Chapter Text
This was supposed to be her dream. Rarity glared harder at her notes for the programme, hoping to inspire some kind of creative genius through eyes alone. She had been given the opportunity to create a set of designs for the famous Photo Finish’s Fall Fashion show as a reward for winning the highest end of year exam scores.
It was the chance of a lifetime - Photo Finish had never before shown interest in the work of college students. Rarity knew she wasn't really special. This was a PR move on Photo Finish’s part because of recent complaints that her brand was exclusivist and didn't let any new talent shine. Rarity would know. She followed just about every popular fashion magazine religiously since she was old enough to read.
But she didn’t give a damn about PR or about why she was picked. If she did this right - if she blew everyone's expectations away then this would be the leg she needed to secure her place in the fashion world. It was just that now she finally had the chance she had always wished for yet she couldn't help feeling nothing but insufficient. Somehow all her previous designs she had once felt proud of felt kitsch and last season compared to the chic and glam of the Photo Finish.
Rarity continued to absentmindedly flick through Finish's latest issue when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Prince Blueblood stood behind her, radiant and charming as always. They had begun to date soon into her first year - he was a year older and he doted on her and he was everything else a boyfriend should be.
‘You’re down here very late, Rarity,’ He said slowly, rubbing a thumb soothingly over her shoulder. She sighed, turning around to face Blueblood.
‘Just thinking about the Fall Show dear, no need to worry,’ she replied. He frowned down at her slightly.
‘It’s not good to dwell on these things. Fashion after all isn't everything this world has to offer.’ He leant forwards, closing the magazine on the table.
‘Don’t get me wrong, you are certainly exceptional and will blow everyone's minds with your designs, but… there is no need to put all this effort in, honestly.’
Rarity let him lean in to kiss her and she sweetly kissed him back. She knew others wouldn't understand. This wasn't just a show. This was her life. The designs meant everything.
‘Thank you dear.’ Rarity sighed, ‘You’re right I probably should leave it be for now. I’m too tired to think of anything spectacular that will blow everyone away this late anyway.’
Blueblood kissed her on the cheek and took her hand.
‘I'll walk you to your dorm?’ He offered.
Rarity followed him out of the dark workshop and blinked to adjust to the bright moonlight spilling into the street outside. It was a longer walk to her dorm as it was much cheaper than living on campus - but Rarity didn't mind. She loved the city at night, the full moon, the cold air, the sound of cars and of party-goers. And she had to admit she felt safer walking with Blueblood to her place this late.
They reached her place soon enough, and Rarity got out her keys from her (brand) purse. As quick as a flash, Blueblood had grabbed her keys, and began to jingle them from above her tauntingly.
‘Prince Blueblood! Give me my keys now!’ she demanded.
Blueblood leaned in to whisper into her ear, ‘I’ll give them back if you let me stay for dinner,’ he said with a cheeky smile.
‘Honestly. It’s almost midnight and you haven't had dinner?’ Rarity sighed.
‘Okay, jeez, you’re like an angry puma. I’ve had dinner. I just wanted to stay with my girlfriend a bit longer.’ He raised his hands in a non-threatening gesture.
‘I’ll give you your keys for… a kiss?’ Blueblood grinned at her cheekily. Despite the fact they had been together for many months now, Rarity had never let him come into her apartment. She wasn't against it per se, she just… wasn't comfortable yet. Guys and girls in the same sleeping area was a bad idea, and Rarity wasn't ready for the kind of intimacy she knew Blueblood wanted from her.
‘One kiss and you’ll give me my keys?’ Rarity said cautiously.
‘As promised,’ he said with a wink.
Rarity placed a hand on his strong chest and the other to his cheek. She leant in and gave him a quick peck on his lips. As he lowered his hands to hold her waist, Rarity snatched her keys from him in glee, giggling madly.
He smiled indulgently at her. ‘One day I shall have dinner with the queen of the school, the young and beautiful Miss Rarity herself!’ He said conspicuously.
‘Oh stop being so dramatic you’ll embarrass me in front of my neighbours!’ Rarity whisper-yelled. ‘I’m going to sleep and you should too.’ She kissed him again on the cheek before issuing him goodnight and going into her apartment, making sure to lock the door behind her.
...
It was not a day later when she received the news. The university student council was debating cutting costs for the fashion extra-curriculars.
‘Twilight darling, you cannot possibly be considering this!’
‘I’m afraid it’s out of my control, Rarity. The student body voted for a fruit orchard to provide a healthy snack for struggling students. They had to cut the extra funding somewhere.’ No doubt seeing Rarity's enraged expression, Twilight hurried to continue.
‘As the student president I just organise these things - I don’t make the decisions.’
