> Popularity Pains > by ThiefRara > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter I > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Countess Coloratura was definitely tired and burned out after the lyrics started to come out as if she was singing on autopilot. She hated when that happened because it meant that she was tired. It reminded her that she wasn't just a famous pop star singer. No, she was a regular girl despite having the extra security due to being famous. Her dark and green dyed hair was moving wildly as she danced and sang her last line of lyrics for the night. After she had finished with a high note, everyone clapped and cheered wildly for Countess Coloratura. When Countess Coloratura disappeared after stage, her manager Svengallop was there, making sure that she couldn't escape right after her concert. "Don't go anywhere, Countess." He called out to her and the glare that was aimed at him showed Svengallop that Coloratura wasn't in the mood to be messed with at the moment. "Give me a moment to talk to you. It's about your latest release. It only has one thousand views. Any reason why that is?" He asked, not trying to get angry. "It's just the first day of the single being released, Svengallop. It will be okay." Coloratura tells Svengallop, who glared at his charge, but he accepted her weak excuse and he let her go for the night. As Coloratura walked away from her manager, she couldn't believe how rude and cruel he was to her! I'm a teenaged girl! I am only sixteen years old! I can handle stress, but I have school as well. Coloratura thought as she wondered about how to do her homework when she got home. Coloratura didn't want to worry about anything stressful until she got home. When she arrived home, Coloratura was greeted by the emptiness of the house. Carrying her book bag on her shoulders, Coloratura placed her bag in her room, which was colored grey. She had posters of herself as Countess Coloratura to tell herself who her fans love more, but she knew that her friends will love all of her and she wishes that she could just perform as herself. But, she knew that Svengallop wouldn't approve of that. She wished that the man wasn't so strict with her; it wasn't as like she was going anywhere if it means leaving. When Coloratura noticed the note that was written by her parents, she sighed as she read the note. Business trip again. She wanted to see them tonight, but work had gotten in the way once again. She understood that her parents were busy, but she did want to see them. She didn't want glimpses of them anymore. She wanted to see them to tell them how her day and how shitty Svengallop was. Coloratura automatically went to the fridge to pull out a bottle of alcohol. She didn't know she had pulled out until she took a big gulp of it. When she pulled the bottle back with a gag, she had finally read the label of the alcohol. "Vodka is strong." Coloratura gagged at how strong the alcohol was, but when she took another shot of the burning liquid, Coloratura knew that she didn't care about herself at the moment. "I need to stay true to myself." Coloratura's drunkenness was very easy to see, but because Coloratura didn't like to show herself in public when she's merely tipsy, she knew that her friends would only see this certain side of her. "I want another friend." Coloratura spoke as her half lidded eyes showed the secret agony and pain that Coloratura went through when she's exhausted after a night of performing. She wanted someone to the there with her to let her know that she is cared for even with all of her faults. After a couple of shots and big gulps of vodka, Coloratura was out of her mind as she was in a drunk stupor in the comfort of her home. She felt safe even as she was too drunk to even comprehend what was happening around her. When Coloratura moved too fast, the room would spin around her as she groaned from the dizziness. When Coloratura laid down, the dizziness had gotten worse. Coloratura reminded drinking a couple of beers on top of drinking vodka right after. As she groaned from the agony called drunkenness, Coloratura forced her to move to the bathroom. When she saw the toilet, she felt sick to her stomach and she vomited out everything she had drank for the night. Coloratura had done this before. She knew the routine. She knew that a raging hangover would appear the next morning. ~~ The next morning, Coloratura was groaning in pain as she could barely get up. "Shit, I knew that would have happened." Coloratura thought as she groaned from the pain of her raging hungover she had. "Being hungover once again." She sighed as she forced herself to get up. She didn't do her homework, she just gave into the agony of being busy person. When she realized that she didn’t do her homework, she groaned at her own stupidity. She knew that not doing her homework would hurt her in the mind, but the more she thought about it, she realized that she didn’t care. She knew that she should care, but she doesn’t and she knew that would bite her in the ass one day, but she didn’t care about the consequences at the moment. She only cared about making herself feel better and she knew that she had to help herself before she could help someone else. She knew what could help her and that was therapy, but she didn't know how trustworthy therapy was. She didn't want to sign up and get someone that didn't even care about their patients that have been assigned to them. Rara have heard of failed therapy sessions and it frightens her so. She didn't want to be just another number added to a therapist's list. She wanted someone who cared about her and is willing to listen to her problems. She didn't want anyone to tell her that because she is Countess Coloratura, she shouldn't have any problems. Everyone should have a therapist because everyone has problems that they want to talk about with a trusted person. > Chapter II > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rara was still suffering from her hangover when she greeted her best friend, Applejack, at lunch. "Are you alright, sugarcube?" She asked the pop star with worry in her voice and posture. Rara gave Applejack a pained smile. "I have a raging hangover." Rara admitted to Applejack and Applejack's worried look remained on her face. "Svengallop didn't stress you out again, did he?" She guessed and Rara smiled at Applejack. I fucking knew it! Applejack thought with anger. She couldn't believe that Svengallop was causing Rara more trouble for herself. Applejack knew that Rara was already stressed out by simply being a regular girl, but being a famous pop star makes the stress go up even more. "That fucking dolt." Applejack hissed as she wanted to show the cruel manager her fist. "Don't worry about me, Applejack." Rara tells Applejack. Applejack gave Rara a look that told Rara that Applejack was insulted by her words. "Coloratura, I can worry about you. You're one of my best friends and I will beat Svengallop into the ground for making you even stress out for the most simplest things." Applejack tells Rara and her genuine words made Rara tear up out of happiness. "I'm glad you care about me, Applejack." Rara tells Applejack as she collapsed into tears in Applejack's waiting arms. As she cried out both her sorrow and happiness, Applejack was wondering how she could help Rara. When she thought up of the best decision for Rara, she grinned down at the girl. "Of course, sugarcube. How do you feel about talking to a therapist?" She asked Rara. Rara isn't one to glare, but she did give Applejack a flat face that told Applejack how Rara felt about talking to a therapist. "Now, hear me out. You don't have to keep on talking to the person if you don't like their methods." Applejack tells Rara, trying to soothe her about talking to a therapist. "I don't have to keep on going to them if I don't like them?" Rara asked and Applejack frowned at how tired and mentally exhausted Rara was. "No, of course not. There are bad therapists and there are good therapists. Unfortunately, it's our job to find the right therapist." Applejack tells Rara, who sighed at the thought of having a therapist. "I don't have the time to find one." Rara admitted to Applejack and her words made Applejack remember that Rara was a very famous pop star. She sighed as she then tried to think up of a way to help Rara. When Applejack found a solution, she grinned at Rara and Rara noticed the grin. "What are you thinking about?" She couldn't help but