Friendship is Card Games: Rarity and the Curious Case of Charity · 12:50pm Dec 12th, 2021
I’ve been consistently unimpressed by G. M. Berrow’s vapid characterization of Rarity in earlier novels. Let’s see if the situation improves when Clothes Horse has the starring role.
And I am immediately soured by Berrow casting aspersions on the Ponyville post office. Also the unnecessary double-pun in “Neigh Mexicolt,” but saying the local post is slow is equally unneeded.
I am intrigued by the House of Outrageous and Opulent Fashion. H.O.O.F. explicitly provides a level of organization we’ve never seen in Equestrian fashion elsewhere in canon.
And Rarity has a point; she’s designed for very big names indeed, even putting aside the whole “world savior” thing. Why wouldn’t they want her for a mentor program?
“Raponyzel.” Really? At that point I’d just call it the story of Princess Flowing Locks and use the story summary to make the allusion clear.
“As beautiful as something could look on the outside, Rarity still believed that what was on the inside counted more”
Yes, because if there’s anything Berrow’s other novels have established, it’s Rarity emphasizing the importance of inner beauty. As opposed to, say, talking incessantly about fashion and being distracted by anything shiny.
That said, I do appreciate Rarity deciding to assume the worst and dramatically trudge off to her studio like a coal miner going down into the depths.
“Then Rarity sighed dramatically and collapsed onto a red velvet sofa. It just happened to be situated in the perfect position for her to gracefully swoon.”
Just happened, my eye. We all know Rarity can summon furniture whenever dramatically necessary.
Interesting to see that Ponyville has a choir. (And I appreciate the ambiguity in “Fifteen dresses and bow ties for the stallions, too!” At least the mares’ dresses don’t have to come with accessories 
) And it’s odd to see the Ponytones spelled as two words.
Huh. For one, we have the designer Coco Cheval. It’s not clear if this story was drafted before “Rarity Takes Manehattan” was planned out, but the book came out three months after we got to meet Coco Pommel. It’s an interesting horse-pun collision.
For another, Cheval is explicitly French. No horse-pun involved. I know we got a mention of the country in “Suited for Success,” but it feels especially weird to see Berrow refer to the country given the gratuitous puns I’ve already catalogued. And we’re only five pages in!
Also, Rarity is explictly overworked, overwhelmed, and in need of an assistant. And this is before expanding the Carousel brand to other locations. So, about that whole School of Friendship thing…
“What does a mentor wear? Some sort of robe? An elaborate hat?”
The Friendship is Witchcraft reference is almost too easy on this one.
“Which just proves that I’m a blank flank and a shorty!”
It was true.
“That isn’t true!” comforted Rarity.
Okay, credit where it’s due, that was funny. As is Sweetie’s following burst of marshmelodrama.
Oof. Painful bait and switch with Cloudy Quartz’s birthday invitation… though the flecks of sandstone acting as confetti are a nice touch.
And a high-speed Best Pony arrives to move the plot forward. I do like how Sweetie Belle speaks fluent Pony-With-Something-in-Their-Mouth. I imagine the Crusaders have a lot of experience with the dialect.
“Larsons The Neigh School for Design” feels like a reference to both a real art school I’m unfamiliar with and M. A. Larson. And like it’s missing an apostrophe. I suppose the question is whether Sweetmint will sign anything you put in front of her.
Berrow’s attempt to capture Rarity’s thought process means that every, and I mean every extended metaphor needs to include dresses, gems, or both.
Twilight would love to have a student of her own someday. Meanwhile, in northeastern Equestria, a cult leader cultural visionary feels a chill down her spine and doesn’t know why.
And Rarity refuses to admit that she can’t handle her excessive workload on her own. I hadn’t really considered her pulling this sort of thing, but it does make sense. When she does ask for help, it’s usually because she sees no other choice. It’s hard for the Bearer of Generosity to ask others to give her help.
That said, giving back to the fashion community is definitely something we’ll see her do down the line, several times over.
