Randolph was right. When she checked the theatre’s post box, letters flooded out on her like on Looney Toons.
The first thing she did was clean up the stage. From the stage’s roof to the floorboards, she made sure everything was in tip-top shape.
Six months was able to gather up enough dust to make her and Dazzle sneeze. She didn’t complain though. Applejack did most of the heavy lifting a few months ago, she was just doing the standard TLC maintenance
Surprisingly, Dazzle helped with no complaint either. She wouldn’t have thought Dazzle to enjoy sweeping the floors from all the dust they’ve gathered or clean the leaves off the rooftop. The funny thing was Dazzle asked good questions about cleaning. Figured since Randolph had a feather duster cutie mark. He must’ve hogged all the cleaning to himself.
Speaking of Randolph, she caught up with all the letters.
After cleaning, of course. She needed them to take a load off. Those letters were good for two things: stress relief and a break from boring chores.
Currently, she was reading a letter she received yesterday.
Dear Coco,
I'm glad to hear everything is coming together. Congratulations on getting everything ready for the play! To get an enormous burden off my back, I’ll give you the bad news first: I will be unable to make it. Mr. and Mrs. Rich are keeping a close watch on me, which makes it hard to attend to other’s matters.
That’s it for the bad news though. Now, for the good news: I filed the papers, and got a letter in the mail saying that the hearing will be held in November. I will see you in Mane-hattan court November 11th at 8:00 AM. Because it was an official government document, Mr. and Mrs. Rich are forced to comply my leave.
We are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Everything is settling back down to normal over here in Ponyville. You’d be surprised what problems arose after Mistress Tiara left.
On your side of Equestria, I'm glad that Mistress Tiara is doing well. I guess that pesky headache of hers was because of the weather change from from mild Ponyville fall to frigid Mane-hattan winter. It brings me joy to know her situation is finally stable. Like you've mentioned, she has had it rough- traveling alone, braving the chill of winter, and worst, without family, and without anypony to care for her.
I'll be sending a package to your apartment, express delivery. I feel bad that she has taken almost nothing with her to Mane-hattan. So, I prepared a little care package for her. It should be on your doorstep by the evening of October 10. Don’t say anything about it until it arrives. I want to keep it a surprise. If it doesn't arrive, please let me know. It’s crucial that it arrives before the things get too busy with the play.
Coco looked at the calendar on the wall. Oh dear, today was October 10th. She had to think of something to keep Dazzle distracted until evening. Maybe shopping would do the trick.
She read the last bit of the paper.
Lastly, just keep this between you and me, Rarity has talked Twilight in coming to see your play.
No pressure!
Wish I were there!
Randolph.
Coco breathed deeply as she stuffed her reading glasses back in her bag.
What a Honor. One of the Princesses coming to see her handiwork. Again, she resented Randolph's last statement.
She had to make this count. The moment of truth approached. She took another deep breath and glanced around.
Dazzle fidgeted with her tiara, adjusting it slightly. Each time, she would pause then re-adjust, unhappy with the position on her head. She noticed Coco staring at her. In response, Dazzle flashed a grimace.
Coco snickered. Today was a special occasion, and all of them had to look their best. That included pinchy boots that chafed Coco's hooves and a pinchy tiara.
“Florin Buttercup.” A mare popped her head out of the office door. Coco saw the mare was trying to frown, but by the looks of it, she wasn't doing a good job of it.
Florin eagerly waved towards the door.
Coco folded up the letter and tucked it in her saddlebags. “Come, Dazzle.” She said.
Dazzle hopped off the bench and joined her. Florin filed into the room first, then Dazzle. Coco took a deep breath again, then stepped inside the office.
Coco found the austere surroundings of the office to be intimidating. The smell of old paper unnerved her, as it brought back memories of the numerous times her offer was rejected.
The mare stood behind a cherry wood desk, with a banker's green lamp and a typewriter.
“You may have a seat.” The mare finally said.
They sat down in their wooden chairs while the mare took her fancy leather chair. Made of rare hydra skin, as Coco recalled.
