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// Shimmer 
// Story: Sky Blossom 
// by SnoringDragonProductions 
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     Sky Blossom noticed a sweet-looking building in the distance. The roof seemed to be covered in frosting. She couldn’t figure out whether the frosting was real or just ornamental. Her mind told her that frosting would melt in the heat of the sun, or attract unwanted birds and bugs. However, her mind also told her that she was now a talking Pegasus and had just been taught how to lie by an invisible being with red and yellow eyes. Sky Blossom sighed in defeat as she forced herself to stop thinking about the building and just admire it. The bright pink door looked inviting, as did the pink shutters. On top of the roof was a statue of a pony holding a large candy cane. Sky Blossom assumed that the building was some sort of sweet shop, although a small part of her thought it might be Pinkie Pie’s house. 
She trotted over slowly so she would not draw attention to herself. The last thing she wanted was to be questioned by more colorful ponies. Without warning she suddenly found herself hurtling forward towards the ground. The impact was not hard and Sky Blossom did not feel any pain. Dust and dirt was coated in her mane, causing her to cough as she tried to brush it all away. Her hoof became stuck to her mane as it connected with a stray piece of candy that had been left on the ground by a negligent pony. Sky Blossom moaned quietly so she could complain without having anyone ask why she was complaining. Although if any pony saw her huddled in the dirt with her hoof stuck to her mane the answer would have been obvious. 
“I can’t believe I tripped over.” Sky Blossom trailed off as she noticed a single root in the path. She had not seen the root when she had been looking at the building.
Shrugging it off as something weird that she would probably never understand, Sky Blossom continued to the building. Her stomach rumbled loudly when the smell of baked goods reached her nostrils. She detected a faint hint of strawberries mixed with the sugar and cinnamon smells that dominated the area. Saliva began to drip from her hanging tongue as she realized that she was absolutely starving. Hoping that she would be able to persuade the owners to relieve themselves of some of their merchandise to help a poor pony, she walked through the door.
‘I certainly look the part.’ Sky Blossom thought as she looked around at the interior.
It was even sweeter looking than the outside of the building. Her eyes gazed hungrily at the cookie like walls and candy cane adornments. She was beginning to feel like the children who entered the witch’s cookie house. Now she just needed to keep her eyes open for the witch.
“Oh my goodness!” A silky sounding voice called from the other side of the room. 
Sky Blossom turned a weary head to see who had spoken to her. It was the graceful looking unicorn she had seen in the pictures at the castle. She only had a moment to wilt before the unicorn swept her out of the building. Sky Blossom flailed her hooves frantically as she tried to explain to the unicorn that if she went any longer without food she would pass out. Eventually after several minutes of complaining, pleading, and squirming, Sky Blossom admitted defeat and let herself be dragged toward another building. 
The building was ornately decorated with ribbons and curlicues. The windows had bright lacy curtains hanging that helped light up the room while keeping the heat out. Sky Blossom took a moment to admire the decorative skills of the Unicorn. That was all the time she had before she was whisked into the building. Sky Blossom gazed in admiration at the colors that met her eyes. There were several shades and patterns that she felt every color in existence must have been in the shop. Mannequins in the shape of ponies were lined up against the wall. Although most of them were bare, a few had fabric draped over them. She walked closer to one that had pins sticking out of it. The fabric was an ice blue color that shimmered in the light. It seemed to have tiny white beads threaded throughout. Sky Blossom took a moment to run her hoof over the fabric and was surprised to see that the shiny material was actually quite warm. A couple pins were stuck near the bottom of the fabric and helped the end form ruffles. 
“Admiring the fabric I see?” The Unicorn asked sweetly.
“Ah!” Sky Blossom screamed as she whirled around to see the beautiful mare. “I was… um.”
“Oh, it is perfectly all right darling! I adore it when ponies admire my designs.” She said while batting her eyelashes. “I have to admit I was worried when I started this outfit. It just seemed to icy for any pony to be able to pull off.”
“I think the colors are lovely.” Sky Blossom said with shining eyes. 
“My name is Rarity darling.” Rarity studied Sky Blossoms eyes for a few moments before her dark blue eyes lit up as well. “Only a delicate pony with light features could pull of this fabric. You see it shimmers in the light, so some part of the pony has to shimmer as well so it is not overbearing. The dress needs to highlight the pony, not overpower them.”
“Shimmer? Like the pony needs glitter or something?” Sky Blossom asked with confusion.
“No, I was thinking more like their eyes.” Rarity said as she leaned closer to Sky Blossom. 
“Eyes?” Sky Blossom asked with a questioning look. 
All Rarity did to respond was nod before she scooped Sky Blossom into her hooves once again. Sky Blossom only managed to struggle a little before she noticed where Rarity was taking her. Her eyes rested on a large, ornately decorated bathtub complete with large, fluffy towels and sweet smelling soap. Her light blue eyes widened with joy as she heard the sound of running water. She could almost feel the warm water sliding over her, washing away all of the dust and grime she found herself covered with. The soap smelled like lavender and honey. She breathed it in greedily as she watched the foamy bubbles rise higher and higher. Rarity turned to her and motioned towards the tub. Without asking any questions or waiting a moment longer that she had to, Sky Blossom dove into the water. Sighing, she ducked her head under the water so she could remove the gunk that had gotten stuck in her mane. It came off easily in the frothy water. Smiling when she had thoroughly scrubbed herself clean, Sky Blossom surfaced and climbed out of the bath. 
Puddles of water began to form around her hooves and caused the shiny floor to become slippery. Sky Blossom began to slip forward, towards the hard floor. Her small scream was quickly muffled by the fluffy towel Rarity caught her in. Sky Blossom giggled as the material enveloped her in its warmth. It smelled even sweeter than the soap.
“Thank you so much for the bath.” Sky Blossom said. She was beginning to feel more comfortable around the fashionable pony. 
“Certainly darling, I couldn’t have my model be filthy.” Rarity responded as she began to rub Sky Blossom dry with the towel. She used her magic to float a brush through her hair as she did so. Humming a little tune to herself, Rarity admired the silkiness of her mane.
“Model?” Sky Blossom asked warily. Her stomach tightened as she suddenly realized that she had not been brought upstairs for a free bath. 
“Of course. I need the perfect pony to model the dress I am making and you are just the pony.” Rarity replied as she hung up the damp towel.
“I am not much of a model.” Sky Blossom began. 
“Nonsense. You completely look the part and the moment I saw you near the dress I realized that I needed to see you in the dress.” Rarity said sternly as she led Sky Blossom down the stairs. Her mane got a little frazzled as she tried to keep the struggling Pegasus under control.
A few minutes later Sky Blossom was standing perfectly still as Rarity draped fabric over her in an attempt to find out what color was best for the layer underneath the icy fabric. Sky Blossom sighed as she felt her stomach tighten. Now she was hungry and uncomfortable. Her hooves tried to fidget around but one glare from Rarity caused them to become still. The beads sparkled as Rarity stuck pins in the fabric to help keep the ruffles together until she could sew them. Careful not to poke her model, Rarity placed another pin near the shoulder so she could add a new fabric to the outfit. Her eyes were focused as she watched the dress practically come together on its own. Rarity wiped sweat from her brow as she worked until she finally had to take a break. 
“I am famished. Why don’t we take a quick break and go get some food?” Rarity suggested.
“Yes, please.” Sky Blossom moaned. 
“I know the perfect place to go.” Rarity said as she carefully removed the unfinished dress. “We are going to the…”