"Yes, well... Desperate times call for desperate measures," Rarity blushed, nodding slowly and returning her friends hug, rather warmly, "I would prefer if you didn't mention that little... moment, to anypony."

"Nah... nothing a couple dozen stitches and an ice pack couldn't fix, anyway." the soldier laughed.  Despite himself he glanced up at the clock on the wall and grimaced a bit at the sight of it.  "Hmm.  It's starting to get along -- I should probably get to the Spa soon before I end up being behind schedule.  Where are you going to be around town later on, cousin?"

"A couple dozen!"  Moonsong replies, then laughs along with the stallion.  If he's not fussed, then clearly she shouldn't be either.  She nods her understanding, though at Silver Crescent's question she initially just shrugs.  "I'm not really sure.  I was thinking of going by the library, and then I was going to do some grocery shopping.  I don't have a job other than helping with the weather just yet, so if I'm not in the library, the market or the park I'll probably be at home."

Applejack grinned, and gave her friend a warm nuzzle, cheek to cheek. "Ah promise. As long as you promise not ta' tell anypony how messed up ah was over all this." she said, then raised a hoof,  glancing out the window to the nearby square. "Looks like she an' that Neighponese ... Krin or what not are out there racin'... Look at that crowd..."

Applejack turned her gaze along to Rainbow, as they got ready for the second event out there...  She lightly tugged the front of he rhat down a little, shading her face from direct view.

"Nothing I can't handle.  It's all part of being a soldier.  Plus, mares dig scars." the Bat Pony chuckled as he buffed his hoof on his chest for a moment, but then paused and gave Moonsong a questioning look.  "Mares do like scars, right?"

Moonsong makes a soft 'ah' sound and tries to suppress a giggle, but it all comes undone by Silver Crescent's question.  "I have known plenty who do like scars, yes."  She assures, or at least tries to, what with the friendly laughter that her words form amidst.  "I'm sure the mares at the spa can tell you better than I can, though."

Rarity returns the cute little cheek nuzzle, eyes closed with a warm smile. Though they didn't get along very often, the unicorn cherished those moments when they got along swimmingly. She really was an amazing friend, when you got down to the bottom of it, and they knew each other for quite a long time.

As Applejack looked out the window, hat tilted down to shade her face, Rarity tilted her head a bit. Was she trying not to be noticed? No excuse for wearing ones hat in a strange way, but she was willing to let it go for the moment.

"Well, you should go watch, my dear," Rarity told her softly, "I'm sure Rainbow would be delighted to see you in the audience."

With a smile to Rarity,  Applejack pushed her hat back up atop her head, and pushed off the window. "Awright, Rarity. Ah'll let ya' get back ta' work.  Ah'll seeya' later?" she prompted warmly, then cantered toward the door out of the room, then back down to the lower level, where the two bat ponies waited. She offered them a friendly nod. "Sorry ta' interrupt, Moonsong."

"Yes, you will!" Rarity smiled, "Enjoy the rest of your day, and remember, rough, dirty, and crazy!"

As Applejack walked out, Rarity went straight to cleaning up the space from their little ditty. She moved her couch back to where she stored it, made sure all of those reams of fabric were neatly arranged and aligned, and she adjusted her mirrors so that they would correctly face the center of the pedestal. As she worked, a thought struck her that lingered in her head for a little while. Why didn't she have a special somepony?

Trotting over to the window to watch a bit of the race, the question kept ringing in her head. If she wanted one, she could get one easily, she figured. Rarity had often wrapped various colts around her hoof with her special brand of pony charm. But... that wasn't the same. It was a "special" somepony for a reason... It had to mean something more significant than getting somepony to do some favors for you or tending to you. Love was involved. Did she love anypony that way? Did she -ever- love anypony that way? Work had always been the priority. And the one colt she did care for at one point, if for all the wrong reasons, was a complete disappointment.

With a sigh, she folded her hooves on the window sill and continued to watch town square.

The soldier seemed bolstered by Moonsong's reassurances and perked up again with that charmingly fanged smile of his.  Right about then, Applejack came along down through the room from her own business with Rarity.

"No bother at all, Miss Applejack.  I was actually just leaving." Silver Crescent said as he rose from the table and put his helmet back on, adjusting it about to fit his long ears carefully through the holes up top.  He looked back to Moonsong.  "If you like, try and get a hold of me again after the Spa trip.  It'd be nice to be able to chat some more.  For now, I'll let you get back to Miss Rarity."

With that, the soldier politely saluted the two mares and trotted out the back door from whence he'd came.

