In which pretties are acquired and stares are given...

It was a most pleasant sunny day. The sun shone. The weather was perfect. Ponies trotted down in their fine attire. Merchants made bits. Colors were vibrant-

"Oh! Would you look at that!" A crystal pony latched her hooves onto the fine cloths on display of the open air clothing store. "Now this has an awfully nice plebeian look!"

...The colors were vibrant. The breeze was gentle. The birds were-

"I'll buy this whole lot!" The pony in question said, bringing a careful selection of many types of clothing. The huge pile sitting on the register, earning a raised eyebrow from the cashier. Even moreso when she got a closer look at the one buying. Something about this pony was....well. She looked like a mare but something....Best not think too hard on it now.

"This will look lovely for my more casual appearances among the commoners!" Rosselin said to himself, his voice edging on that of a mares, but not enough to discredit curiosity.

The cashier checked him out and was not surprised by how effortlessly he paid with a check, not a care for the amount. "Deliver it to my address please. I know its not much yet. Its only temporary until I get an estate of my own of course!" He projected his words with almost song like variances.

"Thank you! I may be back for you fall line. Or Spring line! If my closets are not too full." He said merrily before taking out a mirror, adjusting his mane and flower, and trotting off with his head held high.

The cashier sighed at yet another typical customer. Though her eyes widened when she looked at the check. "...Mr. Rosselin Prosperous?"

"Whoa! That many bits, that's ridiculous, for this hat!?"

Just a few feet away, A Unicorn was at the cashier, who herself seemed less than all there.
the Cashier spoke, "I'm sorry, sir. This hat is expensive, a high wear product."

"This hat is the same as mine, except it has a label that says "Fancy Pants" on it!"

"Yes, sir. 98% of the price is in that label."

"This is preposterous. I'm sorry, my dear, but I'm afraid that I have rather... conservative views on how I sped money. I will take my business elsewhere."

The Unicorn, tossed the hat back on it's shelf with his magic and replaced his own brown hat on his head. He moved just outside the shoppe, were he produced a trumpet from a case on his back and moved to the center of the Plaza.

Rosselin trotted about with a smile glued to his face. Anypony at a glance wouldn't give him a second look. His mane was curled and combed just right. His blouse and skirt called for attention only mares would ask for. Even his gait as he carried himself was one attributed to mares.

That is until he was cloths-lined by a pony with a trumpet. Maybe he shouldn't have been gawking at that the flower vase vendor for so long and watched where he was going. He stumbled onto his rump, feeling his head spin more in surprise than in trauma.

"Ouch!" He squeaked, grabbed at his head. The flower in his mane was knocked free and fluttered to the ground. "Ooww. My face...Mmmgh." He spent perhaps more time than he should have groaning and worrying about himself.

"Huh... probably shouldn't have been playing and jogging at the same time. This is, what? The 8th time." Vastile rolled up and checked his trumpet for dents and scratches, pleased to find that it was in good condition, he replaced it in his case.

Now as he stood, he found the source of his fall. A preening pony twisting on the floor and holding his face. Vastile thought this was a little too much.

"Well, you'll ruin that interesting... um, shirt, if you continue to writhe on the ground like that."

He was quick to get up on all fours at the mere mention of any of his clothes being ruined. "Oh dear!" He quickly patted off his skirt and blouse. "I hope nothing got too dirty. This is no ordinary blouse. Its one of the few casual lines that was done by Photo Finish." He said with a slight whine of worry. His attention soon turned his eyes up to Vastile though and changed his attitude completely.

"Oh! Hello there handsome!" He smiled and leaned in a bit too close for comfort. "I love your hat! Is that a 'Fancy Pants' hat? Oh, wait, that look you have...Are you one of those 'hipster' ponies I read about in the 'Mares clothing magazine' recently?" His smile was so wide it was almost contagious.

Vastile pulled his head back, as the stranger came right up to him. He was trying to observe the situation, when he heard the word "Hipster".

"Oi! I'm no hipster." this is very odd... I'm usually the only one, who calls myself handsome.