to smile at Applejack. "I can help you find one, sugarcube." Applejack offered to Rara. Rara was touched by her best friend's kindness that she grew a much wider grin on her face and when Applejack noticed the smile, she beamed. I've made her happy! Applejack was glad that she was able to make Rara happy. "You'll do that for me?" She asked Applejack and her hair moved as the wind started to blow much heavier now. Applejack placed her hand on her hat to keep her hat on her head. "Of course, Rara. You'll my best friend. I want to help you out." Applejack tells Rara and Rara couldn't help but to be happy at Applejack's suggestion. She knew that Applejack wanted her to be healthy because she had a long journey ahead of her. A long journey that will probably make her grow even more popular. Rara didn't care much about the popularity, but she did care for her fans that enjoyed her songs and her charities. Applejack knew that after Svengallop had left, Rara was doing great. Sure, she had drank on occassions, but she was back to heavily drinking and Applejack didn't want Rara to get hurt by her decisions, which was her way of coping with Svegallop being back in her life as her manager. As Applejack thought about Rara, her thoughts also went towards Coco Pommel and she wondered how the young girl was doing. Sure, Rarity was keeping her safe, but her dark memories with Suri Polomare did harm her for a while. Applejack got the idea for a therapist after Rarity had told her that she had took Coco to a therapist. Rarity warned Applejack that not all therapy sessions will help out Rara, but Rarity was glad that Applejack was willing to try for Rara's sake. I wonder how her therapy sessions had went. Applejack wondered as she remembered how angry Rarity would be after Coco's therapy sessions, but she just chalked it to her learning more things that Suri did to the poor girl. Unfortunately to Applejack, she doesn't know the worst of it. She doesn't know that Coco have to sleep with Rarity nearby or with her. Unfortunately, Rarity had to watch Coco Pommel suffer through her nightmares and she hated to watch Coco cry out in sadness and agony simply because of her mental agony but she can't help her unless Coco actually tells her what is going through her mind. I can't help her unless she tells me what's wrong. Rarity thought as she watched Coco snuggle up in her bed. Rarity hated not knowing what to do with Coco's situation. Coco is deathly terrified of unknown ponies' touches and Rarity knew that the fear was deeply rooted in her because of Suri's methods of punishment when Coco's failures causes her embarrassment, but Rarity thought that it was Suri's fault. Yes, Coco is a clothing designer, but she's new to the job and Suri didn't even raise her designing skills. She instead caused her fearful personality to increase and Rarity hated that was what Suri did to Coco because now, it is hard to get Coco to not panic at the thought of having to design a dress. Rarity wanted to get Coco to attend school with her, but the abuse that Suri had inflicted on her had made Coco wary of other ponies that wasn't Rarity or her friends. To cope with her pain, Coco took up drinking and she almost had a one-night stand, but Rarity saved her from the one-stand stand as Rarity knew that Coco would have cracked under pressure if the mare had asked her to have sex with her. > Chapter III > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Coco slept in the bed that Rarity had given her, Rarity watched over her for a few minutes before she retired to her own bed. She still couldn't believe that she had deliberately caught Suri Polomare abusing Coco only once when the cruel woman has been abusing Coco ever since the young girl was under her 'care'. Rarity hated that as she couldn't believe that Suri Polomare had forced Coco to cover her tracks. Rarity couldn't believe that Coco believed that Suri's hurting of her was her own fault. It took Rarity days to convince Coco that it wasn't her fault that Suri did what she did to her, but Rarity knew that Coco still believed that it was her own fault. This is why I wanted to rid her of Suri's influence and I can't even do that correctly. Rarity cursed herself for not seeing it sooner. She knew that from Coco's reactions that Suri wasn't a good employer, but now that she knew everything that Suri had done to her, Rarity knew that Suri didn't deserve any bouts of kindness from Coco, but she also knew that it would be hard to get rid of Coco's sympathy for Suri. She wouldn't apologize to Suri. Besides, Suri hurt her past the point of forgiveness. Rarity knew that she had to put Coco in intensive therapy, but she wondered if that would even help her in the long run. The agony of Coco's agony was getting to Rarity and she knew that it wasn't healty for her to worry too much about Coco, but Coco was so young as she was only fourteen. Being fourteen, she wouldn't be allowed to have that much fear in her small body, but she does have that much fear in her body. "No, please. Suri." Coco whimpers gotten to Rarity and she ran to wake her up. When she found the room she had let Coco sleep in, her eyes watered as she stared at Coco clutched the bed sheets tightly in her fists. Her blue hear wild as she cried in her nightmares. "Coco, wake up, sweetie. It's just a dream, darling." Rarity encouraged Coco to wake up and when she had finally opened her eyes, sobs came out of her body. Rarity frowned, but when Coco looked at her, Rarity smiled at her. "What did you dream about, Coco?" Rarity asked gently as she didn't want to hurt Coco's feelings by being insensitive. Rarity is so caring. Why am I such a bother to people? Suri was right about me. I am good-for-nothing! Coco thought as she thought that she was so useless about things that wasn't fashion designing. "It was the same nightmare." Coco spoke softly and weakly. Rarity made a sound of disapproval, but Coco knew that it wasn't directed at her, however, she still flinched at the sound of disapproval. When Rarity noticed Coco's flinch, she felt guilty. "Sorry, sweetie." Rarity apologized to Coco because she wanted to let Coco know that Suri's words about her wasn't true, but she knew that Coco still believed Suri. "Will I be able to make another friend?" Coco asked Rarity, who gaped at her question, but after a while, her look of shock disappeared into a small smile. She is only fifteen, after all. Rarity thought as she suddenly remembered Coco's young age. She was sure that Coco would be able to make another friend. After all, Coco was friendly and not rude. Rarity's eyes showed Coco that same almost motherly love that Rarity had for her. Rarity was sixteen years old as she knew how to live by herself as her parents were always busy. Rarity learned to cook and care for both herself and Sweetie Belle and so, she knew how to raise a teenager and she, herself, was a teenager. She knew how teenagers think. "Of course, Coco. You're so friendly. You'll be able to make another friend." Rarity reassured Coco and Coco smiled at her. Rarity knew that the next thing she was going to say would ruin the pretty smile on Coco's face, but she had to tell her. "You have to go to therapy tomorrow, sweetie." She tells Coco. To her relief and surprise, Coco's smile didn't falter. "Alright. It will be helpful for me to talk, right?" She asked Rarity to see if she was correct. Rarity smiled at Coco. "That's correct, darling." Coco smiled at how proud Rarity was of her. "Do you think that you can go back to sleep?" Rarity asked the real question of the night. Rarity checked the clock; it was 11:30 PM and Coco yawned. She was sleepy again, but she didn't want Rarity to leave her alone. "Can you...can you...?" Coco didn't know how to ask Rarity if she could still stay with her for the night, but lucky for her, Rarity was great at reading Coco. "Coco, I'll stay with you for the night." Rarity tells Coco and the younger girl smiled at how caring and willing Rarity is. I hope I'm not being so needy, but I'm glad that she agreed to stay with me tonight. Coco smiled up at Rarity and Rarity tucked the younger girl back into bed. Rarity kissed her forehead and she stayed beside Coco. Because there was someone with her, Coco fell into an easy sleep. Rarity smiled at Coco. I'll be so happy to make a new friend. She deserves a new friend. Rarity thought as she wanted Coco to make a new friend and maybe get a girlfriend. Coco haven't really told her, but Rarity knew