After another hot cup of tea, I was able to calm down enough to collect myself.

Today had been long, rough, and very emotionally draining. I had fallen to pieces not once, but twice, and both times in front of Fluttershy. I felt bad for her having to deal with such an emotional pony like myself, but it was all just so much to take in, and in such a short span of time. It’s not everyday you go from having nothing to your name and nopony you can even remotely call a friend, to meeting two of the nicest, most caring, and wonderful ponies you have ever encountered in your life.

I thought I was lucky when I had met Fluttershy earlier today, but that was only the beginning. With my stay in Ponyville now secure, my life's painting was already off to a running head start. Brilliant shades of yellow and purple now adorned my canvas.

“Well, I really should get going,” Fluttershy announced as she got up from her seat and retrieved her scarf from the back of the chair. “I have to feed some of the animals still before it gets too late, I wouldn’t want to upset them with a late dinner.”

“Alright, thank you for visiting, darling,” Rarity said before looking to me. “And thank you, for bringing such wonderful company.” she shot me a wink, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“I still don’t know how to thank you girls enough,” I said as I turned to Fluttershy. “And, um, be careful walking home, Fluttershy.”

“Thank you, but don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Besides, I still need to visit the library for a book before heading home,” Fluttershy replied while slowly putting on her scarf. She paused for a moment before turning to me. “Oh, um, Prism?  While I’m there, would you like me to tell Twilight about... you know...” The yellow pony turned her head, bringing a hoof to her muzzle.

“That... would probably be a good idea,” I answered slowly, while fidgeting with my teacup. “I think it’s best if she and the other girls know about me beforehoof. Hopefully, to ease their reactions; and thank you, Fluttershy.”

“You’re welcome,” Fluttershy replied with a warm smile before turning to the stairs. “You two have a good night.”

With that, we said our goodbyes and Fluttershy made her way downstairs and out of the Boutique with the ringing of a bell.  I paused for a moment before suddenly realizing that Fluttershy had been my support up until now, and that I was now alone with the fashionista.

I turned to Rarity, examining her. A nervous chill went up my spine. I still found her a bit intimidating, and wasn’t sure what to say next. I wasn’t used to being around such confident and forward ponies. Although, if I was to be living here for a while, I thought it best that the two of us get to know one another better.

“Yes, Prism?” Rarity asked, looking back at me with curiosity.

“Oh, um, I was just thinking. H-how long have you lived here in Ponyville?”

“All my life; I grew up and went to school here,” Rarity answered, taking a drink from her teacup and pausing for a moment. “Prism, dear, would you like some more tea?”

I looked down to my empty teacup and back to Rarity bashfully with a sheepish smile. Rarity covered a small laugh as she levitated the teapot over and refilled my cup.

“Thank you...” I replied softly, picking up my cup in both hooves and taking a drink.  

Rarity watched me intently with a confused look. “Um, Prism, darling...” she began before stopping hesitantly.

I was wondering when she was going to ask.

“I couldn’t help but notice, you’re a unicorn, but you have yet to use your magic since you’ve been here,” Rarity stated, giving me an odd look. “Not to hold your tea, to take off or put on your cloak, to... well, to do anything.” Rarity’s expression quickly shifted from confused to concerned.

“Is there something wrong, dear? Why are you so hesitant to use your magic?” she asked with much concern in her voice.

I tucked my cloak close to me before fidgeting nervously with my teacup again. “I-I, u-um... I... don’t really like to use my, magic.” I stammered out slowly.

Rarity shot me a perplexed look. “Why ever not, darling? Surely, it makes life much more convenient? I don’t think I could possibly go a day without it.”

“Mine’s...  different...” I replied slowly, turning away from her. “... It’s unreliable, and I haven’t really been able to control it since I was a filly, so I’ve learned to live without it.” I sank down into my chair.  

Rarity was shocked, mouth agape. “You mean to tell me that you don’t use your magic, at all?”

“Well, I, um... do use it sometimes...” I replied nervously, sinking further in my chair.

“Darling, that, that sounds horrible!” Rarity gasped, and then looked to her teacup she was levitating. “Surely you could use it for something as simple as a teacup, yes?”

“I-I...  u-um, d-do you mind if we stop talking about this?” I asked softly, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.. “...Please?”

Rarity covered her muzzle with a hoof. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” she replied as her ears fell back and a guilty expression adorned her face.

“No, it’s okay,“ I replied, slowly getting out of my seat and pushing it in. I turned back to Rarity, nervously pawing at the floor with a hoof. “I’ll, um, talk more about it when we are with Twilight Sparkle, okay?”

Rarity nodded. “If that is what you wish, I will not press the issue any further,” she acknowledged, levitating the dishes from the table to the sink.

