//------------------------------// // Leaving Early // Story: Designing Intrigue // by CvBrony //------------------------------// Rarity slipped on the last of her shoes and twisted her hoof a little to find a comfortable spot. It didn’t quite work, but at least they weren’t nearly as bad as some of the boots that were in fashion last year. These were much more minimalist; more of a hoof-covering than anything, and modeled a bit after those Princesses Celestia and Luna wore, though less ornate. Quite some time had passed since her first dates with Lofty Goals. This was to be their twentieth true ‘date,’ but in all that time, he had been rather mum about his actual work. All she knew was that he was a Vice President at Core Mining Industries. It didn’t help that she couldn’t ask more pointed questions; it was a notoriously private and secretive company. Rarity sprayed one of her perfumes, testing its fragrance. Lilac, lavender, and other springtime floral scents danced across her nose and through the room. Powerful, but perfect for the early summer day. She gave herself a carefully-held-back dose and pushed her brush through her mane one last time before examining herself in the mirror again, making careful note that her silver and purple dress was exactly as it should be. “Excellent! Today’s the day, Rarity Belle!” And just because I say that to myself every day doesn’t make it any less true. She let herself giggle like a filly just a bit before heading out of her room. Just as she reached the middle of her living room, she stopped and reflected for a moment. Bright sunlight was beaming in from her large windows, washing her with light. “Right there. Celestia, I can still see her.” The spot a hostile spy had died was burned in her memory. Even though it was self-defense, it was still haunting. Each time she left her apartment, she stopped to look at that very spot. Afterwards, she would always turn around and remember her weapons, just as she did now. It had gotten to the point now where she didn’t even need to look to pull them out of their hiding place in the closet. She simply lit her horn and let the magic do the work until she felt the pack of throwing knives slide into place under her dress. “There. Thank you again, Miss.” She bowed slightly. “I’m once more prepared for my work.”          She continued her trot to her door, and made certain to lock it. She’d upgraded the mechanism since last time. “Your chariot is ready, m’lady. Are you prepared?” Rarity didn’t even flinch at Vigilant’s statement. She knew he was there. He was always there on date nights. After and only after she finished putting away her key did she turn and respond to his threatening tone. “Always, Mr. Watch. Lead the way.” She smirked a little as he led her out of the building and to a public street with a chariot waiting for her. She still hadn’t figured out what this stallion’s game was. It felt more like he was a jealous lover than a protective assistant. A short time later, they were at The Blue Ballroom, a fancy reception building relatively high up in the city and accessible only via pegasus chariot landing platform. The ‘exclusivity’ was a selling point to it’s clientele: the rich well-to-do of Canterlot who knew somepony who knew somepony connected to the Bluebloods. Honestly, I’d never come here if not for Lofty's invitation. If I actually see that louse here I might have to do something a little embarrassing. Like, make polite small talk. Or ‘accidentally’ spill red wine on him. Maybe the whole bottle if I can get away with it. Rarity blinked a bit in realization as the chariot pulled up. That’s it? I guess I’ve cooled down a bit over the years. Maybe I should work on that. A spy shouldn’t be near so tame. The door of the chariot opened. “We have arrived, Miss Rarity. Do watch your step.” Rarity turned her nose up in the air and gingerly moved to exit the vehicle, but kept her eyes open and as near the ground as she could with her head as it was, taking special care to watch the step stool. It was encased in the stallion’s magic, floating lightly. Her eyebrow raised up, knowing something was coming. She put only one hoof on it, feeling it give way as though there wasn’t anything under it. Gotcha. The fashionista kicked off the chariot floor with her hind legs and landed on the solid, red-carpet-covered platform ahead of her, bypassing the step stool entirely. “Oh my!” She flourished, letting her dress flare out a bit. “That was dangerous! One would think they’d be more careful to avoid accidents this far up!” “Indeed,” Vigilant said without missing a beat. “My apologies.” “Oh, it’s quite alright!” She waved a hoof, then leaned in close to him for a whisper. Time to put a stop to this nonsense. “But if you try to drop me again, I’ll drop you. Clear?” He snorted. “Believe what you will.” She harrumphed back at