Hmm. There appears to be a reference to “Twilight Time” given Twilight’s mention of teaching foals, which raises further questions about the double serving of Coco.
Pinkie continues to hunger for chocolate rain. Or rain of any flavor. You’d think Fluttershy would know better than to encourage her or Discord…
Interesting to see a reference to traditional Crystal Empire hairstyles, though I have questions about the “Baltimare jelly hoof bracelets.”
And we have the Ms. Harshwhinny problem; Rarity’s acceptance letter from the mentor program never actually told her what Sweetmint looks like. And this time, she doesn’t even know what luggage to look for.
Nice touch with the comment on the ebb and flow of trends. Ponyville’s relative remoteness means Rarity can’t help but be slightly behind the cutting edge. And “slightly” can be devastating in this business.
You know it’s bad when Twilight Sparkle tells you to relax.
Ooh, nice indication of just how far Rarity’s come. Her base of operations may not be anywhere special, but her designs have been filling the society pages. Which helps explain just why she’s so overworked lately.
Explicit mention of Trenderhoof confirms that Berrow knew what she was doing with Coco Cheval. I don’t mean to belabor the point; I’m just having fun uncovering her thought process.
Hmm… apparently this superfan of Rarity is named “Charity.” And she can’t keep a straight face while insisting that H.O.O.F. put her nickname on the letter. I’m sure this won’t have any consequences down the line.
Twilight’s title is apparently “Her Grand Royal Majesty Princess Twilight Sparkle.” That or Rarity’s hamming it up a bit. Especially given the following line: “She was very proud of being best friends with royalty—and with the rest of them, too, of course.”
And Rarity volunteers Spike to handle Charity’s luggage. Wow. Also, it’s made explicitly clear that she’s fully aware of his crush, though it wasn’t exactly a secret.
Also also, Spike has a new crush. Apparently he has a thing for fashionable white unicorns.
We have another real-world reference in Rarity’s “lavender-and-Ceylon-flavored tea.” Ceylon tea is a Sri Lankan brand of tea, British Ceylon being the island’s name when it was a colony. Presenting it as a flavor is either nonsensical or shows that Rarity doesn’t spring for the genuine article. (Or you just can’t get it in Ponyville.) Whatever the case, there’s a comment about Scootaloo’s parents in there somewhere.
The fact that it’s presented with a “Bluedazzle berry tart” underscores the surreality.
And then Charity mentions Prance. After we have a French fashionista. I don’t expect the tightest editorial oversight for continuity in a My Little Pony novel, but come on.
… Then Coco Cheval comes up. Could it just be that the country adjective for Prance is “French” for obscure etymological reasons? Or did someone decide “Prench” was a step too far for young readers?
Charity, upon seeing Rarity’s work room: “I wish I owned [a boutique] just like it.”
Well, that’s definitely not a warning sign.
Odd that Rarity’s reputation is apparently still recovering from the Hoity Toity debacle. It’s been a long time since that mess. On the other hand, she’s not the most reliable narrator when it comes to her position in the fashion world.
Though she’s definitely going down to the wire with those choir dresses. They’re due next week and are still at the “vaguely dress-shaped pile of fabric” stage. (To be clear, that one wasn’t a Berrow quote.)
Ah, there’s a reference I recognize. Sack’s is the Equestrian equivalent of Saks Fifth Avenue, which is indeed one of the larger names in high-end department stores.
“Just do exactly as I do.”
Definitely not a warning sign.
Manehattan apparently has “hubway trains.” Not sure what to make of that.
I do appreciate Rarity being amazed at how wise she sounds while making up advice as she goes along. Still, Twilight’s earlier comments about lesson plans are definitely coming back to haunt her. Echoes of Twilight ignoring Rarity’s knowledge of Cosmic Spectrum in the first novel. Also of “The Sweet and Elite,” with Rarity putting off an important project to make herself seem more important.
“[Rarity] loved starting new projects. It was finishing them that was actually the hard part.”
I’m in this picture and I don’t like it.
Huh. Unexpected reference to the comics with the mention of Pinkie's giant costume of herself. Which raises a number of questions in and of itself.