I let out a sigh of relief and smiled back to her. “Thank you for understa—” I began before I suddenly cut myself off with a loud yawn.  I could feel the heat rise up in my cheeks as I blushed slightly in embarrassment.

Rarity looked to me and laughed daintily. “You’ve had quite the day, Darling. You must be simply exhausted,” Rarity commented as she got up from her seat and trotted past me. “Come along, I'll show you to your room,” she motioned for me to follow her with a tilt of her head as she walked around a corner.

I hesitated for a moment, before quickly trotting after her to catch up.

The fashionista turned another corner down the hallway that lead to a second flight of stairs. I followed her up them, but came to a stop before even reaching the top. I found myself at a loss for words as my jaw slackened. Before me lay the most luxurious room I had ever set hoof in.  It looked like something straight out of an ad for a luxury suite in one of Canterlot’s finest hotels.

Brilliant royal-looking purple tapestries covered the walls from view.  They were embroidered with gold trimmings and accented with fine tassels. The furnishings must have been made from aged oak, and in the middle of the room was a was a giant bed, fit for the Princesses themselves. It had beautiful silk sheets that matched the the rooms purple and gold theme, and the most fluffy and comfortable-looking pillows imaginable.

THIS is the “GUEST” room?!

I stood frozen on the stairs, the radiance of the room practically stunning me. My inner artist was dancing in delight. The rich colors of the room flooded my mind with inspiration and ideas.

“Prism...? Prism! Hello?” Rarity waved a hoof in front of my face. “Are you alright, darling?”

“U-um...  yeah...  W-what were you... saying again?” I loosely murmured, still caught in the entrancement of the room.

Rarity clopped her forehooves loudly together in front of my face, which very rudely snapped me back to reality. I covered a gasp as my face turned the deepest shades of red.

“I am so sorry!  It’s...  I, I don’t have the words!” I struggled out, looking up to face Rarity. “This room!  It’s...  Rarity, I can’t stay in here!”

The fashionista covered her muzzle with a hoof, letting out a posh laugh. “Why, of course you can!  You are my guest!” Rarity sang enthusiastically as she slipped past me down the stairs. “Do make yourself comfortable, darling. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”

“But I—Wait!” I called out, turning to her and extending a hoof, but it was too late, she had already disappeared out of view.  

My ears fell back as I sank down, letting out a small whimper in defeat. After taking a moment, I slowly turned back and ascended the last few steps, fully entering the room. Everything looked so delicate and fine, I was scared to touch anything.

Everything is so expensive...

“Rarity...” I slowly whined the fashionista's name aloud.

I felt guilty; spoiled even. I could buy several sets of the finest paints imaginable with the price of a single piece of furniture in this room.  I didn’t deserve this level of treatment. I was just a simple no-named artist that, technically, should be in jail right now. I had no right to be lavished with such luxuries.

I walked up to the bed and poked the mattress with a hoof. It was so soft and smooth to the touch. I let out another small whimper of guilt.

“I can’t sleep here...” I whispered softly to myself.

looking about the room, I searched for an alternative, but everything was so posh and expensive. After some thought, I decided to go with the only place that I didn’t feel guilty sleeping: the floor.

tucking my cloak close to me, I slowly circled in place until I curled myself into a ball on the floor. I let out a long, relaxed sigh.

This will do.

Today had been a long, eventful and very emotionally draining day. I really was exhausted now that I had thought about it...

I shifted about until I was comfortable, then quickly fell into a dream-filled sleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

Cry...

All I could do is lay there in my room and cry. I wanted nothing more than to just disappear from the world. What was supposed to be the happiest day of my life had been a total disaster, beyond a disaster, it was the worst day ever. The worst day of my life...

I was outside of the school, nervously pacing back and forth. Today was a big day, an important day. It was the very first day of my first year of school. Mother had walked me to the building, but I assured her I would be fine from there... I lied. I just didn’t want her to worry about me.

What will everypony think of me?

I looked over my shoulder to my coat and mane. In a world of so full of color, I was devoid of a single trace of it. I thought back to the words mother had said to me:

“You will be fine, dear, just ignore anypony who stares at you. You are unique, and very special. You have a gift that nopony else does, and if anypony tries to tease or bully you, it’s only because they are jealous of you.”

“I’m unique, special; I have a gift,” I reassured myself aloud before swallowing hard.

I steeled myself as I walked up to the school’s doors.

slowly pushing them open, I peered inside. Young fillies and colts were spread about the hallways speaking to one another, waiting for class to begin. I sank down slowly as I let out a tiny whine; I was extremely nervous.

