Chapter 03: Rarity
"Dear Princess Twilight, I haven't been at school in a week since taking this little girl under my wing. Not that I had any to begin with. She's opened up to me bit by bit, but I know she's still tight in her shell. She's a little more vocal since we first met, it took four days before she was doing that. Anyway, it finally stopped raining after a week of depressing downpour, and fall is coming. I don't know what has been happening in Equestria but I guess things have been pretty good. I hope your castle is working out. ~ Sunset Shimmer."
Sunset Shimmer closed her book and let out a sigh. She turned her head to her left, looking out at the lake from her bedroom balcony. It was probably seven o'clock in the morning, she didn't check the time before getting up so it was hard to tell. Sunset turned her head toward the door at the sound of Nyx's foot steps. The little girl opened the bedroom door and peered inside, her right eye clearly visible while her hair covered her left eye. She looked directly at Sunset Shimmer, then looked over to where the bed was, she pushed the door open and stepped in carefully. Sunset Shimmer's smile was crooked, she had an eyebrow raised in curiosity as to what Nyx was doing.
"Nyx..?" the teen called out.
Nyx went rigid, as if caught like a thief. She looked around the room for Sunset Shimmer as if she were lost. "S-Sunset Shimmer..?" Nyx spoke softly.
Sunset Shimmer's smile dropped, her expression was now of suspicion. She got up from her chair and entered the room, setting the book down on a table and approaching Nyx while she did.
"I'm right here," Sunset said to the dark skinned, purple haired girl.
Nyx turned around and looked up at Sunset Shimmer. "Oh.. t-there you are..."
Sunset Shimmer got down to Nyx's height and tilted her head. "Is something the matter, Nyx?" She asked with concern.
Nyx did not smile, she had a blank face for most of the time she was around Sunset Shimmer. She rubbed her eyes and looked toward the door.
"Is it time to eat?" She yawned, having just woken up.
Sunset Shimmer chuckled. "I think so." She looked at Nyx's makeshift dress fashioned from one of her best shirts. "I think it might be time to visit a friend of mine soon. I can't keep giving you my tops for dresses."
Nyx stared down at the floor. "...I'm sorry..."
"It's not you, don't worry. Come on, lets get some breakfast ready." Sunset Shimmer got up and headed for the door. "You coming, Nyx?" She put a hand on her hip as she stepped out of the room.
Nyx put her left hand on her right arm and followed, hitting the door frame and hitting her head. She stumbled back and rubbed the spot that hurt, moving her hair out of her face while she was at it. She looked straight at the frame she had walked into and widened the door opening, exiting afterwards. The young girl stepped carefully down the stairs, everything was a blur. Nyx gripped the railing for support. Sunset Shimmer watched Nyx from the living room entrance, she observed the girl's wobbly steps, the way she held the railing as if afraid to fall. She poked her cheek with her tongue in thought and turned into the living room, walking over to the fire place where she picked up a set of old glasses, she looked over her shoulder toward Nyx who was just entering the room.
Nyx took a few steps forward, before getting her foot caught beneath the carpet and falling into the back of the arm chair. She bounced off of its covering and landed on her bottom. Sunset Shimmer rushed over to Nyx quickly, the little girl rubbed her eyes and head, she grit her teeth slightly and was wiping her eyes of tears. Sunset got down on one knee, holding the glasses in her left hand which rested on her left knee.
"Nyx, look at me, how many fingers am I holding up?" She raised up her right hand with her index finger pointed upward.
Nyx looked and squinted. "Um... Um... S-seven? No! Three?" she answered with uncertainty.
Sunset Shimmer sighed. "I thought so... Hold still, Nyx."
Nyx did not move. Carefully, Sunset Shimmer fitted the ugly rectangle glasses onto the child's face, and all of a sudden, her vision which was blurry before had improved. Nyx blinked and looked around in surprise. She could see everything properly for the first time in possibly ages. Sunset Shimmer smiled.
"Is that better?" She folded her arms on her knee.
Nyx quietly nodded, she jumped back a bit when she saw Sunset Shimmer's face. Seeing it properly, seeing her eyes properly, helped the youngling better then seeing without glasses. This time she could read her saviors heart, and it was as pure as diamond. Nyx's trust was still not given. The child continued to shell herself away. She adjusted her glasses and looked up at the teen who stood before her.
"Thank you..." she said in a soft tone of voice.
Sunset Shimmer smiled. "Maybe I should take you to an eye doctor..."
Nyx blinked and shuddered at the mention of doctors.
"Do you remember what doctors are?" Sunset Shimmer asked curiously.
Nyx bit her lip, her right hand to her chest and her left hand on her right arm. She nodded and stared down at the floor.
"M-My eyes have... have always been this way..." Nyx admitted whilst fidgeting with her sleeves.
Sunset Shimmer stood up. "In that case, you probably needed glasses before I found you. But those old things don't suit you. They make your eyes bigger that's for sure," the teen giggled.
Nyx gave Sunset Shimmer a silent, emotionless look before turning away, and finding her way to the kitchen. Sunset Shimmer watched her with a sigh, staring down at the floor.
"It's only been a week. She'll open up," Sunset Shimmer thought to herself, hoping that eventually Nyx would talk to her.
