artofthestress | Second Outfit: Work smock, torn jeans, casual top, black wool beret.

VIDEO / ACTION FOR CIANWOOD

[ Video clicks on to reveal a very frazzled Rarity, with unkempt hair, looking pleadingly at the camera. ]

All right, whoever is listening. I have done absolutely everything in my power to make the best of a difficult situation, but even I have my limits. So I'd like a good old fashioned group brainstorm, if you please. The situation could not be more dire.

[ She turns the camera around to reveal... a fish. Sitting in a tank. Not a particularly big fish, but... sweet Celestia, if this isn't one of the ugliest damn things you've ever seen.

The tank itself is your basic bowl shape, but it's got all manner of plants and tiny dwellings inside. Sitting next to the tank are some sopping wet miniature clothes that look like at least some decent effort have been put into them. ]

This little darling is in desperate need of a makeover, and... well, I'm afraid I'm at a bit of a loss. Has anypony got any ideas for how to make him look absolutely ravishing? Or... well, at least suitably impressive! ... For a fish.

[ OOC: Please do not reveal the nature of the Feebas's evolution to Rarity! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(Rainbow blinks and shrugs.) The bath would be fine, but why the comb? My mane's awesome the way it is.

Tangles in your mane, possibly mixed with dirt or branches or worse? A little hair care goes a long way!

That's not even getting into styling, which I really do wish you'd let me attempt one of these days...

Ha, thanks anyway but last time I ended up on the paper and nearly lost my rep back in Cloudsdale!

Yes, well, your mane is quite changed now, Rainbow... if you would just take care of it, I could make it into some beautiful curls!

...Curls?! What would I need curls in my mane for, Rarity? (She's ignoring the 'beautiful' part for now.)

Did Beethooven write his symphonies out of necessity? Was Canterlot built on a mountain because it needed to be there? Is any great artwork ever created because it was necessary! You have an entire palette in your hair and you won't let me do anything with it! It's an absolute travesty!

Aw, c'mon Rarity; I know my mane's super awesome but it's okay the way it is! Why not get Pinkie Pie to change her hair instead? She's had that same style since the time we all got our cutie marks!

Pinkie Pie has let me alter it on occasion, but really nothing suits her quite like that... poof. [ For lack of a better term. ] Also, whether you believe it or not, Pinkie's curls are a great deal more unruly than your mane is. It tangles rather easily, I'm afraid.

(Yeah, nothing suits Pinkie better than that 'poof'.)

...! The last time I let you touch my mane was for the Gala, so maybe we start out small like give me a ponytail?

Well, it's a start. [ Must try to contain inner glee... oh, what the hay. Rarity whinnies excitedly. ] We'll start with one scrunchie and go from there, all right? [ She pulls one out of her bag. Pinkie has ball stashes for ball emergencies, Rarity has fashion stashes for fashion emergencies. ]

(Rainbow's red in the face as she watches Rarity's scrunchie appear in seconds.) Yeah, one works for now. I thought Pinkie was the only pony with stashes like that.

Oh, she gave me the idea. Now let's see. [ In one motion she's behind Rainbow and bringing her hair together, slipping the scrunchie over the multi-colored locks that have grown a little long at this point. ] There. How does that feel?

(Rainbow blinks and squirms a bit, trying not to move her head around so much.) Eh, feels kinda weird but I guess I could get used to it.

[ Rarity's got her do not disturb, creative juices flowing face on, so she doesn't respond to Rainbow immediately. ] Hmm, no... maybe two scrunchies would work better. [ She rummages absentmindedly in her pack. AND THEN SHE GETS AN IDEA. ]

Rainbow! I could separate out the colors of your hair and braid them together individually! It wouldn't take a second! [ It would take ten minutes. ]

(At hearing Rarity's suggestion, Rainbow Dash's eyes widened as she tries to move away. BRAIDS in her hair?!!)

...No way, Rarity! Two scrunchies could work I guess, but putting braids in my mane? Forget it! I'm not meeting a stallion or a mare, so why do you wanna try that?

What did I just say about the necessity of art! [ She pouts a little. Can you resist this face? ]

(Rainbow grits her teeth and frowns upon seeing Rarity pouting...not fair! Did she take lessons from Fluttershy when it came to those faces?)

...Fine! One time only, and they've gotta go before my next Gym battle.

[ Rarity squees with delight and shuffles around to the back of Dash's head. ] They'll be gone before you know it, Rainbow Dash! [ And her hands, inexperienced though they are, move quickly to separate the colors and begin the complicated knotting process. ]

Second Outfit: Work smock, torn jeans, casual top, black wool beret.

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