I took a deep breath before entering, quickly walking down the hall. Much of the talking halted as I approached different groups of the young ponies. I could hear their whispers and giggles from behind me as I walked along. I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw.

Just ignore them, just ignore them, just ignore—

I involuntarily let out a small squeak as I bumped into somepony, falling to my haunches. In front of me stood an older colt with a lime green coat and a short, spiky brown mane. Slowly, I looked up to face him. He looked down to me in surprise for a brief moment, but his expression quickly changed.

“Watch where you’re going!" he snapped, with an angry glare.

“I’m sorry,” I replied back softly.

“Whatever, out of my way, freak.” The colt shoved past me, practically walking through me.

Whispers and murmurs filled the hallway, but I didn’t take the time to listen to what the other ponies were saying. I jumped to my hooves and took off down the halls, to where I remembered my classroom had been from the tour I had taken a few days ago.

Upon reaching my classroom, I hid myself in the doorway, ducking low, in order to keep out of sight from the judging looks and whispers of the ponies in the hallways. It wasn’t until the teacher arrived to open the door that I moved.

The mare paused for a moment as she turned into the doorway, looking down to me with a surprised, almost dumbfounded look. She was a warm yellow unicorn with a long, softer-yellow mane. I sat to my haunches as I looked back up to her. The mare’s expression quickly changed to a cheerful, happy one.

“Well, hello!  Who might you be, dear?” She asked with a warm, infectious smile.

“I’m Prism,” I answered happily, returning with a large smile of my own.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Prism!” she replied warmly, before glancing to the door. “Is this your classroom?” she asked, pointing to the door.

“Yes, or at least, that’s what I was told during the tour.” I replied, looking to the door.

“Well, it looks like I’ll be your teacher then! My name is Sunshine,” she stated enthusiastically.

Her horn lit up with a bright orange glow as she opened the door, and walked past me. I caught a glimpse of her cutie mark as she walked past; it was a large sun with a smiling face on it. There was something about her... being near her had quickly cheered me up.  A bright smile crept across my face as I got to my hooves and followed her in.

“It looks like you're the first one here, so choose any seat you like, dear,” she commented as she turned to the chalkboard, writing with her magic ‘Miss Sunshine’ in big bold lettering.

I seized the opportunity to take the seat in the front corner. Despite my debacle earlier, I had a good feeling about this class, especially the teacher.

Over the next few minutes, the rest of the students slowly poured into the classroom. Our class was for first and second-years, so there were a small hoof-full of older fillies and colts that came in and took seats. A total of twenty-two students had filled every desk in the classroom.  Almost everypony had taken a moment to get a look at me once they had noticed me. Some whispered to each other, while others quickly looked away once they made eye contact with me. I sank down in my seat under the pressure of their stares.

“Just ignore them.”

I took a deep breath before I sat up in my seat. Today was the first day of school, and I was going to have fun and make some friends. I wasn’t about to let a few odd looks or whispers bring me down, not today!

I was startled as the bell rang, signaling class was to begin. The teacher cleared her throat as she walked to the front of the class.

“Good morning everypony, and welcome to your first day of school! I’m Miss Sunshine, and I will be your teacher for the rest of the year,” the sunny unicorn announced with great enthusiasm.

“Good morning, Miss Sunshine,” the whole class responded in unison.

“Thank you, everypony! Now let's begin today with class introductions. You will each stand up and tell everypony your name, and something about yourself,” the teacher instructed “I’ll go first, as you all now know, my name is Sunshine, and I love to make ponies smile!” I watched as Miss Sunshine walked up to my desk.

“Okay, now it's your turn,” she announced, looking at me expectantly.

I wasn’t particularly good at speaking in front of a crowd, so I was quite nervous. I fidgeted with my forehooves as I mustered my courage.  The yellow unicorn leaned in close to me.

“Go on, you’ll be just fine, okay?” she whispered into my ear before giving me another of her warm smiles and a wink.

With my nervousness seeming to have vanished into thin air, I stood up from my seat. “I’m Prism, and I love to draw and color!” I exclaimed enthusiastically.

“Too bad you can’t color yourself!” jeered a voice from somepony in the back of the class.  

The class quickly erupted into a fit of laughter at my expense as I hastily sank back down into my seat.  Sunshine turned to the class with an unpleasant look.

“That was extremely rude! Whoever said that, apologize right this instant!” she demanded in a commanding tone, punctuating her message with a stomp of her hoof.

…Silence.

Nopony made even the slightest peep as Miss Sunshine skeptically scanned the faces of the other students. Her eyes narrowed into an icy glare that I could swear made the temperature of the room fall several degrees.

“...Fine, but had I better not hear a remark like that again,” she warned in a low tone, before moving on to the next student.

