Carousel Boutique was quiet, aside from all of the objects floating rapidly through the air and piling themselves into a large bag in the living room, where Rarity examined each object critically before deciding if she really needed it. It turned out she really needed almost everything. It wasn’t often she left Ponyville to fill an order for a client, but getting an emergency order from Sapphire Shores was definitely worth the inconvenience. Besides, getting out of Ponyville for a couple of days was always nice. She loved her town, and she loved her friends, but a vacation from them did wonders for her sanity.

Besides, many new opportunities had opened up for her during her last trip. So many important members of the Canterlot elite had learned her name, and then there was that one amazing night with Rapidfire. Her body tingled all over again just thinking about it. She thought for a moment to head back to the Piece of Passion and leave for Canterlot tomorrow, but the message had made clear this was an emergency order, and letting her most famous client down could ruin all of the work she’d done to build her reputation.

“Now I’m pretty sure I’m not forgetting anything…” Rarity tapped a hoof against her chin.

Her head jerked up and toward the front door when she heard the jingle of the bell signal its opening. “I’m sorry, Carousel Boutique will be closed for a few days.”

“Really?” Sweetie Belle’s head poked into the room. “You’re closing? You never close!”

Rarity responded with a light laugh. “Oh Sweetie Belle, it’s just for a few days while I go to Canterlot to fill an emergency order for an important client.”

“Oh…” Sweetie Belle’s ears hung low behind her head. “I suppose you don’t have time to talk, huh?”

“Talk?” Rarity giggled and turned toward her. “I always have time for you, Sweetie Belle. What did you need to talk about?”

“Well, it…” Sweetie blushed. “It’s kind of about a boy.”

No sooner had the words left Sweetie’s mouth than Rarity swept her up with her magic and thrusted her onto the couch with a small poof, with Rarity plopping down on the cushion beside her.

“Do go on, darling!”

“Oh! Um… okay. Well, there’s this boy who’s kind of cute, but I’m not sure how to talk to him. Like, what if I scare him or something?”

Rarity giggled. “Well boys can certainly be less brave than they try to act. But I think if you want to get along with this boy you should get him to want to talk to you.”

“That would be amazing, but how?”

“Well, properly beautifying yourself would certainly help,” Rarity swept her hooves grandly in front of her. “Make yourself so beautiful that he won’t be able to help but approach you! Oh, but you must be careful not to make yourself unattainable, so don’t go overboard!”

“So… make myself beautiful… but not too beautiful?”

“Exactly! I admit it can be a bit tricky figuring out exactly how beautiful you need to be, but it really depends on the boy. Who has caught the eye of my sweet sister?”

Sweetie Belle smiled through a renewed blush. “Oh, it’s this boy in class named Button Mash. He seems really sweet, but he can be kind of quiet around other ponies.”

“Ah, then you want something that looks comforting and gentle but enticing at the same time.” Rarity rapped her hoof against her chin. “I bet we could simply work on your mane to say something like that. Yes, yes, I can see it now… something long and straight that flows as you walk, unassuming and simple but eye-catching.” Rarity rubbed her hooves together. “His eyes will follow you across the classroom, unable to turn away. Who is that adorable filly who just walked in? And why can I not look away from her? His legs work without thought, carrying him toward her, drawn by the gentle splendor of a mane and coat freshly washed and covered in glitter and gemstones. Nothing can stop him, not even himself as he takes her in his hooves and-“

“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle shrieked with bright red cheeks. “Why are you being so gross!?”

“Guh?” Rarity snapped out of her reverie with a gasp of shock, as if suddenly finding herself back in the real world again. “Gross?”

“Yes! I want to talk to him, not have him take me in his hooves.”

“Oh…” Rarity blushed deeply. “Sweetie Belle, I certainly didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I… er…”

“Ewe!” Sweetie Belle turned to march away from her toward the door, her face redder than one of her friend’s apples. “Just forget it! I’ll ask mom!”

Rarity watched her march outside, then looked down at her hooves. Her mind really had gotten away from her there, and worse yet, she actually felt slightly aroused from imagining her sister and her little colt friend being close. She couldn’t help but feel strange and disgusted with herself. That was her baby sister she was thinking about, almost half her age, and here she was imagining her getting into… adult situations with her same-aged colt friend.

