The Musical

by SolongStarbird

The Intermediary

"Kat, you don't mind if talk to you for a second, do you?"

"Not at all Coco. What's on your mind?" Kat asked as he finished moving the rack of costumes into the studio for quick repairs.

"Well, I, umm," Coco began.

"Is something the matter?"

"No, not really. I just don't want to say it out loud."

"Come here and whisper it then."

Coco walked over to Kat and whispered in his ear, "I think I like Trend."

Kat didn't know why he was surprised. His mind began reeling. Coco likes Trend! This is perfect! I have to proceed with caution, though...

"Really? You only spent 45 minutes with him yesterday."

Coco pulled him into the studio and shut the door.

"I know," she admitted, "but he is so charming. He's funny, and considerate, and... I hope he feels the same way. What if he doesn't?"

"Don't worry," Kat assured her, "I will help you with this. I promise."

I already know how to...

<<<<(+)>>>>

Kat climbed the crimson carpeted stairs to the balcony seats. Normally, these seats cost a fair amount, especially for such a popular showing. But with a little help from Trend, he had managed to get three seats next to each other in the balcony most preferable for viewing. Oh, Coco was going to love this! He placed the reservation signs he had been given over the three seats. The only reason he had gotten off of stage crew duty for that night's show was that Trend had insisted on having him in the audience to explain the backstage events in real time, and the director had agreed. Kat knew that the real reason was because Trend was nervous, and wanted him there. Coco was not needed during the show. The wardrobe manager and costume assistants did anything related to her work during showings. Both he and Trend could not wait for the evening to come, and Kat was sure that as soon as Coco found out, she wouldn't be able to wait either.

<<<<(+)>>>>

"Coco, I have some great news! Trend came and talked to me. He wanted two people to sit with him during the performance to enlighten him as to what was going on backstage. He chose me and you!"

Coco was flabbergasted. "Wh- Why us?"

"He decided after interviews that I would do the best job explaining backstage procedures, and you are the obvious choice for explaining the costumes as they are in action."

Coco nodded, and then spontaneously burst into a fit of anxiety and hysteria. "This is big! I'm going to be sitting with Trend!!! What if I mess up? What if he doesn't like me? What if everything gets ruined!?!?!"

"Coco! Calm down! I promise that that won't happen," Kat replied in attempts to soothe her.

">sigh< Okay. Promise me?"

"I promise. Don't you worry."

<<<<(+)>>>>

Trend ran the magically hovered comb through his mane one last time. He had put on his favorite argyle sweater and had showered thoroughly, twice. He wondered if he was overdoing it. Nah, he wasn't. He had decided on the subtle approach, and for that reason, took precautions as to not go over the top, such as not wear any special cologne or use things like hairspray. He was going to make sure that if Coco liked him, it would be for who he truly was and what he truly looked like.

Coco was trying the same approach. She asked herself, When I go to a performance, what do I normally go in? The answer was that she didn't really dress up. She kept on flip-flopping. I will look better in a dress, but will it be me? She finally reached an internal compromise. She took her simple sky blue sundress out of the wardrobe, and put it on. She then proceeded to examine herself in the mirror. It was pretty, but nowhere near showy. It was perfect. Trend would notice the wonderful appearance, but there would be no gaudiness to possibly disturb him. Coco took a step back and told herself to stop worrying. If Kat was confident that she could do it, then why wasn't she?

Kat could almost feel Coco's anxiety from the apartment on the other side of the hall. He wondered if Trend was going nuts in his hotel room. Deep down he absolutely knew that he was the only one who was not drowning in a sea of anxiety. Still, he wondered if he should maybe dress up, not so much as to look nice himself, but to make the tension at the performance less severe. If he also did something to look nice, it would create the appearance that they all dressed nice because of the event. If he didn't dress up, Trend and Coco would probably both feel sheepish for dressing to impress, and the performance would be spent in awkward silence. He put on his grey fedora and coat. There was no way he was going to mess this up.

<<<<(+)>>>>

The entrance to the theatre was abuzz with chatter the night's patrons, who were waiting to purchase tickets. Trend, Coco, and Kat already had reserved seats, so the line was promptly bypassed. Trend tried his best to conceal the expression of astonishment his face bore as he gawked at Coco's simple yet stunning apparel. Coco turned to look at Trend, and her expressions followed suit. Kat smiled. The night was still young, and anything could happen.

"I think it would be best if Trend sat in the middle. That way we can both talk to him about the performance," Kat suggested. He had gone so far as to even be concerned with who sat where. He had quickly concluded that him sitting in the middle seat would be the worst thing possible, as it would cause a disconnect between Trend and Coco during the performance. The one thing that had been troubling him was who would be in the middle, whom he would be able to help in the romantically tense situations to come. He reminded himself that this was also meant to be a showing for the purpose of Trend's article, so the arrangement had to make sense from a business standpoint as well. For this reason Trend sat in the middle, Kat on his right and Coco on his left.

As the curtain parted and the orchestra began to play, Trend made a comment on the set design, to which Kat replied. Trend pulled out his notebook and took a quick note about what Kat had just told him. Attempting to make the night about the two of them, Kat also added in something about the costumes, ending with, "Right, Coco?"

