Soft, comfortable warmth. Such is the state of the bed I currently rest in. The bed has been in such a state for a few hours, though I can’t account for the few minutes I was out of it to use the bathroom. For all I know, it could have turned into a glowing cloud that made those who gazed upon it praise it before it turned back into my bed right before I returned.

That probably didn’t happen, but who knows? If you can think it, it’s possible somewhere, right?

My blissful sleep was interrupted the same way it has been numerous times: the sun rising and shining right in my eyes through a small gap in the curtains. If Celestia really does control the sun, then I’d think she was doing this deliberately and was probably laughing right now.

Celestia pounded her hoof against the breakfast table in a manner most unbefitting of a princess, howling with laughter. “So, what happened next, Luna?”

Luna had a big smile on as she recounted a tale from night court. “He then produced a sharpened mango and tried to prove it could be used as a weapon by slashing one of the decorative plants. He missed, hit the vase, and his mango blade turned to mush.”

Celestia’s howling laughter started up again.

Yep. Laughing like an evil empress at my misfortune. One of these nights, I’ll sleep on my left side instead of the right and thwart her plans.

Still, no point in trying to go back to sleep now. I slowly sat up, rubbed the rest of the sleep out of my eyes, and took a deep breath. I felt the now familiar weight of my chest rise and fall with the breath. I did not like thinking about my breasts, but now I was. Admittedly not necessarily in a positive way, but still.

As I got out and stretched, I recalled one of my friends back on Earth who had breasts around the same size as mine, and she often confided in me how their weight hurt her back. I wasn’t feeling any such back pains, which I attributed to my enhanced strength.

”Why am I thinking these thoughts?” I thought as I collected some clean clothes from the dresser. My idle thoughts turned to my clothes. Even though I was a rather scrawny guy back on Earth, I was still a guy and wore the appropriate clothes. I’ve gotten used to wearing the clothes Rarity’s made for me, but I still find the smaller proportions a little odd. Years of wearing male clothes does not leave the mind so quickly.

As I’ve done before, I set the clean clothes down on the foot of the bed. Rarity should be making breakfast right about. . . yep, there’s the scent of breakfast. I had this odd feeling that something was missing from it though, but I couldn’t quite place what it was. Still, breakfast is breakfast. I left my room and headed downstairs. As I suspected, Rarity and Sweetie Belle were already down there.

“Good morning, Yang” Rarity said. “Did you sleep well?”

“Up until the sun got in my eyes” I answered as I sat down at the table. “And you?”

“I didn’t get much sleep. After making that exercise outfit for you, I simply had to keep at that design after supper was over.” Oh no. “So I wound up making a few more for you. They’re in the inspiration room.”

“Thanks. What about you, Sweetie?”

“I slept well” Sweetie answered. “I got all my homework done and had time to write some music.”

“Nice. How’s that going?”

“It’s going well, but I think I should visit an orchestra or band and hear how the instruments sound myself.”

“Always a good idea.”

“Breakfast’s ready~” Rarity sang as she floated out plates with french toast and scrambled eggs with cheese and a little bit of garnish.

We all ate at our own paces, not talking at all. The quiet void was filled with chirping birds and overall pleasant sounds. It was nice. Certainly better than cars. However, my mind was focused more on eating carefully so that nothing landed on my chest. The motions have become more natural since I’ve had this body, but they’re still annoying.

Sweetie finished first and broke the silence between the three of us. “I’ll see you later” she said as she left the table, put her saddlebags on, and went off to school.

After Rarity and I finished our meals, we simply sat at the table. My thoughts still wouldn’t leave my body for whatever reason, and Rarity picked up on it. “Yang, are you alright? It looks like you have something on your mind.”

“Yeah. Have you ever had a day when your thoughts, despite your best efforts, stayed on one single topic and it bugged you to no end?”

“Occasionally. Why?”

“I think I’m having one of those days. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Just let it run its course. Eventually, you’ll find something else to focus on.”

“Alright. Thanks.” I left the table as Rarity started cleaning up breakfast.

I went back to my room and picked up my clean clothes in preparation for my least favorite part of the daily routine: the shower. I did skip it one day here, and I felt nasty for the whole day. That was not pleasant.

