Fluttershy told me that the next friend she wanted to meet was a mare named “Rarity”, as that was her next best friend, and she lived nearby on the way to the rest of her friends. As we trotted through the town headed for what Fluttershy called the Carousel Boutique, which is apparently Rarity’s home and clothing store.

“I think the two of you will get along very well,” Fluttershy began. “Rarity is classical in nature, like you are. She also uses a lot of the vocabulary you do, and she is also really into politics and other things like that. I have a feeling that the two of you will be getting along rather well…” Fluttershy seemed especially shy in saying this, as if she were left out somehow. Seeing this, I took action, saying:

“Perhaps, but I’m sure that she is nowhere as charming as you are, Miss Fluttershy I do say that however similar in nature to me this Rarity may be, I'm sure that she shall not trump your allure.” She squeaked, blushing at my remark before responding:

“Oh, please, really. There’s no need for that. And you can just call me ‘Fluttershy’.” I got down on my knees as knightly as possible, head down and my tail flat before saying slyly:

“But of course, m’lady. Your will be done.” We then both laughed at this, before continuing. Fluttershy began to try to make small talk about weather, but I hardly heard the mare as we continued, as not only was she speaking rather quietly again, but mainly because how busy the town was… in a weird way. Everypony was working today, trying to repair all the damages caused by the storm; patching holes in walls and roofs, replacing broken windows, and cleaning debris. The reason why this was weird is not the activities being preformed, but the way they were doing them. For some unfathomable reason, everypony was singing and dancing as they worked, all in sync, not a single step faltered, not a single lyric missed; not by anypony. I asked Fluttershy about this. She thought about it for a moment, before saying:

“Honestly, I’m not sure. This sort of thing happens every time there’s a big project or event. It was going on as a tradition long before I came to town. I think it’s because almost everypony in town knows each other, and because everypony is just really friendly.” I simply nodded, most of my attention focused on watching the spectacle before me. What really surprised me is how much work they were getting done in this fashion. In the time it took for us to trot past, they had rebuilt a fence and swapped all the windows in a house, while singing a cheery (and rather catchy) tune.

We continued walking, and as we did, Fluttershy would point out places of interest, such as Town Hall, the local spa, and a new restaurant that had just opened called the “Cat’s Eye Café”. She also told me the names of many ponies as we walked by them, waving when they saw us. She pointed out Miss Lyra Heartstrings and her marefriend Bon-Bon Sweetie Drops; a strange stallion that went by the name “Doctor Hooves”; a carrot vender named Golden Harvest (nicknamed “Carrot Top”); and the odd couple Octavia And Vinyl Scratch, the local cellist and Disc-Jockey. What was especially odd about them as a couple was that Octavia had her tail and mane well groomed, and stood with a perfect posture. Vinyl Scratch however, had a wild mane and tail, and was slouching slightly. She was also wearing dark violet shades. ‘I can’t help but wonder how two totally different ponies could live together, let alone court each other… then again, I don’t even know them, so who am I to judge?’ I then heard Fluttershy begin to talk again, so I turned back to her.

“Well, there it is, up ahead,” the mare said, pointing to a building that did in fact resemble a boutique made from a carousel. “And one more thing: Rarity may be tempted to give you a ‘makeover’ when she first sees you. And don’t worry; she does that to everypony who’s new in town. Don’t fight it; it’s easier to just go with it.” She finished with a small smile as we trotted to the door. I returned the smile as I opened the door for her as made our way inside. However, as I walked in behind her, I heard a faint voice behind me say:

“How so very cute.”