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Rainbow Unicorn: Friendship is Magic

by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof

Chapter 8: Cruel and Unusual

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Alright. You can do this. You are Rainbow Burst, a talented unicorn and student to Princess Celestia. You have worked with the royal guard, and have gone up against one of the worst unicorns out there on numerous occasions. You can handle this. Do not give her the satisfaction. Show no weakness. Show no fear. You-

"Gah," Rainbow Burst yelped as the sink was turned on. "That's cold."

"Relax, darling. It shall warm up shortly."

After leaving The Town Hall, the white mare -- who introduced herself as Rarity -- pushed Rainbow Burst all the way to a shop called Carousel Boutique (literally, there was a furrow in the street leading all the way up to the doors). Now she found herself in a back room going through something horrible: having her hair washed for a makeover. Just the thought of it made her shudder.

"You have nothing to worry about," Rarity stated as she started to rinse Rainbow's mane. "I have assisted quite a number of clients with their mane and make-up when trying on their garments." She let out a sigh and reached for a bottle. "Although, really a full treatment at the spa would be far better."

Her ears perked up as she smiled, pouring the shampoo into the unicorn's mane.

"Perhaps we could go and have one together after the celebration. We could have mud baths, and facials, get hooficures, enjoy a steam, even get some massages... which it looks like you could use. You seem quite tense."

At "hooficures," Rainbow had tensed up, her mind withdrawing at the whole idea. Hooficures meant that ponies she did not know would be... touching her hooves... with... things.

"So what brings you here?" Rarity asked, working the shampoo into a lather.

"You dragged me here."

"I mean what brings you here to Ponyville? I assume it is tied to the visit from the princess and The Summer Sun Celebration."

"Oh... yeah." She shifted, trying to get comfortable while this strange mare washed her mane. "Spike and I were sent to oversee the celebration and make sure everything is ready for the princess."

This statement was met with an audible gasp.

"You're from Canterlot?" Rarity asked, eyes going wide as she brought her shampoo covered hooves to her face. Her eyes went wider. "Did you say you were here to supervise the arrangements?"

"...yeah?" Rainbow said slowly, raising an eyebrow as she looked at the excited mare.

"You must be from a very high noble family to get such an opportunity," Rarity stated as she resumed washing Rainbow's mane.

"Not really. I-"

"I am so envious of you. The glamour. The sophistication." She let out a deep sigh. "The stallions. Wealthy and well bred stallions who know how to treat a lady like a lady. Stallions like... The Prince. So handsome. So dashing. So... what's so funny?"

At the mention of "The Prince," Spike burst into laughter. There was currently only one prince in Equestria, and "well bred" and "knows how to treat a lady" were not terms he would use to describe Blueblood.

Rainbow Burst had tried to keep from laughing. Really she did. She even bit her lip to keep from doing so. After all, she did not want to be so rude to this new pony as to laugh outright in her face over such a seemingly silly idea as Prince Blueblood being some great and noble stallion because he was born into nobility. Unfortunately, Rarity's continuing to gush was too much.

"Uh..." Rainbow let out a cough as she thought. "Nothing. Old joke. Uh... you had to be there." She moved to get up from the chair. "Anyways, thanks for the wash. Come-"

"We're not done yet," Rarity stated as she pushed Rainbow back down into the chair. "We just finished with the shampooing. We still have to condition, brush, clip, and style." She grinned again. "Then we can start on the make-up."

"Make-up?" Rainbow groaned, rolling her eyes as her head was pulled back.

Dear Celestia, how much more am I expected to go through?

Spike managed to collect himself, although he was still snickering. He was enjoying watching Rainbow squirm over something. Well... mostly. It was not really a serious issue and she was perfectly fine. A little put upon and irritated, but unharmed.

Honestly though, he was getting kind of bored waiting while she was put through the whole thing. Besides, he was supposed to be her assistant and sidekick, and one of the sidekick's job was to save the hero. Rainbow was not in a life or death situation (or one where she would get in trouble which was the far more common type he had to help her out with), but it was still part of his duty.

"Excuse me," he called out. "Sorry to interrupt Rarity, but we do still have a lot to do for the celebration." He gave her a smile. "I'm sure a lovely and intelligent business owner such as yourself understands how important it is to fulfill your obligations to ponies that are expecting it."

Rarity stopped her work on Rainbow's hair, turning to look at Spike. She studied him a moment, lips pursed as one of her ears gave a flick.

"While I am sure with your talents," the young dragon continued, "you could make Rainbow beautiful -- although not half as much as you -- it would be rather impolite and insulting to the princess if we were unable to finish our preparations before The Summer Sun Celebration. You wouldn't want Rainbow to be in trouble with Princess Celestia for not performing her obligated duties, do you?"

Rarity rubbed her chin, seeming to think about it a moment.

"I suppose you're right," she finally said, shutting off the water. "After all, what sort of friend would I be if my attempt to help actually ended up getting Rainbow fired for failure to complete her duties. We can just brush it out and be finished for the time being. Then the two of you can resume your work."

"As can you," Spike added. "After all, whoever is working to continue the decorations of the Town Hall are probably struggling to make it anywhere near as wonderful as you were."

Rainbow rolled her eyes and made a gagging face, but kept quiet.

"Awww," Rarity said as she reached for a brush. "Aren't you just a sweetheart?"

With that, Rarity started brushing Rainbow's wet mane. It was not a pleasant experience for Rainbow. Each stroke ended with a hard yank that made her wince in pain. As soon as one stroke was done, another followed to repeat the process.

"Sorry," Rarity said after the third or fourth stroke, "but you really should brush your mane more often. Otherwise it will get tangled and knotted."

Rainbow growled and glared, but said nothing. She held still, hoping that it would somehow make the whole process go faster. It came as a relief as the yanks became fewer and fewer until Rarity was able to brush through the multi-colored mane with ease.

"There we go," Rarity said as she set the brush aside. "All finished."

"Thanks!" Rainbow called out as she shot out of the chair and ran for the door as quick as she could. She grabbed Spike with her magic as she went, putting him on her back.

After escaping from Carousal Boutique, Rainbow continued to run until she felt certain that Rarity was not chasing after her. Once she was sure, she stopped and took a deep breath. As she collected herself, she turned to look at Spike.

"You were way too good at that," she said, getting a grin from the young dragon in response.

Next Chapter: Flowers and Songbirds Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 29 Minutes
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