[FLUTTERRAPE] Coco


                                            Originally uploaded to Pastebin: October 12th, 2015

                                            ---


                                            Inspired by a simple image of Coco Pommel lying across a stool.

                                            Thanks to the Anon that posted it.

                                            ---


                                            >"You'll love her, trust me."

                                            "I dunno, Rare, I'm not one for fashion."

                                            >"What absolute twaddle, you'll be fine!"

                                            >You follow Rarity up the stairs of the apartment complex.

                                            >Coming to an unassuming room at the end of a dingy corridor, Rarity knocks briskly on the weathered door.

                                            >Something shuffles around hurriedly behind it.

                                            >"J-just a minute! Just a minute!"

                                            >Something hits the door.

                                            >You and Rarity share a look of concern.

                                            >The door opens a tad.

                                            >You can see a lot of chains holding it shut.

                                            >"Hel-- Rarity!"

                                            >The door slams shut.

                                            >A mad scramble can be heard as all the chains and locks are pulled back.

                                            >Once more the door is opened, and a meek looking mare rushes to hug her friend.

                                            >Rarity affectionately nuzzles her and breaks off.

                                            >"Coco, this is Anonymous! Anon, Coco Pommel."

                                            "Nice to meet you, Ms Coco."

                                            >She blushes as she takes you in.

                                            >"Wow, you're taller than I thought you'd be..."

                                            >Snapping herself out of a daydream, she takes a second to collect her thoughts.

                                            >"I um-- oh, come in! The kettle just boiled if you'd like some tea."

                                            >"Tea sounds divine, Coco."

                                            >You cross the threshold and shut the door behind you.

                                            >Coco shouts over her shoulder as she prances past several boxes of design blueprints and stacks of fabric.

                                            >"Don't worry about locking the door! Just make yourself at home!"

                                            >You cautiously step over the various things strewn about haphazardly.

                                            >Join Rarity on the beaten up sofa, taking off your jacket and draping it on the armrest next to you.

                                            >She looks around the apartment with a judging look.

                                            >"Hm. It's messier than when I was last here."

                                            >A large dress design pinned to the wall catches her eye, and a playful smile stretches across her face.

                                            >"But at least she's kept herself busy~"

                                            >Coco emerges from her tiny kitchen, balancing an entire tea tray on her head.

                                            >"Uh, help?"

                                            >You reach forward and take the tray off her, settling it down on the table before you.

                                            >It's barely large enough for a few cups, let alone a whole tray.

                                            >Coco sighs happily at you both, her eyes relaying her delight.

                                            >"So! How have you been, Rarity?"

                                            >Rarity launches into the recent happenings.

                                            >As she prattles on, you look around the apartment again.

                                            >It's a very small place.

                                            >The majority of the space is taken up by the room you're in, and a small kitchen barely large enough for you to stand in is through a doorway about two short steps from you.

                                            >You feel a bit sad looking at it.

                                            >"...So I told the stallion I was -not- going to put up with it..."

                                            >Coco seems to live a somewhat humble life.

                                            >Rarity mentioned that she didn't have a partner, and you can see why.

                                            >One person living here is cramped, let alone two.

                                            >"...Anon?"

                                            >You snap your attention away from a gaudy piece of fabric and smile at Rarity.

                                            "Sorry, I was distracted by all the patterns, say again?"

                                            >Coco giggles.

                                            >"Do you like them? I've worked on them for so long, and I just recently sent out an order!"

                                            "That's great! So the money's alright then?"

                                            >Her ears go back slightly.

                                            >"W-well, not always, no..."

                                            >A twang of guilt hits you.

                                            "Sorry, I shouldn't be bringing up money, it's rude..."

                                            >Coco hastily reassures you.

                                            >"No no! Don't worry, really."

                                            >Rarity interjects.

                                            >"Pardon me, Coco, but I really had to ask, where can I find a post office?"

                                            >Coco blinks a few times, caught off guard.

                                            >"Post off... uhh, I think there's one just..."

                                            >She trails off and hesitates for a moment, chasing a thought.

                                            >"...Across the street. I don't really go in there much, why?"

                                            >Rarity gets to her hooves, opening a saddlebag and bringing out a letter.

                                            >"Well I had this that I needed to send back to Canterlot, you wouldn't mind if I stepped out for a bit, would you?"

                                            >"Not at all, um, sorry, let me get out your way."

                                            >Coco shifts herself so that she's perched more in the centre of her stool, her legs draped sideways over it.

