//------------------------------// // Beau Monde // Story: Our Blessing // by MysteriousStranger //------------------------------// “Is she there?” “Wait, I’m looking… yes, there she is! Bring our boss here. We’re ready to start.” “Okay!” Two mares were having this conversation behind a curtain in a fashion catwalk. One trotted to another room while the other stayed watching the mare she was observing. The mare who went to find her boss passed through a dressing room where various models were getting ready for the show. She knocked on the door which lead to the boss’ office. “Ma'am? The guest of honour has arrived!” She heard hoofsteps from the other side getting closer until they stopped in front of the door. It opened to reveal Trixie Lulamoon on the other side. She was wearing the dress she used to propose to Rarity. “She’s here already?” Trixie asked to the mare in front of her. “Yes!” “Show me, Chemise.” Trixie followed the model to the curtain where the other model was awaiting. “Miss Lulamoon!” The other model greeted her boss. “Bell top. Show me where she is." “Over there, ma'am.” Trixie watched where Bell Top looked and she found her. Rarity’s best client for the past few months. Her coat was a light shade of pink. She wore a blue dress that made it look like she was wearing the night sky itself. Her hair and mane was light brown. Trixie couldn’t see her eyes since she was using sunglasses… at night. “She’s the last guest and most important one. We’re ready to start.” Trixie said before closing the curtain. “Bell Top, tell the rest of the models to get ready. Chemise, go with her. I have a few words to say before we start.” The models nodded and trotted to the dressing room. Trixie walked to the office again. Only when she was alone she dropped herself as she sighed. She was extremely nervous and she needed to calm down. “Alright, Trixie, you can do this. Remember why you are doing this.” She used her magic to bring her favorite framed photo of Rarity. “You’re doing this for your wife. This can be her big break, her only chance to find a permanent client without having to move out.” She kissed the crystal protecting the photo. “Wish me luck, sweetheart.” Trixie put the photo back on its place before standing up. She took a breath before leaving her office. She found the models, all lined up and ready to go. “We’re ready, miss.” One of the models said. “Good. First of all, I want to thank you all for your support. I know that many of you were looking forward to work with my wife, Rarity, but sadly, she woke up ill today. She had worked so hard for this event and I wasn’t going to just let her throw all the effort she put on this night to the trash, which also reminds me to thank you for being understanding. This client we’re dedicating the show to is well known among the fashion industry and she probably Rarity’s only big chance to become an important provider of the most famous artists. I want all of you to give your best performance yet. Does anypony has something to say? Yes, Bell Top.” “I only want to say that you’re doing a great job. I don’t know anypony who would do something like this in behalf of their loved ones. Miss Rarity got lucky on you!” Trixie smiled at this. “Thank you for your kind words. I must admit that I was unsure about the idea at first, but Rarity’s reaction when she realized that she wouldn’t be able to lead this show was heartbreaking. I’ll do anything I can to make her happy. Her smile is worth it.” “Aww! You don’t get to hear this kind of affection everyday!” One of the models said, with the rest of them smiling in agreement. The magician pony blushed. “Well, umm, th-thank you… anyway, we’re getting off track now. Anything else? No? Very well, let’s start! I’ll tell the manager that we’re ready while the first group gets in position!” “Yes, ma'am!” While Trixie headed to the manager’s office, the models checked their attires and looks one last time. Trixie arrived to her destination and she knocked on the door of the office. “Yes?” The voice of a stallion was heard from the other side before the door opened. “Miss Lulamoon. I trust that you’re ready to start. We have a tight schedule.” “Yes, we are, sir.” Trixie replied to the uneasy stallion. “Finally!” The stallion said as he stepped out. “I’m going to announce the start of the show, then. This better be a successful event or I’ll make you work for me until you pay for all the bits I invested on this.” “You have nothing to worry… sir.” Trixie avoided his sight altogether until he was gone. I really hate that pony! She thought before returning to the dressing room. She sighed when she spotted the agent of one of the models waiting for her. “Yes?” “Let’s be realistic, you