Chapter 06: A Rare Mare Part 2
A couple hours later, they had dropped off letters and small packages across town.
Ditzy checked a slip in her saddlebag. "Oh! Special request from the post office." She showed him the note. "We need to pick up a large package for delivery."
"Large how?"
"You'll see." She led the way.
At the post office, the crate waiting for them was tall and neatly wrapped, almost as big as their cart.
"Looks important," Dusk said.
Ditzy read the label and lit up. "Carousel Boutique. Rarity must've ordered something for the celebration."
"Never been," Dusk said.
"You're in for a treat."
They loaded the crate and set off.
They reached a round, two-story shop with striped pillars and a clean sweep to its lines. Light caught on polished trim. The whole building looked elegant and deliberate. It reminded him of galleries from home, all curves and care. A small, unexpected warmth moved in his chest. He let it pass. This was not his home.
"That's the Carousel Boutique," Ditzy said.
They eased the crate to the door. Ditzy knocked.
Rarity answered. "Good afternoon." She saw the crate and smiled. "Right on time. Thank you."
Ditzy beamed. "Delivery's here. This is Dusk. He's helping with the festival."
"Rarity," she said, offering a hoof. "Welcome to the Boutique."
"You look… beautiful," Dusk blurted.
Nightmare's irritation sharpened. Possessive heat pressed.
Rarity's eyes widened. She brushed her mane, cheeks warming. "Aren't you sweet. Thank you, darling. And you are quite handsome yourself." Her gaze lifted to his forelock. "That mane could use a little work, though. Messy, but in an endearing way."
Dusk laughed. "It has been a while since I was properly groomed."
"Then we must do something about that, but later." Rarity tipped her head toward the crate. "Let's get this sorted. And while you're here, I can show you a few designs."
"Sure!" Ditzy said.
"A small gift for a helpful stallion seems fair, would you not say?" Rarity added.
Dusk chuckled. "Can't hurt to look."
"Do come in."
Inside, fabric and ribbon crowded the room. A tray of gems caught the light. Lavender hung in the air.
"Wow," Dusk said. "This is incredible."
"Thank you, dear." Rarity led them to a workstation. "Feast your eyes on these."
Banners and drapes lay across a table and hung from racks. Gold and silver accents lit blues and purples stitched with stars and sunbursts.
"These are for the main stage," Rarity said. "I want to capture Princess Celestia's majesty."
Nightmare's presence snapped taut. Sister.
A wave of warmth and ache rolled through Dusk. He missed his mother. He set a hoof on the nearest banner and studied the stitching. Tight lines. Clean corners. Rich thread that turned when he moved. "The detail is amazing," he said. "Better than what I remember from where I used to live."
Rarity brightened. "I am glad it shows."
In the back of his mind, Nightmare's voice cooled. Pretty cloth for pretty speeches. Glorified praise.
"I appreciate good work," Dusk said.
"Then you'll like what's next." Rarity's eyes shone. "Still plenty to do, but Ponyville will look its best for the festival."
Ditzy nudged Dusk. "Told you."
"You were right," he said.
Rarity lifted her chin toward the back. "Tea while I show a few more designs? I have a town square project I think you'll love."
Dusk hesitated, then nodded. He could leave now and keep the day simple. Or he could sit, drink tea, and talk about colors and cloth like any other pony. The ease of it tugged at him. Normal words. Simple admiration. A quiet room where nothing hurt.
Behind his calm face, Nightmare withdrew to a cool corner. She watched without comment, filing Rarity away as a bright distraction.
#
After tea, Rarity returned to her banner, smoothing the purple and gold cloth. "So, dear," she said, eyes on the fabric, "you're not from Ponyville, are you?"
"That obvious?"
"Nothing to be embarrassed about." She glanced up with a warm smile. "New faces stand out."
Ditzy hid a laugh behind her teacup. "Dusk got here a few days ago. He's been helping me with deliveries. Mostly party stuff."
