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Time Is a Rarity

by Speedy Quill

Chapter 3: The Gala

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The Gala

Rarity sat at her sewing machine working on her newest design. As she finished her latest latest line, she paused to look at her progress. She frowned. "That's not right." She examined the design and shook her head. "That's definitely not right."

"Having trouble?"

Rarity paused, her nose close to the fabric. She did her best to hide her smile and slowly straightened up. Turning towards the door, she looked at Time Turner. "Trouble? Of course not."

Time Turner smiled and walked over to the machine. He examined the half-made dress, glancing at Rarity every few seconds. Rarity sat down with a sigh. What did he even know about dress design?

Time Turner finally stood up and turned to her. "Not bad."

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Don't say things you don't mean. It's not finished and something's wrong in the design."

Time Turner looked thoughtful for a moment. A smile grew on his face and he began walking towards the door. "What if I could take you somewhere to get some inspiration? Maybe you'd find what you need to finish your design."

Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Where exactly would we go?"

"The Grand Galloping Gala."

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"How in Equestria can we go to the Gala? It's not for another four months."

Time Turner walked around the center timepiece in the cabinet. "I didn't say we were going to the next Gala. I was actually thinking of the Gala circa 753*"

Rarity stared at the stallion in disbelief. "Do explain Doctor."

Time Turner smiled and flipped a switch on the side of his desk. The tabletop flipped over to reveal a series of knobs, switches, and several other odd devices. He sat down and motioned across the board and then up to the timepiece. "I acquired this a few centuries ago. This timepiece is the only inanimate object that can reproduce a time-traveling spell."

Rarity's mouth hung open. "Time travel? You mean....you can actually go back and forth in time?"

Time Turner nodded with a grin. "And I'm going to take you back to the very first Gala." He flipped a switch and the timepiece bean to hum. Rarity watched as the Doctor flipped and turned more items and the timepiece began to spin in a circle. The sand inside began to glow and move into the upper capsule. Eventually the Doctor pulled a large lever and the timepiece came to a stop. The sands began to fall normally as Time Turner stood up. "Welcome to 753."

Rarity opened the cabinet door only to close her eyes. She slowly opened them as she got used to the sunshine. First the sky came into focus, and then the grass, and finally.... Rarity gasped. "Canterlot!"

Time Turner stepped out behind her. "I do believe your right. And it's not even midday yet. That gives us a few hours to look around." He bowed to Rarity. "May I show you the city my lady?"

Rarity giggled and lowered her head. "It would be a pleasure sir."

They chuckled and walked towards Canterlot side by side.

Canterlot was very much the same in the past as it was in the present day. Rarity marveled at the fact she recognized the buildings. "It seems so familiar."

The Doctor smiled. "Yeah. They liked the design of the city. And if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Anything that breaks or decays over time is replace without changing the looks." He pointed to a shop on the nearby corner. "Recognize that place?"

Rarity looked at the store and gasped. "Tailor's! Oh but it can't be the same one that I know. Could it?"

The Doctor nodded. "It's a family business. It's going to be passed down for centuries. All the way to our day when it's the same shop with the same name. Would you like to see what the current style is?"

Rarity danced in place with excitement and trotted off towards the shop. Time Turner smiled. "I'll take that as a yes."

They walked into Tailor's and were greeted by a blue mare in a summer dress. "Good afternoon madam, sir. Are we looking for a particular dress?"

Time Turner stepped forward. "I was hoping to find my fiancé a dress for the Gala tonight. I know it's very sudden, but I only just received my invitation this morning. Do you have anything that can be ready by this evening?"

Rarity stared at the stallion in surprise. He seemed to be a natural when it came to speaking properly, especially for it being 753. And she did her best not to blush at being called his fiancé. She had never dreamed she would hear herself being called a marefriend, let alone a fiancé.

The mare led them back towards a set of mirrors. She had Rarity stand facing the mirrors while Time Turner sat off to the side. One by one, dresses were brought out for Rarity to try on. She was astonished at how similar some of the dresses were to her own at home. And yet the designs were so simple! They looked as lovely as Rarity's current work, but with only half the stitching. She looked at the mare. "Who created these designs? They're absolutely marvelous!"

The mare smiled. "You're wearing a Madam Tailor original Miss. Very fine work for the only mare in fashion."

Rarity looked at the mare in surprise. "The only mare in fashion? Surely you're joking."

The mare gave her a funny look. "Of course she is! And she's making a lot of stallions mad because of it."

Rarity looked at Time Turner and he mouthed the word 'later'. Rarity returned her gaze to the mare only to find her stepping back.

