//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Mare-ison Tiara-on // Story: Transparent Living // by PinoyPony //------------------------------// Dazzle wore her tiara to the play. Coco questioned her at first, wondering why she chose to do something like that. After a likely excuse to use it for the occasion, Coco didn't press any further. She watched the actor, as fuzzy and frivolous as Pinkie, dance on top of a piano and belt out “You gotta share! You gotta care!” Then the red curtains rolled. As soon as the curtains closed, the actors broke character as one hopped off the top of the piano, brushed herself off, and trotted towards the fitting room. The stallion at the piano stood up from the bench, stretched his hooves, and popped his neck. Coco and Mrs. Chair trotted out from the backstage curtains. “You did great!” Coco congratulated in a hushed voice. “Thanks Coco!” The stallion said. He rushed over to a rope and cleated it onto the piano. With the help of the rest of the clean-up crew, they heaved the piano out of sight. Florin trotted past Dazzle. Dazzle sighed, thankful that the scrutiny of a pair of eyes on her was directed away from her, just for a moment. Florin was in charge of watching Dazzle since Dazzle couldn't sit alone in the crowd. Yes, it was a little odd Dazzle was backstage, rubbing shoulders the other actors, but she figured it was Coco’s preference. “You doing okay, Coco?” asked Florin, who was marking up a clipboard. “Yes.” Coco grinned. Dazzle noticed her legs trembling. That was a bold-faced lie. “Don't worry dear, you’ll do fine!” Florin patted her on the back. Florin must've picked up on it too. The curtains rolled back, and Coco was escorted to the front of the stage with Mrs. Chair. “Now a round of applause for Coco Pommel!” The director announced. The crowd cheered. After the applause ended, the director continued. “Miss Pommel has a surprise for this Nightmare Night season.” Coco bowed. Dazzle noticed Coco's legs quivering more violently. Coco began “Fillies and Gentlecolts! I am pleased to announce the short play for this evening! Mare-ison Bergeron by Cart Vonnegut!” Coco bowed and backed toward stage left? Yep, that was stage left. Dazzle remembered that Coco mentioned that the stage was centric to the actors and not the audience. They said the show must go on. But they hit a nasty roadblock. On the loudspeaker, the director announced. “Please stand by. We are experiencing difficulties.” Dazzle was swept back, since Florin told her to stay with her so the paramedics could do their job. Even through the commotion, Dazzle saw the gleam of tears in the actor's eyes. Her steady, penetrating voice managed to cut through the noise. “Do I get overtime for this?” She managed a weak smile. “Cut it out of my paycheck. I'm so sorry, Rose Masquerade, this is my fault.” Coco said, standing by while the medical staff worked away. “She's jok-” One of the paramedics was about to chuckle. She turned pale. “Your highness.” The paramedic bowed her head. Like a wave, everypony else was in the room bowed. Respectfully, Dazzle followed everypony. Dazzle turned around. Princess Twilight and Rarity stood in the doorway. Rarity was, as always, fashionable as she wore a beautiful crystal blue dress. Twilight was dressed in the same dress she wore at her coronation. However, it had something more… something different… but Dazzle couldn’t quite put a hoof on it. Maybe Rarity had something to do with it. Rarity covered her hoof with her mouth. “Oh my, we are in quite the predicament…” “That's just grand!” Rose Masquerade complained, looking around aimlessly with blank eyes. “Just in the moment I meet Princess Sparkle and Miss Rarity face to face, darn disease blinded me!” Twilight trotted towards her. “Let me have a look.” The medical staff blocked her way. “I'm sorry princess, we can’t have you catching-” “Corrosion.” Twilight tapped her horn. “I'm already covered.” The paramedic traded glances with their partner, then sighed. “Alright. Please be careful, your highness.” The paramedic stepped aside. Twilight motioned at Rarity to stay where she was. The staff left their stray equipment on the floor. Twilight leaned in closer to Rose. As she put her hoof under her jaw, Rose winced back. “Easy.” Twilight said. “It's just me.” Rose's eyes were wet with tears. What made it a little odd is that she was staring off into space. “Hmm… Floppy Horn, chemical burn under the skin.” Twilight observed. “Severe symptoms… not fatal though.” “Can you… fix it?” Rose pleaded. “Not quite. I know a recipe to suppress it though.” Twilight said. “But it requires you to soak in a bath of water-- I'll escort you to the hospital in a moment.” “But first, I have an oath to fulfill.” Twilight glanced at Dazzle. Dazzle gulped. What was Twilight going to do? Reprimand her for all the rotten things she did? A few actors traded glances of worry as the Princess approached her. That didn’t help either. In contrast to the commotion outside the curtains, the only sound that penetrated the backstage was the creaking floorboards as Twilight approached. Twilight