Rarity and Fashion (What Else Did You Expect?)
Rarity and Fashion
What Else Did You Expect?
“Really darling, are you sure?”
“Yeah, she said so herself!”
“My goodness. That's disappointing.”
“I know, right?”
“There go my plans for next Hearts and Hooves Day.”
“Mine too.”
“Anyway darling, why did you ask me here again?” Rarity and Pinkie Pie sat at a table in Sugar Cube Corner's kitchen, sipping tea and sharing the latest gossip.
“Oh, right!” Pinkie bounced from her seat. “I wanted you to answer some questions for our fans.”
“I see.” Rarity raised an immaculate eyebrow. “Are these the same 'fans' that Fluttershy was telling me about at the spa?”
“I dunno. Probably.”
“Hmm.” The alabaster unicorn set her teacup down.
“Yeah, she was way into it too!” Pinkie hopped excitedly. “We had a great time!”
“I'm afraid Fluttershy remembers it slightly differently.”
Pinkie Pie either didn't hear, or chose to ignore this last statement. “I'm introducing all of our friends to the fans, and having all y'alls answer questions for them!”
“I'm going to have to answer a question aren't I?”
“Yup!”
“And you're not going to take 'no' for an answer, are you?”
“Nope!”
“Very well.” Rarity sighed. She really did enjoy spending time with her pink friend, but sometimes Pinkie Pie could just be so... Pinkie Pie. “So, is it true that the Guild of Psychiatrists has barred you from their services?”
“Yeah. Talk about a spank to your self-esteem!” The earth pony said with a frown.
“Oh, I'm sorry dear.”
“It's okay! The only problem is I'm not allowed to leave the Corner till the judge figures out what to do.” Pinkie lifted a rear leg to show an anklet with a flashing red gem in the center.
“Oh... Um, uh.” Rarity was at a loss for words, fortunately this was an affliction Pinkie was immune to.
“So, are you ready to answer a question?”
“Um, yes, ask away!” The unicorn was eager to change the subject.
The party pony looked at some writing scrawled on her hoof. “Okie dokie! Since you're a fashion designer, you're the perfect pony to explain saddles!”
“What exactly do you mean by explain saddles?”
“You know. Why do ponies wear them, why are they designed the way they are?”
“Oh, I see. Well, it-”
“Face the audience!” Pinkie interrupted.
“Ah, yes. Of course.” Rarity rolled her eyes and turned towards the wall Pinkie indicated. Clearing her throat, the white unicorn continued.
“The saddle is actually a very interesting topic in fashion history. It is possibly the oldest article of clothing worn by ponies. Archeologists have found remains of what appear to be saddles buried with early ponies and their primitive ancestors. Even the oldest known rock carvings show ponies in saddles.
“Archeologists, equipologists*, and hippologists** still argue as to why saddles appeared even before widespread tool-use. The most common theory, and the one I think is most likely, is that it was a means for the nomadic tribesponies to carry items without their mouths or hooves. Like any article of clothing, its roots were strictly utilitarian. With this draping over their back, a pony could carry more, do more, own more. They weren't limited by what they could hold in their mouth.
“The other major theory as to why saddles were invented is that they had some sort of spiritual significance. This is based off of one old rock carving that depicts a strange creature ridding a pony with a saddle. Followers of this theory think that wearing a saddle originated as a sign of devotion to this being. I for one think it's unlikely. If this creature was important it would be on more than one pictograph, wouldn't it?”
Pinkie smiled, “Makes sense to me! So what about bridles?”
Rarity blushed slightly, “I beg your pardon?”
“Bridles, y'know. Why do some ponies wear them? And why do some ponies get really embarrassed when other ponies are wearing them? That sort of thing.”
“Well, bridles have a very, er, colorful history.” Rarity gave an nervous chuckle before clearing her throat again. “They were originally a garment slaves were forced to wear, but after the abolition of slavery and the migration to Equestia they fell almost completely out of use.