It wasn't some motherly or sisterly desire, it was simply to know her better, make things more comfortable for the little girl who had no home. Sunset Shimmer simply left the feeling in the room as she left to join Nyx in the kitchen. The child was much better now that she could see, however the design of the glasses forced Nyx to adjust and fidget with them to the point of frustration. Sunset Shimmer occasionally glanced at Nyx while she examined and fiddled with the glasses.
"Are they uncomfortable, Nyx?" Sunset Shimmer gave a slight smile.
Nyx looked up at Sunset Shimmer and put the glasses back on, shaking her head in denial. Sunset Shimmer chuckled at this and continued to make breakfast. The past week had been different compared to the mundane weeks of school. Nyx was quiet everyday and had taken interest in the small selection of books that Sunset kept on some shelves.
She had attempted to read them many times but her now apparent poor sight would deny her the basic right to read. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had no idea what was happening while Sunset Shimmer was at home with Nyx. Many times the teen thought about sending the child to an orphanage but the threat it posed toward the innocent purple haired child was too great.
Nyx didn't start calling Sunset Shimmer by name until Thursday, before that she didn't address her, or talk to her at all, only when spoken to; a habit that appears to have stuck. Sunset Shimmer had gotten used to it by this stage. Nyx's health had improved over the week, she had gained some more meat on her once bony arms, her eyes were no longer sunk and her skin was starting to show its true dark color, like midnight it was dark, dark enough so that she could blend with the shadow's.
Nyx could now look at fine, fit fingers instead of the bony sticks that she once had and smile, but she still had a long way to go before she could look like a normal, healthy seven year old. Sighing and pouring milk into the cereal bowl, Sunset Shimmer returned to Nyx and gently placed the bowl on the table in front of her.
"Here you go, Nyx. I hope you like Fruit Bit Cereal. It's really healthy." The teen interlocked her fingers and rested her elbows on the table while she waited for some toast to cook.
Nyx ate her cereal but shuddered when she bit into a piece of the dried fruit. She screwed her eye's shut and scrunched her mouth, shaking her head and darting from her chair, rushing to the nearest bin and spitting the little piece of fruit into the garbage.
"I-It's sweet!" Nyx cried out.
Sunset Shimmer laughed and clapped, earning a cold, contemptuous look from Nyx who squinted in bemusement toward her. Sunset Shimmer reached over and plucked a piece of milk covered water Mellon cube from the bowel, eating it once it was within reach of her mouth.
"I think it's yummy. Mmh, yup..." She starred up at the ceiling, moving the cube around her mouth with her tongue to get into the sweet flavor. She nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I like this, it's fruity delicious, you don't know what your missing Nyx." She swallowed.
Nyx folded her arms childishly and watched, rolling her eyes at Sunset Shimmer who seemed to be teasing her. Sunset Shimmer put her index finger up and continued nodding.
"Yup, satisfy's the sweet tooth, it's good eating." She looked at Nyx all smug like with her right hand under her chin, holding her head up.
"You only had one bit of it!!" Nyx shouted, she stomped her foot on the floor and pointed at Sunset Shimmer accusingly.
Sunset Shimmer nodded. "True... So I'll eat it all." She smirked and reached over to grab the bowl.
"Nuu!!" Nyx cried out, quickly running back to her seat and climbing onto it, she picked up her spoon and started eating her cereal before the teen could take it.
Nyx looked at Sunset Shimmer who continued to be smug about it. Sunset poked her tongue out at Nyx who simply shut her eyes and turned her head away. She continued to eat her cereal which made her eyes water and lips pucker, the sweetness was too much, but just to show up the former Equestrian, she ate it all up.
Sunset Shimmer smiled properly, it was wide and proud. "Not so bad now, is it?"
Nyx swallowed, her eyes watering. She nodded reluctantly as the toaster popped, signalling to Sunset Shimmer that it had been done. Sunset Shimmer got up, and retrieved her crunchy toasted goodness, buttering it up and placing it on a plate. Nyx watched her from the corner of her eye before taking her glasses off and rubbing her eyes.
"You know, I was thinking of taking you to Rarity's today, to get you some new clothes, and hopefully, a set of glasses you can enjoy. Rarity always knows what's best in the field of fashion." Sunset Shimmer returned to the table with her toast as she spoke.
Nyx looked at what she was wearing, she had been using Sunset Shimmer shirt's and jackets as dresses for a week, and the amount remaining was small and Sunset Shimmer couldn't continue to lend them. Nyx looked at Sunset Shimmer and sighed, lowering her gaze to the ground. Sunset grew a little worried that Nyx would not like to meet Rarity and rubbed and held onto her hair to cope with that thought.
"S-She's really nice, and I trust her. She'll make you a really nice outfit, that isn't a top- now a makeshift dress." She smiled nervously.
Nyx stayed silent much to Sunset Shimmers annoyance. The teen ate her toast and stood up, putting her plate in the sink and going upstairs to brush her teeth. Nyx watched Sunset Shimmer leave before finishing her sweet fruity bits, much to her chagrin. Her eyes watered and her lips were sealed tight because the more of them she ate, the sour they got, like the application of milk made them go from sweet to sour.
"...This is a cereal..?" Nyx mumbled to herself in disappointment.
