//------------------------------// // My Little Pick Up Artists: Part 2 The Boutique // Story: The Pie of my Eye // by Azure_Shadow //------------------------------// Rarity was concentrating intensely as she fixed the hem of a dress carefully. When she finished, she let out a long sigh as she admired her handiwork. Several dresses were placed on mannequins around the room, each one she had worked on and finished herself. Dances were often a big source if business for the boutique, girls from the school practically dumping their dresses on Rarity's lap as she tried to perfect a stunning dress of her own. But this time it wasn't so bad. With the Fall Formal only a few months ago, most girls either opted to save their money and go with the dresses they used then, or have Rarity make minor adjustments with them. As Rarity finished with the last dress, she heard a sound coming from the front room of the store. Ringalingaling The sound of the doorbell was followed by a quiet voice. "Umm...Rarity?" "I'm in the back darling, I'll be right with you!" Rarity called out to her friend. Fluttershy always had a knack for impeccable timing, as she would always come to Rarity whenever she needed help, or right when she was done with something. But now, it was time for Rarity to help her friend with something challenging for the pink haired animal lover; talking to boys. Rarity let out a sigh, Fluttershy was shy enough just having a boy speak to her, let alone holding a conversation with one. If a boy ever came up to their group of friends, she'd either keep quiet the whole time or hide behind one of them. And now she had that same girl trying to go to a dance by doing the exact opposite of what she's been doing for her whole life. Rarity, you have your work cut out for you. she thought to herself as she picked up a notepad, a pen, and her copy of last year's yearbook on a nearby table before entering the front room of the boutique. Fluttershy had her back to where Rarity was, and it appeared that she was eyeing up a row of dresses varying in design that were all created by Rarity. "See anything you like darling?" Rarity asked as she approached her friend. Fluttershy quickly turned around to face her. "Umm....no....I-I mean I was just looking...your dresses are wonderful Rarity, but I already have a nice dress you made for me." Fluttershy stammered. This caused Rarity to chuckle. "It's alright Fluttershy darling, I know what you mean. And don't be so shy about looking at dresses, especially ones created by moi, they were created to draw the eye." Rarity assured her. "But you're not here to gawk at dresses are you dear? I believe we have some business to attend to?" "Oh yes! So um..what did you have in mind?" Fluttershy asked. Even though she was speaking in her usual quiet manner, one could sense a slight giddiness in her voice as she spoke. Rarity motioned for Fluttershy to follow her to a circular white table in the window of the store where she set her materials down. The two then took their seats at opposite ends of the small table. "Alright darling, what I have planned for you is quite simple really. Using my impeccable knowledge of the student body and my resources with online networking, We're going to find your ideal date to the dance!" Rarity explained. "Ok, how are we going to do that?" Fluttershy questioned. " Well first, your going to tell me what you're looking for in a young man. Then I'll cross reference your requirements with what I know of the boys in school and from what I get about them on the web. Sound good Darling?" "That sounds great Rarity! Can you really do that?" Fluttershy asked with slight disbelief. "Why of course I can! Now I don't mean to blow my own horn Fluttershy, but I like to think of myself as quite the tech-save." Rarity said proudly. " As a matter of fact, the boutique has made most of its money as of late from the online store I designed. not only that, but I also have accounts on five different social networking sites that I update regularly, and my own fashion blog! With all that being said, there's no doubt in my mind I can find you a date my dear!" she said as she picked up a pen she kept attached to the rings of the notepad. "Now darling, answer me this question; Who is Fluttershy's dream guy!?" Fluttershy put her finger to her lip as she mulled over the requirements for her date. "Um.....well, I guess I don't really need much. He needs to be nice, that's a given of course. Oh! And he needs to LOVE animals, that's important too. Hmm.......being sensitive, that's a big one. Umm....what else is there? Needs to be kind.......love animals......sensitive." "OOH OOH OOH! He needs to have a super sense of humor!" said a voice suddenly jutting into Fluttershy's right ear. " Oh, a sense of humor would be nice, that's a great ideyeEEP!!" Fluttershy yelled out as she turned to her right to see her friend Pinkie Pie's face was close enough to her own so that their noses touched. She was so shocked by her friend's sudden appearance that she fell out of the chair she was sitting on. "Oops, sorry Flutters! I forgot you don't really like surprises, are you ok?" Pinkie asked as she picked her friend up off of the floor. " Um..I think so. W-Wait Pinkie, what are you doing here? And how did you get in here without us hearing you?" Asked a bewildered Fluttershy. " I travel in a space between spaces" Pinkie said