‘But Twilight! Without the extra funding how am I meant to make my outfits for the Fall Fashion show? What is a painting if it cannot be painted? What is a design without a garment!’ Rarity felt that her world was ending. The room was spinning a little.
What was she going to do? She needed the money to purchase her materials. Not to mention the added studio costs to use the facilities outside of school time. Her head raced with figures and costs as she tugged on her violet hair.
Twilight placed a comforting hand on her back, and the world became a little less fuzzy.
‘Didn’t you hear me Rarity? It’s still being debated. I would talk to Applejack - she’s the one who came up with the idea for the orchards. Maybe you two can come up with a… compromise.’ She said amicably.
‘Applejack you say? Yes. Yes we will find a compromise.’ Her smile turned predatory.
‘Just - be nice. Applejack is my friend, okay?’
Rarity barely heard her. ‘So, how do I go about finding this ‘Applejack?’
*
She found Applejack not by her appearance but by the big brown obnoxious stetson hat. Was she aware that such an accessory had gone out of fashion almost two centuries ago?
Applejack sat alone under a tree, leaning against it with her hat over her face in protection against the heat. Not that she needed much - her arms and legs were equally browned from the sun. She clearly spent most of her time outside.
Rarity cleared her throat. She cleared it again.
‘I can hear you just fine, sugarcube, no need to shout.’ grumbled a girlish, texan drawl. Rarity fumed. She hadn't even said anything. Twilight definitely had high hopes if she expected the two of them to come to an agreement.
‘Didn’t expect Canterlot's famous fashion queen to want anything from me.’ Applejack smirked, raising her eyebrow. So she had heard of her.
‘Well, Applejack, It is you who forced my hand! I would have gladly left you to your…’ Rarity trailed off, gesturing to Applejack in disdain, ‘napping.’
‘Now hold on a minute - Just cause I don’t prance around in fancy fabrics doesn't mean I’m not getting work done-’
‘Alright! Alright. I suppose this is hardly constructive!’ Rarity huffed, folding her arms together. Applejack glared, but thankfully acquiesced.
‘Anyway. Twilight told me earlier today that you are trying to cut the funding for my fashion debut in autumn.’ Rarity leant down to Applejack's eye level. ‘I am here to tell you that this will not happen, and you can take your garden-’
‘Orchard,’ Applejack corrected,
‘-dreams away and wait for after my show!’
It was Applejack's turn to glare angrily at her. ‘I don’t like you assuming I wanna destroy your dreams or something - I never even heard of your fashion show or whatever! Anyway this orchard is clearly far more important!’
‘Far more important - darling you couldn't begin to comprehend the importance of my show!’
‘Yeah well the fruit from these trees will benefit many more people than just you! Many of the students here don’ get anything to eat for breakfast at all! I bet someone like you could never comprehend the consequences of takin’ out the smallest loan to get a chance to come to Canterlot College!’
Rarity, who in fact had taken out a large student loan blushed indignantly.
‘Even if that is true - which I have yet to confirm!’ Rarity ignored Applejack's huff, continuing, ‘It is nothing but unjust to take away this opportunity which I worked all year for! All I’m asking is for you to postpone your project! Honestly.’
‘The school don't have unlimited funding Princess, It’s either this or your show and I think most students would agree that a fancy high-class fashion ball isn't the best decision!’
Applejack rose to her feet, brushing off some dirt that had gathered on the back of her skirt from sitting on the ground. Rarity scrunched her face in distaste. Before Rarity could continue her suasion, Applejack was already packing up her things and walking away.
‘Don’t bother me again! If I hear one more thing from Twilight about your show I will personally make sure it never happens!’ Applejack called from behind her.
Rarity let out an undignified growl, cursing the girl to herself. She couldn't believe how selfish it all was. Of course she cared about the orchard - it truly sounded like a wonderful plan that would benefit many struggling students. She just didn't understand why the school would then rebuke her show, after promising it to her. Why couldn't they have both? Canterlot was an excellent university that surely had enough funding for it all. But she was beginning to accept she would have to pave her own way at every stage.
…
The orchard had won the vote and Rarity could already see long rows of dug-up earth adorn the field from outside the window in her lecture. She couldn't meet Twilight's eyes as her friend told her again over lunch the turn of events - her eyes instead focussed on the poster in front of her: ‘Save the fashion show! Show support for the fashion course by voting for Rarity!’
It was a lovely poster - if a little simplistic - that her classmates (with Blueblood’s initiative) had made together for her. All their work went to waste.
‘Are you listening?’ Twilight said kindly. Rarity once again felt the same deep hopeless feeling she had felt before when Twilight had first announced the orchard to her.
‘I’m perfectly fine Twilight, please continue.’
‘Well I had basically finished. I just wish I could do more - the school boards are all for student voice, so they wouldn't overturn a vote for one student.’
‘Even for a talented, wonderful, generous student.’ She added.
