Mail had been particularly light on Friday, so Ditzy found herself finishing early. She told her friend, Rarity, earlier on in the week about the invite from Cheerilee. To say it seemed somepony had lit a fire under Rarity’s flank would be an understatement. She’d insisted, nay, demanded, Ditzy come over once she’d finished work, bringing an overnight bag for Dinky. She insisted that Dinky and Sweetie Belle would be fine walking to the boutique after school. And Sweetie Belle had been excited about the sleep over.

After a light meal, Rarity got to work.

“Now, the Parched Saddle is not my taste in nightlife, a little too gauche for my tastes,” Rarity had buzzed excitedly as she moved about the parlor, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t make you the best looking mare in the bar!”

Rarity ordered Ditzy upstairs, having already run a relaxing bath in preparation. Ditzy dipped a cautious hoof in the bath water finding it to be lovely and warm. As she lowered herself in, she could smell the strong scent of lavender, and noticed small buds of lavender flower floating in the tub.

She wondered less whether Rarity was helping her get ready, and more along the lines of whether or not she was preparing pony soup.

Rarity called up the stairs. “There is a luffa on the washstand next to you. Give yourself a good scrub with that, it will get all the excess fur from your coat.”

Ditzy looked around. Rarity had a lot of things on her washstand. She was not sure which thing would be a luffa. She spied a delicate porcelain handled brush, and wondered if that was what Rarity had talked about. It didn’t look like it belonged in a bath.

“Umm, Rarity?” Ditzy called out.

“Yes dear?”

“What’s a loofer?”

“Oh, sorry,” Rarity called back. “Small cream coloured sponge, about the size of your hoof.”

Ditzy reached for the luffa, glad she had asked before getting the delicate brush wet. As she reached out to grab the small sponge, she lost her footing and tumbled out of the bath.

“Is everything alright up there?”

Ditzy muttered under her breath as she tried to blow her now sopping wet fringe out of her eyes. “Sorry, I slipped,” she called back embarrassed.

She climbed back into the tub thankful she was unhurt, aside from her pride. She started with scrubbing her forearms. It was strange, scratchy. As she continued, she noticed a lot of loose fur now floating in the tub. Had she been keeping so little care of her coat?

As she was finishing, Rarity trotted in.

“Done, dear?” she asked, hovering two fluffy white towels over as Ditzy climbed out of the tub. Ditzy wrapped the larger towel around her body, while Rarity wrapped her gold mane in the other. “Now, dry yourself off thoroughly, then join me again down stairs.”

Rarity skipped out of the bathroom, humming a jaunty tune.

Downstairs, Ditzy found Rarity going through a pile of cloaks and saddles.

“No. No. Not that one,” Rarity muttered as Ditzy joined her. “No, no, no, no!

“Ah! This one.”

Before Ditzy was aware of what was happening, Rarity had placed a cloak over her back, and was fastening it around Ditzy’s neck.

“Oh yes! That pale sapphire looks wonderful on you. And the silver detailing!” Rarity exclaimed, “Why, it’s as if it was destined for you when I made it all those years ago!”

Rarity walked around, inspecting her friend. “Hmmm, yes. It frames your hips nicely, and it’s very slimming; not that you need that dear. You must tell me your secret.”

“Poverty,” Ditzy blushed.

“Oh, umm, yes. Well. Let me see-” Rarity hovered over a small, silver embossed case and opened it. From it floated multiple necklaces and pendants. “I think we want subtle tonight. You should look magnificent, but not desperate.”

A small silver chain and pendant, set with a sapphire surrounded by small diamonds hovered in front of her throat.

“Yes, this one is perfect,” Rarity muttered, “And I am certain I have matching set of earrings.

“This is all coming together perfectly.”

Ditzy saw herself in one of the mirrors, and started to tremble. Rarity stopped, and looked up.

“It’s too much,” Ditzy sniffled. “I don’t deserve to look so nice.”

Rarity pulled her into a tight hug.

“Nonsense, dear. Nothing is too much when it comes to love.” Rarity smiled. “You do deserve to look this nice, and you deserve to be happy. If I can help you with that, even for just this one night- well.”

Ditzy pulled into the hug even harder. “Thank you, Rarity.”

“Don’t mention it, dear. Now! Off with that all,” Rarity whipped back into action. “We need to do your makeup and hair!”

Rarity gently brushed Ditzy’s mane with the delicate porcelain brush. Using her crimping iron, Rarity worked in a gentle waviness, and pinned Ditzy’s fringe back with small jeweled barrette. Then she applied a very subtle, light-grey sapphire eyeshadow.

“Now, we just need to curl your eyelashes and apply a little mascara. Close your eye and hold still.” Rarity hovered the eye curler over and curled the eyelashes. “Now, other side.”

Once the curling was done, Rarity applied the mascara. “Oh, those lashes frame your golden eyes wonderfully.”

Ditzy closed her eyes and looked away.

“My eyes look stupid.”

“They don’t look stupid.”

“They do! I look stupid. Everyone says I do,” Ditzy sniffled again.

“Ut-tut-tut!” Rarity snapped. “No more waterworks from you tonight my dear! You’ll ruin your mascara.”

“Sorry,” Ditzy replied, eyes still closed.

She felt a hoof on her chin. In a gentle tone, Rarity spoke.

“You do not look stupid. You look beautiful. Your eyes look beautiful. Don’t let those naysayers get you down. You are a beautiful mare, and those foals are worse off for not seeing it. Beauty is my business, and if I say you’re beautiful, who would dare argue with me?

“Now, open your eyes, and show me your beautiful, smiling face.”

Ditzy allowed herself to smile.

“Good,” Rarity said. “Now, open those beautiful eyes.”

Ditzy opened her eyes, and saw the smiling face of her friend. Her best friend.

“There! Now lets go get you dressed again and ready for your night.”

“You’d make such a wonderful mother, Rarity,” Ditzy smiled. “You’re so patient and gentle.”

“Oh heavens no!” Rarity let out in mock surprise. “I have my hooves full enough with Sweetie Belle! Not to mention Opal.”

They went back downstairs giggling.

After gasps and squeals from Dinky and Sweetie Belle, Ditzy stepped out into the evening. Rarity sent her off with a wink. She thought it a little foalish, but her heart was alight with joy at the lovely clothes she was wearing. Rarity had told her she was beautiful, and now, she felt she could believe that just a little, even if it was just for the night. Next Chapter: Chapter 11 Estimated time remaining: 33 Minutes