him and left, letting her pack of knives rub her coat of hair as her rear bounced with her stride. Not quite the response I was hoping for. I guess I’ll have to be more forceful next time we’re in private. She strode into the ballroom, cringing a bit at the overuse of blues. Really, I know the color is in their name, but this is silly. It’s like Pinkie Pie decided her favourite colour was blue instead of pink and then went nuts. Er, more nuts. “Rarity, over here!” Goals was waving from one of the dining tables on the edge of the dance floor. She gave him a calm smile and trotted over to take a seat. Before she could, he stood up and pulled out the cushion for her. “Thank you for joining me. I know the Bluebloods aren’t your favorite ponies.” Rarity sat down on the cushion next to his, both facing the stage, and cuddled up next to him. “Hmph. An understatement, darling. Still, for you, I’m happy to be here.” She shivered a little as she glided her fetlock across his chest, the smooth, quality fabric tingling her skin. “I’m glad, truly. I am, however, sad to say that the original band cancelled. Something about a star member being sick.” She raised a hoof to her mouth. “Not Octavia! She’s wonderful!” He shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t know which one for sure. This one isn’t my party, after all. Still, the party organizer, I think she’s from Manehatten, managed to find a replacement, so it shouldn’t be too bad.” “Oh? Manehatten?” Rarity relaxed back into her seat, leaning into him and letting some of her nervousness melt away. “I suppose it shan’t be too bad, then. Still a shame to hear about the other band. Music is a very important thing, I feel. Like fashion, it is an art, but musicians must create continuously. When they stop playing or singing, the art begins to fade, unlike many others, such as painting or sculpting.” Goals lifted a glass up in a semi-toast. “Unless one records the music.” “Truth, but, I often feel it isn’t quite the same as being at a live performance. The atmosphere is always far more exhilarating.” Her date put his glass down, staring up at the stage and squinting. “Is… Is that an electric guitar?” Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Surely not. Who in the world would bring an electric guitar to--” “Hello everypony!” a sugary, cheerful voice announced through a microphone. It wasn’t just any voice, though. It was a voice Rarity knew very, very well. A voice that anypony who had ever visited Ponyville knew and could never, ever forget. A voice that could brighten any day or haunt you in nightmares. A voice that was truly, unmistakably… “Pinkie Pie!?” Rarity yelled out loud, inadvertently slamming her hooves on the table loudly enough to get everypony in the room to look at her instead of the party pony. “Yupperoonie!” Pinkie waved at her. “Everypony, I’m really sorry, but The Canterlot Quartet couldn’t be here today. So, I found The Crystal Keys to come and fill in! Let’s give them a round of applause for being here on such short notice!” A round of polite clopping of hooves did indeed sound in the room, but it was far from what one normally expected from a Pinkie-planned party, and Rarity cringed. Please don’t let them play the pony pokey... To Rarity’s surprise, Pinkie didn’t try to get them to applaud louder. Instead, she just continued. “Anyway, before we get started with the formal music, I wanted to give a special shout out to a pony who’s been my friend for a long time now!” Uh-oh. Please, please don’t let her be talking about-- “Rarity! Come on up here with me!” A spotlight from over the stage turned around and shone right on the fashionista-turned-spy, singling her out amongst the throng. Damn. A pink blur zoomed down from the stage, grabbed her, and pulled her all the way back up in front of everypony. It was a minor miracle this wasn’t done kicking and screaming; her body had settled on locking her legs and dragging her hooves on the carpet. Her eyes, though, cried out for help to her confused date. “Everypony, Rarity is the best fashion designer ever! At least, I think so, and I’m her friend, so I think there’s some kind of contractual clause where I have to think that, but it’s true! Oh, and she doesn’t just make dresses! She also speaks like a bojillion languages!” Rarity ducked her head a bit, ears flat against her head. “Oh, Pinkie, please. I only know six languages.” Pinkie leaned towards the audience. “Notice how she didn’t deny the thing about being the best fashion designer?” Two can play this game, Pinkie. She fluttered her eyelashes a little, and gave a polite giggle. “Well, nopony ever said I was the element of modesty.” Aaaaand, wink. The audience let out a polite round of laughs, and a few bits worth of applause, including some from Pinkie. Not bad, all things considered. It could be worse. “But that’s not all everypony! She can sing, too! Hit it!” A pony in the background instantly started pushing some keys, getting louder with each quick stroke, and the electric guitar that had been pulled out kicked in a few seconds later. It was followed swiftly by the rest of the instruments in an arrangement mixing both the guitar and drums with more classical music. Then, Rarity finally recognized the song, drawing on a memory involving alcohol, Neighpon, and a business trip with Pinkie that ended in a semi-regretful episode that could only be partially remembered.   