                                            >Rarity shuffles past and heads for the door.

                                            >She pauses, as if only just remembering something.

                                            >"Oh, ah, Anon? You don't mind staying here with Coco for a bit, do you?"

                                            "Nah, it's fine, I'll live."

                                            >She grins.

                                            >"Back in a bit!"

                                            >You and Coco both say goodbye and the door slams shut again.

                                            >...

                                            >Silence dwells between you two.

                                            >Coco nervously looks at the door, then back at you.

                                            >She shuffles slightly, but smiles.

                                            >"Sooo..."

                                            "Uh, hi."

                                            >...

                                            >You both softly laugh together.

                                            "Sorry, it's pretty nerve-wracking being left alone in someone's house--"

                                            >"I know! I know! Sorry, it's weird, right?"

                                            "Just like, the big city is a pretty scary place if I'm honest."

                                            >Coco nods eagerly.

                                            >"Oh yeah, I grew up in Trottingham, it's way smaller than here. I moved to Manehatten when I was studying fashion, it's... imposing."

                                            "That's the word."

                                            >"So what do you do, Anon?"

                                            "Eh, bit of handyman work most of the time. Rarity wanted me to come with her for 'moral support'."

                                            >Coco rolls her eyes.

                                            >"Heh, yeah, that sounds like Rarity."

                                            "How long have you known her?"

                                            >"About two years, not very long. She's a great mare though, right?"

                                            >As you talk, Coco seems to relax a great deal.

                                            >She even slides off her stool and sits next to you on the couch.

                                            >The pair of you natter on for several minutes, laughing at old memories and sharing whatever meaningless gossip you can.

                                            >You find yourself grinning a lot.

                                            >Coco seems elated to have found a new friend.

                                            >"So what does your marefriend think of you going away with Rarity all the time?"

                                            "Oh, uh, well I don't have one, actually."

                                            >She goes silent, her eyes studying you for a second.

                                            >"...Really? You?"

                                            "Yeah, why, is that so hard to believe?"

                                            >You laugh.

                                            >She gives a nervous chuckle in response.

                                            >"No no, it's just that you're really great."

                                            "Well thank you kindly, Miss Pommel."

                                            >You do a mock bow.

                                            >Hard to do when you're sat down, but you pull it off.

                                            >She giggles and bows her head.

                                            >"Pleasure's all mine, my lord."

                                            "Ooh, 'lord', I like it."

                                            >Coco bites her lip.

                                            >"Well, I like -you-."

                                            >...

                                            >You realise that she's sitting a lot closer to you now.

                                            >Sitting up a bit, you look at your teacup on the table.

                                            "H-how about some more tea?"

                                            >The mare tears her eyes away from you and chews on her lip thoughtfully.

                                            >"Yeah... sure! Same tea fine with you? I have green tea if you want any."

                                            "Nah, stick with what I had last time."

                                            >"Okay, one tea coming right up, my lord~"

                                            "Haha, great..."

                                            >She hops off the sofa and rushes back into the kitchen, carrying the tray.

                                            >You nervously rap your fingers on your knee, looking at the door, then at your watch.

                                            "Come on, Rarity..."

                                            >A kettle can be heard whistling.

                                            >Coco calls out from the kitchen.

                                            >"Sorry! I forgot! Did you like sugar?"

                                            "Uh, one sugar's fine!"

                                            >Where the hell is Rare?

                                            >It's been about 10 minutes now.

                                            >Didn't Coco say it was just across from her?

                                            >You stand up and walk over to the glass door, leading on the tiny balcony.

                                            >Open them and stand outside, looking down at the sparsely populated street below.

                                            >Whichever way you look, you can't see a post office.

                                            >And it's getting quite dark.

                                            >"Is um, is everything okay?"

                                            >You spin on your heel to see a worried looking Coco back with your tea.

                                            >She gently sets it on the table and sits on the sofa, giving you a shy smile and fidgeting with her hooves nervously.

                                            "I'm fine! Just needed some air is all."

                                            >Give her a warm smile.

                                            >She relaxes at that, and shivers slightly.

                                            >"Well could you suck in as much as you need? I'm sorta chilly and haven't paid my heating bill in a while."

                                            >You both laugh and you wander back inside, closing the doors and locking them again.

                                            >Sit where you were again on the sofa.

                                            >The moment you get into your comfort zone, Coco quickly shuffles up to you.