"How lovely." Rarity set the fabric aside and faced him. "What do you think of the town so far?"
"It's been really welcoming. Warmer than I expected. Everypony's been kind." He smiled. "Yesterday the Apples wouldn't let us leave without dinner."
"That sounds like Applejack." Rarity's expression softened, then she let it pass and started to circle him. Her eyes measured lines and weight with quick, practiced glances. "The Apples define hospitality. Though after three pies, even I start to crave a salad. I adore them, of course."
She drifted around his shoulder. The room fell away for a breath. Chalk ticked on wool. Pins clicked in a tray. A tape slid cool along his throat and withers. Stand straight. Do not breathe. Voices that never spoke to him, only over him. The tug of fabric to square his stance. He blinked and the boutique came back.
"Hmm," Rarity said.
Dusk's ears twitched. "Is something wrong?"
"Heavens, no." Her eyes brightened. "I'm seeing possibilities."
"Possibilities?"
"Your mane, dear." She leaned in, studying the black and white. "Striking, but the cut is not helping you. Has anypony ever styled it for you?"
"I… haven't really thought about it."
'Oh no,' Nightmare said, amused. 'She has that look. Run while you can.'
"With the celebration so close," Rarity went on, "I would love to help. Nothing drastic. Just something that suits you. Everypony should look their best for the Princess's arrival."
The word landed and drew tight across Dusk's chest. He kept his face still.
"I don't know if"
"Free of charge," she added quickly. "My contribution."
"You should let her," Ditzy said, bouncing a little. "Rarity's really good."
He looked from Ditzy's grin to Rarity's hopeful stare. "I guess it wouldn't hurt."
"Wonderful." Rarity clapped. Her gaze dropped to the rest of him. "Although, now that I'm really looking…"
Dusk took a step back. "What?"
"A mane styling might not be enough." She paced, assessing. "You have a lean build. That medallion." She nodded at the gear-marked pendant. "Distinctive. It could anchor the whole look."
Dusk's hoof touched the medallion. "Truth be told, I was adopted. This was the only thing on me. To this day, I have never understood what it meant."
Rarity's expression softened. "Then we will treat it with the respect it deserves." A small nod. "An ensemble for the celebration," she went on, gathering steam, "sophisticated, not gaudy. Traditional, but still a statement."
"That sounds like formal wear," Dusk said. "I'm not comfortable with that."
"Oh, pish posh." She waved him off. "Nothing wrong with a proper suit. Trust me. This is what I do."
'She's persistent,' Nightmare said.
Dusk hesitated. “If I agree, nothing too fancy. I don’t want to stand out.”
“Of course,” Rarity said. “Clean and simple.”
The door flew open.
“Rarity! Rarity!” A white unicorn filly with a pink-and-purple mane skidded in. “Did the package arrive? Is it here? Can I see it?”
“Sweetie Belle.” Rarity’s voice was fond and firm. “What have I told you about bursting in? We have guests.”
Sweetie Belle froze, then spotted Dusk and Ditzy. “Oh. Sorry.” She peered at Dusk. “Who are you?”
“This is Dusk,” Ditzy said. “He’s helping me deliver mail.”
Sweetie’s eyes lit up. “Did you bring the package?”
“The fabric crate?” Dusk nodded toward it. “Yeah.”
“That’s so cool.” She bounced. “Was it heavy? Do you deliver stuff every day?”
“Sweetie,” Rarity said gently, “let them breathe.”
“It’s okay,” Ditzy laughed. “I don’t mind.”
A white cat slipped in from the back and hopped onto a cushion. Opalescence stared at Dusk, then began to groom herself.
Nightmare missed her manticore.
"Opal has discerning taste," Rarity said with a hint of affection. "She does not give approval lightly."
Rarity floated her banner closer. Rows of stars met sunbursts along a seam.
"The detail is amazing," Dusk said. "Seamstressing is one of the notable kinds of art," he said. "Something ponies can wear and not just admire on a wall or statue. Beauty with function." He glanced around the shop.