"They didn't appear again until the time of the Marquis de Saddle, who made his, uh, acquaintances wear them. Since that point they have gone in and out of style, mostly as intimate apparel.”
Pinkie gave her friend a blank look.
“Um, bedroom attire.” Rarity offered.
“Like pajamas?”
The unicorn brought a hoof to her face. “No. Not quite. Anyway, over the years they became popular among various subcultures and ponies began wearing them in public. Now it is common enough to see ponies sporting a bridle in their daily ensemble, though some still consider them to be inappropriate to wear in the open.”
“Okie dokie!” Pinkie said, bouncing in place. “I still don't get it, but that's okay. All I know is that Mrs. Cake got really blushy and stuttery when I asked her why she never wore hers outside, then she told me to go take a time out, which was weird 'cause I'm not a foal, but I did it anyway.”
Once again Rarity's hoof covered her face. “Was it a black lacy affair with onyx studs?”
“Yup!”
“And it was in a box with my logo on it.”
“Yup!”
“It is probable best not to talk about the things you find in Mr. and Mrs. Cake's bedroom.”
“Okay!”
* The study of Equestria and Pre-Equestria societies
** The study of Ponykind
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Sure, that's just preposterous!
Anyway, nice to see it's still alive. The previous chapters were quite funny. And I like this running gag about Pinkie and psychiatrists
And sexually oblivious Pinkie is oblivious. Although, that's strange, considering the previous chapters (one involving Dash).
oh Celestia my sides!
Very informative Rarity.
Thanks for the story and the history.
Oh hey, hold on. I'm going to mail Twilight a letter, just to freak her out.
I always figured saddles were a form of elitism forced on earth ponies by unicorn nobles as if to say. 'Hey, I am so rich I don't have to walk, I'm riding my servant'
i hope the judges figure something out, pinkie must be free to party!
YES! UPDATE!!
Great chapter as always.
"Strange creature riding a pony with a saddle"
I believe you mean "riding".
2193443
And it's also the avatar of Sleipnirs Foal, well played.
2193488
Make this happen Autrhor, MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!
2193488
Oh, let me just append this..
That, son, is how you freak someone out.
Pinkie is not crazy
she just bends the universe to her will 
Hooray! It's back!
probably*
Insta fav. Like was for idea alone.... nice, light to read. What to want more? :D
I have a strange feeling that Twilight will be forced to discuss the sensitivity of a unicorn's horn...
Pinkie knows about wingboners and sexuality... but not about terms like "bedroom attire" or "intimate"?
gifstumblr.com/images/these-nuns-seem-legit_1085.gif
To co-opt a phrase from The Spoony One, there is no continuity, there is only Pinkie Pie.
...
2194221
Did you not catch the cake? she like totally had a crush on Rainbow Dash!
2193810
Okay, look... I don't mean to start any major hostility here, but I don't think I'm the one making extrapolations here. Perhaps I should expand upon this a little. Yes, it's very possible Twilight COULD have Aspergers syndrome. However, at the moment there's not much evidence to support it. I'm sorry to hear that you have such problems. I know just from being around my sister that it's incredibly hard. It's an uphill struggle every day to just try and live a normal life for her to just talk to people like a normal human being. She has almost no friends because she can't understand jokes or sarcasm, she can't properly hold a conversation or eye contanct, and she can't stand to go to parties because she can't stand to be around people she doesn't know or loud noises. I think that your experiences might be having seeing things where they aren't.
Yes, in Episode 1, Twilight had trouble socializing. There were some indications that she might have aspergers, but to imediately jump to that conclusion is to overlook a lot of other variables that could account for such things. And rushing to diagnoses like that in the real world is the sort of thing that can cause incredible problems later on in life. For example, I myself did practically no socializing throughout my school, and even my first two college years. Not because I had Aspergers, but because I was bullied throughout school, and it was simply safer to keep to myself. I got hurt less that way. And that's just one potential variable. There are plenty of explanations as to why might choose not to socialize.