                                            >"Gets really cold late at night, especially in winter."

                                            "I can imagine, why haven't you paid your heating bill?"

                                            >She looks down, defeated.

                                            >"Well, you know... money."

                                            >You frown.

                                            "You know, Coco, I'm sure if you asked, Rarity would--"

                                            >"No no! I can't! I--"

                                            >She calms herself down.

                                            >"Sorry, sorry, I just can't ask Rarity. She's done so much for me that I'd feel awful, like I was leeching off her."

                                            >Sit up again, giving her a firm look.

                                            "Now look, Rarity is literally the element of generosity, it's in her blood to help those less fortunate. Hell, I reckon that if you -didn't- tell her, she'd be more offended than if you did."

                                            >Coco nods, but doesn't look convinced.

                                            >"I know, but... well it's an independence thing as well, you know?"

                                            >Raise an eyebrow.

                                            >Coco chews her lip again, thinking.

                                            "If you want to talk, I suppose it's all we can really do at the moment."

                                            >She manages a smile.

                                            "Come on, let's chat, this is clearly bothering you."

                                            >You stretch.

                                            "I mean, I've only just met you, and you've only just met me, but we've got something good going at the moment, right?"

                                            >Coco grins.

                                            >"Oh yeah, Anon and Coco, best friends and tea drinkers. Hey, remember the time you walked in and sat on my sofa?"

                                            >You snort.

                                            "How could I forget? Feels like it was only yesterminute."

                                            >Coco covers her mouth as she laughs.

                                            >"What, what about when Rarity left us alone together?"

                                            "You know what-- favourite memory right there."

                                            >The pair of you share a good-natured laugh.

                                            >She fixes you with a pair of cheerful blue eyes and picks up her tea, sipping a bit.

                                            >You reach forward and do the same.

                                            >Tastes pretty great.

                                            >Bit too much sugar, but great.

                                            >Coco notices your discomfort.

                                            >"I put too much in, didn't I."

                                            "Well, I like sweet things, so it's not so bad."

                                            >"Sweet-tooth, huh? Best be careful, Anon, I had one when I was younger, and I regretted it later."

                                            "Eh, I have a fondness for sweet stuff."

                                            >"Oh, is that why you like me so much?"

                                            >She performs an over exaggerated pose.

                                            >You dismiss it with a wave of your hand and a snort.

                                            "Psh, far too sweet, can't handle it."

                                            >"Oh, I think you could handle me..."

                                            >Coco clears her throat and checks the time.

                                            >"Wow, Rarity's been gone for a while."

                                            "Yeah, kinda weird, don't you think?"

                                            >She shuffles in her seat.

                                            >"Manehatten's a safe place, she'll be fine..."

                                            "You're the resident. So uh, hope you don't mind, but you were mentioning not being really... independent."

                                            >Coco stares into her cup.

                                            "We can talk about it if you want. Don't want to push you, just seems like something that's uh..."

                                            >You look around at the apartment again.

                                            "Bothering you."

                                            >Coco sighs.

                                            >"Are you sure? I can be quite a buzzkill once I get going."

                                            "I lived with Twilight Sparkle for a month, trust me, I've lived with the worst of them."

                                            >She struggles to smile.

                                            >Whatever's bothering her means a great deal.

                                            >She takes a deep breath, then exhales.

                                            >"I was the serving girl for this really horrible mare a few years ago, before I met Rarity. Then I was the assistant for a playwright, now I'm doing commissions for ponies that don't even... don't even pay me much."

                                            >She stares at her hooves.

                                            >"Along the way I ended up here, and it was fine at first, but then ponies just sorta stopped coming to me for clothes, I advertise as much as I can but no one seems interested."

                                            >You nod, listening intently.

                                            >"This place was only supposed to be temporary, but I've been here for a year and a half and every month the rent piles up."

                                            >She shivers.

                                            >"I've had to lose the heating just to pay it."

                                            >A pained shadow of a smile passes her face and she raises the gently steaming teacup.

                                            >"But hey, still got that kettle at least..."

                                            >The mare sets it down again and sighs.

                                            >"I know I'm rambling, and I'm sorry, but I haven't really done anything for myself in a while. I don't really... take charge."

                                            "Well that has to change, Coco."

                                            >You place a hand on her shoulder to reassure her.

                                            "You need to fix this about yourself, I know a similar mare in Ponyville, you know Fluttershy?"

                                            >Coco thinks for a second, then nods.