In the back of his mind, Nightmare murmured, pleased. 'Presentation has always been powerful.'
Rarity went still, then colored at the cheeks. "Many ponies call it frivolous." The words came soft. "It is a relief to be understood."
A quiet ease settled in Dusk's chest. "The closest I ever got to making art was amateur paintings," he said. "A short season, but I loved it. I took most of my ideas from the night sky." 'Luna's sky.'
Nightmare thought back to those days. "I remember," she said. "You would bring me sketches of the night, and I would sometimes move and add a star to match your artwork."
Rarity cleared her throat, smiling to herself. "Well. The Princess will arrive soon, and the town must look perfect. No loose threads. No missed seams."
The word brushed that tender place in Dusk again. Arrival. He kept his breath even.
Rarity met his eyes. "So. Measurements. I'd like to start as soon as possible. We have only a few days, and I refuse to rush perfection."
Dusk sighed. "All right. Let's do this."
You're going to regret this, Nightmare said, amused.
Probably, Dusk admitted. But what's one more thing?
Rarity's eyes gleamed. Dusk realized he had just given an artist permission.
He was absolutely going to regret this.
#
Rarity floated the measuring tape around Dusk's shoulders. A smile tugged at her mouth. "You know. I'll be attending the festival. It's a perfect chance to show my work and mingle."
Dusk held still while she measured his forelegs. "Makes sense. Your decorations will stand out."
Rarity stepped back. "Thank you, darling. And I was thinking, perhaps we could go together? A handsome stallion like you would make a lovely companion."
Dusk was surprised by the offer. "That's kind, but I wouldn't wish to impose."
"No imposition at all. It's nothing serious. Just two ponies enjoying the celebration. I would enjoy the company."
Rather than meny times before, there was nothing political with the offer. He had a fresh slate here.
In the back of his mind, Nightmare's irritation sharpened. 'You would walk into my sister's event on a mare's hoof?'
Dusk drew a slow breath. "All right," he said. "I would like that."
"Wonderful." Rarity brightened. "You'll look dashing in your suit, and we'll make quite the impression."
He laughed once. "I'll try not to disappoint."
"Oh, please." Rarity jotted down the last numbers. "All you have to do is enjoy yourself. Leave the rest to me."
She went back to her table, humming. Dusk was surprised by how easy that yes had been.
While she adjusted the tape around his foreleg, Nightmare's voice cut in, cool and unimpressed.
'That mare is too familiar with you, Dusk.'
He kept his face neutral. 'She is being nice, Aunt Luna.'
'Nice?' Nightmare scoffed. 'Do not forget why you are here.'
'I have not. Fitting in helps.'
Rarity lifted two swatches in her magic. "Which do you prefer, darling? Midnight blue, or charcoal?"
"Midnight blue. If you think it works."
"I do. It will suit you."
Nightmare snorted. 'Listen to her. Preening you for my sister's holiday of my defeat.'
Rarity set the tape down. "There we are. I'll have your suit ready well before the Summer Sun Celebration. Come by that morning and we'll tidy your mane."
"Thank you," Dusk said. "I appreciate it."
"It's my pleasure," she said, waving it off. "Ponyville deserves to see you at your best."
At the door, Ditzy and Dusk hitched up the cart. Rarity lingered with a smile.
"I'm looking forward to the festival," she said. "And thank you for the supplies. They're critical."
"Happy to help," Ditzy said.
Sweetie Belle popped up from behind the counter. "Bye, Dusk! Bye, Ditzy!"
"Bye," Dusk said.
"Safe travels, darlings!" Rarity called as they started down the street.
A few steps later, Nightmare returned, simmering. 'She is taken with you.'
'She's just friendly.'
'You belong beside a throne with me, not trailing after a seamstress. Remember your priorities as a prince in my kingdom.'
'I remember. Don't think about a little get-together too deeply.'
Nightmare fell quiet.