She picked up her bowl and hopped out of her chair, she walked over to the sink where she rinsed it out and put it in the drainer. She let out a deep sigh and removed her glasses to rub her eyes, putting them back on afterwards and looking toward the door. Upstairs, Sunset Shimmer changed into a copy of her usual attire, leather jacket and all, though with this one she had a tonne of belts around her waist and arms, some loose belts looped around from her hip, around and up her back, down to the waist again. She put a red headband in her hair, it was like a ruby mixed with the colors of light cherry pink and strawberry. She smiled at herself in the mirror and turned to her right where her bag hung from her desk chair.
"Probably should wear this on special occasions, Rarity suggested it. This is a visit to get new clothes so it is a perfect occasion!" She clenched her fist and fist pumped with a wide smile like she was going to see a foot ball game.
But slowly her smiled faded and she sighed. "But first, a trip to the eye doctor."
Sunset Shimmer let out a deep sigh and exited the room, she headed down the hall toward Nyx's room, when she passed the bathroom, just barely catching a glimpse of Nyx out of the corner of her eye. She paused in her steps, and stepped back to look inside, she saw Nyx was trying to brush her teeth, only she had no tooth paste and seemed bothered. Sunset Shimmer leaned on the door and chuckled.
"What are you doing?" Sunset asked in amusement.
Nyx stumbled and dropped the tooth brush, thinking fast she leaned on one leg over the falling toothbrush and grabbed it, falling onto the floor immediately after. Nyx sat up and rubbed her forehead. Sunset Shimmer approached Nyx and knelt down to her level with a smile.
"I could teach you how to brush your teeth... if you'd like?" She offered.
Nyx looked at her then at the brush, she stared at it before glancing back to Sunset Shimmer with a blink. Quietly she nodded and stood up with help from her carer. Nyx stood up on a small stool to see herself in the mirror while Sunset Shimmer put some tooth paste on it, and wet it beneath some running tap water. She took a cup and rinsed it out before putting more water into it, turning off the tap when she was done. She placed the cup back on the counter beside the sink, and looked at Nyx.
"When we brush our teeth, we always have a glass of water nearby so we can spit out the paste once we are finished." She pointed to the cup, so Nyx knew what she was talking about. "Now, let's put some tooth paste on that brush."
Sunset Shimmer picked up the paste, and showed Nyx how to apply it. She squeezed the end of it, pushing white minty paste out of the tip and put some of it on the bristles, wetting it under the tap again. After this, Sunset Shimmer showed her teeth and using an invisible tooth brush, showed Nyx how to brush her teeth.
She did the motions of brushing the front of her teeth and back of her teeth, her back gums and molers. Nyx watched Sunset Shimmer and did the same thing, copying the teenager exactly the same way. Nyx tasted the toothpaste with the tip of her tongue and whimpered, her eyes watering. She had just gotten the sour taste out of breakfast her mouth, now she had an even worse taste then before.
Sunset Shimmer cringed. "S-Sorry... I should have warned you. Tooth paste doesn't taste nice," she smiled nervously
Nyx glared at Sunset Shimmer and sighed, continuing to brush her teeth until her mouth was frothing with suds. She looked at the glass, and picked it up. She sipped the water before swishing it around in her mouth and spitting into the sink. Sunset Shimmer turned the tap on and washed down the remains of the yucky mess. While Nyx had spat, the horrible minty taste lingered in her mouth.
"Will this taste go away..?" She looked up at Sunset Shimmer, hoping to hear something good about it.
"It'll pass, just give it time. You may want to avoid eating and drinking for an hour, or at least until the taste goes away, trust me," Sunset warned Nyx, her cringe ever present.
Nyx poked her tongue out in disgust and shook her head with the same thought of tasting apple juice with tooth paste taste in her mouth. "Bleugh," she muttered.
Sunset Shimmer chuckled and headed for the door, placing her hand on the frame as she looked back over her shoulder. "We're going to Rarity's soon, Nyx. Grab what you need and meet me down stairs. The earlier we are, the better the chance we could get clothes for you first."
Sunset Shimmer moved away and headed down stairs. Nyx watched after her, before turning, and looking at herself in the mirror. She looked at the "dress" she was wearing, and felt it was out of place. Reluctantly she started to agree with the teenager that she should consider getting some new clothes, but what kind was yet to be decided.
~~~
Nyx was beside Sunset Shimmer on their walk. Her curiosity was limitless as she looked at the tree's, the grass and flowers that could be seen all over. She had remained inside for the most of the week, seeing the plants, the sun, the clear blue sky and the tree's was a breath of fresh air. She took particular interest in the pink leaved cherry blossom tree's that hovered over large ponds in certain areas, the animals that scurried about, and the overgrown statue's that would line the left side of the path. It was all so fascinating to Nyx, and Sunset Shimmer was happy that the little girl had something to do while on the long walk.
"Before we go to Rarity's, I want to get your eyes checked out. I can't exactly give you any old pair of glasses without knowing what type you need."
Nyx looked up to Sunset Shimmer, confused. "But these ones work fine, I can see good."
"Those aren't normal glasses though," Sunset thought to herself. "Even so, a professional opinion would be a good idea."
Nyx looked away from Sunset with reluctance and fear. She couldn't help but think of all the things eye doctors would do. Having never seen one, Nyx fretted over what they might do and with that she stood slightly closer to Sunset.
They arrived at the Optometrist in a short span of time. Sunset had already booked an appointment earlier that morning not long before making breakfast for Nyx. Sunset was nervous throughout the check up, she had no ties to Nyx other then having found her and looked after her for only a week. Sunset was honest for the most part, but she left out details of how she came to find Nyx.