"No, this hat is my own. I'm not a fan of the extravagant lines, they are expensive, un-functional, and often, just plain ugly." Vastile could see this pony is on the other end of his spectrum. I have class, but I also enjoy a good brawl in a bar... This is an odd situation.

"Look... If you'd be kind enough to back of enough, just so I can't smell your breakfast, I'd be happy to fill you in on the interesting style of my own... subtlety."

Rosselin was only more intrigued by this pony. His insistence to distance himself was a bit rude though. Frowning briefly, he did give some distance, but not much. It didn't take long for the smile to return and his fast paced words.

"Your own hat? Is it of your own make? Interesting! You got some style to show me?' He leaned in again for just a moment, eyes half lidded. "I would love to see your style. My name is Rosselin. But you can call me Rose."

While he found this pony to be a less than pleasant for company, he was fascinated with his attitude and appearance. Much like one would look at monkeys in a zoo when they performed outrageous acts.

Vastile gave a brief sigh and looked back at "Rose. This Pony his trying to get more than my "Styles".

"You are... punctual, I'll give you that." His eyes are giving me chills...

"Alright, follow me. I haven't eaten today, so we might as well grab a bite. You drink... 'Rose'?"

This pony's got an interesting approach. I hope he doesn't go all out on a hoity toity rampage...
This... is going to be something, but if I get another look like that... I might have to sock him.

Vastile trotted down the street a little, while tipping his hat to other entertainers he knew and a few he didn't.

He put aside his comment on his punctuality for the moment, though he did smirk at its mention. The offer of food and drink only made the whole ordeal for him even more interesting and adventurous. "Oh! A date it is then! I love a good wine or some tropical cocktails. Especially the ones with the little umbrellas on top! Piña coladas are very tasty."

He was just about to trot along with him until he stopped and gasped. "Oh, hold on." He pulled out a small mirror and brush, checking to make sure his mane was not disturbed from the earlier collision as well as fix any ruffles. "Oh drat. I lost my daffodil." He spotted the flower on the ground, partially trampled. He frowned and lost some of his glimmer. Seeing as Vastile was on the move, he caught up and trotted closely alongside him. It perturbed him as to why he had yet to return any introductions. Maybe it was a 'hipster' thing.

Rose had just caught up to him as he was on his way. Finally there was a moment of silence between them, enough time for a complete assessment of the newcomer. This was definitely a colt in mares clothing, the jaw line gave it away... I've got weirder friends, so this shouldn't be an issue.

Now that there was a moment of silence... "I am Vastile. I'm an entertainer, among other things." He hoped that would satisfy Rose's intrigue, but based on the past few minutes, he doubted it. Hopefully, I can teach this high society type a lesson in being a gentleman, even if he'd rather be a Gentleladie...

The square was glistening in the afternoon glare. Vastile strode passed the fountain, he sometimes called a stage, and moved towards a little town-house style building. Old, Small, Quaint. A small banner displaying the local "The Trotting Mare"

"This is a favorite of mine, I know the owner and his family." Vastile held the door open for Rose to continue inside.

"Pleasure to meet you!" Rosselin immediatly returned after his introduction. He found it curtious of him to share him employ too. The poor hipster was already several steps below his league. Still, he was fascinated with the lifestyles of the lower class.

Upon reaching the place, Rosselin was almost apprehensive about the place. He honestly thought it was a run down pony home stuffed with squatters at first, but the rustic local was indeed a 'restaurant'.

"Oh...Interesting choice..." He put on a smile and happily took the initiative of being let in first. "Such a gentlecolt."

I hope this place will give this colt some perspective... We'll see if I can get the place jumping.

Vastile followed in and looked about. Finding the colt he was looking for, a rather large stallion with a large mutton chops, they greeted each-other and the stallion motioned to an open table.

"Over here, Rose." Vastile tossed his head and pulled out a chair for him. "I'd recommend that you leave your extra-clothing on the hooks by the door, wouldn't want to get them filthy."

Wouldn't want to get you in trouble more, more like it. I'm not certain how some of the ponies coming in this place would react to Rose's... style.

