//------------------------------// // On the Signs of Strife Betwixt Tradition and Transformation // Story: Archaeological Adventures // by Forderz //------------------------------// Canterlot. The greatest city in Equestria, and in Rarity’s eyes, the world. Some ponies described it as clinging to the side of Mount Royal, but that was slanderous. Rarity knew her history. The city had been constructed centuries ago, to reflect the undaunted spirit of its ruler after her sister’s attempted coup. Gleaming white spires topped with gold shone in the autumn sun, representing the shining spirit of the goddess that ruled from her castle at the heart of the city. Celestia had decreed, before its construction, that all ponies living in Canterlot would be the first in the nation to see her glorious sunrise each day. Celestia, three hundred years later, admitted that perhaps she had been ‘a tad paranoid’ after the rebellion, and lifted the prohibition on building towns that violated her decree. Regardless of the city’s history, it was getting larger in the window of her train compartment. Giddy at the thought of experiencing the glamour and prestige of Canterlot once again, she readjusted the stylish hat she had chosen to flaunt today (a mauve, feathered creation capped with a large ruby set in a golden band along the brim), and checked her appearance with the small mirror she had packed into her saddlebags. The train had begun its winding ascent of the mountain an hour prior, and was on the final leg of its journey. Exiting her compartment, Rarity sought out Twilight and headed to the common cab. Her friend had, once again, taken the lead in organizing the trip, and Rarity wanted to know just exactly how much free time the group had before being required to meet up at the Royal Archaeological Society’s wing of the University of Canterlot. The majority of the compartments she passed were filled with finely groomed businessponies on their daily commute from neighbouring villages to the capital city. Rarity couldn’t imagine having to waste hours each day just travelling to and from her work, but she supposed being able to share the troubles of the day with a sympathetic audience did have a certain appeal. She heard Twilight even before she opened the sliding door to the common area. The scene playing out in front of her was a familiar one: Twilight, clearly distressed, gesturing emphatically and talking loudly to an unperturbed bystander, in this case, the train conductor. Seeing Fluttershy off to the side, watching the exchange, Rarity walked over to the pegasus. “What’s going on?” she inquired. Fluttershy gave a quick smile of greeting before answering. “Twilight’s worried about our luggage being mishandled. She did some research and discovered that the vast majority of lost item complaints are filed at the Canterlot station, and has some suggestions on how to improve.” “But what’s she doing talking to the conductor about it? I thought each station has its own baggage handlers, not the trains.” With a quick look around, Fluttershy leaned in close and lowered her voice. “I don’t think she really cares. She just wants somepony to listen.” Rarity nodded in agreement. The librarian had a wonderful gift for organizing, but it seemed to Rarity that sometimes she wanted everything to go through her. The mustached conductor sat stone still as Twilight continued her rant about the inefficiencies of container transportation, complete with summoned diagrams. “So,” she began, turning away from the other conversation. “What are you planning to do in Canterlot.” “Oh, I hadn’t given it much thought.” Fluttershy scratched her chin. “I imagined I’d just wander around the campus while we waited for Dusty Ruin to be ready for us. I heard that there’s a robust botanical garden, complete with live fauna, at the university. Maybe I would get a glimpse of some of the more exotic animals they have there.” “Fluttershy, darling, I can’t believe you!” Rarity placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “We’re about to spend weeks trudging through wild jungles and fending off vicious creatures, and you want to spend your time at the heart of civilization getting a sneak peek at what we’ll find?” “Umm, yes?” she replied with a blush. “You’re so practical! But you know what you’ll miss out there in the wilds?” Fluttershy shook her head. “What?” “Shopping!” Rarity exclaimed. “I’m not about to let you throw away your last chance to splurge on yourself to look at plants!” She drew up her lips in a pout. “I’d feel just awful knowing you spent your last hours in cultured territory at a greenhouse!” “Oh but Rarity, there’s going to be plenty of towns on the way, and we’re not even leaving Equestria for at lea-” “Nonsense!” Rarity cut her off. “You and I will hit the town! I know all the happiningest places for two gorgeous mares like ourselves to spend our last hours at. Won’t you join me?” she asked, fluttering her eyes. Fluttershy hesitated before answering. “Well, if you really think so...” “Splendid! I know you’ll have a fantastic time!” Pleased that she’d gotten Fluttershy to spend some time with other ponies instead of being surrounded by animals again, Rarity began mentally mapping out their trek through the city. There was a delightful cafe not far from the station where they’d be able to grab a delicious bite to eat, and- A sharp blast of a whistle interrupted her thoughts. The conductor Twilight was still talking to abruptly sprang into action. “Canterlot! Last stop, Canterlot! Get your personal items in order!” He bustled down the train past Rarity and Fluttershy, rapping on doors to awaken any napping ponies that the whistle had failed to alert. Smiling, Rarity thought to herself. I doubt he’s been this happy to arrive in a while. Twilight came over, fuming. “How will he know how to implement my changes without at least listening to the overview of my twenty-step plan?” She sat down in a huff. Rarity chuckled. “I think he’ll manage, dear.” She changed the subject. “When do we have to meet with Mr. Ruin?” “Doctor,” Twilight absently corrected. “He said he’s meeting with financiers around four. I’ll probably sit in on that discussion,” The unicorn pulled out a scroll from one of her packs. “It’s important to understand what our resources will be. Everypony else should be there around five.” She re-read the scroll for, what seemed to Rarity, the hundredth time. “That’s when he’ll go over introductions and expectations for the excursion.” “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” A riveting talk about safety measures, no doubt. “What are you planning to do beforehoof?” Twilight rolled up the scroll and stuffed it back into her bags. “I’ve had plenty of requests from my old professors, asking if I’d keep an eye out for a rare botanical specimen, pick up records from research stations along the