A Little Cream for a Lotta Coco

Chapter 14: Apologies All Around

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The blue hoof of Photo Finish flew forth, and pinpointed the switch to turn the alarm clock off. Then the hoof, joined by its left-legged companion, flung the covers off. The head of Photo Finish rose from the pillow upon which she had slept, and her eyes, keen and eager, opened wide.

“I, Photo Finish, am ready for the—the—oh, I fall baaaack!”

And she rested her head once more upon the pillow. Her head, though comforted by softness below, ached and throbbed within. Her eyes, though not at all watery, stung with the burn of one who had cried not long ago. Her throat heaved with stifled breaths. And her mind, cloudy as it was from a deficit of sleep, swam with despair.

She remembered it all with a heavy heart. The sneering ponies around her and Coco Pommel. The jabs that Silver Streak, once a suave hunk in her mind, took upon the sweeter mare. The lack of action on her part, as she watched Coco eat beyond her limits. The eventual vomit that had erupted after more than enough. The rage at having Silver Streak continue after it was due. And a feeling that had been put away long ago with her newfound fame: guilt at the stinging groans and sobs that Coco emitted as she waddled home.

For minutes she stared at her ceiling, playing the images in her head over and over. After a while, she shook her head, groaned and sat up again. “Get over it, Photo Finish!” she told herself with an angry, hoarse voice. “It happened, and you cannot change that. You must go and seize the day!”

She threw the covers off and jumped out of bed, but had landed on something unknown to her at first. A fit of shock and disgust took her as she looked down, to see the makeshift wig she had used to disguise herself last night. It was the wig of the cowardly Forest Hatter. At once, she kicked the wig out from under her leg, and sent it to the corner of the room.

Eager to return to a sense of normalcy, she walked over to a nearby mannequin and removed her prized dress from atop its back. She folded it and draped it over her back, and then proceeded to the bathroom. “A shower will help clear my mind,” she said, the hoarseness in her throat worsening a tinge.

A cloud of steam has encompassed her body before she stepped in and let the hot water take over. Bitter-smelling shampoo and sweet-scented conditioner ran through her mane while she lathered her coat and body in soap. She was covered in soap bubbles, so that any onlookers would mistake her for a sheep, but as the water washed it away she revealed a much sleeker, glowing version of herself.

Then, after she had wiped the foggy window clear, she took a comb and pulled at the few knots in her mane and tail. Then she took her brush and straightened everything out to as straight and flowing as it could be. She’d brush her teeth after having breakfast, but she lastly donned her trademark goggles on. This had been done for years, in order to avoid paparazzi sneaking through her window to take a picture of her uncovered eyes.

Especially after last night.

And then it all came back to her. The goggles hid her eyes, but she knew what was behind them. The shame welled up in them, and through the pink tint she stared at something that made her shudder. She left the mirror in haste, and went downstairs for breakfast.

“Some eggs and toast should help clear my head,” she muttered aloud as she opened the fridge. And yet, even as she cooked the eggs sunny side up and popped the toast into the toaster, she felt something wrong in the pit of her stomach. A glass of orange juice and some apple slices later and she was all set. She sat down, ready to enjoy herself.

And then, through just the faintest aroma of the apple slices, it all came back. The smell of apple-infused vomitus that had come out of Coco. And everything that had happened leading up to it. Suddenly, the smell of food made her want to puke, though she was empty. She sighed and threw the food away. In the end, she made herself a cup of coffee, without any of the embellishments she’d usually put into it.

Her head instantly began to clear, but the memories didn’t. With a heavy sigh, she walked over to her couch in the living room and flopped down, all the while keeping her full mug from spilling so much as a drop.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

Good. Maybe now you’ll learn from your mistakes.

What was my mistake? I wanted to watch Coco eat, and Coco ate! It was her fault.

You should’ve stopped her.

But how was I supposed to know that Silver Streak would interrupt us? It’s his fault that everything went wrong!

Is it?

Yes! She took another sip of her coffee. I’m not the bad guy.

You keep telling yourself that.

Lying there for some time, she kept reliving the memory of the previous night. The coffee went cold the next time she took a sip, so she set it on a coaster with a sigh. “I should not be sitting here wallowing in pity for my actions! I should get up and get ready for a day at work! I can make it up to her there.”

There’s only making up if you’ve done something wrong.

