//------------------------------// // The Fragrance Of Dark Coffee (Human, Slice of Life) // Story: The Scenes Of FiMFiction // by Arreis Of Avalon //------------------------------// The rain was really coming down today. People avoided walking if they could, and those who were walking ran under jackets and umbrellas. The black skies seemed endless with clouds and the moon had no place there that night. The streetlamps seemed to flicker as the rain passed in front of them, letting each glistening drop shine. “We’ll be closing in about an hour, Miss.” She jumped as the sound tore her away from her window gazing and looked at the man who had spoken. The man at the counter chuckled as he continued washing the counter, shaking his head. “Didn’t mean t’scare you, M’am. Just wanted t’give you a heads up.” “It’s quite alright, sir. I was simply daydreaming.” “Aye, I figured. Never seen someone look that closely at a rainy day.” She giggled softly, looking back at the window. “Just… looking for some inspiration.” With a soft sigh, Rarity wrapped her hands around her mug, taking a deep drink of the coffee. She breathed in the smell. The robust fragrance seemed to envelop her with each breath, warming her to the core. She sighed again, smiling, and glanced at the picture on her computer. The design was taking a terribly long time. It was due tomorrow, and she still had no idea what she would do. She had spent every waking hour on this project, but nothing would come to her mind. Every idea she had was started and quickly scrapped. She rested her elbows on the table and glanced back outside once more. The sky seemed to be rolling from the wind. The lights looked beautiful in Manhattan. She was glad she had come here for the summer program her school offered, but still… She missed home. It was in her own home that she thought best and had the best inspiration. It was there that her friends stayed, awaiting her arrival. They were sure to ask her how Manhattan was, how all of her designs went over in the program. She brought the mug to her lips again, letting the inviting scent of dark coffee comfort her once more. She glanced at the design again, keeping the mug close to her. Perhaps… No, that couldn’t work. Or maybe a cerule- no, that shade of blue would clash horribly with the jewels she planned to use… She shut her eyes with another sigh, sitting back in her chair. “I’ll never finish this project…” Her laptop pinged. She glanced over at the messager she had open if anyone needed to reach her. Pinkie Pie? She rose her eyebrow and hit the button to accept the call. All at once, Pinkie’s face filled the screen. “Hi Rarity!!” “Pinkie Pie, darling, it’s so nice to see you!” Rarity smiled, setting down her mug. “Why are you calling?” “It’s not just me, it’s all of us!” Pinkie moved away from the camera so everyone could be seen. Fluttershy and Spike shyly waved. Twilight nodded, smiling brightly. Applejack tipped her hat. Rainbow grinned and shouted a greeting, a soccer ball held in her hands. Pinkie giggled. “We all wanted to say hi!” Rarity chuckled. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise. It’s nice to see ALL of you.” “How’s Manhattan?” Twilight asked, tilting her head. “It sounds like it’s raining pretty hard over there.” “Oh, it’s just a little storm. Other than that, the city is beautiful.” “Ah’m glad your enjoyin’ yourself, Rarity,” Applejack remarked. “You’ve been a might bit stressed out here at home. It’s nice t’see you takin’ a break.” “Yeah, Rares!” Rainbow got in close to the camera, frowning. “You had us a bit worried. You’ve got a HUGE class schedule this year! Make sure you’re actually taking a break out there, alright?” “Rainbow Dash, get away from the camera so she can see us all!” Rarity shook her head as they repositioned the camera. “Oh, trust me, I’m taking my time and relaxing as much as I can. I must say, I am a little bit frazzled at the moment, however. I’ve a design due tomorrow, and it simply isn’t coming together.” “I-If you don’t mind my asking,” Fluttershy said, “what’s the assignment?” “Well, I’ve got to design a gown for informal wear that can still be worn to formal events. I’ve only got my pick of two different fabric colors, and only few handfuls of gems left.” She sighed. “I’m afraid that I might have to delve into the realm of… urgh… costume jewelry…” Rarity winced slightly as she thought about it. “But don’t let my assignment bother you all. I’m not sure why I’m bothering to tell you all. You don’t need to hear my