way, that sort of thing.” Her eyes lit up and she let out a soft sigh. “It will be nice to see them again. I was so close with a lot of them during my time here.” Rarity had to think hard to remember what her teacher’s name was in her last year of school. Straight Edge? Hard Nose? And here was Twilight, still in contact with multiple professors. Thinking back to her school days brought a different set of memories to the surface. “Say, Twilight, you spent years here in Canterlot, right?” Puzzled, Twilight nodded her head. “Yes, why?” She knew the answer even before she asked, but Rarity couldn’t help herself. “Any old coltfriends you’re thinking of looking up before undertaking such a long, hard journey?” Innocence thickly coated every word. Fluttershy gasped, and Twilight turned from purple to beet red. “Rarity! I, uh-” Her stammering was drowned out by the squealing of brakes as the train pulled into the station. Seizing the escape, Twilight loudly spoke over the noise. “I need to oversee the handling of our baggage!” She zipped out of the compartment as fast as she could. Oh, Rarity, you’re so evil! She giggled to herself as she braced for the change in momentum as the train squealed to a halt. Fluttershy looked on disapprovingly, but moved in closer to Rarity as ponies filled the cabin, preparing to disembark. Gathering her composure, Rarity once again straightened her hat as she was jostled by the crowd forming in the small space. “You and Twilight both are such prudes, my dear.” she commented, waiting for the doors to open. Fluttershy wasn’t having any of it. “You can be a little mean sometimes, Rarity.” She flapped her wings and took to the mostly empty space above the heads of the crowd. “Some ponies like to keep certain things private.” Dismissing her concerns with a wave of her hoof, Rarity checked her saddlebags were tightly secured. “I was only teasing, you know that.” The doors opened, bright light spilling inside the cabin as the crowd surged forward. A gust of wind threatened to displace her hat. “Besides,” she stated, raising her voice over the sound of dozens of ponies moving about, “she knows I’d never embarrass her if it isn’t just us.” “I know.” The bright noonday sun forced Rarity to blink multiple times once she left the relative darkness of the train. “Follow me, dear, there’s a delightful cafe close by, with the most decadent mixed berry parfaits you’ve ever tasted.” ----- “I can’t believe you forgot to pack a sunhat, Fluttershy.” “Can’t I just borrow one of yours? I know you brought extra.” “And pass up an opportunity to browse the latest fashions? I think not.” It was a few hours later, the pair had sated their appetites with the promised frozen treats, and wandered through a procession of streets filled with high-end shops. They had been stopped, once, by a fan of Fluttershy’s from her short-lived modelling career, and Rarity had to almost force Fluttershy to sign the offered slip of paper. That incident had led to a discussion about disguises, which had led to a discussion about hats, which had led them here. Every street specialized in a different product, and the duo had made their way to Chapeau Street, consisting of a row of stores each dedicated to headwear. They stood between two shops: Canterlot Caps and Bonnets by Sunshade. Ironically, Caps sold nothing but straw bonnets and woven Vueltiaos, straight from Reno, while Sunshade’s store appeared to sell nothing but brimless caps. Smartly-dressed ponies milled about, with the exception of a small, dirty filly that was hawking the Canterlot Tribune from a stall placed in front of a tight alley. Rarity took pity on the street urchin, and exchanged a single bit for the news of the day. Something to read on the train, I suppose. “Please, Rarity, can’t I just wear one of yours?” Fluttershy shrank back as Rarity tried to trot into Caps. Rarity was confused. “What’s gotten into you Fluttershy?” She looked into the store through one of its display windows. Nothing particularly frightening caught her attention, though she supposed the disembodied mannequins could be mistaken for headless ghosts. “It’s just a shop for hats.” “I just wasn’t planning on spending any bits in Canterlot.” Rarity was forced to return to Fluttershy’s side to hear her over the cries of the newspaper filly across the street. “I need to save most of my bits for souvenirs to bring back home.” “And what better way to commemorate your time in Canterlot than with a gorgeous new hat?” Rarity herself was eyeing a magnificently constructed veintisiete. Sometimes a simple, unadorned hat was exactly what an ensemble needed. “I was, um, hoping to get things from a little farther away than Canterlot.” The pegasus was shuffling her hooves together as she spoke to the ground. “Well, don’t let me force you into anything, darling,” she smiled at Fluttershy as her friend looked up. “But I think I’ll buy something myself, even if you aren’t.” Rarity couldn’t understand wanting to buy some cheap trinket at some backwater giftshop over the glories available only in Canterlot, but Fluttershy was her own mare. Rarity found her coin purse a shade lighter but her saddlebags a tad heavier with a folded hat carefully placed within as the duo left Chapeau Street. Fluttershy had asked, quietly and delicately, if it wasn’t too much trouble, if she could squeeze in at least some time at the University’s botanical section, and Rarity had to acquiesce. The unicorn had, privately, wished to see if any of her own fashions were on display down Dressmaker Drive, but she wasn’t nearly vain enough to ask Fluttershy that. Besides, some mysteries were best left unanswered. The two made their way out of the merchant’s district down one of the brilliantly shining main thoroughfares that divided the city into neighborhoods. The non-residential terrace of the city was divided into sections, like slices of cake, and they were on one edge of the metropolis. To their left, in the Merchant’s Quarter, stood street after street of shops, filled with merchants hoping to attract the eyes and pocketbooks of the well-to-do ponies travelling by, while to their right, carved into the side of the mountain, resided businesses dedicated to service. Any company that sought to expand and grow in Equestria either had a office in the Business Quarter, or dearly wished it so. Rarity herself had vague dreams of one day owning one of the coveted burrows. Rarity had been to a few of the offices chiseled into the white rock of the cliff earlier in the year. She had spent the week prior to Twilight’s birthday mingling with the upper echelons of business society, giving her ample opportunities to visit. She tried to place a face of a pony next to every agency they passed, but failed. Every building looked the same, with only a small sign above the door denoting what lay inside. Occasionally the monotony