Twilight woke up that morning and groaned. Not because the sun was hitting her face, or Spike was sleep-screaming again, but because today was the start of “fashion camp”.
For the last week, Twilight had been put off by the idea, almost dreading it in a way. Rarity had practically begged her to accompany her to this event, and would not take no for an answer. She’d asked Rarity if she could ask Coco Pommel to go with her, but apparently, she’d been called away for the last few days. She’d thought about asking Spike to go with her, then instantly retracted the idea (sending Spike and Rarity alone together anywhere was an ill-fated plan). Eventually out of excuses, she’d elected Spike to watch over the castle in her absence, and agreed to go to this camp.
She walked out of her room and into Spike’s, gently nudging him awake so as not to startle him. Then, she slowly got breakfast ready, procrastinating as much as possible. Knowing that, even if she could stall, it wouldn't be for long; Rarity was extremely antsy about getting to the train station early.
After a few minutes of preparing food, Spike walked in, yawning and scratching his back. “Morning, Twilight,” he said, his yawn slurring his words.
“Morning,” Twilight replied, almost as sleep-deprived as he was. She had been up most of the night, worrying about how the next day would be like, and had a huge headache just thinking about it.
“Well, you sound exhausted,” Spike said with a trace of irritability. “If I were you, I’d be excited for this big trip you’re going on with Rarity.”
“Well, of course, you would, Spike!” Twilight mumbled. “Since you have, and sleep with, a Rarity plushie, I’m assuming you still have a crush on her.”
Spike’s cheeks went a deep red at the last sentence. “Well, that... doesn’t mean anything...” he mumbled, clear embarrassment in his tone. “If I had known you were going to be this testy, I would’ve slept in....”
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud, urgent knock. Seconds later, Rarity came bursting through the door.
“Twilight!” she called out cheerfully. “Good morning, darling! I trust you’re excited about starting our little venture today? Oh, Fashion Camp! How exhilarating! Just thinking about it is giving me chills!”
Twilight sighed. There was no use in procrastinating anymore. “Oh, Rarity, of course, I’m excited.” She started. “But—”
“Excellent! Well, scuttle, darling, scuttle! We mustn’t be late for the train! I’ve already packed, and I must say, all of my best designs are going to absolutely devastate them when we arrive! You are willing to model a few for me, aren’t you? I would be ever-so-grateful if you did!” Rarity stopped suddenly and gasped. “Goodness! I’ve forgotten one important detail! Please excuse me, Twilight! I must attend to my luggage! I’ll be back to accompany you to the station! Ta-ta!” And with that, she rushed back out the door in a flurry of purple and white.
Twilight sighed again, her headache growing by the second, as she watched her friend almost crash into a crystal wall next to the door. Luckily, Rarity swerved and headed out just in time. Twilight noticed Spike was watching her leave as well.
“Man, you’re so lucky, Twilight,” Spike grumbled as he proceeded to eat breakfast.
Twilight thought otherwise.
As promised, Rarity had returned, fully packed and ready for the trip. The two were now boarding the train, so there was no turning back now (unfortunately for Twilight). When asked about the “important detail” she had needed to attend to, Rarity had answered that she had accidentally packed her favorite pink cashmere scarf and needed it to be worn for their first day. Twilight could only moan in frustration, why would she leave in such a rush if she’d already had it packed and ready to go? But, knowing how excited Rarity was, her question would only be answered with too many words to count.
Twilight sat back and looked out the window, enjoying the train ride...and slightly ignoring Rarity’s babbling already.
“—Of course, my damask line will be absolutely flawless! I expect it will be best to end with that. Oh, I do wonder how they feel about the recent ‘black corset’ trend going around Manehattan this season? I try to achieve comfort as well as style, you know... Twilight? Are you listening?”
“Hmm?” Twilight grunted. She had been struggling to listen to Rarity, only snapping back to reality as her friend said her name. Twilight sheepishly turned her gaze to her friend’s face. “Of course, I was.”
“You know, you’ve been awfully quiet, darling,” Rarity said with a hint of concern. “Is there something the matter? Aren’t you looking forward to this trip? I know it’s not exactly your cup of tea, but I do appreciate you coming along. After all, I could never ask somepony as fashion-illiterate as Rainbow Dash or Applejack, and Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are busy, so... you are having fun, aren’t you? Gracious, if you’re not, I don’t what I’d—”
“Rarity, I’m fine,” Twilight giggled. Rarity was almost worrying more about her friend than Twilight herself had last night.
