Most days in Ponyville were beautiful, and today was especially so. The sun was bright, but just enough cloud cover to keep it from blinding the citizens. It was just that perfect time between rainstorms where there was little humidity, and just enough to keep from it being too dry. And it was just getting far enough into fall that the leaves turned orange and cool breezes blew through their manes.
Rarity, however, was not enjoying the weather today. She was cooped up in her workshop, working on several new designs. In truth, it was a free day for her; all orders had been filled, only needing the mail Pegasai to come and pick them up for delivery.
She had decided to use her free time to get ahead on dresses she knew she would have to make in the future. She had a few mannequins set up with base dresses, each in the various reds and pinks and whites that were traditional for a Hearth’s Warming dress. Pinned to the walls were working designs for next year’s Gala, and a few extra ideas for whichever event might occur in between.
In the corner of the room, Octavia and DJPon-3’s collaborative album was playing out of a speaker. Rarity waltzed to the music as she went back and forth between sewing sleeves, décor, and new layers onto dresses and sketching additions to the pictures on the wall.
Just as she was debating if she should just grab something from the kitchen to eat, or if she should go down to a restaurant and enjoy the beautiful day, the bell above the door announced somepony’s arrival. Rarity turned her music down, waiting for the pony to announce themselves. The silence told her that it was a customer, not one of her friends coming to warn her of the next monster attack or other disaster.
She thought on fixing her hair and makeup before going out, but decided it would take too long. She shouldn’t keep a customer waiting any longer than she should. She would finish off the stitching on this piece, then go out.
“I’m in the back room,” she called out to the pony. “It’s the silver door down the hall, if you’d like to come back here. If not, I’ll be out there in just another moment!”
It was a few seconds before she heard hoofsteps coming down the hall. They seemed to pause, watching Rarity work for a moment. Then the pony gave a polite knock on the open door, announcing their arrival.
“Welcome to the Carousel Boutique!” she greeted, turning to meet her customer. “How may I help you?”
Rarity had to suppress a Fluttershy-like squeak when she saw exactly who was in her doorway. His coat and mane shone, and his suit was spotless. His charm and confidence radiated through the room.
“Hello, Miss Rarity,” Fancy Pants said. “You look as beautiful as ever.”
“Thank you,” she said. She glanced in the mirror, seeing how much of a lie that must be. Luckily she had showered that morning, but she had done little else. Her mane, at best, was barely brushed, with only traces of the natural waves and none of the curls, and pulled into a bun. No makeup to be seen.
“Is there something I can help you with?” Rarity asked him, trying to subtly smooth out her mane.
“Only if you’re not too busy,” he said, gesturing to the dresses and sketches all over the place.
“Oh, I’m quite free at the moment,” she said. “These are just a few things I’m making in advance. You understand how hectic things can get.”
“Even more so for you,” he said. “As for the actual business, Fleur and I have been invited to a wedding. We talked it over and would love for you to make her dress and my suit.”
“Really?” Rarity felt like exploding with glee, but she kept a lid on her excitement. “I mean, you could have anypony make these outfits.”
“Quite true,” he agreed. “Which is why I’d like to hire the best. While there may be more well-known designers, I’ve never met any single pony that could make twelve extravagant dresses in less than two days, and never twelve individually personalized and tailored to fit dresses in less than two days.”
“That was… an adventure of a wedding,” she said. “Is there any theme to the wedding, or colors you would prefer?”
“It is a wedding for Swan Song and Cinnamon Chai,” Fancy Pants elaborated. “Not as regal as a Royal Wedding, but it should be standard Canterlot dress. As for colors, Fleur and I trust you enough to pick out the exact details.”
“And where is miss Fleur?” Rarity asked. “I would need both your measurements for a starting point.”
“Unfortunately, Fleur cannot make it here today,” he said, using his magic to take a few papers out of his jacket’s pocket. “Photo Finish booked her for the entire afternoon. You know how demanding Photo can be with her models. But I did manage to get her most recent measurements.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking the papers in her own magic grip. “I’ll start there, but she will have to come in for a fitting at some point. Though, since you are here, I can get your measurements now.”
Rarity led him back to the boutique’s main room and gestured for him to stand on the platform. She tried to pretend that she wasn’t staring at him when he shrugged out of his jacket and undid his bowtie with his magic. Of course, seeing a naked pony was nothing new in a society where clothes are entirely optional. However, Fancy Pants was one of the few ponies who regularly wore clothes. Somehow it felt different to her.
Using her magic to hold a tape measure and small notebook, Rarity got to measuring. She thanked the stars that she had the presence of mind to actually take down the measurements.