I set the clean clothes on the countertop by the sink and started taking my sleepwear and the choker off. I folded the sleepwear up and put it on the opposite end of the counter while the choker went to the clean clothes. Once that was done, I went over to the shower, which was also a tub, and turned the water on. It only took a matter of seconds for the water to go from pipe temperature to very warm. Ever since I discovered my inability to be burned, I’ve been taking warmer and warmer showers.

With the water going and already steaming up the bathroom, I stepped in and closed the shower curtain, the rail for which was just inches above my head. It’s nice being tall, and I’m fairly certain that I’m a little taller than before, but in this world of pastel petite ponies, it’s hard to tell.

I always started my showers here with my back to the water, and today was no different. Of course, the water wound up in my hair first, making it wet and heavy. Well, heavier than usual. With how much hair I had, it was plenty heavy on its own, but as with my chest, my enhanced strength almost made it a non-issue. Almost.

Some water eventually made it through my hair, onto my shoulder, and trickled down my chest. Despite regular exposure to this, it was still a rather alien sensation. Especially at the very front of my chest. I dare not think about that. Too discomforting.

I will not deny that I am curious at to what my breasts feel like, but I refuse to poke, squeeze, or rub them as tends to happen in numerous shows and stories where a guy becomes a girl like I have. Aside from holding myself to some standards, the sensations are still too strange for me to really appreciate, if that’s even the correct word.

While I lathered up and rubbed some shampoo into my hair, I also scratched my head in frustration. “Why am I thinking about these things?!”

I focused my thoughts away from my chest, and this time, I was successful. Unfortunately, my thoughts wandered a bit lower down, specifically to the other female area of notability. Like my chest, I avoided the exploration one would expect in some other stories. This was a bit more of a challenge though, and to keep myself from poking around down there, I kept my legs practically pressed together. Washing down there was always a fast affair.

The silver lining to that was that it helped me with attaining correct posture. Since I hung out with girls more often than guys back on Earth, I noticed the differences a bit more easily.

One thing that I was able to adjust to fairly quickly was the total lack of body hair. My skin was smooth everywhere. As a result, water tended to slide off of me more than stay on and that made washing a bit tougher. When the water tends to slide off, it takes the soap away as well. Then again, everyone in Equestria has fur, so it’s quite likely that nobody’s made a soap designed for bare skin. The fur wash I’m using certainly doesn’t like to stay on me that well.

While I washed myself, I did my best to keep my thoughts off my body. I had some success when I sat down and simply let myself enjoy the warm water. At least until the water stopped making steam. “I guess it’s time to get out and dry off.”

I turned the water off with my foot before standing up and wringing my hair to get as much water out of it as possible. A lot of water came out of it. Once that was done, I began running my hands along my arms and legs to get a little bit more water off that way.

I stepped out of the shower and onto the towel I always set on the floor for exactly that purpose. I grabbed another towel and began drying off everywhere.

One unforeseen benefit to taking these really warm showers was that all the mirrors got fogged up. I didn’t have to look at myself in this body because of that. I’m sure I’ll get over that revulsion some day, but not today.

After quickly drying off, I quickly got dressed. Bra, panties, shirt, socks, jeans, and boots. I kept most of the boots hidden from view, so it looked more like I was wearing a pair of regular shoes.

I really need to get some proper shoes. The boots are nice, but they take too long to put on for my liking. I don’t think Rarity makes shoes, but I can ask her at some point. Today would be good.

Something I had to figure out at some point was how to set my hair on fire at will. I think it would help a lot with drying it after a shower. The natural waves and curls, paired with the quantity and density of the hair, seemed to hold in moisture rather well.

I left the bathroom with my sleepwear under my arm and went to my room with it. Using the bed as a table, I folded the robe and skirt together before taking them to a drawer I’d designated for them.

“I guess I’ll go see what Rarity’s got for me. At least it’s not a dress. Hopefully.” After closing the drawer with the robe in it, I left my room and went downstairs. “Rarity?”

“Yes, Yang?” Rarity called out from her workshop area.

I went over to her. “I seem to recall you had something for me?”

