The hours could not lurch by any slower. Both Trend and Coco could not believe how insolent the clock was deciding to be as seconds became minutes became hours. Trend turned to his article to break his mind's warped sense of time.
>Normally, when you read this article, you are hoping to follow my trendsetting guidance on what is about to become the fad of the hour, coming from someplace or something seldom heard of. However, this article will be focusing on the aspects of a venue that is already trending, and has been for awhile. I am referring to Manehattan's theatrical scene.
I came to Manehatten to look into Neigh Miserables as directed by Standing Ovation, one of Manehattan's most prestigious in the trade. You may be wondering why in Equestria I chose to go to the epicenter of popular culture in search of the soon-to-be in. My personal niche is finding premature trends, and most readers do not doubt my ability and sense. This is why I know you will believe me when I say I could just feel something special going on behind the scenes. I was right.
The highlight of the performance was the costumes. Further investigation revealed that the performance's costume designer, Coco Pommel, had just recently began working there, and was not well established in the community. It also turns out that she was the previous assistant to Suri Polomare, the prominent designer. Private interviews lead me to believe that her work will have a tremendous effect on the city, and perhaps even all of Equestria.
If you wish to see what I have marked as the next big thing, you can either come to Manehattan, or wait for it to come to you, riding the wave of trend. I will be writing a follow up on Coco and her works if this topic intrigues you, and if you are anything like me, it definitely will.
Until the next article, my readers.
-Trenderhoof<
Though the clock was merciless, today writer's block wasn't. Trend was actually suprised that he had been able to finish his article, with Coco swimming about up in the attic. The moment the final letter was put upon the page, the cloud of depression that came with waiting returned. It returned, that is, until his vision met the once insolent clock, which now marked the hour he would meet with Coco, on what was to be considered their first date.
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Coco had found a way to banish the tediousness of waiting as well, by compulsively cleaning anything and everything in her apartment. She had even called Kat over from across the hall to help her. Kat had quickly come to see that she was anxious and paranoid. Eventually he had given up trying to arrange things exactly as she wanted them, and had starting counting the number of times she had repositioned a particular vase.
5...
...
6...
As soon as Coco was remotely satisfied with the way the place looked, she languidly plunked herself onto the sofa. It was at that moment that there was a rapping on the door that seemed to breathe new energy into her as she practically rocketed from the couch to the door, a huge smile on her face. Kat was surprised at how much she had fallen in love in such a short time. It had been what, a week? Less?
Sure enough, the hinged partition was swung open, and an equally rapture-filled Trenderhoof was revealed.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You made it."
"Yep."
"How is it going?"
"Good. I just couldn't wait to come. Your place looks nice."
"Thanks! Kat helped me clean up."
"He came all the way here to help you?"
"Oh, he only lives across the hall."
"Really?"
"Yeah. In fact, this building is still trying to fill its rooms. We are the only two up on this floor."
"Wow. It must get lonely up here."
"Just a little."
"Well, it's a good thing that i'm here."
Coco giggled, and Kat smiled. Coco had someone new to care for her and make her feel less lonely. Kat realized that their date had begun, and quietly slipped out of Coco's apartment as she and Trend conversed. As he closed the door behind him, a sigh, fringed with melancholiness, escaped his mouth. Coco may be less lonely now, but this may not bode all too well for me... Dang it! Am I just too altruistic?.. Yes, I know I am being selfish, but just like all Coco had was me, all I had was Coco... It's not like I have romantic feelings for her, but she is my only friend... Now is it 'was' my only friend?.. Only time will tell... Stay strong Kato, even if it ends up being as lonely as before, stay strong...
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"So... What do you want to do?"
Trend's question threw Coco for a loop. In anticipation of being together, she had completely forgotten the concept of doing something while together, and apparently, so had Trend. Perhaps he had an idea, but was just being courteous?
"I don't know. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Hmmm... We could always just sit on your sofa and talk. Most of what I know about you is from a business standpoint."
"You know what? You are absolutely right. The most personal thing I know about you is that you were once a nosy little colt."
Trend laughed. She was right; that was about all she knew, wasn't it? Well, he was about to change that.
<<<<(+)>>>>
Two hours. It had been two hours since they started talking, and neither of them ever wanted to stop. Who knew Coco was scared of deep water? Who knew Trend had once been interested in woodshop?
Coco was the first to yawn, the time now past 8 pm.Trend wrapped his arm around Coco and asked her if she was getting tired.
"No, no. I can keep going," Coco replied as she scooted in and nestled into Trend, "I don't want this to end."
"Neither do I..."
It was another good few minutes of silent and languid cuddling before Coco thought of a wonderful treat that she was sure Trend would love. At the end of the hall was a bare metal door, the kind that looked as if it would open into a maintenance closet. This was not the case, Trend would find, as Coco produced a key and opened the door. Trend grasped what she was doing as she led him up the stairs that had been behind the door.
