Sweetie Belle soon finished tidying up and came from the bathroom looking a far cry better than she'd been moments prior.  With her coat dried and back in order, she cantered idly along into the kitchen to sit at the table and wait for dinner to be made.  Normally she'd be excited to help, but she had a bit on her mind just then.

"Well, there's these two at school: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.  They're the richest fillies in town and they pick on everyone else in class all the time." she began.  That would come as no surprise though -- Rarity and the others would have heard about those two troublemakers from the Crusaders before.  "The thing is, Diamond Tiara wasn't in school today, so Silver Spoon kinda acted weird.  She wasn't really all that mean to anypony, and she even wanted to hang out with the rest of us while we... played... after school."

Sweetie Belle had been around both of the bullies together and independently long enough to know that it wasn't just Diamond Tiara's absence that could change her companion's behavior.  Silver Spoon had a nasty streak of her own.  "She was actually sorta nice, kinda.  I mean, she was still snooty and a little rude, but she was also kinda helpful too.  Plus it turns out she's pretty smart." she continued, trying to make sense of things by talking them out.  "Do bullies ever just... y'know... stop being bullies?  Like, do they get lonesome?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Fri 24 Aug 2012.

Rarity listened carefully to her sister's story as she finished preparing the salad with a few gentle tosses of the bowl. She had heard many stories before about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, and she knew them both to some degree, having made the former a dress for her Cute-ceañera quite a while back. While she was rather ashamed of it, Diamond Tiara reminded her a lot of herself at that age. Condescending. Rude. Obsessed with looks. Hungry for attention. The mere thought caused the mare to gently sigh as she put the big salad bowl down. Using her magic, she served two portions and brought it over to the table, taking a seat across from her sister.

"Of course bullies get lonesome, Sweetie," Rarity assured her, giving her a sincere look, "Why do you think they become bullies in the first place, hm? They get lonely, and insecure, so they take it out on every other pony in order to make them feel better. But, they don't have to be bullies forever! Especially if someone is kind to them. Why, they can change right around, and become your best friends!"

As dinner was served up, Sweetie Belle made another attempt at magic.  Her little horn glowed a pale blue as she focused hard on her fork, trying her best to float it up and spear a wedge of tomato.  The most she got was making the utensil shudder and just begin to lift up off the surface of the table a bit before she exhausted her small reservoir of energy and had to stop.  How did grown ups make that look so easy?!

"You really think we could be friends?" she asked incredulously.  The little filly herself wasn't against the notion at all... but how would Applebloom and Scootaloo handle such a thought?  They seemed pretty comfortable being at odds with Ponies like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.  Still... she had been pretty nice all that afternoon.  She hadn't even called them Blank Flanks much.  From Rarity's view of things, Sweetie Belle pitched into deep thought with her chin in her hooves while she distractedly nibbled at her dinner in spite of how hungry she'd claimed to have been.

Beginning of Day 8!

Rarity's bed had felt rather hard that morning. Rather than the snuggly mattress, blankets and pillows that usually surrounded her resting form, there was only a flat surface and an incredibly stiff and unusually shaped pillow that wasn't comfortable in the least. As she blinked her eyes open, the situation suddenly became very apparent. She was slumped up against the sewing machine.

Groggily, she yawned and pushed herself away from her workstation to get a good look in the mirror. Rarity cringed as she looked at the state of her mane and face, groaning as she put her hoof over her visage to hide her features. Her mane was almost literally everywhere, slumped out of shape and frayed in various places. Her eyes, normally radiant and beaming, were droopy and plagued with deep lines underneath.

"Girl, we've got work to do..." Rarity sighed softly to herself, trotting over to her powder room, "Pass me the paint and glue..."

She caught herself a quick shower, humming a little song. Though the last evening was filled with working, she had gotten almost all of her orders done! Luna's outfits were ready, including the one made especially for Celestia, and her design work for Twilight and Widget's outfits were completed and ready to be made real. Though she looked awful at the moment, a song was just the thing to push her through her morning routine.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
Perfect isn't easy, but... it's... me!
When one knows the world is watching,
One does what one must.
Some minor adjustments, darling.
Fix this atrocity, for fabulosity.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Feeling much more fresh from her shower, she began to use her magic to bring over a variety of make-up and her mane-dryer to get to work. In no time at all, her lines were hidden, her eyes adorned with eyelashes, long and fluttery with that beautiful blue eyeshadow. Her mane was dried and done up in just the right way with her veritable arsenal of beautification tools at her disposal. Strolling out into her room proper, she continued singing.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
Each little step or pose,
Poise, grace, and beauty shows.
Uh!
Sometimes it's too much for even me!
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Going over to her closet and drawers, she began to look for something to accent her features this morning. A scarf perhaps? Though it wasn't cold, it was always a fashionable accessory. Perhaps a necklace? A giant hat with a feather?

