Only the light coming from the kitchen door lit the main floor of the boutique. Rarity walked into the kitchen and Tag followed; the kitchen table had a few used tissues on it. Rarity sat on the end with the most tissues and Tag took a seat across from her.
“Can you please explain to me who this ‘Book’ is?” She asked him. Tag drew in a large breath and told her what occurred between him, the princess, Twilight, Clover, and Tor.
“So Tor has regained possession of Torais? That’s good I suppose. And this Book is inside your head right now?” She asked him. Tag nodded.
“Pretty much.”
“So he can hear this conversation right now?”
“Yep, would you rather he didn’t?” Tag asked her.
“That would be nice.” She agreed.
How long have I got? Tag asked Book.
About twenty minutes. He answered. Then it would be a good time to put me back on.
Right, goodbye then. Tag pulled Tagia off and tossed it into the main room. He rejoined Rarity at the table.
“I have about twenty minutes before I should put him back on, what did you want to talk about?” He asked her. She closed her eyes and gathered her thoughts.
“About what I said in the forest… I’m sorry, I said some things that I shouldn’t have said.” She started. “I just wanted to let you know that if you didn’t feel the same way then I’m not hurt.” Tag was silent.
“… It’s okay, there is no reason for you to apologize about how you feel.” He said slowly.
“But you don’t feel the same way?” She wilted.
”I’m not sure how I feel right now. There is a lot going on, the visit from the princess, and this new voice in my head. Maybe I do but for now I just don’t know.” Rarity looked hopeful. “We’ll work on it.”
“I forget that that you’ve only been here for four days, it feels like a lot longer.” She said. “There is still a lot for you to learn.”
“I… I hope that we can learn together.” Tag whispered. Rarity looked at him with widened eyes. She blinked slowly and gave him a small smile.
“It’ll be a learning experience for both of us then.” She said.
“Yes, is that all that you wanted to talk about?” Tag asked her. Rarity nodded. Tag looked at the clock
“It’s almost time for me to put Tagia back on.” Tag could feel himself getting weaker. He walked back into the main room and picked up Tagia with his magic, he put the band around his arm and felt the teeth dig in.
What did I miss? Book asked.
Not much, and don’t go back there or I will throw you away without looking back. Tag growled to himself.
Noted. Book said. Tag walked back into the kitchen, Rarity was putting the tissues into the wastebasket.
“Are you feeling better now that we’ve gotten that out of the way?” Tag asked her. Rarity looked over to him.
“Yes, thank you. I really needed to get that off my chest. If you’ll excuse me I must rest for tomorrow’s lesson.” Rarity nuzzled his neck as she walked past Tag. His face turned red as she walked up the stairs.
Oh my. Book said.
Not a word. Tag thought back.
Tag walked back out of the Carousel Boutique and met Tor who was waiting in the bushes.
“Why would you do that to me?” He asked.
“I got the feeling that it would become a large weight on your soul if was not fixed.” Tor said solemnly.
“… Well, thanks. Your probably right.” Tag said. “Right now I’m too tired to care if there is a demon knife on my arm; I want to sleep. I have work tomorrow.” Tag walked past Tor and back towards the house.
I’m not a demon knife! Book protested.
Hush you. Tag thought with a tired smile.
----
Tag opened his eyes; it was morning. He sat up and stretched. Tag looked out the window and at the clock. It was 7:30, Tag trotted down the stairs and saw that Tor had already left for work. Probably feeling good enough to work. Tag thought.
He was in the hospital for more then they said he would. Book said. He was getting fidgety by the time you called him over.
Well I guess bucking apples would be a good thing, then. Tag thought. He trotted into the kitchen and opened the fridge; two apples were sitting in front of him. Tag picked them up and sat on the couch, eating them slowly. It was a sunny day and Tag wanted to enjoy it. As soon as he had finished eating the apples he set out for the Carousel Boutique.
It was a warm day and Tag looked around as he walked; the other ponies were giving him looks as he passed by.
Why is everypony looking at me like that? Tag asked.
Might be a combination of the fact that you have a knife on your arm and that you tried to kill Princess Luna not even three nights ago. Book suggested. Tag’s good mood evaporated.