“Ah yes, one moment please.” Rarity finished a detail on her piece of paper before turning it over, leaving for a moment, and quickly returning with a large box. Well, larger than the others I’ve seen used. It wasn’t really all that big. Describing box sizes is tough. “I made a few exercise outfits for you based on the one Twilight conjured last week. Try them on, see what you like.”

I thought it over for a bit. “I think I’ll try them on later. I have to go talk with Twilight about something.”

Rarity sighed. “I guess I can’t argue with that. But when you do try them on, please tell me. I’d love to see how you look with them on. Besides, it will be a good start to your modeling for me.”

Modeling? When did I. . . Oh yeah, that contract Rarity and I agreed upon after I showed up. The one that I wrote and Twilight recorded. “Yeah, sure.” I took the box of outfits upstairs and set them inside my room.

I was just on my way out the front door when I remembered my question for her. “Hey Rarity? Do you think you could make some shoes for me?”

“Yang, I am not a ferrier.” There was a moment of silence as we looked at each other. Rarity soon realized her mistake. “Oh, not those kinds of shoes. I’ll see what I can do. Anything you want them to have?”

“I want them to be slip-ons, mostly black, and durable. These will be the shoes I wear for exercising and probably a lot of other things.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks, Rarity. I’ll see you later.”

“Bye!” Rarity and I waved at each other as I left the boutique.

I took a moment to enjoy the clean air before starting my walk to the castle. I looked around the colorful town and its colorful citizens selling their colorful goods. Before getting dropped in Ponyville, I never could have imagined anything this vibrant without it being rather gaudy at the same time. Maybe it was how everything was simpler. There was no pavement, no sidewalks, no cars, no utility poles, and, as far as I knew, no overwhelming sense of indifference from those surrounding you.

Then again, when you’re the only human living in a town of ponies, it’s hard to not be recognized. As that thought went through my head, I became ever so slightly self conscious. And my thoughts wandered to my body again. Wonderful.

By the time I got to Twilight’s castle, my thoughts about my body had dissipated. Before I got here, I saw a pony simply walk inside, so I figured I could as well. It wasn’t Mordor, after all.

Inside was a small line of ponies along a bookshelf built into a wall. Apparently, court was in session. I got in line and started waiting. And waiting. And waiting. I looked over to the shelf to see if there were any good reads there to distract me from the ponies in line that were growing restless. “I wish I had my phone right now.” Everything looked like it was nonfiction. I eventually settled on a decently sized book called “Last Stands: Defiance of Superior Forces: Abridged”.

I opened to the table of contents. Each section was apparently focused on a single species, and were further divided into individual battles. The first chapter was on ponies, and it had the fewest entries. Below that was a long list of griffon battles. One of them, titled ‘White Plains, Neighpon’, caught my attention. It was on on page 61. I turned there and started reading.

What is currently the Neighpon archipelago used to belong to the Griffon Empire. Approximately 500 years before Nightmare Moon’s banishment, Equestria invaded the islands. This was shortly after the invention of the crossbow on the part of the Equestrians.

The takeover of the archipelago took less than a year, but the griffons did not make it easy. Their defiance showed most prominently at their last battle on the island, the battle of the White Plains. There were only 500 Griffons, surrounded on all sides by an Equestrian force of 25,000. By all measures and predictions, the Griffons should have been defeated in a matter of minutes. They were severely outnumbered, had no ranged attack options, their emperor and higher military personnel were either dead or captured, and their supplies were down to practically nothing.

The Equestrian attack started shortly after sunrise, and both sides were ready. The 500 Griffons, armed only with katanas, charged straight into the Equestrian forces and immediately threw the formation into chaos. The Equestrians’ numbers started working against them. Since all of the Equestrians were armed and trained primarily with the crossbow at a distance, they couldn’t mount an effective melee resistance.

At sunset, the 500 Griffons were dead, but between 18,000 and 20,000 Equestrian soldiers died in the battle. Nobody knows how much of that was the Griffons’ own blades and how much of it was friendly fire, but what was certain was that the archipelago was now a territory of Equestria, thanks to the crushing victory they had earned.

The whole battle summary took up about four pages, due mostly to the text size. Still it was a good read, and I could swear it reminded me of something similar from one of my history classes. Or maybe a metal song Sandra liked. I wonder how she’s doing?

