//------------------------------// // Chapter seven- Everything's better when they're a Rarity // Story: Castle in the clouds // by ovineConventionalist //------------------------------// In one of the many spacious rooms of Canterlot castle, two ponies and a dragon ran back and forth sewing, adjusting and misplacing the multitude of garments attached to marequins, draped over chairs and piled high on the sparkling marble floor. Rarity had learned an important lesson that week: nopony can be trusted to know their measurements. She was dishevelled and hysterical. She barked orders at Fluttershy through cracked sobs. Fluttershy complied, making soothing noises all the while. Spike, it turned out, was a competent sewer himself. It was almost as if the act of sewing had been designed for beings with more digits. Weird. Rarity had no time to ponder over this however, She needed all the help she could get. Of course when it comes to creative pursuits, one needs the right kind of help. Ponies who know what they’re doing, but don’t assume that they know best. Pinkies thought process had been deemed too abstract for wearable fashion. Twilight had decided to go against Rarity’s instructions and used an enlargement charm on a dress which had been cut too small. Creative problems are never solved so easily. Enlarged gems looked tacky, the dress became baggy around the chest and too long (the pony had at least managed to measure her height correctly). The thread grew along with the fabric, and damaged the material with holes. Naturally both ponies were banished from Rarity’s studio. **** Twilight and Cadence sat around a small table laden with tea and fancy cakes. Their room was identical to Rarity’s, save for its lack of clutter and it’s serene atmosphere. Pinkie Pie bounced around the room, having eaten six fairy-cakes in one enormous bite. Her hooves made a din on the marble floor, but the noise was easy to ignore while Twilight and Cadence had so much to catch up on. Cadence happily burbled on about what they could do, and the places they should visit during Twilight’s stay. “And how is Shining Armor?” Twilight had been bursting to ask after her brother since she first sat down, but didn’t want to seem like she wasn’t interested in Cadences plans for what they could do together over that week. “Oh he’s… well he has been under a lot of strain recently.” Cadence admitted. “He truly wanted to come down and visit you with me Twilight. Actually a part of me feels quite guilty for having left.” She glanced over her shoulder, as if she might be able to see him, miles away, if only she could look far enough. “But Shining insisted that it would make your week to see at least one of us!” “I think it has!” Pinkie chirped as she continued to bounce around the rotunda. The other two started. Pinkie hadn’t spoken for the duration of their conversation. The squeak of her hooves on the polished floor had stopped registering in their minds, and they had almost forgotten she was in the room. Now though, Cadence cocked her head to the side, observing Pinkie Pie. She had never met anypony with more expertise on love than herself and unless she was very much mistaken, behind a gait of bubbly cheeriness, her friend was hurti… “Cadence!” She snapped back to reality. “Yes, Twilight?” “I said, what has been causing Shining Armor so much trouble?” “Oh.” Cadences voice lowered in volume. “The Crystal Empire has been receiving threats; I don’t know where they’re coming from, or even their nature. It’s all top-secret you see.” “But you’re the princess! Who has been receiving the threats if not you?” “They’ve been going directly to the royal guard. I haven’t even seen them, and Shining says he isn’t allowed to tell me!” Cadence turned her face to the table, she couldn’t help but feel extremely irresponsible leaving her kingdom at this crucial time, but Shining Armor had insisted. Twilight was about to tactlessly press Cadence for more information, but as luck would have it a distraction came in the form of Rarity. Her mane was pristine; her eyes glistened with new life. Nopony would have guessed she was only running on two hours of sleep and countless cups of coffee. “They’re ready!” She announced. Cadence jumped to her hooves. “That’s fantastic!” “Yes, well.” Rarity waved a hoof. “There was never any doubt I would come through.” Twilight and Pinkie exchanged a glance, the memory of Rarity from a few hours ago fresh in their minds. “I have hours before the next fitting.” Rarity continued as Spike and