“The customer was Fluttershy. Except she wasn’t there to buy anything and she wasn’t really a customer. But those were just teensy-weensy details.”
I have admit, the narrative voice is growing on me.
What to wear? Ladies, it’s a casual picnic in Ponyville. Clothing very much optional.
Ah. Rarity finds something gorgeous and completely unlike her own work, which Charity is quick to stash away and not discuss. We’ve got the full shape of the issue now.
Also, add “Neighcy’s” to the list of Manehattan department stores. And stores carrying Rarity originals. I wonder how much they’re paying her for those…
Berrow explicitly describes master and apprentice as having “marshmallow coats.” She knows.
Pinkie is somehow making fresh-popped pink popcorn, and I’m afraid to find out how.
And Charity, in slavish imitation of Rarity, refuses to indulge in something we know she loves only because the narrator tells us. Rarity refuses to acknowledge that, because accepting advice would mean admitting she isn’t already a flawless instructor.
Rarity also refuses to be seen by Golden Harvest, since she’s the one who commissioned the choir’s dresses. Because avoiding any form of interaction with someone definitely shows you have the situation well in hand.
And Pinkie rips off the bandaid with one of her signature “guesses.” We all know she’s just been reading along, but I won’t tell anypony if you won’t. 
Ah. And the moment Rarity admits weakness, Charity starts claiming credit for her mentor’s creations. Real class act, that mare.
Rarity reflects on how amazing it is to have an assistant… and explicitly thinks of Twilight and Spike. Because she’s certainly never made use of the dragon’s services herself.
“Where did you get that?”
“Pinkie Pie.”
Works for me, even without the further explanation.
Hmm. Part of Charity’s shopping trip was going to Fluttershy’s cottage to get cat food. Don’t think I’ve seen making and selling pet food as a source of Fluttershy’s income before. It does raise the question of just where she gets the protein, but we’ve seen her attitude towards fish…
You can tell Charity’s new in town because she’s still bemused by Quills and Sofas. Also, she considers Ponyville part of the suburbs. I suppose that may be accurate, but it feels like a very rural community until Twilight’s ongoing protagonism drags it to greater national and international relevance. I’m going to blame the Manehattanite perspective. Charity doesn’t think she’s left the suburbs until ponies live in caves and speak in guttural, barely modulated neighs.
I have to wonder just what Big Mac was delivering to the mayor that needed to be shipped in a cart loaded with crates.
I assume that Lotus’s welcome is a rote recitation, given how she’s offering wing massages to a unicorn. Mind you, Charity still wants one of everything. It’s anyone’s guess how that would work.
… Oh. She dyed her mane and tail to look just. Like. Rarity. That’s not at all concerning.
Ah. And, taking it upon herself to deliver the completed outfits, Charity gets mistaken for her idol and is so showered in praise that she stops trying to imitate and starts claiming to be her.
Rarity, generous sou that she is, forgives even this, but she’s reaching her limits.
Also, unexpected reference to “Candle in the Wind” of all things. I’m going to assume the Equestrian version has less tragic inspiration.
And to discuss the matter, Rarity takes her friends to the one place Charity won’t find them, the Castle of the Two Sisters. Because sometimes you just need to put an eldritch hellwood between you and your stalker.
It’s two o’ clock, and Twilight has no idea where her dragon is. She does, however, get out what she was trying to tell Rarity earlier. Funny how these two have this parallel between their narrative arcs.
And so Rarity decides to imitate the imitator. Also, hint of things to come with her flare of jealousy at Spike spending time with another woman.
I do like how Charity’s attempts to go gem hunting yielded unimpressive results. Trying to make herself into Rarity can’t extend to her magic.
Thankfully, Charity was just misguided rather than malicious. The object lesson is enough for her to see the error of her ways. It also turns out that “Sweetmint” is her last name.
“Let’s get one thing straight. That’s my Spikey-Wikey. Capiche?”