I was brought out of my musings by Spike. “Yang, it’s your turn with Twilight.”

“Hm? Oh, right. Thanks, Spike.” I opened the door and walked inside.

When I entered, Twilight had a rather exhausted look to her whole body. An exhausted look that ran for the hills beyond the hills once she recognized me. “Yang! I wasn’t expecting to see you here today. And it looks like you found a book that’s caught your interest.”

I looked back at the book I’d almost forgotten I had in my hand. “Oh, uh, I’ll just go put this ba-”

“You can borrow it if you want. Anyways, I don’t think you’d come here just to read.”

“Yeah, I want to talk with you a bit.”

“How about we talk about it over some brunch? You were actually the last one in line, and I’m getting hungry.”

“Sure.”

“Spike, we’re having brunch!”

“Alright!” Spike said as he came into the courtroom. “I wonder what we’re having today?”

“Whatever you want, as usual.” Twilight came down from her throne and joined Spike and me, the three of us heading towards the dining hall. Our path consisted of some halls and upward stairs.

“So, how has your morning been, you two?” I asked my violet compatriots.

Twilight’s exhausted look came back a little bit. “Mostly nobles complaining to me about stuff they want done to help them and their families.”

“Sounds boring.”

“I’m beginning to understand Celestia’s sweet tooth, at least.”

“And I had to deal with the line” Spike said. “Nobles don’t like waiting in line. Most of them, anyways. They start to complain if nothing happens for more than five minutes, and lots of their sessions are at least fifteen minutes. In fact, I think today’s line was better behaved than usual because they recognized you as the one who defeated Tirek and didn’t want to accidentally make you mad at them.” Wow. Word spreads fast in Equestria. As I thought on that, and as we entered the fairly empty dining hall, Spike continued. “I bet you didn’t have to deal with stuck up nobles back where you’re from.”

“Well, you’re not wrong” I said as we sat down at a table close to the kitchen. “I just had to deal with being picked on and pushed around by guys bigger than me. And shouted at for no real reason. Partially because of how scrawny I was and partially because I was always hanging out with and being saved by the girls.”

“And if you were to go back as you are now?”

That took a bit of thought. “I don’t know. Anyways, I didn’t come here to talk to you about that. I’d like to go to Canterlot next week.”

That caught Twilight’s attention. “Are you asking me, the princess of friendship and magic, to be your personal tour guide in Canterlot?”

“No, I’m taking up the offer she gave me in a letter a couple days ago.”

A moment of silence followed before all three of us laughed. “So, when do you want to go?”

“I’m thinking of leaving on Monday and maybe spending a few days there. A day to travel there, a day or two to do stuff, and a day to travel back.”

“As good as that plan sounds, I’m afraid we can’t be gone that long.”

“Why?”

“As a princess, I can’t be too far from the castle for too long. A princess’s work is never done, sadly. We can leave early one day and come back late the next day for the most time possible.”

“Oh. How about we go on Sunday?”

“Sunday? But that’s Celestia’s day off.”

“Exactly. We go for a casual visit. I’m sure she would like to have someone to spend her off day with.”

Twilight had no good counter argument to that, even though she tried. A waiter came to our table while Twilight was thinking. “Hello. What can I get for you?”

“I’d like a peanut butter and daisy sandwich” Twilight said.

“A bowl of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, please” Spike said.

“I’d like some pasta with alfredo sauce” I said. Only too late did I realize they might not know what alfredo sauce was.

“I’ll have some water for you momentarily” the waiter left the table and went back to the kitchen.

“Twilight, is alfredo sauce a thing here?”

“Yes. I got the recipe for it and a few other things from one of my trips about a year ago.”

“Where?”

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. But maybe I can take you there someday after we visit my family up in the Crystal Empire.”

More family, huh? Should be interesting. “So, what are we going to do in Canterlot after we arrive?”

“If we take the 7 AM train on Sunday, we’ll be arriving in Canterlot around 9 AM. We’ll stop by Pony Joe’s to get some donuts for Celestia, then we’ll visit her. Being a princess myself, we won’t have any problems getting anywhere in the castle. After we’re done visiting Celestia, we can go to my parents’ house.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” A moment later, we got our water from the waiter. “So, what can I expect in Canterlot?”

