This is the second part of the chapter made from the episode "Rarity Takes Manehattan"
**Next day**
This time, remembering to keep an extra good eye on the time, Rarity came in a half-hour early, just as told by Prim. She got told to stand in line like the rest by the receptionist, but right there, the mare at the desk noticed her dresses and the bored and uncaring tone is replaced with genuine amazement. "Oh my, that fabric's gorgeous, did you make that yourself?"
Rarity replies that she indeed did and like with her friends, "It's stretchy, but not clingy. Shimmery—" "Shimmery, but not showy." Rarity stops her own words, startled that Suri is using the exact same words, she walks over to check and to her great horror, Suri's line has her fabric design! "—adorable pattern. It works on everything from skirts to tops to shoes and," Suri stops her self praising by doing that innocent chuckle. Prim Hemline was impressed, which didn't make the situation any better. Right the moment Suri went to leave the stage, Rarity gets up in her face, rightfully angry: "You stole my fabric!"
And Suri Polomare has the gall to laugh like it's no big deal: "I didn't steal it, okay? You gave it to me, remember?"
But Rarity can clearly see that she used more than just the small swatch Engineer gave her. "My friend only gave you a small piece of fabric for accents! Not for your whole line!"
"Maybe you should keep a better eye on him, okay?" Suri suggests and signs her assistant to bring her new line of clothing back to her room.
"I think it was you I should've kept an eye on!" Rarity retorts. Suri didn't even bat an eye. Stealing from her was bad enough but now making her look like a copycat— "How could you possibly make all of those outfits so fast?!" She exclaims, it took her weeks to make her own dresses while Suri only used a single day.
Suri laughs at this and pointing at her assistance, "Coco Pommel here took practically forever. Nearly got me completely disqualified." she complains, snapping when Coco tried to measly explain why it took her so long. "Quiet! I pay an assistant to sew and get coffee, not talk. 'Kay?" It made the younger mare shut it, and Suri smirks when Rarity went into a bit of a meltdown by this stunt of hers.
How could this happen? She was nice to Suri, allowed her to get a swatch and this foalhood friend spits her in the face by stealing her roll of fabric! Is this what she gets for being friendly?! It didn't make it any better that Suri puts a hoof over her back in a sickly friendly manner, telling her condescending: "Aw, sweetie, don't blame yourself. It takes some small-town fillies a while to learn it's everypony for herself in the big city, m'kay?" Rarity can't take it; she gallops out crying that Suri has ruined everything, used her hospitality to steal and make her look like a copycat.
**The hotel**
The others have just returned from their trip, each having some souvenirs from their sightseeing.
"Oh, my gosh, what a great afternoon!" Twilight Sparkle exclaims happily, her smile widen at her partner's words: "It has been long I last had this much fun." She giggles, although glad to hear that, Twilight has a feeling that the stallion who accidentally provoked Medic got his day rightfully ruined. "I will admit that was pretty funny, but I don't think that pony will look at an alicorn the same way after what you told him."
Medic laughs and waves his hoof dismissively. "Oh my dear friend, that was nothing." He could've gotten much, much more graphic in his lie about how he got the wings.
Giggling at that mishap but also from the fun times they have just returned from. "Today is jam-packed with fun times!"
and Pinkie Pie starts to jump up and down in her excitement. "oh, I can't wait for the evening!"
"You said it!" Rainbow Dash replies, "like the soon to be the awesome ride of the Cyclone!"
"Then our fancy dinner at the Far-Afield Tavern!" Pinkie adds.
Looking at the brochure for said taven, Demo says very approving. "Got a load of good stuff." Turning to his partner that warns him lighthearted: "Try not to drink too much of said good stuff." He laughs at this but won't promise anything as he really does not have any self-control when it comes to alcohol.
Fluttershy joins. "And after all that;"
Everyone but a few jumps into the air from their excitement: "Hinny of the Hills!" they land on the floor, and everyone joins in the shared laugh. None of them notices that Rarity has walked into the room, tears in her eyes and looking ready to burst into a new wave of tears at any moment.