She’s really scary when she’s mad...

For the next half hour or so, everypony introduced themselves and told the class something about themselves. Almost everypony had something different to say; it was very interesting hearing facts about everypony else. After everypony had introduced themselves the teacher returned to the front of the room.

“Great!  Now, today we will be talking about something very important, and very special.  Something that eventually happens for everypony,” Miss Sunshine announced, turning to the chalkboard.

With her magic she unrolled a large sheet of canvas that was rolled above the board. The words ‘Cutie Mark’ were displayed in big bold print, accented by cute little pictures of hearts, flowers and suns.

“So, who here can tell me what a cutie mark is?” the teacher asked, I immediately raised and excitedly waved my hoof. “Yes, Prism.” The yellow pony turned to me expectantly.

“A cutie mark is an image that appears on a pony’s flank when he or she discovers his or her special talent,” I answered proudly.

“Very good, Prism!” Sunshine replied, turning back to the chalkboard. “Now, a cutie mark represents...”

I suddenly felt something hit me in the back of the head.  I looked down to find a wadded-up piece of paper on the floor by my desk. Out of curiosity, I leaned over and picked it up, and then unravelled it:

TEACHER'S PET!

Read the large red letters that had been scrawled out on the paper. I sank down in my seat again as I heard a few small fits of laughter from behind me. I managed to brush the event aside, as I continued to listen to Sunshine’s lecture. I was fascinated to learn more about cutie marks. Mother had told me a bit about them, but she didn’t remember the finer details, school had been so long ago for her.

The hours rolled by as class continued. We learned about Equestria’s ruler, Princess Celestia, and how she raised and lowered the sun and moon every day and night. Techniques to improve our mouth-writing for earth ponies, pegasi and the unicorns who couldn’t use their magic yet. Which happened to be every unicorn in the class, myself included; but what came next had me extremely excited.

“Next I have something very fun for everypony to do,” Sunshine announced, walking over to a box in the corner of the room. “I want everypony to draw their very most favorite thing in the whole world! Then, we will each share with the class what it is, and why it is your favorite thing.” She opened the box with her magic and levitating many smaller boxes of crayons and sheets of paper into the air, placing a box and paper at each pony’s desk.

Wow... she’s good with her magic. That was a lot of stuff at once.

“You may begin whenever you are ready, we will start sharing in an hour, so do your best!” she informed the class before taking a seat at her desk to begin a drawing as well.

My very most favorite thing...? Well, my favorite thing to do is drawing and coloring, but that’s what I am doing right now.  So, my very most favorite thing...

A smile lit up across my face as it came to me. I removed a few crayons from the box and began my drawing. Now, I had done many drawings and lots of coloring before, but this was to be my very most favorite thing in the world, so it had to be extra special; I would accept nothing less than perfection.

Sometime into my drawing, I ran into a problem: I didn’t have a purple crayon. I looked about the room; it seemed everypony else had purple. I turned to the student adjacent to me and let out a small cough to get his attention, then waved a hoof.

“Um, excuse me, but may I borrow your purple crayon?” I asked, gesturing to his crayon box. The colt turned to me and gave me a... strange look.

“I, um... I need it, sorry,” he replied before quickly going back to his drawing.

I looked to his crayon box then back to him. “But you're not using it yet, I only need it for a moment, I promise I’ll give it right back,” I assured the colt, extending a hoof.

He paused for a moment, before quickly taking the purple crayon from the box... and began using it himself. I slowly withdrew my hoof as my ears fell back. I turned back to my drawing, giving it an unsatisfied look, before scratching my head. This wouldn’t do, I needed purple. I looked down to the crayons I had, examining them deep in thought.

Lets see, purple, purple... What colors mixed did Mother say made purple again?

I shut my eyes tight, tapping my forehead with a hoof as I searched my memories. My ears quickly perked up as it hit me.

That's right! Red and blue make purple!

A wide smile crept across my face as I picked up my red crayon, lightly going over the areas where I required purple. I then did the same with the blue crayon, gently brushing it over the red areas I had just highlighted. After repeating the motion a few times, alternating between the colors, I managed a faint shade of purple, but it was just right, exactly the color I needed; and just in time, too.

It was nearing the one hour mark when I was finally satisfied with the drawing. I gave it an approving nod before waiting for the time limit to finish. A few more minutes passed by before Miss Sunshine got up from her desk and walked to the front of the class.

“Time’s up, everypony!” she announced. There were a few whines and some complaints about not being finished yet. “I’m sorry, but you will just have to make do with what you have if you aren't finished.” She walked to her desk, levitating and unfolding a display stand that had been laying on the floor behind it.

