Water Budding Flower

By this point it should be fairly well-known that Canterlot High is a special place. A school full of students sincere and studious, stupendous and stalwart, and seductive and slutty as well, when one considers which student is involved in the current situation. And they come in all shapes and sizes as well! Some who are more, hm, rubenesque than others.

The girl in question today, one Aqua Blossom certainly lives up to the ‘rube’ portion, despite her desperate attempts to fit in with her social clique. And she truly does a tremendous job at that, with a natural understanding of color and style that won her a place in the fashionistas without even trying. Still, the girl is an outsider in the group, for reasons that become readily apparent if you spend ten seconds looking at them together in the same space. And there’s certainly no better place to do so than the lunchroom, where two of the style squad are already in rigorous debate.

“I’m telling you, Scott,” Norman sighs, holding his thumb, forefinger and middle finger together, “you’re not seeing things properly when it comes to this issue.”

“Oh, I’m seeing things just fine,” Scott acknowledges the statement with a nod. “What I can’t understand is why you’re so reluctant to admit what every student in school already knows.”

The two young men glare at each other, and then go straight for the other’s metaphorical jugular.

“Principal Celestia is the hottest teacher in the school!” Scott snaps, right as Norman declares, “Miss Cheeri is the hottest teacher in the school!”

Undeterred, the pair continue to plead their case, talking over one another at a gradually spiking volume.

“That air of maturity-”
“Her youthful vigor-”
“Unbending, stern will-”
“Compliant and fun-”
“Forwarding the business-style mini-skirt!”
“With stockings and garters on full display!”

Taking a deep breath, they both trigger their respective nuclear options.

“Tall, powerful women command the respect of the world!”
“True Justice is found in a girl who wears GLASSES!”

“Ugh, could you guys just, y’know, not?” Rose Heart sighs at last. The redhed pops crossed leg a few times under the table, bouncing her slight heel against the top of the table. “Nobody cares that you like either of those trashy women, right BB?”

Blueberry Cake nods her head, giving the boys a tired look. “For sure, Rosie; I don’t even know why you two are arguing about which one of them you like more.” Pulling out her powder case, the girl shifts her head from side to side, pulls down her sunglasses and then pushes them towards the top of her head again to freshen up her makeup. “They’re kind of trampy, especially with all that makeup and wild hair? Totally out of style.”

“Ugh, you’re right about that,” Rosie giggles, quickly joined by Blueberry, while the boys settle back into their seats, at least a little cowed.

The fifth member of the group however, dearest Aqua Blossom, doesn’t join in with the laughter of her female friends. Perhaps it’s Aqua’s own over abundance of lipstick, the big, mid-century pinup girl hair, her va-va-volume lashes, or any number of other reasons. The important thing is that the purple-haired girl sits in the chair, obviously uncomfortable, and stares down at the towering five tier sandwich in front of her, only half eaten.

A quick glance around the table confirms that the rest of the style squad has already finished, and even Scott’s veggie burger is only partially eaten. A quiet grumble echoes up from Aqua’s stomach and she sighs, taking another bite of her sandwich. There, surrounded girls and even boys with a smaller waist than hers, she can only feel a bit of irritation and envy.

Some people were just born big, Aqua’s mother hand told her, and that was nothing to be ashamed of. But considering the woman saying that was still corset-worthy into her forties, it doesn’t account for much in Aqua’s mind. Thinking back over what the girls had said earlier, she thinks, “Maybe they’re just trying something different, to stand out?”

The laughter stops, and the chubby girl becomes acutely aware of four pairs of eyes staring at her. She straightens up in an instant, trying to figure out what she’s done to earn their attention, but it gradually dawns on the student that her spaced out thoughts had come tumbling out of her mouth, rather than staying where they belonged! She moves for a rapid recovery.

“Well, I mean, look, Principal Celestia is at a certain age, you know?” Aqua giggles, twirling her hair and trying to seem unassuming. “So of course she’s going to be having a midlife crisis where she wants to look and feel younger than she actually is. That’s a thing, right?”

“Yeah, I guess,” BB says with a flip of her hair. “But how about Miss Cheeri? I mean, she’s still old, but less than a decade older than us.”

