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Organised by
RogerDodger
Word limit
400–750
Starting Fresh
Thanks to Rarity, Coco Pommel enjoyed consistent work with her new employer Period Piece. Looking back, leaving Suri Polomare and her every-pony-for-themselves philosophy was the best decision Coco had made since arriving in Manehattan.
Most days were good under Period’s employment, but today was special. Today she'd be meeting with the number one pop pony in Equestria—Countess Coloratura. The Countess hired Period to design a new wardrobe for the new Countess, and trusting his employees’ work and judgement, Period sent Coco.
The Countess wanted things casual, so the two agreed to meet at Starbits, the trendy coffee place in town square. The shop housed Manehattans most fashionable, most aloof and most talented rising playwrights and served peaceful environments alongside its signature blends.
Coloratura sat outside sipping premium caffeine. She set it down as Coco approached and gave her new designer a friendly smile. "You must be Coco. Period speaks very highly of you."
Star struck, Coco gasped an excited squeal. “I-I can't believe I'm meeting with the Countess Coloratura!" Coco took a seat and tried to compose herself. Stay professional. No fangirling. “I am such a fan!” Maybe a little fangirling. "It's my greatest pleasure to be given the honor of helping you with your brand new image.”
Coloratura smiled. "Why thank you Coco. I’m glad to hear ponies are still connecting with my music, especially now with change in direction and all. And please, call me Rara. Nowadays, all my friends do." Coco bit her lip. Professional. Professional. "I hope other ponies share your excitement Coco."
"Of course they will Rara! If, um, you really don't mind me using that name. I know what it’s like to go through a change. This city can be a mean place, and I used to think that meant I had to be mean too. Some ponies taught me otherwise, and then I met Period. He accepted me with open arms."
Coloratura gave an understanding nod. "I'm glad to hear you say that. I believe in fresh starts. Which is why I'd actually like you to collaborate with a pony I met recently. She's received some scathing reviews in an otherwise successful career, and since I'm reinventing myself, it didn't feel right denying someone’s request to do the same. I hope that isn't a problem Coco."
"Of course not! It would be my pleasure. So, who is this pony?"
"Her name is Suri Polomare. I’ve arranged a boutique for you to begin your combined work on the designs."
Coco’s throat tightened. "Did, um. Did you just say Suri Polomare?"
After their meeting Coco headed to the boutique. She dreaded her new assignment but decided she couldn't refuse. Period would lose it.
She'd hadn't read any reviews critiquing Suri but she assumed the worst. Her biggest fear: Suri had been caught stealing a famous ponies’ designs and now she'd steal no-name Coco's to kick start her career. When she arrived, it’d be back to harsh deadlines, insistent coffee runs and zero appreciation. It's everypony for themselves in this town and in fight between Coco and Suri, Suri wins every time.
The procured boutique procured had two back rooms. An artist room for the designer and a sewing room for the dress maker. Coco darted through the main entrance and boarded herself in the sewing room to avoid Suri. They're meeting was inevitable but sooner wasn't better than later.
Momentarily secure, Coco caught her breath and admired her work room. Shelves of fabric lined the walls alongside several mannequins for fitting. In the center, a sewing machine Period would kill for sat atop the sewing board. Coloratura had spared no expensive.
Coco glanced at the sewing machine and noticed a wisp of steam rising above the spool pin. Concerned, she sniffed the air, detecting only a hint of nutmeg. Behind the machine she found a fresh cup of Starbits coffee, her name on its bottom brim.
The door opened behind her. Suri stood in its frame, looking hesitant to enter. "I um, didn't realize you'd arrived." Her voice was smaller than Coco remembered. "Well, mkay. Oh you um, got the coffee I left you. Coloratura told me who I'd be working with. I just figured the more caffeine the better right?" More insecure. "So um, ready to work?"
Coco glanced at the coffee. For a moment, the cup resembled what Suri couldn’t say and what Coco couldn’t demand. Coloratura wasn't the only one trying to change after all. Coco took a sip. "Yeah, together."
Most days were good under Period’s employment, but today was special. Today she'd be meeting with the number one pop pony in Equestria—Countess Coloratura. The Countess hired Period to design a new wardrobe for the new Countess, and trusting his employees’ work and judgement, Period sent Coco.
The Countess wanted things casual, so the two agreed to meet at Starbits, the trendy coffee place in town square. The shop housed Manehattans most fashionable, most aloof and most talented rising playwrights and served peaceful environments alongside its signature blends.
Coloratura sat outside sipping premium caffeine. She set it down as Coco approached and gave her new designer a friendly smile. "You must be Coco. Period speaks very highly of you."
Star struck, Coco gasped an excited squeal. “I-I can't believe I'm meeting with the Countess Coloratura!" Coco took a seat and tried to compose herself. Stay professional. No fangirling. “I am such a fan!” Maybe a little fangirling. "It's my greatest pleasure to be given the honor of helping you with your brand new image.”
Coloratura smiled. "Why thank you Coco. I’m glad to hear ponies are still connecting with my music, especially now with change in direction and all. And please, call me Rara. Nowadays, all my friends do." Coco bit her lip. Professional. Professional. "I hope other ponies share your excitement Coco."
"Of course they will Rara! If, um, you really don't mind me using that name. I know what it’s like to go through a change. This city can be a mean place, and I used to think that meant I had to be mean too. Some ponies taught me otherwise, and then I met Period. He accepted me with open arms."
Coloratura gave an understanding nod. "I'm glad to hear you say that. I believe in fresh starts. Which is why I'd actually like you to collaborate with a pony I met recently. She's received some scathing reviews in an otherwise successful career, and since I'm reinventing myself, it didn't feel right denying someone’s request to do the same. I hope that isn't a problem Coco."
"Of course not! It would be my pleasure. So, who is this pony?"
"Her name is Suri Polomare. I’ve arranged a boutique for you to begin your combined work on the designs."
Coco’s throat tightened. "Did, um. Did you just say Suri Polomare?"
After their meeting Coco headed to the boutique. She dreaded her new assignment but decided she couldn't refuse. Period would lose it.
She'd hadn't read any reviews critiquing Suri but she assumed the worst. Her biggest fear: Suri had been caught stealing a famous ponies’ designs and now she'd steal no-name Coco's to kick start her career. When she arrived, it’d be back to harsh deadlines, insistent coffee runs and zero appreciation. It's everypony for themselves in this town and in fight between Coco and Suri, Suri wins every time.
The procured boutique procured had two back rooms. An artist room for the designer and a sewing room for the dress maker. Coco darted through the main entrance and boarded herself in the sewing room to avoid Suri. They're meeting was inevitable but sooner wasn't better than later.
Momentarily secure, Coco caught her breath and admired her work room. Shelves of fabric lined the walls alongside several mannequins for fitting. In the center, a sewing machine Period would kill for sat atop the sewing board. Coloratura had spared no expensive.
Coco glanced at the sewing machine and noticed a wisp of steam rising above the spool pin. Concerned, she sniffed the air, detecting only a hint of nutmeg. Behind the machine she found a fresh cup of Starbits coffee, her name on its bottom brim.
The door opened behind her. Suri stood in its frame, looking hesitant to enter. "I um, didn't realize you'd arrived." Her voice was smaller than Coco remembered. "Well, mkay. Oh you um, got the coffee I left you. Coloratura told me who I'd be working with. I just figured the more caffeine the better right?" More insecure. "So um, ready to work?"
Coco glanced at the coffee. For a moment, the cup resembled what Suri couldn’t say and what Coco couldn’t demand. Coloratura wasn't the only one trying to change after all. Coco took a sip. "Yeah, together."