Going With My Gut
"I'm cancelling my upcoming performance in Trottingham," Coloratura said to her publicist while at her apartment in Manehattan. "Something about performing there doesn't feel right."
"I can assure you, Coloratura," her publicist replied. "That all the measures taken to protect yourself and your fans is being considered. You've got to trust the security that is managing the security for this concert and all your other concerts."
Coloratura sighed as she took a sip of coffee. The former Countess Coloratura knew all too well about high ranking security for her performances that were supposed to give her protection. But, at times, they were bound to fail.
"I'm sorry, I don't," Coloratura rebuffed as she sat down on her sofa. "This isn't about anypony in particular, Work Binder. When I was Countess Coloratura, I was blinded by the fact that there is more about my concerts than I thought. Svengallop made me oblivious to the fact that sometimes concerts prevail over common sense."
"But, what about your fans?" pleaded Work Binder, a distressed look on her face as she sat down next to Coloratura. "They are going to be so disappointed that you are not performing. Can't you at least reconsider for their sake more than yours?"
But, Coloratura wasn't going to back down so easily.
"They are going to understand in time," she said. "That there are ponies who attend my concerts whose intentions are that there are not there to hear me perform, but to harm those who came to hear me perform. You've got to bear with me on this, Work Binder. For my sake, for your sake, as well as the sake of my fans that adore me."
Work Binder knew that there was nothing she could do to get Coloratura to change her mind and at that moment, admitted defeat.
"I don't want to do this," continued Coloratura, touching her publicist's hoof. "But, after what happened at Sapphire Shores' concert a few weeks ago, I cannot let what happened there happen in Trottingham."
Coloratura took a newspaper that sat on her coffee table into her hooves and showed it to Work Binder. On the cover was a photo of ponies running for their lives covered in blood.
"The only reason that happened was because security was lax, Coloratura," said Work Binder.
"But, what does that make security for not just my event in Trottingham, but in all towns and cities throughout Equestria?" asked Coloratura, putting the newspaper back down on the table. "Cities like Manehattan? Las Pegasus? The Crystal Empire? What does that tell you? That there are some ponies out there who want to see innocent ponies dead. Well, I can assure you that what happened to Sapphire Shores and her fans must not repeat itself with me and my fans. I need to go with my gut on this one."
Sighing, Work Binder admitted defeat and left the apartment. Once she was gone, Coloratura set about writing a letter to Applejack asking her to come to Manehattan for a visit.
…
A few days later, Coloratura heard a knocking on her door and opened it to reveal Applejack on the other side.
"Hey, Rara," she said as the two Earth ponies embraced. "Sorry that you had to cancel your upcoming performance in Trottingham."
"It was the right call, AJ," replied Coloratura as she allowed Applejack to come inside her apartment. "I just can't help but think of all those ponies who were hurt or killed in that explosion during Sapphire Shores' concert."
"I know what you mean there, Rara," shuddered Applejack. "Mayor Mare has taken the liberty of increasing security at the next helping hooves festival. Perhaps maybe you could…"
But, Coloratura stopped Applejack in the middle of her sentence with her hoof and looked back down at the newspaper.
"I don't know if I can perform now, Applejack," said Coloratura, nervously, feeling despondent. "If something like what happened at Sapphire Shores' concert happen to my fans, I will never forgive myself."
"The truth of the matter is there, sugar cube," replied Applejack. "Is that you can't keep cancelling performances like this because if you do keep cancelling, then your fans suffer, your career suffers and the ponies who bombed the Sapphire Shores concert will seem as if they succeeded in their task to instill fear."
Coloratura considered what Applejack said and knew that while what Applejack said was true, that she couldn't bear to accept this change right away. Not after what happened so soon.
"I know what you are saying, AJ," sighed Coloratura as she went over from her sofa to her piano and sat down. "But, common sense does need to prevail and its sometimes better to take precautions. Sapphire Shores isn't just any performer you know. She is a friend and fellow performer who takes these kinds of things very hard."
As she heard her friend say these words, Applejack couldn't help but think back to when the Changelings invaded Canterlot during the Royal Wedding between Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. Twilight had tried to warn them at the wedding rehearsal and the actions of Applejack and the others resulted in the Changelings being able to successfully carry out their invasion.
"I can understand where you are coming from in a sense, Rara," remarked Applejack, walking over to join Coloratura at the piano. "You're trusting your instincts because you don't want to end up in a situation like Sapphire Shores. Well, I can't argue with you for that, sugar cube. You don't any of your fans to fall victim to these sick and twisted ponies."
"Exactly, AJ," said Coloratura, listening intently to what Applejack was saying. "That would be the last thing that I would want: to see somepony be hurt by these losers. I won't call them 'monsters' because they would love that title. But, you're right, I can't just turn belly up and beg to them. I'm a performer and it is my job to get ponies to deviate themselves from everyday life."
"That's the spirit, Rara!" cried Applejack, patting her friend on the back.
…
A few weeks later, Coloratura was back on the road, doing what she did best: performing live for her fans. However, the words that she shared with Applejack still resonated within her mind and when she took the stage in Trottingham, she addressed the crowd of ponies who came to see her perform.