Aqua’s mouth goes slack for a moment as she tries to think up a reason. And at last, one finally arrives, though not quite as good as Principal Midlife Crisis. “That might be a thing where she went to school; I hear she was a cheerleader and so maybe it was a trampy-style that she never really left behind? Besides, it makes sense that the Principal would bring on teachers who have at least some similar sense of style. R-Right?”

The boys look on with a barely contained interest, already over the conversation, regardless of if they bought Aqua’s straw-grasping or not. Even Blueberry seems ready to let the issue slide, but Rosie leans in close, eyeing Aqua up for a long moment. And then she smiles, in that devious, teasing way that causes the purple-haired girl to shudder.

“Yeah, maybe so. You seem to know a lot about those two, have you been getting makeup tips from them?”

Norman grins. Scott snorts, all while Rosie and Blueberry descend into another fit of giggles. Aqua’s eyes sink again back to the table, zoning out as her the rest of the fashionistas drone on about something. After a short while, she takes another bite of her sandwich, hoping the act will fill some part of the gaping hole that’s opened up in her stomach.

It doesn’t. And so she sighs.

“Oh dear, Aqua, why the long face?”

The flowery teen looks up just in time to see her four friends have already excused themselves and beat a hasty retreat from the table. However, Aqua’s not quite alone, as she has one seat across from her being filled by the sixth member of the chic clique – Rarity. And what a filled seat it is! The curvaceous cutie’s rump is overflowing from the seat proper, while her thick, unnaturally buoyant hair billows out around the back in a cascade of silky, purple tresses.

In a panic, Aqua looks around for some sign of her friends, only to see them headed out the door. Rosie shoots Aqua an apologetic look, while BB glares at the back of Rarity’s head. Not entirely unexpected, given how the leader of their little crew has adopted a more flashy and loud style as of late, while sporting even less fabric than the aforementioned staff members themselves. The five had been avoiding Rarity as best they can as of late, but it seems today one of them was to be caught. And she, the sacrificial lamb.

“Well, you know,” Aqua finally responds in a way hopefully dismissive and detached as she quickly tries to gather her things, “just, stuff, right? Great, see you later!”

“Ah!” Rarity chirps in that teasing but warning tone she can manage, causing the rising Aqua to quickly recede back into her seat. The chubby girl clutches one hand around the opposite wrist, keeping her face as even as she can manage as Rarity carries on. “Aqua, please don’t feel like you need to hurry off; you seem so out of sorts, and it’s just the two of us. You can talk to me about what’s bothering you.”

A knot begins to swell in Aqua’s throat as she glances between the tremendous titted-out teen and the table between them. She steadies her breath with a sigh and forces a smile, murmuring, “I really shouldn’t…”

Despite the impressive pair of weights hanging off Rarity’s chest, Aqua is still stunned to realize that Rarity’s hands have wrapped around one of her own, all without her noticing. The mature and slutty girl tuts with her tongue, shaking her head and frowning as she whispers back, “Now, now, no need for that darling. It’s quite obvious you could use someone to vent your issues to, and I feel that I could be just the girl to help. Besides, I haven’t spoken with you or the other girls in ages, and I’m dying to catch up.”

Rarity pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful. And even though it has been a while since they last spoke, Aqua picks up on what’s on her mind almost immediately. “Since before the Dazzlings arrived.” When Rarity quirks an eyebrow, Aqua gives a small smile and tucks her hair behind her ear as she mumbles, “That, that’s the last time you spent time with us.” And then, a little bolder. “But we, well, I understand. You’ve just had a lot to do with your friends. The Rainbooms and all that.”

As realization grows behind Rarity’s eyes, so too does the gentle frown on her lips deepen. She even allows for a few gentle scrunches to appear on her forehead as she squeezes Aqua’s hand. “Has it really been that long since we’ve spoken? Time really has gotten away from me. No wonder you and the other girls have seemed so cold to me lately; I’ve been an absolutely horrid friend!”

“Well, there’s that and your sudden style change.” The words are out of Aqua’s mouth before she even realizes she’s thought them. Rarity’s compassionate concern turns quizzical as she ponders that, leaving Aqua space to recover with only a little bit of panicked stuttering. “I mean, it’s certainly you, but it’s also taking some getting used to. I’m sure Rosie and Blueberry Cake will come around eventually.”

