II. Song and Fashion

Song Scarf was going to be amazing. Rara was sure of it. The moment the idea had first come to mind she could see the potential; something more — she could see the good it would do to fillies and colts across Equestria. Looking at it now, even in its concept stage, it seemed like a true wonder. Thinking about it, it was a wonder they managed to make it this far. When Rara had suggested it to Coco Pommel, everything was little more than an fancy, hatched at the spur of the moment.

I really don't know what I was thinking. She smiled, looking at the set of paintings on the wall. 'Character boards' — that's what they were calling them. Rara had to admit that even after these last few months she still hadn't gotten used to the terminology. It was definitely worth it, though!

"You can take them home, you know." A purple stallion approached. "You paid for them, like everything else here, As a matter of fact.

"Good morning, Purple Motion." Rara suppressed a chuckle. If I dare to borrow them even for an evening, you and Sourpuss won't let me hear the end of it. You'll never admit, but you like her as much as anypony here. "And how is our filly doing today?"

"Bah!" Purple Motion waved a hoof, as if they were discussing latest gossip scandal. Rara knew what his personality was like way before she hired him. In fact he was working on the very first arcade games she had lent her voice to — the phenomenally popular Dragonfire Space arcade game. Purple Motion was the lead artist of the project, and thoroughly impressed bu her performance, not that he would ever describe it with so many words.

"Sourpuss is an idiot!" The stallion said flatly, not before looking around to make sure the colleague in question was out of earshot. “He still can't get the animations to work properly. I keep telling him that he must optimize his code, but he keeps going on about the new arcades having twice the memory of—"

"So we'll make it for Hearth's Warming?" Rara cut him off politely.

"Have you dropped your oats, boss-lady?" Purple nearly shouted, then dramatically slid a hoof over his face. "Absolutely impossible! No way in Equestria! We'll have to keep on crunching non-stop till then to make the release! Not to mention the competition will be fierce. Everypony and her grandma are aiming at a Hearth's Warming release!"

"I'm so glad I could count on you." Rara smiled, turning back towards the paintings. One thing she had gotten used to, once she had set up her new game studio, was that both of her employees had a tendency to complain a lot — a skill only matched by the speed at which they achieved everything they previously claimed to be impossible. She also knew Purple Motion's weakness.

"I'm sure Coco would be overjoyed to hear it as well, once she arrives," Rara added casually.

Purple Motion froze. All the outrage and complaints that usually filled the room were nowhere t be heard.

"Miss Pommel is coming?" he managed to ask, the look of horror on his face. "Today?"

"In about an hour, actually." Maybe I am being a bit mean, but it's not like you don't deserve it, Purple. "She got some free time from work, so we decided it would be better we work on the story a bit. Also she's been quite anxious to try the game for her—"

Before Rara could finish, Purple was already galloping down the corridor shouting "Sourpuss, you idiot!" At the top of his lungs. There was no doubt he'll do everything necessary for a demo version of the game to be ready by noon. Left alone, Rara chuckled. So transparent.

"You are finally coming to life, little one," the pop star said, looking at the paintings. The cyan filly wrapped in an elegant cherry red scarf-dress seemed to smile back. She was Rara's creation, hers and Coco's from when they had met by accident all those months ago — the playful creature that would help children all across Equestria get to know and play with each other using song and fashion.

* * *

I am so late! Coco sighed. It was rare for her to feel panic. Feeling doomed, on the other hoof — she was more than familiar with.

Miss Coloratura will be so upset. And barely managed to add the latest touches to the new Song Scarf costumes! She quickly grabbed her latest designs and rushed out of her apartment. Green and blue sets are done, i have sketches for purple and orange. That only leaves yellow.

As she rushed to catch a cab, Coco went through the list of tasks in her head. Rara had told her that Song Scarf could start simply as red and have more designs appear later, but that wouldn't do. There had to be variety, contrast, choice...

"Where to lady?" A cab pony stopped in front of her.

"Forty-one Song Avenue, Whether Hights, please." Coco put her rack of clothes in. "And please hurry, but go carefully."