But the fact of the matter is, there is little evidence to suggest that she does have Aspergers. Largely because in episodes beyond the pilot she's generally capable of properly socializing and adapting to different situations. Yes, she can be obsessive, and yes, she can sometimes lack empathy. And yes, she's very smart. But that's only three of the many symptoms commonly associated with Aspergers, and there are many more that she doesn't display. For example, she is able to pick up on social cues, she keeps eye contact when talking with people, she understands sarcasm and tonal suggestions, she doesn't seem overly sensitive to light or noise, and she has generally normal facial expressions and postures.
Yes, there is a range of severity involved in Aspergers, but honestly, jumping to a diagnosis like that isn't generally a good idea. Especially when there's so little evidence to base it on. Fact of the matter is I was a psychology major, largely inspired by my sister's problems to become one. And one of the many things I learned was that there are always tons of variables to take into account, and that the worst thing you can do is jump to a conclusion based on only a small amount of evidence when there are easily other explanations. As I said, it's possible, but more testing would have to be done before we could reach this diagnosis.
Sorry. When people hit the psychology button, I tend to go off a bit. As I said, it was my major.
So now we've got Twilight. I wonder what she'll have to ask.
Maybe what happens if a unicorn loses their horn?
2193810
At the risk of sounding like a total dick, having a condition does not qualify one to diagnose it. I *may* have ADD (multiple tests gave different results, if I've got it it's borderline), but this doesn't mean I can tell the difference between someone with ADD and someone who's just excitable as all hell.
This is one of the funniest short stories I've read. And I usually don't like short stories all that much. So... congratulations!
And keep up the good work. It's quite a nice wee idea you have here as well.
to*
Well, I'm laughing my ass off just like I'm supposed to, but I'm still pretty annoyed by the lack of a Spike icon. This is a good fanfic so far, but it's gonna end up looking pretty stupid if it leaves out one of the seven main characters.
Glad to see this story is still alive! I've enjoyed the past chapters, and this one maintains the same humor and high quality.
I used to wonder how Rarity made a living when most ponies don't usually wear clothes, but after seeing what this mannequin was wearing in "Sleepless in Ponyville" I reached the same conclusion as the author. I mean, in a world without humans how on earth is this not kinky?
i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd173/milk-experiment/MLP%20FiM/s3e6-snap1.jpg
Straps, metal studs, fur, and hearts? It's like the animators were trying to slip something past Hasbro.
i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd173/milk-experiment/MLP%20FiM/lyra-ancient-humans_zps95502c24.jpg
Ah, great to see this story returned to the relm of the living!
I'll be totally surprised if Lyra does not have a fascination (or some interest) with humans in this world after this theory.
2194455
Actually... it sorta is. Basically, what Aspergers amounts to is a very mild form of high-functioning autism, where language and cognition develop as normal, but social interactive abilities are severely impaired due to a multitude of circumstances. The social and communicative disabilities are basically the big things that characterize Aspergers.
2193957
I seem to have said something stupid again.
Sorry about that. Was from a really long time ago, probably shouldn't have said it. ADHD and being up till one in the morning regularly isn't good for the mind, y'know?
2194480
Yes but no. You are correct that it does not necessarily give me the ability to diagnose it, but I'm in a better position than most non-aspies, since I am very aware of my symptoms. Regardless, that was not really my point. As a firsthand source, I will generally beat secondhand sources, and more importantly, I have data points (plural) which disagree with Dusty's assertion.
I'm not claiming to be infallible, just that I had examples which seemed to disprove his premises. Myself included.
2193493
Oh, I like that! Which would explain why guards wear them, too.
(I love when fans create fridge brilliance)
2194272
Hi, sorry I took a while to respond.
I appreciate the sympathy, but I'm fine with myself, thanks. To be honest, I can't tell if I should feel sorry for your sister or not, since you haven't yet expressed her view on the matter. If she is unhappy with her situation, that I am very sorry for the both of you. If she is happy, then I'm glad for her, and sorry for you, since if that is the case, it seems like you have more issue with her situation than her. Please take whichever comment is appropriate.