“Once again, I’ll go first,” she said as she floated the picture she had been drawing from her desk to the stand.  The picture was of...  something colorful?

The class lit up in a fit of laughter at the teacher’s...  less than perfect drawing.  

Miss Sunshine rolled her eyes with a smile. “Yes, I know...  I can’t draw,” she said, stating the obvious. “Anyways, what I drew was you all!  A classroom full of happy students!”

“You mean it’s not a pile of garbage?” asked the confused voice of a young filly elsewhere in the classroom. The class once more erupted into laughter.

Miss Sunshine’s ears flattened as she deadpanned, “No...  It’s not a pile of garbage.”

Her expression immediately perked up as she turned to me.

“Your turn, Prism!  Come show the class what you’ve drawn,” she asked, watching me expectantly.

I got up from my seat and happily trotted to her with my picture in mouth and proudly set it up for display.  My picture was a side profile of a mare. She had a soft pink coat with a very long, flowing white and purple mane and tail. The pony’s flank was adorned with a large canvas with a paintbrush in the center.

“Wow, that’s really good!” exclaimed Miss Sunshine, examining the picture. “You even shaded it!” She turned back to me.

“So why don't you tell us about your very most favorite thing?” the cheerful pony asked.  

I turned to the class and spoke loudly, and proudly. “This is my mother, and she is my very most favorite thing in the whole world! Some ponies say she's a really famous painter, but she tells me that she isn’t really that special, she just loves to paint. But I love her, very, very, very much! And I want to be as good as she is someday!” I announced to everypony.

Miss Sunshine paused for a moment with a surprised look of realization before quickly looked back to the drawing.

“You’re the daughter of Canvas?!” She looked to me, taken aback.

I turned to face her, tilting my head confused. “Yes... Why?” I asked, puzzled by her strong reaction.

Sunshine opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a large collection of gasps from the class.

“Her flank!” cried out the voice of a colt from behind me. I paused briefly before looking over my shoulder to my flank. My eyes lit up at the sight.

“She got her cutie mark!” exclaimed a voice of a filly.

Sunshine looked to be quite flustered for a moment before peering around me to my flank.

“...So she has!” she exclaimed. “It’s a, uh...” She rubbed her chin with a confused look. “...Grayscale painter’s palette and brush?” She paused for a moment before her cheerful demeanor quickly returned.

“That’s, that’s great!  Your special talent obviously must be, uh... art! Congratulations!” she announced.

There were a few small cheers and claps from the rest of the classroom.  She looked over my cutie mark again before a look of realization hit her.

“You're the first pony in the class to get their cutie mark... Maybe even the first in the whole school this year,” she mused before rushing over to the door to the hall. “I’ll be right back in a few minutes, those who haven’t finished their drawings may continue.” With that, she quickly exited into the hallway.

I had the biggest smile on my face as I continued to stare at my flank.  I had just got my cutie mark!  First in the class, as well, but I could care less about that, I was just happy to have it.

…Unfortunately, not everypony shared the same enthusiasm, particularly one colt.

“So you got your cutie mark?  Big deal, I would hardly call yours special,” voiced a second-year colt getting out of his seat. “Your special talent is art?  So why doesn’t it have any color then?  Why, I’d say its rushed, not even finished!” He covered his muzzle with a foreleg as he let out a mocking laugh.  

This colt had a blue-grey coat with a slightly curled light grey and white mane. I found myself unable to remember his name from introductions earlier.

“It is too finished!” I snapped back at him. “Miss Sunshine said that a pony only gets their cutie mark once they found their special talent!”

The colt slowly walked up to me and circled me a few times. “Even if it is, I would hardly say it’s a quality cutie mark. I mean, you did get it from such a poor drawing,” he snarkily commented with a smug look. I stomped my forehoof.

“It is not poor! I tried my very best to draw Mother! I love her! So, I wouldn’t do anything but my very best to draw her!” I exclaimed. It was then I remembered Mother's words.

“If someone tries to tease or bully you, it's only because they are jealous of you.”

“...You know what? I think you’re just jealous!” I said with a smirk  “Jealous that somepony like me got their cutie mark before somepony like YOU!”

This must have struck a nerve, as he quickly became very angry.

“Jealous?!” he spat, taken aback. “Who would ever be jealous of something like you.”

I grit my teeth as my temper quickly elevated, and took a defensive stance. “What do you mean something like me?!” I yelled back. “I would rather be different, than be a stuck up jerk like you!”

“Well, I would rather be a stuck up jerk any day, than some...  some...  freak!” He growled before pausing for a moment. A sly grin crept across his face. “I feel sorry for your poor mother. Having such a monster for a daughter must be really hard for her.”