Spike is the first to notice her and see her heartbroken expression. "Rarity," He trots over to her, asking the unicorn worried. "What happened?" It made the other look over, equally confused and concerned about what has made their friend like this. Rarity walks over to the nearest bed, where she collapses onto it, bawling her eyes out.
They slowly walk over to her, before either can ask, Rarity mananges to gather herself just enough to explain them through her tears. "I let one of the other contestants get a swatch of my one-of-a-kind fabric, but she used my hospitality and stole a whole roll!" She practically starts hyperventilating by the sheer thought of what Suri has done. "And then she turned it into a wardrobe just like mine, only now it looks like I'm the one copying her!" Dropping back to her bed with a new wave of tears. "My generosity has ruined me, I tell you! Ruined!"
"Darn… I should've known there was something up with that pony." Engineer muses to himself, feeling bad as it feels like he was partly the cause of his partner's misfortune. Apparently, that friendly attitude was only just a fluke.
Twilight walks over to her friend and assures her. "Now, Rarity, we're all here to help you get through this, no matter what it takes." The others voice their agreement with Applejack doing her own by saying: "Come on, Rarity, buck up! All we need is some fabric and you'll be back in business!" Twilight nods in agreement and does remember, "I saw a shop selling all kind of fabrics. Say the word, and we will fetch some for you."
This made Rarity get out of her state of hopelessness, getting her back in the game. She looks around the hotel room, then, still with a thoughtful frown, walks over to the window that shows most of the city. Her eyes land on several landmarks of Manehattan and she got an idea for a new line of dresses. She gasps at this idea, "This new line will perhaps be better than the last." She scratches her cheek at the many ideas flowing inside her mind, it excites her really, but most importantly, Rarity will show Suri that she is the better dress designer! "It's daring, it's bold! And just what I need!" She spins to the others, beckoning them. "There is no time to lose, are you with me!" They all cheer in each of their way, and with them on her side. Rarity tells each of what she needs for them. They all hurry out to not only get the required fabric but also preparing this room for the work ahead.
In the matter of an hour, everyone is doing what Rarity asked of them. Most of the mares are sewing, the guys are helping out by preparing the fabric or getting the cosmetic needed for these dresses.
None of them said a word, but as the hours went by, it felt like Rarity got more demanding and less appreciative about their work. They truly got that idea when they had to skip dinner at the tavern, much to Demo's disappointment, but at least Rarity said that she ordered a meal. However, so far, it hasn't come.
"Don't fret. It'll be here in an hour." Rarity replies kinda snoopish, and noticing everyone is looking weirdly at her. With head high, she asks them coldly. "That's not going to be a problem, is it?"
Well, it would as it is tonight they were supposed to watch a certain show. Rainbow Dash hesitates but decides to say it as she really does not want to miss the play. "Well, we're supposed to be watching Hinny of the Hills by then..."
And not missing a beat, Rarity turn on the guilt factor towards her friends. "Oh! I see, I go out of my way to get you tickets for a show, and this is how you repay me? By abandoning me in my hour of need?" No one answers; even the battle harden partners of theirs drop their gaze at the thought. But Rarity is not done, far from it. "Fine!" She snorts while she levitates over the fabric Fluttershy just has finished over to a mannequin. "Go and see Hinny of the Hills tonight! And then tomorrow morning when you come to see my fashion show without any fashion to show, you can have more entertainment!"
"Now, Rarity." Engineer puts down the metal he was trying to turn into the framework for that crown. He turns to her. "None of us want to see you be burned off like that, but," he turns to the drawings she made for these designs. "you are asking a mightly lot from us. I mean, couldn't you have tried for simpler designs?" He asks, for surely even simple dresses might still win. Never know with fashion, really.
Rarity huffs turn her nose up in the air. "The ponies at the show are not in the "simple" such as you, my dear Engineer, and really?" She shoots him a downgrading stare, "Do you want me to be the laughingstock of the whole show."