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
But when all the world says yes,
Then who am I to say no?
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Finally, she selected a beautiful purple scarf and wrapped it around her neck before posing dramatically in front of her window.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
Don't ask a filly to dress like a lily.
No, girl, you need a pro!
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Pushing the window open, she almost expected a flock of birds to attend to her, whistling along with her tune, dressing her up, fawning over her beauty. Instead, she was welcomed to the quiet morning air and a bit of wind, making her shiver slightly as she shut the window with a bit of a pout.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
Not a mark or a goof,
Take a peek at that hoof!
La..La..Laaa!
Perfection becomes me, nest ce pau?
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Making her way to the mirror, she posed a few times, examining herself from every possible angle to make sure everything was just right.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
Unrivaled! Unruffled!
I'm beauty unleashed!
Jaws drop. Hearts stop.
Such class and humility,
Just like nobility!
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

Continuing on a series of notes, she made her way down the stairs with a bounce in her step. She wasn't going to let something as minor as falling asleep by the sewing machine... again... put a damper on her day! Today, she would finally get a chance to get out of the Boutique, to relax, to enjoy herself!

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
Though I covet the upper class,
This town's the right place for me!
You pretty colts all over the city,
I have your hearts, and you have my pity.
Pretty is nice, but still, it's just pretty!
Perfect, my dear...
Is me!
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

She ended her song in her showroom, her last note ringing out for a good minute before she ended it with a dramatic pose, only to find that no one was watching. Confused by her ability to again make a song appear from nowhere, Rarity shrugged and went to the kitchen to make herself a little something.

Enter from Ponyville Residential District - Honey Sweets' Home

Honey took good time going to the Carousel Boutique enjoying the weather and taking good time saying hay to some of the ponies that he had met during his short time in Ponyville.

Opening the door, making the bell ring, Honey entered the showroom slowly. "Hello?" Honey called out to make sure that if there was somepony they would know there actually was somepony at the door. in the mean time Honey started looking around on all the colorfull fabric and all the beautifull clothes that was all over the showroom.

From Town Square --->

"It's Fancee. Means 'let's go'," the Doctor explained, entering the merry-go-round shaped store accompanied by the fanfare of the little bell and by Gusty. "Here we are! List item number two," he said, taking in the dressmaker's shop.

From Town Square --->

Gusty couldn't help but laugh a little at his comments. "Oh goodness! These are fancier clothes than I expected! They're so pretty."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Fri 07 Sept 2012.

Her cupboards and refrigerator were almost bare, much to Rarity's dismay. Usually she had plenty of food stored up, especially for long work weeks like the ones she had been going through. However, while watching Sweetie Belle and having the Princess as company, they had been going through food faster than the fashionista had realized. At least this had given her an excuse to leave the Boutique... Shopping!

"I'll just need to grab a saddlebag," Rarity mused to herself as she made her way back through the showroom, "Perhaps the leather one with all the diamonds? Oooh...! Oh."

Looking at the amount of costumers she already had in the shop this morning, Rarity blinked a few times before breaking into a welcoming smile. No need to be rude, even if she was looking forward to being out of the shop for a while.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique!" she said, nodding to Honey, Gusty, and the Doctor, "Where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique! How can I bring some fabulosity into your lives today?"

[From Sweet Apple Acres]

Silva was astounded to see the place.  She had heard tales of it, but they were always such rumor that nopony ever really believed it was in Ponyville.  However, one eye falling on the designs as they stepped inside was enough to make her gasp loudly.  She had to stop a moment to still her beating heart and to resist the urge to cry out like a little fledgeling.  This was the Rarity's shop.  Not many ponies got to just come in here and talk to her, let alone order from her, and she was probably one of the first griffons to even see it!

