The bell on the door of Carousel Boutique gave out a sharp tinkle as it was pushed open. A young, pink earth pony poked her head around the frame and then stepped into the store, her bright blue eyes wide open in amazement. She'd never seen so many dresses and hats in one place, and not in such happy colours and patterns.
"Helloooo, anyone here," she called cheerfully, as she looked around.
"One moment, darling," called a very prim sounding voice from a side room, "just a few more stitches in this hem and I'll be with you."
The pink pony carefully placed the box she had been balancing on her head down on the counter near the door. She sat back on her haunches and started humming a cheerful tune whilst she waited. The boutique was an odd looking building on the edge of town, and this was her first visit inside. She wasn't at all nervous though, just excited about whatever new experience was about to occur.
An elegant young unicorn swept into the room, her waving purple mane and tail in stark contrast to the pure white of her fur, as she struck a pose. With a delicate lift of her hoof and a subtle tilt of her head, she found the perfect balance between grace and attitude. Her silhouette, sculpted with precision, showcased her impeccable posture and attention to detail. It was a pose that spoke volumes, a statement of her refined taste and unwavering commitment to beauty.
With a graceful flick of her lustrous mane, she lifted her head high, exuding an air of regal confidence. This striking unicorn looked at her visitor, her impossibly long eyelashes fluttering as she spoke.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique," she said in a clear and well controlled voice, "we aim to cater for all your styling needs."
"Ooo, ooo, ooo, you do catering too?" Replied the bright pink pony, "I've just come from Sugar Cube Corner!"
"Fulfilling one's fashion needs darling," said the unicorn, gesturing around her, "fine gowns for soirée and parties."
"Ooooh, I just love, love, love a party," the earth pony almost appeared to levitate into the air. The unicorn raised an elegantly shaped eyebrow, how was this earth pony doing that?
"And how may I help you today?" asked the unicorn, icily.
"Well, I couldn't help hearing that the cake you wanted was sold out," replied the other pony, oblivious to the changing mood, "and I didn't like the thought of you being unhappy so I baked another to give you."
"You did?" The unicorn was obviously surprised by the gesture.
"Sure, tah dah!" The pink pony flipped the box open, revealing a perfect cake and releasing a cloud of confetti.
The unicorn's mouth briefly dropped open in surprise. The cake looked delicious, but was this earth pony some kind of magician as well as a baker. How, or indeed why, was she doing all these little tricks? She quickly recovered her composure though.
"That does look simply divine," she said, "what else would a fashionista eat but red velvet cake?"
"I don't know, maybe choux buns!" Said the earth pony with a grin. The unicorn smiled too, the other pony's happy expression was infectious and that was a pretty good pun.
"Mmm, quite. Would you care to join me for afternoon tea?" The boutique owner asked, "There's far too much cake for me to eat all by myself, just a slice of that'll go straight on my haunches.
"And I'm not very busy," she added with a sigh.
"I'd love to Miss…" the pink pony looked expectantly at the white unicorn.
"Rarity, it is a true pleasure to meet you," she smiled back, "and you're working at Sugarcube Corner?"
"Yes, it's so exciting! I'm Pinkie Pie, the new apprentice baker."
"Charmed, Miss Pie", smiled Rarity brightly, "do make yourself at home whilst I prepare the tea service."
As the unicorn trotted through a curtain to the backroom of the boutique, Pinkie Pie looked around the shop. There was a small raised stage, flanked by mirrors, towards the centre. It looked a little like a dancing stage, Pinkie thought. Facing that were three fitting rooms and, slightly off to one side a small table overlooked by a mirror. In fact she'd never seen so many mirrors before. There were also rails of clothes and a number of mannequins.
"Well, this looks like… fun," Pinkie said, eyeing a mannequin which was adorned with a highly polished bridle and saddle that was partly hidden behind a curtain.
"What's that darling?" Asked Rarity returning with the teapot, cups and plates on a tray. She let out a surprised squeak when she saw what Pinkie was looking at, "Eeek! Oh my, that. Yes."
"Who's it for?" asked Pinkie, craning her neck to take it in from all angles.
"A very special customer. And discrete," Rarity replied in an attempt to not make a big deal out of it, whilst turning over the invoice, "when one is just starting out in business no opportunity can be ignored."
"And what kind of party would you wear it to?" The pink pony continued, a quizzical expression on her face.
"Mmmm, a private function I believe," Rarity answered, a slight flush coming to her cheeks.
"It looks kinda uncomfortable," Pinkie went on, oblivious to the embarrassment in her companion, "with all those studs and buckles."
"I suppose that might be the point," squeaked Rarity, now getting desperate to change the subject.