"Of course not—"
"It sounds like it. Does none of you care for your friend?!" Rarity demands to the rest, none of them answers, allowing her to take it the way she wants. "Oh, I am sure you would love watching me be the laughingstock for the whole show!" She folds her hooves around Pinkie Pie's and Demo's necks. "Never again will I be able to show my face in Manehatten, less so thinking about doing any sort of business. Is that what you want?!" Pinkie Pie smiles nervously, shaking her head. The stallion is just looking confused as if having trouble following her.
"Rarity, you're overthinking this." Engineer steps forward. Rarity turns to him but before she can, he cuts her in, "Winning this show won't be the end of your carrier! So stop pretending it will, so what about you take a step back and—"
"I don't expect a creature from another world; who only know about fighting would ever understand my tribulations." Rarity stops his words with her cold anger, it makes Engineer lifts his head, anger in his eyes and beak tighten but she does not care if she had hurt his feelings. "But if a show is much more important than helping out your partner, then go ahead. Leave me in my time of need!" She shoos him. Engineer stares down to her, his eyes hard. For some reason, it seems the other world creatures slowly draw themselves away— every one of them looking nervously at Engineer.
iI this has been any other person, then he would've put down a sentry and turned on the friendly fire. Rarity should consider herself lucky he has some sense of self-control, but Engineer knows that if she pushes him further, then he will hurt her. "You won't hear reason." He speaks coldly down to her, turns around, and leaves the room. It was incredibly tempting but he restrained himself from slamming the door.
The other mercs slowly turn back to Rarity. That mare is utterly unaware that she had escaped Engineer's wrath. Everyone, especially Spy, knows that Engineer might be hard to anger, but when it does happen, then that Texan can get extremely brutal. Engie rarely shows, but he has a twisted sense of humor, all revolving around hurting people in some creative manner. Most who have seen or been through that darker side of Engineer, all figure that is why he and Pyro click so well.
Of course, Rarity didn't know that she got off easy. She hasn't seen her partner's deadly side; she merely huffs and resumes work irritated. "Can't even depend on my own partner. It seems it is truly everypony for themselves in this town." She shoots the others a glare and quietly, they resume work.
They worked all night and didn't receive any thanks from Rarity as she left for the fashion show. Much to their annoyance.
Rarity hurried to the show and got there just in time. She explained Prim that she has made a brand new line of dresses and after of ponder, decides to call this line for Yearn of Manehatten. There are promising signs from how much Prim seems to like them, but Rarity would rather trust the audience. After she has put the dresses on the models, Rarity walks over to the curtains. Here she can watch and stew in rage at how Suri shows her copied dresses, claiming that fabric as her original designs. When done boasting, Suri walks past her with an infuriating smug: "Well look who's here. Here to show off your copycat collection, mm?" Rarity bites down her angry retort, instead focuses on the show.
And when Prim Hemline introduces her designs, Rarity is pleased to see that the audience likes the dresses made to represent the famous buildings and landmarks of Manehatten. She gasps in joy seeing this. "I think I may have just won this thing! Oh, I can't wait to celebrate with..." Rarity scans the audience but sees none of them, and there it hits her. "My friends… They didn't come." And why should they? Rarity has been nothing but cruel to them. "What have I done?" She whispers and no longer cares how much the crowd likes her dresses; it's not worth this prize…
She barely noticed Prim walking over to her, saying. "Rarity, they all adore you! Aren't you going to tell them about your fabulous pieces?" but she is no longer in the mood and leaves the stage with a quiet. "No…" The cheers no longer matters, the trophy does not matter.
Rarity walks back to her room, not sure what to do. "They worked so hard on my behalf, and I repaid them with unkindness…" She sighs, a single tear hits the table, where a small rainbow appears "How can I ever face them?"
"Well, you can start by saying a mighty legit sorry."
Rarity eyes wide and she spins around; at the door stands Engineer. He still looks angry but anger she well deserves. Rarity walks over to him, feeling truly sorry for what she did to him. "I am so sorry, what I said to you was… unkind." He merely nods in agreement. She carefully puts a hoof on his right front leg. "Can you ever forgive me?"
"Well, you managed to get me angry, so" Engineer smiles weakly down to her, the soft gleam in his blue eyes has returned. "you gotta work pretty hard to earn it." Otherwise, he might listen to the more sinister side of his mind.
