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| 1 | >Day 719 in Equestria. | |
| 2 | >This is probably the first morning you’ve woken up in a good mood. Ever. | |
| 3 | >Take shower. Eat breakfast. Bundle up. Exit house. Deal with Rainbow Da—Oh, no Rainbow Dash. | |
| 4 | >This is going to be one of those great days, isn’t it? | |
| 5 | >You needed one of those. | |
| 6 | >Even the clear blue sky agrees with how great today is going to be. | |
| 7 | >You give it a thumbs up for some reason. | |
| 8 | >The walk to Carousel Boutique is pleasant enough. Quiet. | |
| 9 | >… | |
| 10 | >Too quiet… | |
| 11 | >Ha, nah. No such thing as too quiet. | |
| 12 | >But it does force your mind to fill in some of that emptiness. | |
| 13 | >You think back to the books you read last night. More specifically, the few tidbits of the one book you read. | |
| 14 | >It was astonishing how boring those books were. | |
| 15 | >You can only recall something about an average of a thousand male fatalities per estrus. | |
| 16 | >Or something. Whatever. | |
| 17 | >You read it really late at night so you probably misread that. | |
| 18 | >The Boutique comes into view with a bit of a surprise. | |
| 19 | >Several ponies dressed in white overalls scatter about the place setting up ladders and scaffolding. | |
| 20 | >A few wave as you approach the building, others warn you that they’re painting the exterior. | |
| 21 | >Oh! Yes! That means you don’t have to do it! | |
| 22 | >You pump your fist before you walk in. | |
| 23 | ||
| 24 | >As soon as you close the door, you hear Rarity call your name in a very annoyed tone. | |
| 25 | >Uh oh, did you do something wrong. | |
| 26 | >She walks into the room from the kitchen with a glare matching the tone of her voice. | |
| 27 | >”You’re late, Anonymous!” Rarity says sharply. | |
| 28 | “Wait, what?” | |
| 29 | >You look over to the clock mounted on her wall. | |
| 30 | >8:02 | |
| 31 | >Two minutes late. | |
| 32 | >You want to scream something along the lines of, ‘BULLSHIT!’ but that’s very improper. Rarity would break out like, six newspapers for that. | |
| 33 | “Uh… Yeah. Sorry about that, didn’t real-“ | |
| 34 | >”Hush! You have a very busy morning ahead of you!” | |
| 35 | “What, I—Am I painting too?” | |
| 36 | >”No, no, no! Come, follow me.” | |
| 37 | >She quickly trots to her workshop with you in tow. | |
| 38 | >She throws open the door in an overly dramatic fashion. All over the room equinequins are draped in back scraps of clothing. | |
| 39 | >And very unrarity-like, the place is a mess. Tools scattered about, bolts of cloth not in their proper place, and even a toppled over chair. | |
| 40 | >Something terrible has happened here… | |
| 41 | “Did you get a rush yesterday?” | |
| 42 | >”Not… Not exactly…” | |
| 43 | >She quietly sighs to herself. | |
| 44 | >”A member of the Apple family has unfortunately passed away…” | |
| 45 | ||
| 46 | >You gasp and bring your hands to your mouth. | |
| 47 | “Was it… Granny Smith?” | |
| 48 | >”No, it was a pony I was unfamiliar with. One that didn’t even live in Ponyville.” | |
| 49 | “Thank goodness…” | |
| 50 | >Rarity’s eyes dart to yours when you realize what you said. | |
| 51 | “I’m… I mean I’m glad it wasn’t… Not to say…” | |
| 52 | >”I know what you meant, Anonymous. I feel the same way.” She looks back to the workshop and sighs again. | |
| 53 | >”Shortly after I excused you, half of their family arrived to place one large order of funeral attire.” | |
| 54 | “That’s… unfortunate.” | |
| 55 | >”Quite. And unlike the Apple family I know, they were VERY specific. Something about making the dress remind them of the relative in some way. I’d go as far to say that Applejack’s dress is the most intricate.” | |
| 56 | “Whoa.” | |
| 57 | >”Yes, “whoa” is the appropriate response. I do love a challenge and my work but,” She lets out yet another sigh. This one is intentionally overdramatic. “Anonymoooouusssss, I have to make over thirty unique black dresses and suits by the end of next week! “ | |