“Are you sure? I’m sorry if I’ve upset you, Twilight, it’s just that... I’ve been so looking forward to this, and I’ve wanted to share it with somepony close to me. And you’re one of my dearest friends, so... I just thought....” Rarity trailed off, sounding more than a little upset herself.
Twilight sighed once again, debating in her head whether or not to tell the truth. Her friend was obviously upset, and Twilight hated it when one of her friends were upset. She hung her head and prepared to make the admission.
“First stop, Trotsboro!” the conductor announced. “Everypony off for Trotsboro!”
Twilight heard this and sighed. They had come so far already, and she was sure that if Rarity knew that Twilight wasn’t having any fun, the first thing she’d suggest would be to turn around and go right back to Ponyville. That would tear Rarity apart inside, no matter what she said, and that was the last thing Twilight wanted.
Rarity hurriedly pushed aside anypony who was in her way. Ponies all around her shot her looks of annoyance, but she barely paid attention.
Twilight sighed and followed her as the train slowed to a stop. Her real feelings about this trip would have to wait. Rarity was in such a good mood, and ruining that mood was not a mark of a friend. Besides, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad? Twilight may not have been quite as fashion-conscious as Rarity, but she did like dressing up every now and then. And Rarity did make some wonderful things for her friends for almost nothing in return. Not only was this a good way to pay her back, but it reminded Twilight to keep an open mind. This might not be so bad.
Rarity hopped off the train and, noticing Twilight wasn’t with her, turned around. Twilight was standing on the train’s last stop, so wrapped up in thought, she barely noticed the world around her.
“Twilight?” Rarity asked in a concerned tone. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
Twilight snapped back to reality once again. “Oh, yeah, sorry. Just….” She panicked, trying to find a good excuse. “...Excited for the week to start?”
“Oh, I completely understand, darling! I’m just as thrilled as you are! More so! This is going to be a splendid trip!” With that, Rarity rushed off to the train station gift shop, most likely intending to purchase a souvenir of the trip. Twilight slowly followed behind her guilt not entirely extinguished.
“This would look absolutely fabulous in my room! Ooh, but this matches my room’s design.” Rarity was a white blur as she zoomed from object to object, commenting on how fantastic each one would look in her house. Twilight was hoping that Rarity would choose one or two, instead of buying out the whole store, when Rarity came up to her, ten or twenty items floating in her magical grasp.
“Uhhh...” Twilight tried to reply to this scene, “...I hope you have the bits for that, Rarity. We’ve come here with enough stuff, already.” She, herself, was at a stand, purchasing maps and brochures. “Besides, I think it’s best that we stick to the bare essentials.”
This time, it was Rarity’s turn to sigh. “If we must.” She murmured, going to put away half of the items she brought over.
With Twilight’s maps and Rarity’s knick-knacks stored away in their saddlebags, the pair left the train station and headed out into the moderately-sized cityscape of Trotsboro. Stallions in work suits bustled across streets, heading to or from work. Mares were dressed in a myriad of different garbs, from simple to sexy, to stylish. Rarity looked from one mare to the next, seeming to process and take mental notes over what they wore. All the while, Twilight kept her eyes on the brochure for the location they sought. The place was called “Trotsboro Fashion Academy”, and pushed itself with its own slogan: “Equestria’s only boot camp of beauty!” According to the brochure, they were nearby, and Twilight heaved a sigh—it was not going to be easy keeping this to herself for an entire week. But Rarity was having a great time, and that’s all that mattered. At least, she tried to remind herself of that.
“Twilight, dear, you seem to be sighing an awful lot in this past hour,” Rarity smirked. “And you seem to be off in your own space quite a lot. Did you get enough sleep last night?”
Twilight didn’t answer right away. It would not have been a lie to say she hadn’t, but her reasons for it were something she still couldn’t come to grips with. As they walked, Twilight struggled to reply, “Well, yeah. I mean, no... I don’t know. It’s complicated.” It was a weak answer, and she knew it, but still, she had to say something.
Rarity, still confused, just stared at her friend. After a while, she seemed to brush it off, and they both rounded the corner to see the building standing right in front of them.
“Looks like we’re here,” Twilight said. Even she couldn’t tell whether that sounded too dreadful.