"Umm, oh yes. The costumes were made to emphasize the-"

Kat smiled. He had successfully put Coco in the spotlight, and now she was nervously, but excitedly talking about how the theme was supported by the costumes, while Trend drank in every single word. As the play progressed, he tried to talk as little as possible, and when he did, he would find a way to turn it into a prompt for either Trend or Coco. He would also make subtle comments during musical numbers like "How lovely..." It seemed to be having the desired effect because as the performance progressed, the conversation between Trend and Coco grew less tense and more friendly, and to Kat's delight, they seemed to be inching closer at about the same intervals. By the time the curtains closed on the final scene, Coco had her head on Trend's shoulder and he had his arm around her.

As the three exited the theatre, Trend and Coco began to talk about seeing each other again, and to Kat's astonishment, Coco invited Trend to come her apartment in two days. After overcoming his being flabbergasted by Coco's newfound boldness, Kat felt an accomplishing warmth flow over him. His job as the intermediary was as good as done.

Author's Note:

There you have it, let the TrenderPommel begin!
Did I do okay with the climax?
I had a bit of trouble and writer's block involving it.
Tell me what you think about it.

Comments

[Eclipse LunarSol]

Wonderfully done, dear! But if you want to make a line between transitions type this>> [ hr ]. WIthout the spaces.

[SolongStarbird]

4234452 I know, I've started doing that with my newer stories. I am glad you liked it.

[Eclipse LunarSol]

4234592 Welcome! But you could still re-edit the chapters to do that though if you want to.

[SolongStarbird]

4234709 There is something about the divide that makes the story feel unique, but thanks for the suggestion.

[SolongStarbird]

4226630 Here is your moar.
>adds a chapter<

[LightningBass94]

This is really well written, man. I definitely cannot wait for more, and I can only hope that your fic inspires more like it.

[SolongStarbird]

4236031 Well thank you!
I was seriously worried I hadn't written it the best I could. Thanks far banishing that doubt

[LightningBass94]

4237284 You're welcome. It's certainly inspiring me to start writing this ship as well, though I don't think I could do it justice as you have.

[SolongStarbird]

4237442 Nonsense! Just explore a facet of the relationship that I haven't. You will do great!

[LightningBass94]

4237901 Hmmm....maybe they both go visit Rarity... Ideas are coming to me, my friend.

[SolongStarbird]

4238048 Have fun bud!

[LightningBass94]

4238100 But it'll be Rarity that has fun. You know how much she likes to play match-maker with her friends.

[SolongStarbird]

4238117 Yep yep.

[SolongStarbird]

4299950 why thank you!
I will tell you what. Anyone who is nice enough and lacks a profile pic gets one from me!

[The Letter J]

Today I noticed that Trenderhoof has a tag. So I decided to see if there were any stories about him. Turns out that there aren't many of them.
I never liked Trenderhoof very much, and I haven't fallen in love with Coco like everyone else, but this story caught my eye. Mostly because the grumpy cat pony is one of the main characters. It also helps that I like crack ships.

This story is entertaining, though I feel that it could be improved with some editing and a few changes. For example, Trenderhoof is famous for knowing "what's going to be hot even before it's tepid." So if he's going to be covering this play, it shouldn't be famous yet. I'm also a bit disappointed that Kat's personality isn't really what you would expect based on his cutie mark.

[SolongStarbird]

4319728 True that. Maybe Trend saw this play as the start of a theatrical revolution in the area or something. I think that is what I was going for. I decided to base Kat's CM more off of his proffession rather than his personality, but he does have a somewhat grumpy past that will be covered in a prequel.

[The Letter J]

4321530
I don't think that really works, since everything in "Rarity Takes Manehattan" seemed to imply that Manehattan's theater scene was already rather strong, what with sold out Bridleway musicals and the like. Besides, couldn't you do something with Trenderhoof being the one to take notice of Coco's talent and the play and have him play a role in helping them to become popular? I would have thought that would be the obvious path to take.
As for Kat, that certainly works, but I like to think that cutie marks can be a bit more symbolic than that and work on multiple levels. So his would be a perfect example of one that represents not just his special talent, but also his personality.

[SolongStarbird]

4325786 Yes. Watch me apply some of what you said in the final chapter. Thanks.

[The Letter J]

4326838
I'm glad to have helped.

[SolongStarbird]

4328096 I guess the feeling is mutual.

[scoots2]

Agreed on the horizontal line fix!

I'm always pleased to see a Trenderhoof fic, especially a romance fic, and with Coco, it does sort of make sense. I like it that you've given her a nice personality. At first I thought, "you know, it's true--Trend prides himself on "discovering" things," but you could say that what he's discovering is Coco, and that wouldn't be unlike him.

Anyway, I enjoyed this and I'll keep an eye on it.

[SolongStarbird]

4368558 That is what he will end up saying.
EXCLUSIVE SPOILER
This is the article that Trend ends up writing:
(This may be subject to change before I put it on the site though. Chapter 4 is still a WIP.)

>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 performence 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<

BTW, there is a group I have started for the ship if you are interested. Just search TrenderPommel.

[scoots2]

4369248 Thanks for the teaser! That looks like fun.

EDIT: I'll check it out. I'd been thinking of starting a group or looking for more Trenderhoof fics, period!

[Yoshifan30]

This was a pretty adorable chapter so both Coco and Trenderhoof for both pretty nervous about the date but luckily Kat a pretty good Wing Pony helping out the situation during the play and it looks like both of them enjoy each other's company he did a very good job helping them