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Something Inconvenient

By CozyKhajiit
Created: 2021-08-19 06:29:40
Updated: 2022-04-07 04:52:09
Expiry: Never
anonrarityequestria girls

  1. >You check your watch for the fifteenth time.
  2. >Only two minutes have passed.
  3. >You sigh and go back to staring out the window into the mall parking lot.
  4. >Not a single empty space is visible as waves of people pour in and out of the main entrance.
  5. >And every single one of them pass by the store where you work without a single glance.
  6. >Your not surprised, it’s August after all.
  7. >You’ve work at the men’s formal wear store “Gentry's Wardrobe” long enough to know that no one wants to buy a suit in the dead of summer.
  8. >Honestly guys don’t want to buy suits anytime of the year since most jobs don’t make them wear one.
  9. >The rhythmic tap of pencil on paper draws your attention from outside to your coworker.
  10. >He makes small half scratches in his sketch book as he leans against the dark stained table used to display fabric swatches.
  11. >Knowing full well which is the more interesting of the two you give up looking at people and go see how much progress he’s made on his drawing.
  12. >You see him smile, no doubt aware of your presence, as you walk behind the table to get a view of a meticulously detailed church facade.
  13. >“What do you think?”
  14. “I think I shouldn’t have forgotten my phone.”
  15. >“I though you were trying to cut back on your data use.”
  16. “I am. But if I stay in the front half of the store I’m in El Amigo’s wifi range.”
  17. >Bright Pine puts down his sketch book and looks wistfully at the ceiling.
  18. >“We’re a long way from the only days man.”
  19. >It was true, when you first started here years ago the store had both wifi and cable.
  20. >Now the TV above the shoe display cabinet remains permanently blank and your reduced to getting your internet fix from the western store across the hallway.
  21. >“Door.”
  22. >You know that phrase means there’s something worth looking at walking by.
  23. >Calmly you turn your head with a practiced nonchalant easy to the open doors at the front of the store.
  24. >You don’t want it to seem obvious with your ogling after all.
  25. >Facing a display window for ostrich skin boots and cowboy hats stands a woman whose tight round ass is perfectly accentuated the dark skin tight jeans she wears.
  26. >Pine always has a good eye for booties.
  27. >Your eyes follow the long shapely legs that end in low heel sandals down and back up again making sure to take in how her thigh gap and slender waist emphasized that posterior so naturally.
  28. >Without though your eyes follow the delicate lines of her waist up past the back of a floral blouse.
  29. >Whoever this chick was she dressed well.
  30. >Better than all the other girls who wasted their time at the mall, that’s for sure.
  31. >You take some time to appreciate her slim neck just visible past a ponytail.
  32. >Suddenly she gives an immediate turn and stares straight at you.
  33. >You suppress every instinct to turn and walk away as quickly as possible.
  34. >Just as the panic shoots adrenaline through body you see that the woman’s eyes aren’t full of anger or disgust.
  35. >Rather it seems full of surprise.
  36. >As she approaches the door way you begin to recognize her features.
  37. >“Anon?”
  38. “Hi Rarity.”
  39. >Her face lights up as she bounces over to you.
  40. “Oh, I though it was you. I didn’t know you worked at the mall.”
  41. >As you put on the smile you use when working with customers you realize that your features showed the same surprise as Rarity’s did.
  42. “Well at this store at least.”
  43. >Rarity’s boisterous laugh fills the empty store.
  44. >You wince internally.
  45. >It’s always uncomfortable when people find your half jokes funnier than they really are.
  46. >“Oh, you’re still as clever as always darling.”
  47. >She walks forward until she’s standing right in front of you.
  48. >“I haven’t seen you since graduation. Tell me, how are you doing?”
  49. “I’m well.”
  50. >You really don’t want to explain the past few years of your life to someone so you settle on that phrase.
  51. >Besides it’s true enough.
  52. >“You certainly seem well. And you look so dapper in that suit, my darling what a stately ensemble.”
  53. >Your outfit isn’t really that dapper.
  54. >It’s just a blue double breasted suit you wear with a yellow tie, honestly it’s the most basic outfit you own.
  55. “Thank you.”
  56. >Not wanting to be the focus of the conversation you ask a follow up question.
  57. “How are you?”
  58. >“How am I? Oh, there’s so much to say that I don’t know where to begin. Besides I don’t want to bore you with all the details while you’re hear at work.”
  59. >Nothing could be more boring than working at this store.
  60. “I know.”
  61. >Rarity gives a small pause as if to gather her thoughts.
  62. “You and I should find a time to go out together and catch up.”
  63. >Years of practice are thrown away as you give in to your fight or flight instinct.
  64. “I don’t know about that, I’m always busy these days and it’s just so hard to find time.”
  65. >“Surely it wouldn’t be hard to find an evening. Besides, it’d so nice to get reacquainted with an old friend.”
  66. >Her smile seems so eager.
  67. >You know the answer she wants.
  68. “I’ll see if I can find a night I have off.”
  69. >Rarity gives a little clap.
  70. >“Wonderful.”
  71. >Suddenly a series of small beeps comes from the purse Rarity wears over her shoulder.
  72. >She pulls out her phone and gives it a swipe.
  73. >“I hate to cut this conversation short but I really do have to go.”
  74. “I understand.”
  75. >“Well then, I will be seeing you later Anon.”
  76. >And with that she walks pertly out the door being sure to give a dainty wave as turns out of sight.