The mare closed her eyes, clicked her forehooves together, and hummed low. Coco’s body stiffened as she heard the sound of her low humming.
The mare sat up straight, her posture stiff and eyebrows slanted. Her mane was simple. No flairs, nothing fancy. The only thing that noted she was different from any other face in the crowd was her horn, dull and gray as her coat.
...Maybe Coco could model her style in another play.
The mare’s mouth clicked as it popped open. She swiveled around to her cabinet.
“After review, I have made my final decision.” she took a file out of her cabinet, spun around and tossed it in front of Florin.
Florin opened the folder and read the contents. Coco stifled a gasp as she saw the big, bold red letters out of the corner of her eye.
Approved.
“Thank you, Willow Chair.” Florin closed the file. “We will do our best to make sure An Equestrian Tale is successful.”
Coco gulped. Now was the moment of truth.
“We have an... odd request.” Florin started. “But, since this was Coco's idea, she should take the floor.”
Coco's heart thumped in her chest. Willow's eyes narrowed at Coco.
After a couple breaths, Coco started, making sure to enunciate. “If I may be so bold to ask, can we obtain the licensing to another play?”
The mare lifted a pen up to her right temple. “Which play?” She asked in a firm tone.
“Mare-ison Bergeron- adapted for theatre.” Coco said. She bit down on her tongue as she pulled out a paper from her bag. As she offered it, Willow swiped it from her grasp.
She scowled. Coco sank back in her chair.
Willow read over a couple lines, her eyes occasionally darting up to look at Coco over the rim of her spectacles. All of a sudden, a smirk came across her face as she bit her fancy pen. “Hmm… Consider the filing done. When do you want the license?”
Coco felt the cold beads of sweat running down the nape of her neck. She gulped, as she knew she was asking a lot already. This next request was deal-breaker. “If possible, three days”
Willow’s smirk reverted back to a scowl. “I'll see what I can do.” She walked around the desk and pulled the door open. “For now, your excused.”
Once they got out of the office, the door slammed.
“I-I can't seem to read her.” Coco dipped her head.
“You can't do anything about it except live transparent.” Florin patted her on the back. “She likes you, Coco. It's just for scare. You did great.”
“Thanks.” Coco whispered weakly.
“Live transparent?” Dazzle asked curiously.
Coco lifted her head.
“Oh, it's just a little saying Coco and I made up when we were still in school.” Florin pointed out. “It's fancy for ‘just be yourself, don't let anxiety control you.’”
“Oh.” Dazzle craned her head backward. “That's… weird.”
“You'll get it after a while.” Coco chuckled. She turned toward Florin. “Now that’s over, should we celebrate?”
“Are you joking? We should!” Florin sprung up.
Coco let out a giggle. No matter what she did, Florin always found a way to cheer Coco up.
“Let's go post the banners first.” Dazzle interjected. “I know we need to get that done.”
“Right… We shouldn’t get carried away.” Coco said. She found it a little odd for Dazzle wanting to do that first, but didn’t argue. The more time she gave for the package to arrive, the better. “Let’s go take care of that first.”
“Wow. Sure hope it doesn't rain like this on the night of the play”. Coco looked up, as the pitter patter of raindrops thudded against the glass ceiling. As they hit the glass, they fizzled in a bright array of colors.
She lifted up her bags, continuing to shoulder the weight of her splurge.
Earlier, Dazzle complained when Coco took too long deciding what she wanted. As if in agreement, the shopkeeper flashed her a weary look, hinting that she overstayed her welcome.
Coco had a hard time shaking off the nasty feeling. Luckily, a trip to the food court was the cure. Besides. Dazzle was starving.
That made for dinner…
Coco looked at Dazzle again, who was still entranced by the dancing flurry of colors overhead.
And a show.
Coco couldn't help but giggle at Dazzle. She wished she had a camera. Dazzle’s mouth was agape. Her eyes were aglow with spectacular shower of colors.
