Things were coming together perfectly. Masterfully used, thread followed needle, coursing through the fabric. Each stitch pulled to perfect tension to create a masterpiece. The white unicorn wore a small smile with her otherwise stern expression as she focused on her task. Her purple mane, usually styled perfectly, was as messy as a farm pony, without the ickiness of course. She squinted through her glasses, making sure to get each detail correct. Her eyes were heavy with sleep, but she continued on, determined to finish the order she was desperately working to fill on time. Her fluffy white cat let out a whine, which was more of a whimper than a growl. The mare’s brow furrowed as her thoughts were distracted from her job, and she turned to face the feline.
Rarity spoke to her pet, “Oh, Opalescence, it isn’t anywhere near your mealtime yet. I’m afraid you’ll just have to wait.”
Turning back to her work Rarity noticed that the rays of a morning sun were streaming in through the window. At the realization of this, the unicorn mare felt herself gasp.
“Have I been up all night? Well, you poor dear, that explains why you’re fussy.”
Opalescence let out a meow as she sat expectantly. Rarity, ignoring the cat, continued adding the final touches to the wedding dress she had been creating. She stood back and gazed at it, devouring each hemline with her eyes.
“Oh, Rarity, you are a talent,” she said to herself. “I do believe I have outdone myself this time. Wouldn’t you agree?” she asked the cat, which simply stared at her caring nothing for the dress.
The mare walked over to Opalescence, and would have picked her up, but the cat’s tail darted back and forth and there was a wild look in her eyes. Rarity decided that simply putting the food out would be sufficient. As she accomplished this, she began to realize just how exhausted she was. Since it was the weekend, she wasn’t going to open her shop today, so it wouldn’t matter if she laid down for a nap before she got cleaned up. The sleepy unicorn was just about to head up to her bedroom when the doorbell rang.
“Now, I wonder who that could be?” Rarity said to herself as she turned and walked down to the front entrance of her house.
She let out a yawn before cursorily straightening her hair. She unbolted the lock and opened the door to discover a delivery. A gust of cold air pushed past, causing the mare to shiver.
“Good morning, Miss Rarity,” the post-pony said. “Happy Heart’s and Hooves Day!”
“Ha-heh…” Rarity felt herself gasp, almost choking on the words. “Heart’s and Hooves Day is today? As in, today, today?!?”
“It sure is,” the post-pony said as he gave her a small box. “Sign here, please.”
Rarity took the pen in her mouth and signed the receipt form.
“Me and the missus found a sitter for the kids, and we’re going to the dance in town square tonight. She’s been buzzing about it for a week.”
Rarity smiled, trying to remove herself from this situation as quickly as tact would allow.
“Yes, everypony has been just terribly excited about it. I’m sure you’ll have a delightful time,” she said graciously.
He smiled before turning to walk away. Rarity closed the door and felt herself beginning to go into a panic.
“How could I have forgotten? This is a complete disaster! I haven’t been without a special somepony on Hearts and Hooves Day since my cuteceañera!”
Turning her attention to the box, she opened it. A little blast of confetti came out with the sound of a small horn as she tore at the packaging. As she suspected from such a startling introduction, it was from Pinkie Pie. There was a note inside, ‘Happy Heart’s and Hooves Day, Rarity! I knew I wouldn’t get to see you today, since Applejack and family came to spend the weekend on the rock farm, but I wanted to make sure to remember all my friends on Heart’s and Hooves Day! Enclosed, find some chocolates. I know you always have an emergency stash of frosting, but who could say no to even more chocolate? Your most funnerific friend ever, Pinkie Pie.’
Aside from the note, there was a box of assorted chocolates inside, as well as two gift certificates to the spa. Rarity smiled at the gesture, finding it most thoughtful. As wonderful as Pinkie’s gift was, there was simply no time to go to the spa to enjoy it before her immediate problem was solved. The mare lifted the box and contents with the use of her magic and levitated them to a counter in the kitchen. She would deal with them later. In the mean time, she quickly trotted up the stairs and found a hairbrush in the restroom. Her visage as revealed in the mirror was simply dreadful: all the more reason to find a special somepony quickly so she could get to the spa.