Spread

Chapter 9: The Deal

How utterly foolish of me! Rarity thought to herself as she lay upon the uncomfortable bed in her trailer. Ever since returning there after the day’s eventful shoot, she had been trying and failing to ward off these kinds of thoughts. Her steady resolve was beginning to crack, and she had to remind herself constantly to keep it together.

Over and over, she tried to tell herself that they’d had plenty of intimate moments on screen. But that was just the problem; it was all on screen, it was all an act. She had wanted to know if Italian had any real passion for her, and she had gotten her answer swiftly.

But what exactly did he mean? Rarity asked herself. After all, he never actually told me no. He said “don’t mix business with pleasure.” Does that mean he would if we were no longer working together?

No, don’t be foolish. If he really wanted you, he would have said so.

But what if he only said it that way because he was a professional? Perhaps he didn’t want to tell me no directly because he was afraid it would jeopardize our shooting the final scene.

Stop kidding yourself, Rarity! He doesn’t care for you. He’s made that perfectly obvious.

Rarity groaned and rubbed her temple. This inner conflict was starting to give her a headache. She wondered if there was any complementary wine in the fridge because she was an actress. No, drinking will only make matters worse. But the idea was too tempting, so Rarity lifted herself off of the bed and walked over to the fridge. When she opened it, she found leftover pasta from last night’s dinner and a gallon of milk. Since they were almost done filming the movie, there was nothing else left in there.

Of course, I should have remembered that, Rarity thought. It was a sign that she was not thinking clearly, and it bothered her. Realizing she was hungry, she took out the pasta and put it in the microwave. The aroma of the cooked pasta was enough to lift her spirits slightly, and by the time it was finished she was now quite ready to eat. She took out the pasta, grabbed herself a fork, then sat down at the table. She used her magic to control the fork; she had never been good at using silverware with her hooves. The benefits of being a unicorn.

But as she filled her stomach, an overwhelming sense of loneliness replaced the hunger. She remembered that she had been alone for quite some time. It hadn’t bothered her back in Ponyville so much because she was around good friends, but she recalled lonely nights at her boutique. The feeling was more amplified in Canterlot, a city full of strangers. Would there ever be a stallion to sweep her off her feet?

A single tear fell from her eye, serving as a reminder that she was taking this far too seriously. Perhaps a walk would distract her from her thoughts. Finished eating, she put the dishes in the sink and left her trailer.

Resisting the urge to find Italian’s trailer and give him a piece of her mind, she walked out towards the studio’s exit to see if she could stroll through the city. Before she could get too far, however, she heard hoofsteps coming from behind. She turned around to see who was following her and cringed. What could you possibly want?

“There you are,” Italian said, catching the breath that he had spent running after her. “I knocked on your trailer door and you didn’t answer. I thought I wasn’t going to have a chance to apologize before filming tomorrow.”

“Apologize?” Rarity asked in disbelief. The confusion was evident in her face, and Italian grinned sheepishly in spite of himself.

“Look, I didn’t mean to be so curt,” he said, “but this kind of thing has happened before, and my answer came out poorly because of it. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Oh, spare me the pity,” Rarity said, walking away from him. “I don’t need that on top of everything else.”

“Hey, I came out here to apologize,” he called after her. “The least you could do is listen to what I have to say.”

“Oh, I know exactly what you’re going to say,” Rarity hissed, turning back around to face him. Her glower made Italian quiver. She then mocked Italian’s voice. “‘Really, you’re a beautiful mare and I know you’ll find somepony someday who will cherish you. I really value our friendship and I look forward to filming with you again tomorrow.’ I don’t care to hear such drivel.”

“That’s not what I was going to say at all,” Italian said, looking insulted.

“Oh, really?” Rarity asked. “Then what were you going to say?”

“That I’ve never had more fun shooting a film before. That I’ve never been able to work with someone so naturally gifted. I really am impressed by you, Rarity, but when I realized what was happening on the set was not an act for you, I became concerned. I didn’t want the on-screen magic to fade away because you became disillusioned about me.”

“So you were using me to make the movie better?” Rarity asked shrilly. “Because if that’s what you meant, that’s the most despicable attempt of an apology I’ve ever heard.”

“No, you’ve got me all wrong,” Italian pleaded.

“No, I think I have you pretty well figured out,” Rarity continued, now steamrolling him. “You started working with me, realized ‘Oh, she’s this amazing actress who can really make herself orgasm on screen.’ And then you realized I wasn’t acting but you kept playing along because it made for good filming. And what about that is supposed to make me feel better?”

“That’s absolutely not what I meant,” Italian said.

“Well, I’ve got better things to do than to hear you ramble on and on about how ‘sorry’ you claim you are. You’re lucky I need the money from this gig or I would have packed my bags and headed back to Ponyville by now.”

“Hold on a minute,” Italian said. “Do you mean to say you’re strapped for cash?”

Rarity cursed under her breath, having given away the one thing she’d wanted to keep secret. An Element of Harmony struggling to make ends meet? She had wanted to bury that, so much so that she had decided to shoot a pornographic film rather than admit she needed financial help. Now the secret was out.

“If that’s the only reason you’re doing this,” Italian said, “then maybe I could help out. It’s the least I can do to make it up to you.”

“I’m not just some charity case!” Rarity shouted. “You’ve got some nerve, trying to buy my forgiveness. Do you even know who I am?”

“Yes, you’re an Element of Harmony. You’re famous all around Canterlot,” Italian said. “I discussed it with Hard Core before he petitioned you for this shoot, and we decided not to bring it up because we were afraid you’d think the only reason we asked was because of your status. After that photo shoot, we saw a lot of potential in you, and that was the foremost reason we contacted you.”

