//------------------------------// // A Fashionista in the Making // Story: Fashion, Journalism, and Romance // by Magic Cupcakes //------------------------------// The audience all stands and stomps their hooves for the actors as they take a bow before exiting the stage and the curtains are drawn. The play had gone perfectly and all my costumes looked superb under the stage light, which illuminating the fabrics so the actors almost sparkled. I began to make make my way to the hallway where everypony was filing out toward the after party room. As I walked in, I saw a few of the actors and congratulated them on their opening performance. After that I grabbed some refreshments and moved toward one of the walls and took a seat. I wasn’t much into mingling with all the high class people who came to see the show because my nerves always got the best of me when I tried to even just introduce myself. After some time, as I was looking out among the crowd I accidently locked eyes with the director of the show, Comet. Seeing me, he trotted over from across the room. “So what did you think of the show?” He said as he sat down next to me. “Oh it was amazing.” I said turning to him. “Well I cannot thank you enough for making all of those costumes, Coco. I owe you big time.” He said with sincerity. “Having my designs on Bridleway is a favor enough.” I insisted. “Well alright.” He said as he turned slightly disappointedly. Suddenly his eyes grew large and he turned back to me. “I almost forgot the reason I came over to talk to you in the first place. I was just talking to a popular journalist named TrenderHoof, I’m guessing your familiar with his work since everypony who is anypony knows about him. Anyway, I was talking to him because he was making a review for the show and he said he simply adored your costumes. I told him all about how you are a new aspiring fashion designer in the city and we wants to have an interview with you to talk about your fashions!” He finished with a big grin staring at me.excitement and anticipation filled me. “That would be a great boost for me if he gave me a good review and he might even have connections that would be able to further my lines!” I gave Comet a great hug. “Thank you so much for this opportunity.” “Of course, Coco, you helped me so I help you, I told you I would give you a favor and here it is. Now all you have to do is go up to Trenderhoof, schedule an interview, and knock his socks off. Now go get him, girl!” He pushed me out of my seat toward the crowd. Ok now to find Trenderhoof. I know he is a brown unicorn with a blonde mane but in this large of a crowd it was hard to distinguish anypony apart. I took a deep breath and walked into the chaotic mess of chatting ponies. As I squeezed past ponies looking for Trenderhoof, I realized I had no idea what I was going to say to him. Did Comet tell him what I looked like? Would he recognize me? When should I even plan the interview? How should I bring it up? Questions swarmed my head as I stood there dazed. My nightmare of unsurrity was broken when I felt a light tap of a hoof on my shoulder. “Are you Coco Pommel?” I turned to be face to face with Trenderhoof. Oh good Comet did tell him my name and what I looked like, that made it a bit easier for me. “Yes, and you are Trenderhoof?” I said shakily. “Oh you can call me Trend.” He said with a smile. I felt my face blush and hoped he couldn't see it because of the lights. “okay,” I said barely audibly. “So Miss Pommel, I simply fell in love with your costumes in the show. They had a certain feel that felt fresh and new yet old and comfortable all at once.” “Oh thank you so much” I felt a bit easier and my speech flowed less hesitantly than before. “Well I would love to interview you about them, to know what inspired such loveliness.” He looked so tall comparatively to me yet was not overbearing. “That would wonderful. When and where?” I said rather smoothly. He took out a notebook and flipped through some of the pages. Finally looking up he asked, “Are you free next Wednesday about noon?” “I believe so.” Even if I had something this interview was way to important, I could cancel. “Perfect, we can talk over lunch at this lovely cafe I know of, here’s the address.” He wrote it on a page of his notebook, tore it out and handed it to me. “I will see you then, Miss Pommel, it's been a pleasure." He said as he turn to leave. I looked down at the note: Cafe Dulce at the corner of Mane Street and 3rd noon Cafe Dulce… why did that sound so familiar? Suddenly it hit me, Cafe Dulce is where Suri always wanted her coffee from of course. Wow, it has been a whole two years since I quit being Suri’s slave and started my own lines, but mostly working on the costumes for the play that Rarity had stepped back from to stay with her friends. Since that day, I was fortunate enough to start costuming for a few other plays including the one that was just performed and although I loved the theatre, I knew if I wanted to make it big in this city, I would need to be selling my lines not just showing them off. As I thought about my past, a stranger walked briskly by me shaking me back into the present. The party was starting to die down as I looked around so I said goodbye to a few co-workers in the production and was on my way home. As I walked down the street, the city lights blazed around me. The city always seemed most alive at night, it’s a shame so many missed the beauty with sleep. Stopping at the intersection, I waited for the lights to change. The taxis slowed to a halt and I along with many other ponies crossed the bustling street. After a few more turns and a crosswalk, I arrived at my apartment building. It was a simple brick but cozy all the same. Walking in, I gave a smile to Chester at the front desk and entered the elevator. First floor, second floor, then it stopped on the third floor and I walked out toward my apartment. I unlocked the door, stepped in and collapsed on the couch.