                                            >"Sure, I met her a while back when I met Rarity."

                                            "Well Fluttershy had a problem with saying no to people and generally taking control for herself, but she's fixed that."

                                            >"How?"

                                            "She just... became assertive. I dunno how else to describe it."

                                            >Coco chews her lip.

                                            >Her face scrunches up when she's thinking.

                                            >It's... cute.

                                            >"So I should just start acting like I'm in control?"

                                            "Yup, it's what Fluttershy did. Now she's happier for it."

                                            >You grin.

                                            "Fake it 'til you make it, Coco, that's the way to live."

                                            >The pair of you giggle at this.

                                            >Then abruptly stop when Coco leaps forward and kisses you.

                                            >For a second you don't really do anything.

                                            >Your brain takes a while to catch up.

                                            >The taste of her lips registers, and the heat coming from her cheeks is apparent.

                                            >Slowly, you raise your arms.

                                            >Then place your hands on her shoulders and push her back.

                                            "Whaaat are you doing...?"

                                            >Coco, now bright red, stammers.

                                            >"W-well, you know, y-you said... t-take charge, so--"

                                            "Ha, Christ, Coco, I know what I said, but I meant with your job and life and such, not--"

                                            >"Love is a part of life!"

                                            "Who said anything about love...?"

                                            >The mare shudders a bit.

                                            >You regard her with a sad smile.

                                            "Look, Coco, this isn't... good."

                                            >Coco desperately tries to keep you close, despite you pushing her away.

                                            >"But we have a connection! Didn't you feel it?"

                                            "Acting a bit crazy now, Coco."

                                            >She whines and pleads with her eyes.

                                            >This gets to you more than it should.

                                            >In that instant, all you see is a scared young mare.

                                            >Out of money, and being trampled by those around her.

                                            >In a tiny apartment covered in locks, and surrounded by a failing career.

                                            >And very much alone.

                                            >You sigh and relax your grip on her slightly.

                                            "Coco... I know what I said. You don't need a partner right now, you don't need that sort of stress."

                                            >She seems on the verge of tears.

                                            >"B-but--"

                                            >The mare cuts herself off, trembling.

                                            >You decide to give her a minute.

                                            >"But I really like you!"

                                            >Smile gently at her.

                                            "I like you too, sure, but not like that, sorry."

                                            >She lets out a held breath, tears starting to streak down her face.

                                            >"W-well what if I'm not looking for a partner?"

                                            "That doesn't really change much, Coco."

                                            >You glance at the door again.

                                            >Could really use you right now, Rarity.

                                            "I still don't want you like that."

                                            >Coco hesitates for a moment.

                                            >Then sucks in a deep breath.

                                            >And lets it out again.

                                            >She does this several times, clearly trying to calm her nerves.

                                            >Then, slowly, steadily, she pushes a hoof against your chest.

                                            >"But I... I want -you- like that."

                                            "Coco, come on--"

                                            >"I want you. A-and I think I... deserve that."

                                            >You give her a sad look.

                                            "Don't be like that, we can talk with Rarity when she comes back--"

                                            >"She's not coming back."

                                            >...

                                            "What?"

                                            >"W-well there's no post office. Not around here, anyway. There's one across town, but..."

                                            >You narrow your eyes.

                                            "Then why did you tell her there was?"

                                            >"I just though that we could um, use the time to get to know each other a bit better...?"

                                            >She sounds unsure of her own plan.

                                            >"Rarity has said so much about you when she's visited, a-and she made you seem like a really great guy."

                                            >She sniffs.

                                            >"And then you showed up and blew away my expectations."

                                            >Noticing the grim look on your face, she tugs nervously at her necktie.

                                            >"Sh-she'll be fine! She'll be totally fine, Manehatten has so many police ponies out on the streets at night that she's not gonna get hurt."

                                            >She wets her lips, eyes darting towards the door.

                                            >"She'll just be... gone for a while."

                                            >It sinks in.

                                            >You're alone.

                                            >With Coco Pommel.

                                            >The mare takes in another deep breath.

                                            >"Breeeathe, Coco, breeeath..."

                                            "Coco. I'm going to leave now and find Rarity."

                                            >A firm hoof pushes you back down.

                                            >"We're going to go through with this. I want this. I'm doing what you said, right? I'm taking charge."

                                            >She giggles, still trembling.

                                            >"F-for the first time ever I'm taking charge!"

                                            >With that, she mashes her face against yours again, lips hungrily moving against your own.

