prissy_hooves | 1st Dress

[It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and the Liebert residence on Hastings Boulevard has just gotten itself a new pet. There is suddenly a doghouse in the back yard where there wasn't one before, its new occupant just waking up from her beauty sleep as a cute squeaky yawning sound emanates from the structure. Of course, the voice isn't cute for very long, because once its owner realizes she's not in her bed anymore, the next sound out of that doghouse is a shrill, piercing scream.]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Waking up in a new place is always a rather disorienting experience, especially when you're used to pampered comforts. And then there's the dirt to consider. Rarity comes tearing out of the doghouse like she's just seen a ghost, but doesn't make it very far before the rope anchoring her pulls her back. Frowning at her surroundings and at the dirt and dust on her beautiful coat, Rarity decides that the best course of action is to complain loudly until someone notices her.]

What is the meaning of this? Where am I? This is certainly no way to treat a lady! Tied up to whatever this miniature house is supposed to be with a piece of rope, like a common pack mule! And no floor inside whatsoever! It will take hours to get all of this dirt out of my hooves, to say nothing of the mess it's made of my mane!

[She huffs a little, shaking her head in dismay before appearing to calm down some.]

Well. First things first, then. Let's take care of this rope.

[Rarity closes her eyes for a moment in concentration, but they soon shoot wide open in shock.]

My magic! What's happened to my magic? Is my horn all right?

[Lifting a hoof, she feels around on her forehead for a moment or two. Unfortunately, the horn which typically adorns it is conspicuously missing.]

My horn! They've taken my horn! What manner of savages are responsible for this?

[And she's just going to continue struggling against her restraint while shouting indignantly at whoever's unlucky enough to be passing by. Knotwork isn't a skill that's typically practiced by proper high-class ladies such as herself, so Rarity's a bit stuck for the moment.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It really would have been better if they'd chosen a more neutral tone.

"I think it was to express national pride through bright colors. My travel clothes are muted grays and greens though. But even here separated from home I do not wish to give them the satisfaction of watching me sweat."

Well, I can certainly appreciate that sentiment. Perhaps I could help you out with some casual attire, then?

"...Casual attire?"

[She peers at Rarity as if she is speaking in some odd foreign tongue]

Surely you don't wear that heavy-looking suit of metal around everywhere, do you?

"Well... Not when I'm sleeping, and when I went incognito I had a lighter suit of armor I wore.... But it is part of my uniform."

And you never spend any time off duty?

"I... Am not very good at being off duty."

Well, I can certainly sympathize with that.

"Not that I have official duty here, but... If one does not practice their trade, the skills grow dull."

How very true. There's no room for complacency if you want to truly excel at something.

"Indeed. You.... Are a horse that speaks... Were you a unicorn before you were brought here? This town has a way of taking things that are important to people or define them."

A pony that speaks, to be specific. But yes, I had a unicorn horn before being brought to this place. It's going to be rather difficult getting along from day to day without my magic. There's never been a time when I've had to go without it.

"Well... If there is any way I can assist. Unicorns are revered beings at my home."

I have heard that this town can sometimes be a rather dangerous place to live, but I can be rather resourceful myself. I'm certain things will work out for the best. But I thank you for the kind offer.

"Yes... It can be... With the magical mind control and such... Rather humiliating actually."

Mind control? No one mentioned anything about that.

"Yes, that seems to be one of this town's favorite ways of toying with the people here."

That sounds quite troublesome.

"It really is. They call it droning. Where the town takes away your free will and forces you to act the way the town assigned you. Given you are in a dog house... That may be very embarrassing, I know what it did to me was."

Do you mean to tell me this town thinks I'm a dog?

"It is quite possible. It seems to think that I sing in the church choir."

My, how strange. Tell me, how does one avoid this 'droning?' I don't fancy sleeping in a doghouse out in the dirt unless I have absolutely no other choice.

"The town seems to do it if someone breaks too many of its rules... But then again, it also does it whenever it feels like. I have yet to find any rhyme or reason to it."