Parsimony
Rarity squinted her eyes in concentration. Just one more thread…
"And done," she sighed. Although that particular dress had only taken her a few minutes to plan and sew, Rarity was pleased with the results. Very practical.
Just then, Rarity heard the boutique's bell ring. She scrappily scribbled a price onto a small card and slipped it in next to a clothed mannequin while cantering toward the door. The customer was a cream coloured mare with a blue and purple mane. Rarity searched her memory until she was able to match the face to a name. Bon Bon.
"How may I help you?" Rarity asked impatiently, somewhat irked that Bon Bon was making faces of disapproval as she explored the boutique.
"Oh, a cat!" Bon Bon suddenly exclaimed. The mare ran up to one of Rarity's many work tables and started cooing at a clearly satisfied Opalescence. The white Persian was purring loud enough for Rarity to hear halfway across the room. Anger bubbled inside of her and she hurried across to plant herself between pony and cat, a scowl forming across her face.
"If you like cats so much, why don't you get one yourself?" Rarity hissed. Why did everypony around her have to be so impertinent? They all had the undying interest and naivety of silly toddlers. They could not seem to keep their hands off of what was not theirs!
Bon Bon was starting to back off when Rarity added, "And don't you even think about stealing Tom!"
"Tom? Who's-"
"None of your business!"
Bon Bon's eyes were opened wide now. "I just came here hoping to purchase a winter outfit. It's been snowing for the past few hours."
"Really, has it?" Rarity replied apathetically. "Check over there." She pointed vaguely to the left and retreated to check on Tom in her bedroom. Sure enough, the handsome, gigantic chunk of diamond was still lying snugly on a purple silk cushion inside a skilfully crafted cage. Rarity had designed it herself.
Returning to the boutique, she found Bon Bon fumbling through a rack of thick clothing. She pulled out a brown sweater and glared at Rarity.
"This," she yelled, waving it around, "is the least repulsive thing in the store."
"Repulsive?" Rarity gasped. "How dare you use that word to describe my beautiful works of art?"
"The fabric is itchy and clingy, and it barely even reaches past my shoulders," Bon Bon explained angrily. "And this shade of brown is simply revolting. If only the other stores hadn't closed down!"
Rarity felt smug inside. Having little to no competition gave her a lot more leeway. She used inexpensive textiles to fabricate uninspired designs. Customers had to buy her clothes, and Rarity knew it. "It's all I have. Discord took everything away from me," she lied.
"Are you seriously charging fifty bits for this?" Bon Bon exclaimed, staring incredulously at the price tag. "Don't you have any integrity?
"I need the money," Rarity stated simply. Even though Bon Bon was tentative to pay for the sweater, she really had little choice in the matter. The weather outside was absolutely dreadful, and did not show any sign of letting up. On the other hand, it was not like the weather ever followed a pattern.
"I'll take this too," Bon Bon stated grudgingly, holding up a scarf made from the bits and pieces of Sweetie Belle's old stuffed toys.
"That will be eighty bits." Rarity stared hungrily at the small gold coins as Bon Bon resentfully retrieved them from her saddlebag.