"This is my friend, Hops." Motioning to the stallion, now delivering mugs to a table in the back.
"He owns this establishment and I respect him and his place, you should, too."

Vastile turned and spoke to Hops. "Do you still play the violin, Hops?" Hops, turned and smiled, showing a few missing teeth.

"Like an' angel, me boy-o." Hops moved behind the bar and produced his instrument.

Vastile smiled, "And your daughter, she still dances?"

Hops, nodded and continued about his business.

Vastile, face now shining with a full smile and cheerful attitude, sat down across from Rose, tossing is hat on a hook by the door.

I'll see if some local music and cuisine would bring this colt around to the common side, I can teach him... or train him. Vanity is not a virtue.

Rosselin was quickly becoming quite uncomfortable here. The large beefy pony with missing teeth. The loud and bustling nature of the place. And it was so unkempt. He could barely stand it. It screamed of low class and lifestyles that made him feel cornered. There was a thrill at the same time though. Still, he was not comfortable.

"I'll keep my clothes..." He said tip toeing around anything he may bump into that could dirty up his clothes. "Umm, interesting place....You know, I know the folks at a few others places where I could pay the tab." He suggested, hoping he would take it. The meals there were almost a whole days pay for 'commoners'. His discomfort was becoming more and more apparent as he grew more fidgety.

"I wouldn't dream of having someone pay for me, I'm paying for you this afternoon."

He has no idea, if I showed him The High Spirits, he would be surprised. Surprised to know that I make more than he does, maybe.

Hops came by and placed the menus down on the table.

"Ere' ye go, Vassy. Ah! An' I see ye got a wee lass wit ye, as well! Pleased te meetcha, darlin', the name is Hops and I'm teh owner of this establishment." Hops knelt and bowed his head and went back to his work, but as he left he winked to Vastile.

He's kidding me... No, he's not, he thinks "He" is a "She". Well...

"Now, Rose. I'm interested in hearing what business you are invested in, I'd put my money on Fashion or Stocks. I remember you asking if my hat was a Fancy-Pants, un-fortunately, while he enjoys Jazz and a good Drink, he doesn't know how to make hats..."

Vastile tried to gauge the reaction, let's see if I can surprise him with some of the ponies I call friends. After I can keep him from bolting, I'll instigate plan, "Lighten Up!".

Rosselin blushed at Hops and his use of pronouns. While he was feeling out of place, he happily clung to things of immediate interest to him. Like talking about their employment or Fancy-Pants hats.

"Rather close." He briefly thought in his head if he should claim his alter ego as the money maker of the house or be the one responsible for his own money. The latter was easier this time especially since he was a perceptive one to ask.

"Stocks and investing. A mix of both. Sounds conflicting to some but being creative about it is what gets you ahead of all the other 'firms'." He scanned the menu briefly and wrinkled her snout at the listings she was seeing. "Ah..What about you sweetie? You said you were an entertainer but not much beyond that."

"I'm a little of anything I feel deserves my time, but mostly, other than being an entertainer, I am a musician, a pilot, a tour-guide, a gentleman, and an investor."

Now that I think about it... I have way too much time on my hooves...

"but above all of that, I am just looking for good company and equally good times."

Hops came by and asked for the orders, Vastile ordered for them both.

"The house special, Hops, for the two of us, and make sure you make it the best of the day."
Hops nodded and retreated to his kitchen.

"I don't stick my hooves in the daily market, but I have knowledge and I am very observant of the stock exchange... I can tell you, it would be smart to put your bits into Flim-Flam Industries, they have a reputation, but it's nothing to say of their business sense."

Rosselin carefully thought about his self described employment. He had all sorts of ideas on him after that. Ideas he would not be sharing just yet. He was certainly very interesting though. And it became apparent that he had a decent source of income somewhere.

"Bravo to good times and company." He smiled. When ordering food came about, he was less than pleased to have his food picked for him, but he quickly insisted on his drink. "Could you be a lovely dear and have a pina colada brought to me? Thanks love." He said sweetly to Hops.