Anyway, on to the topic at hand: while I agree that it is difficult to diagnose perfectly, I'd say there is a greater that 50% correlation between my symptoms and her apparent ones. I know you don't see it, and as a psych major, you very well might know better, but I'm not so sure. I don't know if you've seen the Brony Documentary made by John de Lancie, but there was a guy in that with Aspergers, and he said that he identified with Twilight. I don't think it's just me.
Also, as a psych major, I'm sure you have been trained very hard in not mis-diagnosing, since it can really cause massive problems. Not the case for Twilight. We don't need to proscribe a course of treatment, and technically, as a fictional character, she only 'has' it in a certain capacity anyway. While the margin for error in diagnosis in real life must be quite low, I'd settle for 51% likelihood when diagnosing fictional characters. I mean, it's the most likely scenario, and more to the point, why not?
In terms of symptoms, it's more the combination than anything that makes my verdict positive. Besides, one doesn't need to fit all the symptoms - I can socialize just about passably, adapt to situations at least as well as Twilight (I mean, panic attacks? That's not adapting well...), keep eye contact, comprehend at least 90% of sarcasm, have a decent understanding of social cues and tonal implications, and excluding migraines and sensory overloads, am not overly sensitive to light or sound. And yet, despite all that, I am still medically diagnosed. What can I say? Your utter refusal to accept that her symptoms imply Aspergers is somewhat denying mine at this point, so unless one of us is mistaken in some capacity, I think we should probably agree to disagree on this score.
Furthermore, the subtlety of abnormal facial expressions and posture may not easily carry through to flash animations of ponies...
I completely understand being effusive about your area of expertise. Don't worry, it's fine. Just try not to be so absolute about it. 'There are more things in Heaven and Earth, than are dreamt of in your philosophy', eh?
2198282
It's fine. As for my sister... no, she's never really been happy with herself or her situation. In fact, in recent years, she's sunk into a major depression. it seems like half the time I talk to her these days she ends up crying at some point. She's very severely Aspergers, to the point that she understands basically no sarcasm, has almost no people skills, and can barely communicate her thoughts properly. Problem is that she's so highly intelligent, understanding math and science better than most people I know, and as a result, she knows that something is 'wrong' with her, or at least that's she's told me she sees it. That she somehow 'came out wrong.' It's damn near heartbreaking. Especially since, even though I have my own set of problems, I have no way of experiencing what she's going through and as a result, I can only partially relate to her situation. As I said, she's a big part of why I became a psych major, so that I could try to understand her better. Admittedly, I only graduated college a few months ago. I can't claim to be some sort of expert or anything. That said, what I did learn gave me a lot of insight.
Perhaps it's because when I think of Aspergers, I think of my sister, but I still don't see it with Twilight. If she continued to act exactly the same way she did in the pilot episode with no growth into a social young mare, then I would absolutely say yes, but the fact that she managed to grow out of her isolationist, irritable, non-communicative tendencies into a friendly people-pony, relatively quickly, no less, indicates to me other variables are at play. The other symptoms that I do see that correlate to Aspergers could easily be ascribed to other afflictions, or simple quirks of personality. This said, I have no doubt that she has other problems to deal with. The girl almost definitely suffers from OCD and some form of Anxiety Disorder.
I haven't seen the Brony Documentary actually. I'm waiting to get it on Blu-Ray.
And yes. One of the many things that we were taught was to take every single variable possible into account, so as to not to jump to conclusions. It was something we had to learn very very fast, to account for variables. This said, I get where you're coming from. Since she IS a fictional character, it's really a moot point and we could basically interpret it how we want to. I dunno. I could just be against the idea because, again, I personally associate Aspergers with my sister, and they act nothing alike.
That said, anyway, even when I detach that and look at it from a more medical standpoint... I'm still skeptical. Yes, like I said, she has a number of symptoms that point to SOMETHING. I would guess OCD before anything else, though. Especially since OCD can manifest itself in some very strange, and even kinda disturbing ways. I'm really not trying to 'refuse' the idea that she has Aspergers, but rather I refuse to go that far. Like I said, It could be a lot of different things. At the moment, there isn't enough information. But I suppose you're right. At this point it would probably just be best to agree to disagree.