She straightened her dress out, made sure her mane and tail were impeccable, and her glasses were clear and free of tears. She strode out of the living room and through her foyer, and made her way to the front door. With a second of hesitation, she opened it up and looked outside. The sky had only lightened up a little bit; Celestia’s sun was close to the horizon, but the raising hadn’t occurred yet. Surprised, she looked back at her clock: six-fifteen. Nearly an hour before she would usually leave. She shivered at the early-morning air, but didn’t go back inside.

Instead, she walked down her walkway and onto the stone steps of Canterlot proper. Then she ambled down the road leading to one of Canterlot’s main streets. There were only guardponies on Celestia Way; it was still too early for the sunraising, so ponies either weren’t going to be heading there just yet, or had already shown up to reserve a spot.

It gave her time to walk in peace, for which she was grateful. And, a stray thought entered her mind, the paparazzo won’t be on me. They won’t expect me to be out this early.

Hopefully they hadn’t caught anything at Pies in the Skies.

She twitched a twinge, but kept her pace. That was Forest Hatter. I was not recognized there.

But suppose through the various ponies reading the tabloids, somepony recognizes you. Would you be able to defend yourself?

I could pass it off as somepony else.

And suppose the paparazzo watched you sneak around to get there in the first place. Would ponies trust you to deny that?

I was careful going there! I saw nopony around, and I don’t miss much!

I suppose.

But her mind couldn’t be quieted after that thought. She imagined ponies staring at her, gawking at her behavior, wondering how somepony of such high fashion standards would stoop to something so… so…

Depraved?

Lewd?

Psychotic?

“Uncommon,” she muttered under her breath. “It is uncommon, but not depraved.”

And for a moment, the worries of peer pressure left her. The ponies could point and say things, but did that invalidate her? Not a chance, she told herself. She was still Photo Finish, by thunder, and nopony could take away her skills, her years of art, her Coco—

But then her mind went straight to Coco. “The ponies of Canterlot might give me leniency from being shunned, but Coco would be destroyed. There is no way that Coco would be able to handle it.”

But again, it wasn’t your fault. It was Forest Hatter’s.

Finish hesitated. Yes, it was. But I made up for it. I took her home, made sure she was well, told her I’d check up on her—

And then she lurched. “I-I was supposed to check up on her!” She smacked herself in the forehead. “Verdammt!” She immediately turned and galloped as fast as she could. “I hope I am not too late!”

Too late? Do you realize what time it is?

It was irrelevant. She galloped as fast as she could to the apartments on the other side of town. The guards that watched her didn’t try and stop her; they knew who Photo Finish was, and knew that she was prone to flights of fancy, so they left her be.

“What should I buy for her to eat? She may have already eaten breakfast, but maybe I can bring her something else!”

Why would she want anything from you? You already gave her too much last night!

I know, but I know better now! I’m not going to give her any more than she can handle. Cinnamon buns? Donuts? Pancakes? Croissants? She saw the apartments in the distance, and knew that she had passed all of these shops already. I’ll ask her if she wants to grab anything, and then make it up to her.

You had better hope she’ll be able to walk after last night.

I’ll carry her if I have to!

With that, she burst through the door to the complex. The landmare wasn’t quick enough to dodge out of her way, but Finish simply leapt over her and continued on her way. Nopony was in the way, nothing was blocking her path.

When she got to Coco’s door, she hesitated. “Wait, what if it is too early? What if I wake her, and she gets mad? What if she does not want to talk to me after that? Should I even risk it?”

She knocked.

“It is okay. Maybe she is still sleeping at this time—”

“Hmm? H-hello?”

“Verdammt!” Maybe it’s not too late. Maybe I can still escape, and then she won’t have to see me like this!

Slow, heavy hooffalls could be heard inside, coming slower. You came all this way. You can’t back out now.

You’re right. I must apologize to her!

A soft groan could be heard from inside. “Who is it?”

Finish’s jaw failed her. What if she is still angry with me? I can’t do this—no! I can do this. I must do it! I must, I must, I must! Or my name isn’t Photo Finish!

The doorknob began to turn. “Hello?”

“This is it,” she whispered. “No turning back now.”

The door slid ajar, and a tubby cheek and black-bagged eye peered through. “Hello? Oh, oh! Photo Finish! What a surprise! Wh-what are you doing here?”

Finish balked. “What am I doing here? I came to ap—to check up on you!”

Check up on her?

Coco’s face scrunched up. “Check up on me? For what?”

Finish gaped. There’s no way that she forgot already! “You know, about last night!”

Instantly, Coco blanched. “Oh. You haven’t heard, then.”