She must have really needed another release more than she thought if she was starting to imagine her sister and getting turned on by it, but she didn’t have time to go to the club before her train departed for Canterlot. She bit her lip and tapped her hooves together in deep thought. She needed her release, but Sapphire Shores was by far her most important and highest-paying customer. If she blew her off not only would she be out a lot of bits, but her reputation would take a huge hit.

“Is this really a question?” Rarity scoffed at herself as she loaded her bags into her wagon to take to the train station. She was not going to throw her career away so she could go get bucked. She would simply have to deal with it until her business was complete. It wasn’t like she needed it or anything, she was a classy lady with plenty of self-control. Her hormones could wait until she got back from her business.

___

“Line up, and listen up!” Spitfire’s voice roared over the gathered crowd of Wonderbolt’s cadets as she marched back and forth in front of the carriages slated to carry them all to Canterlot. Her sunglasses glinted in the bright daylight as she marched back and forth in front of them. “This Wonderbolts seminar is not just any old boring speech you can sleep through, every Wonderbolt and cadet from every region of Equestria will be attending, and I expect the Cloudsdale main branch to be represented as the best of the best, as it should be! Am I clear!?”

“Ma’am yes ma’am!” the cadets roared back in unison.

Spitfire narrowed her eyes. “Good. Because for a select few of you, this is the opportunity to drop the cadet title…”

Her words drifted off into background noise as Rapidfire’s eyes wandered from the crowd of cadets, suddenly spotting one of their attendants piling their bags into the rearmost carriage, a cute Pegasus mare with orange freckles and bright blonde hair in a braid, streaming over a light green coat. He looked back over the cadets for a moment, but they were all focused on Spitfire and her speech… so he saw no harm in gingerly slipping away from the crowd for a moment. He wouldn’t want to be rude to the help, after all.

He approached the cute mare with a bright smile. “Hello there.”

The mare looked up in surprise, then went bright red. “Ack! It’s Rapidfire! You’re one of the Wonderbolts! I’m such a huge fan!”

“Really? Then why didn’t you come say hi? I don’t bite.”

“Oh, my boss said I wasn’t allowed to. You’re a big celebrity, and being constantly approached might make you uncomfortable.”

Rapidfire grinned “Well if it’s by a sweet mare like you I certainly wouldn’t mind. What’s your name?”

“Hehe… Cloudkicker…”

“Nice to meet you, Cloudkicker. Would you like to get a drink with me?”

“A-a drink?” Cloudkicker blushed brighter. “But aren’t you departing soon…?”

Rapidfire jerked as a hoof slammed into the side of his head, knocking him into the side of the luggage wagon. “Yes, he is!” Spitfire roared and pointed past the mare. “You need to finish up and go. Now.”

“Y-yes ma’am!” Cloudkicker whirled to stuff the last few bags hurriedly onto the wagon, then rushed away from the two Wonderbolts.

“What the heck, Spitfire?” Rapidifre rubbed his head. “You can’t just smack around your fellow Wonderbolts! I know I’m your brother but it’s still completely inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate? I know I didn’t just hear that from the stallion who was trying to pick up mares while he’s on duty!”

“I was not picking her up, I was saying hi. There’s no rule against being civil with civilians.”

“Don’t patronize me, I know exactly what you were doing!” Spitfire took a deep breath. “Now if you’re done making a fool of me in front of the cadets, you need to take charge of your half on the way there. If you think you can keep your eyes off of the mares during the trip.”

Rapidfire narrowed his eyes defensively. “Hey, I would never use my position to harass a cadet!”

“I sure hope so, because I won’t try to save you from any stupid consequences you bring down on your head. Now come on.” Spitfire whirled to march back towards the crowd of cadets, leaving Rapidfire glaring after her.

How could she even accuse him of wanting to take advantage of their cadets? Just because he was having a conversation with a cute mare? It was simply unthinkable! The very thought of it made his blood boil. How could his own sister think so little of him as to accuse him of something like that? It was way out of line… but for now she was right about one thing. They had a duty to attend to. They could talk about this later.

___

Rarity watched the city of Canterlot rush past her carriage, pulled along the city streets by a pair of strong and, she had to say, rather handsome stallions. It didn’t take such fine male specimens long to reach Sapphire Shores’ mansion in the rich district of Canterlot, where Rarity hopped off of her carriage with her bag plopping onto the ground beside her.