  77. >You lean back on the table sighing as relief washes over you.
  78. >“Nice bro.”
  79. >Oh right, your coworker is still here.
  80. >As if that encounter wasn’t awkward enough he’s now a witness to it.
  81. “It’s nothing to get excited about it’s just a conversation.”
  82. >He walks over and gives you a playful punch on the arm.
  83. >“Come on man you should be happy, a hot girl comes up and starts flirting with you.”
  84. “She wasn’t flirting with me, she’s was just being friendly. That’s how she is with everyone.”
  85. >“Nah man, I don’t think she goes and ask every guy working at the mall on a date.”
  86. “She wasn’t asking me on a date, she just want’s catch up with some one she knows.”
  87. >Pine wiggles his eyebrows.
  88. >“Rekindle an old flame maybe.”
  89. “We just went to high school together.”
  90. “Oh?”
  91. >You hear the inflection of implication through his smugness.
  92. >You sigh.
  93. “We were acquaintances at best. I’m sure she does this with all the old class mates she runs into.”
  94. >“You should go for it bro.”
  95. “There’s nothing to go for. Besides I’m sure she’s so busy with her own life that she won’t be able to find time to go out herself.”
  96. >Pine simple smiles at you.
  97. >You look at your watch.
  98. “Come on, it’s only an hour til close. Let’s get this place ready to shut down.”
  99. >As you walk to the back room to get the vacuum you let everything that just happen drift to the back of your mind.
  100. >Really, it was unlikely you would even see Rarity again.
  101.  
  102. *****
  103.  
  104. “And this is yours sir.”
  105. >You hand a newly printed ticket to the customer standing in front of the register.
  106. “This tells you when your alterations will be finished and ready for you to pick up.”
  107. >“Thank you.”
  108. >The man extends his hand and you meet it with yours in a cordial shake
  109. “Thank you sir, and enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”
  110. >While he leaves you place his purchase on a hanger.
  111. >It’s already two o’clock on a Friday and the only thing you’ve sold all day is a single pair of slacks.
  112. >Still, it’s better than nothing you suppose.
  113. >You start your way to the back room when suddenly Bright Pine’s face grows to a cheeky smile.
  114. >What is he up to now?
  115. >Deciding it’s best not to pay him any mind you keep your pace as he begins to wave at who ever just entered the store.
  116. >“Anon, it’s good to see you darling.”
  117. >You freeze.
  118. >With yesterday being your day off you had completely let yourself forget running into Rarity.
  119. >Turning around you find her in a loose fitting skirt with a white collarless shirt, a large pink shopping bag held in one hand.
  120. “Hi Rarity.”
  121. >You don’t know what else to say.
  122. >You were certain you were never going to see her again.
  123. >“I’m glad that I’m able to catch you while you’re still here. I came in yesterday only to find you weren’t working.”
  124. “I suppose I forgot to mention that the other night.”
  125. >“That’s quite alright I know how easy it is for little things to slip one’s mind. Luckily your coworker was helpful enough to let me know your schedule.”
  126. >You turn to look at Pine.
  127. >He still has on that cheeky ass smile.
  128. >You speak through closed teeth.
  129. “Wasn’t that helpful of him.”
  130. >He wiggles his eyebrows.
  131. >“Indeed. Pine here is ever so helpful.”
  132. “Well I’d love to stay here and talk but I have some alterations to make.”
  133. >Before you can make your get away Rarity grabs the pants out of your hand.
  134. >“Oh really, why don’t I help you with that?”
  135. “No, you don’t have to do that. It’s my job after all.”
  136. >She gives you a knowing look.
  137. >“Darling I make clothes for a living, now why don’t you tell me what needs to be done and I’ll be happy to help you out.”
  138. >You hold back a groan.
  139. >Why does she want to go out of her way to help you?
  140. >It’s only making things awkward.
  141. “A plain bottom hem.”
  142. >“A hem, that’s all?”
  143. “Yes.”
  144. >“Well then take me to the nearest sewing machine and I’ll have it ready in to time.”
  145. >“Anon would be more than happy to show you were it is in the back.”
  146. >Well there goes your last excuse.
  147. >Normally only employees were allowed in the back room for liability reasons.
  148. >But Pine outranked you in seniority, which meant that when there was no manager on duty he was technically in charge.
  149. “Follow me.”
  150. >No sense arguing.
  151. >You lead Rarity to past the large door to the back room and around the corner to the tailor’s station.
  152. >She sits down her shopping bag on the table next to the machine and takes a pair of large scissors.
  153. >You watch as she cuts off the excess fabric of each leg in a single fluid motion.
  154. >Sitting down she turns on the machine and pulls the legs of the pants inside out.
  155. >Matching up the needle with the alteration marks you made Rarity slow feeds the fabric through the machine.
  156. >You lean against the wall and watch.
  157. >She’s far from being as slow and cautious as you are when you try to do something as simple as this.
  158. >Rather she seems to be hardly trying at all.
  159. >She hold the pants with only her index finger and thumb around the throat plate and which each dainty tap of her foot on the pedal the fabric glides through the machine.
  160. >You watch until something colorful appears in your peripheral vision.
  161. >Moving your eyes you see deep purple contrasting with the hot pink of Rarity’s shopping bag.
  162. >There peeking up over the edge of the bag a pair of panties make themselves visible.