After nearly an hour of testing, the doctor prescribed glasses for Nyx and berated Sunset for giving Nyx glasses without first getting her checked, even if it was only temporary. Even so, the glasses were by coincidence compatible with Nyx, despite their concealed nature.
~~~
Rarity toiled away in her thinking room, making new outfits for the Rainbooms in addition for her customers. She had mannequins covered in fine clothes of silk and cotton among many more, they were stylish, and each had a professional touch, one that Rarity had, exclusively.
"Perhaps this would benefit from an addition of ruby's along the collar, or perhaps the shoulders... no?" Rarity tapped her chin with her left index finger in thought, holding a ruby in her free hand. "No, No, No, that certainly won't do."
She put the ruby down and folded her arms and sighed, removing her glasses and pressing her left index and thumb against her forehead whilst her right arm was wrapped around her chest, her red glasses in hand.
"No, none of it works. Oh what would I give to be inspired and try a new design. Something stylish, plain, rebellious!" She gasped. "That's it, a rebellious outfit! It would be marvelous!" She squealed in delight.
She put away her spools and ruby's, and put her mannequins aside, taking out another designer sheet and getting started when the bell to her store rang with the opening of the door. Rarity looked toward the entrance of her store and stood up.
"Hold on, I'll be right there," she called from her thinking room.
Nyx looked around at the dresses on display in the store, Sunset Shimmer stood beside the child, waiting for Rarity with arms folded. She watched Nyx as she looked around, a small smile formed as she did. Nyx's curiosity reminded Sunset Shimmer of her own when she was a filly still living in Equestria. Sounds came from the back room, Nyx moved over to where Sunset Shimmer was and stood close to her as Rarity came out and approached the counter. Her eye's immediately fixated on Sunset Shimmer, a look of disbelief on her face.
"Sunset Shimmer? Where have you been, darling? Every body has been worried about you. We thought you weren't coming back," the white skinned teen said with concern.
Sunset Shimmer rubbed the back of her neck with a hand on her hip. "I've been a little busy lately."
"Busy? With what, darling?" questioned Rarity who failed to notice the little girl hiding behind Sunset Shimmer.
Sunset Shimmer blushed and looked down to her left. "A little girl." She pressed the back of her hands on her hips, her hands closed while she did.
"A-A little girl..?" Rarity was dumbfounded, she thought her friend must've fallen and hit her head in the rain a week ago.
That was until Nyx stepped out and looked up at Rarity, who noticed and gasped. Nyx blinked and tilted her head, adjusting her glasses once more, and licking her dry lips. Rarity stared at the filly whose eyes were searching, once again she was trying to see the good in Rarity, to determine whether to trust her or not.
"Sunset.. could I have a word... in the back room?" She motioned for Sunset Shimmer to follow her.
The teen with the fiery colored hair nodded with a sigh. "Wait here Nyx, and don't touch anything."
"I won't," Nyx responded compliantly.
Sunset Shimmer left Nyx's side and walked over to the counter, where the gap was to get in behind it. Rarity waited by the door to the hallway close to where her thinking room was. Sunset Shimmer stepped into the hallway with Rarity who looked baffled by Sunset Shimmer's decision.
"You adopted a child?" Rarity was quick to ask so bluntly.
Sunset Shimmer chuckled and shook her head. "No, I found her on my way home after going to the mall with you, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack," Sunset Shimmer's tone became grim as she went on. "She was hurt, wrapped in barbed wire which cut into her legs..."
Rarity peered into the room from around the corner toward Nyx. She glanced down at her legs and saw bandages, fresh and clean. The white teen looked back at the amber skinned girl.
"Why didn't you take her to a hospital, or hand her over to an orphanage?" Rarity's eyebrow's slanted and became sad looking.
Sunset Shimmer moved a lock of hair out of her face and sighed. "If I took her to a doctor they wouldn't release her to some stranger, I don't even know her. They would have called the child care services and they would have taken her away; you know orphanages are bad places for kids, all the beatings and other awful stuff that goes on, it's frighting... She's far too sweet, to be subjugated to that, Rarity," Sunset Shimmer was serious, from her voice to the look in her eyes.
Rarity removed her glasses and looked to the floor in thought. "I... I suppose you're right... I'm sorry, I should be a little more open minded," Rarity looked regretful and sighed.
Sunset Shimmer placed her right hand on Rarity's left shoulder. "Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. Anybody with common sense would have done what you brought up, I felt what I did was better for her."
Rarity smiled at Sunset Shimmer, feeling a lot better about herself.
"Speaking of her, would you like to come out and meet her?" Sunset Shimmer stepped back behind the counter, walking back to Nyx who was on the other side.
"Well I don't suppose there is anything wrong with that." She said as she followed.
Nyx stood in one spot, her arms behind her back with one foot forward. Rarity stood before the little girl, before getting down on one knee.
"Hello sweetie, my name is Rarity. I am a good friend of Sunset Shimmer's, it's a pleasure to meet you," Rarity greeted Nyx courteously.
Nyx smiled, instantly taking a liking to her, she squeaked when she couldn't think of a reply but shortly overcame that and smiled at Rarity in turn. "H-Hello M-Ms. Rarity...M-My name is, Nyx." She squeaked once again.