Pinkie picked the microphone up and pushed it into Rarity’s chest, knocking some of the wind out of her before bouncing off-stage to the timing of the music. The unicorn’s blue eyes followed her, bounce for bounce, getting more lost as to what to do with each landing, until they came to something else entirely. There, just off-stage, was Prince Blueblood himself, giving her a mock toast with a maretini glass and staring right at her with possibly the single most smug grin in the entire world history of flank-wipes. Had he not been sealed in stone, Discord himself would be signing up to take lessons in smug grins from this colossal waste of organic matter. Whatever liquor he was holding was too good for him unless it contained six Thanatos Tears. Well then, three can play this game. She snapped her head back to the audience and transformed her glare of death into a sweet, confident smile in a single deft instant, calling on all those hours of practicing with her little sister, Sweetie Belle. They'd worked together to help her become “Crystal Belle”, a “singer with a voice as clear as crystal” that went on to take Equestria by storm. Rarity sang the very first words of the song right where it was supposed to be, and in flawless Neighponese. Cautious and breathy at first, but building quickly in confidence by the end of the first verse. She kept the microphone in perfect tow alongside her mouth, floating in her magic. Her instinct was to dance a little, just as she did when she sang this song with Pinkie in Neighpon, but she stopped herself the instant her gaze caught Goals’. Of course, she thought to herself, and began a subtle movement to the piano. Dancing wasn’t called for here. She needed something just as powerful, but aimed in a different direction. She needed to be sultry. She needed to be seductive. She needed a bunch of the stallions in the audience to have to excuse themselves. Rarity glided across the stage, her shoes sliding on the polished wood, and turned at the same time so her rear end would be on display as much as her dress, even though only one was actually for sale. She bounced a little with the beat and put her forehooves on the piano bench, fluttering her eyes at the poor musician. He couldn’t be spared, though, and she moved up to lean directly on him, then gazed back at the audience. At least four stallions had their jaws open. Two more, including Goals, were completely absorbed in her performance. Dammit, turn it up filly, you’re losing your touch. Rarity jumped up on the bench, all four hooves planting themselves as sure-hooved as a mountain goat, then jumped. Just as she left the ground, she grabbed the piano’s lid with her magic, pulled it down for a flat surface to land on, and promptly lay right down on it. She twisted her body around to show off, adding a smoky smoothness to her voice and arching her back before waggling her hind legs as seductively as possible. Up to ten with their jaws open. That’s more like it! The final parts of the song came up in a hurry, and she milked them for all that she could, lying on her side and singing like she was in the bath without a care in the world, other than a desperate need for somepony to come around and rut her senseless. As the last notes played she gave a wink to her audience, and they absolutely ate it up. Even most of the mares were applauding, albeit grudgingly, and not a few of the stallions were applauding as loud as they could while mysteriously remaining seated. The ones with more self-control were standing. She couldn’t help but laugh a little herself. This was actually fun, and if the way Goals was looking at her was any indication, productive. Rarity hopped down and bowed a couple times, making sure to motion to the band. They did a lot of the work too, after all, and artists should be recognized. Thankfully, and perhaps predictably, they got even more applause from the mares in the audience. Her song over, she waved to the audience and exited stage left, marching directly to a bemused Prince Blueblood, his drink still in his magical grasp. As she closed the distance and disappeared beyond the edge of the stage, she could finally hear him over the crowd. This wasn’t really a good thing. “I suppose I should have expected nothing less from a trollop such as