The busty teen makes a small sound of dissatisfaction, but quickly brightens and leans over the table. Her breasts bulge as they’re caught between her arms and smoosh together, creating a line of cleavage that threatens to swallow Aqua’s entire field of vision. “Oh, but you’re a fan? That’s delightful to hear! I knew it would catch on!”

“Yes it’s, uh, it’s really great. It brings out your, uh,” Aqua pauses, searching for the right word and finally manages to find it in Rarity’s bulging cleavage. Through sheer force of will, she manages to drag her eyes upwards again and say it out with a smile. “Charm.”

“I’m ever so glad that you agree, dear. It feels as though I have been getting nothing but nasty looks for the past few days, and I was really beginning to question if I was taking things a little too far.” Finally sitting back on her overstressed chair, Rarity removes one of her hands and primps her hair. “Now that I know the adjustment period is nearly over, I’m quite relieved.”

Aqua’s smile stretches a little wider, hurting her face. “Heh, yeah. Well, glad we were able to clear that up, I’ll just-”

Even as she moves to stand, Rarity pouts at the rounder fashionista. “But Aqua, darling, we haven’t even touched what’s been bothering you! I’d feel dreadful leaving you still feeling so depressed, especially after that tasty tidbit you’ve given me.” With a quarter turn in the seat, Rarity positions herself parallels to the table and taps the chair in front of her. “Come, sit, tell me everything.”

Aqua sighs, looking towards the door. It would be quite easy just to excuse herself and leave the confused, barely-clad bimbo behind her. At the same time, it has been some time since they last spoke and Rarity does seem genuine in her desire to actually listen; certainly a better option than her other friends have been lately.

And even aside from all of that, there’s a bizarre sense of fascination flipping around in the chubby girl’s tummy. Rarity certainly had always pioneered her own look, and this time was no different, except that she had been met with a great deal more pushback. And yet she still sticks to it: the skimpy almost-micro lycra skirt, thigh-high stockings, and the single shoulder top with a tear running from the right hip to the middle of her chest, showcasing the curve and shape of a powdery black bra underneath. A refreshing look that relishes in the boldness of the wearer and declares, in a loud proud voice, that the body is as beautiful as the clothes it wears. Something Aqua desperately needs to hear.

“Okay,” she finally whispers, earning a small, quick clap from Rarity as she finally releases Aqua’s hand. After walking around the table, the two purple haired girls sit in awkward silence for a few seconds before Rarity clears her throat.

“So, Aqua, I am grateful you decided to sit down with me, but I won’t be able to help if you stay quiet.” Reaching out, Rarity places a hand on Aqua’s knee. The teen tenses under her touch, as Rarity’s hand slides towards the inside curve of her knee, as if that will coax a word out of her. “Now, please, tell me.”

She wouldn’t. She was just being polite and enjoying Rarity’s company for a while longer. To stare at her and wonder how she managed to pull off a look that demanded attention to her body, while having such an extreme figure to begin with. Just a chance to sit, and marvel, and whisper, “I just haven’t been feeling attractive lately.”

Aqua sighs again, rapidly realizing that today is just not her day for keeping her lips sealed. But rather than chiding her on her appearance, Rarity gives a gentle coo and goes straight back to holding Aqua’s hands. “Oh dear, I know exactly what you mean. I was just in your position a short while ago: when it felt as though I was somehow less than the stellar image that I fashioned for myself.” Rarity pauses and sighs as well. “It can be a painful, lonely feeling, don’t you think?”

Glancing off to the side, Aqua at last manages to bob her head. “You’re right; it can be. And lately, I’ve felt as though the rest of the fashionista clique aren’t quite as receptive to my style. It really does seem like there’s more opposition than anything else.” She gives a throaty chuckle and continues, “ Apparently, it’s a little too much like some other looks around school.”

Rairty purses her lips into a frown. “Like who, exactly?”

“Well, just today Rose Heart and Blueberry Cake were comparing my attention to makeup to theirs. But even beyond that, I was thinking that I liked-” Aqua pauses, biting her lip to stop the words from spilling out. But it seems that Rarity is having none of that, her eyes wide and attentive as she squeezes Aqua’s hand.