"I'm willing to get all dirty if that what it takes!" Rarity beams back, her smile does drop when a rainbow appeared from one of her former dresses and like a spell, she knew what to do. Rarity steps away from her partner, the show, and the possibility to win long-forgotten "I have to make it up to the others."
"That you do." Engineer agrees, glad to see Rarity has gotten out from her bitch mode. Sure been long a woman last managed to push his buttons like this. Unlike his now ex-wife, Rarity was able to see her mistakes and willing to own up to it. "Come, they are at the hotel, sleeping in from the all-nighter you'd put them through."
Oh, that explains their absence, and Rarity feels like that's karma that bit her in the flank. She leaves the room and utterly ignores Prim calling for her. All that matters is making up for her friends. Halfway to the hotel, they encounter the others and Rarity is quick to apologize for her behavior. "It wasn't right of me taking advantage of our friendship the way I did." And asking her friends carefully, "Is there any chance you can see past it?"
"Everyone got bad days." Heavy says simply.
Applejack points out with a rather casual look on her face. "And sometimes the rotten behavior comes out."
"Wow, Applejack. I know your thing is honesty, but come on!" Rainbow Dash exclaims, making several smile. Didn't make it better with Engineer's: "Well, she almost managed to get my rotten side out."
"And I'm glad that didn't happen." Spy remarks. Engineer simply chuckles but nods in agreement.
Twilight Sparkle walks over to their unicorn friend, admitting at first. "Last night we may not have seen you at your best, but we know you." She puts a hoof on Rarity's shoulder in a sign of assurance that this won't ruin their tight friendship. "And we would never let one thing like that change how we feel about you."
This truly touches her, and it makes Rarity genuinely grateful to have such wonderful friends. "Thank you, everypony. I couldn't ask for better friends." And that reminds her, "I have every in mind of making it up for you, but I need to string a few things together." She turns to her partner. "And I may need your touch of genious."
And this is why he can't be angry at Rairty for long. "You know excakly what to say." Engineer smiles, and with a nod, he will help her out. He follows Rarity back to where the fashion show was.
They arrive at the building, here Rarity asks the reception if it was possible to speak with Prim, but is stopped by Suri's words: "Uh-uh-uh, you'd best steer clear of Prim for a while." Both Rarity and Engineer turns to face the mare. "She's pretty furious. Isn't that right?" Suri asks her assistance, who quietly agrees. The pink mare walks over to them and tells Rarity with a fake apology. "I am so sorry, ending in last place, but that's to be expected; you are just a small town's pony."
At first, Rarity is annoyed by this mockery, but then the words that she lost. "I lost?" It startles her, and if she had been in the mindset that winning was everything, then this would've been quite the blow, but now. "You know what? I don't even care." Rarity lifts her nose to the sky. "Ut's not that important,"
"Did give you a worthy learning experience," Engineer points out, that and: "and pretty sure a lot would like to purchase your dresses back in Ponyville."
"Yes, I will get them right after we have spoken with a certain friend of mine." Rarity tells her partner, she knows he was part of the show and is certain that she can get extra tickets by introducing the costume designer. And one who could make the show go more fluid. "He mentioned something about having difficulties with the stage and I know such things is right up your ally."
"Heck yeah!" Engineer laughs and is curious about this mechanic problem, but he is mostly curious to see how a stage is built for extra effects. They leave Suri to find the guy, and that pony was more than happy to give them an exclusive performance for the promise of him taking a look at the stages bit old mechanism and Rarity making the costumes for the next show. With this agreement set, Engineer follows the pony to the theater while Rarity fetches their friends.
He goes straight to work and is intrigued at how a stage is built. The problem is rather simple; some of the gear is rusty and needed replacement or a bit of oil. Engineer also found a nest of mice, which has been chewing in some of the wires. Usually, Engineer would just kill them, but unlike in his own world, Engineer has become rather careful as many animals have minds close to sentience in this world. For all he knows, these mice might have the mentality of a sheep-dog. So he instead chases them out and closes the area they used for their home.