that Coco likes girls. Rarity had always watched Coco and Coco had never once looked at another boy, but she would always find girls appealing to her. Knowing that she needed to sleep, Rarity gotten comfortable and she prepared herself to fall asleep. When sleep had finally came for Rarity, Coco was having sweet dreams and she was thankful for Rarity staying the night with her. The next morning, Rarity had to be awoken by Coco's soft pushes. "Did I oversleep, darling?" She asked Coco. Coco shook her head and showed her the clock. Rarity rubbed Coco's soft cheeks as she grinned sleepily at her charge. "Did you have a good night rest?" She asked worriedly. Coco smiled at Rarity. "I slept great. Nothing but sweet dreams." Coco answered Rarity and she smiled. Despite her tiredness, she couldn't really blame Coco for her current condition and she would never do that to her. > Chapter IV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity was glad that Coco had gotten the perfect dreams, but she knew that Coco had to learn how to sleep alone, but she didn't know how to approach that topic as talking to her about it may cause a freak out and Rarity doesn't want to be the cause of Coco freaking out. She knows how Coco was when she thinks that she's bothering people, but she wasn't a bother to Rarity, not at all. Her cell phone rung and Rarity quickly answered it. "Hello?" She wondered who was calling at such an early time. She didn't check the name of the caller either so she wasn't sure who needed her this early in the early. "Rarity, how's Coco?" It was Applejack and she sounded frantic. Rarity then wondered why Applejack was panicking early in the morning. "Applejack, why are you panicking? Coco's going to therapy today. She has been having nightmares lately." Rarity tells Applejack. Applejack frowned on her end as she stared at Rara. "I need a therapist for Rara. Svegallop is stressing her out." Applejack reveals to Rarity and Rarity sighed heavily. She knew that Rara would have trouble keeping up with both her pop star persona and her own regular self, but she didn't know that her manager played a part in it. Rarity resisted cursing in front of Coco as she gritted her teeth. "Rarity, is something wrong?" Rarity smiled down at Coco weakly. She didn't want to worry her and so she hugged the young girl close to her. "Everything's fine, Coco." Applejack heard Rarity reassure Coco and she felt guilty for forgetting that Coco is Rarity's charge at the moment and thus, Rarity's hands are full with trying to make sure that Coco is okay. "Are you coming over later?" Rarity asked Applejack. "I can. Do you want me to bring Rara over?" Applejack asked Rarity, who looked down at Coco falling asleep on her feet. Rarity wanted to laugh, but she didn't because even though Coco slept good, she is still suffering from PTSD. "You can bring her over. I am taking Coco to her therapist session soon. I'll text you when we're back." Rarity tells Applejack, ending the conversation. She scoop Coco into her arms. "Go to sleep, sweetie. I'll wake you when we're there." Rarity tells Coco and said girl fell asleep. Rarity smiled at how peaceful Coco look. No matter how peaceful she looks, nightmares can still happen. Her brain reminded her. Rarity grabbed her purse and she carried Coco to her car. She placed Coco in the seat beside her because she wanted to check up on her while she slept. Rarity got in the car and she started to drive her and Coco to Coco's therapist. When they arrived to the building, she frowned at how many people were already at the office and she glanced down at Coco. She will freak. Rarity wanted to wake up Coco, but she was very skittish around people she doesn't know. When Rarity parked her car, she carried Coco as she was small enough to fit in Rarity's arms. When Rarity was able to get through the crowds, she was able to proud of herself for not cursing up a storm. When she got to the front desk, the receptionist knew Rarity by name and she paled. "Miss Rarity." She greeted her and Rarity calmed herself so she wouldn't freak out the poor woman more. "I'm sorry for scaring you, but please get me and Coco in the back." Rarity tells the woman and she nodded. "Yes, ma'am." She knew how caring Rarity was of Coco and she knew that Sweetie Belle and Coco came first to Rarity. When the woman called Coco's therapist, the woman answered immediately. "Hello?" She asked the receptionist. She wondered why she was being called when it was close to Coco's appointment. "Ms. Rainheart, Rarity's back with Coco. Is it okay that I let her come back to your office?" She asked Ms. Rainheart and the woman was worried that something had happened. "Yes, let them come back." She ended the call after that statement. The receptionist nodded her approval to Rarity and she thanked the woman. She started to walk through the office and that was when Coco woke up. "Are we there yet?" Coco's sleepy voice asked Rarity and she smiled down at the girl. "Yes, we are here, Coco." Rarity answered with a soft smile on her face. Coco moved her head up to see if Rarity was in her therapist's office. When Coco noticed the familiar office of her therapist, she smiled and she showed her face to Rarity. "Hey, pretty girl." Rarity greeted Coco with a smile on her face. "I'm not crazy, am I?" She asked. Rarity frowned at the question. Of course, she's not crazy! Traumatized, yes, but not crazy. Rarity opened her mouth and she was about to answer, but Ms. Rainheart answered her before she could. "No, of course not." Rainheart was Coco's therapist, but she also talked to other patients that are assigned to her, but Rainheart would rather talk to Coco because she was a case that needed either an arrest or psych ward stay, but Coco was still a minor, so she would have to get Rarity's permission because she was legally Coco's guardian as Coco's parents was in another area and they gave Rarity the right to take care of Coco. Of course, I wish her actual parents were here to listen to this, but I'm fine with this. Rarity thought as she groaned as she wondered what was going to be said this time. "Anything new?" She started the conversation as Coco wasn't confident enough in her own abilities just yet. Coco looked down and she frowned. Rarity noticed the look of pain on Coco's face and she decided to step into the conversation. "Coco, it's alright. You can tell Rainheart anything." Rarity tells Coco and Coco noticed how worried Rarity was for her. She then glanced at Rainheart and the said woman was worried about her as well. She felt guilty. "I'm sorry. I have nightmares about what she did to me." Coco opened up about her nightmares that she had been having recently. "Don't apologize, sweetheart. You have nightmares about what happened while in Suri's care. What exactly do you dream about?" Rainheart asked Coco. Coco whimpered and that was when Rarity wondered if there was any kind of other abuse that went down while Coco was in Suri's 'care'. "Coco, did Suri ever touch you?" Rarity whispered as she heard Rainheart's breathing increase due to anger. Coco understood what Rarity was asking of her and she nodded. "She touched me only twice, but mostly she enjoys beating me." Coco reveals to both Rarity and Rainheart. Rarity's breath hitched and that was when Coco flinched. Rarity apologized for scaring Coco and she glanced at Rainheart. "Where is this Suri Polomare located?" Rainheart asked Rarity and Rarity gave Rainheart a questioning gaze. Rainheart gave Rarity an angry stare and she knew what Rainheart was thinking about. Rarity shook her head at Rainheart and Rainheart growled in anger. She is going to get herself fired and arrested if she thinks about confronting Suri Polomare! Rarity thought as she noticed the rage in Rainheart's eyes. "Why would she beat you?" Coco's breathing became labored as she started to have a flashback. "Coco!