“Go on, dear. What was it you thought you liked?”

“That they’re distinct,” the girl finally manages to get out with a weak smile. “Of course they’re similar: long, towering legs, thin bodies, enormous curves, big hair. At the same time, their sense of self couldn’t be more different. Principal Celestia lives into the archetype of the stern schoolmarm while Ms. Cheerilee hardly seems like a teacher at all, but an oversexed coed.” Aqua’s breathing trembles for a moment as her smile grows larger, more genuine. “And the same for you, and your friends, and those two strange girls that hang off each other all the time, and the nurse; it’s all so delightfully deviant, that the very thought of the style change unfolding is enough to tickle parts of my fashion sense that I wasn’t even aware of!”

Having finally gotten all of her feelings out in the open, Aqua heaves a heavy sigh and feels a bit of the weight slip off her shoulders. And Rarity’s delighted expression makes it all that much sweeter. “Oh, I simply knew that you would be the one to truly appreciate this new look! It’s been practically written all over your face the entire time we’ve known one another.”

When Aqua raises an eyebrow, Rarity takes the opportunity to continue carrying on. “I mean, certainly you’ve noticed on some level already, so we may as well admit it. Aqua, the girls are right: you do have a great deal in common with this fashionable renaissance which Canterlot High is currently undergoing. And that’s nothing to be ashamed of,” she hurriedly adds as Aqua’s shoulders start to sink.

“It isn’t?”

“Oh no, darling, not in the least! If anything, it just puts you a bit ahead of the curve when compared to everyone else, and in a prime position to update your own look to match and encourage others to do the same!”

“Update my look?” The words sound strange in Aqua’s mouth. “But, I mean, I could never pull off something like what you’re wearing.”

“Of course not,” Rarity giggles, the sound somehow both painful and hopeful. “Aqua, you’re far too much woman for a slip of a look like this, and that makes you absolutely perfect for a throwback style that’s certain to garner you all kinds of admirers and imitators!”

Humming to herself, Rarity leans forward again, observing Aqua’s face from several different angles. “Yes, I’m thinking mid-century pinup-homemeaker style with a late century twist; blending an abundance of makeup and a half-bouffant hairstyle that demands attention and presence from everyone around! No straight curtains or ringlets, but big, bold, beautiful hair that reflects its wearer’s innermost desires! What do you think about that, dear?”

“I, uh, I don’t really follow so-”

“Of course, of course,” Rarity tuts, patting Aqua’s chubby cheek, “sometimes vision takes time to unfold and has to be seen to be believed. Now, come with me; my creativity is practically bursting at the seams!”

So it is that Aqua finds herself quickly dragged down the hall, towards Rarity’s home away from home: the design room. It’s thankfully empty at the moment, aside from the faceless, sometimes armless, and generally legless mannequin bodies, each one covered in half-formed ideas that are just waiting to be realized. Positioning Aqua in front of a full length mirror, Rarity in a simple but commanding tone declares, “Strip.”

Aqua immediately blushes and averts her eyes. Not that the girls haven’t seen each other naked before, it’s practically a given when working with Rarity for a fitting, but something feels different about this occasion. Perhaps the fact that Rarity’s looking at her with equal parts inspiration and hunger? “Honestly, thank you Rarity, but I really should be going. The bell will be ringing soon.”

“Pish-posh, darling; class can wait,” the designer says with a familiar flick of her wrist. “This is magic at work. Now, if you would, please?”

Gulping, the rounder girl bobs her head and slowly slips out of her clothes, all the way down to her floral printed underwear. As her trembling fingers move to unclasp her bra, Rarity raises a hand. “That’s fine, dear. What you’ve got on is perfect for my vision.”

Trying her best not to make the sigh of relief too obvious, Aqua sits her squishy rump on the stool behind her. Knees held tight together, she watches as Rarity plunges into one of the many closets in the room, sending fabric flying as she rummages about for the perfect piece. Thankfully, it’s only two weary sighs later that the fashion-forward female is back, this time with a white corset-styled piece. A long green strand curls up from either hip, with small blue buds popping off at certain points before full bodied purple blooms start to appear around the cups. A tender breath escapes Aqua’s lips as she drinks in the undergarment.