Engineer finished up right as this exclusive show starts and joins the others.
Most of the mercs enjoyed this show, Soldier found it boring but when Spy told it was an American show, he endured for his country's sake. Demoman tried but ended up falling asleep and Twilight had no problem making him quiet down with a simple soundproof spell, making sure his snoring wouldn't ruin the show for the rest.
After the show, those who enjoyed it began to chatter in what they liked best, leading to the question.
"Do tell, how did you manage to get us this exclusive show?" Spy asks and Rarity explains the agreement that Engineer would fix up the stage, and she would make the costumes for their next show. Spy admits that Rarity really knows how to use her connections. "You would make a good spy."
Rarity is at first unsure, but thinks Spy meant it as a compliment. Hard to tell sometimes; their changeling friend is difficult to read. Her small pondering is broken at Fluttershy's question: "Um, does that mean you will stay in Manehattan?" Rarity hesitates, only now realizing what the aggrement meant. "Um... yes... it will keep me away from Ponyville for a while." She admits, her friends looked sad to see her gone, but they don't have to worry. "I should only be gone for a few months."
"Mind if I join you?"
Everyone turned and mostly to Rarity's surprise seeing Suri's assistance, but this young mare didn't do anything to her personally as Suri did. So, Rarity didn't mind having her around. "Sure. Come on down." Rarity calls, curious as to why Suri's assistance is here. The younger mare reveals that when she pulls out a trophy from her saddlebag. At first confused but when Rarity reads the text on it, she realizes this is the 1st place trophy for the Fashion Week. Rarity gasps as her eyes land on the name carved into it, "It has my name on it!" which confuses her tremendously. "But I thought I lost!"
The young mare shakes her head, "You didn't. You won." and explains while claims Ms. Rarity her trophy. "Suri was hoping that if you didn't claim your prize, the judges would consider it a forfeit, and first place would go to her. So she lied to make you go away, and, well, I lied too." she admitted, looking very regretful for it.
"Why did you?" Medic asks, for as he can gather, "You wouldn't get anything out from it, only this Suri."
The young mare nods that he got that right. "I wouldn't but…" she drops her head, admitting. "I've worked for Suri for so long; I started to believe that it really is everypony for herself in this town. Until I saw how generous you were," She looks up to Rarity, unbeknown to this unicorn, she withness how generious this unicorn was, all for the sake for her friends. "and how it affected the ponies around you." She begins to smile at what that simple action cause for her. "It made me start believing there was something better for me out there. So, I– I quit."
it's nice to have, but not more important to what this young mare had said. So, putting down the trophy, "I don't blame you." Rarity steps over to this young mare, giving her a small smile. "No pony should be treated the way Suri treated you." The young mare smiles, and with a bit of sheepish hesitating: "I… I brought you something to say thank you." She gives Rarity a small packet. She looks down at this small gift, not going to bother opening it as it was honestly more the thought which counts. An idea and one that should benefit them both "Hm. I suppose you'll need a job now that you're no longer with Suri." The young mare nods and that leads to the request, "How would you like to work for my friend making all the costumes for his next show?" pretty sure this one is more than capable. After all, Suri did slip up that this former assistance of hers was the one who made those copycat dresses. Seeing how this mare's eyes lit up, it was all Rarity needed.
It's the last day at the hotel and before going out to enjoy a wonderful meal at one of the many restaurants. 'Manehattan was simply grand. It was in this magnificent metropolis that I learned that, while there are ponies who will take advantage of your hospitality, you should never, ever let that cause you to abandon your generous spirit. Nothing feels worse than taking advantage of the giving nature of your friends.' Rarity writes into the journal before opening the box Suri's former assistance, Coco Pommel gave her. She smiles as she levitates up this rainbow thread, not something she will use but as said before, it's the thought that counts.
I am going to take a small break from Living Darkness for a while. Mostly so I have time to write more chapters and not stress over when to submit. Not sure when I will return; writing anything lately has been hard. (stupid writer block). Hopefully, when I do, you can enjoy the final chapters to the end of Living Darkness.