Rarity giggled. "That's quite an adorable squeak you have there."
Nyx hid her face from Rarity shyly, Sunset Shimmer leaned against a wall, watching them. She was surprised to hear Nyx squeak, something she had not done before.
"I must say, your name is quite powerful, Nyx. Named after a dashing heroine who saved villages in the dead of night, with the moon as her ally," Rarity spoke as dramatically as she placed her right hand to her forehead.
Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes and chuckled, while Nyx giggled. Rarity smiled humbly and stood up.
"So, Sunset Shimmer, how may I help you today? You didn't come for a visit I'm sure, not while this little one is wearing one of the tops I made for you." Rarity turned to look at Sunset Shimmer as she spoke.
Sunset Shimmer approached Rarity and handed her a scroll with a crude sketch of an outfit. "Where do you want to start?"
Rarity took the scroll over to the counter and unfolded it, she glanced over what Sunset Shimmer had sketched and quietly looked back to her.
"You designed this outfit?" she said in surprise.
Sunset Shimmer shook her head. "I drew it, Nyx designed it herself."
Nyx blushed modestly. "N-No I didn't..." She put on a slight smile.
"There's nothing to worry about dear, these designs are simply gorgeous!! I will do these for you, come with me, Nyx. We can get to work on my work room," Rarity urged Nyx to follow, and she did so, cautiously.
~~~
Nyx stood still on top of a stand while Rarity took measurements. The expression on Nyx's face was one of bemusement and annoyance.
"D-Do we have to measure me?" Nyx whined.
"But of course, dear. I cannot make your outfits without first making sure of your size and weight. This make's it incredibly easier for me to make it fit; otherwise it'll be too tiny," Rarity educated the child.
Sunset Shimmer watched from a chair nearby the door. A smile adorned her face as Nyx continued to react childishly toward the measurements, Rarity chuckled when she did, making Nyx crack a genuine smile every now and again. Sunset could see the trust Nyx had in Rarity that was sorely lacking with her. She made a steeple with her fingers as she rested her hands in her lap. her mind flashed back to that night a week ago, the barbed wire coiled around the child the way it was, like a snake constricting its prey. She started to zone out, her head lowered slowly until she looked like a soon to be father in a waiting room. During her deep thinking, Rarity came over to her and tried getting her attention.
"Sunset Shimmer, excuse me, Sunset Shimmer!" she called twice.
Sunset Shimmer lifted her head and shook it. "Y-Yes, Rarity? Did something happen?" She rubbed her eyes and blinked.
"You were falling asleep. Nyx wanted me to wake you, you started to worry her..." Rarity's voice was soft.
Nyx stood where she was on the stand, her eyes hazy with worry, clearly something had bothered her as Sunset Shimmer was thinking. She looked over to Nyx and frowned apologetically, but the little girl ignored it and turned away, sitting on the floor and hugging her knees.
"Perhaps we should continue with the design process." Rarity looked back at Nyx as she spoke, and walked away from Sunset Shimmer back to the child.
Sunset Shimmer watched Rarity go back to Nyx, she sighed and got up to get a closer look at what was going on. Nyx stood back up for Rarity who smiles at her.
"Alright Nyx, lets get started on your new clothes, I will have them done within the hour. Please, wait out in the foyer until I am ready to unveil my newest creation," Rarity smiled brightly with excitement.
Nyx nodded, she looked over to Sunset Shimmer, that smile dropping like a rock into water. Sunset Shimmer held her hand out to Nyx, but the child did not take it, instead, Nyx walked off the stand, out into the hallway and into the main foyer of the boutique. Sunset Shimmer put her hand down and hugged her arms with a sigh, following Nyx and coming to sit beside her in the foyer.
Rarity watched them and sighed; she got ready all of her spools, her cloth, and materials to make a vest. And in no time at all she was on her way. She spent hours sewing pieces together, using a mannequin as reference for the arms legs, shirt and skirt. Far into the process, she began to notice that Nyx's outfit had no emblem and tapped her chin in thought of this.
"Sunset Shimmer, Nyx..." Rarity came out of the back room and into the foyer to see Sunset Shimmer and Nyx were sitting apart, Sunset was clearly saddened at this, while Nyx seemed to be shoving her away. Nyx rested her head on her knees and hugged her bandaged legs closely.
Rarity felt that she shouldn't say anything, but still, she spoke up, clearing her throat and garnering the attention of both Nyx and Sunset Shimmer.
"I'm sorry to bother you both, but what was the emblem supposed to be?" Rarity asked inquisitively.
"E-Emblem..?" Nyx asked softly, she did not know what emblems were, though one had been staring her right in the face when she would look up to Sunset Shimmer.
"I'll let you explain this one, Rarity. Nyx doesn't want to talk to me..." Sunset Shimmer, folded her arms and leaned back, her head turned away from Nyx.
Rarity could see the animosity between the two but said nothing of it. "W-Well, Nyx; an emblem is what identify's us. Mine is on my skirt." Rarity came into view where she showed the child. "See my three diamond emblem? That's what an emblem is, do you understand? "
Nyx nodded and thought. "I-I don't know what type of emblem I want... " Nyx said regretfully.
Rarity smiled and clapped her hands together once. "It's quite alright dear, we can always think one up down the line." Rarity turned and returned to the back room where she continued her work.