| 58 | >You exhale slowly and debate between your options, even if there’s only one. | |
| 59 | “Welp,” | |
| 60 | >You give Rarity a gentle pat on the head. | |
| 61 | >Then you walk into the middle of the room and assess the situation. | |
| 62 | >Oh wait, you have no idea what to do. | |
| 63 | >You turn around to face Rarity. | |
| 64 | “Where do you want me?” | |
| 65 | >Rarity looks at you with a dumbfounded expression on her face before it slowly turns to and enthusiastic smile. | |
| 66 | ||
| 67 | >Rarity’s mood greatly improved since you showed her your willingness to get to work. | |
| 68 | >She gave you a quick walkthrough of your task. You’re supposed to sew on what needs to be very precisely sewn or something like that. | |
| 69 | >The idea scared you half to death. | |
| 70 | >Rarity tittered lightly at your nervousness to do the task, but she demonstrated for you. | |
| 71 | >She got very close to the cloth and asked you to do the same. Her face bumped into yours a couple times and her goofy big red glasses blocked your vision a bit, but it turns out your task wasn’t so hard. And you have almost two weeks to get it done, so being careful and slow isn’t something to worry about. | |
| 72 | >So while you carefully did the precise stuff, Rarity sped along with the measurements, cutting, large piece sewing and gem cutting and placement. | |
| 73 | >Rarity has remarked more than once that she’s going to run out of Jet and Sapphire before this is done. | |
| 74 | >Judging by the amount of blue spotted along the dresses, it’s safe to assume that this dead relative has blue eyes. | |
| 75 | >Or mane, or coat. Whatever, he or she is dead now. | |
| 76 | >Eh, kinda grim. | |
| 77 | >Or maybe not. While death is of course a tragedy, you didn’t know the pony. | |
| 78 | >It’s not as if you’re making jokes about the departed. | |
| 79 | >And you’ll certainly give Applejack or Big Mac your sympathies the next time you see them. | |
| 80 | >But it’s just something you won’t offend yourself with just by thinking neutrally about it. | |
| 81 | >”Anonymous?” | |
| 82 | “Yeah-huh?” | |
| 83 | >”Where do you see yourself in five years?” | |
| 84 | ||
| 85 | >You stop. | |
| 86 | >You stop everything. | |
| 87 | >That question caught you way off-guard. | |
| 88 | “Um, what?” | |
| 89 | >”I’m only a little curious about what you think your future here in Equestria holds for you. Is there anything you truly enjoy enough to make it a career?” She holds up a nearly completed piece and smiles at it. “Such as myself…” | |
| 90 | >She stares at it for a moment longer before setting it aside and working on another piece. | |
| 91 | >”Or are you like Rainbow Dash? You enjoy something so much you chase a nearly impossible dream because of it?” | |
| 92 | “You don’t believe Rainbow Dash could become a Wonderbolt?” | |
| 93 | >”If you asked me that a few years ago, I would have said no, but she has changed recently.” | |
| 94 | “Recently? Like, how recent?” | |
| 95 | >”Mmm, I’d say ever since the two of you become such close friends!” | |
| 96 | “Are you implying something?” | |
| 97 | >”Perhaps, but we’re getting a little off topic.” | |
| 98 | “Ah, well…” | |
| 99 | >You nervously rub the back of your neck. | |
| 100 | “I’m not sure. Honestly, I’m a little jealous of ponies and how they get a mark on their butt telling them what they should do for the rest of their lives.” | |
| 101 | >”So there’s nothing you truly enjoy? There’s nothing you can imagine yourself doing for the rest of your life?” | |
| 102 | “Not really.” | |
| 103 | >You look up from your sewing project to see a concerned look on Rarity’s face. | |
| 104 | >”Nothing? Are you sure?” | |
| 105 | >You think for a moment before coming up with a response. | |
| 106 | ||
| 107 | “I guess I’ve always wanted to learn how to play an instrument.” | |
| 108 | >Rarity nods confidently. | |