The rest of the class, who had been silent up until this point, began whispering to one another.

My eyes widened to saucers at his insult. “Nopony talks about Mother like that!  You take that back!” I demanded, stomping my forehoof down hard. “Or else!”

The colt laughed mockingly at me again. “Or else what? You’re going to go crying home to mommy to come save you? As if she could even do anything, you have no idea who my father is do you?!” he jeered before bursting in laughter.

At that moment, something inside me snapped. I felt myself become far more angry than I had ever been before in my life. I clenched my teeth and growled as I felt a force from deep inside me surge forward. Fueled by my anger, my mane and tail suddenly erupted into magical flames.

Screams and yells of panic came from the the rest of the class as everypony got up from their seats and backed away to the other side of the room.

“She really is a monster!” somepony screamed from the crowd.

I turned my attention to the crowd of students momentarily.

“SHUT UP!” I roared at them as they all cowered away to the back wall.

I turned my attention back to the colt from before. He fell back down to his haunches, eyes wide in horror as he slowly crawled back away from me.

“YOU!” I scowled, taking a step towards him.

“I-I’m sorry, I—”

He didn’t get a chance to finish before I had leapt at him, and tackled him down.  I raised my hoof in the air to strike him, but before I could deliver the blow, a hard ping of pain shot through my head. I winced as I got off the colt and covered my head with my forehooves.  

The magic-fueled flames suddenly extinguished themselves as I doubled over and cried out in pain.  Never before had my head hurt so bad. It felt as if somepony had driven a large needle straight through it and out the other side.

The colt perked up as he realized what was happening.  He growled as he got to his hooves.

“Why you little...”

In an instant he was on me. In one swift motion, he lifted me into the air with a forehoof and pulled back his other foreleg with all his might and swung at me. I let out a loud scream as I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the blow...

* * * * * * * * * *

My eyes shot open as I quickly sat to my haunches. My forehead and mane were soaked in a cold sweat, and I had a hard time catching my breath as I panted heavily, looking around my unfamiliar, dark surroundings. The lights of the room suddenly flicked on, followed by a rushed set of hoofsteps ascending the stairs as Rarity entered the room.

“Prism, dear, are you alright?! I heard a scream!” she said, looking to me in worry. “What happened?” She paused as she looked me over.

“Darling... Why are you on the floor?” she asked, looking to the bed, then back to me, covering a gasp. “Don’t tell me you were sleeping there?”

I timidly turned away from her. “...Yes.”

“But, why?” the fashionista asked with a puzzled expression. “You are more than welcome to use the bed, Prism.”

I slowly turned back and looked up at her. “I... I felt, guilty.” I answered softly. “I don’t deserve this kind of treatment...”

Rarity looked perplexed. “Whatever do you mean, darling?” She asked as she walked over and took a seat next to me. “You don’t have to feel guilty about using it.”

I turned to face her with a small frown. “I’m just not used to it,” I replied before looking away again. “I grew up alone with Mother. We never had very many bits, and lived in a rather old building. My apartment when I moved out was even worse.” I sighed hard. “This feels like something meant for nobility, not for...  well, somepony like me.”

Rarity closed her eyes and nodded a few times. “I understand, but, darling, you don’t have to worry about that.  You are more than just my guest, you are my friend, and I only want you to feel welcome in my...” Rarity paused for a moment before correcting herself. “In your home.”

She got up to her hooves and trotted over to the bed. “You're welcome to stay here as long as you need to, so please, consider this your home too, okay dear?”

“O-Okay,” I responded, looking up to her with a faint smile.

“Good, now let me take your cloak, and you get into bed,” she gestured a forehoof to the bed, before looking back to me expectantly.

I slowly got to my hooves and took off my cloak. Rarity promptly retrieved it with her magic as I walked over to the bed. I laid a hoof on it before pausing reluctantly.

“Go on, my dear, it won’t bite,” the fashionista assured me.

I looked back to her with a sheepish smile before climbing under the covers and... “Oh, wow...“ I swooned, snuggling up to the silky soft sheets; they felt amazing.  

Rarity gave me a smug look. “There, now isn’t that better than that dreadful floor?” she teased, covering a dainty laugh.

I sank down into the sheets, covering most of my face. “...Yes.”

“Good, now please get some sleep,” she commented as she trotted back to the stairs. “Some restful sleep,” she added turning back to me.

I smiled back sheepishly. Rarity nodded before heading downstairs, once out of sight the lights of the room flicked off. I let out a long sigh.

This really is a lot more comfortable.

I rolled over and quickly fell into a peaceful sleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

I was suddenly jerked awake to the sound of a loud crash and something fragile breaking. I quickly sat up and looked around the room, groggily.