Once the market was mentioned by Vastile, when it became business, Rosselin's demeanor changed completely. He put his hooves together and leaned his head into them, his signature position when thinking hard and quick. Numbers and images flashed in his head. Memories of all his previous exchanges and investments came up. In his mind, he was checking the validity on his own. Every bit of a smile and energy faded from him as he was suddenly all business.

"Hmm...Of course they would be a good buy. They fell into the dumps. Especially after I sold everything I had in them. All forty seven percent of it. Anypony would buy it since it can't get any worse. After the Ponyville fiasco it is best to wait for them to drop more before buying again. And even then, its a long and risky endeavor. Money best invested elsewhere." He said factually and flatly. His voice almost sounded off-put by the mere suggestion.

Vastile smiled, this is getting fun. This is a new side of the puzzle not yet seen, Vastile was a strategist and business is an easy game.

"Ah, well you see... When I say "Invest" I not only mean in business, but in people. I pride myself on being perceptive and a good judge on character, this is a tool that has served me well. Where as the average businesspony would pass on Flim-Flam, I'll tell you why they are going to be big. Tenacity."

Vastile's eyes were keen, behind his glasses, these glasses that so often hid his eyes from others, but helped him see. Giving none, Taking all.

"You see, I never invest in a business, until I know who runs it. Flim and Flam are two very troubled entrepreneurs, but entrepreneurs still... I see something in them. Prospect and Possibility. Mark my words, they will make it big."

As Vastile finished, Hops returned and went to Vastile to whisper in his ear, "Um... Wat the bleedin' hell is a Peenie Coldida?"

Vastile smiled and whispered back the ingredients and instructions. "And Hops."

Vastile used his magic to take his napkin and some toothpicks and turned the lot into an umbrella. "Put that in it, when you are finished."

Hops nodded and left with the little craft. Vastile looked back at Rose.

If he wants to be better at his business, he needs to learn that ponies can't be judged purely on their actions and dealings, but that the soul of a pony lays within their eyes and their music. Well... he can start with the eyes. Maybe, I'll let him try on my... eyes. One second though, I might not want him staring at my eyes...

Rosselin's expression did not change. It was rather eerily stoic. Especially considering his energetic joys from earlier. His job and personal time were clearly very separate and competitive.

"I don't work with ponies. I work with numbers. Things far more consistent and true to their value. I could care less if who I'm investing in is an upstanding pony or a liar. I pulled out my stocks and profited while others did not. I will keep doing so and not take 'gambles' because they seem 'special.' I also do not talk about business details outside my office..." His last line met eyes with Vastile before staring off into calculating space again. In that brief moment, his eyes read like an executioner. The pony that was behind all the capital that was behind his name. A name known in the Empire, and quickly so in Canterlot.

Rosselin wished to move onto something else. He hated getting his business life mixed with his 'real' life. It was unpleasant and depressing.

Poor soul, he will loss everything one day, because he played by numbers... Oh, well. He could use a walk in common horse shoes.

"Very well. I must say... I enjoyed seeing that part of you."

Not as flat a character as first thought. He must adopt this persona in order to escape the depressing reality that is his workplace...

Vastile sighed and looked up at the rafters. "To be honest, I myself felt that last exchange as being a bit sour... How about we lighten up the place." Vastile brought the case from the front door to the table and opened it.

Hops moved to the table only a moment later and laid the drink for Rose on the table, Vastile was pleased to see it was mixed perfectly, to his precise directions, it even had the umbrella... and just a little extra... liquor. That'll work on his nerves and get him to drop some of that pomp and circumstance.

"Well done, my friend." Vastile stood up and span the trumpet quickly in the air with magic, before bringing it to a stop at this side. "Now, go get you Fiddle and your daughter, we are going to have some open entertainment for the guests and customers!"

Hops let out a loud laugh, "I'll go put teh signg on outseide and invite the Ole' district!" Hops ran out quickly and did just that, he could be heard bellowing an invitation.


"Now, my... dear." Damn... old habits "I will show you that Business can also be pleasure."