| 109 | >”Hm. That settles it! Your special talent must be music!” | |
| 110 | “Nice logic there.” | |
| 111 | >”You don’t believe you could become a great pianist or a world famous lyre player?” | |
| 112 | “Heh. ‘Piantist.’” | |
| 113 | >You feel the thwap of the newspaper on your head and you have a minor spaz attack as a reaction. | |
| 114 | >Fuck, where was she hiding that!? | |
| 115 | >Rarity sighs. | |
| 116 | >”I’m never going to have a mature conversation with you, am I?” | |
| 117 | “That is very unlikely, Miss Rarity.” | |
| 118 | >”Now you’re just mocking me…” | |
| 119 | “Hehe…” You lift of the dress you believe to be finished and show it off to Rarity. “So is this good?” | |
| 120 | >She trots around the workbench to closely inspect it. | |
| 121 | >”Hmm… This was supposed to be in a straight line, not hexagonal.” | |
| 122 | >She points to the flank of the dress. Aww, you worked so hard on that one. | |
| 123 | “I know, but I thought this would look better.” | |
| 124 | >You brace for another thwapping of the newspaper, but it never comes. | |
| 125 | >Rarity continues to stare intently at the dress for a few moments before slipping it on a hanger and setting that on a rack. | |
| 126 | >“It does look better.” | |
| 127 | >As she walks back to whatever she was working on, you hear her whisper, “Hmph. No talent, my flank.” | |
| 128 | ||
| 129 | >After a few hours of very repetitive finger work, you get ready to call for a lunch break. | |
| 130 | >And just as you’re about to say something, Rarity pipes up. | |
| 131 | >”Oh my, I’m feeling awfully famished.” She turns to you. “Are you hungry, Anonymous?” | |
| 132 | “A bit, yeah.” | |
| 133 | >”Follow me, then. I have a surprise for you in the kitchen.” | |
| 134 | >She stops the sewing machine since for the first time today and trots out of the workshop at a fast pace. | |
| 135 | >You almost fall out of your chair just trying to keep up with her. | |
| 136 | >Once you catch up, you have to ask, | |
| 137 | “What’s the rush?” | |
| 138 | >”Hmmm…” She rolls her eyes around to avoid your gaze. “No reason.” | |
| 139 | “Really.” | |
| 140 | >”Yes, really.” | |
| 141 | “Right, you’re very convincing.” | |
| 142 | >”Oh, hush. Some p0nies don’t appreciate a good surprise.” | |
| 143 | “Now I know not to be surprised.” | |
| 144 | >She bumps into you. | |
| 145 | >”Maybe I should put you back to work? You look as if you eat well enough. You won’t starve over one meal.” | |
| 146 | “Haha…” Your stomach picks a good time to rumble “You were joking, right?” | |
| 147 | >”Of course, dear.” | |
| 148 | >She leads you into the kitchen and forces you to sit down. | |
| 149 | >After digging through the refrigerator, Rarity magically pulls out a container full of… | |
| 150 | “Cookies?” | |
| 151 | >About a dozen brown cookies with a white frosting on top, to be exact. | |
| 152 | >She sets them down in front of you | |
| 153 | >”Molasses cookies! Feel free to take as many as you’d like, they’re scrumptious.” She titters lightly. “And once I return, we can get back to that order!” | |
| 154 | “Gef, bach?” You say with a cookie already in your mouth. | |
| 155 | >”Mmhm! I have a few errands to run and they must be taken care of immediately.” | |
| 156 | >Rarity begins to trot towards the exit. | |
| 157 | >”I’ll only be gone an hour, I’m sure you can handle everything just fine.” | |
| 158 | >Well that’s an unfair assump-ohmygod these cookies are so good. | |
| 159 | ||
| 160 | >You are Rarity. | |
| 161 | >With your lovely scarf and fashionable jacket, you head out into the heart of Ponyville for some shopping. | |
| 162 | >You hit the food stalls first. It’s amazing how these ponies are able to do business out in the open with so much snow on the ground. | |
| 163 | >Never doubt an Earth Pony’s work ethic! | |
| 164 | >You buy all your necessities for the next two weeks or so, and then go window shopping at the local hat store. | |