“Thank you ever so much, gentlemen. I’ll be sure to keep you in mind the next time I… need something.” Rarity winked.

“Any time, miss.” One of the stallions smiled back. “We’ll be back when you’re ready to return to the train station.”

“Thank you, I’ll be calling in a couple of days.” Rarity waved after the carriage as the stallions turned to trot down the street, then lifted her bag magically beside her as she moved to knock on the door.

The door opened with a groan as a well-dressed unicorn maid smiled out at her from inside. “Good afternoon, Miss Rarity. Sapphire Shores is in her private relaxation room.”

“Thank you very much.” Rarity followed the maid into the back of the house, leaving her bag to be collected by another maid waiting by her side. The first maid opened the opened the door into a large, cozily decorate living room furnished with everything a pony could possibly relax with. Thick carpets, a treadmill, a wall lined with books, an extremely expensive private reel-to-reel film projector and even a swimming pool carved into the floor and surrounded by a waist-high gate so the water couldn’t slosh out and ruin the carpet. The walls were made of delicate, tinted glass that allowed a view outside without allowing ponies on the street to look in.

Rarity looked around in confusion for a moment before Sapphire Shores’ head suddenly broke the surface of the pool with a bright grin. “Rarity! Just who I’ve been waiting for, and right on time. Not that I’d expect less.” She swam to the edge of the pool to climb out, her coat dripping water as she approached the fence, but didn’t lean over it. “Come on over here.”

“Okay…” Rarity stepped over the plush carpet on her way to approach the fence. She always considered herself straight… but sweet Celestia the coat clinging to that toned, athletic body was just the most beautiful sight. “What… what was the emergency order for?”

“Here’s the low down. The annual Wonderbolts seminar is going down in Canterlot in a couple of days, but the closing entertainment they had booked cancelled on them at the last minute.”

“Oh… so you’re going to be performing at the Wonderbolts seminar? That’s wonderfully prestigious!”

“Of course it is, who else would they get?”

“Whoever they got the first time?” Rarity posed with a half-smile. Her smile faded at the sight of Sapphire’s glower. “Er… do go on.”

“I can use some of my old songs, but I’ll be darned if I’m going to perform at a function like that wearing one of my old outfits. I need something new from you. Something new and sassy. The Wonderbolts are military; they want something with some attitude on it.”

“Attitude, I can most certainly handle that!” Rarity nodded swiftly. “A few days isn’t much time though, do you have any kind of theme you’d like me to adhere to?”

“Rarity, you have yet to let me down. I think I’ll leave it all up to you, I know I’ll love it.”

Rarity beamed at the high praise from such a very important pony. “Gosh! I won’t let you down, Sapphire! I’ll get to work right away!”

“That’s what I like to hear!” Sapphire nodded in approval. “Made Pretty, please show Rarity to one of my private workrooms, and make sure she has all the materials she needs.”

“Yes ma’am.” Made nodded graciously and turned to lead Rarity down the hallway away from the relaxation room. The room they ended up in was padded enough to belong in an insane asylum, but in the amazing, walking-on-a-cloudy-rainbow kind of way. There were enough fabrics and machines in the room for her to make a dozen beautiful gowns if she wanted to, though all she needed was one outfit.

“Okay, Rarity. You can have this outfit done by tomorrow night, all you need is inspiration, and what is more inspirational than an amazing room like this?” Rarity walked into the room, tapping one hoof on her chin. Okay, so Sapphire Shores was going to be performing for the Wonderbolts, obviously something a bit more mature would be fitting. There were no children among their ranks after all, even among the cadets. These were grown ponies who were demanding to be entertained. And what is more entertaining than…?

She bit her lip with a soft giggle as she trotted quickly over to the table on the far side of the room, her horn dragging several sheets of paper and feather quills toward her from the bookshelf nearby. Almost of its own accord the quill dipped itself into the ink and began to draw, design after design scribbling themselves onto the paper, uncensored and unprovoked form the depths of her psyche.

She often got into creating-binges like this. Most of the results would simply get tossed out later for being too messy or rushed, but sometimes she found a design she never thought about consciously, but she could easily turn into something simply extraordinary. This was a particularly productive session. The papers flew across the table into a stack in front of her almost as quickly as her pen scratched across their surfaces. She didn’t consider herself this kind of artist, but years of practice sketching designs had given her penmanship a fine, flowing edge that brought her innermost thoughts and… sometimes… desires to life.