“Designed by some of Celestia’s greatest-”
“Shh!” Dazzle shoved a hoof in Coco’s mouth. She still kept her gaze on the heavens full of color.
Coco was taken aback, but giggled in the end.
She waited until the Aurora BoRealis faded, seeing Dazzle's trance following suit.
“I wish Ponyville had a mall like this.” Dazzle said.
Florin hauled in heavy saddlebags. “Well, I'm drained.” She said as she put the bags down on the nearby bench. The bench creaked in protest.
“Monty is not going to be happy…” Dazzle said.
“Relax! We have the play coming up in few weeks.” Florin waved a hoof.
“Pfft.” Dazzle rolled her eyes.
“You know Dazzle, let’s go pick out something for you… anything you want.” Coco offered.
“Careful, Coco.” Florin warned. “If she steps hoof into a candy shop, the profit you earn from next play will be gone and then some.”
“We just ate.” Dazzle said. She put a hoof up to her muzzle. “Though I want to stop by the upstairs gift shop.”
“Sure.” Coco said.
She threaded her way through the crowds to the stairwell. Dazzle followed not far behind.
“Coco, can you wait up?” Dazzle shouted.
Coco paused and looked around. Her heart pounded. With so many ponies milling about, she had some trouble spotting Dazzle.
She sighed in relief as she saw Dazzle pushing her way through a couple ponies. Some passersbys glared at Dazzle, but she shot an equally poisonous one back at them.
“Sorry about that.” Coco apologized.
“No need to apologize.” Dazzle held up a hoof “Let’s keep going. I can’t stand this.”
After a flight of stairs and a couple departments down, Coco stepped into the store.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Coco jumped. After she regained her composure, she looked back to Dazzle, who was frozen in place.
“Don't mind it, its mental.” The nearby cashier said not taking her eyes off of scanning a customer’s items.
“What was that?” Dazzle asked.
“Anti-theft device.” Coco explained.
“But... I didn't steal anything.” Dazzle said.
“No need for a plea.” Coco took her by the hoof and guided her in. “Don't worry. The cashier said it has issues.”
“We don't have those in Ponyville…” Dazzle glanced wearily at the red lights on the glass doors.
“I guess it comes with the Aurora BoRealis.” Coco said. “C'mon, let's pick out your present.”
Coco was big on window shopping. She knew she was a fickle customer. It must’ve been because of her sense of style. Many stores gave into trends and fads, whereas she discovered her taste to be on the conserved, sharp style.
Dazzle had the same sentiment. At least that's how it felt after Dazzle inspected every knick-knack. At this point, if Dazzle kept at the same pace she was now, they would be stuck in the store until morning.
This made the store clerk nervous. A good indicator was that the cashier from earlier kept an eye on them.
Dazzle scanned through various items.
Coco carefully picked up a snow globe and shook it. Inside, a snowstorm covered the Mare-pire state building and Filly Liberty. She scoured across bracelets. Then Earrings. Then a modest watch with a leather band and a wooden frame caught her eye. Fairly simple in design, yet possessed a beauty that she couldn't quite grasp.
Dazzle picked up white picture frame. It had a sky blue stripe running in curls like calligraphy. Coco also thought of it as cute, but swore it needed a little something more.
“Hmm. I thought you already had a picture frame.” Coco said.
“Not yet.” Dazzle replied.
“I notice that you have a limited number of knick knacks.” Coco stated, recounting only a picture of her family, and a stuffed doll. “By the way, who is that Alicorn doll you have? I don't recognize him.”
“Oh, that's my dad.” Dazzle said. “Even if he's an earth pony in real life, he didn't mind that I wanted an Alicorn doll of him.”
“You sure you just want a frame?” she asked.
“Yeah I'm sure. I need some glass to protect it though.” Dazzle said.
“Gotcha covered.” Coco said as she pulled out her wallet.
They stepped up to the checkout, the cashier with a cheesy grin on her face. Probably her next paycheck in a long time.
“Find everything alright?” She asked.