| 165 | >Most of the time the display pieces are all drab and out of date, but recently you’ve noticed some refreshing new headwear in the window. | |
| 166 | >Perhaps somep0ny else is becoming a local fashionista? Ohoho, how exciting! | |
| 167 | >You hope to meet this little creator someday soon. | |
| 168 | >But for now, you must move on to more important things. | |
| 169 | >You discussion with Anonymous earlier today has given you an idea. | |
| 170 | >If he truly believes he has no talent, then he hasn’t done enough exploring! | |
| 171 | >And he mentioned his affinity for music and instruments, so what better way to get him started down the right path than to get him something from the music store?! | |
| 172 | >Yes! He will just love it! | |
| 173 | >The music store is on the other side of Ponyville, so you tire yourself out by the time you’re halfway there. | |
| 174 | >With the groceries, it makes the task twice as difficult. | |
| 175 | >But you shall not falter! | |
| 176 | >Afterall, you are Rarity! And- | |
| 177 | >”Excuse me, miss…” You turn to the left to see a young cream colored stallion nervously looking at you. | |
| 178 | >”I-If you’d like, I can carry those bags for you…” | |
| 179 | ||
| 180 | >Well! The cream stallion was awfully insistent. As much as you said you were fully capable of doing the task alone, he continued to press the issue. | |
| 181 | >Eventually you surrendered to his will, and allowed him to take over the heavy lifting until you arrived at the store. | |
| 182 | >He was hardly able to handle it himself. Haha, they’re not THAT heavy. Regardless, you’re thankful for his help. | |
| 183 | >When the two of you arrive at the music store you thank him for his help and magically lift the bags off his back on onto your own. | |
| 184 | >You begin browsing around the store for whatever might suit Anonymous. | |
| 185 | >It’s difficult to do that when… that stallion won’t stop looking at you. | |
| 186 | >You pretend to ignore him for a few more minutes, but his eyes on your back are unnerving. | |
| 187 | >Or maybe they’re not on your back. Maybe he’s looking at your… flank! | |
| 188 | >Oh! The nerve! | |
| 189 | >And is that a SWEAT DROP!? Unacceptable! Sweat will stain this scarf permanently! | |
| 190 | >You turn to face him once more with an obviously fake smile. | |
| 191 | “Yes, can I help you?” | |
| 192 | >He remains silent for a moment before coming to his wits. | |
| 193 | >”I’m Lemon-Drop!” | |
| 194 | >You expect him to say something else, like perhaps ask what your name is, or why he’s still here. | |
| 195 | >But he continues to silently stare with a simple smile on his snout. | |
| 196 | “… Okay?” | |
| 197 | >”Yeah! Um… Did I screw up?” | |
| 198 | “I’m sorry, what?” | |
| 199 | >”Like, did I forget something? I don’t understand what… Oh, haha! Wow, I forgot to ask what your name is!” | |
| 200 | “Er… Rarity. My name is Rarity.” | |
| 201 | >”Cool. Rarity. So when do you wanna start dating?” | |
| 202 | “What?!” | |
| 203 | >You jump back a little at his bold question. | |
| 204 | ||
| 205 | >”Yeah, I did something nice for you and my dad said mares totally dive on your dick when you do nice things for them.” | |
| 206 | “W-What?! Go! Leave!” | |
| 207 | >You retch in disgust. | |
| 208 | >”What? But I helped you!” | |
| 209 | “I’m grateful but you need to leave me alone! Now!” | |
| 210 | >”Pff, lame. My dad told me to call you a stingy bitch if you said no.” | |
| 211 | >EVERY CELL, NO, EVERY ATOM IN YOUR BODY IS YELLING AT YOU. TELLING YOU TO SLAP THE BOY! | |
| 212 | >But… He is hardly older than a colt! | |
| 213 | >You can’t. You can’t hit him in good conscious. So you just stand there with the straightest face you can muster. | |
| 214 | >Once he exits the establishment, you stomp around like an angry little filly while sputtering out horrible things to say about the boy. | |
| 215 | >All the while, the store owner is looking at you while silently laughing. | |
| 216 | >You finally notice and immediately compose yourself. | |