She felt her breath quicken and her cheeks flush with heat as her pen scratched across the papers. They drew the weaving, flowing gowns around the taut, powerful body of a mare with a confident grin and a knowing look in her eye.

It’s okay, paper Sapphire Shores seemed to say. Plenty of straight mares want me, you’re not the first.

“Oh my… are you certain?”

You know it, sweet thing. Just look at this tail and tell me how you couldn’t want me…

Rarity bit her lip again as her hoof slipped between her hind legs, staring down at her last sketch lying on the table in front of her. She could practically see Sapphire Shores staring back up at her, giving her a wide, enticing smile as her hoof began to rub up and down, quickly soaking itself in her immense arousal. Her breath caught in her throat and she nodded quickly. Yes, this was definitely the design she was going to go with… it had to be one of the greatest designs she’d ever come up with.

With her design chosen the remainder of the evening and night drifted away in a sea of spinning fabric and needles, and the occasional pause to relieve a little tension. A swift dinner of exquisite vegetable stew sat mostly eaten on the table near the door, but her focus remained on the pile of straps and lace coming together on the perfectly-sized mannequin. She was so full of eager; excitable energy even sleep didn’t take her without a fight, working well past the midnight hour.

Eventually however, despite her energy she couldn’t go on forever. Her eyes were beginning to blur, and she’d come dangerous close to putting needles through her hooves several times now. At last she set the threads aside and took a step back to admire the wavy, lacy white gown hanging before her. That was most certainly something special, if she did say so herself. It would be even more special when it was complete, too.

She turned toward the door in surprise when she heard it creaking open. She blinked through the dim candlelight to see Made Pretty step into the room with a concerned look in her eyes.

Made Pretty flashed a kind smile. “I’m sorry for the intrusion, Miss Rarity. I noticed the light on and was wondering if you were ready for me to show you back to your room for the night.”

“Yes, actually, you’re right on time. Thank you very much.” Rarity suppressed a yawn as she turned to leave behind the maid, following her down the hallway towards the guest rooms, of which there were a surprising number. She supposed when you were a celebrity like Sapphire Shores there were a lot of ponies who wanted to sleep with you. Or sleep under the same roof as you. Wait; was the first thing she thought right? She was pretty sure it was. Her fatigue-addled brain wasn’t that far gone… not nearly far gone enough to forget how attractive Sapphire Shores was, for a mare…

Of course, the mare whose tail she was looking at now wasn’t unattractive either. Made Pretty’s midnight blue mane was done up in a long ponytail that was weaving down near her tail, which was done up in a similar ponytail, both of which were a very pretty contrast from her storm cloud gray coat.

The maid pushed open one of the doors in the middle of the hallway and stepped back with a smile, her dark hazel eyes glittering in the moonlight through the windows. “This is your room, Miss Rarity. I’ll be on call all night, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything.”

“Is that so…?” Rarity gave her best sultry smile. “You know, I wouldn’t mind a little company, if you’re not too very tired…”

“A little company?” Made blinked in surprise. “Miss Rarity, I’m certain you need to rest to finish your work tomorrow…”

“My work will be finished before tomorrow night regardless.”

Made’s smile was more relaxed now as she moved past Rarity into the bedroom. “In that case, I wouldn’t mind staying up a little longer and talking. I’ve always admired your work.”

“Is that so?” Rarity closed the door to her room behind them, discreetly locking it with her magic.

“Yes, it’s beautiful, and it makes Sapphire Shores so happy. I take my service to her very seriously, so anything that makes her happy makes me happy.”

“That’s very admirable of you.” Rarity approached the mare. “But do you never take time to worry about your own happiness?”

Made chuckled. “Of course I do… I don’t work all of the time, after all. I have a private life.”

“And what do you like to do in your spare time?” Rarity moved past her towards the bed, climbing onto it and lying on her side facing her.

Made’s eyes twitched in interest, looking up and down her prone form. “All of the normal things a pony might choose to do, I guess. Live… love…”

Rarity smiled. “Won’t you come sit with me?”

Made blushed softly. “I must admit I’m surprised. I never imagined you to be so forward… or interested in mares.”