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. Coco flinched at how angry she sounded. Coco hoped that she didn't make her angry again. She seemed to do that a lot with Suri. "Answer me!" "Yes?" Her timid voice made Suri frown. "Come to me." She ordered in a seething tone of voice. Not willing to make her even more angrier, Coco obeyed the woman's command to come closer, despite how much she was afraid of her physical being. When Coco came closer in arm shot to Suri, the girl suddenly found herself on the ground when Suri struck her on her cheek. The hit was hard and it made Coco tear up in both pain and fear. Suri frowned at the sight of Coco crying and she kicked her in her stomach, making her choke on her sobs. "If you want to cry, let me give you something to cry about." Suri spoke with an emotionless tone as she started to beat on Coco causing her to cry out in pain. When Suri finally stopped beating her, Coco was covered in bruises and Suri laid down beside her. Suri's hands caressed her small body as Coco felt helpless to stop her from groping her body. "You're fat." She told Coco and Coco curled up in order to not respond to Suri's cruel words. "I'm sorry." Coco spoke without thinking and she screamed when she Suri hit her again. "You don't get the right to respond to me!" Suri shouted at her. "Coco?" Rainheart called out to her. "Coco?" Rarity called out to her. "Coco." Rarity's gentle push on Coco's back caused Coco to scream. "Don't touch me!" Coco screamed in full-blown fear. Both women was shocked at how afraid Coco was of Suri. "Did you have a flashback?" Rainheart asked her gently. Coco nodded her head. "It was horrible. She was angry about something and she took it all out on me." Coco answered while tears ran down her face. "Did you ever figure out why she would hit you?" Rarity asked Coco. Coco shook her head. "It was probably because I was weak." Coco answered Rarity's question and her response about herself made both Rarity and Rainheart angry about Suri abusing Coco in such ways. > Chapter V > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- With new information obtained from Coco's time with Suri, Rarity didn't know if she wanted to go to prison or put Coco in the psych ward in order to let Rainheart help her with her PTSD. Coco looked up at her and that was when Rarity's heart broke. Rarity hugged Coco closer to her. "Do you want to go into the psych ward?" Rarity asked her. She's a big girl. She can make her own decisions. Rarity knew that Coco was old enough to make her own decisions and so, she wanted to know her decision about this situation. "Will it help me?" Coco asked both Rarity and Rainheart, but mostly Rainheart. Rainheart nodded her head and she turned to Rarity. "It's your decision, darling. I will stand by your decision either way." Rarity tells Coco and Coco smiled as she went to hug Rarity. "I want to stay here." Came Coco's answer and Rarity thought that Coco was very brave in saying that she would rather be in the psych ward in order to get better. Rarity whispered her words to Coco as she hugged the young girl. "Like I said, I will trust your judgement. You know what's best for yourself." Rarity tells Coco. Rainheart frowned as it meant that Coco will be lonely in the psych ward. She then decided to talk to Rarity and she approached Rarity and when Rarity noticed the serious look on her face, she frowned as she knew that Rainheart was always serious about her patients. "We'll be back, Coco." Rarity tells Coco and the young girl nodded her head as she knew that the older people had to talk in privacy. "Are you willing to let her stay here alone?" Rainheart asked Rarity. Rarity frowned as she did know that Coco will be alone. "Will you check up on her?" Rarity asked her, her worry showing on her face. Rainheart smiled at Rarity. "Of course. I know you worry about her and I worry about her as well. Suri could just walk up in here." Rainheart tells Rarity and the younger girl bristled. "Let her try. I will kill her." Rarity growled out her true feelings about the woman. Rainheart felt the same, but she knew why Rarity gave her a questioning look. Rarity wanted to be the one to hurt Suri and Rainheart respected that. "Don't worry. She can't just visit Coco. She needs to be a family member." Rainheart reveals to Rarity and she nodded. After their talk, Rarity had her goodbyes to Coco as she knew that she wouldn't see Coco for a while now. "I will come to visit you. Don't worry." Rarity tells Coco as she reassures the young girl. ~~ When Rarity had arrived home, Applejack and Rara were already at her house. Applejack was confused as to why Coco wasn't with Rarity. "Rarity, where's Coco?" "She's in the psych ward. Both herself and Rainheart decided that it was good for her to go in there." Rarity answers Applejeack's question and Rara was confused. Isn't Coco a minor? She thought. She had never met Coco, but she had heard stories and seen pictures of her. She thought that Coco was adorable, but she had never told anyone else that. No one else besides Applejack knows that Rara is interested in other girls. Applejack glanced back at Rara and she noticed her thinking. Applejack giggled at her friend. She thinking about Coco. She thought, teasingly. She wanted to tease Rara about it, but she thought against it as Rarity was protective over the girl. She decided to tease the girl later in privacy. "Isn't she a minor?" Rara asked Rarity. Rarity had just remembered that Rara had never officially met Coco and so, she wasn't shocked at Rara's question. "Yes. Well, she can make her own decisions about what she wants to do." Rarity answered Rara's question and Rara understood that, but she also noticed that Rarity was being very secretive with Coco's situation. Granted, she understood as she knew nothing about Coco, but it wasn't like that Rara was just going to tell other people. For goodness sake, she gets drunk at like 3 AM, she can't talk about people when she was basically an alcoholic in high school. Rara wasn't proud of it, which is why she wants someone to talk to about her problems. "Understandable." Rara merely responded. Rarity wondered why she was being so quiet. "Why are you so quiet?" Rarity asked Rara and Applejack winced at the question. "Because I drink in early mornings?" Rara spoke back sarcastically and Rarity froze at her answer. She drinks pure alcohol?! Rarity wasn't expecting that from Rara, but she knew that people dealt with stress differently. She also knew that people who drinks alcohol only drinks to forget about the pain and the agony in their lives or they drink simply to drink. Applejack watched her childhood best friend and her best friend quietly stare each other down. "One of you say something." Applejack was getting nervous about the situation and the quietness of the two people wasn't helping her case at all. "Dearie, why do you drink? Is it because of stress?" Rarity asked. Rara giggled with no emotion in her voice. "That's the right fucking answer." Rara answers Rarity's question and Rarity gazed at her with a sad expression on her face. Rara noticed the look of pity and despite not wanting pity, she knew that was only thing Rarity would give her. Pity is nice, when it's from a friend. Rara smiled at Rarity. "Why are you smiling?" Rarity asked. Rara giggled, this time, the giggle filled with happiness. "Because the both of you care." She answered like it was the most simple thing on the planet. "Of course we care about you." Applejack spoke to Rara this time around. "You are our friend." She continued to speak to Rara as Rara listened intently to Applejack. "But Svengallop is my manager and he doesn't show an once that he cares for me." Rara tells them both. Rarity wasn't shocked to hear about Svengallop to be the cause of Rara's crippling issue with drinking, but she was hoping that it wasn't because of Svengallop, but atlas, that was the wish that never came true. She sighed, running a hand through her purple hair. She didn't know what to say, which wasn't a first for her. "What do you want me to say?" Rarity asks Applejack as the country girl looked at the fashion designer. "I would tell you to talk to Rainheart, but Rainheart is taking Coco's case and she will be busy with Coco." Rarity tells both Applejack and Rara. Rara sighed as she thought that was Rarity's answer was finished. "Relex, dearie, I never said I couldn't help you find a therapist." Rarity tells Rara. Rara perked up at Rarity's response. "You know someone?" She asked the young woman. Rarity nodded her head. "Yes. She is a bit hard to get an appointment with because she's very busy and famous. Her name is Maramel." Rarity tells Rara. Rara 'hmm' for a bit. She knew who Maramel was. She was a very modest woman and she was a reserved woman most of the times, so Rara wondered how Maramel was a therapist. "Coco tried her out and while she liked her methods, they were too similar in personality. That's why I had her change to Rainheart." Rarity explains to Rara and the other girl smiled at her. "I'll try her out. If she doesn't work for me, I