While she did, she thought about the way Nyx, and Sunset Shimmer were treating each other. She then compared Nyx's name to the ancient heroine, Nyx of the night, and figured Nyx's isolation of herself was like a shield, and her name was like that of the moon's champion. Rarity's eyes sparkled with rainbow, her ear's and pony tail forming as she got to work on an emblem, a shield of steel grey, with a dark blue inside, with a turquoise colored crescent moon just to the left of the center.
"That will work, by the goddesses it will work!!" Rarity exclaimed just loud enough for Sunset Shimmer to look toward the door behind the counter.
"Is everything okay, Rarity?" called Sunset Shimmer.
"Everything is just fine, darling!" Rarity called back as she placed the emblem on the center of the dark blue top she intended to give Nyx.
Rarity grinned from ear to ear, grabbing the top and ironing on the emblem to the center of the shirt, the shield of the moon, to show that Nyx was a protector of not just herself, but other's close to her. At least that was what was going through Rarity's mind. Once she had ironed on the emblem, she moved the iron off and let the steam clear before gazing upon a perfectly created emblem for Nyx. It filled Rarity with much happiness, she wiped some sweat from her forehead and sighed contently, she placed the shirt, warm and toasty on the mannequin, moving on to the vest.
She took different purple colored fabrics, a zipper and padding, and quickly got to work. Rarity spent thirty minute's stitching it together, placing the zipper in the right place and making the pockets. She excluded sleeves and contemplated adding the emblem to the back. She looked at the back of the vest in thought before shaking her head and placing the jacket-like-vest on the mannequin, over the toasty warm shirt, it brought out the rebellious look she was going for. Now it was time to move on to the skirt.
~~~
Sunset Shimmer couldn't help but wonder what Nyx was thinking. The sounds of Rarity working in her thinking room would be a welcome change to the silent dreariness that occurred in this room. Nyx was staring at her finger's, thing but not bony, fat enough to almost look normal. The child sighed and twirled her long hair around her left index finger, she blinked and let out a sigh, unwrapping her right arm from around her legs so she could plant her feet softly on the floor. She stood still from there, resting her hands in her lap and staring down at the floor.
Sunset Shimmer turned her head slowly to her right, to look away from Nyx, who would soon soon speak the moment she found her breath. The teenager pulled her legs close to her and hugged them. The silence became unbearable, Nyx's voice cut through the silence, however, it was soft, quiet, but it sure put an end to the incessant ticking of the clock on the wall, and the mundane nothingness that had lingered in the air like a shadow in the sun for thirty agonizing minutes.
"Y-You scared me..." Nyx had her head down, her hands together, fingers interlocking one another and closing over her hands.
Sunset Shimmer looked at Nyx, she tilted her head in confusion, but frowned. "I-I'm sorry if I did, I didn't mean too, I never meant to,"she said earnestly and sincerely.
Nyx finally looked up at her, she looked as if she had started to cry. "W-When you were sitting down like that, I thought you were hurt..." Nyx's voice rang with sad quiver of held back sobbing.
Sunset Shimmer let her legs down and came over to Nyx, kneeling down in front of her. "Hey, I'm alright, I'm not hurt. I was just thinking. I never meant to make you upset, or to make you cry, okay?"
Sunset Shimmer spoke in a soft voice that carried a caring vibe that helped the child fine the calm she had been need this half hour.
Nyx quickly hugged Sunset Shimmer for a brief, if not slight moment before letting go and returning to her facade of locking the teenager out of her life. Sunset Shimmer's face lit up with a smile at knowing Nyx really did care. But one question remained, why? Though as much as she would like to ask, she first had to wait. Rarity had stepped into the room with a bright smile.
"Sunset Shimmer, Nyx. it is ready!"
~~~
"Well? What do you think, it's not too plain is it? Not too much purple? Oh I do hope you like it, Nyx," Rarity showed much enthusiasm about the dress.
Sunset Shimmer smiled in admiration of Rarity's work. "It look amazing, Rarity. Don't you think so, Nyx?"
Nyx looked at it from the bottom of the skirt, to the shoulders of the vest. She inspected it from all angles and thought long and hard about it. Sunset Shimmer and Rarity looked to one another happily, then looked back and watched Nyx while she examined the outfit. The dark skinned child smiled happily and turned to Rarity.
"I love it!!" Nyx exclaimed.
Rarity clapped in delight. "I'm so pleased you do, now, I must insist you try it on, at once. I must know if I should tailor it to accommodate your size, just in case it is too big."
Sunset Shimmer sat up on Rarity's desk. "Yeah, go on, Nyx try it on." She smiled with her hand son her knees.
Nyx smiled. "O-Okay." She took the clothes off the mannequin and retreated into the change rooms, while Sunset Shimmer and Rarity waited happily.
"I really do hope I didn't over do it," Rarity admitted to Sunset Shimmer, her hands to her chest, closed.
"You have nothing to worry about, Rarity; it looks great." Sunset Shimmer adjusted herself on the spot, her left hand pressed on the table while her right rested on her leg.
"Um... Rarity.. H-How do I look?" Nyx stepped out of the change rooms.
Sunset Shimmer and Rarity looked at Nyx, the dark skinned child stood in front of them in her blue top, purple vest, bright violet skirt, long knee high boots and rectangle glasses. Rarity's face absolutely lit up with happiness, her eyes sparkled and her smiled reached the edge of her ears. Sunset Shimmer had a smile admiration.