yourself, Lady Rarity. Parading yourself like-- Hey!” She hit the maretini glass with a hoof, knocking it out of his distracted grasp and catching it in her own magic. With a single motion she tossed the entire drink into her mouth, letting it dance and flow over her tongue, examining the flavors with all the talent of a true connoisseur. “Drunk bitch! There’s an open bar! You don’t have to steal from-- Aaaaah!” Rarity spat the entire contents of her mouth out right into his face with as much spray as she could get away with and gagged. She reached into his lapel pocket with her magic, stealing the nickerchief from it and wiping herself down with it, then the Prince's face, which turned out to have more makeup than hers. “You, you brute!” The Prince whined, knocked down on his haunches. “How dare you! When Auntie hears of--” She tossed his now rather moist towel-pretending-to-be-a-nickerchief on his head. “Honestly, a vodka maretini? And Smarenoff, at that? I always knew you had no class. This just proves it.” Just for giggles, she picked up the nickerchief again and slapped him with it. Not hard enough to hurt, but plenty hard enough to embarrass him. “That’s for lying to Pinkie Pie.” “How, how did--” “Please.” Rarity waved a dismissive hoof at him, and then turned around to leave. “With you right there? I’m betting you told her I wanted to sing. Maybe even said the reason I was here was because we ‘made up’ or some such nonsense. But, the next time you lie to her…” She turned around and glared at him with the best version of The Stare as she could. “I will break you.” She turned back around, put a much, much happier face on for the crowd, and practically skipped back out on the stage. That felt better than I thought it would! She didn’t wander back on it, though. Pinkie was there, and it was her ‘show’ to run, as it were. So, Rarity just hopped down from the stage the moment she was able to, and began a trot back to her date. “Bravo! Bravo!” Goals applauded for her, despite the fact no one else was still clapping or stomping. “That was amazing, Rarity! I had no idea you could sing, let alone do it in Neighponese!” Rarity blushed a tad, just enough that it showed through her makeup. “Well, it is good for business in Neighpon to know the language and know how to sing karaoke. I’ve never done that with a live band, but they did a remarkable job.” “Indeed! Oh, your friend is back up.” He pointed a hoof at the stage. Rarity cringed a bit. Please don’t haul me back up there, Pinkie... Pinkie waved out to the banquet hall and pulled up the microphone. “Hey everypony! I’m glad you enjoyed that song! Sorry for kinda hijacking things. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to deviate from the plan a teensy bit more, as the kitchen had an itty-bitty, kinda-big, super-catastrophic issue involving fire extinguishers delaying the appetizers. So, we’re going to go ahead and start the first dance! But if you’re too hungry to dance, we understand! Just sit back and watch everypony else have all the fun!” She winked at them. Oh Pinkie. Rarity wiped a tear away from her cheek. I’m sorry for doubting you. I can honestly say you’ve really come into your own with this. I hope you can forgive me someday, if I ever manage to tell you. “Are you alright, Rarity?” She jolted in surprise a bit, snapping back to reality. “Yes. Yes of course. I apologize, I was just thinking of a memory. Shall we dance?” Goal got up out of his cushion and practically glided to her, moving her cushion with his magic and letting her use his hoof to help stand up. “It would be my pleasure.” She fell in beside him, letting him guide her around the tables and across the dance floor to an open spot, and they quickly joined together in place with a waltz. His hoof reached forward a step, and she responded in kind by going back, and their dance began in earnest. So he does know how to dance. One, two, three, one, two, three… Yes, just like that. Goals leaned in a little more, hugging her body close and nuzzling each other's cheeks. My my, so forward. She sniffed the air on their next big turn, taking in his cologne. A symphony of peppery notes paid on her nose, backed by an extra string section of floral harmony. Oh wow, is that Poulain Poivre? I’m surprised he managed to get a hold of a bottle! It’s magnificent! “So tell me, Rarity. What were the other languages your friend spoke of?” Once again she snapped out of her daze and blushed. “Oh, that,” she chuckled, entering into a series of long turns, the background of the hall rushing by in a blur. “I am fluent in Neighponese, Russet, Germane, Phrench, and I’m learning Canterese.” “Oh ho,” he chuckled, bowing into the next dance. “I think I see what you’re doing. You’ve learned or are learning all the languages where there is a Duchy with it’s own sense of Haute Couture that doesn’t