What was that noi—

“SWEETIE BELLE!” boomed a voice from downstairs that shook the entire foundation of the building, rocking me out of bed.

I landed on the floor in a tangle of sheets with a small squeak. “What the hay is going on?” I asked myself aloud sleepily.

I slowly got to my hooves and took a step, only to trip over the sheets and fall flat on my face.  I let out small whimper before rubbing my muzzle. I turned back to the sheets and kicked them off before trying again. Now free of the grip of the bedding, I hastily dashed across the room and down the staircase.

I turned the corner to find a flustered and furious Rarity explode out of her workroom door. The fashionista’s normally neat mane was in shambles, loose strands of hair poked out here and there, and her face was contorted in a sinister snarl.

“Where is she!” she hissed, looking side to side, seeming to not notice me. “Where is that fiIly!” She galloped across the kitchen, down the stairs and out the door with a loud crash and the sound of a bell falling to the floor.  I winced as the door slammed shut.

I stood there, dumbfounded.  After a few long seconds, I shook myself out of the daze and peered into Rarity’s work room from yesterday. I covered a gasp.

The room was originally a mess; however, now a shelf full of supplies lay strewn across the floor, and in the back of the room lay a broken, expensive-looking crystal vase.  I entered slowly, carefully crossing the room to the vase.

“You poor thing...” I said aloud, looking down to the broken piece of artwork. “No wonder Rarity was so upset.”

I couldn’t do much to the room, but I could at least save the vase for Rarity as a small ‘thank you’ for everything she had done for me so far. I began looking about the contents of the floor for some clear glue that may have managed to survive the initial disaster. After a about a minute of searching, I found a bottle. I stopped and listened to the silence of the house; it appeared no pony was home yet.

Good, now let’s see...

I concentrated my focus on the bottle, levitating it to me and the remnants of the vase. I examined the broken pieces. After a few minutes, I had come up with a rough idea of how the vase originally looked, and began the painstaking process of slowly repairing the vase, piece by tiny piece. The whole process took about an hour, but it felt much longer.

I let out a long sigh as fell to my haunches, wiping some sweat from my forehead with a hoof.

“There... good as new, or at least as new as I could get you,” I mused, examining the newly repaired vase. “Now, about these...” I looked over to the empty shelf and all the supplies strewn around on the floor.

Over the next few minutes I walked over to each item, picking it up and placing it back on the shelf in a neatly organized manner. After putting away the last item, I examined the room for anything I had missed.  It was now back to its original messy state that I remembered from last night.

Being an artist myself, and the daughter of a painter, I knew better than to clean a messy workspace. I had learned this the hard way when I decided to clean Mother’s art studio for her. She was... less than thrilled, to say the least.

I gave the room one last approving nod before turning to leave, only to find the fashionista standing in the doorway.  She quickly trotted inside, looking about the floor and then to the shelf.

“What happened in here?” She asked, turning to me with a confused look “Did you do this?”

I shrank down.

Maybe this was a bad Idea...

“I-I’m sorry, Rarity, I won’t come in here again,” I declared, hastily trotting for the door.

The fashionista quickly cut off my escape route. “Oh, no-no-no-no!” She replied, holding out a hoof before me. “ I meant thank you! And...” she turned now to the vase and covered a large gasp.  She quickly ran over to it, and levitated it in the air, examining it closely.

“How?!” She asked frantically, turning to me.

“I, um... put it back together, an—”

“But how?!” she asked again, levitating the vase up to my face. “It looks like nothing ever happened to it!”

I shrank down farther. “I-I, um...  used my m-magic to repair it,” I stammered slowly.

Rarity looked at me, perplexed. “But I thought you said you didn’t like to use your magic, darling?”

“Well, I don’t normally, but this is different,” I replied, looking up to the vase with a smile. “I love art more than anything.  For painting, drawing and crafts I don’t mind it using it if I have too.” I looked back to Rarity.

“I can manage controlling small items, like a brush, pencil or even small pieces of a vase,” I commented, pointing a hoof to the vase. “But anything bigger, heavier or more complicated...”

Rarity nodded. “I think I understand, darling, but what I still don’t understand why you don’t use it for anything else simple,” she said, rubbing her chin with a hoof.

My ears perked up to a faint sound that echoed from down stairs. “What was that?” I asked, looking back to the door.

Rarity rolled her eyes with a sigh. “That would be Fluttershy,” she answered dryly. “Seeing as we can hear her from up here,  she’s probably been out there for a while.”

Rarity returned the vase she had been levitating to its proper place and made her way out the door and downstairs; I quickly followed. Reaching the bottom floor of the boutique, Rarity crossed the room and opened the door with her magic. Sure enough, there stood a butter-yellow pegasus on the other side.

