To everyone’s frustration, they couldn’t get to the papers that day or the next, or the next couple of weeks after that! As soon as they got home, Hazy told them that Blue was ready to be released into their care, so preparations were made for a room of his own. A new bed was looked for, medical supplies; everything they’d need for an extended stay.
Winter was in full swing, snow was coming in heavy this year as planned. They were working extra hard at night to keep the storm lines in check, wouldn’t do to dump far too much snow on the farms and orchards. Worn out and tired misfits they were coming home to light a fire, checking to see if Blue was okay, then falling into deep sleep.
There were a few bright moments, such as the next night after the break in. Chryse and Hangfire saw Sweeper as he was leaving, giving him a few saucy winks and a flip of their tails. He blushed alot, waving away such things but smiled and always said a pleasant goodnight every time. Just a little unspoken thank you between friends.
Though for quite different reasons.
As for Manager Jerk, did Hangfire ever get his real name anyways? Well, she just knew him as Manager Jerk now. He was always giving them a hard time. Seems there were a few new replacements who for some reason didn’t need training, but were always somewhere else when the storm crew went out. Things were not adding up in their minds. They quietly discussed it during warm-ups in the line shacks huddling close to the hearth, warming themselves before facing the outside once more.
Hazy had finally stopped being such a nervous wreck about Blue. Having more than enough time to see his coltfriend looking quite a bit better already, recovering quickly with all the magic the doctors had used. Good old fashioned care meant a lot alongside the use of magic. It would be a while till he was fully healed, but he was making great strides.
Hangfire’s house felt warmer, more homey now. She had always rattled about in it, filling it with flowers or pretty things she found at the shops; but it was always quiet and alone. Now she had more than she knew what to do with, thank Celestia for two bathrooms! In the afternoons they would spread their wings on the large balcony taking in the cool air.
She was happy, for the first time in a long while. The money they were all bringing in was far more than they needed together. Allowing them to save a bit, they could plan ahead on going out at night or picking up luxuries.
As for her and Chrysanthemum, they’d talked. They would always be friends forever, it was promised by her and Cornflower. If sneaked kisses were exchanged passing in the hallway, no one would complain. Hazy and Blue; not having to worry about rent were unto themselves, happy and comfortable.
It was a day of shopping that really taught them all about friendship.
Chryse, Hangfire and Cornflower decided they had saved enough to get a few nice things from the Carousel Boutique. They’d all wanted to go there, but never had enough to spend on such fancy things. They had made a promise a few weeks ago if they ever got the extra, they’d spend a day there. That promise was now being kept.
The doorbell rang as they entered, Cornflower squeaked with excitement walking into the fashionable place, seeing all the wonderful scarves and hats that Rarity made for sale. She rushed around, looking at all the sparkling things, making Hangfire and Chryse chuckle to themselves.
A voice came from behind a curtain, cultured and oh so polite, “Please darlings, show yourselves around and I’ll be right out!”
Hangfire responded with a polite, “Thank you!” Pulling Chryse over to have her try on a new winter hat. Knitted with great skill, it had a few jewels around the headband that showed off her orange eyes so nicely, they both giggled while trying on more.
The cultured voice was a lot closer this time, “Find something you like dears?”
Surprised they flipped around, looking into the smiling azure eyes of Rarity, making them blush a bit as they replaced the hats they’d been trying on. She’d quietly walked up while they’d been engrossed with the caps.
“Uhm, we’re sorry Miss Rarity we were just trying on hats.” Chryse was being very polite with such a famous mare.
“What are you sorry for? Dear me, hats are made to be worn! It’s such dreadful days outside right now, I wouldn’t know what to do without something warm!” She looked at Cornflower running amok and the two in front of her, “I haven’t seen you in here before, have we met?”
“I..uh.. I’m Hangfire, this is Chrysanthemum call her Chryse please, and that’s her sister Cornflower currently wrapped up in scarves.”
Cornflower had burrowed into a bin full of lovely scarves, her entire body now wrapped in bejeweled lengths of soft cloth, Chryse facehooved at the first impressions. “I’m sorry Miss Rarity I’ll get her out of there.”
The light grey mare smiled winningly, Hangfire could see how she made friends so easily, “Let her enjoy herself dear. The things I make are meant to be enjoyed and worn, used for a purpose!” She waved a hoof around at the surrounding store. “I have made dresses for famous ponies and ponies who aren’t. Either way darlings, it’s the seeing of a smile, the gasp of delight! The roar of the crowd at the sight seen!” She mimed a swoon placing a fore leg across her brow, “Oh it’s sometimes too much with all the acclaim and the fame! Oh dear me!”