primarily speak Equuish.” He spun her around and out, hanging on only by a hoof, their opposite forehooves out as they stood on hind legs. She spun back in towards him, resuming the dance while shivers went through her spine from brushing against him. “Well, one must be practical in business. Knowing the languages has given me quite a few inroads where normally only native residents have access.” “Practicality is indeed a key trait,” he said, lifting her up with his hooves in a spin. “However, in order to be truly great, one must also reach for the stars. Break the mold. It is only when your competition is chasing you that you know you are truly at the head of the herd.” “Oh, please. Have you seen my work? Ms. Styles would be proud to see what has become of her boutique! I’m at the top of my field, and it. Feels. Great!” He spun her again, sneaking another nuzzle under her ear. “Spoken like a true businessmare.” The song ended, and the two partners finished with a bow. Okay, time to press for a little information. Hopefully he’ll be more forthcoming this time. “Well, I must say, Mr. Goals, you are an exquisite dancer! But tell me, how is your business doing? Last I heard your stock was up seventy percent year-on-year. Wouldn’t that make you at the head of your field as well?” He sat down and froze for a moment, then put his ears back. “Sort of. We’re a mining company, first and foremost. It’s hard to be a mold-breaker when all you do is pull shiny things out of the ground.” Rarity raised an eyebrow and smirked. “True. Simply possessing shiny objects is nice, but doing something extravagant with them? That’s a ticket to greatness.” “True,” he responded, staying silent after and pensively looking at the table. Dammit, Rarity. Too pointed. He’s clamming up. A waiter came around and dropped off drinks and appetizers for the both of them. Rarity couldn’t help but notice her drink was a little different than the standard glass of champagne. “Ohh! Gin martini!” She took a sip. “Slightly dry, Canteray Ten, if I’m not mistaken. Not an especially rare type, but still top-shelf. And served with a twist. Somepony has started to get to know me!” Rarity leaned back, the smooth gin warming her throat. “After seeing your penthouse, it’s hard to ignore that collection of yours. Although I was surprised to not find more clothes there, given your profession. Only one closet, and not even full.” “Well,” Rarity spun her glass a bit in her telekinetic grasp. “I’ve found that I have to constantly stay at the leading edge of fashion. I don’t really get a chance to wear my older things. I’m constantly creating new outfits, so if I don’t clean things out once in awhile it gets overwhelming. Anything older than a season I tend to give to charity.” Goals leaned his chin on his fetlock. “That’s… generous, of you.” “It’s kind of my thing, Mr. Goals.” She gave him a wink. “It also keeps me on my hoof-tips. Can’t be lazy and recycle something. Also, since I make my own clothes, it’s not as expensive as if I went and bought them. I just buy the material in bulk. I imagine you make similar calculations in your line of work. Heavy mining machinery, maybe?” He nodded. “True. Although lately we have spent a large amount on research. That’s why you’re seeing Westfalen Defensive Systems advertisements lately. They know we’re going to start competing for their defense contracts, so they're trying to get ponies to push their politicians to support them.” Interesting. So, who’s on what side here? “Well, that must be exciting. High-powered boardroom drama. One could write a novel about it.” “Yes, sort of.” He looked away again. Damnit, juicy though that is, I can feel there's something more. Something I need to dig up. What’s he hiding? I’m so close! She took another sip, careful not to waste her maretini. “Tell me, Rarity. What do you think of the current Duchy leaders?” The fashionista raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’m not sure what you mean. They’re all quite different. There’s Blueblood, of course. I have to deal with him a little since he controls the Canterlot Duchy. Normally that means spilling something on him. Preferably something that can stain.” Goals chuckled a bit at that, but said nothing. Hmm. If his organization is behind any actions against the crown, I need to appear a little sympathetic, or at least detached. “Honestly, now that I think about it, I have to say I have had a few issues lately. It’s all petty stuff compared to your industry, I’m sure. Zoning and the like. Ultimately, though, I’m happy if I can continue to do business and make money. Unless it interferes with that, it’s off my radar.” “I see.” He looked off in the distance again, only occasionally looking her in the eyes. Rarity glared at him for a few moments, waiting. Eventually her hoof started to tap and she couldn’t take it