can always find another therapist?" She asked Rarity. Applejack sighed as she had already told Rara that. "Yes, of course. Not all first sessions with their therapists will work for everyone, dearie." Rarity tells Rara. Rara smiled at Rarity and she nodded her head in understanding. "Thank you, Rarity. Thank you, Applejack. I know what I have to do now." Rara tells them both. "What?" They both asked her. Rara smiled at them. "Admit myself in a psycho ward because I'm not doing that." Rara tells them. Rarity gasped in shock at Rara's answer while Applejack was appalled by Rara's behavior. "Rara, what the hell?" She demanded of Rara. Rara then turned to give Applejack a tired stare. "Look, getting an session with Maramel is impossible. I checked her out and she is booked. Booked all the way!" Rara shouted at her two friends. Rarity was shocked at the fact that Rara checked beforehand, which is good, but Maramel isn't open for at least one session? Even Rarity thought that was strange. "That's strange. She always has an opening somewhere." Rarity tells Rara. "How would you know?" Rara asked her with a sad face. Rarity gulped as she knew that she had never told Applejack this before. Actually, she haven't told any of her friends this. "Because I book her at least twice a week. Maramel is my therapist." Rarity revealed to Rara and Applejack and she wished that she had a camera to take a picture of how shocked they were. Especially Applejack. "Why so shocked, darlings? That's why I had to cancel out on some of our plans. I didn't know how to tell any of you so I never did say anything about having a therapist." "Is that why you use the excuse of 'being busy'?" Applejack asked Rarity. Rarity nodded her head. "Not my proudest moments to lie to my dear friends, but I never knew how to tell you all about me having a therapist." Rarity tells Applejack, who understood Rarity's logic, but she still wondered why Rarity needed a therapist, but she knew not to ask that as Rarity wasn't telling them why she was going to a therapist. Applejack knew that some people keep their business to themselves and she was one of those people unless it was needful for her to tell her friends. "I can't believe it. I thought that you were canceling out on me because you couldn't deal with me." Applejack reveals to Rarity and guilt flowed through Rarity's chest. "That's not true. I never get tired of you. We're different, yes, but that's why we make such great friends." Rarity tells Applejack and she smiled at the purple-haired beauty. "I''m glad that you've told us, Rarity." Applejack tells Rarity and the whole group smiled at one another. Rarity glanced at Rara. "I will see if I get Maramel on a free day for you." Rarity tells Rara. Rara was shocked by Rarity's offer. "You'd do that for me?" She asked. Rarity showed Rara a sad smile. "Of course, I would." Rarity was honest in her answer, Applejack knew that, but she also knew that she was being generous. While it wasn't hard for Rarity to be generous, her generosity has to have a chance to come out and this was one of those times. Applejack wondered if Rarity was going to sacrifice one of her meeting with Maramel to give Rara the chance to talk to her. "Give me a couple of days and I will let you know on the update." Rarity tells Rara. "Thanks, Rarity. I really appreciate this!" Rara was happy that Rarity was willing to help her out and Rarity smiled at how happy Rara was at her offer. If it makes anyone happy, I will cancel my meetings with Maramel. Rara need her most of all right now. She thought as she watched Rara act like a child that had just received a birthday present. Rarity enjoyed making other people happy, even when it means that she will have to sacrifice her own plans. That was why she was the embodiment of Generosity. Rarity was used to not caring for herself on days on end when she has to take care of other people, which was why Coco takes care of her when she's not suffering from nightmares. Coco had warned Rarity that she will be worn out to even help out if she doesn't take care of herself, but Rarity knew that she haven't been able to take Coco's advice in mind because of everything that has been happening. When Rarity remembered that she was tired, she had suddenly passed out in front of Applejack and Rara. "Rarity!" Applejack shouted out her name as she caught Rarity before she had fell to the ground. "What's wrong with her?" Applejack asked herself out loud. Rara checked over Rarity and she sighed in relief. "She is just exhausted. All she needs to do is sleep." Rara tells Applejack and the girl sighed. This gal work my worry nerves. She thought. > Chapter VI > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- When Rarity had woken up, she had found herself in a new location and she almost screamed. However, when she noticed familiar blond hair and said hair being out of its usual ponytail, she calmed down and she smiled down at Applejack. I must have passed out like usual. Rarity thought as she seen how Applejack had wrapped her arms around her. Rarity didn't mind the girl being wrapped around her as it felt very comfortable to her. She loves to snuggle, huh. Rarity gotten comfortable again and she fell into another deep sleep. This time, she had wonderful dreams of her and Applejack. While Applejack and Rarity was in Applejack's bedroom, Rara was in the Apple guest house. Big Mac didn't mind the two people in the house after Applejack had told him details. It wasn't a lot of details, though as Applejack knew that they liked their issues private and between them. In the guest room, Rara was deep thinking as she wondered what was going to happen to her if she is able to meet with Maramel. Will the therapist determine her as a lost case? Rara hoped that the therapist wouldn't look at her as a lost cause that deserved to be locked up in an asylum. Rara hoped that her case would be taken over by Maramel because she had read the best reviews on the woman. She's awesome, based off on reviews, but because Rarity went to her personally, I feel like I can trust her judgement now. Rara was thinking about booking Maramel, but because she was booked to the max, she gave up, but now that Rarity had actually opened up to both her and Applejack, she felt confident in Maramel's abilities as a therapist. Rara wondered if Rarity wouldn't mind her asking questions about the woman. She was curious about the woman, after all. Rara knew that she had to know people at least a little before she spills any shit to them about her life, which was why she didn’t want to get a therapist in the first place, but she would trust Rarity’s judgement. She didn’t know why it was hard for her to trust people, but she was willing to trust people as long at it meant that they don’t mean her any harm. She knew that she was being too cautious, but that was how a star is supposed to act. Rara knew that people would just look at her wrong if anything were to come out to the public about her problems. There is a reason she doesn’t talk about her private life to news reporters. She knew that was how rumors spread and she didn't like rumors. She didn't need anyone talking about her like they know here when they don't. All of the thinking she was doing made her tired, but she didn't close her eyes until she passed out. ~~ The next morning, Rara was being tended to by Rarity. "Are you alright, darling? You've slept for a long time." Rarity was worried about Rara. Rara groaned as she rubbed her forehead. "Sorry. I wouldn't sleep until I passed out." Rara admitted to Rarity. Rarity was glad that Applejack was out shopping for food for them. She knew that she would have gotten worried for Rara with her state worsening by the days passing by. "Goodness me. You need an earlier appointment with Maramel!" Rarity exclaimed, making Rara winced in pain. Rarity remembered the headache that Rara was obviously sporting after sleeping for a long time and she felt guilty. "Sorry." She spoke much softly this time. Maybe Fluttershy would be able to help her. Rarity wondered about her other friends, but she knew that Fluttershy was the quietest out of them all. "No, I don't have time. Svengallop will be looking for me tonight. Thanks for everything, Rarity." Rara tells Rarity and Rarity knew that Svengallop's influence isn't healthy for Rara, but she trusted that the teenager knew what she was doing. "Applejack won't like it, but I will tell her your decision." Rarity tells Rara. Rara smiled at Rarity as she was very grateful for her. "Please do. I know that I won't be able to face her. I can barely face you, telling you that I'm going back to the man that stresses me out more. I know it's wrong for me to do so, but I want to part with him on good terms. If that doesn't happened, I know that my career will probably be ruined. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this for my reputation, I'm doing it for my fans. I know they will miss their pop star, Countess Coloratura and honestly, I miss being Countess Coloratura." Rara tells Rarity and Rarity gave her a smile. "You're a brave soul, you know that?" Rarity asked Rara. Rara shook her head in the negative. Rarity was surprised that no one had never told Rara that she was brave for taking up the mantle of a pop star at her young age of sixteen. "You're very brave. At our age, you are a busy pop star who wants a normal life. I'm a fashion designer that is busy, but I'm not popular like you yet." Rara grinned at Rarity's mention of her fashion designing. "I'm surprised that you're not famous for your beautiful designs." Rara tells Rarity and Rarity thanked Rara for her compliment. "I haven't really put myself out there. I design clothes for my friends, but I haven't really put my clothes for other people to judge. I don't know when I would put myself out there, but I know Manehattan had heard about me." Rarity about Manehattan as if it was poison to her. Considering that was where she had first met Coco and Suri Polomare, Rara couldn't blame Rarity for not wanting to visit Manehattan. Manehattan can break people. Rarity thought as she thought about the harshness of Manehattan. She remembered that she had to call Maramel in order to give Rara both of her appointments. She knew that she would have to get to work on that soon. "You should put yourself out there. Will Coco be okay?" Rara spoke about Coco on auto pilot and Rarity noticed it, but she never said anything about it. She gave Rara a rare sad smile. "I hope so. That little girl is my life, aside from Sweetie Belle." Rarity admitted to Rara and Rara knew that Rarity cared for Coco as much as she cared for her friends. She checked the time and she glanced back at Rarity. "I hate to leave, but I want to go find Svengallop. He probably wants to talk about my recently single that I have released on my website. He grilled me for only have one thousand viewers within the first hour of being released." Rara said to Rarity. Rarity wasn't shocked at how stingy Svengallop, but she disliked his character so much that it is obvious how much Rarity dislikes him. Even sweet Fluttershy was put off by his attitude. Rara knew that if Fluttershy is put off by a person, then they must be horrible. Svengallop wasn't liked by many people in the first place. Not even the people at the label that put out Rara's music didn't like him, but they only dealt with him for Rara's sake because she didn't know any other managers to help her out. They wanted to offer to help her to find a new one, but Svengallop is always crowding over her. They hate how much he overworks the girl, but they can only speak to Rara to check up on her. They told her that she could always sue Svengallop for neglect, but Rara was too scared to do that. They have repeatedly told her that Svengallop won't be able to touch her, but she still fears for the consequences as she knew that Svengallop can find ways to get what he wants. That was why Rara didn't want to get close to Coco now as much as she wants to. She knew that Svengallop could find ways to ruin her happiness with Coco and she didn't want Coco to be stuck in her problem with Svengallop. Rarity gave Rara a comforting pat on her shoulder as Rara didn't know that she was crying. When Rara felt her wet cheeks, she was shocked as she rubbed her face. I'm crying. Damn, he is really stressing me out too fucking much. She thought as she cleaned her face off to show that she wasn't just crying about Svengallop stressing her out. "Darling, does he bother you that much?" Rarity asked. Rara sniffed a bit. "I'm afraid. I want to sue him for neglect, but I fear for my safety." Rara reveals to Rarity about her plans to sue Svengallop. Rarity was impressed with her plans. "That will leave him out to dry, won't it?" Rarity asked. Rara laughed with no emotion in her voice. "Damn right, it will." She answered Rarity with a humorless smile plastered on her face. "Why are you afraid of him? Did he hurt you?" Rarity asked. Rara looked away from Rarity. "Rara?" Rarity called her name as Rara looked outside of the window. "He...he hit me once, but his explanation was that he was already angry and he 'hit me on accident'. Rara reveals to Rarity. Rarity was shocked at her answer and Rara knew that she had made a mistake in telling Rarity the truth. "I have to go. Please, don't tell Applejack about that." Rara begged Rarity as she ran off to go find Svengallop. Rarity felt like a coward for letting Rara run back to Svengallop. She couldn't believe that she didn't move to stop her nor did she believe that Rara would have told her that about Svengallop hitting her. That monster! He had no right to hit Rara! Rarity thought in anger. She couldn't believe that the manager had hit his charge. Rarity now knew that was why Rara was afraid of Svengallop. The frightened gaze in her eyes reminded her of Coco. Sweet, little Coco who feared Suri's touch after a few beatings. She noticed the same gaze that Coco that Rara had. It haunted her soul. It haunted her soul because she knew that she was powerless to help them physically. She knew that she could help them by telling a trusted adult, but she knew that Rara was too personal with her life and Coco was getting treatment, but she wanted both Suri and Svengallop behind bars. As she thought about what to do, Applejack came back to see that Rara had left. "Where did she go?" Applejack questioned Rarity. When Rarity faced the worried stare of another friend, Rarity knew that she had to lie to her face. Please forgive me! It was Rara's wish! She thought as she started to speak about Rara wanting to check up with Svengallop. "What?! Rarity! I can't believe you." Applejack was angry. If she is angry now... Rarity lost her thought process when she felt a bone crushing hug from one of her friends. She knew who was giving her a bone crushing hug. It was Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie, what on earth-?!" Rarity wasn't one to shout, but Pinkie had surprised her. Pinkie apologized with a sheepish smile on her face. How did she even get in here? Rarity wondered, but her answer was given when she saw Applejack give her an apologetic face. "Don't give me that. Pinkie Pie is our friend. You know that this is your house." Rarity tells Applejack, who gave her a face of embarrassment. "I know that. Pinkie is being Pinkie." Applejack tells Rarity as Pinkie looked at Applejack with an pleading face. Rarity never noticed Pinkie's red face and Pinkie was grateful for Rarity not noticing how red her face was. Unknown to Pinkie Pie, Rarity's face was red and Applejack noticed it and she smirked at Rarity. Rarity noticed the smirk on Applejack's face and she glared at her. Applejack noticed that glare and she removed her smirk. It was not good to get on Rarity's bad side as she was a vicious young woman. Rarity didn't mind Pinkie hugging her as she loved Pinkie hugging her, but she did mind Applejack playful teasing. Neither of them were out to their friends. Pinkie was a strange case as people could never tell with her, but she did have a crush on Cheese Sandwich, which was why Rarity was terrified to confess to Pinkie. Pinkie came to her with her boy problems and it made Rarity jealous, but she handled her jealousy very well. She helped Pinkie Pie through her crush on Cheese and it turns out that Pinkie was just having a school girl crush on the good-looking and nice male. Rarity couldn't pinpoint how her crush on Pinkie Pie started, but it started and it was still there. She didn't mind it as speaking to Sweetie Belle about it made her realize that love was love, whether or not she liked another girl wasn't really important to other people, but Rarity cared about her friends, but she knew that Applejack knew about her crush on Pinkie. Rarity would prefer that Applejack kept that to herself and she knows that she won't tell anyone else. "I have to talk to you when you have the chance." Pinkie whispered to Rarity, making Rarity look at the