That day - that extraordinary, amazing, life-changing day - had begun much as these days do. The spring sun rose, Princess Celestia’s handiwork shining brightly over the ever-gleaming city of Canterlot. It was a nigh-perfect day, the affluent town already bustling with activity. All of the colorful, well-groomed ponies went about their mornings with their heads held high and smiles on their muzzles. The silver, violet-maned unicorn trotting down the road was no exception. The ever-beautiful Rarity continued to make her way down the street, several bags and other items of interest hovering around her, held aloft by her azure magic. Several bolts of fabric and spools of thread filled these bags - and a bunch of rather long peacock feathers poked from the top, flittering merrily behind the unicorn.
 
 
She’d just returned from the postal office and was feeling in high spirits. It was Saffron Masala’s birthday next month and Rarity was designing a new dress for her celebration back in her home country of New Delneigh. Rarity had the material specially imported and was quite excited to get right to work on it. Sassy Saddles was currently out sick, so the fashion mare was going to start work on the new outfit while it was a little slower today (Sundays were always slow. It allowed Rarity to get some extra work done).
 
 
She as so caught up in her thoughts, she didn’t manage to notice the figure walking around the corner at the same moment. The side of her head crashed directly into something solid and the fashionista gave a little yelp as she tumbled to the ground, her bags and assortments falling to the cobbled street beside her. Giving a gasp, Rarity quickly rolled over and her horn glowed, catching most everything before it hit the ground, then gently setting everything right-side up (those materials cost her a pretty penny!) She heaved a relieved sigh before lifting her eyes. They fell upon a familiar face, wearing very unfamiliar - but stunning…indigo eyes. The figure leaned down closely, bushy but trimmed brows furrowed in concern.
 
 
“Oh, dear me! Please forgive me! I was going over my notes here, and didn’t look to see where I was going. Please allow me to assist, ma’am.” A deep, Trottish-accented voice swiftly apologized, and the figure before her seemed a bit flustered as his magical aura swept over the bags surrounding the mare. Her eyes remained fixed on the stallion before her, getting to her hooves. She as so transfixed, the usually-meticulous pony forgot to immediately brush the dust from her mane.
 
 
Though, strangely, both familiar and unfamiliar, Rarity found herself studying the other pony and quickly dropped her gaze. He was of a solid build, with a silvery-grey coat ever-so-slightly darker than her own, and simply luxurious locks falling about his shoulders. He sported a pair of perfectly round spectacles and those intense eyes of his still showed deep concern.
 
 
He was handsome. Incredibly handsome.
 
 
“Y-yes…yes! Oh, don’t you worry one bit, sir, happens to all! Forgive me for not paying attention! I’ve got an important project on, and I’m just ever so distracted!” Rarity gave a high-pitched giggle, twirling her hoof in a nonchalant way while the stallion handed her the items. He chuckled, now picking up his discarded, shaggy notebook and pen.
 
 
“No forgiveness needed! Its certainly not everyday one runs into the amazing Rarity herself! And quite literally, too.” He said with another chuckle, casting her with one hell of a winning smile. Rarity quite suddenly felt a slight tightness in her chest as her heart skipped a beat.
 
 
“You’ve heard of my line, then!” Rarity replied, trying to get back into step - ladies don’t flounder when a stunning fella is talking to them. He chuckled again.
 
 
“Oh, yes! My sister-in-law frequents your shops often, and my brother always speaks so highly of you!” Registering the confused look that crossed the mare’s features, then stallion then said, “Oh, please forgive me! Duke Harpsichord Pants, at your service. But, please, call me Happy. everypony else does.” He winked at her from his bow, and Rarity couldn’t help but grin as she lifted a hoof and gave a small curtsy.
 
 
“Ah! So you must be related to Duke Fanciful Pants, then!” Rarity replied. Happy laughed again.
 
 
“I should hope so! I grew up with that stuffy cottonhead! Fancy is my older brother,” Happy explained. Rarity blinked in surprise, then held out a hoof.
 
 
“Oh, yes! You’ll have to forgive me, I never knew Fancy Pants had any relations!” The two shook hooves, the stallion still smiling and appearing rather carefree. And he had the most delightful curl in his mustache, too…
 
 
“Most likely you wouldn’t. Fancy is four years older than I, and is the son that prefers the spotlight, the parties, and rubbing of flanks with Canterlot’s finest. I, myself, much prefer the quieter adventure of journalism. Now, enough jabbering about myself, let’s get these lovely things back to your shop!” Happy Pants declared, lifting the last bag of fabric with his magic. Rarity couldn’t help but give a giggle at her new acquaintance’s enthusiasm.
 
 
“Oh, sir, that is very kind, but ~~“
 
 
“I insist. After all, my klutzy self knocked you down in the first place. Besides, I’ve been meaning to pop by. Fleur is upset she can’t wear any of her dresses since she’s become pregnant, and its her birthday in a fortnight ~~ I don’t imagine she was terribly appreciative of the calligraphy set I got her for Hearth’s Warming, so I believe this is long overdue.” Happy chattered as the two began to make their way towards Canterlot Boutique. Each step Rarity took beside the Duke, her heart beat just a little faster…
 
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buckle in folks we’re in for a fuckin’ wild ride
 
So, as I’ve been promising, I’ve had two stories in the works for quite some time. I’ve been kinda sorta teasing these things for a little while now, and Ash Bark, who will premiere in the companion piece to RkoH, Apples to Ashes, was shown here.  
(Old-ish) MLP Doodles by Celestial-Rainstorm
 
A year ago (also egads look at those blech)! So yeah I’ve finally been able to work on both of these stories. The majority of my watchers seemed to want to see an alternating chapter with each post, starting with this one. In developing the Athenaverse, my own MLP NextGen AU, I was really struggling for a pairing for Rarity and Applejack. The latter really the most. I was initially just going to have Rarity pair with Fancy Pants, and Happy was initially created as a fun little husband for Fleur. But the more I ended up developing him, I quite fell in love with this quirky little OC.
 
But that wasn’t really what I wanted - OCs and cannon characters just seemed so pretentious! But then the more I started looking at other folks’ NextGen AUs, and looking over all the vast variety of pairings, I finally just decided that I’m not going to make the Athenaverse a chore - to try and abide by every single little cannon thing. So Happy and Fancy switched places and here is the result!
 
Happy was teased most heavily in the bios of (surprise surprise) his kiddos. We’re going to see how this whole song and dance came to fruition, and I hope that you guys enjoy. Prepare for lots of feels.