Ohmygosh an update! I had already completely written this one off as dead, and now it's back! I cannot overstate my joy.
I'm very sorry to hear that. I'm also very sorry that my previous posts lacked the proper sympathy. I was unsure whether sympathy was appropriate, and I find myself that it is grating when unwanted or unneeded. That is very upsetting. I'm afraid I simply don't have the words to write more about this, but I do care, and am very sorry for her lot in life.
I can see now why you have a particular definition for Aspergers, but it is larger than that in scope. For instance, at my school, there are twins with Aspergers, worse than my friends and I. (It's a selective school, so high-functioning autists make up a larger than average portion of the population) They have no concept of social acceptability. They will just come up to you, and talk about something. Even if you're already having a conversation. Even in lessons. That is their most noticeable symptom. In fact, their willingness to interact socially is pretty good. It doesn't fit all the categories, but there you go. Them, me, my friends, your sister, we all have different aspects in different amounts. It would be overly narrow to reject Twilight on not fitting enough of the criteria, I feel.
I wouldn't really call Twilight a people pony... I'll agree she's improved, but so have my friends and I. Making friends genuinely did help me, and though I realise Twilight's change was pretty quick, we can't tell how long passed between episodes 2 and 3. But, perhaps you are right. She fits many of the criteria, but not a huge number, and not all the time. I suppose, in the end, it doesn't really matter. She acts the way she acts, and whether she does have it or not is up to the writers and Lauren Faust. It's as nebulous an answer as religion, I fear. I think I will remain agnostic on the issue. Let's agree to leave it as 'ambiguous', eh?
2194912
There is one last major trait that differentiates autism, including AS, from other social disabilities, which are the 'B Criteria' and is best summarized as obsessive behavior. Social disability is also found in lots of personality disorders, schizophrenia, mental retardation ect. Anyway, the big thing to keep in mind with autism is it's a developmental disorder, NOT a mental disorder. The key thing is that the impairments where present from birth. Behavior may be learned and otherwise adapt one way or another so that previous social disabilities are no visible on the surface. For example, when I had my last assessment my eye contact was evaluated as being completely normal. I might have been taught to look people in the eye, but I learned on my own how when to break it and rengage it and now it comes more or less naturally (I'm also seem to be better at picking up internet sarcasm than most people, but that's unrelated to tone). It's reasonable enough to propose that Twilight could have some form of mild autism and has learned some social skills like making eye contact before she became an adult, but then again other things could explain it so there is no reason to asume it outside of head canon or whatever. If you write Twilight as being autistic in a fanfic and write it well it could be easily believable.
Anyway, from what I've read about OCD she does not act anything like that. OCPD, maybe, but I don't see OCD. I first learned about OCD from the book Xenocide and when I got into internet it also astounded me how the internet stereotype of OCD didn't resembled OCD in Xenocide at all. I later read a forum post contrasting OCD with autistic obsession, and according to that Xenocide was right all along and the internet stereotype was false. I did some more research into OCD and it seems that Orson Card's research was steadfast, and the internet stereotype of OCD, while often being a personality trait of people with OCD, is more in line with OCPD or autism. Twilight could very well have OCD, but I think OCPD or AS is more likely from what I know. Anyway all that crap is related, they overlap, they can be comorbid, whatever, and after a certain point the labels constructed by man become meaningless.
2217676
Yes, that is true. One of the reasons why I said that it was possible that she had Aspergers.
I mentioned OCD because it tends to manifest in some odd, sometimes deceptive ways that can occasionally make it look like other disorders, but you actually seem to have a betteridea there with OCPD... largely because of the attitudes toward the latter.
Marquis de Sadle
That made my day
oh man you had me giggling again well done
Guess everypony wants to taste the Rainbow
2371299
Who doesn't?