Oh yeah… he trailed off
Kind of hard to forget. Book said sarcastically.
What should I do? Tag asked.
There’s nothing you can do about it. Book said. Tag thought in agreement and continued on his way to the boutique.
When she opened the door Rarity looked much better then she had the previous night; her hair had the familiar curl, she radiated happiness. And welcomed him in with a smile.
“Good morning Tag!” She sang as he trotted through the doorway.
“Good morning Rarity, I see that you’re doing much better today.” Tag said, Rarity offered him a broad smile.
“Why wouldn’t I be happy?” She asked him.
“What with all that’s been going on, even I’m finding it hard to be happy.” Tag replied. “Even today, ponies were looking at me… suspiciously, I suppose that’s a burden that I’ll have to live with for awhile.” Rarity’s eyes flashed briefly.
“Don’t let it get to you, I’m positive that other ponies will forget about it before long.” She said reassuringly. ” Now, let us get to the lesson at hand.” Rarity ushered him inside.
She led the way up to her inspiration room; it was as messy as always. Tag remembered the last time he was here.
“Whatever happened to that idea you had during our last lesson?” He asked curiously and Rarity sighed.
“I’m afraid it didn’t work like it had in my head. It’s strange; usually everything I think of is fashion gold!” She exclaimed. She motioned to a half finished outfit on a mannequin on the other side of the room. Tag looked at it; it looked like a coat designed for a colt and had a base of sage green like his fur.
“If this is based on me, and I’m assuming it is, wouldn’t you want to use blue?” he asked her.
“I tried to but it doesn’t seem to work like it does in your tail.” She stated.
“I’m not even going to ask why you were looking at my tail.” Tag said jokingly, Rarity blushed.
“And I won’t even dignify that with an answer.” She muttered.
“Anyway we should get on with the lesson. What first?” he asked.
“Let me get an order from the other room.” She trotted into the adjacent room and came back with a coat floating behind her. “This coat is missing a button.” She pointed to the spot where the top button would be and sure enough it was gone. “This is once again a simple but important repair.” She dropped the coat on the table and pulled out a thread and needle.
“I assume that I’ll be doing this one?” He said
“Of course, how else are you going to learn?” She asked him.
“Right. Just making sure.” Tag said and motioned for her to go in.
“First you must place the button properly and thread the string like this, like this, and then tie it carefully behind the button so the knot cannot be seen.” She went through the actions with her magic and then let Tag take control. He carefully followed each step she had gone though and soon the button was strongly fixed to the coat again.
“Well done!” Rarity exclaimed. Tag smiled.
“You really think so?”
“I know so.” She said confidently. “I believe that will be the lesson for today then.”
That’s it?” Tag asked in disbelief.
“Of course; I need you to get started on all the other repair jobs back in the other room.” She motioned towards the adjacent room again. Tag looked inside to see there were several articles of clothing hung up on a rack.
“That’s it?” Tag asked again. Rarity frowned slightly.
“You sound quite confident in your abilities.” She said.
“No no no! It’s just that it’s been about 20 minutes since I got here and your already leaving me alone.” He said.
“I have a store to mind, besides, this rack would take all day for a person who’s new to sewing. Now I must go mind the store if there is anything else that need don’t hesitate to call.” Rarity trotted down the stairs and left Tag alone… with Open Book.
Miss me?
Celestia condemn it.
The first dress was a simple tear in the end and Tag had it finished within seconds.
So, what’s new in Equestria? Book asked. Tag pulled out the next repair.
Depends what you mean.
You’ve had a few week head start. Fill me in. he said.
Well, it- wait, can’t you just get this all from my memory? Tag asked him.
Yeah but then it takes two seconds and we’re both bored. Book said plainly.
Touché. Tag thought. He spent the rest of the day telling Book about his release, Tor’s release and everything else up until the first time they spoke. When he had finished he was just finishing the last repair for the day.
When are you going to ask her out? Book asked. Tag did a double take.
Excuse me? He thought.
You know what I mean, if this is supposed to be a learning experience for the both of you then LEARN something. Book clarified.