girl's face. Her innocent blue eyes showed the seriousness in her eyes and Rarity knew that she couldn't avoid the talk that Pinkie wanted to have with her. "Alright, Pinkie. We can talk later on, I promise." Rarity tells Pinkie, who looked at her. "Pinkie promise?" She asked. Rarity didn't answer her, but Pinkie didn't push the issue. She knew that their talk was the most serious talk that they will ever have alone. Pinkie gotten closer to Rarity if that even possible to do. > Chapter VII > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After Rara had ran off, Rarity was trying so hard to not get distracted by how pretty Pinkie looked, but it was too late as Pinkie was a very cute mare and Rarity was lost in those innocent blue eyes. Rarity still couldn't believe how naive Pinkie can be, but she learned to just deal with it as she knew that Pinkie was just very obviously innocent. Rarity sighed as she knew that they had to talk about their feelings for each other, but she didn't know how to approach the topic. She didn't want to hurt Pinkie's feelings simply because of her words and Rarity knew that she can come off as rude sometimes, but she didn't want Pinkie to believe that she was rude, even though Pinkie knows how Rarity is. "Why did Rara run back to her manager?" Applejack could only ask that one question and while Rarity didn't want to shout at Applejack, her patience was running thin. "She wanted to check up on her newly released single." Rarity answered Applejack. Rarity couldn't move as Pinkie Pie was still hugging and holding onto her, but she didn't mind as she held Pinkie closer to her. Applejack watched the two and she smirked at both Rarity and Pinkie. Those two will be the death of me. Applejack thought as she wanted to just force them to confess to each other, but she knew that Rarity wasn't ready and she already knew that Pinkie wasn't ready either. Neither of them were ready to confess, but Applejack wanted them to be ready. She didn't push the issue, though. She knew that things would happened on their own time. ~~ Coco was sleeping very peacefully. She haven't had any nightmares ever since she had been entered in the psych ward. Rainheart was able to continue being Coco's therapist and she enjoyed helping out Coco very much. Where Coco went, she didn't follow, but she did want Coco to check in with her every few days to see how she was holding up. While she was grateful for not having any more nightmares, Coco was wary about the fact that she haven't had any nightmares recently. She wondered if she was being too paranoid, but a lot of things had happened for her to not have any new nightmares. Coco wondered if it was because of the change in location. She wasn't in Rarity's house anymore since Rarity had cloth pieces around her house, neatly put away. She wondered if it was because of the fashion designing atmosphere and Coco secretly hoped that she wasn't sick of fashion designing. "Rainheart!" She called out to her therapist. Rainheart came running to her charge. "What's wrong, Coco? The way you screamed my name made me think the worst." The way she screamed my name sounded like she had done discovered something horrible. She thought. She hoped it wasn't anything too troubling. "Is it possible for me to fear and get sick of fashion designing?" Coco's simple and innocent question made Rainheart panic very much. This is worse than I've imagined. She thought as she knew that the question was going to come one day; she just didn't know that today was the day. The simple question that should have a simple answer wasn't a simple topic to discuss with Coco at the moment. "Coco, let me ask you this. What do you think about when you think about fashion designing?" Rainheart asked Coco softly. Coco had to think about it and when she did find the answer, she frowned. "I think about being beaten when something gets torn. I get roughly handled by Suri for messing up designs. I think about being Suri's slave." Coco answered Rainheart with all of the honesty she could muster up. Rainheart truly wanted to kill Suri Polomare what she had done to Coco, but she knew that nothing won't be done unless Coco wants her to be jailed for the abuse. "I fear the one thing I love to do and it's all her fault." Coco had let it sink in that Suri ruined fashion designing for her. Coco fears fashion designing to the point where making a scarf will probably stress her out. Rainheart hated that Coco feared her passion because her passion is what Coco her, but no, Suri wanted to be a bitch and use Coco in anyway she could. Rainheart hated Suri and she had never even met her. "Coco, what happened with Suri was not your fault. Suri is the blame. She's the adult. You're just a teenager trying to get by in life. You've suffered enough with Suri." Rainheart tells Coco. "I know it's not my fault, but there's this lingering feeling that tells me that it is my fault." Coco tells Rainheart. Rainheart knew that she couldn't truly help Coco unless she gained an entirely new friend that is willing to listen to her. Rainheart then got an idea. It wasn't perfect, but it was perfect for little Coco. "Hey, Coco, have you made any new friends recently?" She asked. Coco thought about and she realized that she had only been with Rarity before she entered herself in the psych ward. Huh, I need to get out more. She thought. "I need to get out more but to answer your question, no. I haven't made any new friends recently." Coco admitted to Rainheart with an embarrassed blush rising to her cheeks. Her look of embarrassment made Rainheart grin at how childish Coco can be. "Maybe, making a new friend can help." Rainheart gently suggested to Coco. Coco entertained the thought of making new friends. "Really?" She asked. "Really really." Rainheart answered her with a wide smile on her face. A new friend won't make the PTSD go away, but it can help with her low self-esteem. She thought as she was glad that she was able to, at least, give Coco advice. She hated not being able to actually help her out, but she knew how things worked in people's minds and Coco is still a child with a mature up-bringing because of Suri. > Chapter VIII > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You want me to do what again?" Rara demanded of Svengallop to repeat what he had just told her. She couldn't believe the nerve of the man. Ugh! He makes me so angry! She thought in rage as she really wanted to kick Svengallop where it hurts. "I want you to record your recently released single, Countess Coloratura." Svengallop repeated without any emotion in his voice. However, what really scared Rara bout him was that he had raised his hand up in the air. The last thing that Rara had seen was a tree that was the other direction. It had took her a while to realized that Svengallop had just slapped her. She then truly wondered why she had ever came back to check up on Svengallop. She couldn't believe that she held a little ounce of worry for him and he goes around and just slapped her. However, the fear that had appeared on her face made Svengallop smirk at her and she couldn't believe that he had dared to do it again. This time, she knew that it was on purpose, which means that the first time wasn't no accident either. He really did hit her just to hurt her. Rara couldn't believe that Svengallop wanted to hit her. She still couldn't believe how cruel he was towards her and other people. How can a human being be this cruel to other people?! She was very horrified by what she is seeing from Svengallop and how he was treating her. Rara really needed to see this therapist that Rarity was talking about. She can't deal with Svengallop's shit anymore. She couldn't deal with his shit any longer. It wasn't healthy for her to deal with his shit. It also wasn't healthy for her to stick with Svengallop if all the man was going to do was beat her. "How dare you?" She seethed and Svengallop noticed that her fear of him turned to anger and he gulped a bit. He had made a mistake in slapping the pop star. "I could get you arrested for this, you know that." Rara told him, her tone sharp and full of anger. She didn't care if Svengallop was older than her, that didn't mean he had the right to just hit her just because she doesn't want to do something again. The new single was fine. It had a million views on it. Rara didn't know why he wanted to overwork her. That was the reason why she got drunk and cried herself to sleep every night. She was getting stressed