"Thank you all for coming tonight, everypony," Coloratura said as she beamed over her fans on the stage. "I would like to dedicate tonight's performance to Sapphire Shores and her fans, who know that they are not alone in the situation and we are all thinking about them! I would also like to dedicate tonight's performance to all the security ponies who put their lives on the line to allow us all to get together and enjoy all that we have!"
The crowd roared and Coloratura went over to the piano and began her concert the same way she began every one of her concerts: with her signature song, "The Magic Inside."
THE END
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This was a nice, sweet story. RIP Manchester, England
I legit don't want to accept the fact that our world can be such a cruel and heartless place....I give my condolences to the families of the victims that died and my wishes to those that were injured and that they will heal physically and mentally. I also want to pray for Arianna Grannde who is filled to the brim with guilt....it's was not your fault Arianna..#prayformanchester
I'm not sure it's appropriate to depict real life tragedies in horse words. For I thinks it mocks the lives lost.
At least, not so soon. But even then, it is of poor taste
Even if the story isn't a sadist trollfic, it still somewhat a mockery.
Whatever the case, I refuse to read this and give an automatic downvote by the description alone.
And so we have a split so far. There are 7 up- AND down-votes for this.
The consensus seems to be (thus far)
8185797 This is not meant to be an insult which is the last thing I would do. This is meant to be a tribute and nothing more.
Everyone also needs to offer a prayer for the people trapped in the ongoing crisis on Mindanao, Philippines.
i think this story is going to bomb
Don't let the negative feedback affect you for a moment. I know you did this with the best intention.
8185953 Thanks for your support in the matter.
8185898 I am NOT using this for personal gain in any sense of the word. Sometimes we need to express our feeling for certain events through art like writing. This is my way of expressing.
8185719 Amen.
I don't feel like this is exactly appropriate to the event that happened. I understand that your intentions were good but I feel like this is just inappropriate.
Bad idea mate, this is still a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. I understand that it isn't satire and that your heart is in the right place, but not everyone will think of it like that. Tread this ice very carefully.
My condolences to the friends and families who lost the ones they loved during that dreadful night.
8186041 Believe me, I will.
8185736 Not reading it is your right, but to be totally and brutally honest, I think that said downvote is more than a little uncalled for.
You don't have to do either one.
ESPECIALLY the downvote, if you're not going to bother to read it.
Myself, I just read it, and I think it's a very touching tribute to the victims of the Manchester attack.
...Ever heard of "Too soon?"
This was great idea, buddy. The only complaint is a section of dialogue that appears to be paraphrasing Trump the Tyrant's words yesterday. Personally I would never quote him in a million years! (no offense)
8185736 I presume you will not read this.
Every artistic medium is a platform of personal expression, for both creators and fans alike.
'Horse words' as you put it, is a developing medium. Like graphic novels and video games before it, it will grow, face dissent, see some say, "This medium isn't serious enough to respectfully handle <topic>," but it will grow, and one day, thoughts like this will diminish.
You will see.
With respect -
Another 'Horse Words' Person
My friend almost died in Manchester. He was about to leave home and go to the shopping center near the bombing when he felt tired and decided to stay home.
8186465
Wow, that was a decision that I am sure he will never forget.
This happened a few miles from where I live. I haven't read the story (the event is still too fresh in my mind) but thank you for thinking of the families of the deceased and injured in their time of need...
8186791 Yes I have learned from past experiences, but this was something that I felt needed to be done as my way of expressing the situation through my writing and that it couldn't be ignored. There are times where you need to bear with me on certain stories, Jarkes, and this is one of them.
Short and simple, with a message in mind. I like that. I believe this story did what it was supposed to do and that's to express sadness for the tragedy and sympathy toward the victims. I don't think a piece like this needs to address every facet of the issue, which is what some commenters seem to be missing. I don't think this was the best, I don't think it was the worst. I also don't think this did the job in the best way, but as I said, it doesn't need to. This is your tribute and it's your right to express it in your way.
Well worth reading. :)
Not to be rude or anything, but you really should've waited longer before posting this.
The weird thing about this story is, I could just see its real-life inspiration ponified.
Think about it: Grande Aria performing at a Manechester arena, where a bomb suddenly goes off and several fans and officials become horse meat in the blast.
8187394
Oh dear, this just became twice as controversial. First off, the author was acknowledging this event, not parodying or referencing it. I don't see how that is offensive. This is the Grammarly definition of tribute: An acknowledgment of gratitude, respect or admiration; an accompanying gift. An acknowledgment of respect. That's what this person was doing. So no, this person has not lost their mind, and no, this is not offensive.
It's been two years since the attacks happened and I don't think Manchester could sleep at night after what happened that fateful day. As an Englishman myself, it probably still haunts Manchester to this day, but I think in the future, Manchester... will be... not the safest city in the UK... but the safest city in the world.
Wow, I went to London right after you published this fic for a study abroad. I was lucky not to encounter any terrorist attacks.