“You’ll see-”

“Twilight, how about we leave it a surprise for Yang?” Spike interjected.

“That’s actually a pretty good idea, Spike. Thanks.”

The remaining minutes we waited for our food was spent just talking. When our food arrived, mine was the only one steaming.

As we ate, my mind wandered back to my body, mostly because I was leaning forward for each bite so as not to have any sauce drip onto my chest, kind of like at breakfast. Apparently, in response to my attempts to ignore those thoughts, my mind started thinking of the rest of my body.

“Just let the thoughts go, Yang.” I thought to myself. “Just let them run their course and they won’t bother you. Much.”

Twilight finished her sandwich first. Spike was still eating his gems when I finished my pasta. It was good, but it felt like there was a little something missing from it. I couldn’t quite place my finger on what it was though. I’m sure I’d figure it out in time.

“Is there anything else you need from me while you’re here?” Twilight asked me.

“No” I answered. “I think I’ll head back to Rarity’s now. And thanks for letting me borrow this book.” I picked the book up from its spot on the table and excused myself. “So, how do I get out of here?”

“I’ve got directories and maps that can be brought up with a touch on the walls at every intersection. Or you could open a window and jump out that way.”

“The window?”

“Pegasi can fly, Yang” Spike reminded me. “It’s not unusual for them to go in and out of windows. I’m sure you can survive a 3 story fall to the ground. 3 really tall stories, but still.”

“Yeah, that does sound easier.” As I approached a window, Twilight opened it with her magic. Before I jumped, a thought crossed my mind. “So, should I just stay here on Saturday night to make it easier to get to the train on time?”

“Oh, that’s a good idea” Twilight said. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“See ya”. With that done and book in hand, I jumped out the window.

The landing didn’t hurt, but physics did its thing with my body, once again reminding me of my chest, and by extension, all of my female anatomy. “Why is this happening today?” My thoughts were a giant crimson faced robot’s boomerang sunglasses, going away only to come right back to me.

I really hope it’s just a temporary thing.

The walk back to Rarity’s was uneventful and peaceful, save for the storm that was my mind wondering what was up with my brain and why it kept on wandering back to my body. You’d think that after a few weeks like this, I’d have stopped thinking about it.

Maybe I’m still not used to Yang’s body yet. I hope that’s not the case.

My storm of thoughts had died down a bit when I got back to the boutique, partially due to them subsiding on their own and a stiff breeze of intrigue when I entered and saw Rarity talking with the most clothed pony I’ve seen yet. The clothed pony was a light blue earth pony mare with a white mane and tail, and she was wearing a black, white, and magenta dress. She also had magenta lensed sunglasses on. Rarity was sitting with her back to the wall, so the mare she was talking with didn’t seem to notice me.

“Miss Rarity, what was your inspiration for these simple black and white dresses?” the clothed pony asked Rarity. She had a German accent, which confused me only a little bit. “They’ve taken the whole fashion industry by storm and everypony’s scrambling to figure out the secret to the simple pattern’s success.”

“It was. . . an act of my own generosity that inspired me” Rarity answered. She noticed me and I put a finger in front of my lips. I had heard the visiting mare’s question and did not want to be involved.

I was glad the floor here was carpeted, as little sense as it made for a store like this to have such a floor. Even with the carpeted floor, I still tread carefully. By my best guess, the visiting pony was someone involved in the fashion industry, and could probably pull me almost anywhere she wanted in there.

I was so focused on sneaking past her that I didn’t notice Opal until she jumped onto my shoulder from somewhere I didn’t notice. I let out a startled yelp and fell on my back from the surprise, dropping my book in the process. After I fell, Opal, who wasn’t hurt in the slightest, got off me and simply walked away.

“What was that?” The clothed pony looked around for a moment before she saw the source of the sound she heard: me. “Who are you?”

“She’s a guest here” Rarity answered.

“Hmm.” The visiting pony was looking me over like I was a buffet. “I, Photo Finish, would like to use you as a model. Truly unique, you are one of a kind. I will make you famous! Just think of all the money you could make, all the wardrobes you could fill, and all the fame you can have.”

Before Rarity could say anything, I said something while standing up. “No thanks.”

