Looks like I'm not the only one who left to the last minute.
There's just so many.
How can I chose?
Now hang on, everypony.
We'll help all of you.
How?!
What I would do,
is pick flowers that accentuate my mane.
It makes for a captivating color story
when you present them to whomever they're intended.
That's it!
Color consultations was a great idea, Rarity.
Now, what can we do for you?
Oh darling, I need a dozen lavender pieces for Photo Finish's shoot
on the most beautiful manes in Equestria.
I know you're swamped, but it is for Vanity Mare.
She's going to take pictures of my mane.
So color coordination is a must.
Anything for you, Rarity.
Have you a single big one?
If the wind came from one direction, it would really intensify the effect.
I don't.
But I could make you one.
It's not like I've got anything else to do.
I do enjoy the windswept look,
but other ponies might need to see it, before they feel it.
My mane will be flowing over the chaise in the tableau I have in mind.
But I was hoping to choose the color.
Could you make one in a pale yellow?
I need something across the colorwheel from this.
If this came in different colors, I'd buy one for every room.
Sales have been down.
More colors it is!
Pinkie?
I need to put Photo Finish in a good mood.
And nothing creates a better mood than your confection…
Am I interrupting?
We were just celebrating anniversary of the twins' first sneezes.
Just about one year ago,
there was a tickle in your nose.
You snorted through the nursery.
Happy sneezaversary!
Congratulations.
Pinkie!
I can't have Photo Finish shoot my mane like this.
And this party string won't come off!
That's because that's not just party string.
It's super sticky celebration string!
Sorry.
I guess my sneezaversary was a little too sneezebratory.
It'll be fine, Pinkie.
I'll find a way to clean this up before the shoot tomorrow.
Actually, you might consider doing the same.
If only we had some kind of super-sudsy mane conditioning shampoo for you
and a magical cleaning remover potion for me!
That's it!
We'll pay a visit to Zecora!
She's a wonder with a cauldron.
I'm sure she can mix up a fix for both of us.
That's good,
because it would take forever to yank all those baked goods
out of this super sticke celebration string.
I think you may still have some baking to do.
I do wish Zecora lived in town.
One shouldn't have to brave the darkest part of the forest for shampoo!
Do you think Photo Finish would want to take a picture of my mane?
I'm not sure your style is quite right for this particular photo essay.
Photo Finish has traveled everywhere in search for most beautiful of manes.
Even Yakyakistan?
Well, yaks don't have manes, per se.
And I'm not sure their style is quite what she's looking for either.
Though at this moment, neither is mine!
Don't worry!
Zecora will absotively be able to help!
I'm sure you're right.
Listen, spooky eyes!
Why don't you take a picture, it will last longer!
On second thought, don't!
Getting my picture taken in this state is what I'm trying to avoid!
Are you certain that's safe?
I'm sure they seem strange, but my methods are mine.
After all, I've been doing this for quite a long time.
I'll have those cupcakes cleaned off in no time!
You really should bake new ones.
Nah!
For your mane, of course, just soap won't do,
So use my super-sudsy shampoo.
Oh-ho, what a relief!
I can't tell you how worried I was that my mane wouldn't be ready for the shoot.
You were right to be concerned.
Manes are tricky, I have learned.
Tell me about it!
Cleaning is simple, but a magical fix
Could cause any number of troublesome ticks.
Really?
There are tales I could tell to make your hair stand on end.
Horrifying, terrifying attempts to mane-mend!
Well, I do enjoy a good yarn,
but I'm not trying to take anymore mane-fright today.
Well, I love a good scary story!
There's the contagious frizz that spreads friend to friend,
Or the story of the infinitely splitting end!
Uh-huh, yes, well, very entertaining, thanks for the shampoo, ta-ta!
Anything about curls that keep on curling
until your whole body is one big curl?
There is one story I nearly forgot:
Of an Earth pony who needed to clean up her shop.
That's just what I have to do!
Huh, weird!
Perhaps, it'd be better if I were more clear.
You can't clean up Sugarcube Corner from here.
Gee, Zecora, I can take a hint.