  163. >A deep royal color with an elegant weave along the edges to match the woven floral designs across the front which themselves contrast with the thin see through mesh material underneath.
  164. >A small decorative bow sits right above where the wearer’s inner thigh would be.
  165. >Its twin is just visible inside the bag.
  166. >Enough material is visible along the back for you to see that they would only cover the wearer to the middle of her cheeks.
  167. >A price tag dangles down that reads $79.99 in dark curvy letters.
  168. >“There, all done!”
  169. >You jump back in surprise as Rarity’s face pops into view.
  170. “Huh! Yeah, thanks!”
  171. >“Are you alright darling? Your face has gone red all over.”
  172. >The words begin flying out of your mouth just fast enough for you to think of something to say.
  173. “Uh, I just… am a little embarrassed by how easy you made that look. I mean it’s only be two minutes and it takes me a full fifteen to get it done, and even then I have to make sure I get the stitching straight.”
  174. >Smooth asshole, she’ll never buy that one.
  175. >Rarity beams with pride.
  176. >“It’s nothing really, just a simple hem. All it takes is just a little practice.”
  177. >She steps forward and lifts your hands up placing the newly finished garment in them.
  178. >Only a layer of wool keeps her palms from touching yours
  179. >“Why as a matter of fact if you want you could come over to my place sometime and I could teach you.”
  180. >You want to speak but your mind isn’t as quick as was just a moment ago.
  181. “I, uh… I’ll think about it.”
  182. >Rarity’s hands linger as she looks at you with a gentle smile.
  183. >“You really should.”
  184. >Finally she lets go and grabs her shopping bag.
  185. >“And before I go, this is for you.”
  186. >She reaches into her skirt pocket and pulls out a small business card only to place it on top of the pants you’re still holding.
  187. >‘Sand Wash Basin Bar & Grill 6200 W Gallop St.’ it reads.
  188. >Not that the address was needed.
  189. >Everyone knows where Sand Wash is, it’s the best restaurant in all Canterlot.
  190. >It’s also the most expensive.
  191. >“I’ve take the liberty of reserving us a table at eight tonight, I hope you don’t mind.”
  192. >Of course you mind.
  193. >This is the priciest place in town after all.
  194. >You need to tell her you don’t plan on going.
  195. >“I was serious about wanting to get reacquainted with you Anon.”
  196. >You look up to see that Rarity’s not smiling anymore.
  197. >She has such serious look on her face.
  198. >You feel a heaviness in your stomach.
  199. “Of course I don’t mind. I’d be happy to go to dinner with you.”
  200. >Fuck.
  201. >That’s not at all what you wanted to say.
  202. >So why did you say it?
  203. >Rarity’s face beams the instant she hears this and once again starts making small claps in her excitement.
  204. >“Wonderful, I can’t wait!”
  205. >She turns and starts to leave with an animated walk.
  206. >“Well I hate to go but I have some more things to do today before I start to get ready. I’ll see you later tonight Anon.”
  207. “Yeah, I’ll see you at eight.”
  208. >As she walks out the door she turns her head and gives a coy little wink.
  209. >“It’s a date.”
  210. >The door makes the usual sharp clap it does when closed.
  211. >You stand there feeling like you swallowed a pound of lead.
  212. >It looks like you have plans this evening.
  213.  
  214. *****
  215.  
  216. >You push back one suit after another as you dig through your closet.
  217. >Not that you really need to, you’re still in your work clothes from the afternoon.
  218. >Still you can’t help but think that twill cotton pants, a vest with a fabric back, and a knit tie would be to casual for evening.
  219. >With as many choices as you have this shouldn’t be so difficult.
  220. >Your gray pinstripe seems like it’d be too formal.
  221. >Your black double breasted seems too basic.
  222. >Finally you reach a canvas garment bag whose contents you deem worthy.
  223. >Your custom green sharkskin three piece that had a lapel on the vest.
  224. >No matter the occasion it was always the perfect pick.
  225. >Unique and stylish without standing out too much.
  226. >People should wear green suits more often.
  227. >You complete the outfit with an ivory shirt for color and a silver tonal paisley tie for just a little flare.
  228. >As you finish tying a Windsor knot you can’t help but feel uneasy.
  229. >You shouldn’t care this much about what you’re wearing tonight.
  230. >This isn’t a date.
  231. >Rarity’s last remark to you wasn’t literal, it was just a phrase.
  232. >A hyperbole at most.
  233. >You grab your keys and lock the apartment door as you head to your car.
  234. >It’s best to just get this done and over with.
  235. >Hell, if manage to relax you might just have a good time.
  236. >Placing your hands on the steering wheel you find them shaking slightly.
  237. >You take a deep breath.
  238. “Just relax Anon. It’s just a dinner between two people not a date. There’s no reason to be nervous.”
  239. >You make your way to the area of town known as the waterfront.
  240. >It’s a high end open air shopping and dinning complex next to a small fresh water lake.
  241. >Even though the sun is just starting to hit the horizon you can see that the path lights lining the walkway around the lake are already on.
  242. >Just as you park and exit the vehicle the deep growl of an engine fills your ears.
  243. >A white C class Mercedes sedan stops right in front of you.
  244. >The door opens and Rarity steps out wearing a black evening gown.
  245. >You swallow hard.
  246. >Hugging her frame it emphasizes her slim figure.
  247. >The off shoulder straps draw your eyes to the low neck line that shows off a most tasteful amount of cleavage.