"Ohmigoshohmigoshohmigosh!" she did her best to gush quietly so it wouldn't disturb the mistress of this fine establishment and her customers.  She managed to distract herself by holding the door for Applejack, though.  It'd be a bit of a wait to see Rarity, she had a feeling, even as the inner fan-filly in her came to the surface...

In reply to Silva (msg # 288):

As Silva and Applejack arrived at the Boutique, Silva's eager noises drew a raised eyebrow from the farmpony, who never had quite understood the fashion-obsessed. Even so, Rarity was an amazing pony - she just hoped people would be taken with her for the right reasons.

Applejack's present state of mind left that vague, and she found her cheeks tinged a hint redder than orange as she reached the door. With a glance back to the joyful griffon, she lightly gave a knock upon the door with a hoof.

"Do you have anything in an 'hat'?" the Doctor asked the fashionista. "Top? Stetson? Ooh, or a fez? Those are cool."

"Hats!" Rarity smiled, "Well, I don't usually sell them separately from an ensemble, but I see no reason why not! Let me just take a quick look through my inventory and I'll have a selection ready for you."

The fashionista went through her showroom in a dainty little trot, her horn glowing to lift the hats from the various ensembles on display. Though the outfits wouldn't be complete without this very crucial piece, they were easily replaced. Just a few hours of work, after-all. As she gathered her collection, she dismissed some of the more feminine pieces. Being a dress shop, she didn't cater very much to the male population of Ponyville, as small as it was, though it wasn't much of a stretch to make a suit or something. She practiced on little Spike all the time, in fact. However, there were a few gender neutral hats on display, and those were the ones she brought before the Doctor. With a little smile, she levitated two rather extravagant top hats, a pleasant summer hat, and a red fez that was rather small with a golden tassel.

"Now, take a look through these, try some of them on! Fezzes are rather... Well, 'cool' as you put, though I believe that one may be a bit small. It was originally made for a particular baby dragon," Rarity suggested, leaving him to consider his choices as she took a look around the shop.

"Can I help anypony else?" she asked, looking to Gusty and Honey before gasping at the two ponies coming through the door, "Ooh! One moment."

Making her way to the door, the unicorn beamed as Applejack and the griffon walked through her door. She hadn't seen the farm pony since their talk, and she was curious to see if there were any new developments in her budding relationship with Rainbow Dash! However, the griffon also gave her pause. Was Gilda back in town?

"Applejack! What a surprise! That's twice in almost a week that you've come to visit," she smiled, "Ooh, and you brought a friend."

Silva fell silent when Rarity's gaze fell upon her, but her eyes lit up.  She was staring at the genuine article, she was sure of it.  That perfectly styled mane, that regal accent, and that confident stride were parts of a specimen who had no equal!  She found herself quickly unable to move her beak, however, in any way that would make the words she needed.  It was only her own bearing that helped her to recover at all.  Even in this little town, she had a reputation to nurture!

"Good day, Miss Rarity." She gave a light bow of her head.  A simple, polite, and effective greeting, if a little demeaning.  That said, it was a burden worth bearing to be in the presence of the pony who was rumored to be able to make simple cloth with few adornments into chic garments worthy of Royals!

Applejack tipped her hat. "Howdy Rarity...  Busy mornin', ah see." she chimed, and momentarily hesitated. She couldn't disrupt her work on this scale just to talk about her own issue.  Still..

She gestured with a hoof. "This is Silva. She's apparently some kinda' Canterlot model, an' she wanted ta' meet ya. An.." she paused, raising a hoof, and motioning Silva on to meet Rarity directly.

Gusty watched the going's on without a word, not wanting to interrupt things that looked a bit important. She took in everyone around her, trying to match names to faces when she hear them... Applejack, Silva, Rarity... already knowing that she'd forget them by nightfall at this rate. To try and beat her natural impatience, she took to staring at each while repeating their name in her head, hoping to memorize names to faces while she waited.

"Yes, the morning rush it would seem. Nothing I can't handle!" she said before giving Silva another look with an appraising eye, "Oh, goodness! A model from Canterlot?! And such a lovely one, ooh! I've never met a griffon who was in the modelling business! You must tell me all about it. After I serve my costumers, of course."