                                            >You move your face away so she's kissing your cheek, but it does little to stop her.

                                            >Coco moves back for a moment.

                                            >You watch as she fumbles with her necktie, then discards it across the room.

                                            >Eyes filled with some desperate hunger, she dives back in.

                                            >This is really happening, isn't it?

                                            >"Ha... Anon, I need this, please!"

                                            >You aren't fighting back as much as you feel like you should.

                                            >To face facts, she's cute as a button.

                                            >She's not wearing make-up at all, but she's still comparable to Rarity.

                                            >Really, she's not a bad catch.

                                            >It's not like you're not into ponies.

                                            >Rather that the reality of the situation you find yourself in is massively uncomfortable.

                                            >As the little mare grinds herself against you and relentlessly kisses whatever part of your face she can, you feel tears occasionally brush against you.

                                            >Once more your eyes are drawn to the designs on the wall.

                                            >The stacked boxes of abandoned or unwanted projects.

                                            >Rolls of fabric gathering dust.

                                            >The tiny worn furniture.

                                            >An almost implausibly sized kitchen area.

                                            >There's not even a bedroom, so it's very likely that she sleeps on the very sofa you now find yourself lying on.

                                            >And finally, your eyes fall again onto Coco.

                                            >Sweet little Coco.

                                            >By now she's stopped kissing you.

                                            >She's crying.

                                            >The mare clutches onto your chest, refusing to budge or let go.

                                            >It's as if you're her anchor.

                                            >You stare despondently at the ceiling as the pony's quiet sobs fill the apartment.

                                            >It's since gone very dark outside, and since the lights weren't on it's just you, Coco, and the moonlight streaming through the window.

                                            >"I-I'm s-so useless..."

                                            >Without a word, you place your hand on the back of her head and hold her close to your body.

                                            >A sense of great melancholy saturates the mood in the tiny apartment.

                                            >Coco shudders, her crying drawing to a close.

                                            >For a while she lies with her head against your chest, listening to your steady heartbeat.

                                            >It appears to comfort her, listening to the steady reverberations under your clothes.

                                            >You absent-mindedly stroke her mane, thinking things over.

                                            >Coco's voice breaks the long tranquillity.

                                            >"I'm sorry, Anonymous."

                                            >You hush her softly and keep stroking.

                                            >Reaching back you pluck your jacket off the arm rest you're lying against and wrap it around her.

                                            >She huddles closer against you, the warmth of her body pressed against yours now being kept in by the lining of your jacket.

                                            >"I worry about the future."

                                            >A distant argument is heard outside on the streets below.

                                            >You block it out and keep Coco close.

                                            >"Sometimes I can barely sleep because of it."

                                            >Close your eyes and listen to her speak.

                                            >"The stress just keeps building."

                                            >She sighs.

                                            >"When you're little, you just don't see yourself like this."

                                            >Squeeze her gently.

                                            >"I always used to tell my mom that one day I'd be a big famous fashion designer."

                                            >A weak laugh punctuates her words.

                                            >"Used to dress up in her outfits when she was gone and plaster myself in make-up."

                                            >You smile at the thought.

                                            >The mare's breathing has completely calmed.

                                            >Her chest rises and falls with yours.

                                            >"You just don't entertain the idea of... not making it."

                                            >You know all too well the feeling.

                                            >"So much time is spent preparing for a bright future, that you never get the chance to think about what happens to all the kids that don't get the right grades, or take the right classes, or get in trouble with the law."

                                            >You reposition yourself so you're on your side, Coco sandwiched between you and the back of the sofa, your jacket still acting as a blanket.

                                            >"You never for a second think about what would happen if you ended up like them."

                                            >The seconds subtly tick by on a nearby clock, the only other sound in the room.

                                            >"Then one day you wake up on a sofa in a dingy apartment in a bad part of town with locks all over your doors, a month's worth of bills on the table, and struggling to figure out where it all went wrong."

                                            >Without even thinking, you press your lips to her head and keep them there, holding the mare in your arms.

                                            >She sighs into your chest.

                                            >"You never get told what to do if that happens. It's just kinda expected for you to win, and if you don't..."

                                            "...You become another drop in the ocean..."

                                            >"Yeah..."

                                            >Coco Pommel slowly raises her head to look at you.

                                            >You stare sadly back at her.

                                            >As if reaching some silent understanding, you both lightly brush your lips together, then part.

                                            >"When I was little I wanted to be a career mare."