  248. >You move your vision upward quickly so as to not look like a creep.
  249. >“Anon, where you standing out here looking for me? I do hope I didn’t make you wait too long while I was getting ready.”
  250. “No. I just got here myself.”
  251. >The thigh high slit and ankle strap heels giver her movement a feline grace as she slinks over to where you stand.
  252. >“Wonderful timing then.”
  253. >She reaches out and runs her hand along your lapel.
  254. >“I must say that your ensemble is especially dashing tonight. Green really is your color, it makes you look so handsome.”
  255. >The heat of a blush spreads across your face.
  256. “Thanks. And you look…”
  257. >She looks like she should be here with anyone but you.
  258. “...Stunning.”
  259. >It’s true.
  260. >The moment you saw her you really were stunned.
  261. >She smiles and as close as she is you see the flawlessly applied make up on her face.
  262. >The deep purple eye-shadow that you are beginning to suspect is her favorite color, the mascara that gives her eyelashes a slow gentle curve, the natural blush highlighting her cheekbones, the mat burgundy lipstick showing off her naturally bow shaped upper lip.
  263. >All of it framed by immaculately done hair that starts as long lustrous waves and ends in tight spiral curls.
  264. >You snap your head forward upon realizing you were staring again.
  265. >Rarity slips her arm around yours.
  266. >“Shall we darling.”
  267. >It’s hard to keep from breathing quickly.
  268. >Especially give the subtle fragrance of lilac that surrounds Rarity.
  269. “Of course.”
  270. >It takes extra effort to walk given how your legs shake.
  271. >This is bad.
  272. >Rarity actually thinks this is a date.
  273. >You take long slow inhales as inconspicuously as possible.
  274. >Maybe you’re overreacting.
  275. >Rarity likes to use any excuse to dress up.
  276. >She likes fancy clothes, that’s her thing after all.
  277. >Upon arriving at the front desk the hostess simply waves a waitress over and hands her two menus.
  278. >“Table ten in the back.”
  279. >As you both follow the server Rarity turns her had to give a friendly wave.
  280. >“Thank you Holly.”
  281. >“Any time Rarity.”
  282. “You must come here often.”
  283. >“Not as much as I like. When the restaurant moved here from downtown they hired me to make the server uniforms and when that was done I ended up sticking around to help with the interior décor.”
  284. >You’re led to an open room with large windows going all around the perimeter that give a picturesque view of the lake.
  285. >In the middle a round bar circles a stone pillar.
  286. >Upon reaching the table an uncomfortable presence falls on you.
  287. >You turn your head to see Rarity looking at you eagerly.
  288. >What does she want now?
  289. >Several seconds pass before it dawns on you.
  290. “Ah, after you Rarity.”
  291. >You pull the nearest chair at the table out.
  292. >“Thank you Anon, that’s very gentlemanly of you.”
  293. >She walks forward and sweeps her hands on the back of her thighs to make sure the slit of her dress doesn’t get caught on the chair.
  294. >Slowly she squats down and the fabric of her dress is pulled even tighter around two round mounds.
  295. >The way the dress clings ever so slightly to her crack gives you a teasing view of what’s right underneath.
  296. >It look so tight you bounce a quarter off it.
  297. >And the little concave dimple that is the small of her back makes it look that much more curvey.
  298. >You don’t know how long it’s been but you can see the back of Rarity’s head.
  299. >You take one last second to memorize the texture of the chair with your hands.
  300. >It gives your mind something to focus on that isn’t female anatomy.
  301. >Now calmed down in all the right places you take you seat.
  302. >You pick up the menu and feel your eyes bulge.
  303. >Fifty bucks and up for an entree.
  304. >This shit is expensive.
  305. >You’ve been trying to save up for a new desktop for a while now.
  306. >Looks like you’ll be saving up a little longer than you thought.
  307. >“Can I get you both started with any appetizers tonight?”
  308. >Hell no, your spending any more money than you have to.
  309. “I’m good.”
  310. >“None for me either.”
  311. >At least you didn’t have to worry about looking like a cheapskate in front of Rarity.
  312. >Not yet at least.
  313. >“Then what would you like to start off with to drink?”
  314. >“I’ll have the house rosé.”
  315. >“And for you sir?”
  316. “Just water is fine.”
  317. >“Are you sure? They have such a large selection, it’d be shame not to try something.”
  318. >Dammit Rarity.
  319. >You though she was on your side.
  320. “I’d rather not have something too heavy, I have to drive home after all.”
  321. >Rarity pauses considering the fact.
  322. >“Well if you end up feeling like it’s unsafe I can always drive you home.”
  323. >Suddenly you feel the urge to drink until an ambulance has to take you home.
  324. “A glass of Don Julio añejo two fingers deep.”
  325. >It’s a mistake to start but you don’t care at this point.
  326. >You’re gonna need it.
  327. >“And are you ready to order, or do you need some more time to look over the menu?”
  328. >“I think we’ll need a few more moments.”
  329. >“Of course, I’ll be right back with those drinks.”
  330. >The waitress heads off to the bar.
  331. >With her gone it’s just you and Rarity.
  332. >“So, tell me all about how you’ve been lately.”
  333. >Here comes the questions.
  334. “I’m alright.”
  335. >“So how long have you been working at Gentry's?”
  336. “Oh, about four and a half maybe five years.”