With just a few drops any mess you'll improve
if you focus on that which you want to remove.
It won't be hard to focus on the super-sticky celebration string.
It's kind of the only thing you can see.
Zecora says it would only take a few drops,
but I think we should all chip in.
Just in case!
Remember to only focus on the party string,
'cause we don't wanna accidentally remove anything else.
Sudsy!
A relaxing shower really gives you the chance to focus
on the fabulosity of your mane.
Not the most pleasant scent, but it gets the job done.
My mane feels lighter alrea…
It's important that you know that I am not pointing hooves.
I don't understand, is that you, Rarity?
Why would you think to point your hooves at me?
Let's just say I understand why your shampoo hasn't made a splash in the marketplace.
Goodness, Zecora, you could at least pretend it isn't that bad.
I'm sorry my dear, but there's nothing to say.
You just took the wrong potion from here yesterday.
Oh, thank goodness!
I thought maybe your shampoo had triggered early onset mare-pattern baldness.
No, this lack of hair was put into motion
When you mistakenly washed with remover potion!
What a relief.
Well, if you could just whip up a cure I'll be on my way.
So much to do before the shoot tomorrow.
As I mentioned before, there's no easy fix
Mane-mending magic's the trickiest of tricks.
Sorry?
I doubt that your mane has left us forever.
There's a chance we can fix it I think, if we're clever.
W-w-wait, there's-there's a chance?
You think?!
I need to focus. If I'm to work any faster
One wrong ingredient spells utter disaster.
You should go finish your list of to-do's.
Keep your mind off of all these mane-losing blues.
There's nothing to worry about.
Zecora will have a cure before I've even finished my to-do's.
But I don't know if I can even show my face looking like this.
I'm sorry, miss.
But I can't match your mane if I can't see it.
What about mine?
Marigold, I should think.
I'm sorry, I believe i-it was my turn and I-I-I just need to pick up some…
Perfect!
Now me!
It's wonderful how this display shows
that your fans provide just the right amount of air.
Well, I owe it all to Rarity.
Oh, so kind of you to say, I…
Kindness has nothing to do with it.
Rarity always knows how to make something look its best.
Probably because she looks so good herself!
That ain't something us non-fabulous folk here can understand.
Non-fabulous?..
I appreciate everypony's interest in our new sofa colors,
but the yellow one is spoken for.
Oh, thank you, Davenport.
Perhaps I can pick it up once everypony leav…
I'll give you twice whatever the pony who wants to buy the yellow one is paying!
Three times!
But…
Sold!
I can't believe how differently ponies treat you
when you can't command their attention.
Are you sure that's what happened?
Wait, you can't command ponies' attention, because your mane's messed up?
Messed up?!
Does this looks messed up to you?!
Honestly, how hard it is to pretend it's not so bad?
Hard.
If today is any indication of how ponies will treat me from now on,
I can't simply wait to see if my mane grows back!
I'm sorry, Rarity.
I'm sure nopony means to make you feel worse than you already do.
Didn't you say Zecora was working on the cure?
Yes, well, even if everypony isn't utterly indifferent to my presence,
Zecora might not be able to fix this in time for the shoot!
Can't you do a spell to restore some semblance of my mane?!
The thing is…
It's pretty much like Zecora said.
Fixing manes with magic is…
Tricky! I know. I don't care!
Make with the tricks!
This won't do!
I need an actual mane!
But it has to come from somewhere.
You can't just make a mane with magic.
The results could be disastrous.
More disastrous that this!?
I don't think there's anything else we can try.
But… we… but… but…
But Zecora said it was still a chance!
At last, Rarity.
I've searched for so long.
What I told you before was totally wrong.
Zecora.
You've found the cure?
That's amazing.
You mean I'll get my fabulous mane back in time for the shoot?
Oh, no.
I'm afraid I can't fix it before the big shoot.
But in time the hair will grow back from the root.
There's no magical cure to hasten us through it,
Unless you went backward in time to undo it.
Nuh-huh.
I think we can both say that's not a good option.
I have always believed
that the right outfit can make up for any other area that's lacking,
But I will need your honest opinions.