Rarity only nodded, finally looking at Twilight. Seeing the pitying look on her face, Rarity couldn't help but burst into tears, jumping into Twilight's arms and sobbing.
‘What am I going to do?’ She wept.
…
The lecture hall felt too bright. Too normal.
Rarity sat stiffly in her seat, hands folded neatly in her lap, as though posture alone might hold her together. Around her, her classmates chatted in low voices, the gentle hum of conversation filling the space before the lecturer arrived.
No one said anything to her at first.
That almost made it worse.
‘Hey.’
Rarity looked up.
It was one of the girls from her textiles class - Lily Lace, she thought. She hovered awkwardly beside the desk.
‘We, um… we heard about the funding thing,’ she said. ‘That’s really rubbish.’
Rarity blinked.
‘Yeah,’ she replied carefully.
Starstreak leaned over from the row behind.
‘You were gonna represent the whole department, right?’ she said. ‘That’s seriously impressive.’
‘Yeah, like Photo Finish? That’s huge.’ Lily said kindly.
Rarity’s throat tightened.
‘It was,’ she said, unable to keep the bitterness from slipping through.
There was an awkward pause.
Lily shuffled over to the seat next to her and sat down.
‘It still is,’ she said simply. ‘You don’t just stop being talented because the school’s being stupid.’
A few others murmured in agreement.
Someone added, ‘That poster campaign was a good idea, though. We all voted.’
‘Yeah, loads of people did,’ Starstreak said. ‘It was actually pretty close.’
Rarity’s head snapped up slightly. ‘It was?’
‘Mmhm,’ Lily nodded. ‘Closer than the council expected, I think.’
She hadn’t known. Rarity looked down at her hands.
‘I see,’ she said finally, voice quieter now.
Another student hesitated before asking, ‘Are you still gonna… try and do it? The show, I mean.’
The question hung in the air.
Rarity opened her mouth and realised she didn’t have an answer.
Her chest tightened again, that familiar spiral threatening to pull her under.
‘I…’ she began. What was she going to do?
Give up? Fund it herself?
‘I don’t know,’ she admitted. Starstreak Minuette nudged her gently.
‘Well,’ she said, with a small smile, ‘if anyone’s gonna figure out something completely over-the-top and dramatic… it’s probably you.’
A few people chuckled softly.
Rarity huffed a weak laugh despite herself.
‘Over-the-top and dramatic?’ she repeated.
‘In a good way,’ Lily added quickly.
Rarity exhaled slowly.
For the first time all day, the tightness in her heart softened. Maybe it wasn’t entirely over yet.
…
If she wanted this thing to happen, Rarity needed funding. She tried to sell her least worn designer items, she really did. She even let her boyfriend over to help - he was always a little less sentimental then her. But as Prince Blueblood picked up her Pommel handbag to begin photographing, she snatched it up from him and placed it carefully back into her wardrobe with care.
Selling them was simply not an option. Okay, she didn’t really ever wear the handbag, too afraid of it getting stained with fabric paint or canteen food or whatever else. But she loved it dearly. Too dearly to dispose of.
‘Come on Rarerare, you don’t even wear it! Surely a smart girl like you can see how shallow this all is!’ He gestured at her room, covered in her clothes and accessories from all the sorting.
She suddenly felt teary again. Why couldn't he understand? She knew he collected expensive gadgets like they were candy. As royalty he had all sorts of ‘superficial’ material goods that he cherished. So why was it so hard for him to see that she cherished this? That this was what she loved?
Rarity knew she wasn't good at much in life. She was bad at sports, bad at maths or science, and she hated the outdoors most of the time so any highly practical career was out of the window.
But she loved fashion. And she was good at it! The best in her year for God's sake!
Blueblood let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh, though there was no humour in it.
‘That’s what you think of me, then?’ he said, turning back toward her slowly. ‘That I’ve never worked for anything?’
Rarity wiped at her eyes, but the tears kept coming. ‘I think you’ve never had to want anything the way I do.’
‘That’s ridiculous.’ His voice tightened slightly. ‘You think I don’t have expectations? Responsibilities? Do you have any idea what it’s like having an entire family legacy resting on your shoulders?’
‘Oh please!’ Rarity snapped. ‘You complain about expectations while telling me to lower mine!’
He flinched faintly at that, but pressed on.
‘Rarity, I’m not saying you shouldn’t care about your designs,’ he said, more measured now. ‘I’m saying… you’re treating this like it’s everything. Like if this doesn’t work out, your whole life is over.’
‘Because it might be!’ she cried. ‘This is my one chance to prove myself—’
‘To prove what?’ he interrupted. ‘That you’re good at fashion? You already know you are. So do other people. You don’t need to destroy yourself over one show.’
Rarity shook her head, frustrated tears slipping down her cheeks.
