Chapter Text
Twilight leaned closer to Rarity as she worked. “Why are you using that color?”
“Because it looks good.”
“But why does it look good.”
“Color theory. Now let me concentrate or I’ll have to grab my seam ripper and start over.”
—
Twilight returned the next day. “Okay, wow. I had no idea colors were so interesting. There’s more to fashion than I thought. You really do know your stuff.”
“Uhm. Thank you?”
“No, really. I know it’s more complex than just choosing complementary colors, but I didn’t even know about that. I figured designers just picked colors… I don't know, based on a whim. And whatever is ‘fashionable’. There are whole competing schools of color theory! And the modern work on perceptual frameworks is fascinating. Did you know we perceive more blues than other colors? What am I saying. Of course you did. What are your thoughts on split primary colors? Is that even relevant to textiles?”
“Twilight… forgive me. I just pick colors based on what I think looks good. I have… only the barest knowledge of color theory and have never heard of the… what did you call it? Split primary colors?”
“Oh.” Twilight’s face fell.
Rarity panicked at Twilight’s distress. “Why don’t you tell me about it.”
“Really?” Twilight perked up.
Rarity winced. Hopefully she didn’t see that. “Yes dear.” Before Twilight could start, she added, “but over lunch. Let me freshen up first and we’ll go out.”
—
Over lunch, Twilight shared what she’d learned reading The Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colors the night before, including what she’d skimmed from other books on color.
“Twilight, I dare say you’ll know more about my job than I do before long, if you keep this up.”
“What? Oh no. I could never. I can’t even use a sewing machine.”
“Well you could learn. You don’t know how far you can go until you try.”
“That’s the thing, Rarity. I have tried. Multiple times. It always spooks me when it starts and I lose control of my magic. You know that costume I wore for nightmare night? I sewed it by hoof.”
“Not even with your magic?”
“Well of course with my magic. I mean I didn’t use a machine.”
“Hrm. Well that settles it. With your growing knowledge and experience sewing, it’s only a matter of time before you surpass me.” Rarity gestured dramatically, feigning dismay. ”I may as well pack up the boutique now and return home to live with my parents.”
Twilight giggled. “I’ll stick to my library, thanks.”
A moment of silence passed between them as they sipped and ate. “You know,” said Rarity, “I could lend you a machine. Help you get over your fear of it. Imagine the costumes you could make then.”
Twilight shook her head as she finished chewing. “No. Those machines are just too loud. And fast. Needle and thread are more my pace. I’ll stick with those. If I even make another costume.”
“Suit yourself.”
Twilight finished her salad and, looking up, caught Rarity staring through her. “What is it?”
“Hm? Oh. I was just thinking. If you learn anything else about color theory or dyeing or the textile industry generally, we simply must do this again. I found it fascinating.”
Twilight beamed. “Really?”
“Of course, dear.” She flashed Twilight a grin. “I’ve got to keep up with the competition.”
Twilight snorted. “Alright, it’s a date.”
Rarity cocked her head, blinked, and studied Twilight’s face.
“Oh, a lunch date. Not like a date date. I mean. You and me?” Twilight laughed nervously and looked away, flicking an ear in embarrassment.
A long moment passed before Rarity spoke. “As you say. Well. Look at the time. I’ve got to get back to the boutique and work on orders. Au revoir.”
When Twilight looked back, Rarity was already standing and gathering her things. “Yeah. I’ll see you later. Rarity.” Twilight watched her go, hoping she would turn back to wave. To smile. To let her know everything was okay. Twilight had a creeping feeling that she’d said the wrong thing. Once Rarity passed out the doors, she slumped in her seat. “Ah horseapples.”
—
Rarity answered from the other room. “Twilight! Welcome. Have a seat. I’ll be with you in a moment.”
Twilight wandered towards her, running her hooves along the fabrics on display as she passed through the room. “Don’t bother. I just wanted to say sorry for the other day. I didn’t mean—”
“Twilight Sparkle,” commanded Rarity, “you will take a seat and wait for me. My hooves are full and I cannot give you my attention just yet. Now. Sit.”
Chagrined, Twilight sat where she was. No sense in compounding one faux pas with another, even if she wasn’t sure what she had done wrong. She studied the fabric beside her, running her hoof through the thick pile this way and that, observing as it changed in reflectiveness from one direction to the other, feeling the soft springiness as it tickled at her hoof. She looked up when the clip clop of hooves drew near.
“Ah. The velvet. You like it? It came all the way from Griffonstone. Quite luxurious. And expensive. Be gentle with it.”
Twilight shifted, feeling like she should hide her hooves but was stuck—plain and open before Rarity. “Sorry.”
“None of that now. I just wanted to caution you. You can feel the fabric if you like, or I wouldn’t have it on display out here. Just… gently. So what brings you here today?”
“I wanted to apologize.”
“Well you already did that.”
Flustered, Twilight stammered. “I—I mean for the other day.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”
“At the restaurant. You left abruptly. You seemed upset at me.”
“Oh, banish the thought. I assure you, Twilight, you did nothing wrong. I really did have to get back to work. Maybe I left at an awkward time. The fault is mine. Please, accept my apology.”
“Oh, no, Rarity. You have nothing to apologize for. I just thought… I thought I upset you.”
“Well, neither of us appears to have done anything wrong, yet we have both apologized. I suppose that makes us even.”
“I guess…”
“Wonderful. Then I’ll be seeing you later.”
"Yeah. Later, Rarity.” I may not be the most socially adept pony, but even I can understand I’m being dismissed. Twilight sulked out of the boutique. Rarity said she’d done nothing wrong, so why did she still feel like she had?