| 217 | >Keeping those comments inside is better for you anyway. | |
| 218 | >You take a few deep breaths before browsing once again. | |
| 219 | >What do you think Anonymous would like? Drums? Awfully basic. Lyre? Ponyville already has a lyre player. Piano? No. Harp? Heavens, the price on that thing… What about… Yes, that’s it! | |
| 220 | >A violin! Ah, such a marvelous instrument. You have yet to hear anything else that could create such beautiful music. | |
| 221 | >You can easily imagine Anonymous with it, right now… | |
| 222 | ||
| 223 | >The two of you are in a dark room with a bright white spotlight shining down upon you. | |
| 224 | >You sit on one edge while Anonymous stands at the other. | |
| 225 | >He wears tight black pants and a white shirt with a frilled collar. | |
| 226 | >He brings the violin to his chin and without hesitation, begins playing. | |
| 227 | >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BGIlN8oa54 | |
| 228 | >The tune starts off mellow, but soothing. | |
| 229 | >A beat he somehow makes quickly accompanies the enchanting sounds of his violin. | |
| 230 | >Anonymous slowly begins to circle you as the pace of his music picks up. | |
| 231 | >The sound of a second violin appears. | |
| 232 | >It’s him doing that. He’s become so good he can play two violins at once. | |
| 233 | >He’s made a full circle around you at this point. | |
| 234 | >You’re urged to join him. | |
| 235 | >A crimson dress you don’t recall wearing drags along behind you as you attempt to move with him. | |
| 236 | >You quickly grasp his movements, and suddenly you’re a part of the experience. | |
| 237 | >He plays for you, he plays with you. | |
| 238 | >You dance for him, you dance with him. | |
| 239 | >The beautiful creation of body and soul quickly become undistinguishable as the two of you work in perfect form. | |
| 240 | >And too quickly begins to die down. | |
| 241 | >The violin has disappeared. | |
| 242 | >And the two of you rest in each other’s arms. | |
| 243 | >You were always standing on your hind legs, of course. | |
| 244 | >You look deeply into his eyes, and he does into yours. | |
| 245 | >As the final notes play. | |
| 246 | >And the spotlight dims. | |
| 247 | >The two of you close your eyes and slowly lean in foooooOOOWAHA! | |
| 248 | ||
| 249 | >You reopen your eyes. | |
| 250 | >They were closed? You didn’t even notice. | |
| 251 | >Ahem. That was an… interesting little daydream. | |
| 252 | >You sure didn’t expect it to escalate to something like. Ahaha… Perhaps you should choose a different instrument. | |
| 253 | >Maybe this clarinet or flute. What about this Xyloph- | |
| 254 | >Anonymouswearingafrillysuit. | |
| 255 | >Violin it is. | |
| 256 | >You pull the box out from behind the display model. | |
| 257 | >150 bits?! You can afford that, but… Good heavens! | |
| 258 | >Were those tight black pants he was wearing really so enticing? | |
| 259 | >No, of course not. | |
| 260 | >But a violin would be good for him so the decision is already made. | |
| 261 | >You levitate the violin onto the counter. | |
| 262 | >The old lemon yellow colored stallion behind the counter stares at you for a few seconds before taking away at his register. | |
| 263 | >Then he chuckles to himself. | |
| 264 | >”You musta been enjoying yourself over there, miss.” He keeps his eyes down. | |
| 265 | “I beg your pardon?” | |
| 266 | >”Standin’ over there, rockin’ your hips and humming to yourself? You either had a tune in your head or you was thinkin’ of a stallion.” | |
| 267 | “A little of both.” You say without thinking. | |
| 268 | >… | |
| 269 | >Oh! Oh no… | |
| 270 | “I wasn’t thinking… He’s only a friend! Hardly one at that!” | |
| 271 | >”So why are you buying him such an expensive gift?” | |
| 272 | >How did he know?! | |
| 273 | >You feel your face burning up. | |
| 274 | >The shopkeeper begins laughing. | |