Chryse and Hangfire couldn’t help it, they covered their mouths with hooves, giggling out loud, trying to hold it back but failing.
Rarity looked out of the corner of her eye, seeing the reaction and smiling back, “Yes I know, such drama. Come look around, why have I never seen you here before?”
Hangfire looked at the ground as they neared some equiquins, wearing gorgeously jeweled dresses, “Well we never quite had the money to afford such wonderful things so we saved up. All three of us always wanted to come in here and get something, but figured we wouldn’t have enough because it’s all so nice!”
“Tut tut!” She waved a hoof at them, “Never worry about that. You are always welcome here!” Using her magic she set a small table with tea and biscuits, inviting them to sit down and partake.
“Miss Rarity we don’t want to take your time, we just..”
“Ah ah! It’s Rarity dears, and I have plenty of time. I am all caught up on designs for now and ahead on dresses for a play in Canterlot next week, I have nothing but time for mares who admire good fashion!”
Chryse went and got Cornflower, making sure she put all the scarves back where they belonged giving her that, ‘I can’t take you anywhere’ look.
Cornflower of course was absolutely unrepentant, grinning at her sister and bouncing along happily to the table. Taking up a tea cup and sipping quietly, giving Rarity a happy nod as dandelion tea was one of her faves.
Rarity tilted her head a bit, “Pleasure to meet you Cornflower.” Her eyes searching Cornflowers own yellow ones.
Cornflower wanted to dive under the table, not used to such scrutiny. She avoided the light grey mare’s gaze before leaning over, whispering in her sisters ear.
“She says she’s awfully pleased to meet you ma’am.”
“Well hopefully nothing’s wrong with a need to be so quiet Cornflower.”
Hangfire took up her own tea cup, “Nothings wrong ma’am. She’s..well she’s got a bad stutter and some folks make fun of her, so she whispers alot.”
“How dreadful!” All three looked at Rarity for a moment thinking here it comes..
“Ruffians and layabouts I’d say, making fun of such a lovely young mare because of a stutter! And stop calling me ma’am, it makes me feel like an old mare ready for the retirement home! Celestia forbid!”
She leaned over the table, taking Cornflowers’ hooves in hers, “You’re a lovely young mare Cornflower, never be afraid to be who you are! In time things disappear and I’m sure you have a wonderful voice that just beckons to be heard!”
Cornflower was utterly stunned as were the other two, used to harsh treatment sometimes they’d almost forgotten what wonderful ponies existed.
The blue mare leaned over the table as well whispering loud enough to be heard, “Th..th..thank. Y..y...you..” Her voice high and sweet, though rarely gracing anyones ears except her sisters and on occasion Hangfire’s.
“There! You see? Such a wonderful voice dear, you really should use it more!” Rarity gave smiles all around, assuming that since she said it it would happen. Where did she get such confidence?
The tea and biscuits were wonderfully prepared, served with grace and poise like Rarity herself. She played hostess for a few minutes, then started in on conversation by asking questions, sharing a bit of gossip here and there while laughter rang through the boutique. She was the epitome of cordial, treating them like old friends returned. Her heart showing with every smile and nod.
“And so, what can I offer you from my paltry selection of fashion?”
Hangfire about choked at the word paltry. Seriously?
Chryse finished her tea, gently setting down the cup. “Well Ma..” Getting a stern look from the indigo maned mare, “Er, Rarity. We work at night and need really warm things to wear. Maybe something for our off times too, you always have such lovely things in the window when we pass by.”
Rarity gave a laugh that sounded like bells in the enclosed area, “Oh dear, since winter has moved in, I’ve come up with some simply stunning designs you MUST try!”
“Uhm Rarity, we’ve only got so much to..” She was quickly interrupted with the wave of a hoof.
“Stop that immediately. Trust me you’ll love them, they’re to DIE for.”
Chryse and ‘Fire gave up trying to argue, raising their hooves in acceptance. “Yes Rarity. We surrender.”
The indigo mane shook with merriment as she got up from the tea table, “Smart move darlings, it doesn’t pay to argue with the designer.” Walking over to the bin of scarves her horn lit up, levitating various colors along Cornflowers neck, “See? Her blue coat goes magnificent with this red one, and the diamonds just set it right off! Yes we’ll go with that.”
