by G. M. Berrow
She recalled reading something about “the responsibility of being a part of the highest order of fashion excellence” to rationalize her actions, and sat Charity down with some scrolls and quills. Rarity cleared her throat. “Now, the best thing to do when starting a new line is to come up with an absolutely extraordinary topic.”
“Come up with an extraordinary topic?” Charity repeated. She bit her lip and held her quill at the ready. “How do you do that?”
“I suppose I look at my surroundings and see what inspires me,” Rarity said. The two ponies looked around the room. It was just a messy workshop. The only things in sight were fabric scraps, sewing tools, and a heap of unfinished choir dresses. Charity gave it a shot. “How about a line inspired by… spools of thread!”
Rarity giggled as an image of Pinkie Pie wearing a costume of a giant spool of thread danced through her head. It wasn’t too far off from reality, seeing as Pinkie Pie was the only pony Rarity knew who owned a giant costume of herself.
“Let’s give it another try, shall we?” Rarity said, looking around.
Charity was determined to get it right. She saw some clothes, a pot of tea, and a fluffy white kitty cat. “Oooh! How about outfits inspired by cats?” Charity suggested. “Or outfits for cats!”
Rarity winced. “Not quite what I had in mind, but it’s okay. We’re just getting started. It will all come together in the end, I promise. Remember—when the going gets tough, the tough get sewing!”
“That’s cute! I like that.” Charity relaxed a bit and smiled. “What about teacups?” Charity said, looking down at her cup. Her face started to blush red. “Like sort of a fine china pattern look?”
“That’s getting better, but it still needs more pizzazz,” replied Rarity, reconsidering her teaching strategy.
Luckily, a bell ringing and a soft voice calling out from the front of the shop stopped her short. “Hello? Is anypony here?”
“Duty calls!” Rarity said, quickly standing up and trotting out of the room. “I think we have a customer!” Teaching was much more difficult than Rarity had anticipated. Any sort of distraction was a welcome one.
CHAPTER 7
Just Like Twins
The customer was Fluttershy. Except she wasn’t there to buy anything and she wasn’t really a customer. But those were just teensy-weensy details. Fluttershy had stopped by the boutique to invite Rarity and Charity to an afternoon picnic by the Ponyville Lake. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie were all going to be there, along with their pets.
“If you’re not too busy working on your project,” Fluttershy said softly, “I think it could be really nice for Charity to come meet all our animal friends.” She smiled at Charity, who seemed to be standing very close behind Rarity.
“How fun!” Charity exclaimed. “What do you think, Rarity?”
“Of course we’ll attend,” Rarity replied. It sounded trés relaxing! “We’ll be sure to bring Opal.” At the mention of her name, the fluffy white kitty purred and wove her way through Rarity’s hooves. Charity bent down to pet the cat, but Opal hissed at her.
Rarity frowned. “Now, Opal, that’s no way to treat a guest.” The kitty pouted and ran over to Fluttershy, who had a gift when it came to animals.
“Poor little kitty-witty is stressed out, isn’t she?” Fluttershy cooed. She leaned down and pet the kitty with her hoof. Opal began to purr again. “An afternoon outside will do you good, you sweet thing. I’ll see you later!”
Once Fluttershy left, Rarity turned to her student with a look of glee on her face. “I do so love a garden party, don’t you?”
“What am I going to wear?!” Charity squealed. She glanced at herself in the standing mirror that Rarity kept by the front door.
“I was wondering the exact same thing.” Rarity nodded in agreement. It was so nice to have another fashion-minded pony around the place. “Now, what have you brought from Manehattan?” She batted her long eyelashes. It didn’t hurt to ask. “Care to maybe… share?”
“Like, of course!” answered Charity before cantering off toward her luggage. “Anything for you, Rarity!”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Rarity urged. “Bring on the clothes!”
It wasn’t long until expensive clothes from the big city surrounded the two ponies. The Unicorns used their magic to make the garments dance around the room, creating different outfits. Rarity was in absolute style heaven.