of identical doors would be broken by a wide staircase cut into the exterior of the mountain, but, for the most part, every block looked the same. Rarity was much more interested in the almost flamboyant decor the shopkeepers decorated their businesses in. As such, she wasn’t watching where she was going, and Rarity ungracefully collided with the backside of another pony that had stopped in the street. A hasty apology was answered only with an upturned nose and a huff as the other pony moved deeper into the crowd that was blocking the street. “What is going on?” Rarity wondered aloud, trying in vain to peer over the crowd. A finely dressed stallion with a jeweler's magniscope on his flank turned to her. “Some nobles getting into a spat, it seems.” His disdainful tone made it clear what he thought of the situation. “The two of them, acting the fool in the middle of the street?” A rough-looking cabbie pulled at his harness as he backed out of the crowd. “Don’t listen to him, ladies.” He deftly maneuvered his carriage through the crowd. “It’s too tight up there to get past the mob. Two merchants are about to duel, mark me, and the crowd wants a show.” The other stallion ‘harrumphed’. The cabbie gave a quick once over at Rarity and Fluttershy, and cleared his throat. “It’s far too dangerous for two fine mares like yourselves to try and make it through that crowd. Where are you headed?” “We’re fine, thanks.” A shrug was all the stallion gave before he turned to another pair of ponies, no doubt trying to convince them to accept a ride. Rarity delicately picked her way through the crowd, Fluttershy hovering above her, as she attempted to reach the center of the herd. A duel, or at least a public dispute! How exciting! Rarity kept one eye peeled for any pegasus ponies equipped with cameras. If anypony knew what the story behind this was, it would be the press. The murmured confusion of the crowd slowly transformed into jeers as Rarity made her way to the centre of the disturbance. Fluttershy was practically on top of her! Rarity did her best to console her friend when she heard a familiar voice call out her name. Looking for the source, Rarity saw only the press of ponies around her. She turned to Fluttershy, currently trying to hide in Rarity’s giant hat. “Fluttershy, dear,” she practically had to yell over the noise of the crowd. “Somepony’s calling for me. Can you discern who?” Fluttershy weakly rose, looked around, then pointed a hoof at one of the offices carved into the stone. Following her gaze, Rarity spotted a breathtakingly beautiful mare waving to her through one of the recessed windows cut into the cliff. Fleur? What’s she doing here? Rarity led the way through the crowd, making much more progress as she threw decorum to the wind. Fluttershy trailed behind, keeping one hoof on Rarity at all times. In short order, she managed to force her way to the heavy, banded door that opened as she drew near. “Quickly, inside!” The soft Prancian accent was tinged with urgency. Fluttershy darted inside before Rarity could react, but the unicorn swiftly followed her inside. The loud shouts of the crowd were muffled as soon as the door swung closed with a heavy thud. With a soft glow of her horn, Fleur de Lis let a heavy wooden beam fall into place, securing the door. “Oh, my. You Equestrians can get whipped into a frenzy so quickly!” Fleur continued to speak as Rarity caught her breath. “I must admit, it is a surprise to see you and your friend here, Rarity. I cannot imagine what could have happened to you out there, had I not seen you. They are mad!” Rarity adjusted her hat, and straightened a feather that had become loose from the jostling of the crowd. “I must admit I am as surprised to see you here as well, Fleur. It’s not common to find a model in a trading house.” Rarity glanced around the room. It was slightly crowded with various nervous looking businessponies milling about, talking in small groups. It didn’t look anything like a place an international model would frequent. A look of confusion appeared on Fleur’s face, but it quickly turned into a light chuckle. “Oh, Rarity, mon ami. I wasn’t here alone! I was with Fancykins!” Her smiling face turned into a frown. “But Fancy is out there!” A raised hoof pointed at the barred door. That was odd. The Fancypants Rarity knew would be loathe to leave Fleur behind. The few days Rarity had spent socializing with the upper crust of the merchant class had painted a picture of the two being nearly inseparable. “He left without you? Why?” The frown turned into an angry pout. “It is those stupid, bull-headed stallions fault! The dunderhead and the lickspittle! Fancy tried to intervene, but they would not listen to reason!” Rarity tried to calm down the rattled mare. “Fleur, dear, I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s an expert mediator, and I’m sure any disagr-” Fleur turned on her, pink eyes flashing with anger. “Look outside, you silly mare! Neither pony will be willing to shame himself by backing down now! Blueblood and Fair Wind both are struck dumb by their vanity!” She collected herself. “I am sorry. This mob has me on edge.” An Interesting view on vanity, coming from a model. Rarity wisely kept her thoughts to herself. Besides, there was something far more interesting to discuss. “That mule of stallion is part of this? I shouldn’t be surprised.” There was no way she was going to let her friend Fancypants face down ‘Prince’ Blueblood without being at his side. She pleaded with the tall, shapely unicorn. “Fleur, please! I want to help. Tell me everything that happened up till now.” Fleur de Lis seemed to deflate a bit as she let out a breath. Rarity had her. “Very well. Fancy and I, well, Fancy was here to do business with Fair Wind. He consideres the pegasus to be a bit of a protégé, and has helped and advised him in the past. Fancy was here to finalize some proposal or other such boring affair when Fair Winds suggested we all do lunch. We were not twenty steps out the door when that lout Blueblood trotted by and began taunting us.” Rarity nodded. Blueblood was a petty stallion, obsessed with bloodlines and tradition, and was no doubt irked at the thought of a pegasus climbing the social ladder. “I think this was not the first time this has happened,” Fleur continued, “as Fair Wind stopped dead in his tracks and turned on the prince. He would not be insulted for his lack of heritage in Canterlot again. Fancykins saw the danger immediately: Blueblood had brought a few of his friends along, and this is the street of self-made merchants. Both sides need no excuse to insult one another.” She turned and looked out the window. “You see the result. Fancy had been worried about this for weeks!” Threads started to weave in Rarity’s mind. I can’t - well, that’s not true. I find it entirely within Blueblood’s character to saunter