as she turned to face Rarity. " Anyways, There's.........kinda something I need to talk to you about Rarity." " Alright Pinkie, but can it wait? I was helping Fluttershy plan who she was going to ask to the dance before you so rudely interrupted us." said Rarity without so much as batting an eye. "Rarity, how are you always so calm when Pinkie just....appears, or does something out of the ordinary?" questioned Fluttershy. " Fluttershy darling, when you've been friends with our dear Pinkamena for as long as I have, you start to build up an immunity to certain things that Pinkie does. I believe I'm at the point that nothing that Pinkie could ever do would surprise me." Rarity said as she nodded confidently. "I doubt it. " Did you say something Pinkie?" " No No No! I didn't say anything! Nothing at all." Pinkie said as she gave Rarity the most sheepishly cheeky grin in all of existence. Rarity stared at Pinkie for a few moments before turning back to Fluttershy. "Alrighty then.....so Fluttershy, is there anything else you're looking for in a guy? We have kind, loves animals, sensitive, and a sense of humor. Anything you'd care to add to the list? Any physical requirements? Tall, short, skinny, cute butt, dark skinned, light skinned, long hair, short hair, anything?" " Umm..... Not really, it's not really important what they look like. I believe it's what's on the inside that counts, not what's on the outside." "Aww, that's a wonderful thought Fluttershy! Well if this is all, I'll just take the requirements you gave me and work my magic!" Rarity said as she got out of her chair and walked towards her laptop which was laying on top of a counter a few feet away. " R-Rarity wait! P-please?" Rarity stopped walking as she turned her head to face Fluttershy. "Um,...well, the thing is...... If you need something to maybe help make the list a bit easier to create, I wouldn't mind meeting a guy who has.....a bit of muscle. Oh my, listen to me! On second thought, don't add that to the list. It's fine as it is, I don't need a guy who has a tough.....manly physique." Fluttershy stammered as her light yellow cheeks started to turn bright pink. Rarity couldn't help but giggle at the sight of this. " Nonsense darling, muscles are also on the inside. And that will very likely help with thinning out the number of boys for you. Although, I didn't take you for the one who likes big tough guys." Rarity stated as Fluttershy's blush went a shade darker. " Well, I've always.....appreciated the idea of having someone strong who'd be there to protect me.....and hold me with their big strong arms." Fluttershy explained as she gave her friends an uneasy grin. " Darling, haven't we all?" Rarity asked as she continued over to her laptop and opened and booted it up. "Well I believe I'll be able to create a list of perfect matches to you Fluttershy, all it will take is a bit of time, is it alright if I get back to you with it as soon as I can?" " Oh of course! you're being such a big help to me Rarity, please take all the time you need." Fluttershy assured her. "Excellent, I shall get this to you as soon as possible Fluttershy, you can count on me! I'll start on it later tonight, but as for now, Pinkie, what was it that you needed to talk to me about?" Pinkie was occupying herself by playing on a pink handheld devise with two screens, completely enveloped in the game she was playing. "C'mon, C'mon you little pile of fluff! Just stay in the little red and white ball so I can keep you!" she angrily shouted at the screen. "Yes, yes, one.....two......DANG IT! It broke free!" "Pinkie?" " Alright, I put it to sleep, now I just gotta throw the ball and......one......DARN IT!" Pinkie shouted as she stomped her foot in frustration. "How can it break free when it's asleep!? That makes as much sense as bacon flavored ice cream!" "Pinkie" Rarity said again, this time with annoyance. " Okay, I'm almost out of balls, why didn't I stock up!? GGGRRRRHHH One.....two.....three!" "PINKIE!" said Rarity sternly as she pushed the top part of the handheld closed, putting the game in sleep mode. This caused Pinkie to look up at her in great annoyance. " Heeeeyyyy! I was trying to catch a shiny!" She said in a whiny tone. " Pinkie, what was it that you needed to talk to me about?" Rarity repeated. " Huh? Oh yeah, right!" Pinkie said as she put her device in the confines of her poofy pink hair for storage. "Well.....the thing is Rares, I.....kinda need a new dress for the dance." She said with a sheepish grin. " A dress for the dance? Why of course I can help you get a new dress for the dance Pinkie, but I thought you said you were going to use the one you chose for the Fall Formal?" " That's just it...I can't really use that dress for the dance anymore." Pinkie stated with a nervous chuckle " Why ever not? Is there something wrong with it?" Rarity inquired. " Yeah, there.....kinda is." said Pinkie as she reached into her hair and dug around it for a few seconds before pulling out the dress in question and holding it up in front of Rarity. The dress as far as Rarity could tell, was the same as it was during the Fall Formal. The yellow bow looked fine, the dark pink and purple skirt didn't appear to be ripped or torn, Rarity didn't see anything wrong with it. "Darling, it looks fine to me. I don't understand why you seem so nervous about it." " Well, it's more because of the other