“Heard?”

“Y-yeah, you heard about what happened.”

What does she mean, heard what happened? I was there, doesn’t she realize that— And then it occurred to her. “Oh, about last night. No, no I have not. Was everything alright?”

“Yeah,” Coco replied, averting her gaze. “It was okay.”

Finish scraped the floor. “Would you mind if I—may I come in?”

Coco looked away from her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. I’m not—” her stomach gurgled, and she groaned. “I’m not feeling well.”

Finish looked down, but couldn’t see her belly yet. She pushed against the door slightly. “Coco, what is wrong? Are you okay? If you are not, then I want to help.”

“No, really. Like, ‘throwing up’ sick.”

“Because you ate too much?” Finish’s tone came out more desperate than she would’ve liked, but she kept pushing the door.

“Y-yes,” Coco replied, sounding like she was panicking. “I don’t want you to see.”

Finish had had enough. She slammed her hoof down against the door, prompting Coco to stop pushing. “Coco, please. I need to see you.”

Coco stared at her, and Finish stared back. Her heart beat more loudly the longer she kept her stare. After a while, Coco shifted her gaze downwards and backed up, pulling the door open in the process.

“Thank you, Coco,” Finish said, a sigh of relief following. She walked in and looked around. There were no fast food boxes, bags or packages, nor was there any breakfast prepared. No dishes in the sink, either. The only thing that had been used, by the looks of things, was a cup full of water with a straw in it.

Then she stared at Coco, who had just waddled to her couch. Her rump had indeed grown a tiny bit from her gorging, bouncing against her hocks and jiggling with each step she took. Her flanks swayed heavily, but slowly as Coco was stepping as slow as possible. Her belly was what drew her attention most of all, though; it was round and taut, not even swaying underneath her, but moving like she had a basketball underneath her. A gurgle could be heard as Coco stepped, followed by a soft groan from the overstuffed mare.

Finish flicked her tail before Coco turned and climbed onto the couch. Her movements were slow, making her not to jostle her belly too much. Coco began to pant. She did manage to get herself splayed out, and once she had her hindhooves on the cushion she let her flank drop. Coco brought a hoof to her mouth as her belly quivered from the sudden movement, and Finish had a mind to look for a trash bin for her. Before she could move, Coco redirected her attention to her.

They didn’t say anything for a few seconds, just staring at one another. Finish began feeling warm again, seeing Coco’s big fat body lying there, and she felt her dock begin to stiffen with anticipation. She decided to break the tension before the tension made her do something reckless.

“So, Coco, would you like some breakfast?”

At the mention of breakfast, Coco’s face paled. “Oh, no, not at all,” she said with a cheek-full voice. “I’m sorry, Photo Finish, but I’m really not feeling well.”

Finish thought quickly before the dreaded silence could return. “Did you get some bad food at Pies in the Skies?”

Coco grimaced. “N-no, nothing like that. All of the food there was great.” Her voice faded at the end, a tell-tale sign of somepony trying to hide something.

And today, Photo Finish would be having none of it. “Coco, if something bad happened there… if somepony hurt you—or called you fat, then we should go down there and let them know that it is not appreciated.”

Coco looked away from her, and at the barren coffee table instead. Come on, Coco, let me know how badly I messed it up for you. It took a little while before she spoke. “I-It’s like I said,” Coco began, not looking up from the couch, “The food was great. But…”

“Yes?”

“Look, Photo Finish, I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“But—”

“I’m sorry,” Coco said, looking up with tears in her eyes. “But I really don’t want to talk about it.”

Finish stood in place, stunned. Go on, continue pressing.

But if she doesn’t want to talk about it, then I shouldn’t force her to.

You came all the way to apologize to her, you can’t just back out now!

But looking at Coco softly stifling sobs, Finish’s heart gave. “Okay, Coco. I will not ask any more… Is there anything I can do for you?”

Coco shook her head, bringing a hoof to her eye. “No, I’ll be fine. I don’t think I can come to work today. I hope that’s okay”

“That is fine,” Finish replied, turning to the door. “Get some rest.”

“Yes, Miss Finish.”

“And…” Finish couldn’t bring herself to look back, so she merely said, “I am sorry for what happened last night.”

“...F-for what, Miss Finish?”

“Just get some rest,” Finish woefully commanded. Then, without waiting for a response, walked to the door.

Is that it?

What else am I supposed to do? She’s not ready to talk, and I don’t think I can push it any further.