With a dainty nod and a slight bow out of respect for the two of them, Rarity returned to her group of costumers. She didn't want to seem rude making her friends wait to speak with her, but in her shop, costumers were always the priority. However, her mind was just brimming with questions for Silva. In her time at Canterlot, she hadn't met too many models or fellow fashionista's but her interest in the fashion trends in the Capital were boundless!

"I'm available to help someone else!" Rarity called out again.

Honey stepped forward unsure if it was actually him first in the queue. "Uhm, Yes! I know you do most with clothes but since you are a seamstress I thought if maybe I could order some curtains and maybe a rug?" Honey asked with a unsure smile, he wasn't sure if he just insulted Rarity with his ignorance about fabric work. "I was thinking something with some bright colors and maybe some kind of motives? whatever you would think looked good together really. I don't know much about decorating a house so I just thought I would go to you."

"Hmm, well... Curtains are definitely on the table," Rarity explained, smiling towards Honey as she thought over his request, "But rugs and carpets, mm... Well, they aren't exactly made from fabric, you see. I'm quite a bit better at 'exterior decorating' if you catch my drift. But! You can tell me exactly what sort of curtains you would like, and I'm sure you can go get a rug to match somewhere in Ponyville. Does that sound fair, dear?"

Rarity brought a small notepad and a quill over to take down his request, giving him a pleasant nod and smile as she waited.

"Did she just call me lovely?  D-did she just ask me to tell her about my experiences?" Silva whispered to Applejack, trying to conceal how much she wanted to giggle like a little girl.  She might have swooned on the spot if not for the big breakfast she had.  Part of her knew she'd have to thank Applejack a thousand times for this, and that food.  It'd be so embarrassing to faint in Rarity's boutique...

Applejack laughed lightly and led Silva over to the side to have a seat, though she paused and glanced back at her apple-spangled flank before she sat down - an old force of habit - no tracking dirt into Rarity's boutique, and don't get it on the furniture! "Well, ya' are from Canterlot. Rarity jus' loves hearin' about it. So ah' guess ya'll are gonna love tradin' stories an' outfits or whatever ya'll fashion folk... do."

Silva found herself smiling softly as they sat down.  She had preened a bit before coming here, so she didn't need to dust herself off before sitting down.

"I confess, I just wear the outfits, and that's the end of my involvement in the process, since I'm hardly all that important...but there's much more to it than simply wearing the outfit, though...it's all a matter of poise and walking in a way that brings the truth of the garment and one's form to the surface..." She sighed sadly, but that smile remained.

Honey found himself blushing slightly over not knowing what carpets and rugs was made from, not that it was anything he knew anything about but he still felt a little stupid now that he stood there. "Well, uhm, I was thinking, bright colors, maybe.." Honey looked around in the room where he spotted Applejack and then he looked back on Rarity and back to AJ. "Orange maybe? But a bright orange if you know what I mean, not yellow but some where between orange and yellow. And for motives I'm thinking maybe something sunny and some clouds? Does that sound stupid?" Honey said with a wierd smile, like he wasn't sure what to do with his mouth. "And I would like them to be soft and thin, Something the sun can get through." Honey said with a satisfied smile.

Rarity listened intently, not noticing Honey's blush as she wrote down the details of his order with a quill, an idea already forming in her mind about what she would make, the fabric to use, the methodology. It did seem a little beneath her talents to be making something as simple as curtains, but it was a good change of pace! Kept things from being dull.

"And... Yes! There, I have your order," she smiles, "Should be all finished up by the end of the week! Come back then, and I'll have your fabulous new curtains for you. I would go find someplace in Ponyville that does rugs and carpets today too, so that you can get them both together on time!"

She nodded to him and put the order over on a nearby table to collect later. She looked around, noticing Gusty.

"Did you need help with something, my dear?"

Gusty looks a little sheepish as she answers, shifting her weight a bit. "I was hoping to get a dress for... occasions..." she said, uncertain of herself. He was used to being a tomboy, but she had hoped so much to give herself a good, respectable reputation here in Ponyville. "I'm not exactly sure what I want, though..."

Rarity nodded, looking over her showroom and smiling a bit. Finally, someone who had come to the dress shop for a dress! Looking the mare over, she had a few ideas come to mind, but she needed to narrow a few things down.

"Well, what sort of occasions are you thinking of, darling?" she asked, "Maybe we can narrow down what you would like. I have many selections on display! Did you take a look?"