Very well. I must say... I enjoyed seeing that part of you.

Rosselin was less than happy to hear that. He didn't care if that part of him was enjoyable. It simply performed its function, and with brutal efficiency.

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his drink. Then his thoughts were completely wiped out as a girlish squee accompanied by a squirm took over him.

"Eeeeeeee!! It has a tiny umbrella!!!" He latched his hooves onto the glass and giddily inspected it before sampling. "Hehehehe. I love it!"

So enthusiastic with his drink he was that the unfolding events before him almost went unnoticed. The sudden growling attention on them made her start to feel even more like a sore thumb in this place. Distracting herself with her drink, she put on an unsure smile.

Oh dear. The whole zoo is showing up.

"My De... Rose?" Vastile saw he wasn't paying attention. Ponies were already filling the place up and were all beaming and happy.

"Hello, everypony!" I have to get through to him... Music is what I know best, maybe once I use the illusions he might loosen up and hopefully, won't remember me as a performer from a magazine...

"Find your seats and get ready for a good time." Vastile focused back on Rose. "You hear that, good time and these ponies are actually, believe it or not, good company."

Vastile hoped on stage as Hops emerged from outside. Hops grabbed his fiddle and walked up to join him on stage. A beautiful Mare with a ginger mane came from the back, wearing a gorgeous dress and stood on the table, that two stallions had brought from the back.

"I have a guest here! Her name is Rose and make her welcome!"

The crowd cheered and a few came up to give greetings and make introductions. From Vastile's point of view, a warm welcome, from Rose's, he couldn't tell. "Hops, be sure to have those... Peenie Coldidas, keep coming for Rose, put it on my tab."

Hops nodded and looked to Vastile, "Wat shall we play first, friend?"

Vastile thought... "How about something classic. 'The Damned King, Somrba'"

This was a cheery song, which with much cheering and whooping, made fun of the brutish hellion that was once Sombra. As A crystal Pony, I hope he enjoys this jab at was his un-rightful ruler.

Vastile would play and sing, "The Damned King, Sombra is whiling away the hours! To bad for us, he barely ever showers!" As Vastile sang and played, Hops on his Fiddle and his daughter dancing away, Vastile conjured up is misty visions.

Smoke rose from the floor, under the dancers table, reaching up to her, to begin to form as she danced. The images that were seen were of beauty and grace. Showing images of The Crystal Empire at it's height and the mist also formed around the dance and solidified, making her plain dressed appearance, become that of the lost Queen of the Empire.

The song reached it's climax and ended abruptly, causing the images to burst out of existence. The place exploded with cheer and hollering.

There... I hope that chipped at his armor... I'll have a full album before the night is through.

Rosselin found herself immediatly swamped with ponies as they all crowded in on him and began to greet him. His face became flush red as ponies of all sorts gave him hoof shakes to hugs to hellos. It scared him to run into so many ponies he saw as wild animals, but the attention made him legitimately smile.

His drink began to drain faster than normal as all the eyes on him made him over indulge. As one glass emptied, another one replaced it soon after. Vastile's plan worked so far in that regard.

The mention about King Sombra got Rosselin's attention. It was something he personally had experienced. It was good to hear some of his homelands lore spreading about. The images and magic was a nice touch.

As the show went on, Rosselin was acting a bit more floaty, letting his hooves hover about more and bob his head back and forth. Even laughs came more easily with every slight hint of humor.

Vastile could see his plan was proceeding, He leaned to Hops and whispered, "Cut the Alcohol content in half, I don't want... Her, falling asleep." Hops nodded and passed the word to a waiter.

"Now! For the next bit, I need our guest to pick a song, in which She is familiar!"

Vastile pointed to Rose and awaited the song choice.

Rosselin blushed as he was put on the spotlight. He quickly finished his drink and popped the umbrella in his mane, having a collection of them now.

"Aauuuhhhh....Mmmm....That one nice one from that......Umm..." He laughed aloud at his inability to think of it. "Oh! Lesh Misherables! Bring him home!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsYnhVITf9E