Rarity followed her mother through the clothing store. She adored the mannequins all around the store. Fashion was her passion, as her saddlebags proudly proclaimed. She inspected the clothes displayed with a scrutinizing eye. After all, she needed something other than the single fashion magazine her parents allowed her for inspiration for her fabulous designs.
The outfit on one mannequin stood out. It shimmered in the stores bright lighting. Slowly, almost as if it would run away if she were too hasty, she approached. The color combinations was simple, the fabric common. Those weren’t what attracted her to the dress.
It was the shine that came from the thin material that covered most of the dress. It wasn’t glitter or sequins, but it wasn’t as extravagant as gems either. Her hoof shook as she reached out and touched it. “You are gorgeous,” she whispered. Raising her voice to a normal level, she turned to where her mother was. “Will you buy this for…me?”
Rarity blinked. Her mother had been there, just across the aisle. She wouldn’t have simply left, would she? “Mother?” Her eyes darted from place to place, but she didn’t see the purple of her mother’s mane anywhere. “M-mom?”
She took a deep, calming breath. She was nine, she was able to walk calmly around a store by herself and find her mother. It wouldn’t be that hard. She could do this. Smiling, she turned and knocked into something.
Before she could say she was sorry, it felt as if somepony were grabbing her around the middle. She yelped and ran, not paying attention to where it was she was going. Her voice was caught in her throat as she pounded away from whatever it was that touched her. She looked around wildly, her panic rising every second her mother wasn’t in sight.
She rounded a corner full speed and
“—Oof.”
Sitting up, she noticed a small purple filly doing the same.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” Rarity said. “I wasn’t looking where I was going you see and…"The filly was studying her intently. "Are you okay, dear?”
She nodded. “Oh no,” she whispered suddenly. She jumped to her hooves and looked around her before a grin spread across her face. She walked a couple feet away, to where a book was laying.
Curious, Rarity followed. Magic: For the Intermediate Foal. “Oh, are you in third grade as well?”
“No,” she said softly. “This is my brother’s book. Mom and dad won’t let me start school yet. They say I can try for CSGU in the fall though.”
“CSU? As in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns? You have to start there in kindergarten, or you aren’t getting in.” Rarity paused, looking the foal over. She was very small. “H-How old are you?”
“Five.”
Rarity blinked. “Ah. I see. This is what you have to study to get into that school, then?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. We just need basic magic to get in, really.” Smiling mischievously, the purple foal leaned in and whispered, “I’m not actually supposed to have this. Shiny would be in so much trouble if mom and dad knew. But my foal sitter doesn’t mind so long as she can come here and shop.” She sat back. “It is all very interesting, don’t you think?”
“It's…something, alright,” Rarity said. “You just…reading it for fun?”
“Twilight!” somepony called, galloping up to them. “I told you not to wonder off like that. Come on, Cadance is ready to leave and we can go get some pizza.”
“And cupcakes?” she asked, grinning up at the older colt.
He nodded. “Yes, and cupcakes. Now come on.” He turned and started walking away, Twilight at his side. Rarity watched as they walked to the corner.
Suddenly, Twilight stopped and turned back around. “Bye.” With a smile she waved before turning and running the few paces to catch up with her brother.
Rarity smiled as she stood, just about to begin her search for her mother again. Before she could take a step, however, her name came from behind her. “Rarity, there you are. You really need to tell me before you go off somewhere, sweetie. I’m ready to go now. Did you have fun?”
“Yes. I…I think I made a friend.”
Rarity smiled.