along the Street of Coins looking for innocent shopkeepers to belittle. And she was not about to let a pony with an upjumped sense of tradition and ‘class’ insult ponies that were, just like her, trying their best to make a living in Equestria. “Come on, Fleur!” she declared. “If he’s so eager to verbally fence in the streets, then I have a few choice words for Prince Blueblood myself!” She didn’t get the reaction she was hoping for. Fleur began to giggle, fruitlessly trying to hide her grin with a hoof. “Oh, Rarity, what a funny notion that is!” Rarity didn’t share in her mirth. “What’s so funny?” “You expect moi, a model, a pony that depends on her face and body being perfect everyday, to venture out into a mob that could turn violent at any moment? You have a strange sense of the practical.” Rarity’s eyes widened in shock. She couldn’t believe it! Out there was Fancypants, doing his best to defend the honour of the merchants, while Fleur hid like a foal inside! She told her companion as much, and received a scoffing reply. “What makes you think I can do anything to stop this? And Fancy is not defending anypony! He is not taking sides, he is trying to stop this before anything happens that somepony might regret.” Fleur’s voice was low. “I am surprised at you, Rarity. You are acting just like Fair Wind, all blustering at the slightest insult. Besides, if rumours are true, weren’t you and Blueblood together at the Gala last year?” “That slimy toad is spreading rumours about me?” Rarity seethed. Blueblood won’t know what he’s unleashed. I’ll show him what happens to rumour mongers. “Now I must go outside and help.” “Help who?” Fleur asked, anger in her voice. “Rarity, are you going out there to stop this fire or to fan the flames?” Her aura covered the bar on the door. “I beg you, stay in here with me and your friend. Let the Royal Guard handle this, they should be here to disperse the crowd soon.” At the mention of Fluttershy, Rarity turned towards the pegasus, currently trying to be as small as possible in the corner of the room. A soft blush covered her face when she realized she was the centre of attention. Rarity trotted up to her friend and leaned in close. “Fluttershy,” she asked, smiling sweetly. “What should I do? Stay in here and let a friend fight a battle that is mine just as much as his, or go out there and do my best to help?” Fluttershy looked left and right at the various ponies in the room, who were all trying very hard to look as if they were completely disinterested at the conversation going on right in front of them. With a gulp, and a clearing of her throat, she replied, “I, um, don’t really know what the issue is going on out there, Rarity, but I trust your judgement in doing what’s right.” A quick spin towards the door later, Rarity focused her magic on the barred door, imagining mystical fabrics pulling the wooden beam free. A short mental struggle with Fleur later, and the door swung open, letting the sounds of the agitated crowd spill into the room. “You see, Fleur? Sweet, gentle and kind Fluttershy knows what I’m doing is right. Keep her safe for me, will you? And hold my hat.” The other unicorn still remained defiant. “What do you think you’ll accomplish out there? What does ‘who’s right’ matter when there could be blood on the streets?” Rarity continued out the door, and Fleur’s arguments grew fainter. “Equestrians! Always thinking with their hearts instead of their heads!” She ignored her, and ventured out into the wild crowd. A small part of her felt energized, wild but contained. What does Fleur know? thought Rarity as she nimbly navigated the crush of ponies gathered in the street. She’s only been in Equestria for four years, at most. There are some things that one simply cannot let stand. Chief among that number was letting injustices stand unchallenged, and one of the biggest problems in Equestria right now was an increasingly irrelevant group of nobleponies doing their best to impede the upward mobility of non-nobles. Rarity was keenly aware that almost all of her clientele among the old families of Canterlot disappeared shortly after the Grand Galloping Gala. Rarity was also keenly aware of the fact that she had, at the Gala, applied copious amounts of cake to Blueblood’s royal person. She heard them long before she managed to break through the crowd and see them. Fancypants’ cultured, level voice calling for peace ringing clearly through the shouts and jeers of the crowd. Rarity could never forget the smooth, alluring voice that disguised the petty bully that was Blueblood, and another voice, rough and gravelly, that seemed out of place compared to the refined tones of the the other two. That had to be Fair Wind. He and Bluleblood were trading insults, both stallions being cheered on or rebuked by the members of the crowd, depending on their persuasion. As she approached, the strange feeling inside of her grew, straining like a cat placed into a bag. “What would a pedestrian freighter know about the provincial disputes of Equestria? Perhaps you should stick to settling issues more in line with your skills and talents? Maybe a barroom brawl?” Dripping with false sincerity, Blueblood’s question was met with loud stamps of approval from a group of impeccably dressed and finely groomed ponies surrounded by very serious looking stallions. Rarity still couldn’t see the prince, however, but she knew she had to be close. “More than some snot-nosed son of a duke that’s never set hoof more than twenty kilometres out of Canterlot!” Fair Wind’s snarling voice carried the weight of a fully-loaded train behind it. “I spend three quarters of the year flying to and from the corners of Equestria. I speak to the mayors and council members of every town on the rails, every port on the sea!” “Rabble rousers, the lot of them! The true leaders of Equestria are the barons and viscounts, raised from birth to handle the affairs of the kingdom!” A chorus of affirmative shouts rang out, followed immediately by boos from the opposition. “The kingdom would crumble without their wisdom and experience.” Rarity finally made her way to the break in the crowd that contained the two arguing stallions. Blueblood looked as resplendent as ever, dressed in a fine blue doublet with golden trim. His mane and tail matched, both a perfect, regal gold, and his coat was a purer white than Rarity’s own. He was gifted with blue eyes that were deep, still pools, inviting, nay, demanding any mare that noticed him to stare deeply into them. His cutie mark was a familiar compass rose. A sparkling set of perfect white teeth gleamed as he smiled at the crowd. She had never met a pony more repulsive. At the sight of him, the force within her grew, straining to break free. The pegasus that had to be Fair Wind, was, in contrast, a far less impressive sight. He was a stout pony, coated in a dull roan