The roof of the apartment building was flat, and housed a few potted plants, as well as two or three crates.
"One of the advantages of living on the top floor," Coco said, giving a sweeping gesture with her hoof towards all that could be seen on the rooftop. Trend was breathing it all in, how wonderful it must be to have this at one's disposal and use. As Trend looked first at the rooftop, and then the night time city skyline, Coco went and removed an old wool blanket from one of the crates. As Trend turned away from the spectacle he had been viewing, he saw the blanket, and smiled.
After laying the blanket out, the two proceeded to lie down and watch as the darkening night revealed more and more stars. As Trend looked at the nearly full moon, he thought about how it had been full at the Ponyville Days Festival, but had been shrinking slowly in the past week. He could barely believe how much he had changed in just a week. The moon hadn't even had time to disappear and become new, and here he lay, new himself. The Trenderhoof at the festival and the Trenderhoof on this rooftop were two different stallions, the latter a great improvement upon the prior.
"I must apologize that the city lights are polluting the clarity of the stars," Coco told Trend, bringing him out of his self reflection.
"It isn't your fault," Trend replied. After a small pause, he added, "I once climbed a mountain to reach a place called the Astronomer's Point. The night sky there, it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, but this, this sky I would much rather watch, because I get to watch it with you."
Coco was at a loss for words. As Trend turned to her after talking, she just embraced him in the biggest hug, and kissed him.
Now Trend had been to many places, and a huge ego is not repulsive to all mares. He had kissed quite a few before Coco, but this... was different. Those other times weren't kisses. This kiss...there was an overwhelming... passion, a true love, that made Trend almost want to weep tears of joy. This time, he hadn't merely been kissed for who or how he was. He had worked for this, humbled himself, wanted someone to actually love him so much that now, as he realized that he had done it, he was on the edge of euphoric shock. The passion was radiating off that kiss, and Trend held on to it, they both did. In that embrace, they failed to notice that much of Manehattan's power had suddenly failed. As they opened their eyes, they noticed that almost everything was dark.
"The power went out. That doesn't usually happen," Coco stated bewilderedly.
"But look at the sky," Trend breathed in amazement.
The sky was shimmering with exponentially more stars than before. The two lovebirds just lay there, wrapped in a warm hug, as the waning moon and countless stars faintly traced the outline of the darkened city.
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The moment the power had gone out, Kat had decided that he would check on Trend and Coco. He used his memory of what the top floor looked like to walk, and occasionally stumble, to Coco's apartment. Early into the blind journey, he had worried, even if a little bit, as to what he might walk in on. He had quickly banished any assumptions, and questioned why he would ever doubt Coco.
They weren't in the apartment. Kat quickly guessed where else they might be, and as soon as he came to the realization, he grumbled. Now where did I put that key again?
It took him a few minutes to remember which drawer it was in, and another 5 to rummage through that drawer and find it in the dark. He made it to the rooftop door, climbed the stairs, and entered onto the balcony. The door shut behind him, and Coco and Trend became aware of the fact that someone was on the balcony.
"Kat? Is that you?" Coco called out.
At that moment, the power came back on, removing the need for Kat to answer.
"I just came to make sure you were alright," Kat explained, "I'll just be going now."
Coco could sense that something was upsetting Kat, and suddenly came to understand what it was.
"Come lie down with us."
"Oh," a weak smile could be seen on Kat's face, as if he had been freed of a burden. Together, they watched as the gradually returning lights of the city once again fuzzed up the clarity of the sky and stars.
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The article was written. That was it. He had to go to Canterlot, deliver his article to the press, and then hunt for more material, and his senses told him that it wouldn't be in Manehattan. As he packed his saddlebags the next morning, he recalled his thoughts from back when he had first arrived and met Coco. You are a journalist. You will be somewhere else in a few weeks... Does it have to be that way?
No, he was going to stick with what really mattered...
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Kat had had to remind Coco. It hurt him just as much it hurt her. No, he had to admit to himself that she probably hurt more. Trend was a traveling business-stallion, so he couldn't stay. Kat accompanied her to the station so that she could say goodbye. In all reality, Kat was going to miss Trenderhoof as well. Through his lonely eyes, Trend was seen as welcome company, a friend second only to Coco. It was indeed amazing how quickly the columnist had made himself a big part of both of their lives. As Coco hugged Trend goodbye, a tear fell past her cheek and onto his shoulder.
"I really wish this wasn't happening," she sniffed.
"It's okay," Trend assured her, "I will be back soon, I promise."
Kat then saw a grin appear on the corner of Trend's mouth. As Coco let go of him and he began to turn, he smiled and added, "Oh, and when I come back, I will make sure that the top floor stays one apartment less empty."