“What?” Photo Finish seemed a bit thrown off by my answer.

“I said ‘no thanks’. I’m not interested in fashion, having lots of clothes, or being famous. The money would be nice, but I have no idea what I’d do with it.”

“I. . . see. There will always be a spot for you in Photo Finish’s agency, I promise you that.”

“Thanks? I’ll just be heading upstairs now.” I made my way towards the stairs.

I was interrupted by Photo Finish calling out “Wait!”

I stopped and looked back. “Yes?”

“Your book.” With one forehoof, she picked up my dropped book and held it up for me.

“Oh, thanks.” I accepted the book before heading upstairs and to my room. I set the book down, then the urge to go to the bathroom struck. Better take care of that immediately.

One thing I will say about going to the bathroom as a female is that it does take longer to finish, handwashing aside. I don’t like thinking about what else is down in that area, so I try to be quick. I still wonder how I knew how to properly take care of business instinctively the first time I had to, as if I’d done it my whole life.

After I left the bathroom, I went back to my room and sat down at the desk and thought. “Alright, I’ll be part of Sweetie and her friends’ sleepover here tomorrow night, then Saturday night, I’ll be staying at the castle to leave on Sunday morning.

“Oh, I should tell Rarity I’ll be gone for a couple days. Probably during supper. At least I’ll be able to pack everything up with ease.” As I finished my thoughts, I opened my book to a random chapter. It was about a group of 20 minotaurs defending a castle entrance against over 600 enemy minotaurs.

There were lots of last stands in this book, which wasn’t surprising, considering the title. Of the ones I read, most ended in defeat at the end, but a few ended with victory for the smaller defending side, painful as it sometimes was.

“Excuse me, Yang?” Rarity said from the doorway. I looked at the clock and saw I’d been reading for a few hours.

“Yes?” I asked back.

“You said you wouldn’t model for Photo Finish. I’m kind of worried about you modelling for me now, to be honest.”

I sighed and turned to make eye contact with Rarity. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll model for you when it works out. She wanted me to model as a career or job, which one: I don’t want to do, and two: she doesn’t know me like you do.”

“Of course she doesn’t know you like I do. I’ve known you for nearly a month now.”

“But you let me live under your roof because you care about me first, even if you have a personal agenda on the side. Photo was thinking profits first and me second. I think.”

Rarity thought on that for a bit. “She did do something similar with Fluttershy once. She was pushed into the position of modelling for her, and it took a bit of intervention on our part to get her out.”

“That sounds like a story. Oh, I’m going to be in Canterlot on Sunday and Monday next week.”

“Oh? Alone?”

“No. With Twilight. I’ve got a golden ticket with my name on it, and I intend to use it as soon as possible. I do not want to forget about it.”

“Hmm. Say, while you’re there, could you pick up some Canterlot fashion magazines for me?”

“Sure. So, you want me to try the athletic outfits on?”

“I’ll give you some privacy to change.” Rarity left and closed the door.

“Alright Yang, time to face yourself a bit.” I got the boxes with the outfits in them on the bed and grabbed one at random. I opened it and saw a sports bra, a pair of shorts that looked like they would go to about the middle of my thighs, and a pair of socks that looked like they would come up to the middle of my lower legs. All of them were black with a yellow caution stripe down the sides and around the neckline of the sports bra.

“I actually kind of like this design.” It looked rather small compared to what I preferred wearing, but I remembered how I liked the one Twilight made.

Before Starting to change, I took some deep breaths. “It’s the same thing as before, just a new design and you have to do it myself. You can do this. You can do this.”

After a bit, I decided to just get it over with. I took off my shirt and regular bra before putting the sports one on, and I did it as fast as I could. My hair kept getting in the way though. I’d have to do something about that, but most certainly not cutting it. Once it was on, the sports bra fit quite well and was slightly snug on me.

As I changed the lower half of my outfit, I decided to try some stretches once I was fully changed. In fact, the change of clothes was really getting me in an exercising mindset. Maybe what you wear does affect your mindset. I never wear my combat outfit unless it’s the last thing I have available, or I know there’s going to be a fight.

Once I was fully changed, I did a few stretches. Rarity did some good work. Everything stayed in place and felt comfortable the whole time.