"And all these funny accessories," Pinkie pointed, "where's that supposed to go-"
"Tea, darling," Rarity interrupted, "do you take sugar?"
"Three please," Pinkie said as she bounced over to the table.
Rarity let out a sigh of relief. "You're not from Ponyville are you? Your accent, Manehatton?"
"Jeez," said Pinkie Pie as a frown wrinkled her brow, "why does everyone say that? Nopey-dopey, I'm from a rock farm upstate."
"A rock farm? Simply bucolic, I'm sure." Rarity commented, "How have you come to be at Sugarcube Corner?"
"Oh, I'm supposed to be on my rockspringa," replied Pinkie, "I took the job at Sugarcube Corner because it included somewhere to stay. Turns out I love making cakes though!"
"Indeed my dear," Rarity replied, "you are simply a natural, if you've not been baking your entire life. Will you return to the rock farm after your apprenticeship?"
Pinkie Pie looked more solemn than she had at any point previously, "I think I'm going to stay in Ponyville. The ponies here are so nice, and I've never really met pegasi and unicorns before."
Rarity looked surprised at this, her perfectly shaped eyebrows arcing high on her forehead. "Did you never leave the farm before?"
"Nope, my Ma and Pa are a little strict," Pinkie seemed to be struggling with the right words, "I think that's why my oldest sister left to study."
"An adventurous spirit?" Enquired Rarity, leaning forwards and pouring another cup of tea for them both.
"Oh my sister is super-duper fun," smiled the earth pony, "really smart too, loves to learn new things."
"Go on, dear," urged her companion, "what's she studying? Something groundbreaking?"
Pride seemed to radiate from Pinkie as she beamed a broad smile, "You could say that, it's geology!"
"Beg pardon? You mean she's studying… rocks?" The white unicorn's jaw dropped open in surprise.
"Oh yes, she just loves, loves, loves rocks of all types!" beamed Pinkie, "Can't get enough of them."
With a little shake of her head, Rarity changed topics back to Pinkie, "But you don't want to leave Ponyville?"
"Oh no, it's far too much fun here," enthusiasm was now radiating in an almost visible pink halo… and some balloons. Rarity stared wide-eyed for a second; where had she produced those from? She took a calming gulp of tea before what the other pony had said sank in.
"This little backwater?" Rarity seemed almost amused at the thought, although her eyes still nervously tracked one last balloon as it drifted out a skylight, "a rock farm must be terribly dry."
"Dusty too!" Once more Pinkie seemed oblivious to the other pony's tone, "What about you? Why did you open your shop here?"
"Oh, well. Ponyville born and bred, my dear", Rarity answered, "Opening the boutique has been a long term dream of mine, but frankly I hope to get out beyond this town one day."
"Do you parents still live here?" Enquired Pinkie, leaning forward.
"Oh my yes, now that they've retired I simply can't imagine them leaving," Rarity shuddered, recalling hidden stacks of tacky souvenirs, "well apart from the vacations they like to take."
"They sound more adventurous than mine," Pinkie looked ruefully down at the table, "My parents wouldn't even try a cake recipe if it hadn't been in the family for generations."
"Mmm, I suppose. Without them perhaps I wouldn't have dreamt about a fashion empire," Rarity smiled and seemed to be gazing into some distant dream, "Manehatton, Monacolt… oh, even Casabronco!"
"Have you had this shop for long?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"Less than a year actually," Rarity admitted, "I've been doing dressmaking since school, but always on an amateur basis."
"I just bet you'll be a famous designer one day!" cried Pinkie, doing a twirl on her stool that seemed to wind her neck in a complete circle.
Rarity gulped, hoping the mental image of that wouldn't linger, "I do hope you're right, but it seems like my big break is quite tardy in making an appearance."
"Oh, I'm sure it'll be here soon," said Pinkie, reassuringly, "soooo, whatcha working on?"
Having got Rarity enthusiastically talking on her favourite topic it was some time later they realised that the afternoon was nearly over. Long shadows fell across the floor, and the sunlight had gained a warm orange glow. The tea was drunk and, mysteriously, the cake appeared to all be eaten. The two ponies had talked for hours without interruption.
Rarity let out a sigh, looking around the empty shop. She knew just how few bits were left in her account, and although her heart was brimming with ambition, the fear of a lack of customers loomed over her newly established business like a dark cloud.
"Too many afternoons like this", she said sadly, "and my business empire won't leave much of a mark."
"Why not try throwing a few parties?" asked Pinkie, "get everypony in for some fun and they might see something they like."
"You know, Miss Pie," smiled Rarity, "that suggestion has some merit. Would you like to help me organise an evening event?"
Pinkie looked at her and beamed a huge smile, "Sure… just so long as I don't have to wear one of those!" she said, gesturing at the outfit behind the curtain.