How awful is it?
Oh, come on!
Can't anypony pretend it's not bad?
We could try.
Maybe.
Well, if any of you have an idea
how to make this disaster look good enough for Photo Finish's piece
in Vanity Mare on the most beautiful manes in Equestria,
I'm open to hearing it!
Is that all?
No problem.
I don't understand Applejack.
How is milking a cow going to help.
That just it.
It looks like we hired a new milkmare.
This is pretty close to my color as a youngin'.
Just a little downhome ingenuity.
It's a good idea, Applejack, but
Photo Finish is looking for the most beautiful manes.
Not bonnets.
This will be the trick.
Just you wait.
You know.
This is really quite fetching!
Yes!
Nailed it!
Just not portable.
There.
Oh, let's face it.
I'll just have to call Photo Finish and cancel.
I think we all know how bad Rarity is been feeling.
But I never thought she'd cancel her shoot with Photo Finish.
You saw her mane, right?
But it's Rarity.
If anypony can turn lemons into lemonade, it's her.
I guess it's harder for her when she feels like a lemon.
Well, she's not a lemon.
She's our friend.
And right now she needs our support.
Come in.
Would you mind closing the door.
I'm more comfortable in the dark.
Okay, Rarity.
You've done just about enough sulking.
Have in a fabulous mane is a wonderful thing.
But it ain't the only thing.
Yeah!
And we are here to remind you how awesome you are!
Mane or no-mane.
It's lovely of you to say.
But it's hard to argue with.
Cold.
Hard.
Facts.
What facts are those?
That without my mane I simply can't shine as I once did
and ponies treat me like the sad invisible pony I've become.
Rarity, you're not invisible.
You're our friend.
A friend who started a fashion empire.
A friend who made us all feel beautiful in her lovely creations.
A friend who stuck by us no matter what!
A friend so generous that she once chopped off her own tail to help a sea serpent.
I know you lost some confidence when you lost your mane.
But unlike your hair,
confidence is something you can get back right now.
Goodness.
You're right.
The only pony behaving differently today was me!
Besides, what doesn't shine from the outside in?
Rarity, what are you doing?
I'm preparing to shine from the inside out!
Awesome!
It's my own fault.
I shouldn't have bought flowers without asking Spoiled what she likes.
Well, we don't have much left.
What did she like?
A purple?
I have a solution!
Rarity, that mane is…
Amazing.
Thank you.
Although I'm afraid I missed my chance at Vanity Mare.
Which means I have quite a few lavender arrangements to spare.
Is lavender purple?
The windswept look is very last season.
Perhaps you could set this up outside, it'll surely draw in the hoof traffic.
Photoshoot or no, you can always use a chaise.
Well, Rarity, if you wanted to shine from the inside out,
I think this afternoon you became the brightest filly in Equestria.
Oh, pshew, Applejack.
I'm simply making up for all that time I wasted feeling sorry for myself.
I don't know why you were so upset, your mane looks awesome!
I'm just glad I have all of you to remind me that
even if I accidentally used magical remover potion on my mane,
I can look good on the outside as long as I feel good on the inside.
How did you end up using remover potion on your head anyway?
Pinkie!
If I had the remover potion this whole time, that means Pinkie must have a…
…shampoo.
Shampoo?
That explains why all our manes are so bouncy and soft!
Perhaps I'll fetch the rest of that remover potion…
Great!
Hey, there's something different about you!
New hoof polish?
So you're sure?
You're sure it's fully recovered?
Yes, Rarity, it's been months.
Your mane looks fine.
Look!
It's the most beautiful manes in Equestria issue of Vanity Mare!
You should read it.
Honestly, Pinkie, after all I went through,
I'm not sure it even matters what mane graces the page…
Read it!
But… I canceled the shoot.
We had a little talk with Photo Finish.
And explained just how beautiful we thought you were.
Inside and out.
Well, you're shining from the inside out.
Photo Finish took a few pictures.
I don't know what to say.
Luckily, you don't have to say anything.
Your style speaks for itself.
anon2anon sunnysubs.com