You came all this way for nothing.

I know. I just can’t find the right words. And I can’t let her know that I was there.

You’re weak.

She reached the door with these thoughts still battling in her mind, and reached for the knob slowly. “Good day, Coco.”

“Have a good day, Photo Finish,” Coco replied. Finish heard rustling on the couch, and saw that Coco had adjusted herself for comfort.

What a shame.

She opened the door and proceeded to walk out. Then, she immediately was bumped back inside. “Dah!” She shook her head and looked forward. Even with her goggles crooked, she could make out the wall of golden-brown obscuring her vision, jiggling from the impact.

Goddesses, not now!

“Ooh, sorry about that, honey,” the telltale homely voice of Fanny Pancake said from above her. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”

Finish adjusted her goggles. “It is alright, Miss Pancake. I was just leaving.”

An awkward smile appeared on Fanny’s face. “Oh, dear. Honey, could you back up a bit? I’m gonna need some room.”

It took a second for Finish to realize what Fanny was hinting at, but once she did she scrambled out of the way, finding herself right next to Coco’s couch. Fanny stepped in and started the process of squeezing herself through the relatively tiny doorframe.

“Nnngh, hang on, Coco, I’m comin’ in!” Fanny gave Coco a strained smile as she shimmied left and right. Her belly pressed against the floor as her sides bunched up. Finish wondered how long it would take her to get through, if it were even possible to get through with how small the frame was. Fanny squirmed and squeezed, but couldn’t even get her hips past the door. “Dagblastit, why won’t these hips get in?”

Then she began rocking herself back and forth, and the door frame—as well as the surrounding wall around it—began to shake. *Smack* against the walls, and cracks began to appear. *Smack* again, and the door frame began to bend out of place.

“Almost—*huff*—got it!” Fanny angled herself, and then slammed herself against the wall. “I’m comin’ through—yyyaaaaah!”

With several loud cracks, the door frame flew into the room, and parts of the wall crumbled around her. Her hips bulldozed what they skid across; her flanks took off even more than that. Fanny steadied herself before she could fall onto her chest (and probably fall through the floor, Finish thought as she felt the wood under her hooves). After all was still, Finish and Coco stared at the giant mare panting, and a Fanny-sized hole in the wall.

“Coco?”

Coco shook the shock from herself and mumbled a shaky, “Yes?”

“Honey, did I break the door off of the wall?”

“Ummm… Yes.”

“Fiddlesticks!” Fanny threw her body around 180 degrees, and Finish, stunned herself, was sent to the ground by the oncoming rump. “I shoulda known that I wouldn’t have been able to fit.” She turned around again with a wry smile. “Ah, well. Something that flimsy wasn’t gonna stand up against 1,400 pounds of mare, am I right?”

Coco swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded.

“I should probably let the landlord know about this,” Fanny said sheepishly. She walked over to the counter and set down a paper bag that she had on her back. “Photo Finish, would you be a dear and put the door back while I sort this out?”

It took a few seconds for Finish to regain her consciousness, half from the fleshy impact and half from the sheer sight of Fanny actually ripping a door off of a wall, but once she did she nodded. “Yes! No problem at all!” She felt herself being pulled up by Coco. “Thank you.”

Coco dusted off Finish’s coat. “You’re—bwurp!—welcome,” she replied with a bubbly burp. “Should I help?”

Finish couldn’t get anything out of her mouth before Fanny interjected. “Of course not, honey! You just get some rest and wait for me to—”

“Is everything okay in here?”

They all looked to the door to see a pajama-clad stallion peering through the hole. “Oh, everything’s fine, honey,” Fanny said, ignoring the gawking he did at her. “Don’t you worry your head over us, we’ll get this taken care of. Now excuse me.” With that, she shimmied past him—partially dragging him along the wall with her flank—and made her way downstairs. A diminuendo of creaks from the stairs followed her.

Finish had finally regained herself and lifted up the door. She heard Coco grunt, and immediately held up her hoof. “No, Coco, lie back down. I will handle this.”

“Okay, Miss Finish,” Coco replied softly, lying back down.

She began pushing it, and the stallion came in and helped her. They set it as much in place as they could—not able to cover it all up, but serviceable in Finish’s eyes. She thanked the stallion, and he left with a smile.

Then Finish walked to the paper bag. “What did Fanny come here with?” She took a peek inside, and found a collection of potatoes, celery, carrots, onions, garlic cloves, a bottle of olive oil, and some spices she didn’t recognize. “Huh.” She looked back at Coco, and then back at the bag.