‘It’s not just about being “good”, Blueblood! It’s about my career. Being taken seriously!’
He frowned slightly, like he didn’t quite follow.
‘You’re already taken seriously,’ he said. ‘You’re at a top school, you’re top of your class… I don’t understand why that’s not enough for you.’
‘Because it isn’t the same,’ she said, her voice tightening. ‘This is real industry opportunity–’
‘It’s still just a student showcase,’ he said quickly. ‘It’s not like your entire future depends on this. I honestly thought you would grow out of this stylist dream anyway!’
Rarity stared at him.
‘You really believe that,’ she said quietly.
He hesitated.
‘I think you’re putting far too much weight on something that, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t as important as you’re making it out to be.’
There it was.
Not cruel, just… diminishing.
Rarity’s breath caught.
‘It’s important to me,’ she said.
‘I know,’ he replied, softer now. ‘But that doesn’t mean it has to be this… all-consuming thing. There’s more to life than this.’
Rarity let out a hollow laugh.
‘You keep saying that,’ she said. ‘But you never actually say what’s supposed to matter more.’
Blueblood paused.
‘A real career. A family. Not burning yourself out over something so… uncertain.’
‘Something so uncertain,’ she repeated dumbly.
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration crinkling his unblemished face.
‘I’m just saying you’re acting like this is the only path you have, when it’s really not. You’ll land on your feet no matter what happens here.’
‘That’s easy for you to say,’ she whispered.
‘It’s just realistic,’ he replied.
Rarity looked at him, really looked at him, and something in her expression shifted.
‘No,’ she said. ‘It’s not realistic. It’s comfortable.’
Blueblood stared at her, mouth open in stunned silence. For a moment, he looked so unlike his usual polished, composed self that Rarity almost could've laughed.
‘You’re twisting my words. I’m trying to help you see that this isn’t worth ruining yourself over—’
‘No,’ she interrupted softly. ‘You’re trying to make it smaller so it makes sense to you.’
That stopped him.
But instead of reconsidering, he hardened.
‘If this is how you’re going to be,’ he said, more coldly now, ‘then I don’t see the point in continuing this.’
Rarity swallowed hard, her chest aching.
‘Neither do I.’
As vicious and cold as a bird of prey, Prince Blueblood grabbed his things, getting up. His movements were sharp and janky as he slammed the front door behind him, shaking the ground with its intensity. Then Rarity was cold and alone in her quiet apartment.
Rarity had been kindly invited to sit with Twilight and her misfit friend group as she no longer had a place with her boyfriend (ex-boyfriend) at his. She had been wistfully staring at her old table, jealous of their laughter. She used to be a cause of laughter in the group.
Rarity stood up abruptly, taking out her purse.
‘Are you getting some lunch? I’ll come!’ came the excitable voice of a dark girl with bright pink curls.
‘Well, if that’s alright…’ Rarity trailed off.
‘I’m Pinkie Pie! And you're Rarity! I couldn’t-help-but-noticing-that-you-were-staring-at-prince-Blueblood-and-I-guessed-that-you-two-must-have-broken-up-so-that’s-why-Twilight-invited-you-to-our-table-so-you-dont-feel-lonely-and-sad-because-of-your-fight-with-applejack-which-you-feel-has-ruined-your-career!’
Pinkie said it all in one big breath, looking at Rarity expectantly, oblivious to her stunned expression. Rarity saw Twilight sigh exasperatedly from the corner of her eye.
‘Yes I suppose you are correct… word sure spreads fast in Canterlot.’
‘Oh that’s just Pinkie Pie!’ came a voice from behind them in the queue. Rainbow Dash leaned against the counter, smirking. ‘Geez, Pinkie, slow down! One breath at a time, will ya?’
Pinkie giggled, bouncing in place. ‘Okidoki! Sorry Rarity.’
Rarity trailed after Twilight and the others to the cafeteria, smiling faintly at their dynamic. They settled into a sunny corner, trays clattering softly. Twilight glanced at her over the salad.
‘So Rarity! You gonna do the show anyway or?’ Rainbow Dash asked loudly.
‘Rainbow!’ Twilight hissed, ‘You can’t just ask that after everything!’
Rarity fiddled with her fork, then sighed. “No no, It’s perfectly fine. I may need to move into a smaller, more affordable apartment. It would save some money for the venue and fabrics.”
Twilight hummed. “Or… a roommate? Someone that could help with rent so you could still focus on your designs instead of getting more work.”
Rarity blinked, a small smile forming. “As long as they respect my personal space and are clean and tidy. Well I suppose it could work.”
Pinkie Pie giggled. ‘We can help you find someone! Or you could ask the Housing Office?’
Rarity agreed heartily and with the support of Twilight and her group she felt ready to do what she had to do to move on.