red, and ‘blessed’ with a mane the colour and consistency of dry straw. He wore only a simple black top hat that matched the black saddlebags he wore with his cutie mark emblazoned on the clasp: a ship, loaded heavy with cargo. Where Blueblood was well-muscled and statuesque, Fair Wind’s physique reminded Rarity of nothing more than the barrels Applejack had insisted on loading the train with earlier this morning. “Please, gentlestallions, I implore you to reconsider your actions here!” Fancypants’ normally smooth voice was hoarse from overuse. “Perhaps a more private airing of grievances would be more condu-” “Ha!” Fair Wind let out a snort. “The only wisdom you and yours have to share is how to get as flexible as you need to be to shove your heads so far up your rear ends, I am frankly astonished your horn doesn’t poke through the other end!” The pegasus either didn’t hear Fancypants or simply didn’t care to listen. The blue-maned unicorn looked around as the crowd cheered Fair Wind’s words, and noticed Rarity. He quickly trotted over, and Rarity noticed his customary black suit was quite dusty, and he was missing his purple bow tie. “Rarity!” he said, clearing his throat. “It’s good to see a friendly face. I would’ve hoped our next meeting would of been under better circumstances, but I suppose one should take what one can get.” Graceful and collected, in the middle of a near-riot. Oh Fancypants. I wish I had your demeanour. Rarity wasn’t surprised at the polite greeting; Fancypants had never been seen in public without at least a wry grin on his face, and even now he mixed concern with optimism. “It’s good to see you too, Fancypants. I have to be honest with you, when I imagined how I’d be spending the day in Canterlot, I’d of never guessed I would find myself in a situation like this.” Fancypants waited as the roar of the crowd ebbed higher, then dropped back down as the two nearby ponies traded insults. “These two have been tearing each other apart for the last half hour. I must say, I’m troubled by the lack of guardsponies about.” He waggled a blue eyebrow up and down as he leaned in closer. “Makes one wonder where one’s taxes go, eh Rarity?” Failing to stifle a small giggle, Rarity forced the smile off her face once her laughter died down. “I’ve found, through past experience, that depending on others to solve your problems is rarely a wise course of action.” She thought back to her brief time spent as a prisoner in the tunnels of the Diamond Dogs. While her friends had been eager and able to help, by the time they arrived she had the situation well in hoof. Rarity hardened her expression and began to walk into the clearing. “It is time to end this mockery.” She let the energy inside of her free, feeling a fountain of power flow through her. It was nothing like the magic she channeled through her horn - that was precise, wielded like a needle weaving through thread. This magic, magic she had felt before, radiated from every pore on her body. It was the magic of song. It was a magic innate to everypony. Some could control it a bit better than others, but all fell under its sway whenever it appeared. A lone, penniless, friendless pony could enter a community, and, if she had the good fortune to manifest this power, find herself suddenly transported days or weeks into the future! She would have only the memories of a single song and dance number to explain established occupation and how everypony knew her name. Rarity had lost an entire day and half a week in her prior manifestations, with mixed results. Regardless, it was fruitless to fight it. It would take the might of an elder dragon, or perhaps even a goddess, to prevent a musical number from occurring now. “You have a plan, Rarity?” Fancypants, oblivious to what was about to happen, asked behind her. “Would you mind sharing your stratagem on ending this conflict?” Rarity managed to crane her neck around as she slowly stepped forward. “Feel free to add your own verses once I’m done.” She looked back at the two dueling stallions, surrounded by a throng of heckling ponies. She stamped a hoof to the ground, paused, and began to sing in a voice as sharp and clear as the most brilliant diamond. I once knew a filly who dreamed of a colt Who’d always be faithful and never bolt The perfect prince so graceful and fair With a voice so sweet it sang through the air Blueblood looked straight at her, eyes narrowed. But the song had already captured all nearby ponies, and Blueblood could not hope to stop it. Indeed, Rarity found herself and the crowd transported to a sepia-toned universe, consisting of a simple house on a hill. Phantom fiddles began to play, and the ponies around her began to stamp to the beat. Her dream did not fade though years did pass Her prayer everyday through sunlit mass To find the stallion that her heart did yearn The name of her prince she swore she’d learn The small house turned into a church, with a small, vaguely defined filly surrounded by indistinct, pony shaped blobs. The filly, aging rapidly, looked at the stained glass image of Celestia above the altar. It transformed into a picture of her and a stately stallion, framed in a heart. It was whispered there was one who met Every princely test he’d had of yet And he lived nearby in Canterlot But the poor mare she was still distraught Images of the capital city flashed by, always showing the stallion in the stained glass acting gallantly. The sepia illusion lingered on an image of the prince leaping from a burning building, foal on his back, directly onto a fleeing cutpurse. For she was one who was born so low Her trade was seamstress, what a blow But her love for him it would not flee So she braved the dangers of the Everfree Rarity kept on singing as the mare from before was shown in a ragged shawl, sitting alone with a sewing machine in a dusty house. The mare hardened her expression from despair to determination, and was suddenly within a familiar-looking wood. Rarity was quite thankful that the mare only bore a passing resemblance to her. A gift she found in the twisted thicket To the Princess she gave and received a ticket Gold in colour to the Gala she’d go Clad in a dress that she’d weaved and sew Glad that the song wasn’t blatant enough to show her defeating Nightmare Moon all by her lonesome, Rarity continued on, gathering momentum from the crowd as they began to join in. The fiddles had long been joined by banjos and other ‘common’ instruments, rising slowly in tempo. Rarity would've preferred a more classical accompaniment, but she supposed the instrumental choice was quite fitting for the subject matter. Ventured to the castle that fateful night Through the years she’d dreamed just what might Occur between a star-eyed mare And the stallion she loved without a care Rarity thought back to her hopes and dreams that night. While it certainly hadn’t