The next few hours were filled with unmitigated joy. Rarity showed her generous heart over and over. Letting them see the latest fashions she was sending to Canterlot stores, sneaking a peek before anyone else. She advised them on warm clothes, fabrics and designs. So much information just flowed they had a hard time keeping up.
Cornflower squeaked so much she almost went hoarse, admiring herself in a new dress that went perfectly with her colors. She actually started talking quietly with the light grey fashionista, telling her how much she admired her skill in designing. Hangfire and Chryse almost shed a tear. Seeing Cornflower actually talk with someone was a rare treat.
It was the first any of them had ever been treated so nicely. They were so used to what they got or struggling along from day to day. It was hard to imagine a single pony like Rarity.
They were looking at a glass case, filled to the brim with necklaces, earrings and beautiful things that just shined in the light. Chryse must have had a sad look on her face as she stared into the brillant gems.
Of course Rarity would immediately pick such things up, “Why Chryse, whatever could be wrong?”
Chryse gave her a look that would break hearts. Her eyes wide and soft orange, a tear gathering at the bottom of each, she blinked and tried to smile. “I.. you’ve been so kind, so wonderful I just don’t know what to do! Nopony has ever treated me and my sister like this, ever! I know we can’t afford all this, and I feel like it’s charity, and I just..I mean..I can’t.. “ She covered her face with her hooves while sitting heavily on the floor and cried. She just couldn’t help it. The singular attitude and generosity of Rarity combined with the day to day things. Taking care of her sister she never regretted a single second. But this! This light grey mare, with the perfectly coiffed mane, who reached out and treated them like they were royalty straight out of Canterlot. It was just too much.
Hangfire stood in shock. Seeing the strong friend she knew, bawling her eyes out on the floor of the boutique just stunned her. Rushing over to her she enfolded her in one wing, while Cornflower leaned her head against the snow white mare.
Hangfire felt she had to say something, anything before they were asked to leave, “I’m sorry Rarity, we’ve had some tough times lately. We’re weather ponies and we work nights. It’s so cold, and sometimes really tough; we’ve got to be on guard so much. It hasn’t been easy when the management treats you like dirt. Chryse and ‘Flower have been limping along doing the best they could. You’re just so wonderful..I..I don’t know what to say..” She wrapped her snowy friend in a warm hug, holding her close. “It doesn’t help a couple of stallions staying with us are a couple too, and some folks don’t like it. So it gets kinda rough. I’m so sorry Rarity. We’ll leave. We’ve got enough to pay for what we picked out, I apologize for this.”
Rarity was silent for a moment while the three mares waited for the hammer to fall as she tapped a hoof on her chin, “Nonsense, what utter and complete nonsense! Tell me what’s going on here?”
Hangfire filled her in about the manager, how some ponies were getting stuck on the night crew. About Hazy and Blue, how they were so nice but kept getting insulted for who they were sometimes. She told her how she had opened her house for them all living alone as she did, trying to make a happy home. She carefully kept from mentioning the accident saying only Blue had gotten hurt on the job, and she made sure nothing was said about what they were trying to find out. That there was something wrong about the night shift. She was almost in tears herself by the time she finished.
Rarity got up, turning the OPEN sign to CLOSED coming back and helping the sobbing Chryse to a couch, getting her settled. Using her magic, she brought in a table, some comfortable seats and set up tea once again, “Well let me explain something to you all.” She told them about the Elements of which they'd heard, how she was the Element of Generosity. That it wasn’t about the money, it was about the giving. The helping of people, even when they were not even able to afford anything, she helped and would always be there to do so such as she could.
She took Chryse’s hoof in hers, her azure eyes making contact with orange ones. She explained very softly but insistently, that it was not charity. It was what friends do, it was what ponies do for each other; it was what she would want if she were down and out, that someone would be kind enough to help. “It’s what friends do, and I would be so pleased to be your friend if you’d let me?”
Chryse wiped her eyes clear, looking at the earnest sincerity in those blue eyes, making her feel like she was the most important pony in the world. She nodded, choked up so much she was afraid she couldn’t talk straight. She came around the table grabbing Rarity in a warm hug and nuzzle, thanking her so much for being so nice.
Of course the elegant mare acted like it was nothing in the world, when it meant everything to the three friends. She waved off any apologies or excuses sipping her tea delicately before pointing a hoof at each of the three in turn.