  337. >“Well I’m not surprised you chose to work in the clothing industry, you’ve always had an eye for formal attire even back in high school.”
  338. >That wasn’t true.
  339. >Back in high school the most formal you ever got was dressing in black jeans with a button up over a t-shirt.
  340. >“And what made you want to start there if you don’t mind me asking?”
  341. >They we’re hiring and you need to find a job to pay for that useless college degree you just had to have since you grace period on your student loans was up.
  342. “Well one day back in college I found a suit at the thrift store that fit me really well, and I liked the way it fit and the way it made me look so I though why not make this a career.”
  343. >It was the same story you told the regional manager at your interview.
  344. >It was a little exaggerated but not untrue.
  345. >“That’s wonderful! I know the exact same feeling, especially when it comes to fashion. I remember when I was seven and I first made a skirt out of an old pillow case from instruction I found on the internet, I wore it for days on end. Isn’t it so nice when things work out?”
  346. >Though you don’t recall if your R.M. liked it as much as Rarity seems to.
  347. >Having found a topic that keeps her talking you ask an obvious question.
  348. “And what are you doing these days?”
  349. >“Well I’m still running my boutique”
  350. >Her voice if full of pride.
  351. >You could have guessed as much.
  352. >She opened her store the summer after graduation.
  353. >You remember the article in the paper they wrote about it.
  354. >‘Young woman sets out to succeed with small store and big entrepreneurial spirit’, or something like that.
  355. “And how is that going?”
  356. >“Oh darling it’s marvelous, jut marvelous. I quite literally think that I have the best job in the world. I get to express my creativity making something I love, and that very thing makes my customers happy and feel good about themselves, speaking of which I get to meet the most wonderful people I won’t otherwise, sure there those minor headaches you get from owning your own business but on the whole I wouldn’t change what I do for just about anything.”
  357. >The returning waitress places drinks in front of you both.
  358. >“So, are we ready to order?”
  359. >“Why yes. I’ll have the chicken Marsala with risotto and a Caprese salad to start off with.”
  360. >The waitress takes the menu from Rarity and faces you.
  361. >“Wonderful. And for you sit.”
  362. >You’ve barely read it.
  363. >All you know is that you don’t want to pay for overly expensive food.
  364. >You take a drink of your tequila.
  365. >A pleasant warmth spreads from your stomach to your extremities.
  366. >Fuck it.
  367. >You were in this deep, might as well just accept it.
  368. “I’ll have the house special.”
  369. >“Alright, we’ll get started on those and be back when it’s ready.”
  370. >You hand her the menu and before you can go back to distracting Rarity she starts up with questions of her own.
  371. >“You don’t seem to be very busy at Gentry's.”
  372. “It’s just the summer slump, we’ll pick up again near the end of September when fall weddings start. Doesn’t business slow down for you during the summer?”
  373. >“It can I suppose. Although it seems I always have enough personal orders and adjustments, and of course once I started learning how to do interior decoration I started getting offers from new clientele, and I’m still talking with the local greenhouse to start selling some of the flowers they grow to increase interest in visitors.”
  374. “It sounds like you stay busy.”
  375. >Rarity turns her head and looks out the window.
  376. >Though the gentle smile stays on her face but a serious look fills her eyes.
  377. >“I like to stay busy these days.”
  378. >You take another drink while you think of something to keep the conversation going.
  379. “How are your friends doing these days?”
  380. >Rarity’s lips give a single twitch.
  381. >Though it seems for a moment that her smile falters it never breaks.
  382. >“We… keep in touch as best we can.”
  383. >She looks down at her drink a sips slowly.
  384. >The distant chatter of conversations around you can be heard.
  385. >Great, now you’ve gone and said something stupid that upset Rarity.
  386. >It’s true you don't want to be here, but that doesn’t mean you want to make her feel bad.
  387. >Suddenly Rarity looks up and continues talking as if nothing has happened.
  388. >“Anyway enough about me already, if I don’t stop now I’ll end up talking about myself all night long and I don’t want to bore you. So let’s hear more about you, shall we?”
  389. “There’s not really much to tell.”
  390. >Now it’s you turn to use the excuse of sipping your drink.
  391. >“Sure there is. For starters why’s a refined man like yourself still single?”
  392. >The liquid in your mouth hits your lungs as an ice clogs your throat.
  393. >Instantly you begin hacking as you struggle for air.
  394. >“I’m sorry darling, was that too personal?”
  395. >Regaining your breath you manage to speak with more effort than it should take.
  396. “No, it’s fine. Fine. I just wasn’t expecting you to ask that was all.”
  397. >You’re single because you don’t look for a girlfriend.
  398. >You actively don’t look.
  399. >“I don’t mean to be so forward, really I don’t. It’s just that your coworker told me that yesterday and I found it so odd.”
  400. >That bastard.
  401. “That’s Pine for you. He’s a very ‘forward’ individual.”
  402. >Thankfully the waitress arrives and begins setting food on the table.
  403. >“The Caprese salad and chicken Marsala with risotto for the lady. And the house special, a baked salmon with pomegranate glaze and oysters on the half shell for the gentleman.”
  404. >“My darling, that’s quite a course you ordered there.”
  405. “I am hungry after all.”
  406. >You can barely look at all that food without feeling queasy.
  407. >“Is there anything else I can get for you both right now?”
  408. >She could stay and answer all of Rarity’s personal questions for you.
  409. “I think that should cover it.”