"Err, sure thing, lady." The stallion looked at her confused. "Need a hoof with that?" He asked, well after Coco had finished doing the heavy work.

"No, no need, thank you."

The 'thank you' confused the cab pony even further. Not sure how to react, he muttered an uneasy response, then proceeded forward. Coco, however, was too deep in thought to even notice. This as the first time in over a week she would visit Coloratura's game studio... their game studio. The designer still had trouble getting used to the idea. When Coloratura had made the suggestion, months ago, it had seemed too unbelievable to comprehend — the entire concept of making clothes for arcade games was outlandish, to say the least. Coco had never heard anypony do that. And yet, as Coloratura had pointed out, where there is innovation, there is opportunity.

"So, err, you me of 'em fashion designers?" The cab pony asked all of a sudden. "My niece wants to become one. Always drawing and cutting out magazines and stuff." He glanced at Coco briefly, before returning his attention to the road. "Quite good, I'd say, not that I understand much of that. Think she has a hope?"

"Why, certainly." Coco nodded out of habit. "I was a filly myself, when I first started showing interest."

"Thing is, she doesn't have her cutie-Mark yet, see?" The cab pony picked up the pace. "So I was thinking what's the proper thing to do."

"Does she like it?" I'm not sure what to tell you. Nopony can live her life for her.

"Heck if I know." The stallion shrugged. "Seems like it. Guess I'll let the squirt decide on her own."

Coco didn't add anything. Thankfully, by that time they had already arrived at the address. This time the cab pony actually helped her unload the clothes. A nice gesture that earned him a tip.

Now, then, let me see what Song Scarf is—

"Miss Pommel!" A yell made Coco jump, startled. She had forgotten this part. Nearly all of her visits were accompanied by the... overeager greeting of Purple Motion. She had tried time and time again to tell him not to treat her as his boss, and still he continued to get all nervous upon seeing her. In turn that made her feel uncomfortable.

"Miss Pommel!" Purple rushed to her. "A pleasure to see you, as always." He offered a nervous smile, then before Coco could even react grabbed the costumes she had brought. "Let me help you with that. I hope your ride here was fine. If I had known in advance that you would be coming, I would have personally accompanied you."

"That's fine, Purple." Coco trotted along, trying to match his pace. "I thought I had told Miss Coloratura that I would be arriving—"

"You know how stars are." Purple waved a hoof. "Always forgetful, head in the clouds like a weather pegasus. Why if I hadn't asked, she wouldn't even have mentioned you were coming to see Song Scarf in action!"

"Oh, I wouldn't have, would I?" Rara met them in the office lobby. She was waiting in front of the character boards of Song Scarf. Expectedly, Purple waved a hoof irritably, before moving on towards the work room. Coco stayed behind.

I can't even imagine how you find the energy to spend so much time here. I barely manage to finish my designs on time.

"It has been quite a while, Coco." Rara gave her a hearty hug. "And you have definitely been keeping yourself busy. Bridleway can't get enough of your work it seems."

"Well, there always are last minute costume changes." And at times ponies could be very demanding.. "You managed to create several hit singles in that time, Miss Coloratura."

"Please, it's Rara. And it's all for our baby," she turned towards the character boards on the wall. "We've both put in a lot for her. In a few months we'll hopefully show her to Equestria."

in a few months. Sounds almost incredible, Coco thought, as she looked at the pictures of the filly. They had put in a lot of time and money, indeed. Well, mostly Coloratura had put in the money — she had rented the office space, bought the equipment, hired the employees. Coco had only shared some of her fabrics.

"Do you think we will be ready by Hearth's Warming?" Coco asked.

"Well Purple continues to grumble that it's impossible, and Sourpuss has stopped talking altogether..." Rara looked up at the ceiling, causing Coco to bite her lip. "It'll be fine." She laughed. "Sound Scarf is already animated. Now we only need to get her to respond as she should and finish the game story. After that it's just a matter of placing our arcade machines throughout Equestria."