“What do you think?” Charity said. She had brought items for every occasion imaginable. There were sweet sundresses and breezy jackets. There were gorgeous gowns and sequined scarves. There were items that came off the rack, along with one-of-a-kind haute couture pieces. A one-shouldered light green gown made of willowy organza was a particular standout. Rarity had never seen anything like it.
“I think everything is marvelous, but who designed this impeccable specimen of wearable art?” Rarity inspected the expert beadwork on the seams. It was so exquisite… so different from her own designs. She wished she had created it.
Charity quickly snatched it away. “Oh, that’s nothing. Just something I… found.” She tossed the dress into a suitcase and quickly snapped it shut.
“But where did—?”
“What about this?” Charity interrupted, holding up a wide-brimmed glittery sun hat finished with a purple, dip-dyed satin ribbon. “I just bought it in Neighcy’s and it’s…”
“… another Rarity original!” Rarity couldn’t believe that the young pony had purchased so many of her wares from Manehattan department stores. Charity smiled and put on the hat.
“I found your matching one over in the closet. I hope you don’t mind.” Charity put the second hat on Rarity’s head and giggled. “We’ll be just like twins!”
Rarity looked at the two of them side by side in the mirror. If it weren’t for her green mane, Charity would almost be her twin. It made Rarity feel strange, but she wasn’t sure why.
“What do you think?” Charity looked hopeful. “Can I pull it off?”
Rarity smiled. “Absolutely, darling.”
CHAPTER 8
A Big Splash
By the time they got to the lake, the picnic was already in full swing. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were taking turns doing cannonballs into the water. Rainbow’s tortoise, Tank, and Applejack’s scruffy brown farm dog, Winona, happily watched from the side.
“Are you ready for the biggest splash Ponyville’s ever seen?!” Rainbow Dash hollered before careening into the lake. Winona barked. Tank blinked… very slowly.
Droplets of water landed on Fluttershy, who was feeding Angel Bunny some fresh carrots. “Oh, that’s okay,” she said, even though Rainbow hadn’t apologized. Angel Bunny crossed his tiny arms, annoyed. He was very protective of his pony. “Be a good bunny and sit down, Angel. I brought you a cherry!”
Over on the grass, Twilight Sparkle was reading aloud from a book. “ ‘Household Spells, Chapter Six—Clean It and Mean It!’ ” Spike and Owlowiscious were both trying to listen but seemed to be nodding off to sleep.
“We’ve arrived!” Rarity announced with a grand flourish. Charity was at her side. Rarity struck a pose, and Charity was quick to mimic it.
“I’m so glad you two could make it.” Twilight smiled. “I was worried that you’d have too much work to do back at the boutique.” She trotted up to greet them, and Spike roused himself to follow close behind.
“Hi, Charity!” the dragon yelled enthusiastically. Rarity shot him a look. “Oh, and, uh, Rarity, you’re looking really nice today,” he quickly added. “Good to see you!”
“Thank you, Spike,” Rarity replied, looking a bit sore. “We are very busy and important, but sunshine and time with friends always do wonders for creativity, no?” Rarity put on her teal cat’s-eye sunglasses. Charity produced a similar pair from her saddlebag and put them on, too. “So I thought, Why not?”
“Um… indeed,” Charity echoed, nodding. “Why not?”
Twilig
ht raised an eyebrow at the posh accent Charity seemed to be putting on along with her sunglasses. It was a little eerie. With their matching curled manes, the soft white of their marshmallow coats, and their light blue cutie marks being so similar—the two ponies almost looked like clones. If it weren’t for their manes, Twilight would have thought that Rarity had fallen into the Mirror Pool and duplicated herself just like Pinkie Pie had once done.
“Thanks for popping by, girls!” Pinkie Pie bounded over. She had brought along her new popcorn popper and was whipping up a fresh batch of “Pinkie’s Popped Candy Pinkcorn.” It was a tasty mixture of pink popcorn topped with gumdrops, sprinkles, and chocolate chips. “Have some Pinkcorn! It’s scrumptiously yummy for your tummy!” She tossed them each a box, and they began to munch on it.
“Simply delectable!” said Rarity, through mouthfuls of the treat.