Make of that what you will. I do like the contrast of the gratuitous Italian against the gratuitous French Rarity’s sprinkled into her dialogue and narration throughout the story.
And we end at Sack’s, with a seapony-inspired line all Charity’s own. Well, conceptually. Rarity did help make the dresses. (Also, the line is a reference to the nearly forgotten Under the Sparkling Sea picture book, which had the Mane Six transforming to explore seapony civilization long before the movie made it cool.)
In all, this does add a bit more substance to Rarity, but Berrow just can’t get her out of her niche. Yes, a story focused on Rarity is more likely to deal with Equestria’s fashion industry, but I’m still underwhelmed by this take on her. Still, it is the best take on her I’ve seen in these books thus far. Let’s see how I can offer my own twist on these designs:
Eager to Serve 1W
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2, has vigilance, and can’t attack or block alone.
Spike spending his formative years as Twilight’s assistant had a lasting impact on him.
Tower Captive 1W
Creature — Pony Noble
Defender, reach
When Tower Captive has flying, transform it. This ability triggers only once each turn.
Hostages played key roles in politics during the Three Tribes Era.
2/3
Liberated Cloudmane
(W) Creature — Pony Noble Wizard
Flying, vigilance
Some would-be bargaining chips refused to play the great game, delighting in ways to anger both of the other tribes at once.
3/4
Fashionable Mentor 2W
Creature — Unicorn Advisor
Whenever one or more white creatures you control become the target of a spell you control, draw a card.
“Step one: Accessorize. Step two: See step one.”
2/2
Hubway Regulars 2W
Creature — Pony Pilot
Tap two untapped creatures you control: Target Vehicle you control becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.
Manehattanites don’t consider a train full until bones start creaking.
2/2
Oceanic Attire 1U
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has islandwalk. (It can’t be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)
Equip 2
Fabulosity 2UU (2UU: If this artifact isn’t fabulous, put a gem counter on it and it becomes fabulous.)
When Oceanic Attire becomes fabulous, target land becomes an Island in addition to its other types.
Weather Intern 1U
Creature — Pegasus Citizen
Flying
When Weather Intern enters the battlefield, up to one target creature doesn’t untap during its controller’s next untap step.
“Sorry! It’s my first day.”
2/1
Shifting Trends 2U
Enchantment
Reveal Shifting Trends as you draft it. The player to your right chooses a color, you choose another color, then the player to your left chooses a third color.
Spells that are one or more colors chosen as you drafted cards named Shifting Trends cost 1 less to cast.
Windblown Breezie 2U
Creature — Pony Faerie Scout
Flying
Whenever you cast a spell during an opponent’s turn, you may return Windblown Breezie to its owner’s hand.
“Lot of big-uns that way, with a lot of flyswatters.”
2/1
Illusion of Perfection 2UU
Enchantment
You and creatures you control have hexproof.
When a creature you control dies, sacrifice Illusion of Perfection.
True perfection is impossible, which makes the appearance of such that much more powerful.
Carousel Usurper 3UU
Creature — Unicorn Rogue
When Carousel Usurper enters the battlefield, gain control of target artifact or enchantment for as long as you control Carousel Usurper. If that permanent isn’t fabulous, you may put a gem counter on it. If you do, it becomes fabulous.
3/3
Inventory Manager 4U
Creature — Unicorn Spellshaper
1U, T, Discard a card: Put a study counter on Inventory Manager, then draw a card for each study counter on it.
“It was my Plan B if academia didn’t work out.”
—Princess Twilight Sparkle
2/4
Starlit Omen XUU
Sorcery
Scry X, then manifest the top card of your library. (To manifest a card, put it onto the battlefield face down as a 2/2 creature. Turn it face up any time for its mana cost if it’s a creature card.)
The moon dimmed. The void shined.
Foregone Conclusion B
Instant
Replicate 1B (When you cast this spell, copy it for each time you paid its replicate cost. You may choose new targets for the copies.)
Destroy target creature that was dealt damage this turn.
Ambitious Designer 2B
Creature — Unicorn Artificer
Deathtouch
Fabricate 1 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counters on it or create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.)