“And I suppose being an Element had nothing to do with the decision,” Rarity said, scoffing. “Like I’m going to believe that.”

“That was part of it, I’ll admit,” Italian said, “but we didn’t really know you back then. Now if we ever wanted to cast you, it would be because of your talent, not just what you are but who you are as an actress.”

“You honestly think I would be willing to do this again?” Rarity asked, glaring at Italian. “All along I’ve intended this to be a one-time thing to help me make ends meet until my business got back on track.”

“Okay, well how about this?” Italian asked. “We know you love to make clothing. We know you’re quite talented at it. We now know that despite all this, you’re struggling to make ends meet and you could use some extra cash. What if I said we were willing to hire you on to make the costumes for our films? It’d be a steady income, maybe not as well-paying as being an actress in a successful movie, but far less up to chance. You’d be doing what you love and you wouldn’t have to worry about paying the bills. I’m sure we can cover your expenses in Ponyville; I can’t imagine housing there to be nearly as expensive as it would be here in Canterlot.”

“And what gives you the authority to make that decision?” Rarity asked, refusing to believe that this was a serious offer.

“I’m one of the biggest producers working for Hard Core,” Italian said. “I fund a lot of the films, and I reap the benefits when the films are successful. I have a lot of say about the finances of the movie, and I’m sure I can convince the other producers to hire you on as our head costume designer.”

“And why do you suddenly need one now?” Rarity asked.

Come now, you’re not actually considering this, are you? she thought. After the way he’s been treating you tonight?

“The head costume designer we’ve been working with for years is retiring after this film,” Italian said.

“Oh, how convenient,” Rarity said. “It sounds to me like you’re just trying to put me on.”

“I’m being serious here,” Italian said. “You’d have a staff working for you to make the costumes. You’d be the one designing them. Of course, if you enjoy making the costumes, you could do that, too, but you could leave it to the staff if you can’t find the time to do it yourself. They’re all amazing at what they do, and they would follow the design exactly as you specify it. You can even work out of Ponyville, although you might need bigger accommodations, assuming that you’re the only one working at your boutique right now.”

“To be honest,” Rarity said, “I would love the idea, but it sounds too good to be true. How come Hard Core hasn’t brought this up with me?”

“Because nopony’s even discussed this as an option yet,” Italian said. “We’ve been talking plenty about keeping you on as an actress, you’re doing such a fantastic job. But I know you, Rarity, a lot more than you think. I know you would much rather be doing the kind of work I’m offering than being filmed having sex on a regular basis. I’ll bring it up with the other producers, see what they think of the idea, and I’m sure they’ll agree. They’ve been very impressed with your acting, and they also know the line of work you’re used to, so it’s really only a matter of asking. What do you think?”

Rarity’s anger had blown over while Italian had been discussing this kind of offer. Yes, she’d be making clothes for the porn industry, but it was still making clothes, the work she had wanted ever since she was a filly, the work that had earned her her cutie mark. She wanted badly to believe this could work out, so she was about to accept the offer.

Then she remembered what they would be filming tomorrow, so she decided to cut a deal.

“I will accept your offer,” Rarity said. Italian already looked relieved. “I will even accept your apology, but on one condition.”

“Name it, and it’s yours,” Italian said. “Like I said, it’s the least I can do.”

“To put it bluntly, I’ve never had anal sex before. When we film that scene tomorrow, I want you to make it as comfortable and enjoyable as you possibly can.”

“Done,” Italian said, “though I have to warn you that it’s very uncomfortable at first. But, with the enema, it’s going to be clean, and once we’re actually into it it’s going to feel very enjoyable.”

“Well, considering how much I enjoyed my first experience with bondage,” Rarity said, “I would tend to believe in your expertise. You know, I was very angry with you at first, but when you discussed the option of me being a clothing designer, you spoke directly to my aspirations. If this works out, I suppose I will have to thank you.”

“I’m glad you feel that way,” Italian said. “Really, it puts me at ease. And I really am sorry about what I said.”

“Well, now that I understand the position I put you in, I suppose I might be able to forgive you.” Rarity suddenly felt a shadow pass over her. “I don’t believe this...”

“Don’t believe what?”

“I’m selling myself out to the porn industry. It’s not just a one-time thing anymore, it’s becoming a career. It feels...dirty.”

“Oh, Rarity,” Italian said, stepping over and putting a hoof on her shoulder. “You really should talk to Hard Core about that. He went through the exact same thing when he started. He’ll be able to set your mind at ease.

“The producers are meeting early tomorrow morning, and I’ll be sure to pitch you in the best way I can. Hopefully that serves as apology enough.”

“All right then,” Rarity said tentatively. “You’ll let me know either way?”

“Absolutely,” Italian said, smiling. Rarity returned the smile in spite of herself.

“Thank you, Italian,” she said, turning to return back to her trailer. She didn’t quite need the walk anymore.

“Oh, and Rarity?” Italian asked.

“Yes?” Rarity responded, turning back towards him.

“It’s not going to go anywhere,” he said, “but once we’re done filming I would like to take you out on a celebratory dinner. It’s customary for the actors, director, and producers, and you can meet the ponies who will be giving you a job. Would you be interested?”

“I’ll think about it,” Rarity said, even though she already knew she was going to accept the offer. She didn’t want to betray too much forgiveness, after all.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.”

“You, too,” Rarity said, and she returned to her trailer in a much happier state than when she left it.