“Yep,” Coco said. “Can we get some glass for the picture frame?
The package arrived before they got home.
Dazzle looked at it with wonder, then read who it was from. The rest was history. The wrapping paper didn't last a chance.
Before she knew it, her living room was the epicenter of a candy tornado. Dazzle munched happily on the popping candy.
“Randolph says the candy's name is Zing-Zap.” Dazzle said, with a mouthful of the candy.
Coco picked up the smaller box . She took off the lid. Inside it was a whole pack of photos. But a few envelopes stuck out. She flipped through a couple, pulling out a random envelope. This one looked suspicious, since Randolph usually used an envelope with a sack of money watermark.
“Who's Sweetie Belle?” She asked, examining the pretty, curvy writing.
“Wait! Let me see that!” Dazzle lunged towards Coco and swiped it out of her hooves. Dazzle looked at the writing “Sweetie Belle sent me a letter?”
Not hesitating another second, the envelope was torn off like the wrapping paper. The lined paper unfolded as she read it. A smile came across her face.
As usual, Randolph's magic. She started pulling out some photos, seeing foals and adult ponies she didn't recognize. One that particularly caught her eye was a photo of Dazzle in a cute pink dress next to a gray filly with a spoon cutie mark. There was nothing special about it, except the photo was taken from a weird angle. It was either the camera was mounted to the ceiling, or the picture was taken by a very tall pony who was holding the camera upside down. Then she noticed a small detail, a fluff of frizzy pink nestled in the corner of the photo.
“Is this Sweetie Belle?” Coco held up the photo.
Dazzle looked up from the letter. “No, that's Silver Spoon. My BFF.” She folded up the letter and hovered over the tiny box. “What else is there?”
Coco hoofed through a couple more photos. She came across another letter and pulled it out. “Hmm, Applebloom.” she held it out to Dazzle.
Dazzle popped a Zing-Zap into her mouth and took it. While chewing on the candy, she opened the letter and read it.
Coco sat quietly, not sure whether to leave Dazzle to her business or stay put. She awkwardly rocked back and forth on her hooves.
Dazzle smiled “Applebloom worked with Pinkie and the Cakes to develop this new candy.” Dazzle said. “What we have here is the prototype.”
She read a little further and laughed. “The cake twins helped too. Mr and Mrs. Cake didn't want them to, but Pinkie insisted.” She glanced up from the letter. “Those two are lucky! My Parents would never allow me to do anything like that.”
Figured. Even after a couple weeks, Coco recognized how independent Dazzle was. The fact that she made it Mane-hattan on her own was remarkable. Coco drew another letter. This, she recognized. Dignified, sharp letters.
She held it out to Dazzle. “This is yours.”
Dazzle took it and opened it. After a moment of reading, she sighed. “Aww… Randolph isn't coming to the play.” She whined. Her eyes darted back and forth across the paper. “Oh, and he put a slice of cake in another box under the candy!”
She put the letter down. Rummaging through the box, she pulled out another box and unfolded it. Inside, under a protective plastic lid was a wedge of a cake. She smiled “I always wanted to try this flavor!” she opened up the container.
Dazzle took out the cake. “Hmm, what's this?” She took out a folded piece of paper that was hiding underneath the cake. She unfolded it piece of paper and read it.
When she finished she shook her head playfully and closed her eyes. She sat munching on the cake with her eyes closed.
She opened her eyes and then took another bite. She then closed her eyes again and munched on the cake.
Coco raised an eyebrow. “Uhm. Dazzle, What are you doing?”
“Pinkie says that this is a triple wish cake. It grants three wishes. All I need to do is eat it, close my eyes, and make a wish.” Dazzle explained. She placed the unfinished cake back in it's container. “I will save my last wish for later.”
“What exactly did you wish for?” Coco asked.
“I can't tell you, otherwise it won't come true.”
“C’mon, Dazzle…” Coco smirked and shook her head.
“I'll tell you my first wish though. I wish to be older.” Dazzle snickered. “That always comes true.”