have no experience with this. If you screw up, you can be sure that I’ll sue you.” “Don’t worry, sir. I have some knowledge in the world of fashion. I think I know what am I doing.” “We hope for both your belongings and the career of my client that you do. I won’t accept a single mistake.” The agent left just as the music started. Trixie could barely hear the manager’s voice. “Ladies and gentercolts, thank you for your patience. We’re pleased to get the show started! You’re about to witness Rarity… Lulamoon’s spring collection!” Stomps on the floor prevented Trixie from hearing Rarity’s last name. It didn’t matter since she perfectly knew how it was. Besides, she was focused on seeing the models do their last minute check before forming in lines. They were all wearing attires resembling Spring, including flowers. “You’re all looking good. Bell Top, you need to comb your hair a little bit more… that’s it, perfect!” “So, without any further ado, here they are, the new Spring collection!” More stomps were heard after the Manager’s last words. The models began to walk to the catwalk with confidence while Trixie encouraged them one last time. “You can do it. You have done it before!” The show had no problems. All the models did their job perfectly and the attires were mostly well received. The models told Trixie that their honorable guest showed more interest on the collection. The fashion show was a success. The manager and the agents gave her a cold congratulation. Not that Trixie expected more from them. The blue Unicorn waited until everypony but the guest of honor left, before meeting her. “You must be Rarity.” The guest asked as soon as she felt somepony approach to her. “No. I took Rarity’s place due to her getting ill. I’m Trixie Lulamoon, Her…” “Sister, I suppose. One of Rarity’s last name is the same as yours.” Something about the tone she used made Trixie dislike her, but she couldn’t show it. For Rarity’s sake. “Miss Beau Monde…?” “Miss Monde.” “Right.” The more she spoke, the more Trixie disliked her. “I hope that you have enjoyed the show.” “I did, I did… but I was hoping to speak to Rarity personally. I’m afraid that I can’t do business with her if she’s not here.” “Miss Monde, you can’t do this. It’s not her fault. Can’t you wait until she recovers, please?” “I’m a busy mare.” “All I’m asking are a few days, a week?” “Why should I?” “You love her work, she has accomplished with everything you have ordered without any delay, and she has never failed you.” “She did tonight.” “Being sick doesn’t count. After everything she did, the least you can do is to wait for her to recover. You owe her that much.” “Who do you think you are to give me orders?” Beau Monde angrily said as she stood up. “I won’t let you to walk away after everything Rarity did for you…! Ouch!” Trixie put a hoof on her left eye. It suddenly started to ache. Her eye would always hurt whenever she got mad. “What’s with your eye?” “That’s not of your business.” Beau Monde glared at Trixie, but decided to let that one pass. "So what can you offer me in exchange?" She continued with the previous subject. “Please, whatever you want. Just name it and I’ll do it.” Beau Monde considered this. “Anything I want, huh?” Trixie nodded, removing her hoof from her eye since the pain was fading. “The world of fashion isn’t friendly, you never know when you could use a favor. Alright, you got yourself a deal.” “Oh, thank you, thank you!” “Yeah, yeah…” Beau Monde wrote something on a piece of paper and gave it to Trixie. “I have given you the information you need to contact me at the hotel I’m staying. I’ll wait for a week, no more, no less. If your sister doesn’t recovers by then, the deal is off.” “I understand.” Once again, Trixie had a bad feeling about the fashionista in front of her. “Don’t worry, she’ll get better.” Beau Monde stood up and walked towards the exit. Before leaving, however, she turned one last time to see Trixie. “I don’t like having my time wasted. Rarity better recovers if she still wants to work in the world of fashion. Remember, I’m highly respected by every fashionista in Equestria. If I don’t speak well of Rarity, her sales will drop and she will be living on the streets before she can say Measurement.” Beau Monde had an indifferent look. She left after she said everything she wanted to. Trixie was panting. She was scared. Her wife’s career was at stake. She couldn’t believe how despicable Beau Monde turned out to be. “Gosh, I hate her!” She looked at the piece of paper she was holding. “If you destroy Rarity’s career, I will hunt you down!” Trixie folded the piece of paper and she headed to her office to pack her stuff. She had to think what to tell to her wife, and fast!