote this season's fashions. So, all you need to know is that the show takes place a day before the Summer Sun Celebration, and-"

Rarity began tuning him out after those words.

The Summer Sun Celebration.

That was the day she made friends for life... and yet now, here she was. Successful, famous, rich, and - alone. She had forgotten about them.

Oh, she was such a fool.

She levitated another glass of wine from a tray one of the workers was carrying and she took a swig of it, still attempting to stay ladylike while having a crisis with herself inside her mind.

"Rarity?"

"I'm fine," she choked out, clearing her throat and taking a deep breath as she turned to Fancy Pants. "So Ponyville, the Summer Sun Celebration and-?"

Taking note that she had lost a few of the details, the stallion gave a curt nod and a small half-smile. "I'll send the paperwork to one of your shops," he said in his kind manner.

With a smile that felt forced, Rarity bowed slightly. "It's appreciated," she muttered.

And with that, Fancy Pants gave Rarity a nod and bid her goodbye, leaving the mare alone with her still-racing thoughts.

A fashion show, in Ponyville, and she was going to be hosting it.

She wasn't sure if she should be delighted or frightened.