  410. >“Just call me over if you need anything else.”
  411. >Once she’s gone Rarity starts again between bites.
  412. >“So what do you do in your leisure time?”
  413. >Read online doujin of anime you used to watch in high school, and binge Simpson’s reruns.
  414. “Not much. I like to read when I have the time.”
  415. >“And have you read anything good lately?”
  416. “Competitive Authoritarianism and Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation.”
  417. >They’re the sources for your undergrad thesis.
  418. >It’s been longer than you care to admit since you’ve read an actual book.
  419. >“My, that’s quite a bit more heavy than I’m used to.”
  420. “And what to you do with your free time?”
  421. >“Oh, I like to go out for a nice dinner, not unlike tonight. I enjoy window shopping, it tends to give me inspiration when I need it the most, as a matter of fact that’s how I ran into you. Going to the spa when I want to pamper myself. I read myself, though it’s not exactly on the same level as you.”
  422. “Oh?”
  423. >Small girlish giggles erupt as Rarity tries to hide her face behind her drink.
  424. >“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly say it. It’s far too embarrassing.”
  425. >More embarrassing than the folder in you documents tab labeled OhgiXVilletta?
  426. “More embarrassing than boring, dry as a bone academia?”
  427. >“So much more embarrassing.”
  428. >You smile for the first time all night.
  429. “Come on, I told you mine now you have to tell me yours.”
  430. >“I couldn’t.”
  431. “Sure you could.”
  432. >“No, no, I couldn’t possibly.”
  433. >More giggles flow from Rarity as you cross your arms in mock determination.
  434. “We’re not moving on to any more topics of conversation until you tell me what books you like to read.”
  435. >“OK, OK, I like to read romance novels. I even have a fondness for some of the more tawdry ones.”
  436. >You’re genuinely surprised by how mild that is.
  437. >You give a small laugh.
  438. “That’s not bad in the least.”
  439. >“You’re just saying that.”
  440. “No really, there is nothing embarrassing about trashy romance books.”
  441. >She raises an eyebrow and takes a mock accusatory tone.
  442. >“Then what is embarrassing?”
  443. >Embarrassing is reading fanfiction from 2002.
  444. >Even more embarrassing is looking for updates to fanfiction from 2002.
  445. >(You’re going to find the rest of ‘Alliance’ by Rann Aridorn if takes you the rest of your life.)
  446. “Watching your professor fall asleep while he reviews your thesis.”
  447. >Rarity just laughs.
  448. >“No, that wouldn’t happen to you.”
  449. “Why yes, yes it would.”
  450. >Admittedly he was 80, but it still mortified you.
  451. >You ended up spending the next two days trying to write it in a way that was at least partially captivating.
  452. >“You are just an absolute delight Anon. I’m so glad you agreed to come out.”
  453. >You take a bite of your dinner enjoying the complementary taste of earthy and sweet.
  454. >“Darling, can I ask you a favor?”
  455. “Yes?”
  456. >Rarity tents her hand and fidgets her fingers.
  457. >“I know it’s rude, but do you mind if I have one of your oysters?”
  458. >You don’t care.
  459. >You’ve never tried them before so you don’t even know if you like them.
  460. “Help yourself.”
  461. >You push the plate forward and Rarity eagerly snatches one up.
  462. >Lifting it to her face she elongates her mouth and puckers her lips around the shell.
  463. >She tilts her head back slightly sucking the contents as the skin around her jaw stretches and dimples her cheeks.
  464. >The entire time she makes a long wet slurping sound as a single trail of oyster juice dribbles down the corner of her mouth and lands right below her collar bone.
  465. >She removes the shell with a small wet pop.
  466. >Slowly she slides her tongue across her lips, first the bottom then the top, removing any lingering moister.
  467. >A low moan arises from her throat.
  468. >“Mmmmm, I love oysters.”
  469. >And right now you love them too.
  470. >Wait, has it been so long since you’ve been with a woman that you’re now one of those pathetic weirdos who gets turned on from watching women eat?
  471. >“Thank you for that darling.”
  472. >Weirdo or not you are now officially turned on.
  473. >It’s hard to look Rarity in the eyes.
  474. “You uh, have a little something on you.”
  475. >She dabs the corner of her lip with a napkin.
  476. >“There’re such tasty treats but they can be a little messy.”
  477. >You clear your throat and speak softly.
  478. “I meant… a little… lower.”
  479. >She gives you a quizzical look.
  480. >Once more you clear your throat and tap next your pocket square.
  481. >“Oh.”
  482. >Quickly the spot in question is clean.
  483. >“Thank you, wouldn’t want to go around with that on me all night.”
  484. >She places her elbows on the table and rest her chin in her palm.
  485. >She focuses her eyes on yours.
  486. >Not intensely.
  487. >You’d feel nervous if it were.
  488. >But it’s not in a nonchalant manner.
  489. >“They are yours, why don’t you try one for yourself? I think you’ll enjoy the taste, particularly the juices inside.”
  490. >You want to look away but for some reason you can’t seem to move your vision from Rarity’s inexplicable look.
  491. >Hard shell meets your fingers as you slowly lift the morsel to your face.
  492. >“Rarity! So good to see you!”
  493. >You both jump in your seats as an older man in a lounge shirt and shorts appears out of nowhere.
  494. >Rarity doesn’t skip a beat.
  495. >“Why hello there Verdant Cedar. And how are you doing darling?”