The mare grinned."It's a near perfect fit! It's as if it were made for you Miss."

Rarity looked at the mirrors. Was that her? She was....stunning! She turned and looked at every inch of her reflection. "It's beautiful!"

Time Turner stood up and walked to the mare. "We'll take it."

Rarity walked next to the Doctor as they made their way back to the cabinet. She smiled and looked at the stallion. "You didn't have to buy this dress for me. I can't even begin to imagine how much it cost you!"

The Doctor smiled. "Seventy bits."

Rarity froze. "Only seventy?! A dress this beautiful should cost at least three times as much!" The only answer she received was a chuckle.

They arrive at the cabinet and went inside. The Doctor pointed to a door off to the side. "Through there you'll find a room you can change in. Second door on the left."

Rarity stared at the door. "You mean there's more than just this room?"

The Doctor nodded. "A bedroom, a bathroom, a couple closets with clothing for various occasions and assignments, and a kitchen. This is my home after all."

Rarity smiled and walked to the door and opened it. Sure enough, there was a hallway with several doors. She looked back at Time Turner and he smiled. She walked in, closing the door behind her.

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Rarity stepped out of the cabinet and into the moonlight. The sky was filled with stars. More than she had ever seen. She didn't notice Time Turner step out. He followed her gaze up and smiled. "This is the climax of Luna's night. After today stars will begin to disappear. Over the next two hundred and fifty years it will become more and more like the night sky we know. All leading to her banishment." He cleared his throat. "But we shouldn't dwell on the bad events of life. Come on. We have a Gala to go to."

They began their walk towards the castle. Rarity looked at Time Turner. "You took the minimal approach for dressing up."

Time Turner looked down. All he had on was a white collar with a red bowtie. He looked back at Rarity. "That's because stallions don't need fancy dresses. Besides, bowties are cool."

The castle grew larger as they neared. Ponies were surrounding the entrance, waiting to get in. The doors opened and everypony cheered. Rarity and the Doctor followed the current and were carried right into the main entry. The castle was lit up like a lighthouse. Everything was bright and colorful. Rarity gazed in astonishment. "It's so....wonderful!"

The Doctor grabbed her hoof and pulled her forward. "Come on. There are some ponies to meet." They made their way through the crowd. Rarity couldn't help but wonder who she was going to meet.

The Doctor turned to say something to Rarity, but he was cut off as he bumped into a mare. Both ponies stumbled for a moment before regaining their balance. The Doctor turned to the mare. "I am incredibly sorry about that! I really must watch where I place my hooves."

The mare bushed off her dress and smiled politely. "It's quite alright. No harm done."

Time Turner froze as he looked the mare over. "You're Madam Tailor, aren't you?"

Madam Tailor beamed. "Why yes! How did you know?"

Time motioned o the dress. "Your obviously eloquent choice in fashion was my first clue." Tailor giggled. Time smiled and continued. "Also my dear friend Miss Rarity just purchased one of our dresses okay at the shop." He motioned to Rarity, who stepped forward. Tailor looked at her and smiled. "You have excellent taste my dear. That design looks marvelous on your figure."

Rarity blushed. "Thank you very much. I...I happen to do a bit of designing myself."

Tailor took immediate interest. "Really? Do you have a shop in Canterlot?"

Rarity shook her head. "Oh no. I've only just started really. But I must say your designs are truly inspirational."

Tailor stepped closer to Rarity. "I'm glad to see that my breaking the status quo is inspiring mares such as yourself. Tell me dear, do you and your gentlecolt friend have a table or the banquet?" Rarity shook her head and Tailor smiled. "Then I insist you join me at mine! I hate to plan and run, but I must speak to some others before we eat. See you soon!"

Tailor walked away leaving Rarity with her mouth hanging open. "We get to...sit with Madam Tailor!"

The Doctor smiled. "That will be quite the treat." Something moved in the corner of his eye. He glanced around. And then he spotted the movement again. Small, but noticeable. His eyes froze on the floor.

Did that pony have....two shadows?

The Doctor felt a hoof on his shoulder. He turned to find Rarity looking at him with concern. "Doctor, is something wrong?"

Authors Note:

For those wondering, I based the Gala year on my own Equestrian calendar.

Year 0: The beginning of Equestria.

Year 553: Celestia and Luna rise against Discord.

Year 1000: Approximate time of Nightmare Moon banishment and the disappearance of the Crystal Empire.

Year 2000: Twilight Sparkle discovers the Elements of Harmony.

Next Chapter: The Shadow Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes
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