turned out how she wanted it to, the pure absurdity of the collective failure of her and her friends had brought them even closer together. She wouldn’t change that night for all the bits in Equestria. It had certainly opened her eyes to the realities of the world she lived in. The music neared a crescendo. She knew he’d be polite and kind Strong of body and sharp of mind But sadly it was never to be To Blueblood she was a devotee At the last word of the verse, Blueblood himself burst through the illusion, shattering it as he tried to tackle her. Rarity nimbly sidestepped out of the way, and lightly pranced through the crowd as he began to chase her. He’s a fool if he hopes to interrupt this. She noticed that many ponies in the crowd, inexplicitly, were now the proud owners of drinking mugs filled to the brim with frothy cider. His coat was white but his heart was black And his manners seemed without any tack A rose he plucked for her she thought Placed it on his head, what a sot A kick of her hooves sent a conveniently-placed open cask of oil tumbling directly onto Blueblood’s head. Stumbling about blindly, he collided with a wagon filled with nothing but tacks. Yelping, (most unprincily) he leapt into the air, directly into a rosebush in front of a florist’s shop that was facing the Street of Coin. When he emerged a few seconds later, the barrel was gone, but his mane was a tangled mess of roses, thorns hopelessly ensnared in his ruined, oily hair. Still she hoped he would shine through Poor manners did not make a fool But with every deed and word he spoke Forsaked her love the oafish bloke She snatched a lantern from a nearby lamppost, and awakened the fireflies sleeping inside before blowing them into Blueblood’s filthy face. The insects flared to life and buzzed around the prince’s head, dazzling him. A rack of clothes stood in the street, where none had existed seconds before, and Blueblood blundered through it. Upon exiting, Rarity was pleased to see a jester’s crown now upon his head. Placed her dress on the puddled floor Talked her to death, what a bore Refused to open a door did he Locked was her love, he’d thrown away the key Finally noticing the horrid spectacle he was, Blueblood darted back through the dress rack, towards the door of the florist’s shop. Once again, he was newly clothed, but this time he wore a gaudy dress instead of a fine doublet. He reached the door the exact moment it swung open, knocking him back into the street. Rarity noticed Fair Wind collapsed in mirth. But until a coward he proved to be He did not earn her scorn for now you see When a pastry flew and began to fall He hid behind her so strong and tall Apparently the song had decided that Blueblood had suffered enough, for no cake materialized to cover him in icing. Instead, he rose, shakingly, back to all fours. Rarity felt the end of the song coming up, and she hopped onto a tall wagon parked on the street, gazing at the crowd. And as our tale draws to a close Before you stands Blueblood grandiose Not a mare’s love he seeks to ruin But all your work he’s power-driven To belittle and label with scorn Do nothing and soon you’ll mourn So find within yourself someway To honour our lord this fine day As the crowd cheered and laughed at the disheveled prince, he locked eyes with Rarity. He stood tall and proud, ignoring the oil, roses, and tacks that covered him. He somehow still looked regal dressed as a female court jester, and despite the mocking laughter of scores of ponies all around him, he stood firm. His expression was one of pure malice, hatred etched into every line on his face. She felt his gaze never wander from her, even as she stepped down from the wagon and disappeared into the crowd. ----- “Rarity, when you appeared in the crowd, I had hoped you’d help me quell the resentment between the nobility and the merchants, not drive a wedge even deeper between them!” Fancypants was getting dangerously close to sounding annoyed, a true rarity for a pony so even-tempered. He was joined by Fleur, Fluttershy, and Fair Wind. The quintet of ponies were walking down the street, after the crowd had been dispersed following Rarity’s shaming musical takedown of Blueblood. Apparently it was hard for ponies united in laughter to form an angry mob. Rarity had even noticed some of the nobles Blueblood had brought with him openly laughing at the prince. Fleur agreed. “That was ill done, Rarity. Instead of being merely a disastrous, but forgivable, date at the Gala, Blueblood is sure to mark you as his foe.” Rarity took silent umbrage at being called Blueblood’s date, but let it slide. Fleur was right. Another thought came to mind. “How did you know that song was about me?” she asked, but quickly answered her own question. “I suppose it wouldn’t be hard to figure out, especially if you had been there. I’m not worried about Blueblood’s retaliation, dear. I have few enough noble customers after the Gala as it is.” “Ha!” Fair Wind gave a snort of disdain. “I’ve been a thorn in that git’s side for months, and let me tell you, Rarity, you have nothing to worry about. He’s all bluster. Incredibly annoying, especially when he goes out of his way to make your life miserable when you’re in Canterlot, but he’s harmless.” “There’s more to it than that, old chap.” Fancypants shook his head. “I had hoped to broker an agreement with the nobility and the mercantile class, but with what happened back there, I’m afraid it’s hopeless.” “Bah!” Fair Wind snorted, again. He’s rather fond of that, Rarity thought. I don’t think I’ve heard him start a sentence without one. “What the hell do we need the noble’s help for, Fancy? All that venture will prove is that, once again, the nobles will be too thick-headed to realize they’ve been mounting themselves into irrelevance.” Rarity chuckled to herself when she noticed Fluttershy blush at his language. I like this stallion. “I must side with Fair Wind, Fancypants. Whatever it is you’re financing, I’m positive a mention that Blueblood is against it is sure to send businessponies clamouring to fund it with you.” “I cannot believe you, Rarity.” Fleur shook her head angrily at her. “For all your pretense of being a lady, it seems every time you visit Canterlot, you let your emotions guide you.” Fleur raised her eyes to the sky, staring at the odd cloud floating by. “First the Gala, then the garden party, now this? You might have more in common with a Ponyville pony than you’d like to admit.” Shocked, Rarity stopped in her tracks. Raising her voice in anger, she turned on Fleur. “I can’t believe you’d insinuate-” She cut herself off, mind racing. Fleur, as distasteful as it was to admit, was right. She had lost control of the situation at the Gala, she wasn’t nearly naive enough to believe either Fancy or Fleur didn’t put two and two together concerning her pitiful charade at the garden