smiled. Dazzle’s heart lifted a little. “I see you are wearing your tiara, just like Randolph said you would.” Twilight said. She held out a hoof. “Mind if I take a look?” Dazzle took it off and gave it to Twilight. She sat down and examined the tiara in her forehooves. She craned her neck around it, inspecting it like a jeweler. “He came just in time. I spent so much time trying to perfect a spell.” Her horn glowed, and her aura surrounded the tiara. “I'm taking a risk by this, so let's hope it works.” Twilight’s horn glowed brighter and brighter, then faded in an instant. When Dazzle's eyes adjusted, she saw. The crown glowed, imbued with energy. The glowing pulsed with magical energy for a minute, then faded. Dazzle tilted her head. What exactly did Princess Twilight do? “Put it on, hopefully this works.” She said. Dazzle obeyed the princess and propped the tiara on her head. Instantly, she grew a little dizzy. It felt like the time she was on a roller coaster and the cart she was in lurched forward unexpectedly. She closed her eyes and held her breath to keep her from vomiting. Then, it stopped. Something happened. She felt… different. She finally had the courage to open her eyes. Everypony in the room gasped. Coco, who normally froze or ducked when she wanted to escape from the situation, stared at her with wide eyes and an agape jaw. “My apologies if you feel a little queasy, Diamond. I’m still working on the minor kinks.” Twilight said. “I’m just thankful it didn't turn you into a colt.” “What?” Dazzle asked, checking to see if she heard right. In the same motion, she covered her mouth. Her voice… it wasn't her own. It sounded a lot less squeaky and less high pitched. “Can you get me a mirror, please?” Twilight asked. One of the nearby actors wheeled a mirror to Dazzle. She saw. In front of her, in place of her reflection, was a mare, pink coat and purple and white braided mane and tail. She was notably taller, sharper features. Curvier, Stout, and Regal. Dazzle looked at Twilight, then back to the mirror. She turned her head to inspect the mare in the reflection. It was her. Her heart pounded faster, and a wave of chills ran up her spine. This was actually happening. She gave the mare a wide smile and she smiled back with a sereneness that she was mildly jealous of. “That's Randolph's second surprise.” Twilight explained “Coco mentioned in passing that you wanted to volunteer at the hospital, but aren't old enough.” “It still is in the perfecting stage, and I wanted to wait until after the play to give you it, but circumstances say otherwise.” She stood up straight and brought a hoof to her barrel and bowed. “Since advanced magic like that is costly, it recharges whenever you wear it proudly. Designed by yours truly.” Wait… magic that recharged off of her emotions? She hadn’t learned this in Cheerilee’s class. If only Sweetie Belle could hear this, maybe she would find it- “Luck must really have something against me. First, I’m missing the sight of one of our beloved princesses. Now I don’t even get to see a little filly turned mare.” Rose complained. Princess Twilight looked at Rose and then back to Dazzle and giggled. “Just in case, when I'm there, I'll put in a good word for you. Tell them to hire you. Princesses can pull a couple strings” She winked. Coco gasped. When all eyes shifted upon her, her cheeks grew red and she cowered back. “As the playwright always says. ‘The show must go on.’” Twilight said. She trotted back to the ailing actor and said in a firm tone and a smirk “Get back to work!” The actor looked up with tired eyes toward the princess. In a weak voice, she asked “You mean, instate a backup?” “Yep, but I recommend not using another Unicorn.” The princess said “Unfortunately, I think one of your props is infected, you will need an Earth Pony if you want to continue.” “Princess, you mentioned that there is a Corrosion resistance spell.” Mrs. Chair said. “Can’t we just use that?” “You are right that a protection spell can be used, but for that, you need poison joke repellant potion.” One of the paramedics stated. “And even then, it is still a little dicey.” “You mentioned Earth Pony. What about we choose Coco? She knows the lines” Beaux, one of the actors, asked. “I… I don't do well on stage…” Coco looked down at the floor and rubbed her hoof against her foreleg. “It's your choice, of course.” Twilight sighed. “I’m thinking of some Earth pony else.” Suddenly, a couple wandering eyes met their destination. Everypony stared at Dazzle. “Are you saying Dazzle should be our backup?” “She does know the lines.” Coco added. “Eep.” She replied as the scrutiny shifted back to her. “Well, isn’t that curious?” Twilight said. She giggled. “Now I’m copying Randolph. Anyways… reality can be funny sometimes- in the bleakest moments, the answer presents itself in a form of a miracle. It’s funny it so happens now.” Beaux looked to Dazzle, then back to Twilight. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded solemnly “Well? What are we waiting for?” Dazzle's heart raced. “Well, in that case, Let's be off.” Twilight craned her neck under the actor’s right foreleg. “No, it's fine princess… I can- OW!” the actor grit her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut. “One misunderstanding is that I don't need to lift a hoof.” Twilight said. She rocked her head, signaling the others to help her out. As more rushed to her aid, they hoisted the actor onto Twilight’s back. “You comfortable?” Twilight asked. “As much as I can with a corroded horn.” Rose replied. Twilight giggled and said to the others, “I'll fly her up. Don’t worry about me or her. I'm protected.” she tapped her horn. “Rarity will help keep the show going.” Everypony turned towards Rarity. Rarity gracefully bowed. “I have worked with Coco in the past. The show will always go on.” Twilight flapped her wing and smiled at Rose. “I hope you don't mind the bumpy ride.” “Don't worry Princess. I don't get motion sick easy.” Rose replied. Twilight chuckled. “We're off then!” She posed to lunge forward. “Wait! Princess! I never acted in my life!” Dazzle rushed towards her. Twilight paused in midair. “Don't worry, dear. I can handle this.” Rarity waved a hoof. “Now go! There is no time to waste when it comes to a curse.” Twilight nodded and bolted out of the nearest window. Rarity turned towards Dazzle. “If the Princess believes in you, I know you can do it.” Dazzle opened her mouth to reply something, but she couldn't argue. She never had been treated with this type of sweetness before. Why was Rarity being nice to her? Even after what she done to Sweetie Belle… Rarity just smiled, and closed Dazzle's jaw. “Now, now, we done have much time for Dilly-dallying…” Coco came up to Rarity and gave a sheepish smile. “Thanks for coming to the rescue.” “No problem, dear.” Rarity smiled. “I hope you don't mind me adding some adjustments.” “Not at all!” Coco said. “Good.” Rarity had a mischievous look on her face as she turned to Dazzle. “Last I recall, Mare-ison was an earth pony, relying upon her own strength rather than magic power under Diana Moon Glimmers tyrannical dictation. All you need is to be strong, like her!” She flared out a hoof towards the ceiling. The rest of the crew didn't wait another second. They strapped a faux metal beam around her neck, and put a straitjacket on her. “What is happening?” Dazzle asked, as she chased circles around another actor. “You’re getting into character.” Rarity stated with a squeal. “Ooooh! Beautiful job, Coco! Once Diamond is out there, she will shine like a star!” Dazzle's vision went blurry as the crew goaded her towards the front of the stage. “Wait! Rarity! I’m not ready!” Dazzle cried. She had no idea how she was going to pull this off. In front of a crowd of thousand ponies (minus a princess), she was bound to make some cruel mistake. Maybe this is what Rarity was planning, to make a public example of her and how bad she was at everything- friendship, acting... “The show will go on as planned!” The director announced, before backing into the curtains. Dazzle stepped forward on the stage full of actors. All wearing fake equalities like her. She felt a pit in her stomach, yet still was pulled forward by something. The actors looked as nervous as her. She craned her neck up and snapped the foam brace. With all the vigor and anger she pulled inside of her, she wrestled off the straitjacket until it ripped like paper. Well, because it was in fact, paper. The audience stayed dead silent. She could hear her heart beating in her chest. Her ears burned like somepony lit them on fire. She felt the cold beads of sweat run down her neck. All her senses died as her body began to quake. This was it- this is would be her end. Then… something happened. Her heart raced; her eyes looked up to the spotlights overhead. Her being stopped quaking, and weirdly enough- she could smell the autumn air mingled with the dewy winter. Something inside her was energized. She never felt this way in her life before. She never felt more alive, more present. Yet, she was here. In reality, standing on the stage beyond her wildest dreams. She was alive. “Come!” She announced to the group of handicapped dancers. “I demand a king to help me rule!” A confused stallion stepped forth. She gripped his equality mask and wrenched it off. Then she gasped. With Coco constantly going over the lines, she would’ve thought the stallion to be more handsome. This was weird. First, being aged instantly to an adult, then being critical of a handsome stallion. She would take the tiara off as soon as the play was over. She lifted a hoof up. “Play some music! I will dance with my new King!” The band started to play some Vivaldi. Seasons, she recalled as she recognized the piece. Maybe the times Randolph pounded his classical music into her head wasn't so useless after all. Suddenly, the stallion gripped her hooves and started to twirl with her. As they passed round by round, she grew more and more comfortable. More actors approached her, lifting their chains and equalities. This was her moment. She reached down a tore at each block, chain, and mask with all the fury she could muster. The actors joined her as they twirled around in a