--> Silver Crescent exits to the Ponyville Spa

Moonsong giggles in response to Silver Crescent's smile, her own somewhat more petite fangs briefly flashing before she lifted a hoof to politely stifle the sound.  "You'll have to come and find me when you're all polished--if you can keep from being mobbed by the town's mares, that is."  Moonsong teases, feeling rather companionably comfortable with her "cousin".  Though he may not be direct family, it feels quite nice to have a sort of relative in the area.

When Applejack arrives Moonsong bows her head in a friendly greeting, wearing a smile for her.  "Not at all, Applejack!  And I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but the song you and Miss Rarity were rehearsing sounded absolutely lovely."  Moonsong moves to her hooves as well, figuring that even though she's just a guest in Rarity's boutique she can be polite and see the two of them out.  "Of course!  Have a good time at the spa!"

Upon finding herself alone in the household area of the boutique again, Moonsong doesn't delay in taking herself back to the showroom.  She isn't sure where she'll find Rarity, but the bat-mare doesn't want to linger in private areas.

Applejack's  cheeks warmed a bit at Moonsong's complimenting the song they'd improvised.  "Uhhh.. Thank ya', Moonosong... Ya'll have a good afternoon." She said sheepishly. She hurried out, in quick, overtly discreet manner - trying too hard to sneak out while everyone was watching was pretty telling after all.

Exit to -> Town Square
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Sun 15 July 2012.

Moonsong's short walk back to the shop area was a quick one, though the mare was careful in the placement of her hooves to be sure that she didn't step on the dress or muss any of Rarity's hard work.  She peeked into open doors that she passed, and so when she spotted Rarity peering somewhat pensively out the window Moonsong didn't speak up in greeting as she'd planned on.  'Maybe whatever Miss Rarity and Applejack spoke of has put her off a bit--or maybe the rehearsal didn't go as well as she would've liked?  I should come back later.'

Moonsong started to move quietly towards the door, thinking that perhaps she'd fly home and change, then do a bit of reading at the library.

Amid her quiet watching, she did hear Moonsong enter, though she didn't turn around right away. With all the excitement with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the singing, the mess about special someponies, she had almost forgotten she had a very special costumer! As Moonsong went to leave, Rarity quickly trotted over to her side.

"Oh, forgive me, Moonsong!" Rarity quickly apologized, "Don't leave! Not without me making sure that you are completely satisfied, and seeing you out, of course. I hope you do understand about our interruption."

She pauses as Rarity trots alongside her and offers a sheepish smile in response to the apology.  "No, no, it's okay!  I didn't want to overstay, and after a rehearsal like that--which, by the way, your singing voice is lovely!--I didn't know if you'd feel up to me bothering you."  Moonsong replies, effusive in her praise and seeming to be rather apologetic herself.

"Bothering? Oh, no, no, never!" Rarity exclaimed, stopping in front of her with a warm smile, "I... Rehearsal?"

Did Moonsong overhear the song she and Applejack improvisationally threw together? She must have, if she was talking about some kind of rehearsal. Must have excellent hearing, in that case! Or were they both being obnoxiously loud? One of the two, definitely. A gentle blush crept onto Rarity's cheeks.

"Why, of course! Our rehearsal!... For the upcoming... Thing. Yes. Well..." she said, smiling weakly before gulping a bit, "Thank you for the compliment, Moonsong, but I'm sure it pales in comparison to your lovely voice, darling. Regardless, I do hope you are completely satisfied with your exclusive, one-of-a-kind, Rarity makeover!"

Moonsong nods encouragingly at the question, smiling brightly.  The mare seems to mistake Rarity's way of response for a lack of confidence, and she lifts a hoof and gently touches the fashionista's shoulder.  "Silver Crescent and I couldn't really hear anything but the melody and that you and Applejack both have lovely voices, and I promise I won't tell a soul if it's something you'd rather kept secret.  What we could hear was quite beautiful."  She attempts to reassure Rarity, though the compliment in return brings a blush to her cheeks beneath her coal-coloured fur.

She nods eagerly at the last and can't help but happily trot her forelegs in place as she flutters her wings.  "I feel more beautiful than I ever have, Miss Rarity.  Thank you so much.  I never thought anything like this would happen to me when I came here."

Rarity watches Moonsong flitter in place with joy at her makeover, which brought a big smile to the unicorn's face. It was a clear reminder of why she was in this business in the first place! Of course, a large part of it was the glamor, the artistic callings of design, style, and color!... But a large part of it was making others happy. In fact, this was one of the most positive reactions to an exclusive Rarity makeover. Twilight, as she recalled, was rather unimpressed.

"You are very, -very- welcome, darling!" Rarity smiled, coming forward to give the Bat-Pegasus a gentle hug, "Please come back to visit any time you'd like! It would be wonderful to have you, especially if you wanted to model a few more things for me? My new pegasus line is very new, and it would be wonderful to see them on something more.. mm, alive!.. than a mannequin."