That was a relief. Coco felt her pulse relax. Please don't joke with me like that.

"But, do you think it will be any fun?" The designer asked. "Song Scarf looks beautiful, and I am sure with your voice, and Purple's and Sourpuss' skills, she will come to life... but will that be enough? How can we be sure until the colts and fillies actually play it?"

"Coco, you are very right. We can't be sure. That is why I have something In mind. I have been writing to a dear friend about our endeavor, and she has agreed to give us a hoof. Four sets of hooves, to be exact. But before that, maybe you want to see her with your own eyes?"

I most definitely do! Coco nodded eagerly. The culmination of their work, their pinnacle achievement in this endeavor — how could she not want to see it? Following, Rara into the work room. The place was a complete creative mess, for lack of a better definition. The entire space was made small by countless devices scattered about, along with piles of pictures, massive art boards, as well as over three dozen of Coco's clothing designs. There was barely enough space to hold the  Purple Motion and Sourpuss — the two employees of the company.

"Right on time as usual, Miss Pommel!" Purple shouted, causing Sourpuss to roll his eyes. "We just about to let her run. That is if somepony has managed to debug the code properly!" A groan from Sourpuss followed.

I really don't think those two get along, Coco thought as she approached. For several seconds she stood beside them, staring at the screen of a partially assembled arcade machine. Numbers and letters kept appearing and disappearing, the two stallions kept on arguing. Similar to what had happened three months ago, Coco felt her heart sink. Doubt started to fill her mind once more. What if everypony had been right? What if she was fated to remain a costume maker and never create a line of her own? What if—

"There she is!" Purple shouted victoriously.

Coco blinked. It was true! Rendered on the arcade screen, Song Scarf appeared. For a moment it seemed, as if the whole world vanished, leaving her with the virtual filly. So much like what I imagined, yet so different

Song Scarf was made to be small, blue coated and silver maned, wearing a loose fitting scarves that wrapped around her several times creating the illusion of a dress. Coco admired how the fabric flowed freely, as if dancing, even when still. Purple and Sourpuss had put in a lot of effort and they had done the impossible — created a true masterpiece.

"She can't dance or sing yet," Sourpuss said grumpily. "But we know the fabric works, so we can fit your designs to match, Miss Pommel."

"Can't sing?" Rara arched a brow. "I thought you had all my songs in digital for."

"We do, boss, but playing doesn't mean singing. I can start them now, but her lips won't move, nor would would the scarf react. We still need some time to fix that. Maybe a month, possibly two."

A month, possibly two, Coco thought, still mesmerized by the virtual pony before her. It was still going to take a lot of effort, but at least we have made our first step. Very soon, our Song Scarf will dance for all Equestria to see.

III. Virtual Thread and Music

"You weren't kidding when you said this was the hay," Business Savvy glanced at the arcade prototype. His daughter had already spent half an hour there and didn't have any intention to stop anytime soon. That was an achievement in itself. Combined with the fact that there was a clothing line and song album associated to the franchise, there was no question this would be a good investment.

"I still can't imagine why none of the established brands thought of anything similar," the stallion laughed.

"Well, we did approach them, but apparently there was no interest in song and fashion games," Rara said with a reserved smile. No mention how Coco and she had been ridiculed when they had started, or the smear campaign attempts that had been made during the game's closed beta testing.

Rara had been described as a diva attempting to enter an industry she knew nothing about, while Coco Pommel had been depicted as a designer wannabe of questionable talent, who had resorted to anything to gain fame. Thankfully the attempts hadn't been successful, although Coco had taken it quite hard at one point.

"Their loss entirely," Business Savvy laughed again, looking at his watch. "So, to keep matters short and professional — you want me to distribute this Song Scarf arcade, and make sure that it reaches as many parts of Equestria as possible, before Hearth's Warming eve? Not a bad investment. You'd probably want a two way split between myself and your company. Your merchandise will be your own, naturally. I'll only provide transport and collect the bits earned at locations regularly. Regarding the matter of maintenance—"

"My apologies, Mr. Savvy, but that is not why we called you here," Rara interrupted him. "The arcades are to be free, and as such we don't expect any profit whatsoever. We are simply asking you to deliver them to the locations in question. That is all."