As she pulled the tape across his chest, she noticed something odd. Right near his shoulder, was a large scar running down his front. She wasn’t an expert on wounds, but if she had to guess, she would say that it had been made with a blade, probably a large kitchen knife.
“That’s quite old,” Fancy Pants assured her.
“I didn’t ask,” she said.
“You ‘weren’t asking’ very loudly,” he said. “Everypony has their wild rebellious days, and mine were particularly bad.”
“Really?” She said.
“I don’t seem the type nowadays, do I?” he chuckled. “Canterlot is full of young colts and fillies doing whatever they want because they can buy their way out of trouble.”
“So how did this happen, if I may ask?” Rarity asked.
“It’s alright to be curious,” he said. “Truthfully, I cannot remember exactly what happened. A few ponies and I had this back and forth of messing with one another, and everything got bigger and bigger until someone snapped, and I ended up with a knife in my shoulder.”
“That’s terrible!” she exclaimed, nearly dropping her magic hold.
“At the time yes,” he said. “Looking back on it, it did help me realize that I needed to get my life together. If that hadn’t happened, I’d probably have ended up in Canterlot’s prison sooner or later. Of course, I can still do what I want without repercussion, though I only use to power to do things like have a friend do ridiculous poses while I talk to new ponies.”
“Too bad you had to get stabbed,” Rarity said.
“True,” he chuckled. “It would be nice to have not been stabbed, but then I wouldn’t be here with you, now would I?”
Rarity’s breath caught in her throat at the comment. She was probably reading too much into it, but her mind still raced.
“You can step down now,” she said, putting the measuring tape and notebook down behind her. “Is there anything in particular you would like with your suit and Fleur’s dress?”
“We hadn’t thought of anything in particular,” he said.
“Would you like your outfits to match?” she asked. “Same color scheme or similar detailing?”
“Well we aren’t going together,” he said.
“Really?” She asked. “Are the two of you not together?”
Fancy Pants took his time answering. Rarity waited patiently as he got back into his suit.
“We like to let ponies think we are together,” he stated, “but we are not actually dating. Before you ask, we do it to keep away ponies who would like to be in a relationship with one of us only for the status boost it would give them.”
“So what is the nature of your relationship?” she wondered.
“We’re very good friends,” he said. “We actually met when I was stabbed. Fleur was in the hospital bed next to mine. I’m not really her type anyway.”
“She’s gay?” Rarity questioned.
“She doesn’t seem to be interested in mares or stallions,” he shrugged. “Though we do have an agreement that if neither of us finds somepony before other nobles begin truly heckling us over not being married, we would get married to keep them quiet. And for the tax benefits.”
“But you’re still open to date others?”she questioned.
“Why?” he smirked. “Are you interested?”
“Well, I-“ she stammered, feeling a blush growing on her cheeks. “I wasn’t implying anything.”
“Maybe not,” he said. “But I was. One of the reasons I came down here today, was to ask you to be my date to the wedding. Of course, I’d buy whichever dress you’d like to wear to the event, or give the proper amount of money for supplies and time if you wish to make it yourself.”
“Wait, What?” She asked.
“Of course,” he continued, “We could start out smaller. Say, lunch at a restaurant of your choosing, and then up to Canterlot’s theatre? They’re currently showing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it’s been getting incredible reviews so far.”
“I, I’d love to!” she answered finally.
“Excellent!” he said. “Then which restaurant would you like? You can pick Canterlot or Ponyville.”
“Er, well,” she began, “I know Ponyville’s restaurants won’t be like what your used to, and I’d love to eat at one of Canterlot’s, but I do need to pick up my sister in a few hours. I introduced you to Sweetie Belle back at Princess Cadence’s wedding, didn’t I?”
“I remember. She was quite adorable,” he said. “If you need to watch her, then you’re welcome to bring her along. It is a Friday after all, so if you return home late it won’t affect her school schedule.”
“It’s alright,” she said. “Sweetie was already having a sleepover at her friend, Scootaloo’s, house. But everything she packed is still here, so I just need to pick her up, grab her supplies, and walk her over there. I will also need to alert Princess Twilight to where I am, should some danger pop up and I am needed to return, but after that I’m free.”
“In that case, pick a restaurant!” he exclaimed.
“I know the perfect one!” she said. “Just give me a few minutes to fix my hair and makeup and we can go!”’
“You are beautiful as you are,” he said.
“Well, thank you,” she said, grinning widely. “But I do like it better. And if I left the house like this, especially with you in my presence, all of Ponyville would be stopping us to ask what’s happening.”
Without waiting for Fancy Pants to respond, she trotted up the steps to her room. Rarity couldn’t help but smile the entire way.