The time for procrastinating, sadly, came to an end. I knew Rarity was waiting, and I’d have to show myself eventually. It’s better to get it over with as soon as possible.

I left my room and went downstairs. Already, I could feel my self-consciousness rising. I did my best to push it aside as I came into Rarity’s sight.

“Hmm.” Rarity looked me over while I stood still in the middle of the boutique. “Something’s missing. No, something’s a bit off.”

“My lack of shoes?” I asked. I’d certainly need them.

“No, that’s not it. Well, you need those, but that isn’t what’s off.”

“Then what is?”

Rarity kept walking around me, her tail flicking a bit as she thought. While she was thinking, the front door opened and Applejack walked in. Her mane and tail were lacking the red bands that were usually in them. “Hey Rares? Ah need to buy some new bands for mah mane and tail. The last ones just broke. Hello, Yang.”

“Hi Applejack” I greeted back.

Rarity was pulled out of her thoughts when Applejack spoke. She still seemed to be in a detail focused mode when she faced her friend/customer. “Aha! I’ll be right back.” Rarity dashed off somewhere in the back.

I turned my focus to Applejack. “So, what do you think?” I motioned to myself and my outfit.

“Ah think you look good” Applejack said. “But what do you think?”

“It feels nice, but I’m not really excited with the amount of skin showing. I also need shoes.”

“Yang, why would you need a ferrier?”

Not again. “Wrong type of shoes.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“I’m back~” Rarity sang as she returned, three red bands in her magic. “Three bits, Applejack, as usual.”

Applejack took her hat off, revealing three bits in it. Rarity took the coins and gave Applejack two of the red bands. “What’s with the third band?”

“You have helped me solve a problem just by showing up.” Rarity tossed the third red band in my direction as Applejack began putting her mane in one of her new bands. By hoof. I don’t know how that works. “I was trying to figure out what was off with Yang’s new look, and seeing you without your ponytails was what made me realize that Yang needed one to complete this look.”

I easily caught the red band and gave Rarity’s words some thought. A ponytail would go well with this outfit. I just needed to think a bit on how to do it. I’ve seen some of my friends do it before back on Earth, but now I had to figure it out.

I think I wound up thinking too much on how to do it because Rarity pulled the band out of my grasp with her magic and was soon putting my hair up in a ponytail. Applejack was already done with her tail band when Rarity acted.

“Thanks, Rarity” I said. “Dare I ask when the hair care lessons are?”

“Thanks for the idea, Yang” Rarity said. “I’ll be sure to plan that at some point.”

“Have fun, Yang” Applejack said. “Ah’ve got to get back to the farm. Stop by and help out sometime. It could be part of your exercise routine.”

There’s something. Maybe next week. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

After thanking Rarity, Applejack left the boutique. Her compliment about how I looked good in these clothes still rang in my mind. It felt nice to be complimented like that.

“So, let’s get to modelling, shall we?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, let’s get it over and done with” I agreed. The sooner, the better.

“I’d like to see at least three of these outfits on you. To the pedestal, dear.”

I stepped onto the pedestal, surrounded by its mirrors. I stopped when I caught sight of myself in the mirror. “I look good.” I had an excellent figure, and the clothes fit me quite well. “Really good.” I was sporting quite the athletic look. Lean, powerful, fairly curved, and possibly very distracting to the right eyes.

“Equestria to Yang!” Rarity forcefully said, accompanied by a few bright flashes of light in front of me. I put my hands up to block the light a little too late.

“What?” I asked her.

“You’ve been staring at your reflection for five minutes.”

“Oh. Sorry. I got a bit distracted by my own reflection. I don’t look at it very often.”

“Fair enough. Now then, could you strike a pose for me? I’m thinking something like you’re ready to run at a competition.”

I got on my hands and feet like I was getting ready to sprint. It wasn’t very easy due to how the socks and carpeted pedestal didn’t have much friction between them. Still, I got the position Rarity wanted. “This good?”

“Yes, it’s very good. All the material is holding together quite well.”

“What is it made of anyways? I like how it feels.” I switched to a sitting pose.