The business pony looked at Rara, as if she had lost her mind. I can see the gears in your mind turn, she thought. You still cannot see what this is all about. Any moment now you are going to ask the question, aren't you?

"Are you crazy?!" The stallion almost shouted. "Don't you think I haven't done my research! You can't expect me to believe that you — the most famous pop star in Equestria — and Mz Coco Pommel — a celebrated Bridleway designer — have spent all this time and resources merely to make children happy?"

"Is that so difficult to believe? If you had done your homework properly, you probably are aware of our other activities?"

"Charity events, theatre revival, and so on." Business waved a hoof, utterly uninterested.

"We shall, of course, pay you for your—"

"That is not the point! You are throwing a golden opportunity here! I've seen what you offer. Your closest competitor is miles behind, even without taking your star factor into consideration! There's absolutely nothing from stopping you from making a tidy profit!"

"Possibly," Rara held her ground. "Yet Coco and I would prefer if it were the children who would profit. Children, like your daughter, for example."

Upon hearing that, Business Savvy frowned. Clearly he didn't like being disagreed with. His mouth opened, as if to say something, then closed shut again.

"Will you consider our request?" Rara repeated the question

Shaking his head, the stallion glanced at his daughter. She was still playing. With a grunt and a sigh, he went to her, literally scooped her from the arcade machine, and left the office without a single word.

There goes another one, Rara sighed in turn. For some reason everypony she had contacted, had reacted in the same manner — compliments, bargaining, shock, departure. Did everything have to be about profit?

"Rara?" Coco Pommel appeared from the lobby. "I saw that Mr. Savvy and his daughter left. Did he...?"

"Same as all the rest, sadly." Rara said, utterly exhausted. "And I was so sure he would agree once he saw how much his filly liked Song Scarf." She moved to the nearest seat and sat down. "You know, I am starting to wonder whether it wasn't a mistake to start this. Ponies have been saying it all along. Maybe they were right."

"Don't say that!" Coco rushed to her. "Not after you have put so much effort in. You managed the impossible! Thanks to you Song Scarf exists!"

Oh, dear Coco. How our roles have changed. Up to a few weeks ago, you were the one needing encouragement, while I would push things forward. Well, I am sorry, but even I am tired. What use is it having created Song Scarf, if no one would ever see her? What good is it to have a virtual pony help children enjoy singing, if they never get to play with her? What good is all that effort, if we have nothing to show for it?

"Purple Motion asked me out today," Coco said after a long pause. The change of subject managed to grab Rara's attention. "I... I agreed, but told him tomorrow might be a better time."

"What? Why?" Rara did he best not to gasp. This had been a long time coming. Naturally, Purple's timing was horrible, as always, but he did pull through in the end.

"Because I'd rather we went somewhere, instead." Without warning, Coco grabbed Rara's hoof and before the singer could protest, dragged her outside the studio.

What has gotten into you, Coco?! Rara wondered, as they trotted through the streets. Manehatten was bustling with ponies, most rushing for last minute gifts for Hearth's Warming. For a moment it seemed that Coco might want to do the same. When she and Rara suddenly entered a coffee shop, though, things got even more confusing.

"Coco, what are you going?" Rara finally pulled her forehoof away. "We didn't have to gallop here. Actually where is here?" The place was almost empty. To be expected — few had time for coffee this week in particular.

"There!" Coco pointed at one of the tables. "This is where Song Scarf was born. Do you remember?"

"How could I forget." Rara smiled. I had just walked out of a talk with a weasel of an agent, and had later been stopped by a fan of the Countess, who wanted an autograph. I thought I could use a break, so I went in here. "The seat at your table was the only one empty."

"Only because I my design samples were on the seat." Coco smiled. "I was so depressed after being turned down by Mare de Mer, that I didn't even notice."