“Wow,” is the best she can manage as Rarity thrusts the top at her. Despite her initial reservations, Aqua is quick to pull on the clothing, feeling her roundness shift and squirm a bit as the snug fabric slips into place and the thin straps clasp over her shoulders. Taking a few moments to marvel at the slight change in her look, the teen can’t help but notice the more than healthy bit of pudge that’s been put on clear display by the tight fitting garment. Fore and side, gentle flesh rolls out over the waistband of her skivvies and under the tight top, leaving a bit of muffin top on display.

Compared to Aqua’s usually flowing, breathable tops and dresses that served to flatter her figure, this was a dramatic change. But before she can lodge a complaint, Rarity is behind her, delicately working over her bra-clad breasts and humming to herself in thought. “Yes, perhaps a little bit, hm?”

“R-Rarity?” the groped girl squeaks, the blush returning in full force as she feels the tremendous torpedos of her friend press firmly into her back. “What are you doing?”

“Just taking a moment to get the girls to set as they should,” comes the detached, but still quite breathy response, one which causes Aqua’s throat to tighten and her toes to curl around the lower bar of the stool. And just long enough for Rarity to finish her work and step back. “There we are, absolutely marvelous.”

Still struggling for air, Aqua looks at her reflection again and, to her pleasant surprise, sees that she has boobs! Not monstrous melons like the grab-happy girl behind her, and certainly no larger than they had been previously, but as she turns from side to side, it’s clear that Rarity has done something to Aqua’s once almost non-existent waist to give the illusion of a larger bust.

“How did you manage that?” the teen whispers, lifting an arm and watching as her body seems to flow with a fresh and new sense of fluidity behind the movement. It’s a little enchanting, even watching herself in the mirror.

“Just a little creative work,” Rarity brings a hand to her lips and giggles. “Besides, this look is a great deal more honest; perhaps not to the girl you are, but to whom you want to be.” Moving in close Rarity presses her cheek to Aqua’s. When the girl doesn’t pull away from the invasion of her personal space, Rarity’s confident tone carries on again. “Powerful, self-assured, accountable to herself first and foremost. Right?”

“Those all do sound like very nice things to be, and I’d like very much if I was,” Aqua replies, “but I don’t think adding an undergarment is really going to change who I am.”

Rarity bobs her head with a slight frown. Her face brightens quickly as she speaks again, “I know, dear, I know, but that’s why we’re going to do so much more! I’ve got this gorgeous top and bottom in mind too, but first we must do something up top.”

“Up-” Aqua begins her question, but is quickly cut off by the absolute whirlwind that is Rarity’s creative process. The air fills with the powerful smell and taste of hairspray, nearly causing Aqua to gag as the school bell rings in the distance. Even distantly aware as she is, the teen still hears it, but it feels so incredibly wrong to try and interrupt Rarity during her moment. Besides, she had been right so far, so why not? What’s the worst that could happen? It’s only hairspray after all.

Well, hairspray, a tremendous amount of combing, and bobby pins. But eventually Rarity steps aside and, after the haze clears from in front of the mirror, Aqua finds her jaw dropping. True to her word, the bulge at the back of her hair is bold, loud, and demanding of attention. And yet it blends quite well with the bangs framing the front with her hairband comfortably separating the two. And even still, with the strong presence immediately behind her scalp, there’s enough hair left to trick down to the middle of her upper back.

“That’s really impressive,” Aqua murmurs, turning her head from side to side and trying a few expressions for the mirror. Sure enough, she did have something of a plump, pin-up look to her, but it simply wasn’t coming together as she had expected it might. Laughing, she shakes her head and looks up to Rarity. “Well, than you for trying Rarity, but I don’t think this look is for me either. I’m just not able to pull it off.”

A throaty, almost devious chuckle escapes from Aqua’s amateur designer/stylist. “Oh, did you think that we were done?” Seeing her friend’s eyes widen, Rarity allows a smile to spread across her lips as she pulls out a clear bottle of makeup remover. “I did say we would update your look. Your whole look.”

Once again, Aqua finds herself stripped, though of something a great deal more personal than just her clothes. Still, rather than stopping Rarity, she finds herself going along for the ride. Even if her fingers are clutching the underside of the stool in a desperate bid not to run away.