  496. >“I’m great as you can see. The manager told me you here and I wanted to come a say hello.”
  497. >“You didn’t have to go out of your way to do that.”
  498. >“Of course I didn’t, but I wanted to. Tell me who is this nice looking man over here?”
  499. >Rarity waves her hand in your direction.
  500. >“This is Anon. He and I know each other from our younger days. Anon this is Verdant Cedar, he owns the Sand Wash Basin.”
  501. “Hello.”
  502. >Verdant Cedar nods.
  503. >“Nice to meet you Anon. Let me tell you that you are a lucky man to be on a date with this young woman, this lady here is the most talented person in all of Canterlot. She picked out all the furniture here in this room, even was able to help me get it at a discount.”
  504. >“Darling you give me too much credit.”
  505. >“Oh no I don’t, customers have doubled since you helped us with renovations. Speaking of which your meal is on the house tonight.”
  506. >That’s fine with you.
  507. >“We couldn’t do that to you.”
  508. >You want to tell Rarity to kindle shut up.
  509. >Your better judgment prevails.
  510. >“Of course you can, and I won’t hear a word otherwise. Say, it’s such a nice evening out why don’t you two go out for a walk around the lake. I’ll get what you have left boxed up and you can come in and get it before you leave.”
  511. >“That does sound lovely. What do you think Anon, shall we?”
  512. >An hour ago you would have said no, but after spending some time just talking you actually feel relaxed.
  513. >And you’re getting a free meal.
  514. >Things are actually going better than you thought.
  515. >Hell, why not.
  516. “Sure. That sounds good.”
  517. >As you start to get up the table brushes against a particular part of your body.
  518. >Maybe you’re a little too relaxed.
  519. >Quickly you turn before anyone can see and call to Rarity over your shoulder.
  520. “I’ll be right back, just wait for me at the door.”
  521. >She grabs her purse and nods.
  522. >You rush to the restroom as quickly as is allowed in public.
  523. >Once in you take off your suit coat and roll up your sleeves.
  524. >Grabbing some paper towels from the machine you turn on the faucet and lean forward.
  525. >All of your attention is instantly focused on the startling sensation of cold water splashing on your face.
  526. >Once you’re able to focus you dry yourself with the paper towels while making sure to stay leaning over the sink.
  527. >You don’t want to get your tie wet.
  528. >Now that you’re cooled off and not worrying about showing off more than your slacks could hide you straighten up.
  529. >While buttoning up your sleeves you see a basket full of magazines sitting between the faucet you just used and another.
  530. >There on top is a copy of ‘The Canterlot Business Journal’ dated six months ago.
  531. >On the cover a smiling Rarity poses gracefully in a white pant suit and v cut blouse.
  532. >‘Business person of the year’ it states.
  533. >For the first time it sinks in just how big of a deal Rarity really is.
  534. >The skin around your face begins to tighten in the air conditioning.
  535. >The muscles throughout your body do the same.
  536. >Slowly you put your coat back on and walk out.
  537. >You see Rarity waiting for you at the door.
  538. >As you approach she begins to grow a concerned expression.
  539. >“Are you alright darling? You look pale.”
  540. “I’m fine. Just a little too much to eat.”
  541. >She seems unpersuaded.
  542. >“If you say so darling.”
  543. >You both walk out into the evening.
  544. >The sun had truly begun to set in the now deep blue of the horizon, leaving a gentle arc of orange in the west.
  545. >Side by side you follow each other around the walkway circling the lake.
  546. >Your pace is slower than normal so that Rarity can keep up in her given footwear.
  547. >She doesn’t link her arm around yours like she did earlier in the parking lot.
  548. >If anything she keeps just enough distance between you two for it to seem that you’re still walking together.
  549. >She looks down slightly.
  550. >“You know Anon, I haven’t had an evening this in along time.”
  551. >Her voice begins to waiver.
  552. >“Oh, but I’m sure I’ve told you that already.”
  553. >It’s the opposite of how she was just a few moments ago.
  554. “That’s OK.”
  555. >She reaches out and places her hand on your wrist.
  556. >You stop and turn toward her.
  557. “It’s just that… well I rather enjoyed myself and… I’d like to do this again.”
  558. >She looks up at you.
  559. >Now all you can see are the reflections of what light remains in her eyes.
  560. >It made them sparkle a lustrous blue.
  561. >Azul, or maybe Moroccan, it was hard to tell the exact shade.
  562. >“Maybe we can make this a regular thing…”
  563. >Her hand moves slowly up your arm and finds its way to your chest.
  564. >“...If possible, I’d like to get to know a more… personal side of you.”
  565. >Rarity leans in.
  566. >Her face comes within inches of yours.
  567. >Your memory comes to life and you are instantaneously taken back two years.
  568. >A receive a text message at work telling you to check your email.
  569. >The first line reads that you are no longer going to be a part of her life.
  570. >The panic rises as you race in your car to her apartment.
  571. >Her roommate opens the door to tell you she isn’t here.
  572. >In between sobs you tell her roommate to let her know you’re sorry, while all the while you’re looked at as if your a robber there to break in.
  573. >You frantically try to reach her.
  574. >Finally she agrees via text to take a call.
  575. >You start by saying no matter what happens you’ll always care about her.
  576. >Your greeted by silence.
  577. >You ask for a chance to fix this, to still be part of her life.
  578. >She tells you her decision if final.