“A tightly woven type of spandex. I ordered a lot of the stuff over a year ago, but my prediction on the fashion world’s direction didn’t exactly come true, so it’s just been sitting around. I’m glad I finally got to use it, and to such great effect as well.”

Spandex, huh? “Well, it is nice, but I still need shoes.”

“I’ve already started on the design for those, but I have encountered a big problem.”

“Materials?”

“No. It’s worse than that.”

“Lack of experience?”

“No. Even worse.”

Now I was confused. “Then what?”

Rarity practically wailed out her answer of “I have no clue how to make shoes for you that would go with all your athletic outfits and your daily clothes! It’s a fashion emergency and I have no idea what to do!”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

One moment, Rarity was on the floor. The next, she was right in my face, and she most certainly did not teleport. She also looked dead serious. “Yang, have you ever seen someone from your world wearing shoes that were simply horrendous?”

I thought for a moment, allowing a memory to surface. A memory of a guy with a faded and worn red plaid shirt, faded and worn blue jeans, and bright neon green shoes that probably hadn’t been worn very much at that point came to mind. The shoes messed up the entire outfit. “Yes, I have.”

“Now you see the problem?”

“Yeah, I do.” I gently pushed Rarity off of me and we both sat on the pedestal in thought. “Hey, are you able to enchant the clothes you make?”

“Yes, but I rarely do. Why do you ask?”

“Make the shoes black and enchant them to change colors and patterns based on whatever socks I’m wearing.”

“You’re asking a lot of me there. It’s not that easy to come up with an enchantment like that.”

“I’m sure you can do it. So, do you want me to put a different outfit on now?”

“No. I’m already trying to figure out the enchantments.”

“Then I guess I’ll be making supper?”

“I suppose. And you should get started soon. It’s almost six.”

Egads, where did the time go? I didn’t bother changing clothes before going into the kitchen since there wasn’t enough time. I had to think of something fast. Something that couldn’t take too long to make. Something simple, but not vegetables and condiments between bread.

I could make a casserole. The one I made before came out well. Yeah, I’ll do that.

“Um, Yang?” Rarity asked me when I set the casserole down. It was still a little strange how I could handle hot things with my bare hands that would burn a normal person. The strangeness was offset by the sheer practicality of it though. Being able to get a firm grip on things straight out of the oven was pretty cool.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Why is the casserole burnt?”

I looked back down at the dish. Everything about an inch in from the edge of the dish was burnt and what wasn’t burnt looked incredibly dry. “Uh, I was a little distracted. I had something on my mind.”

“Oh. Well, it’s not as bad as when Sweetie made toast in the past.”

I looked to Sweetie Belle. She noticed me, blushed a bit, and said “the toast had to be served in a glass.”

A glass. Toast in a glass. How, exactly, does one mess toast up that badly?

“Shall we eat out tonight?” Rarity suggested.

“What?” I asked.

Rarity apparently picked up on a bit of an edge in my voice. “Sorry Yang, it’s just a reflexive thing at this point for me. I do appreciate the effort you put into making it, but burnt food can make me a bit sick. Sorry.”

How could she. . . Oh. Sweetie might have something to do with that. I’ll leave that where it is. “I see. Just let me go change and I’ll be ready to go.” I still had the athletic clothes on, and to Rarity’s credit, they were really comfortable. At least I would be able to change quickly. Just a shirt, a pair of jeans, and my boots, and I’d be good to go.

“Why not just wear your new outfit?” Rarity asked me as I went up the stairs.

“It doesn’t feel right to wear it so casually. Besides, my boots don’t go well with it. You should know that.” I went into my room, quickly put on my regular clothes, and came back downstairs. “So, where are we going?”

“Let’s have Chineighse tonight.”

“Alright!” Sweetie cheered.

I had no qualms with that idea.

When we got back, I had to go and curl up on my bed. Rarity, Sweetie, and I all had the same thing; steamed rice and mixed vegetables, but something in it started disagreeing with me during the walk home. My equine hosts were fine though, so I don’t know what it could be.

Maybe changing to my sleepwear, brushing my teeth, and turning in early would help me feel better. I’ll probably be fine in the morning.

Author's Notes:

This chapter was partially inspired by a comment.

Chapter 20 just needs a few go-overs and it will be ready for posting.