anymore. “Okay, this is beyond mere nervous small talk. There’s something on your mind, Lofty. It’s plain as day.” “Yeah. Yeah, there is.” Goals stuffed his napkin in his shirt and stuffed his mouth with a few of the roasted sweet potato slices. “Darling.” Rarity leaned forward across the table, letting the light of the candles accent her features. She fluttered her eyelashes, and tried to melt him with a soft smile. “I promise, I don’t bite.” She looked down at his toned, actually rather attractive flank and smirked. “Well, not unless you want me to.” He swallowed and started coughing as something clearly went down the wrong pipe. Rarity leaned back down and waiting for him to regain his composure. Yup, still got it. Eat your heart out, Sweetie. “Ahem-kuh, ugh. Sorry. Sorry, about that. I just—” She held her glass in front of her face, covering her nose and mouth to highlight what she considered to be her best physical trait: her eyes. “Compose yourself, darling. We aren’t foals.” He swallowed once more. “The stallion’s heart knows not age. It is at all times vexed by the alluring scent of the mare.” “Shakesmare?” Rarity asked. “Dante Alineighri. But, you are still somewhat correct. Rarity, I would like to invite you to a little tour of one of our new facilities in San Palomino.” Rarity jerked her head back a little. “San Palomino? I don’t think I’ve been in the southwest since our lovely date with your ex-wife. But that’s a multi-day journey by train. Unplanned, at that.” “Actually, we’d be traveling via airship. No trains go out that far. It’s deep in the San Palomino Desert.” Rarity almost choked on her maretini. “Airship? That’s still several days round trip, at least!” “We'd actually be gone a couple weeks in total. It's... Not likely to be a quick thing.” Rarity shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Goals. That’s a bit much. I do have a business to run.” “Please!” Goals reached out and took her hooves in his. “I will give you a place to create new dresses on the ship so you could return with an entire new line if you want. I’ll personally write a check for an entire new custom wardrobe. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” “I don’t know…” “It would just mean so much to me. Several important backers are going to be there, and I could really use your support.” Backers? Not shareholders? Rarity avoided his gaze. “If it’s that important, why me? Surely they’d be suspicious over an outsider like myself being there.” “We can say you’re a consultant. Your cutie mark is for finding gems, right?” He reached out with a hoof and turned her head gently, looking right into her pupils, pleading. “Please, Rarity. I need you for this. I couldn’t bear it without you. I’d worry myself sick. Please.” Worry himself sick? Odd… Could be there’s more to this than I’m seeing. Ugh. I’m really going to do it, aren’t I? Celestia, here’s hoping I’m right. She gave him a peck on the cheek, basking in his cologne. “Okay, I’ll do it.” “Thank you!” He bowed his head. “Thank you so much! I promise, it will be well worth the journey!” She lifted up a hoof. “But I do hope this isn’t another trap. The last time we went somewhere private you threatened me with a four-hundred-horn cored cannon.” He leaned back and crossed his heart. “No traps, I can assure you. As I said, that was a nasty misunderstanding, and no doubt planned by my ex-wife. She is fiercely intelligent. It’s why I married her.” “And the craziness?” He cringed and inhaled through his teeth. “That came later, and was why I divorced her. Well, that and she tried to kill me. Kind of puts a damper on a relationship.” “And yet, here we are.” His eyes went wide. “Um, what I meant was—“ She laughed and gave him a squeeze. “Oh, you are fun to tease! I just know this is going to be a fantastic trip. When do we leave?” “Tonight.” Now it was Rarity’s turn to start choking, but fortunately she was drinking from her water glass instead of her maretini. Gin had a nasty burn when inhaled. “T-Tonight!?” He lightly touched both her shoulder with his hooves, rubbing it in a little massage. “I know it’s a surprise. That’s entirely my fault. I’ve been too nervous to ask you.” Rarity tilted her head. “It really means that much to you?” Goal slipped out of his seat and bowed. “It does. It truly does.” She sighed, blushing at his formality. “Well, I suppose I’ll go. But you owe me again.” He bowed even deeper. “Thank you.” “I assume this airship has a dining room?” “Of course. It’d be hard to get there without adequate food and water. That part of the desert, the magic in the sand vaporizes loose water the instant it hits the ground.”   Rarity downed the rest of her maretini, then wiped her mouth daintily before tossing her napkin on the table. “Then let’s get moving immediately. We can eat on the go. Any amount of time spent near Blueblood is too long.”