Fleur wiped her eyes and got to her feet. Fancy was snoring, his mane splayed out crazily over the pillows. Smiling, Fleur walked into the bathroom and splashed some water onto her face, before applying all her lotions and cleansers and makeup that kept her in the modeling business. After a final layer of eyeshadow, she left the mansion and directed her chauffeur to the photo studio. As the limousine rolled smoothly along the cobbled streets of Canterlot, she rolled down her window to take in the ambiance. The smell of croissants and bagels drifted in, swirling through the vehicle and warming Fleur to the bone. White noise surrounded her as she looked out at the ponies in the markets. She saw a green pegasus shaking her head at a purple unicorn, and two earth ponies, one magenta, one yellow, trading bits. The sun was almost clear of the horizon, a medley of pinks, yellows, and blues all smudged together to form the rosy glow. Fleur exhaled at the sight. It helped her to forget all the hustle and bustle that usually surrounded her life. Rolling up the window as her mane became to flick and tangle in the breeze, she rested her hooves at her sides, running them up and down the seams of her seat. Her soft hooves rolled up and over the smooth fabric, feeling the precise stitches that held it all together. Absentmindedly she picked at the thread, even using her magic to tug at it. Right before it gave, she caught herself. With the familiar pinprick sensation that came with picking up tiny objects, she looped the thread back through. It was fixed, but Fleur could still see the frayed ends of the string, and the cloth was looser than it had been before. And, despite her best efforts, it would never be good as new.
---
Rarity pored over her newest creation, a streamlined jumpsuit meant to be an athlete's (expensive) all-purpose gear. This particular one happened to be a darkish green, but Rarity had added some lime green zigzags around the collar and forelegs. In an effort to help Fleur regain her reputation, she had made sure that everything was completely and utterly covered. It was a fairly simple design, with minimal decoration. In Rarity's opinion, it would match perfectly with the simple-minded athletes the creation was intended for. Her friend Rainbow Dash attested to that. As boutique owner zipped around her brainchild, and loud knock burst from the door, followed by a bang as Streak let himself in.
"Bonjour, Miss Rarity," he said as he bowed and planted a gentle kiss on her forehoof.
"Oh, Mister Streak! I didn't know you spoke Prench!"
"I devoted a few years of my life to learning the language of love, but alas have yet to put it to good use." Truly, the only words he knew were 'bonjour' and 'croissants', which meant 'hello' and, well, 'croissant', respectively.
"Hmm, I see." Rarity pursed her lips, her eyebrows furrowed. "You know, I'd expect a stallion of your social status to know better than to barge into a lady's abode."
"Ah, well, you must understand, there is a matter of utmost urgency." Rarity couldn't see how one could have a matter of utmost urgency and yet find the time to kiss the other's hoof and give them detailed and conversational analysis of their background.
"Yes?" she said.
"Uh, I just came to, um, remind you that you have be down at the photo studio in..." He glanced up at the clock. "Thirty minutes!"
Rarity gazed blankly back at Streak. "Yes, I know." She rolled her eyes, turning around swiftly to resume her work. Her tail made an arc in the air as she looked back, about to dismiss the photographer.
FLASH!
She blinked and managed to catch a dark gray blur speeding out the door.
"Hmph."
At the end of the hallway, Streak snickered as he galloped away.
---
Rarity looked on as Streak bustled about, placing plastic cubes for Fleur to place a hoof on. She did so, striking a valiant pose. Assured that all was as he wanted it, he switched the fan on and sprinted back to his camera. A series of flashes followed.
"Perfect Fleur, oh, I like that smile! Keep it up, darling!"
Rarity ran her tongue over her teeth. She supposed now was the best time to find a copy of Playcolt. Mumbling an excuse to no one in particular, she slipped out the door and raced down the stairs. She pulled her hood over her head, took a deep breath, and cantered out into the busy roads. It had rained not an hour earlier, and the ground was still damp with the precipitation. The clouds overhead still dripped water every now and then, and Rarity was grateful for her cloak. She hurried over to her destination, purchased a Playcolt and a Mare's Life, and tucked the former inside the latter. Now, to the casual observer, she was just skimming over the April edition of Mare's Life. As Rarity examined the cover of the hidden magazine she was shocked to see Fleur on the front page.
"Oh dear..."