  579. >You remind her she promised she wouldn’t kick you out of her life even if there was a break up.
  580. >She tells that this must come as a shock then.
  581. >You cry and plead.
  582. >She comments that this will give you a chance to meet someone else.
  583. >Through a hoarse throat you tell her that when she says things like that it makes you feel like she doesn’t care.
  584. >She says that she’s felt like this for a long time.
  585. >You throw the phone at the wall and never hear the crash above your own screaming.
  586. “No!”
  587. >You hold out your arms and push Rarity by the shoulders back to a safe distance.
  588. “I’m not ready for that. I’m sorry Rarity but I don’t want that right now.”
  589. >Her mouth hangs agape as her face loses all color.
  590. “I’m sorry. I should go.”
  591. >You turn and head for your car.
  592.  
  593. *****
  594.  
  595. >Well you’ve done it now.
  596. >Here Anon was having a nice time and you’ve gone and scared him off.
  597. >You could tell her was nervous from the beginning but you just keep pushing your luck.
  598. >The way you tried to flirt with him, and that show you put on when you ate that oyster.
  599. >You might as well have sewed ‘Desperate’ on the front of your dress.
  600. >Once again you’ve let your selfish desires get the better of you.
  601. >Yes it felt nice to have an excuse to dress up extra fancy.
  602. >And yes it felt good the way Anon looked at you when he saw you.
  603. >It made you feel like he thought you were beautiful.
  604. >And that made you feel desired.
  605. >Being desired, it felt good.
  606. >You’re a woman after all, it’s natural to be wanted.
  607. >It’s something you haven’t felt in a long time.
  608. >But because you couldn't control yourself you ended up rushing to get him to go out with you.
  609. >No man wants to be pushed into a relationship.
  610. >And no man especially want to have some sad pathetic girl gush her feelings all over him.
  611. >You know that.
  612. >But you went and did it anyway.
  613. >All because you feel lonely.
  614. >Lonely because all your friends have gone off and moved on with their lives.
  615. >Twilight going off to Manehattan University, Sunset living with her and currently in talks to start recording an album, Rainbow Dash getting an athletic scholarship at a school in Las Pegasus, Fluttershy moving so she could study for veterinary school.
  616. >Then there was Pinkie’s wedding a few years back.
  617. >The one where you tried so hard not to show had sad you were that she had bought a wedding dress instead of asking you to make it.
  618. >You wouldn’t have minded, really you wouldn’t have.
  619. >But she didn’t ask you and so you went and focused on being happy for her.
  620. >It was harder than it should have been.
  621. >That was a year after Applejack’s baby shower.
  622. >You loved all your friends, but you’ve always felt a special connection with Applejack.
  623. >You remember going to the shower and being surrounded by mothers both experienced and expecting.
  624. >All their talk was focused on children, if felt so alien to you.
  625. >Very shortly you felt ignored.
  626. >Eventually Applejack told you that you didn’t have to stay if you didn’t want to.
  627. >Of course you knew she was just tying to be polite, but you felt unwanted just the same.
  628. >Your vision becomes diluted.
  629. >Stop that now.
  630. >You are not going to cry.
  631. >You are not going to make a scene.
  632. >Even if you did feel unwanted.
  633. >Not for lack of trying mind you.
  634. >You don’t know how many social events you’ve gone to or dating apps you’ve tried.
  635. >All you know is that the only ones who are interested in you are old men just looking for sex.
  636. >Well you don’t want that.
  637. >You don’t want to be just an object.
  638. >You want more than to be treated like a sex doll who could be forgoten when the deed was done.
  639. >You wanted someone who would spend time with you.
  640. >Someone who would talk to you, listen to you.
  641. >Who would be there when you felt like you were out of ideas, or who would tell you how they know you’ll see through when you felt overwhelmed with work, who would hold you close in bed after a long stressful day even if he knew you weren’t in the mood to make love.
  642. >Someone who looked at you like you were someone worth having.
  643. >Like the way Anon looked at you tonight.
  644. >You feel a streak of wet fall down your cheeks.
  645. >You blot them with your thumb so as not smear any mascara that may have run.
  646. >Well it doesn’t matter how Anon looked at you.
  647. >You’ve gone and ruined it.
  648. >He probably wants nothing to do with you now.
  649. >You’re just going to have to go home and spend another night alone.
  650. >You’ll just lie in bed feeling you ache all over until you fall asleep.
  651. >Maybe that last man to messaged you on that dating app you finally deleted was right.
  652. >A stuck up cunt like you should feel grateful that any man even considers talking to you.
  653. >Everything goes blurry as your face becomes cold and wet.
  654.  
  655. *****
  656.  
  657. >You make your way back to the walkway.
  658. >Once you got to your car you realized just how rashly you’d acted.
  659. >That look on Rarity’s face is frozen in your head.
  660. >Shit.
  661. >You really hurt her feelings.
  662. >You need to apologize.
  663. >Maybe if you explain more clearly why you’re not ready she’d understand.
  664. >As you round the corner of the restaurant she comes into view.
  665. >You stop.
  666. >There she stands with one hand covering her face as long black lines streak down her face.
  667. >Your stomach twists.
  668. >You want to vomit.
  669. >Instead you turn around and go back to your car.
  670. >Maybe it’s time to start looking for a new job.
  671. >Maybe in a different city.
  672. >Somewhere that no one knew you.
  673. >Somewhere you could feel completely alone.

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