//------------------------------//
// Art of the Dress 
// Story: A Change of Pace 
// by Votederpycausemufins 
//------------------------------//

	Cicada decided to go explore Canterlot to try and clear her mind. “Hm, where should I go? She asked herself. Cicada walked up to a unicorn and asked if there were any interesting places to go to around there. The pony told her about a new boutique that wasn’t too far away so Cicada headed towards there.
Upon opening the door, Cicada could hear a bell ring as she entered. Another unicorn greeted her. “Welcome to the Canterlot Carousel. My name is Sassy Saddles. Our owner happens to be in today so she’ll be out soon.”
The changeling thanked her and looked at the dresses while she was waiting. A few of the dresses looked to small for her if she wasn’t disguised, but looked like they would fit her unicorn self perfectly.
“Hello. Sorry to keep you waiting.” Came a familiar voice. Cicada turned to see Rarity in front of her. “Rarity?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Who are you again?”
Cicada face hoofed. “We just saw each other yesterday! It’s me Cicada.” She finished with a whisper.
“Ah, yes! Sassy? I’m going to be with this customer in the back for a little bit. She’s an old friend of mine.”
Rarity lead Cicada into the back. When the queen was sure Sassy wasn’t looking, Cicada changed back to herself. “Really? You couldn’t remember my name?”
“No dear, I could remember perfectly well. It’s just that I had introduced Sassy to my friends back when the place first opened. If I had recognised you of the spot, she would have asked why you didn’t come to our opening day, and I didn’t want you to try and come up with some excuse on the fly.”
“I could have just told her the truth that I just moved to Equestria.”
Rarity gave a small role of her eyes. “But then how would you have met me before? Designers don’t just pay attention to details in their work, they do it in everything.”
“I guess I didn’t think of that.” Cicada replied almost embarrassed.
“Well then, would you like to change back into Fireworks and go back in the main store area? If you want to, I could make a dress for you. I’ve already made some designs for you.”
As the two started to walk into the main room, Cicada asked. “But wait, how would I pay you, I mean, I barely got a house here. It’s only really because of the princesses that it go furnished.”
Rarity gave a smile. “Oh please, I always make the first dress for my friends free.”
“Really Rarity, you don’t have to do that. Besides, when would I even wear it? It’s not like I go on special occasions at home. And I’m not sure I’ll have any chance to wear it around her before I have to leave.”
“Oh please! There’s going to be a small party at the castle tomorrow night.” Sassy told Cicada, entering the conversation. “Everypony who can make it has been invited. Celestia and Luna had wanted a party that wasn’t just for the ponies who were rich enough or lucky enough to get tickets for the Gala.”
“It was actually Twilight who helped suggest it.” Rarity explained. “Not too long after moving to Ponyville, she was given two tickets to the Gala and each of us wanted the second one. Even though it worked out in the end, Twilight still thought about how other ponies other than the six of us had wanted that second ticket and suggested a party anypony could attend to the princesses.”
“Excuse me Rarity,” Sassy started to ask. “But I don’t believe you mentioned your other friends to Fireworks. And I didn’t think she would know since you haven’t seen each other in a while.”
Rarity didn’t have an answer for Sassy, but Cicada was able to answer instead. “Well who hasn’t heard about them. They’ve helped save Equestria a few times.” She was glad she had heard a few stories from them on on the train ride to Canterlot.
“Ah yes, I guess I hadn’t thought of that at first.”
“Anyway,” Rarity started. “If you want, you could look at the designs right now and choose your favorite. I’m actually ahead of schedule and have the free time to start working on it if you tell me.”
“I guess if you do have the time and want to…” Cicada said before Rarity yanked her back into the room they were in before.
“Alright, now I thought you might do well with a dress with blues and greens. I’ve got a few basic designs already drawn because I couldn’t help myself, but they’re still far from done.”
“You sure?” Cicada asked. “I mean, I don’t really want something too fancy. Something a little simple would be fine, but if I’m wearing it at a large event, it shouldn’t be too simple.”
“Well here are the few simple designs I have for you so far.” Rarity told Cicada, pulling out four papers from a drawer with her magic. The unicorn then laid them on a nearby table for Cicada to look at.
The first was a rather simple design. mainly different shades of greens. The second was a little more fancy while more of a dark teal for its main color. The third was rather fancy compared to the others. a large piece of sparkly fabric was in place of the skirt on that design. The last was a very sea like base of colors and rather poofy to the changeling, though it still looked like it would come out well.
   
“I’m not sure. They all look nice. I mean, I want to wear them all, but I should only chose one right?”
“Well, I could make the others later, but for now I think I only have the time to make one before tomorrow.” Rarity explained. “Though I personally think this dress would look great at the party.” She said, pointing at the third sketch. 
“Okay I guess that would be nice, you sure it’s a good idea?”
“Well of course! Now would I try making a dress you wouldn’t like?”
“I don’t think so… but maybe you might.”
“I think you’re confusing me with that other Rarity I simply wouldn’t allow it. Now come on. Let’s get started with fitting you of the start of the dress.”
Cicada didn’t follow. “You know, you don’t have to. I’m a changeling, I can fit any dress you make.”
“Dear, I don’t think that will really be helpful here.” Rarity told the queen.
“Why not? I mean, it’s not like I need to be a changl- I’m going to the party as my normal self, aren’t I?”
“The princesses would really enjoy it. Besides, it could help make ponies less afraid of changelings.”
Cicada shook her head. “No way, it's just a disaster waiting to happen! I want to get home safely and not mess up this place too.”
“Oh come on! You can relax for at least a little while. You’re getting all wound up like Twilight does sometimes. The ponies at the party will be fine with you once they see that Princess Celestia and Luna aren’t surprised by your arrival.”
“She… she… she…” Came a voice from behind them.
The two turned around and saw Sassy standing in the doorway. “She’s a…”
Cicada’s eyes widened. “No! No please don’t say anything! I’m not going to do anything! I just want to get home!”
Cicada didn’t get to say anything else before Sassy fainted. The two stared at the unicorn. “Now what do we do?” The queen asked.



It wasn’t too long before Sassy had gained consciousness again. Cicada hid while Rarity explained to the unicorn what was going on and the changeling didn’t come out until Sassy understood and promised she wouldn’t do anything if she did come out.
“I still can’t believe you would let a changeling in here let alone be friends with it.” Sassy remarked.
“You could at least pretend I’m living and not just call me a thing.” Cicada said, frowning.
“Forgive me, I just had some trouble at the one place I was working at when the changelings came during the royal wedding.”
Cicada sighed. “Can you please stop talking about that? I don’t like to hear how in this place changelings are the bad guys.”
“Sorry, I’m still trying to wrap my head around this.” Sassy said to the queen. “I apologise for not being perfectly polite right away.”
The changeling gave a small shrug. “It’s fine. You don’t need to apologise. I’m starting to get used to it unfortunately. Can I just get fitted for my dress with Rarity and be on my way.”
Sassy nodded and the next little while Rarity helped Cicada while Sassy attended to the customers in the shop. It wasn’t too long before Cicada was able to leave to let Rarity continue with her day.










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