mesmerizing charade. The stallion was so kind to guide her through the steps. He spun her around, twirled again, and dipped. “FIRE!” she heard behind her suddenly. A pie flew through the air and slapped her in the face. She fell to the floor. Her heart sank. “Party’s over. Put your equalities back on, NOW!” She heard. “Wow, Dazzle! I didn't know you could do that!” Coco applauded. Surrounded by flash photography, she stuck up her neck. Her head buzzed with pride, it felt good. Like she was floating on air. Then, she noticed somepony in the crowd. A filly, like a reflection of the past, stared back at her with cold green eyes. Her coat was orange, and her mane a cherry red. She frowned. When she noticed Dazzle looking at her, she turned away. Dazzle tucked her head in. A headache pinged, and sharply slammed into her skull like a railroad spike. It worsened as the flash of lights pulsed through her vision. Everything was blurry as the lights were burned into her irises. She darted as quick as she could out of the crowd and retreated towards the backroom. She was a demon. Why was she getting this? She didn't even deserve it. This is the reason why her parents sent her away. The cycle was repeating over again. Once she was shown any bit of love or attention, she hurt somepony. She hurt that filly in the crowd. “Dazzle. Are you okay?” she heard Coco as the door creaked open. Dazzle hid her face, trying her best to hold back tears. “Dazzle?” Coco asked again. Dazzle looked up. Through blurry eyes, she saw the Silhouette of Coco in the door. Coco flicked on the lights. She smiled gently, and started to clamber over the many props. It was interesting, like a new plot to one of her plays, because those props were the equalities that Dazzle ripped apart. “I… I just needed some air.” Dazzle answered. Coco took a knee next to the chair. “I-I don't know what came over me. I felt so good, so important… then it…” Dazzle coughed. “Curdled?” Coco sighed. “Knots in your stomach? Can't breathe? The world is about to fall apart?” Dazzle nodded. “Dizzy… about to throw up…” “Yes, I know. That's the life of an artist.” Coco said. “You did great.” “Why didn't I feel it onstage though?” “I have no idea.” Coco patted her on the back. “You are amazing, Dazzle. You did better than me. The first time I was on stage, my lines went… poof!” She waved her hooves out, miming fireworks. “I stuttered all of them. Thankfully, I was playing a minor character. The fact that you were able to play a starring role and ace it first try shows that you are a magical filly.” Dazzle picked up the tiara from the old worn table in front of her. She did her best to avert her eyes from the monster in the mirror. “Or, it's just an enchantment.” She said as she clutched the tiara. “Enchantment or not, you saved the show.” Coco said. “If we didn't finish, we had to give out refunds.” Dazzle looked at her. Then went back to staring at the tiara in her hooves. Coco tilted her head, eyeing the tiara with fondness. “I got a secret to tell you.” Dazzle's ears perked up. “A secret?” Coco leaned into her ear. “He told me that Twilight was coming to see the play. However, he told me to keep it a secret. That's why in the office, I was half tempted to call the second play off. “At first, I was terrified. A princess? Coming to my work? It is an honor… but I had to make this good.” Coco continued. “What I didn't know is that he had something special planned. That's the thing about his work. He is simple, but his simple style usually has a hidden surprise.” Dazzle looked at her tiara. Something… curdled inside her. It wasn't normal. She wanted it out. “The night my parents… my parents…” tears welled up in her eyes. Coco smiled. “I understand. Go on.” “That night, I tried to give away my tiara. But he insisted I keep it. I don't understand why he is so kind to me when I've been nothing but cruel to him.” Coco twisted her lips a bit. Then hugged Dazzle “You weren't. He mentions in his letters to me how he is proud of you and what you are doing.” Dazzle's heart ached, it churned, it twisted, and burst like a popped balloon. She could feel her face melting as her muzzle was plugged up and her eyes were puffy with tears. She didn’t want to be this gooey- it made her feel… cheesy. However, this felt right. Somehow, an improper way of acting, contrary to what her parents taught, she was crying on a shoulder of a stranger she only met weeks ago. …If being mushy was like this, then she didn’t mind. Coco patted her on the back. “Tell you what. I'll tell the others you are tired and that a filly needs her beauty sleep.” Coco trotted towards the door. “Coco?” “Yes, Dazzle?” Coco looked over her shoulder. “C-can we go to the h-hospital tomorrow?” Dazzle asked. “We sure can!” Coco smiled. She reached for the door. “Coco?” “Yes Dazzle?” Coco paused. “Th-thank you…” Dazzle sniffled. “You're very Welcome Dazzle.” Coco looked back and smiled. She started to hum as she stepped out the door. It was an awful familiar tune, from the play. The one that Pinkie belted out. Dazzle couldn’t help but start humming also. It was a catchy tune.