“ I think you need to do some things for yourselves” She pointed at Chryse, “You need to stop worrying.” The hoof moved to point at Hangfire, “You need to stop making excuses.” And lastly pointed at Cornflower, “You stop squeaking, such is not becoming of a young mare.”
The three mares nodded, then returned to sipping a bit more tea, waiting for Chryse to compose herself. Rarity waited politely as if nothing had happened at all, making no mention of it as they drank their tea.
Gracefully rising she turned the sign back to open, but it was getting into the evening. Hangfire told her they need some new blankets for Blue’s bed, and was rewarded with a couple of huge quilts overly stuffed with feathers to make it soft and warm.
The argument started again, with the three wanting to pay for everything but were stopped by an elegant hoof waving them away. The three mares had absolutely no problem with generosity at the moment, but at the very least they could help contribute. So without a word a very large bag of saved bits was slid across the counter, firm looks on the three mares faces.
As in all things, Rarity accepted with good grace. She commented and joked with them as they headed out the door. They apologized for the argument, but were waved off once more. As they took off down the street laden with packages, Rarity watched them go with a thoughtful look on her face.
They arrived home all smiles, unloading their packages in the entryway, when a voice stopped them, “Hey, whatcha got there?”
All three heads snapped around seeing Blue standing a bit wobbly on all his hooves grinning like an idiot, Hazy looked like he would bust from pride.
The three mares tackled him, gently though as he was still hurt, but they hugged and nuzzled the poor stallion till he turned so red he waved them off, “Stop that, jeez not like anypony was back from the dead or something.”
Chryse gave him a mock stern glance, “You shouldn’t be out of bed young colt!” Waving a hoof in his face she pushed him back into the room, getting him to lay back down, “You know the doctor said to take it slow!”
He nodded and sighed in exasperation, “I know I know, but I want to fly so bad, it hurts just looking at the sky and not being able to go.” His ears lay flat, looking out the window with a sorrowful expression. He turned back to the group, “And doncha blame Hazy, I badgered him till he let me up the big softie.” He gave his coltfriend a loving glance.
Hazy looked abashed, “Sorry...but he...wanted...to..get...up.”
Hangfire waved her hooves, “Argh! Stoppit! No sad feelings, we’ve had enough! Lookit what WE got!” She ran back into the hall, tossing packages into the room where Chryse and Cornflower unwrapped them. Showing off to Hazy and Blue their new scarves and blankets, dresses for the three mares. All the neat stuff they’d picked up.
Hazy was looking at the beautiful scarf around his neck, and a new cap for work keeping his ears warm, “Oh my...this..did..where’d .....these come...from?”
Cornflower actually spoke up, “W..w...we g..g..g...got th...th...th..them a..a..a...at R...r..r..r..Rarity’s..”
Hazy and Blue looked like they’d been hit with bludgeons, hearing Cornflower talk out loud and also the name of one of the most famous mares in town. Her boutique was known to be upper class all the way with all it implies.
Blue shook his head tossing his mane back and forth, “There’s no way any of us could afford that, c’mon you mares where’d you get this?”
Hangfire took out one of the lovely quilts, using her mouth and hooves to spread it over Blue as he lay on the bed. He gasped at the warmth immediately and snuggled right in, closing his eyes happily. “Blue, she gave us this stuff, we gave her all we budgeted and a lot more, but we’re fine. She...she asked us to be her friends!”
Chryse lay on the edge of the bed, wiping her face a bit as she told Hazy and Blue what happened. Everything that was in the packages, and how they were the loveliest things she and Cornflower had ever owned in their lives. She pointed to the quilt, “Seriously, have you ever seen anything like it?”
Blue and Hazy shook their heads.
“She practically gave it to us, because she said it’s what friends do.” Chryse wiped her eyes, Hangfire coming to lay beside her on the bed. Luckily it was a large enough bed.
“Hangfire continued the story, “She had tea with us, and we talked about oh so many things. She showed us the latest stuff she was sending to Canterlot stores, before anyone else got to see them!” Her violet eyes swept the boxes, the gorgeous things spilling out of them and looked heartbroken.
“Have we been treated so badly we forgot what real friends are like? All of us? Or did we get so beaten down we just accepted it?”
Hazy and Cornflower joined everyone else on the big bed, laying on a quilt that was beyond their wildest dreams of ever owning. They all were thinking of a very special mare who gave her time to show them all what a real friend was. Hangfire hugged Chryse and Cornflower close.
“This has to stop.”