“Yes, simply delectable!” parroted Charity. She was still trying hard to put on a posh accent like her mentor. Applejack trotted up to join them, still dripping wet from her last cannonball. “Good to have ya, Charity!” She tipped her cowgirl hat, which was also wet. “Care to join in our little contest, girls?”
“Oooh!” Charity was actually really great at cannonballs. It was a secret talent from her fillyhood. She took off her hat and started to get ready.
“You can count me out.” Rarity wrinkled her nose and turned her head away. “I simply could not mess up this amazing look I’m sporting with some murky lake water. But of course, you can join if you’d like.…” She looked at the young pony expectantly.
Charity’s eyes darted from the water back to Applejack, and then to the look on Rarity’s face. “You’re right.” She put her hat back on. “Better not. Lake water is disgusting.”
“Are you sure, Charity?” Twilight Sparkle said in concern. “It seems like you wanted to try it.”
“Nope, I’m good!” Charity replied before quickly correcting herself. “I mean—no, thank you, darling.”
“If you insist,” replied Twilight, trying to make sense of Rarity and Charity’s student/teacher dynamic. It was clear that Charity was learning something from her mentor. Just maybe not the right things.
CHAPTER 9
Designer’s Block
Rarity was busy reclining in a deck chair. She closed her eyes and felt the glorious sunshine on her face. She was just starting to doze off into a glorious dream about designing the costumes for Sapphire Shores’s new tour when Twilight Sparkle interrupted her. “So, how are things going with Charity?”
“She enjoys the finer things in life, so naturally things are going great,” Rarity replied. She was slightly perturbed at being disturbed. “Did you know her favorite designer is also Coco Cheval? And we have the same favorite model—Honey Flanks. We have so much in common!”
“Yeah, it certainly seems that way.” Twilight laughed. She looked over at Charity, who was lying in the exact same position as Rarity on an identical chair.
“What is it?” Rarity sat up. “I know you have something to say. Out with it!”
“I just worry that maybe Charity is taking her admiration for you a little too far.” Twilight shrugged. Rainbow Dash jumped into the water, and Charity squealed in horror as a droplet fell onto her mane. “Look at her: She’s being… you.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Rarity said defensively. Even though the very same thought had recently crossed her mind, Rarity was never going to come right out and admit it to Twilight Sparkle. It would be like Rarity was declaring her own failure as a teacher!
Charity, like Rarity’s other projects, was just a work in progress. Rarity lowered her sunglasses. “She just looks like a classy, sophisticated pony. There is nothing wrong with that, Twilight.” She turned her nose up in the air as if it punctuated her point.
“Just be careful,” Twilight urged, eyeing Charity as she flipped open Mare Éclair. The pony on the cover was a model named Glitzi Grooms, and it promised tips on deep mane conditioners, cutie mark tints, and the hottest new hoof charms from Saddle Arabia.
“Quick! Somepony hide me!” Rarity shrieked, and dived into a nearby bush.
“What’s goin’ on, Rarity?” Applejack shouted from the water. “Did ya see a rattlesnake?”
“Rarity!” Charity cried out. She ran over to the bush. “Are you all right?!”
“Shhh!” Rarity hissed. “I don’t want her to hear!” After a few moments had passed, Rarity peeped her head out from in between the leaves. “Is she gone? Can I come out?”
“Is who gone? Why are you acting so weird, Rarity?” Rainbow Dash laughed. “I mean, weirder than usual.” Applejack shrugged. A pony could never really predict what would send Rarity into a tizzy.
“It was Golden Harvest! I saw her walking across the grass and I can’t…” Rarity stage-whispered, craning her neck in all directions to make sure the coast was clear. When she was sure the pony in question was out of earshot, she emerged. “I simply cannot see her!”
Rainbow Dash and Applejack exchanged a look. Whatever her reason for avoiding the pony, it must have been important. Rarity wouldn’t risk getting her coat dirty for just anything. “Come on, sugarcube,” Applejack urged. “Spit it out!”
Rarity’s lip quivered. “It’s terribly tragic! I am supposed to deliver the Ponyville Choir dresses to her by next week and I… I…”
“You…” Pinkie Pie took a deep breath. “… are totally behind on them because you hate what you designed and you’re stuck and you thought having an apprentice would help but you’re also not really sure how to teach her and now you’re embarrassed ’cause you have no dresses and no clue what you’re doing?”