| 275 | >”Ah, I’ve gone and embarrassed you. I’m sorry about that, young miss. I suppose you’re just being generous. After all, they don’t call you the Element of Generosity for no reason, right?” | |
| 276 | >He winks at you before reaching his hooves under the counter. | |
| 277 | >”I ‘spose I should exercise my generosity for once.” From under the counter, he pulls a few small books with fancy pictures of violins on the front. “Is your friend new to the instrument?” | |
| 278 | ||
| 279 | >You exit the music store with a wide grin on your face. While the store owner made some VERY INCORRECT assumptions about how you feel about Anonymous, he was kind enough to throw in a few instructional books on the instrument. | |
| 280 | >He also showed you a cheaper, better looking and sounding violin as well. | |
| 281 | >Disgusted by one stallion, amazed by another! | |
| 282 | >Aaaaand… You’ve been gone for far too long. The hour you promised has passed by now, you’d best make haste! | |
| 283 | As you trot through the cold streets of Ponyville, ponies go about their business as usual. Some even rushing back to their respective work places, like yourself! | |
| 284 | >The chatter of a few ponies catches your attention though. | |
| 285 | >Two of the voices are what stand out the most. | |
| 286 | >That disgusting black coated barbaric punk-maned Pegasus. | |
| 287 | >And Rainbow Dash! | |
| 288 | >They fly just overhead. The weather patrol at work! What a wonderful job to have! The ability to banish rain when it puts a damper on a pony’s spirit, or maybe summon one on a hot summer day! | |
| 289 | >Rainbow Dash spots you as they pass over, and she swerves down at tremendous speeds. | |
| 290 | >You’ve had little time to chat with her recently with all the… Well, you don’t have an excuse. | |
| 291 | >Rainbow Dash doesn’t click with you in a one-on-one conversation. | |
| 292 | >But it’s as good a time as any to catch up! | |
| 293 | ||
| 294 | >Rainbow Dash lands next to you with a hard ‘THUMP’ and matches your pace. | |
| 295 | >”Hey wassup, Rarity?” | |
| 296 | “Not much, at the moment. How about you?” | |
| 297 | >”Just doing my hourly patrols. Clouds are pretty clear today, but we’re getting a major blizzard in two days and I don’t want any stray clouds coming early.” | |
| 298 | “Always the busy one, Rainbow Dash.” | |
| 299 | >”Hehe-“ | |
| 300 | >She’s cut off by another thud to your left which is followed by a, “Hey baby…” | |
| 301 | >Celestia, not him… | |
| 302 | >Rainbow Dash cranes her neck to look at the Pegasus. | |
| 303 | >”Thunderlane, not now!” | |
| 304 | >”Tch, c’mon! That’s cheating!” | |
| 305 | >”Go!” | |
| 306 | >”Uuuugh! Fine.” | |
| 307 | >He quickly takes off to rejoin his other Pegasus friends. | |
| 308 | “I don’t know if I can stand another minute of him…” | |
| 309 | >”Thunderlane? You don’t like him, huh?” | |
| 310 | “Ugh, disgusting little pervert.” | |
| 311 | >”Hehe, good. He is kinda disgusting.” | |
| 312 | >Rainbow Dash then takes a quick peek of what you’re carrying. | |
| 313 | >”Hey, is that a violin?” | |
| 314 | “Why, yes it is!” | |
| 315 | >”Cool, is that for Anon?” | |
| 316 | >Is it possible for your face to go pale while blushing? How did she guess so easily? | |
| 317 | “Y-Yes? How did you…” | |
| 318 | >”He said something about wanting to learn how to play music once or twice, but he never actually tries.” | |
| 319 | >She nudges you in the shoulder. | |
| 320 | >”Guess he won’t have an excuse now. Plus, his party is coming up! I figured you’d get him something awesome, even if you don’t like him very much.” | |
| 321 | “Come now, Anonymous is a little crude, but he’s quite a likeable character.” | |
| 322 | >”Yeah, he’s sometimes a bit of a softie.” | |
| 323 | “Yes, by the way…” | |
| 324 | ||
| 325 | “Rainbow Dash, are you still…” | |
| 326 | >You can’t look her directly in the eye. It’s quite an awkward topic. | |
| 327 | “Ahem… You seem to be functioning normally around males now, unlike before...” | |
| 328 | >”Oh, yeah! All better now! I’m totally cool.” | |