"It's simply perfect on you dear, just perfect!" Rarity squeed her loudest but quickly stopped and looked at the child's hair and glasses.
"There's just one more thing missing." Rarity folded her arms, her right hand on her cheek with her index finger up.
"And what would that be, Rarity?" Sunset Shimmer inquired.
Rarity turned to the amber skinned teen quickly. "Oh just a haircut, and a new set of glasses. The current pair she has are a tad ugly, and clash with the style of clothes she's wearing, and her hair... too long I'm afraid." She shook her head as she counted the many reasons.
"So you're going to cut her hair?" Sunset Shimmer looked unsure of this, glancing at Nyx who appeared a little worried about losing most of her long hair.
"Well of course I am, darling. If it gets any longer she'll be dragging it on the ground, that's an awful thing to happen to ones hair." Rarity touched her hair and brushed it slightly as she explained.
"D-Do I have too?" Nyx whined.
"Well even I must admit, it is rather long for someone your age," Sunset Shimmer admitted.
Nyx sighed and frowned, lowering her head to look at the floor. "I don't want to..."
"Really Nyx it's no trouble. You'll love your new hair style when I'm done, I guarantee it." Rarity spoke with a hint of truth in her voice.
Nyx looked at Sunset Shimmer and sighed. "O-Okay... B-But not too short. I don't want to look like a boy."
"Splendid!" Rarity cried out before turning to Sunset Shimmer. "Now Sunset, I'm going to get started on Nyx's new hair style; but I have a favour to ask."
"Sure, what is it you needed help with?" Sunset Shimmer smiled, hopping off the table.
Rarity reached over to Nyx and took off the rectangle glasses, handing them to Sunset Shimmer along with a bag of bits. The amber teen looked at them as Rarity placed them in her hand, then looked back at the white skinned designer who wore an absolute smile.
"I want you to go to Spyglass's Glasses store, and pick up a certain pair I think would suit Nyx perfectly," Rarity said with optimism. "That bag of bits should cover the cost."
Sunset looked at the bag, then at Rarity with uncertainty.
"Relax darling, Spyglass knows me. Where do you think I get my frame-less glasses for my designs? He's used to me coming by, and you're not the first I've sent that way."
"Okay... w-what kind are they?" Sunset Shimmer tilted her head with a raised eyebrow in wait of Rarity's answer.
"Well, they have to be circular, clear, a purple rim around the frames and arms. Too much purple?" Rarity asked, unsure if the purple was too much or not, it seemed to be the most stylish thing ever to her.
"They have to be a certain type though, don't you have a set on hand?"
Rarity shook her head. "Well, no dear. You don't expect me to keep glasses lying around, do you?" Rarity put her hands on her hips, her own glasses resting plain on her face.
Sunset Shimmer sighed and chuckled. "Alright then. I'll be right back." She smiled and left the room, heading for the front door of the Boutique. With the jingle of a bell and the closing of a door, Sunset Shimmer was on her way.
A sense of deja vu overcame Rarity but she shook it off and turned to Nyx. "Now Nyx, how would you like your hair?" A large smile formed on Rarity's face.
Nyx gulped and stared in Rarity's direction, a look of concern and worry on her face.
~~~
Sunset Shimmer walked just up the street from the Boutique, carrying the rectangle glasses in their case so they weren't broken in her grip. She passed by many of her school friends and random people. Waving at her friends and staying clear of passerby's. The teen stopped mid walk to see Ditzy coming down the street on Rollerblade's, Vinyl and Lyra following her and trying to stop her.
"Whoa watch out!" Ditzy cried.
Sunset Shimmer quickly put the glasses case in her pocket and jumped in the way of Ditzy, catching her and falling over, the grey skinned wall eyed girl doing the same. Vinyl and Lyra looked at one another and quickly hurried down toward them as Ditzy sat up and rubbed her head.
"Ow... Oh, hey Sunset Shimmer, sorry to bump into you like that," Ditzy said cheerfully.
"I-It's okay, Ditzy." She sighed and got up, rubbing the back of her head.
Lyra, reached down and helped Sunset Shimmer up, the amber skinned teen thanking her and looking back to Ditzy. The grey skinned teen had her hands behind her back and was turning her heel slightly on the ground in front of her.
"You should be more careful, Ditzy. You'll get yourself hurt..." Sunset Shimmer placed her left hand on Derpy's shoulder, giving the wall eyed girl a warm smile.
"I will be, I got Vinyl and Lyra here to help me." Ditzy grinned.
Sunset Shimmer smiled. "Well, be safe, have a good day." Sunset Shimmer passed them and continued on to Spyglass's store, waving to the three friends who skated away.
Sunset Shimmer put her hand down and continued to the store, at the end of the street on the corner. She looked up at the giant glasses shape at the top of the building, before opening the door and walking inside. The bell above the door jingled and announced the teenagers arrival.
"Hello? Is there anybody here?" Sunset stepped into store, closing the door behind her.
"Hello there!" Came a voice from the back room behind the counter.
Sunset Shimmer jumped back startled at the sound of the wise, old and spry voice. Spyglass emerged from the back room and came up to the counter.
"Sorry to startle you, come on in." Spyglass waved Sunset Shimmer to come over to the counter, which she did.