That is none of your business. Tag thought.
But I can tell your thinking about it now. Book said.
Celestia condemn it. Tag thought and trotted down the stairs.
“I’m done Rarity!” He called as he entered the main floor. Rarity was talking to Fluttershy near the front door, Rarity nodded in acknowledgment before saying goodbye to Fluttershy.
“Are all of the orders done?” She asked him and Tag nodded.
“Every last one of them.” He confirmed.
“Good, Fluttershy stopped by to place an order for several quilts; she needs them for a family of sick squirrels. That is something that we can do tomorrow.” She said and walked over to the cash register. “Now for your pay I believe that I still need to pay you for the other day and add today that comes up to about 170 bits.” Rarity floated over a bag of bits to Tag who accepted it gratefully.
“Thank you!” He said. “Is that all for today?” he asked.
“I guess so.” Rarity said.
“Well I think ‘ll head home for tonight then.” Tag said and trotted towards the door.
Ask her for the love of Celestia! Book hissed and made Tag jump. He sighed and turned away from the door.
“Rarity?” He asked quietly.
“Hmmm?” She looked up at him with her blue eyes. He stopped for a second and looked at her.
Why do I enjoy doing this to you so much? Book asked himself.
That’s what I want to know. Tag agreed.
“What is it, Tag?” Rarity pressed. Tag gulped.
“I was… uh… wondering if maybe you wanted to go out to dinner with me… or something…” Rarity was silent for a moment. Tag felt pressure building up in his mind. She looked at him with large eyes before she finally answered him.
“I would love to.” She said finally. Tag mentally let out a deep breath.
“Really?” he asked.
“After the conversation we had the other night, I suppose it would only make sense." She explained.
“You make it sound like you don’t really have a choice.” Tag said quietly.
“No, I would really like to go. It’s just that the last stallion that I went out with was Prince Blueblood and I did NOT go well. Please forgive me if I sound hesitant.” She answered.
“Prince?” Tag asked disbelievingly.
“Do you think that I’m not good enough for royalty?” Rarity huffed.
“No! It’s just that I didn’t think that you would have a chance to meet a prince in a small town like this.” Tag stammered.
“Well, a few months ago Princess Celestia sent Twilight tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala to which we were all invited. It was during the gala that I met him; I had dreamed that he would be the most charming stallion in all of Equestria. But he was quite the opposite, rude and dismissive. An experience that I would rather forget.” She recalled; there was a hint of sadness as she spoke about Blueblood.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Tag said apologetically.
“That is in the past and I have learned to not a judge a book by its cover. I can honestly saw that you are the opposite; you are a caring individual.” She said.
“It’s because I have great friends to teach me about caring and everything else anypony can ask for.” Tag said blushing. They shared a quick moment of peace before Tag spoke up again. “What time should I be here to pick you up?”
“If you could be here around 5:30 that would wonderful.” She said.
“Well I guess I’ll be here at 5:30 then.” He said. “Until then.” He bowed slightly, getting a small smile out of Rarity and trotted out the door.
Tag walked all the way home with a goofy grin plastered on his face. When he got home he looked at the clock; it was only three.
Now what do I do. Tag thought.
Take a nap or something before you say something you might regret. Book suggested. Besides there’s another thing I want to try. Tag frowned.
The last thing you wanted to try was healing my leg, and that hurt a lot. He thought.
This will not hurt no matter what. Book reassured him.
Well maybe if you told me what it was that would help me decide. Tag thought sarcastically.
When you sleep will try to pull your consciousness to me, this putting you in your own mind in my own presence. Book said.
How will I know what time it is, or what if Tor finds me and can’t wake me up? Tag thought.
It will still be like sleeping; it Tor tries to wake you up he’ll wake you up. I doubt we will be able to tell time but I’m sure Tor will get home before your ‘date’. He said the last word teasingly.
I guess... the problem is that I’m not even tired right now. Tag thought.
I’ll fix that, just go lie down on the couch. Book said and Tag lay down on the couch. He immediately could feel a tugging force similar to when Book was projecting through his horn. The feeling was slightly uncomfortable but Tag could feel himself far away from his body and soon he was gone.