complaining about the subject.” “Shucks, Rarity, you know that’s what friends are for!” Applejack rubbed her chin, thinking. “Though, Ah dunno how much help Ah can be on the subject of dress makin’.” “It’s not so much the making as the designing, dear. I just can’t decide on what to do. The instant I get an idea, it just seems like it’s not good enough.” “Aww, don’t think that, Rarity!!” Pinkie bounced up and down, glancing at everyone. “EVERYBODY knows that what you make is SUPER great! If that’s not good enough, then somebody’s asking for something better than perfect!” Rarity blushed lightly, chuckling. “I thank you for your compliment, Pinkie, but I’m afraid that’s wishful thinking. I might be good at what I do, but I’m anything but perfect.” “Nonsense, Rarity.” Twilight smiled. “We all know just how hard you work with your dress making. We all remember the time you made our gowns for the Gala… and the costumes you made for Coco and her stage production…” “Yeah, Rares! You even look great now!” Rarity glanced down at her outfit, just a simple black turtleneck and red pants. She supposed her hair was rather nice today, but it was a very simplistic outfit. She certainly wouldn’t wear this to a meeting or other formal sett… “Wait a moment…” She glanced at her coffee again, smiling. “Why, Rainbow, I do believe you’ve given me an idea!” “Wait, really?” “Yes!” Smiling, Rarity moved the design to the foreground of her screen, reshaping the gown. Yes, it I just change the hem a bit and make the ripples flow more…” “Go, Rarity, Go!” Pinkie had managed to find pom poms somewhere. The others rolled their eyes and joined in the cheering. The man at the counter looked up and shook his head, smiling as he watched the college student hard at work. He saw at least one a day. Rarity nibbled on her lip as she colored the gown in. Two fabric colors left her with very little opportunity. She glanced back down at her coffee, watching the little cream swirls that danced in the mug. Determination in her eyes, she picked the two colors out and shaded in the gown. Carefully, she added a few jewels to the main chest piece, being sure not to overdo it. She gasped as she saw the finished result. A diagonal rippled dress that ended just a little past the knees with a chocolate colored skirt piece; the top was the same shade, a sash of creamy beige separating the two pieces. The same beige lined the inside for warmth and the extra tone. The sleeves were cut to rest just off the shoulders, the collar having the lightest of axinite and hessonite beading. With boots and a jacket, the dress would be perfect for an earthy tone to any autumn day, but with the right heels and some gold earrings, you’d be the hit of any formal event. “I did it!” A shout of joy came over the phone. Rarity smiled, giggling. “Rainbow, had you never said anything about my outfit, I never would’ve thought to do something so simple! Thank you ever so much, dear.” “Hey, don’t give me all the credit! You probably based it off a bunch of stuff, Rarity.” “Dash’s right, Rarity. Y’never give yourself enough credit for what you do. Give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve earned it.” Rarity smiled, glancing at her nearly empty mug of coffee. “I do suppose I owe myself some credit for seeing the inspiration…” She finished her coffee and smiled back at her friends. “I should get going if I want to turn this in early. It was nice seeing you, even if I was working at the time.” “Good to see you too, Rarity!” “G-Good luck on your project…” “Yeah! Rock it, Rarity!” “See you soon, Rares!” “Make sure y’have a good day!” Rarity smiled and ended the call. She saved the dress design and closed her laptop, taking a deep breath. She glanced outside. Still pouring rain. The lights shone through the rain, the drops of water shining like the gemstones around the coffee colored gown. She took a deep breath, breathing in that sweet scent of coffee beans and cream with chocolate that had formed the fabric for her gown. She glanced at the man at the counter. He was watching her with a soft smile. “Thank you for the coffee.” “Don’t mention it.” She smiled and paid. He cashed in the money and watched her go into the storm. Sighing happily, he began whistling a little jazz tune he had heard long ago. The storm roared it’s applause with thunder. The little jazz tune would always be there in the little cafe on a street in Manhattan, ready to provide a little inspiration now and then. You just needed to know where to look.