Sunset Shimmer walked over to the counter and stood in front of it, and Spyglass.
"Welcome, Ms. How might I help you today?" Spyglass asked with quite the merry tone of voice.
Sunset Shimmer opened her backpack and pulled out her written description of the glasses Rarity asked for.
"I'm looking for the pair of glasses that match this description. Round lenses, purple arms with a purple rim around the lens, do you have that in stock? Rarity was very specific on the type." Sunset Shimmer looked at Spyglass with a questioning and hopeful look on her face and in her eyes.
Spyglass adjusted his glassed and read the note. He gave a happy smile and looked back up to Sunset Shimmer, nodding. "I have only one box left in stock, please wait here."
Sunset Shimmer beamed and waited by the counter, while Spyglass went into the back room to retrieve these glasses. Before she forgot she quickly yelled out to spyglass what type was needed to compensate for Nyx's eyes.
The fire haired team looked around the room and at the glasses for a moment, then her bag started to vibrate and flash. Quickly noticing in surprise she unzipped the bag and took out her cross dimensional message book. She smiled brightly and quickly opened it to read Twilight's reply. Her eyes scanned both of the newly written pages, but were quickly drawn away when Spyglass came back, the reply remaining unread.
"Here are the glasses you wanted. That will be ninety nine bits." Spyglass placed the case with the glasses on the counter and waited for Sunset Shimmer to pay.
Remembering the sack of bits Rarity gave to her, Sunset Shimmer reached into her pocket, pulling out that same sack of bits. She glanced it over before handing it to Spyglass.
"I think this will cover the expenses... hopefully," she said optimistically.
Spyglass took the bag and opened it, he poured it into the register which read the amount paid, bringing a smile to Spyglasses face. "Thank you, Ms. Have a nice day." He smiled.
Sunset Shimmer picked up the glasses and put them in her bag beside the book. She gave Spyglass a smiles and a wave of goodbye. She approached the door and opened it with a jingle, exiting the store and closing the door behind her.
~~~
When Sunset Shimmer returned to the Boutique, she could hear Nyx and Rarity laughing together in the kitchen. Raising an eyebrow with curiosity sweeping over her, Sunset Shimmer went into the hall and down a door to the kitchen. Here she saw Nyx and Rarity putting frosting on a cake they had started while she was out.
"Now very carefully spread the frosting all about the top so it coats it like a blanket, understand?" Rarity smiled at the dark skinned child.
"Mmhm," responded Nyx.
Sunset Shimmer chuckled and cleared her throat. Nyx and Rarity turned to see Sunset Shimmer, Rarity smiled, Nyx was neutral in her expression. The little girls hair was now shoulder length.
"Did you get the glasses, darling?" Rarity asked, putting down the spoon to frost the cake.
Sunset Shimmer nodded and opened her bag, pulling the newly bought glasses out in their case, which bore a moon symbol on it.
"Ninety nine bits." Sunset Shimmer sighed.
"I knew it would come to that, that's why I gave you the bag." The white teen giggled with a smile.
Rarity opened the case and picked out the iconic glasses. She turned to Nyx and bent down to her level. "Nyx, I have one more thing to add to your attire."
Nyx tilted her head and came over to Rarity, standing just a few inches away. Rarity with a happy smile put the glasses on the child's face, and immediately her eye sight was perfect. Nyx looked at her hands, her boot covered feet, then to Sunset Shimmer, a large smile on her face. Sunset Shimmer returned this smile.
"You look amazing, Nyx," Sunset said softly.
Nyx blushes and looked to the floor, kicking the carpet in an embarrassed way, her arms behind her back.
"Th-Thank you..." she spoke nervously.
Sunset Shimmer glanced at Rarity and sighed. "I'll be more then happy to take her home. How much would you like for the materials used?"
Rarity waved her hand. "No need to pay darling, this on the house."
"Are you sure?" Sunset Shimmer 's pupils shrank, surprised at Rarity doing this for free.
"Well of course I am dear, don't tell anybody else I did this, this is for Nyx; who while you were gone told me about her life before you found her. No spoilers of course." Rarity smiled.
Sunset Shimmer nodded. "That would be best, to be honest I want to find out these things by myself."
Nyx looked up to Sunset Shimmer and thought quietly. Rarity continued to smile at Sunset Shimmer, sighing happily.
"Then my dear, I think you should start bonding with her."
Nyx and Sunset Shimmer said their goodbye to Rarity and started on the long trek home. Sunset Shimmer would look at Nyx from time to time, admiring her new outfit. Nyx carried a purple bag beside her with extra copies of her clothes, now her regular attire.
"You look good in that outfit, your glasses brings out the color of your eyes really well." Sunset Shimmer smiled with a slight chuckle.
Nyx looked to her right so that Sunset Shimmer couldn't see anymore. "T-Thank you..." The child removed the glasses and looked at them curiously.
"So Nyx, I was thinking just now..." Sunset Shimmer started.
Nyx turned her eyes to her left where Sunset Shimmer stood. "Y-Yes..?"
"Since you have your new clothes..." She stopped in the middle of the side walk. "how would you like to come to Canterlot High School with me?" Sunset Shimmer smiled.
Nyx stared at Sunset Shimmer for a moment in disbelief, but then her eyes sparkled as a smile appeared on her face, her answer was yes.
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