out and she knew that even though, she adored Countess Coloratura's persona, she knew that she had to rest. She needed to rest. Rest would do her some good. And therapy. Rara couldn't forget therapy. She truly needed both and she was going to do both. She glared at Svengallop and Svengallop glared at her back, but Rara was winning at the moment. "I own you, Rara." He spoke coldly. Rara laughed at Svengallop and the man grew enraged by her laughter. He rushed at her and Rara moved away from him. "What? You're going to hit me again?" Rara asked and this time, Svengallop noticed how tired Rara really was. She was tired of fighting him, but she didn't want to give up her free will. She wants her free will so damn badly. What would she do with her free will anyway? I'm surprised there haven't been rumors of her sleeping around with anyone. Svengallop's eyes narrowed at the though of rumors being spread and he approached Rara. Rara got into a defensive position and she was ready to fight to protect herself from Svengallop. Svengallop pulled the girl closer to his body and he gripped her waist tightly. "Wait! What are you doing?" She cried out in fear. Svengallop relished in the fear that Rara was giving off. "Get off me!" Rara cried out in fear. Why is he doing this? I've never once did anything to provoke him like this. Rara feared Svengallop as the man tried to kiss her lips. For some reason, Rara was able to push Svengallop off of her. Svengallop growled in anger, but when he tried to rush at her again, one police officer slammed him into the ground while another officer questioned Rara on what had happened. Because of Svengallop only being seen in public with Countess Coloratura, Rara had to reveal her alter ego to the police officers. When her story was told to the police officers, they searched Svengallop and found a rag and a bottle of chloroform on his person. To Rara's horror, Svengallop had the intention of hurting her worse than ever. "You're too despicable to be anyone's manager. You're fired, Svengallop." Rara spoke to Svengallop very coldly. Svengallop hated the way that Rara had addressed him, but he couldn't do anything about it as he had lost his chance to tame her. "I will get you back for this." Svengallop growled at Rara as the cops took him away from Rara's sight. Rara didn't respond to his threat, but the officers did as they slammed him on the hood of their car. They hissed at him to quiet down and reluctantly, he stopped speaking, but he only stopped speaking in order to keep himself from not getting into more trouble. He knew he was screwed if anything about this altercation got out to the public and the record company. He had to threaten Rara in a way that would keep her quiet, but he didn't want to threaten her, but someone close to her, but he didn't know who. He sighed as he had to rely on outside forces to get what he wants from Rara. When Rara arrived to her house, she had a letter addressed to her. She snatched it off of her door and she read it. As she read it, a feeling of dread caused her to drop the letter on the ground. The letter read: I will get what I want, Countess Coloratura. She knew that Svengallop couldn't have written this as he was just arrested hours ago. What is going on? She feared for the answer. > Chapter IX - Part 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rara couldn't believe that note that she had received. She didn't have an idea of who sent it, even though she had a feeling that Svengallop had a part to play, even though he was just arrested. He had to hire someone to write this and send it to my house. He does know where I live, after all. She thought in horror as she read and reread the note. She still couldn't believe that the note was sent to her. Now, she was very curious about who Svengallop had spoken to while in prison, but she knew that police station wouldn't release that information to her for her safety, but that the moment, her safety had been compromised by a note with no sender and no return address. It was definitely targeting her because she was Countess Coloratura. She knew that few people that she was the pop star and now, she knew that she was in grave danger, but she only knew that Svengallop would have sent the note because he was that petty. She didn't know how he could have sent someone to put the note on her front door and she knew that she didn't have cameras around her house and now, she regretted not putting cameras around her house, but she had never expected this would have happened. She knew that it was unsafe for her to socialize about the note in public with her friends and she didn't want them to be put into danger because of her foolishness. However, she didn't know how foolish Svengallop was and so she expected him to not do anything while he sat in prison. However, Rara was also too smart to think that Svengallop wouldn't do anything while he simply just sat still in prison. She knew that Svengallop was up to something, but what? That was the only problem. She didn't know what he had planned and that didn't sit too well with her. She didn't want to know everything about Svengallop, but she did want to know enough to see if he won't hurt her for talking to a therapist about her problems with him. She didn't want anyone to get hurt because of her telling someone about Svengallop's issues with her and her issues with him. Because Rara was still a teenager, she could get Svengallop arrested for sexual harassment and physical assault, but she didn't want to go through all that legal paperwork that was needed for that and she knew that it would be drama in the celebrity world because she was a celebrity and Svengallop was a famous manager, but he wasn't well-like by anyone so Rara was sure that nobody wouldn't accuse her of being an attention whore because Svengallop was such a cruel motherfucker. Rara glanced at her phone and she thought about calling Applejack, but then, she decided against it as she wasn't sure if Svengallop had people watching her or her house and she also didn't know if he had a listening and a tracking device on her front door or anymore else. She didn't trust Svengallop any longer as she was reminded of him hitting her and she growled in anger. She couldn't believe that Svengallop had the nerve to hit her! I'm not his child! She thought in anger as she knew that just striking children is wrong, but Svengallop has no relation to her. She didn't even know of his name until she was introduced to him and even though, she thought that there was something wrong with him. She would have just stuck to her instincts, but no, she wanted to give him the benefit of a doubt and her benefit of a doubt caused her to get abused by him. She didn't want him to do that to another new singer that gets into contract with him. Rara hated to ruin Svengallop, but she knew that if she doesn't do anything soon, she and someone else could get hurt and she didn't want to take that risk. Svengallop was sitting in his jail cell and he was growling in anger. He wanted Rara to pay for her disrespect towards him. That girl is just a mere child! She doesn't know about the real world! I was teaching her the correct way! Svengallop was very angry at Rara. He was so angry that he wanted to threaten someone close to Rara, but he didn't want to threaten Applejack. No, Applejack was too strong on her own. He needed someone weaker than Rara. He needed someone that is very submissive and extremely obeying. He smirked as he knew what to do. He knows about Rarity and he secretly wondered if Rarity had an assistant he could threaten. He was sure that the whole group was buddy-buddy in the first place. Friendship makes you weak, but love makes you even weaker. He thought, knowing about Rara's preference for girls. He wondered if Rara had gotten a girlfriend, but he was sure that he would have met her if she had one, so Rara was still single. He then wondered about secret relationships, but he knew that Rara wasn't so secretive unless it was about her song-writing. Rara is very open about her personal life and that is because Rara wanted people to know so they wouldn't have to poke into her personal life without her permission and she wouldn't have to deal with unnecessary rumors plaguing her life. Rara thought that rumors were stupid, but she knew that they can ruin someone's life. She knew that she didn't want to deal with rumors and looking over her shoulders every five seconds for the rest of her life.