side." Pinkie said as she turned the dress so that Rarity could see the back. After taking one look at the back, Rarity's look of confusion was immediately replaced with a look of sheer horror. The back of the dress was severely burned, with the entirety of it being varying shades of black, charcoal, and grey with burn holes in several places all over it. Rarity stared at it in silent disbelief as her mouth started to open wider and wider as her hands reached up to clutch her face. Fluttershy saw this and grimaced as she quickly opened her book bag that she set on the floor besides her chair and pulled out two bunnies that were inside of it, which she used to cover her ears. " Pinkie! Cover your ears quickly!" Fluttershy tried yelling as loud as she could. " Wh?" Pinkie asked as she looked over at the pink haired animal lover who was covering her ears with bunnies. She then looked back at Rarity, who took a deep breath. "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" Rarity shrieked at a volume that would make a banshee hold her head in shame. Fluttershy and the bunnies all closed their eyes as they cringed at the sound of the fashion designer's ear piercing agony. Unfortionatily for Pinkie, she took the blunt of Rarity' sonic screech and grimaced in pain as she feutily covered her ears to save her ear drums. Rarity continued to shriek for a few minutes until she slowly ran out of breath. After a few seconds of silence, Fluttershy gingerly opened one of her eyes to see Rarity was taking deep breaths, and that Pinkie was kneeling on the floor; still clutching her ears. "P-Pinkie! Are you alright!?" asked Fluttershy as she put the bunnies on the floor and ran over to Pinkie, who was speechless. "Pinkie! Does something hurt? Can you hear me?" She asked in an extremely worried voice as she put her hand on Pinkie's shoulder. It seemed she took notice of this as she looked up at Fluttershy. " HUH? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING FLUTTERS?" Pinkie shouted in Fluttershy's face. " I said, are you alright?" Fluttershy said in a voice that was barley louder than before. " AM I A KNIGHT? THAT'S A REALLY WEIRD QUESTION! OF COURSE IM NOT A KNIGHT SILLY!" Pinkie replied in confusion. " Oh my, Rarity, I think you blew out Pinkie's eardrums." Fluttershy assessed. "Huff...r-really? I did? Hah...Oh dear, I'm dreadfully sorry Pinkie, I honestly wasn't expecting to see such a travesty today. Huff May I ask what happened to the dress darling?" "WHAT?" Pinkie asked in confusion. Rarity responded to this by grabbing the dress and pointing to the charred back. " OH, THE DRESS? YEAH, FUNNY STORY! I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SQUEAKY CLEAN FOR THE DANCE, SO I PUT IT IN THE WASHER, THEN I PUT IT IN THE DRYER WHICH WAS APPARENTLY A REALLY BIG MISTAKE, BECAUSE MRS.CAKE TOLD ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE DRYER FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS BUSTED. I RUSHED BACK TO THE DRYER, WHICH WAS MAKING A BUNCH OF BOOM BOOM CLANK CLANK BANG BANG SOUNDS, AND WHEN I OPENED IT UP, A BUNCH OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF IT AND THE DRESS WAS BURNED SUPER BAD! I'M REALLY SORRY RARES!" Pinkie yelled out as she gave her friend the puppy dog eyes. Rarity mulled over Pinkie's explanation for a few seconds before speaking again. " sigh...Well at least you came to me for help instead of wearing a half baked dress to the dance, no pun intended. And while it pains me to see such a wonderful dress of my own design cut down in its prime, I'm glad you decided to tell me about what happened." she said as she helped Pinkie to her feet while giving her a warm smile. " WAIT, SO YOU FORGIVE ME?" Pinkie asked to which Rarity nodded. "AWW, THANKS RARES! YOU'RE A GREAT FRIEND!" Pinkie said as she pulled Rarity into a back breaking hug. " OH! HACK! T-thank you for saying s-so Pinkie. cough" said Rarity as she wiggled herself out of Pinkie's embrace. "N-Now you need a new dress correct? Well I have a multitude of wonderful looking ones in the back that you can take a look at if you'll just follow me." " UMM RARITY?" " Yes Pinkie?" " WOULD NOW BE A BAD TIME TO MENTION THAT I ALSO PUT THE DRESS YOU LENT ME FOR MY COUSIN'S QUINCEAÑERA IN THE DRYER TOO?" Pinkie asked as she put her free hand in her hair to pull out another dress. this dress suffered a much crueler fate at the metaphorical hands of the Cake's dryer, as any actual color or resemblance of being a dress was now destroyed, as it was completely burned all over, as it was nothing but a pile of blackish grey cloth barley being held together at the seams. The pupils of Rarity's eyes seemed to shrink rapidly, almost completely being swollowed up by the whites of her eyes as she stared at the burnt cloth. " W-Was that....the one strap dress.......with the b-blue sequence?" Rarity chocked out as she examined the charred remains of one of her favorite dresses. Rarity got the same look on her face as before with the previous dress. Seeing this, Fluttershy gasped as she dove under the table she was sitting at earlier with Rarity as she quickly located the bunnies she used before to plug her ears once more. Pinkie; now knowing of the danger, quickly stuffed both dresses in her ears in order to protect what little sense of hearing she had left as she backed away from her distraught friend. Rarity took a deep breath.