Fluttershy appeared blearily behind her. “Why don’t I treat everypony to lunch? My way of thanks, or… apology.” She looked sheepishly at Twilight and Pinkie. “Woohoo!” Pinkie bounded forward and hugged her friend. “Princess Cadence, won’t you join us?” Rarity enquired “Just ‘Cadence’ is fine. And I wasn’t of any help at all!” “Nonsense, darling!” Rarity smiled sympathetically. Cadence looked tired and frail. It would occur to Rarity, after Twilight confided in her about the threats, that she must look very much like Shining Armor. The connection between the couple was strong and mysterious. Rarity wondered if Cadence’s bond with Shining was so strong that she could physically feel what was happening to him, despite being so far away. That would be so romantic. She thought, and resolved to observe Cadence, as inconspicuously as she could, to find out if her theory was correct. **** Lunch wasn’t particularly eventful. Pinkie managed to astound the entire restaurant by expertly juggling all of their desserts without spilling a morsel. An impressive feat yes, but par for the course where Pinkie Pie was concerned. It had attracted the attention of one of the wedding guests though, who happened to be dining in the same restaurant. Violin Heartstrings was a tall, slender, handsome and good-natured-looking unicorn. His colouring was what Rarity would have described as a ‘faded byzantium’ although any other pony at the table would have considered him ‘dark-lavenderish-purple’. His mane was a very light grey, but his cheery-yet-unwrinkled features betrayed youth. His eyes were a thundery ash colour; dark grey with flecks of white; implying strength despite his slim, unmuscular figure. Rarity suddenly became very flustered as he approached their table. “Hello there, Rarity!” He greeted her in a cheerful Trottingham accent. “Hello, Violin Heartstrings.” Rarity blushed, but kept her composure so her flusteredness went unnoticed. They stood looking at each other for a moment. “Oh! How rude of me!” Rarity came back down to earth. “These are my friends.” She introduced all of them, remembering that Cadence and Twilight both preferred their first names with no formalities, and introducing Pinkie last. Spike sighed inwardly, resenting another pony Rarity would get all hot and bothered over. I’m calling it now. He thought. “Ah yes! Pinkie Pie, you caused quite a stir with your amazing trick!” Heartstrings grinned. Pinkie bowed, and then beamed back at him. “Yes!” Rarity attempted to claim back his attention. “She is quite the performer!” She giggled. “I trust I will be seeing you all at the wedding?” He inquired, he looked around at everypony, his eyes lingering on Pinkie for just a little longer than everyone else. “No, I’m afraid we won’t be there.” Said Twilight. “Perhaps we could meet up again?” Rarity suggested. “Sometime after the wedding?” “We don’t leave until Tuesday.” Twilight added. “And I’m sure we would all love somepony who knows the city as well as yourself, to perhaps show us around?” Rarity fluttered her eyelashes. Spike rolled his eyes, he certainly wasn’t included in that sentiment. “Well I don’t know about that!” Heartstrings laughed good-naturedly. “I live on the outskirts of Canterlot, quite close but I certainly wouldn’t consider myself a city pony. Not by any means.” He bowed his head humbly. “But I would love to take you to lunch, Saturday perhaps?” “Well, that would be lovely.” Said Rarity. “Yippee!” Pinkie leapt over the table. And so it was settled. Five mares left the restaurant to collect Rarity’s outfits for the second fitting. More than one pony had a spring in her step. **** Everything went perfectly. The outfits fit. The ponies were happy and relieved. Violin Heartstrings even complimented her, telling her how amazing he thought it was that she had pulled off such an accomplishment in such a short amount of time. Smiling to herself, Rarity lay back on her luxurious bed-spread, in anticipation of some much deserved rest. She noticed the note she had received a day prior placed on her pillow. She had neglected to read it while working so hard, but now she had time: Dear Rarity, When you wrote to me yesterday you were in some distress. I know you’ve got a lot to do in a short amount of time and I wish I could be there to help but I know you can pull it off even if it seems impossible. I just want you to know that you’re amazing. And that I have every faith you will make those clothes in time, because you’re you, and you can do anything. xoxo Applejack