"That is when I saw your scarf dress," Rara continued. "And got the idea of Song Scarf."

"A mare dressed in a dress of songs that helps colts and fillies sing by transforming her dress into sounds as they sing along with her," Coco chuckled. "It sounded crazy."

"It was crazy." Rara shoved her gently. "We were crazy to try it. Any sane mare would have finished her drink and left."

"And yet we still managed, Rara. True, we might not bring it to the children at Hearth's Warming, but we will bring it." A slight pause followed. "Besides, Purple is always telling us that this was more suitable for Hearts and Hooves Day."

That's all there was too it. It might have not been all that they wanted, but it certainly was going to achieve the same result. Only difference was that it would be delayed somewhat. All and all not a bad thing. This way there could be more songs, more types of virtual fabric, better animations... in short, all good things. Just because they missed a deadline as no reason to abandon everything.

"I think you should go on that date, Coco," Rara said after a while of silence. "If you don't, Purple will be complaining for weeks, and I don't think I can stand his complaining much longer."

"I wouldn't be the first time."

"True, though if you take him, hopefully it will be the last." They both laughed. "Seriously just go. I'll chase Sourpuss out and lock up."

There were no arguments. The two mares ordered some cocoa to go, then left the coffee shop. They didn't hurry to get back, rather they walked slowly, looking at the various decorations that filed the streets and store windows. Everything was quite flashy, made with the single purpose of attracting attention, yet there also was some holiday spirit, visible in the way the decorations were arranged.

It was dark when they Rara and Coco arrived at their studio. Unsurprisingly, there were ponies still there. Surprisingly, one of them was Business Savvy.

"Might we help with you with anything, Mr. Savvy?" Rara asked, arching a brow.

"My daughter forgot a gift I bought her while she was playing your game," the stallion said, trying his best to avoid eye contact.

"Oh. Well, in that case I am glad you found it." Rara nodded. "Children easily get disappointed."

"Very," Business agreed. "So you still don't want to make a huge profit?" He asked in hope.

"No. I believe I made myself very clear. That is not the point of—"

"Fine! You win!" He cut her short. "I will take the arcades you have to wherever I could. You don't have a lot of them, so it shouldn't be too difficult." Rara tried to say something, but a taser hoof on Business' part indicated he was not finished. "Of course, you are aware that this is a difficult and expensive task, especially on such short notice. I'll need to pay ponies double the amount I usually do. Then there is the handling — these arcade machines are quite large. Are you prepared to pay that much?"

Rara and Coco looked at each other then back at Business Savvy. Slowly, they nodded.

"Good, because I will be taking one of your arcades as payment," he said flatly. "At least until I get tired of it."

"Mr. Savvy, did I hear correctly?" Rara asked in disbelief. Beside her, Coco was staring at the stallion, her mouth wide open.

"That, Miss Coloratura, we shall never know," he passed by them, heading towards the exit. "Make sure there is somepony here tomorrow morning at six. That is all. Oh, and happy Hearth's Warming when it arrives."

IV. Epilogue - After Hearth's Warming

"Hello," the filly said cheerfully.

Luna blinked. She had never seen anything of the sort, let alone in her dreams of all places.

"Hello, little filly," she said in turn. It was definitely a weird creature — an earth pony by the looks of it, but the scarf... or dress, it was wearing rather had the properties of a mane. If nothing else, the pony could control it at will. "Who are you?"

"I'm Song Scarf." The filly flew around Luna, its scarf extending behind it. If the Princess of the Night didn't know better, she would say it was half windigo. "Do you want to play?"

"What?" Luna blinked.

"Do you want to play with me?" Song Scarf repeated.

Thus was extremely strange. It was unusual for dreams to be so independent. Not since the Tantibus had any displayed such behaviour.

"How exactly do you suggest we play?" Luna asked cautiously.

"Simple!" Song Scarf laughed and flew straight forward. Its scarf extended again, but this time, it was no mere fabric. A trail of solid sounds remained after the filly, filling the air with its music. "I sing my trail, you sing yours and see if you can keep up with me."