“I fear I’ve created a monster.”
—Rarity, Bearer of Generosity
1/2
Enthusiastic Mentor 3B
Creature — Pony Rogue
Whenever a black creature you control deals combat damage to a player, you draw a card and lose 1 life.
“Enjoy the little things in life. And the big ones. And don’t forget the medium-sized ones!”
4/2
Improvisational Mentor 2R
Creature — Unicorn Shaman
Red creatures you control have “R, T, Discard a card: Draw a card.”
“Whatever you’re looking for in life, you’ll know it when you find it.”
2/2
Any-Flavor Rain X1R
Sorcery
Choose a color. Any-Flavor Rain deals X damage to each creature that isn’t the chosen color.
“I don’t usually do requests, but it is Pinkie’s birthday.”
—Discord
Everfree Rattlesnake 1G
Creature — Snake
1G: Target creature you control gains deathtouch until end of turn.
More than any roar, howl, or screech, the worst sound in the Everfree is something like dried beans in a cup.
2/1
Calisthenic Mentor 2G
Creature — Pony Warrior
Green creatures you control have “1G: Adapt 1.” (If the adapting creature has no +1/+1 counter on it, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
“Never underestimate the power of a good warmup.”
3/2
Ponyville Choir 3GG
Creature — Pony Bard
Finale — Whenever you sacrifice a Song, return up to one target non-Song permanent card from your graveyard to your hand.
Voices united in harmony can raise spirits in every sense.
4/4
Ensemble’s Ensemble 3
Artifact — Equipment
Whenever an ability of equipped creature is triggered, if it isn’t a mana ability, copy that ability. If Ensemble’s Ensemble is fabulous, copy it again. You may choose new targets for the copies.
Equip 2
Fabulosity 3
H.O.O.F. Crest 3
Artifact
T: Add one mana of any color.
T: Add CC. Spend this mana only to cast artifact spells or activate abilities of artifacts.
The House of Outrageous and Opulent Fashion’s crest only goes on the finest frocks in Equestria.
Kinetic Delivery 4UR
Sorcery
Kinetic Delivery deals 5 damage to target creature. Draw cards equal to the amount of excess damage dealt to that creature this way.
“Package in the hole!”
—Ditzy Doo
One-Stop Shopping 5GW
Sorcery
Each player draws five cards, then may put up to one artifact card, up to one creature card, up to one enchantment card, up to one land card, and up to one planeswalker card from their hand onto the battlefield.
I only started reading these chapter books about a month ago. Weirdly, I think I actually liked this one more than the preceding three, even though I can't disagree with your notes more than incrementally. I guess because I found the structural bones workable, which isn't the case with the last three. I even found myself thinking "you know, this could have actually been an episode – and good thing trimming would be required, because all the nasty side details at the margins, mostly characterisation, would be easy discards". And much as Berrow's take on Rarity remains underwhelming, she gets better at it as the story progresses for sure.
Still, on top of Berrow's own choices, the limitations of the format, prose complexity and target audience hold it back from being anything more than a curio. I've heard good things about some of the chapter books after the first sextet on the Mane 6 – really hoping they become available soon.
I have often said that while these books are very rarely any good, they are often baffling in interesting ways. This book is exhibit A of that. "Rarity takes in a protege who stalks her and steals her identity, this is a My Little Pony story for kids!" is just... what`?
All the other details hardly even register for me after that.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but there are limits.
I'm just here to grumble at the notion that capiche is anywhere close to actual Italian.
Stupid Complicated Game Alert: All of the Mentors work on themselves because they don't specify otherwise. (Also, where did the blue one go?)
Stupid Complicated Game Alert: X can equal 0 if not specified otherwise. In the case of Starlit Omen, this basically just gives you the 2/2 for 2 that blue is usually denied because brute strength is its antithesis.
I'm reminded of a quote from Walt Williams in his memoir Significant Zeroes:
Love it.
Mass quantities of cider to deal with the upcoming disaster relief form season.