party, and she had just led a mob in singing a song insulting the nephew of Princess Celestia. The only time she hadn’t acted like a complete fool of her own accord was when she accompanied the rest of the Elements of Harmony to confront Discord, the evil, maniacal god of chaos and disharmony. Fleur was already apologizing. “I am sorry, Rarity! Here I am talking about losing control and I-” Rarity slowly shook her head. “No, Fleur, you’re absolutely right. I have behaved terribly while in Canterlot.” It was her dream to be a lady, a true and proper mare. Yet, here she was, basking in her victory over a pony whose only crime was speaking his mind, and as disdainful his words were, hadn’t tried to completely humiliate his opponent. Another snort came Fair Wind. “Anypony that gives a snob like Blueblood exactly what he deserves is a fine mare in my book.” The brick-like pegasus tried to brush away Rarity’s concerns. “Listen, you’re the seamstress in that tale you spun, right? Any fabrics you want shipped or dresses to sell off my line, it's on the house. I’ll be giggling like a schoolfilly for weeks after that showing.” She gave him a weak smile. “Thank you, Fair Wind, but Fleur and Fancy are right. I wasn’t thinking at all back there.” The smile turned into a thoughtful frown. “All I wanted was to punish Blueblood. We’re lucky I didn’t make things turn violent.” All my life, I’ve dreamed of being a lady. But all my time in Canterlot, I’ve behaved just like the country bumpkin out in the big city for the first time. Except for that issue with that loose god of chaos. Rarity walked down the street, head held low. She had embarrassed herself thrice now, and while she had called Blueblood the fool during her song, she was the one acting foolish. She gave a sad sigh, and then noticed a warmth on her shoulder. She looked up and found Fluttershy laying a reassuring hoof on her, eyes wide with concern. Rarity mustered up a smile, which was returned a hundred times over by her pegasine friend. The group walked silently for a while, until Fancypants broke the silence. “Well this is a dreadfully sombre walk down the road.” He gave Fluttershy an inquiring raise of his brow. “Where are you two headed?” Looking slightly shocked at being addressed by a pony she barely knew, Fluttershy nonetheless recovered quite quickly. “Oh! Rarity and I are headed to the botanical garden in the University. We’re going on an awfully long trip, and I want to be well prepared for any exotic flora and fauna we encounter.” “Quite practical of you! A wise traveller takes every precaution before leaving on an expedition, no matter how mundane.” The yellow pegasus blushed at the compliment. “Th-thank you!” “We’re headed to Canterlot University ourselves, eh, Fancy?” Fair Wind nudged the unicorn in the side. “I think it prudent to sit down for our interrupted lunch, first. I’m quite famished.” A look of shock spread across the russet pegasus’ face. “Tartarus, you’re right!” As if on cue, his stomach rumbled audible. “Blueblood stopped me in the street before we could eat!” “Indeed, my friend. Fleur, any preferences on where we should dine?” “No, anywhere is fine.” Shaking her pink mane, the model turned to Rarity and Fluttershy. “Care to join us?” “We already ate, but thank you for the invitation. Besides, you’ve given me a lot to think about.” That’s an understatement. “As you wish.” Fair Wind turned off the bustling main thoroughfare, into the Merchant’s Quarter. “I know there’s a fantastic kelp cafe around here, Fancy. So long, Rarity, Fluttershy." He gave a quick bow to both of them. "Perhaps we’ll run into each other again at the University.” “Perhaps.” Rarity watched the trio set off down the road. “Fleur!” she called out. The leggy mare turned around, ear cocked. “Thank you, again.” “It is a hard thing, to overcome your faults. You are a strong pony, Rarity, and I believe you can overcome anything if you try.” She gave Rarity a warm smile. “Besides, you’ve braved the Everfree, if your song was true. You’re far from delicate.” Fleur turned and followed her male companions in search of a restaurant. ----- “Ohh wow! What’s this one do?” “That is a Shrieking Cactus. Not only is it covered in poisonous spines, if it is disturbed, it lets out a shriek that alerts predators that something is nearby and soon to be crippled.” “Amazing! I bet it’s a full time job keeping the animals away from those!” “Actually, camels let the desert run itself. Any creature that doesn’t learn for itself not to disturb them doesn't last very long.” Rarity sat, half listening, as a very eager botanical student led the two mares around on a tour of the greenhouse. It was cute the way Fluttershy was completely oblivious to the advances of the young stallion, who was staying close enough to physically warn her away from the dangerous plants, and leaning in close with her when she viewed the safer ones. That poor earth pony didn’t have a chance. She tuned out the conversation, reflecting on Fleur’s comments. How was she going to change herself? Did she want to change? Rarity couldn’t imagine not striving to be cultured, sophisticated. And there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. Her failure to behave as she imagined herself was the problem, not the goal itself. But, come to think of it, just who exactly was she trying to emulate? Blueblood had soured her to the thought of the nobility, with all their inherited sense of worth and resentment towards the common pony. To be honest, much of the merchant class Rarity had interacted with had been just as bad, obsessed with image and propriety. She recalled being sucked into that world, and she had come close to ruining her friendship with Twilight because of it. Fancypants and Fleur seemed like the two ponies in Canterlot that truly acted the part they were playing. Both were kind, gracious, and unafraid to speak their minds. Rarity had confronted Fancypants, privately, about his remarks about her friends the last time she was in Canterlot with them, and he had surprised her by claiming to be sincere in his appreciation of their ‘charmingly rustic’ antics. Then again, he had apparently taken in Fair Wind as his protege, and that pony acted like Applejack would if she had a dirty mouth and shipped goods for a living. And much of the mob had been ponies just like him: regular, everyday ponies that had become affluent through hard work and dedication. But despite her rash actions and thoughts earlier, she still, very much so, wanted to live that life of, well, class and decorum. Rarity sighed. Self-reflection is hard work! Resolving to spend the endless hours she would have on the trip south to do more of it, she turned her attention back to her surroundings. She had fallen behind the plant-loving pair, and hurried to catch up. Fluttershy had her head stuck right above the surface of