| 329 | >Now she’s avoiding your gaze! | |
| 330 | >Yes, it is an awkward topic indeed! You shall… Move on to other things. | |
| 331 | >That doesn’t work as well as planned, though. | |
| 332 | >You want to talk about fashion. | |
| 333 | >She wants to talk about the Wonderbolts. | |
| 334 | >Two very different topics, but the two of you manage to hold a conversation with each other for a few minutes before coming up to the boutique. | |
| 335 | >As you get to the porch, Rainbow Dash whispers, “Hey, is Anon here today?” | |
| 336 | >Not wanting to alert… whomever it is she’s trying to hide from, you whisper back. | |
| 337 | “Mmhm! He’s working inside right now.” | |
| 338 | >”Cool, I gotta head out. Catch you later Rarity.” | |
| 339 | >And she quietly flitters away, which is unusual of her. | |
| 340 | >But with her gone, you gain a little thinking room. | |
| 341 | >You completely forgot about Anonymous’ party for a moment. You planned to give the violin to him on the spot. | |
| 342 | >But wouldn’t make a much better gift? You think so. You’ll be forced to wait a bit longer before hearing the enchanting sounds of his violin, but the look on his face when he unwraps the present… | |
| 343 | >Yes! It’s decided! | |
| 344 | >This will make the perfect present for his second anniversary in Equestria! | |
| 345 | ||
| 346 | >You reenter your boutique with an unshakeable childish grin. | |
| 347 | >Holding excitement... The bane of your existence! | |
| 348 | >But you manage to keep it together long enough to sneak upstairs and slide it under your bed. | |
| 349 | >You take another minute to compose yourself before heading back downstrairs. You expect to hear Anonymous doing SOMETHING, but everything is silent in the household. | |
| 350 | >That gives you a slightly bad feeling. | |
| 351 | >And a small angry one. | |
| 352 | >You have a feeling… | |
| 353 | >You walk to your workshop and throw open the door. | |
| 354 | >Anonymous, at his station, stirs from his slumber before falling back into it. | |
| 355 | >How long has he been sleeping?! What if a customer came in and nop0ny was here to help! | |
| 356 | “Anonymous!” | |
| 357 | >”BBWUAH!” | |
| 358 | >His arms flail wildly as he wakes. | |
| 359 | >Fabric flies in multiple directions. | |
| 360 | >”Rarity! I-… Shoot, where did my needle go?” | |
| 361 | >You sigh as Anonymous searches under the desk. | |
| 362 | >There’s no point in getting mad. You have too many dresses to make to chew him out for sleeping on the job. | |
| 363 | >You give Anonymous a new needle and tell him to get back to work. | |
| 364 | ||
| 365 | >”Hey, RD. Can I talk to you for a sec?” | |
| 366 | >You are Rainbow Dash. | |
| 367 | “Yeah, what about?” | |
| 368 | >Thunderlane looks to the other ponies flying alongside the two of you. | |
| 369 | >”Alone?” | |
| 370 | >You roll your eyes. | |
| 371 | “Fine.” You cup your hooves over your mouth. “You guys go on ahead. Thunderlane and I will catch up soon.” | |
| 372 | >You flare out your wings to quickly stop yourself. Thunderlane does the same. | |
| 373 | >With the other ponies gone, Thunderlane quickly becomes aggressive. | |
| 374 | >”What the buck, Rainbow Dash?!” | |
| 375 | “What?” | |
| 376 | >”Are you trying to sabotage me now? That’s not fair!” | |
| 377 | “Wait, the Rarity thing a few minutes ago?” | |
| 378 | >”Yeah! I was just about to seal the deal and you just swoop in a shoo me away! I bet you told her lies about me!” | |
| 379 | >You can’t hold in a snort of laughter. | |
| 380 | “You’re kidding, right? There’s nooooo way you can win this. She HATES you, dude.” | |
| 381 | >”Pff, you just don’t understand my charm!” | |
| 382 | “CHARM?! Aaaaaahahaha!” | |
| 383 | >You start doing flips from how hard you’re laughing. | |
| 384 | >”Hey!” | |
| 385 | >You can’t hear him. This is too rich. | |
| 386 | >While you laugh up a riot, he says under his breath, | |
| 387 | >”Hmph! Let’s see how you like a little sabotage…” |