Cleaned, washed, wiped, dried, and reapplied; Aqua chances a breath only when she absolutely has to as Rarity molds her appearance into something both old and familiar, and fresh and new. Despite her legs demanding escape, Aqua’s heart flutters in anticipation, wondering what marvel Rarity will unveil next. And she doesn’t have too terribly long to wait, either.

“Done,” the fashionista declares at last, the creative tornado at last subsiding to a simple, steady breeze. “Now, take a look and see for yourself the vision that Rarity has wrought upon the world!”

Well, what other choice is there at this point? Aqua cracks open one eye, then the other, and breathes a heavy, tired sigh. It’s a mix of relief, exhaustion, but hitches with fascination as her gaze finally settles on the girl in the mirror. She leans in close, like a child about to make a reservation about what’s on the other side of the glass. Reaching up, she gingerly touches her face and grins as the girl, no, woman in the mirror does exactly the same.

“This, I look,” she slurs, trying to speak around the over abundance of lipstick that weighs down the flesh. Working her mouth a few times, she tries to get used to the heft of her lips as she drinks in the equally heavy loading of eye shadow that threatens to pull the lids into a perpetually half-closed, smoky stare. Not to mention to bold looking eyelashes that seem to arch forever, some of them even dipping out of sight before they stop. Coupled with a dusting of rouge and a powdering, she’s certainly become a caricature of the pin-up style, with all the trappings of a new-century tramp.

The very thought causes something below her belly to tighten and turn in a most pleasurable way. As her eyes uncross, Aqua giggles and slides a hand over the line of bare pudge sticking out from between her panties and the corset-like top. “Rarity, than you. I feel, I don’t know, kind of gorgeous?”

“That’s because you are, darling,” Rarity giggles as well, walking up with a wispy and mostly sheer top that’s designed to hang loose around her shoulders; perfect for showcasing her undergarment, while still providing some level of coverage. In the other hand, she has a darker skirt that will come up to Aqua’s knee, if she’s lucky. “Put these on and we’ll be done.”

Aqua bobs her head and does as she’s told, eager to please the girl who’s already done so much for her. Within a few minutes, she’s slid into the new outfit and the old shoes. She wobbles about on uncertain legs, feeling the tingle from sitting for so long, but after nearly falling over twice, she shakes out the itchy feeling and prances over to a full-length mirror.

Twisting and turning, Aqua hums and admires her new look. She savors the familiar way the fabric flows against her skin, but also the daring sheer nature of it that highlights a slightly shameful, but still distinct part of her body. Fighting the urge to pull the waist of her skirt up over her muffin top, Aqua allows her body to hang out, breathe, and just be present. Closing her eyes, she shifts around a few more times, before bumping into another soft body.

“Whoops,” she giggles, bright blue eyes popping open, “sorry about that Rarity; I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Rarity joins in again, nodding her head as she places a comforting hand on the squishy, exposed flesh of Aqua’s middle. “That’s fine, Aqua, I have a feeling a lot of other students at CHS will be struggle to keep their eyes on the hall ahead of them when you’re around. You’ll demand their attention, in so many ways.”

The two friends, now reconciled to one another, enjoy another round of giggles before Rarity clears her throat and makes a small shooing motion with her hand. “Now, I do believe that I have kept you long enough. I am quite certain the teachers must be all wondering where we’ve gotten off to. But, don’t be a stranger!”

“Oh, believe me, I won’t,” Aqua Blossom replies, gathering her things as she walks towards the door. She wouldn’t notice, at least not for a few hours, that a few of Rarity’s cosmetics had just so happened to end up inside her bag. Naturally, neither of the purple-haired girls would notice the occasional flush of pink across them either. Not that it especially mattered, with both of them already so thoroughly entranced by the idea of commanding entire classrooms of eyes, simply by being who they wanted to be: visually trashy and slutty, but with an air of sophistication that’s just waiting to be torn away and ravaged.

Aqua shudders as the half-formed thought rolls through her mind and is quickly forgotten. But the seeds it left find fertile ground to dig in, take root, and begin to grow. Aqua Blossom: an unintentional change, but perhaps one with tremendous purpose. Perhaps.