The fashionista let out an exasperated sigh. “Fluttershy, darling, you simply must knock louder than that,” Rarity declared with mild concern and a hint of annoyance. “Anyway, what can I do for you, dear?”

“Is Prism here?” The yellow pony asked softly. “I have a message for her, from Twilight.”

I quickly joined Rarity at the door. “Yes?” I asked, tilting my head.

Rarity looked between the two of us for a moment. “Do come inside, Fluttershy,” Rarity commented, before turning to me. “I’ll prepare us some tea.” She gave me a wink before heading for upstairs.

“Oh, thank you,” Fluttershy said as she entered, watching Rarity disappear up the stairs, before turning to me. “How are you handling everything, Prism?”

“Better than I thought I would, though I had a bad dream last night... Well it was more of a memory,” I replied.

Fluttershy covered her muzzle with a look of concern. “That’s not good, are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, I’m actually really glad to see you,” I replied softly, sitting to my haunches. “I feel a lot more comfortable with you around.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened a bit as her face flushed with a hint of red. “I-I don’t see why, I’m nopony special...” she replied, looking away shyly.

“You’re special to me,” I commented. “I owe you so much, Fluttershy. I hope I can repay you somehow.”

“Y-you... don’t have—”

“Come on up, girls, tea’s ready!” Rarity sang from atop the stairs.

“Well, shall we?” I asked, gesturing to the stairs.  

Fluttershy looked to me and nodded.

The two of us crossed the room and joined Rarity in the kitchen before taking our seats at the table. I took notice that Rarity had also set out some cookies.

“So, Fluttershy, you said that have a message for me from Twilight Sparkle?” I asked, taking a large cookie from the tray.

“Oh yes, I do,” she replied. “I spoke with her last night, and she would really like you come to the library tonight to meet her and rest of the girls, if you wouldn’t mind, that is.”

Rarity took her usual seat across the table before clopping her hooves together excitedly. “That sounds like a wonderful idea!” Rarity commented enthusiastically. “You would get to meet all the girls at once.” She took a sip of her tea before pausing, wide-eyed.

“What about Pinkie?” the fashionista asked, frantically turning her gaze to the yellow mare.

“I, um, talked to Twilight about that, she said she will make sure Pinkie doesn’t try anything,” she answered.  

Rarity let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good to know.” She turned to me. “The last thing we want to do is terrify poor Prism with one of Pinkie’s parties her second day in Ponyville.”

Fluttershy covered a small laugh. “It should be calm and quiet,” Fluttershy said before turning to me as well. “So if you don’t mind, and if you want to go, I can give Twilight the go ahead for you.”

“Will you two be coming?” I asked, looking back and forth between the two mares.

Rarity shot me a smug look. “Well of course, darling! You didn’t expect us to simply throw you to the timberwolves alone, did you?”

I managed a slow smile. “Thank you girls.”

* * * * * * * * * *

The three of us conversed for quite some time. Well, it was mostly Rarity talking and Fluttershy commenting, while I just sat quietly and listened. Fluttershy informed us she couldn’t stay too much longer, and shortly left thereafter to give Twilight Sparkle my reply and to go home to do chores.

To my surprise, the rest of the day went by rather quickly. I spent most of my time watching Rarity finish her orders. It really amazed me how talented this mare was. She expertly tailored clothes, like it was second nature to her. She always seemed to know the right cloth to use, the right patterns to match them with and the right gems to accent the outfit with to create a brilliant finish to each piece.

I struck up a conversation with the fashionista about how she came to be a seamstress. She told me how she knew she was destined to be a true fashionista, and followed the statement with the story of how she got her cutie mark. I shared with her the story of my own, minus the more, unnecessary details.

To help pass the time I drew up a few different designs of clothing that came to mind from the inspiration I got from watching her work. I was too embarrassed to show Rarity, though, so I quickly disposed of them before she noticed what I was drawing. Whenever she asked, I just replied with a “nothing special” or a “just some stuff” to which she would either raise an eyebrow or just shrug before going back to work.

As night approached, I wondered what the other girls would be like. After much reassurance from Rarity, I was more or less convinced that the other girls would be delighted to meet me, and that I shouldn’t worry what they think.

“They are good natured ponies, and would never do anything to hurt anypony or their feelings,” she would tell me.

With Fluttershy’s and Rarity’s vouching, I was feeling a lot better about meeting them.  In fact, I was actually a little excited. The idea of making friends was still new to me, but so far, things had gone quite well. It wouldn’t be long now before I was to meet the rest of girls, and to hopefully make even more friends.

My stay in Ponyville was beginning to look brighter and brighter.