Charity’s jaw dropped. None of the other ponies looked surprised at Pinkie’s revelation. She was scarily accurate with her guesses.
“Oh, Pinkie! It’s truuuuee!” Rarity cried. “Charity, darling! Don’t look at me! I didn’t want you to see me like this. I have…” She looked down at the ground and then back up at them. “… DESIGNER’S BLOCK!”
Charity gasped. Pinkie Pie gasped. It was always better when more than one pony gasped in a dramatic situation.
“Not designer’s block!” Charity shook her head in despair.
“Toodles, my dear. You might as well pack your bags and head home.” Rarity sniffed. “I’m sure you don’t want to idolize—I mean, learn from me anymore… now that you know what I truly am. A failure!” Rarity collapsed onto Twilight’s picnic blanket. She let out a hearty sob.
Charity blinked a few times, her expression blank. Then a wide grin began to spread across her face. “Forget my H.O.O.F. project! Let’s finish those dresses!”
“Really?” Rarity said, perking up. “You want to stay?”
“Of course!” Charity nodded. She turned to the other ponies. “It’s like this saying I came up with: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get sewing!’ ”
Everypony laughed. Rarity frowned. That was not Charity’s saying—it was Rarity’s! How dare she?
“Good one, Charity!” Pinkie Pie giggled.
“You sure are clever, sugarcube,” said Applejack. “This is some apprentice you’ve got here!”
“Yes, she certainly is.…” Rarity said, narrowing her eyes. She had thought Twilight Sparkle had gotten Charity all wrong, but now she wasn’t so sure. What sort of pony would just steal the fabulous words out of another pony’s mouth without giving them credit?
Rarity was annoyed. But as her saying went, it was time to get sewing. Plus, she wasn’t really in a position to refuse the extra help right now. Rarity sighed and took off her sun hat. “We have work to do!” she announced, and trotted off toward the Carousel Boutique.
“We have work to do!” Charity smiled wide at the other ponies. She took off her hat with the same flourish that she’d just seen her mentor do.
“Rarity, wait up!”
CHAPTER 10
Dyeing to Please
Over the next few days, the two designers got do
wn to business. Charity always seemed to know what Rarity was thinking, even before she said it. If she needed a rotary cutter, it appeared instantly at her worktable. When her hem tape ran low, Charity replenished it. And if Rarity was thirsty, a cup of fresh tea somehow made its way into her hoof. It was like a new kind of magic, without using any magic at all. Their minds were on the same wavelength. Which was especially annoying because Rarity wanted to stay mad at Charity, but she just couldn’t.
“What have I been doing all this time without an assistant?” Rarity wondered aloud. “Twilight has always had Spike around and no wonder! It’s like a dream.” She lifted a finished dress back onto its ponnequin dress form. “Here’s another one down!”
“Another one down!” echoed Charity, smiling. She trotted over and fluffed the skirt of the dress so that it lay perfectly. She made a check mark on her scroll. “Do you need anything else?” Charity asked eagerly, trotting over to Rarity and leaning in about an inch away from her face. “How about some more tea? Another bobbin? A back massage? A tail braid?” Twilight’s warning suddenly sprang to mind. Maybe the two of them did need to spend a little time apart.
“My goodness,” Rarity said, suddenly feeling a little cramped. “Is it hot in here?”
“Should I open a window?” Charity asked. “Or I could totally sit here and fan you.” Charity somehow procured a giant leaf and started fanning her.
“Where did you get that?” Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Pinkie Pie.” Charity smiled. “Who got it from the Ponyville fan shop. She gave it to me when she stopped by to lend me her pinking shears the other day.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” Rarity nodded, inspecting her apprentice. Charity looked tired. She had a slightly crazy look in her eye, and her mint-colored mane was becoming a little wild. It was like she would stop at nothing to please Rarity. Maybe Rarity had been a little bit harsh about the whole “stealing her words” thing. It was kind of a silly thing to get one’s mane in a twist over.