Moonsong happily returns the hug, and Rarity's words make her even more giddy than she already is.  "I would love to model for you!  I could try to come by once every week or so?"  She asks, tentative in the suggestion but clearly eager to help and to get the chance to try on more of rarity's dresses.

"Sounds wonderful! I have plenty for you to try on!" Rarity beams, stamping her hooves in excitement, "Sometimes Fluttershy comes around and does some modelling, but she has her own very delicate schedule, what with taking care of the woodland creatures and all. I can even throw a few bits your way, if you'd like, darling. Oh, this is going to be a fabulous friendship!"

She began to walk Moonsong to the door, not wanting to take up anymore of her day.

Moonsong nods her understanding, but she stammers a surprised reply at the mention of bits.  "Oh, no, no, that's alright.  I couldn't take your bits for this--it's too fun, and I'm happy just to help out!"  She tries to assure as she walks with Rarity, her steps light and her voice cheery.  She looks absolutely giddy to hear Rarity's words about friendship, and she can't help herself from giving the elegant mare another hug once they reach the door.  "Thank you, Miss Rarity."

Rarity returned the hug with a bright smile. Moonsong did seem very excited, and did seem to enjoy the hugs quite a bit. It brought a giggle to the unicorn's lips as she saw her new friend to the door.

"You are incredibly welcome, yet again, darling!" Rarity assured her, beaming, "Have a good day! Hope to see you again very soon!"

"Take care, Miss Rarity!"  Moonsong replies and lifts a hoof in a wave.  She makes her way towards the Town Square as she leaves the boutique, thinking that she'll perhaps get some lunch before she sets off to the library.  Still vibrantly cheerful from her makeover, the bat-pegasus mare trots gracefully along with her head high.


>>To Town Square>>
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Fri 20 July 2012.

Entering from Town Square

   Outside of the store stood a rather poorly made-over Loose Leaf holding a large black tray from a strap around her neck, with more packs thrown over her back. An array of hideously bright make up pallets nestled untouched under the clear film of the tray cover awaiting the moment to be smeared over some unlucky pony's face then proceed to run down it. Such was the current activity of the fuchsia globs on this mare's face. She knocked on the front door, and then reached up to smear the smears away.

   She dared to wonder if placing such a large appendage near her eye was a good idea. There was no choice in the matter now, the residences of the... erm, store were bound to open the door soon. Runny eye make-up and lop-sided eyelashes were not in good taste.

   Then again, the whole ensemble in her opinion wasn't in good taste. Still, there was no reason for tacky to evolve into trashy. Not crossing that line was pretty much all that was left for the mare to aspire too, considering her current state of affairs. Not a single neon blob of make-up had been bought so far, the previous homeowners claiming that they did not ware make up.

   Hilarious, considering she could clearly see the painted faces of these residents. Too bad the customer was always right. She could only hope she would have better luck with whoever opened the door.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:16, Fri 20 July 2012.

As Moonsong left, Rarity turned back and entered her workshop, sighing a bit. It had been a busy morning and afternoon, actually, a busy week! She was working tirelessly on the dresses for Luna to try, never stopping, hardly sleeping. The only rest and relaxation she had was at the Spa and her evening with Spike.  She was exhausted, and still had so much work to do.

"Opal? Are you around, darling?" she called out, hoping to pet her cat for a little while as a stress reliever. True to her form, Opal was lounging all over Rarity's designs for Luna's various dresses, curled up and sleeping calmly. The unicorn smiled a little bit as she found her, poking her lightly with her hoof. The feline didn't respond much, opening one eye and voicing her opinion that she wished to sleep.

"Come on, Opal... Don't you want to spend a little time Momma Rarity?" she asked the feline softly. The only response was another bothered mrrowl. Despite the objections, the fashionista pulled the feline into a tight hug. Opal, not at all pleased, gave Rarity a rather wicked slash with her claws before wandering off to find another warm place to nap.

"Opal..." Rarity sniffled, holding up her hoof which was now bearing a rather ugly gash. It had happened before, of course, and was no reason for tears, but the fashionista couldn't help it. Her own pet didn't want to cuddle with her!... She did have a First Aid kit handy for incidents while sewing, and with her magic, fixing herself with a bandage wasn't difficult. It wasn't stylish, but... Some things had to suffer for fashion.

As she dabbed her eyes carefully with a cloth, trying her best not to run her makeup, the doorbell rang. A costumer? It was possible, especially after Luna's impressive appearance last evening. Rarity frowned, looking into the mirror, making sure she was presentable.

"Come along, Rarity, pull yourself together!" she told herself, not even understanding why she was emotionally tender in the first place! Once satisfied with her look, she trotted downstairs and opened the door.

"...Can I... help you?" Rarity asked, raising her eyebrow slightly.