There are three more items on Twilight's list, and there are three more ponies she might have to prod into action. The day is already one of her heaviest in a long time. Three more times she must meet somepony she has no information on whatsoever. She's not even halfway done. Three more times.

Spike, noticing her having stopped midstep, says, "Hey, Twi, that didn't go so bad. I think Dash likes you, actually. She just has a lot of spirit." He's softballing it, but Twilight figured that out herself. Rainbow Dash is the kind of pony who would like anypony issuing a challenge. And that's what feels like a rising tide around her hooves: that twisting, everting awareness of there being somepony in the world like Dash. Lots of ponies, in fact, who can prove what they've got to prove. Like the world owes them something they're trying to collect. Twilight rises to her own challenges, and to the Princess's, but nopony else's. She won't. Can't.

"I know, Spike. We just have to keep going. I'm okay," she says. It's probably true. The day is piling weights on the scale, but just fairly enough to keep it from tipping.

"Okay, Twi. Let me know if you need a break. It's still pretty early."

Twilight feels the sun creeping towards its apex, and starts walking again. "Maybe after we meet Rarity."

"Who's that?" says Spike, following.

"She's a seamstress who runs a fashion boutique in town. She's in charge of decorating Ponyville Town Hall for the Celebration. That's where we're hopefully going to find her."

The eidolon mare of her daydreams wouldn't have to entertain challenges or threats.

"Okay. I think that's further down this road," Spike says, pointlessly.

She'd be known for who she was, just by being it.

Twilight pushes open the doors to find the main hall as decadent as any she's seen in Canterlot. Dozens of banners in deep royal colors stream from the ceiling, proclaiming the eminence of Equestria, the sun, and Princess Celestia. The common area is replete with silver tables under brilliant white tablecloths, and the stagefloor is covered in a rich burnt red carpet. For once, it seems this pony has things completely under control. Twilight's gait picks up, shifting how she's carrying the day.

On that stage is a white unicorn levitating several strands of ribbon, each a different color. She's holding them up to the stage curtains in turn, assessing the combinations. It's evident enough that Rarity is finding such obsession in the smallest of details that Twilight can't imagine a problem slipping by, but she needs to introduce herself nonetheless.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Quick and painless.

"Just a moment, darling, I'm 'in the zone' as it were!" the mare replies. She's still just looking at ribbons. Whatever, Twilight can wait. After a moment, the pale blue glows around Rarity's horn and ribbons fade. She turns around, and says, "Thank you, dear. Now what is it that i can do for—"

Something small inside her snaps in her eyes as they fall upon Twilight's topaz necklace. Her hooves reach for Twilight's throat. "Oh, dearest, whatever were you thinking? Topaz is not the gem for you. Here, indulge me and try on one this ruby choker I've been working—"

"Hooves off!" Twilight finds herself yelling. There's a beat of silence nopony knows what to do with. Twilight continues, quietly, "It's, uh, special to me. Personal." The amulet's not special because somepony loved her, or because somepony died. It's special because it's hers. It's a huge contribution to modern magic academia—figuring out how to store sufficiently complicated vivifications and metrics instead of suspensions took her days alone—and even though those papers and schematics are freely available, it's hers.

Rarity takes a step back. "...Good heavens. My sincerest apologies. I never meant to encroach upon your personal space, I'm merely... very enthusiast when the mood strikes me. I'm Rarity." She's looking Twilight dead in the eyes, in the most uncomfortably sincere apology Twilight's ever received, but Twilight finds her eyes drawn to her diamond trio cutie mark instead. "I've been cooped up with these ribbons and banners for several hours now. I do hope you'll forgive me, Miss...?"

"Twilight Sparkle," she says, and breathes. "And this is my assistant Spike," she says, gesturing at the inexplicably indisposed dragon. He's just staring at Rarity, who doesn't seem to notice.

"Miss Twilight Sparkle. I'm sorry, dear. What is it that you came to me for?"

"I'm, um, in charge of festival preparations." Twilight forces her hoof down from her necklace. "I'm sent here from Canterlot to ensure—"

"Canterlot?! My stars, why didn't you say so! The glamour, the sophistication! I've always dreamed of visiting! Why, you simply must tell me all about what it's like to live there!" Rarity, fanning herself with a hoof, has fallen over some degrees in an obvious pratfall.

"Uh. Okay, maybe at some point, but I'm kind of in a hurry at the moment. Again, I'm here to ensure that everything is going according to plan regarding the festival decorations. How are things coming?"

Rarity rights herself, a bit awkwardly, as if she didn't expect to have to do it alone. "Oh, they're going simply marvelously. The hall does look resplendent, if I might say so myself. Don't you think?"

"It does look pretty great. Well done!" says Twilight, injecting a modicum of cheer into her voice. She may very well get some time to read before the Celebration. "Is there anything lagging behind you might need help with? Anything I can do?"

"Why, yes! There's a crucially important task that I've been unable to complete alone," Rarity says, starting to grin. "Which of these ribbons best matches the rest of the decor?" She passes two ribbons to Twilight, one bright red and one muted yellow. Twilight takes them and holds them up to the drawn dark red stage curtains, as Rarity was doing. The yellow clashes far less. She switches them a few times, then tells Rarity as much.

"I do think you're right, darling. Whatever was I thinking, with that atrocious red? Thank you, dear."

Twilight knows when she's being thrown an easy bone to feel included, but she often doesn't mind. "Glad I could help," she says, and she is. "If there's nothing left, I think it's time for me to move on to the next task."

"If you say so, darling. But I simply must insist that you come back and see me sometime! I'll be in my boutique after a scant few hours.

"Okay," says Twilight, deeply unsure. "It was nice to meet you, Rarity."

"The pleasure's mine, dear!" She turns back to her work, tying up the yellow strands into exorbitant bows.