                                            >You feel her face twist into a smile as it's pressed against your collar line.

                                            >"Never understood why some mares were so desperate to find a stallion."

                                            >She hugs you a bit tighter.

                                            >"I kind of understand now. It's like finding someone to share your burdens with."

                                            >And tighter.

                                            >"Someone to make the nights not seem as lonely."

                                            >She looks up and nuzzles you.

                                            >"I'm sick of being alone, Anon."

                                            >You caress her face with your hand, then slide it down the length of her body, coming to a rest on her cutie mark.

                                            >The two of you gaze at each other for a while.

                                            >Then Coco leans in.


                                            >Rarity bursts through the door.

                                            >You look up from your breakfast in surprise.

                                            >Coco yelps at the noise and pokes her head out the doorway.

                                            >"Rarity! Where were you?!"

                                            >You roll your eyes and shake your head.

                                            >The unicorn immediately hugs Coco and begins raving as Rarity is wont to do.

                                            >"Oh Coco, it was awful! I couldn't find the post office, so I asked someone for directions, and before I knew it I was all over town! Then I took a short-cut down an alleyway and bumped into some rather unsavoury types..."

                                            >You chew thoughtfully on your cereal as your friend tells Coco of her night-time adventures.

                                            >Funnily enough, in but a single night, she got into a fight with six stallions, won, took their money, used it to get a taxi across town, ended up in a bar, drank herself silly, beat up more stallions, took another taxi to the other side of Manehatten, found a post office, broke in, deposited her letter, and blacked out.

                                            >Apparently she woke up in a police station.

                                            >Poor Rarity.

                                            >"...and I had to pay for the damages! Can you believe it?!"

                                            >Coco shakes her head.

                                            >"Oh Rarity, that sounds terrible! But you're back now, safe and sound, right?"

                                            >The mare sniffs and nods.

                                            >"Y-yes, that's quite enough drama for one trip, I should think. I've already decided that we should probably head back to Ponyville. I need to visit the spa immediately."

                                            >The mare notices you at last.

                                            >Smile at her.

                                            "Fun night on the town?"

                                            >"Oh don't you give me that you scoundrel."

                                            >She manages a smirk.

                                            >"...I suppose it was a bit relieving to let off a bit of steam. How did you two get on? I hope you weren't too worried."

                                            >You and Coco meet each other's eyes across the room.

                                            >She gives you a small smile and blushes.

                                            "...Yeah, we're best friends now."

                                            >Look back to Rarity.

                                            "Everything was peachy here, Rares. Ready to go when you are."

                                            >"Splendid! Well, Coco, I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer."

                                            >Coco gives her friend a big smile.

                                            >"It's alright, Rarity, it was nice to see you again anyway, it was nice to, uh, let off steam."

                                            >Rarity checks her mane in a nearby mirror.

                                            >"Yes, though I don't approve of this new look I seem to have developed for myself... oh yes, Coco, I was going to mention after I'd delivered that... damnable letter..."

                                            >She scowls at nothing.

                                            >Coco cocks her head, curious.

                                            >"Yes?"

                                            >Rarity composes herself and gets her old smile back.

                                            >"Well, business in Canterlot is booming, and since I can't keep going over there, I need another pony on site to help my manager handle the orders, and I was hoping you would be my new dressmaker."

                                            >Rarity frowns.

                                            >"I'm sad to say that I can't pay for any accommodation, so you'll probably have to live in the shop. There's a bedroom upstairs, but... my dear, are you alright?"

                                            >Coco is nodding and trembling violently, tears dripping off her chin.

                                            >Before Rarity can get another word in, she's tackle-hugged by Coco.

                                            >The unicorn can only give her an awkward pat on the back.

                                            >She regards you over her shoulder with utter confusion.

                                            >You silently laugh.

                                            >"Y-yes, Rarity, I-I'll do it, b-but... but I'll want a good salary."

                                            >Rarity nods, her eyes reflecting her sudden change of mindset to that of business.

                                            >"Of course, your contract is negotiable, and we can talk about that if you'd like..."

                                            >The two mares sit down at a small table and start to chat.

                                            >Coco, still trembling, still crying, bravely fights for a high salary.

                                            >And Rarity gives it to her.

                                            >You watch this with a strange sort of serenity.

                                            >Slowly eat your cereal and watch the shy mare across from your friend take charge for the first time in her life.

                                            >...

                                            >Well...

                                            >Second.


                                            The End.