a pool filled with aquatic plants, not noticing or caring that her pink mane was pooling in the water beneath her. Rarity was surprised to see her alone. I thought I would need a crowbar to pry off that amorous colt. “Where’s your friend?” Fluttershy gave a small “Eep” and flared out her wings, but quickly relaxed when she turned around and saw only Rarity. “Oh, he was called away by his professor. Something about an experiment gone horribly wrong.” Water dripped from her soaked mane. “Well, that doesn’t sound ominous at all.” Rarity chuckled. “What are you looking at now?” Fluttershy didn’t turn around. Instead, she stared directly at Rarity, eyes wide as saucers. “Do you want to talk about it?” Rarity didn’t need to ask what ‘it’ was. “Not yet Fluttershy, but later, absolutely.” She trotted up to the pool. “What is this thing?” she asked, motioning towards a bulbous sack floating just under the water’s surface. Fluttershy spoke solemnly before leaning in over the pool again. “I’ll hold you to that promise. That plaque there says it translates to ‘Greenblood Sac’ from Cervidian.” Rarity read along with the bronze sign as Fluttershy recited from memory. “The Greenblood Sac is the final stage in the reproductive cycle of the Greenblood algal species. Its physiology is unique among freshwater algae. As the bloom matures, it begins to harvest its dead members and convert their bodies into the structure on display above. While harmless while residing outside the sac, once the algae succeed in creating a closed structure around itself and deplete the oxygen contained within the airtight membrane, it activates an accelerated reproductive process that results in an increase of pressure that eventually causes the sac to explode, allowing the algae to spread to nearby bodies of water. Travellers in Cervidas are advised to stay clear of any bodies of standing water, as the average explosive strength of a ruptured Greenblood Sac is comparable to the force of three champion stallions combined kicks.” Rarity let that information sink in before turning to Fluttershy. “That doesn’t sound like a plant at all! It sounds like a bomb!” The pegasus nodded her head, dripping water everywhere. “Most algae aren’t actually plants, Rarity.” “How did something so dreadful come about?” Rarity struggled to wrap her head around the thought of an exploding non-plant. “That’s the real interesting part. The Cervids bred them, long ago, so that-” “Somepony created these things? Deliberately?” Rarity looked around the botanical gardens, eyeing every plant inside the greenhouses suspiciously. “Fluttershy, I don’t like being in here without a guide. Who knows what some of these plants do?” Fluttershy chuckled. “Oh Rarity, you just have to treat everything with respect.” She immediately put her hooves to her mouth. “Rarity, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to imply...” Fluttershy trailed off. “Its alright, dear,” giving her friend a nuzzle. “If Fleur can tell me off, why wouldn’t I allow one of my closest friends to do the same?” Rarity moved towards the glass exit door of the gardens. “Now come on, I think a nice, safe, boring talk with investors is exactly what I need to find my centre. Besides, the changing humidity of each greenhouse section is ruining my hair.” She rummaged through her bags until she found a comb, and began running it through her mane. In short order, with the help of a friendly passing student, Rarity entered the offices of the Royal Archaeological Society, Fluttershy trailing behind her. A purple mare with silver hair stood behind a desk with ‘Reception’ stamped into the wood. “Can I help you?” the mare asked, looking up from a paper she was reading. “Yes, please. There’s a meeting going on about finalizing the financement of Dusty Ruin’s latest expedition?” The silver-maned receptionist looked Rarity up and down. “You don’t look like a banker.” “I’m not,” Rarity answered. “Me and my friend here are on the expedition itself. We just want to sit in on the discussion.” “You’re on the expedition?” her voice dripped with sarcasm. Rarity didn’t like this mare’s tone. Giving her a flat stare, she tossed her head towards Fluttershy. “Listen, me and my friend here are personal guests of Dusty Ruin. We’re vital to the success of this journey!” “Have a seat, please.” The receptionist scribbled something down and returned to reading her paper. Standing in the middle of the empty room, Rarity fumed. This mare is making me out to be an idiot! Turning around in a huff, she spoke to Fluttershy. “I bet Twilight didn’t have any trouble getting in.” Behind her, the receptionist loudly asked, “You know Twilight Sparkle’s in there? Nopony outside the society knows Twilight is in there.” Finally, some respect! Rarity turned around. “Her and I are personal friends, yes. We’re accompanying her, like I said, at Dusty Ruin’s request.” The change was instantaneous. “My apologies! We get a lot of ‘associates’ claiming to be one of Dusty’s friends or companions all the time. He’s a very popular pony, you know.” The mare came out around the desk and hurried down the hallway. “I’ll take you to him!” Rarity followed, contemplating the mare’s change in attitude. I suppose this Dusty Ruin is more popular than I thought, if he has problems like this. She was glad she hadn’t snapped at the mare. Foal’s steps, Rarity. She was led halfway down a long hallway, through a door into a shorter, smaller hallway, both lined with pedestals upon which priceless artifacts no doubt stood. Rarity saw everything ranging from a polished, unidentifiable skull of... something... to intricate, but rusted, mechanical devices that she couldn’t begin to guess the purpose of. The mare stopped in front of a plain wooden door with the words ‘Meeting Room C1’ etched into the wood above it. “Here you go, although I can’t imagine sitting in on this being interesting. I transcribed a couple of these in my undergrad days, and it was a struggle not to fall asleep!” She left Rarity and Fluttershy with a cheery grin on her face. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask!” What a pleasant mare, thought Rarity as she opened the door. She stopped in the doorway as she saw who resided within. Twilight was there, as she had promised she’d be, sitting next to the stallion that had been burned into her brain just days ago. Both looked very uncomfortable. Rarity could easily guess why. Sitting at one end of the large, square table that dominated the room was Prince Blueblood, along with four more high-ranking, exceedingly rich nobleponies Rarity vaguely recognized from the award ceremony she attended after defeating Discord. Across the table sat Fancypants, Fair Wind, Fleur de Lis, and three other, no doubt, equally rich ponies. The tension in the room was palpable. The receptionist had been wrong. This was going to be far from boring.