“I guess we can all be full of surprises, at times.” Rarity sat up, scooting closer to her. “Of course, if you’re not interested in mares, you need only say so and you can go…”

Made smiled slyly and approached the bed to sit down on the edge of the mattress beside her. “I didn’t say that. I just think you’re more interesting than I gave you credit for…”

“In a good way, I hope.” Rarity smiled.

“In a very good way…”

“Mmmm… then will you stay with me tonight?” Rarity smiled. “In case I need any… service.”

Made giggled with a bright grin. “How could I say no to that, Miss Rarity?”

“Please, call me Sister Sequin…”

“Sister Sequin?” Made blinked in surprise.

“Please…” Rarity batted her eyelashes. “It helps me get in the mood…”

Made grinned through her blush. “Whatever you say, Sister Sequin…”

Sister Sequin pulled the maid into her hooves and gave her a deep, lingering kiss on her soft, raspberry flavored lips. It was her first time kissing a mare, and by Celestia it was almost as intoxicating as being engulfed in the hooves of a powerful stallion. Hooves that wrapped around her body, pushing her onto her back on the thick, luxurious bedsheets and stroking every inch of her as her warm body pressed against hers from the front. She had already been wet, but now she could feel the aching need between her legs…

“You… do this with mares a lot…?” Sister Sequin asked through her soft moan.

“I’ve known who I was since I was a filly… and I’ve accepted it for just as long… yes, I’ve been with my share of mares…” Made Pretty’s lips danced up and down the front of her throat, digging into her fur and letting her tongue dance against her flesh. Sister Sequin couldn’t help a strangled groan. She’d never felt anything like that before, certainly not from any stallion she’d ever been with.

Sister Sequin’s body was shivering with anticipation as she felt Made’s mouth slide further and further down. The rough, wet tongue darted out through her fur, alternating with the soft, luscious lips that brought Sister Sequin quickly from ‘mildly aroused’ to ‘pulsing with desire’. Made’s motions were slow and deliberate, definitely the motions of a mare who knew her way around another mare’s body. Goddess, this was a mare she was being tongued by… and it didn’t bother her one bit. She just wanted that sweet release…

“Oohhhh… yes…” Sister Sequin moaned deep in her throat, a needy, guttural sound that only seemed to drive Made further down her body. Hind legs opened, lips met, and a much louder, strangled sound escaped her as the wetness of Made’s tongue probed at her already moist slit. Goddess, it felt so good after having to leave Ponyville without being really satisfied… she hadn’t even realized how badly she’d wanted it.

“Oh Goddess… yessss…” Sister Sequin hissed in pleasure, letting her hips buck rhythmically up against the lips pressed into her slit. Her eyes closed tightly as she moved, allowing her imagination to run wild. Sapphire Shores sneaking into her room, wanting her, needing her, surprising her in her sleep by squirming between her legs, bringing her to untold heights of pleasure without invitation, but with oh so much delight. Goddess, for a mare to elicit such feelings inside of her.

“Aaahhh! Aaaahhh Sapphire!” Sister Sequin shrieked in ecstasy. Suddenly her legs felt cold and lonely again, and her eyes opened to see Made Pretty glaring up at her from between her thighs. “Wh-what?” Sister Sequin panted as she brushed her hair aside with one hoof.

“You bitch.” A hoof slapped Rarity across the cheek sharply, knocking her head against the pillow before the maid climbed off of the bed. “I know this was a one night stand but for Celestia’s sakes, at least don’t pretend I’m somepony more attractive!”

“Wh-what? I-I wasn’t!” Rarity sat up quickly.

“Goodnight, MISS.” Made opened the door and stepped outside, slamming it behind her sharply with a pulse of unicorn magic.

Rarity winced as the wood splintered slightly from the force of the maid’s fury. She deserved that, she supposed. Even during a one night stand speaking the wrong name in pleasure was incredibly rude. Nopony wanted to feel like their partner imagined them looking like somepony else, even if that somepony else was a pony as gorgeous as Sapphire Shores…

She bit her lip and moved her hooves between her legs again, feeling hollow and empty, but in desperate need of release. She could finish herself off tonight, and finish Sapphire’s outfits tomorrow in plenty of time for the show. Then she could go home and get back to her proper lifestyle.

Goddess, tomorrow was going to be a difficult day for her… but she could get through it. It wasn't like she needed sex. No, it wasn't like that at all.