“What’s in there?” Coco asked.

“It is just some vegetables.” Finish turned and walked back to the couch. “Looks like Fanny wants to make you some soup to make up for last night.”

Coco blinked in confusion. “Why would she do that?”

Yes, Photo Finish, why would she make up for something she wasn’t a part of?

Finish smacked herself. “I-I do not know what goes through her mind, Coco. But once she gets up here, we can tell her that you are not feeling well, and do not need food… at this time…”

“Is something wrong, Photo Finish?”

Finish thought about it for a moment. You’re never going to be empty, Coco. Fanny’s going to feed you even though you’re bloated. She doesn’t want you to lose that beautiful gut, darling. She wants to see it grow, just like I do.

“Ph-photo Finish?”

“Yes, sorry Coco. My mind was somewhere else. I think she just wants to make sure you are fed today.”

Coco grimaced a smile. “That’s nice, but I’m not hungry at the moment.”

“Well, we will be sure to tell her once she gets up here.”

As if on cue, thunderous hoofsteps came up to the door. Finish walked up to open it, but the wall slid out of the way before she could reach it. Fanny peeked in, and behind her was a stunned stallion, the landlord.

“Hey, gals!” Fanny shouted, looking past Finish and at Coco. “I let the landlord know what happened, and… he didn’t believe me.”

“By my auntie’s beard!” The landlord’s eyes bugged. “Dagnabbit, how’d you even get in here!?”

“Heh, by breaking the door down,” Fanny replied sheepishly.

“Geez, you fatass! You know how long this is gonna take me to fix?”

“Now now,” Fanny said, her tone dropping, “there’s no need for that kinda language.”

“But the wall!”

Finish stepped forward. “The wall can be fixed, sir. There is no need to—”

The landlord gasped loud enough to interrupt her. “You’re Photo Finish? The Photo Finish?”

She smiled. “The very same.”

“On my uncle’s cufflinks!” He nearly squealed, coming close enough to make her feel uncomfortable. “I never thought I’d have Photo Finish in my apartment complex! I have been a fan ever since I was a colt!”

Finish gawked, half from surprise and half from seeing such a gruff stallion such as him fawning over her. “Thank you, sir. Now, about your wall: we are responsible for this, and my company will make sure you are properly paid for this.”

“Of course, Miss Finish!” The stallion looked at the damage, and then at Fanny. “But shouldn’t she—”

“She is an important client of mine, and I will take care of her,” Finish concluded with finality.

“Oh, of course!” He nodded at the superobese mare and backed away. “I apologize, I had no idea.”

“No trouble, sugar,” Fanny replied. “It was my fault, but you’re in good hooves in Photo Finish.”

Finish smiled at her.

“Now, I will leave you to whatever business you ladies have. You let me know if you need anything, now!” With that, the stallion turned away and scurried downstairs.

Finish sighed and turned back to the other mares. Fanny had walked over to the counter and rifled through the contents of her bag. “You hungry, Coco?”

Coco’s cheeks bloated up, but only a puff of air escaped her lips. “N-not really.”

Fanny frowned. “I suppose you’d be bloated up after what Silver and that other mare did to you.”

Finish suddenly got the urge to leave. “Other mare?” she blurted out. No, why did I do that?

Fanny looked over her shoulder at her. “Oh, you didn’t hear?”

Finish looked over at Coco, who was sinking into the couch. “No, I did not hear about it.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Finish,” Coco mewled softly. “I just don’t want to talk about it. It’s not related to business or anything.”

Finish felt a pit forming in her stomach. “I… see.”

Coco nodded, but then Fanny took a step towards her. “You don’t have to worry about Coco anymore. I’m sure I can help her out with some good homemade soup. It’ll help her out no problem, get that bloating out of her system. You can run along to work, and Coco can tell you all about pies later.”

The pit grew even larger. Should I just leave? Fanny would help her out, and Coco would be in good hooves… No, I can’t! I must let Coco know that I care somehow! “Fanny,” she began, her stomach tightening from the talking. “Do you know this Silver Streak?”

Fanny gave her a quick glance, and then returned to her bag of food. “Silver Streak is one of our friends, and one of the clients that will be at the photo shoot. He’s a regular partygoer, and loves to have a good time. Although he took it too far last night.”

“What did he do?” Finish asked.

“If Coco doesn’t want to tell you, then I won’t say nuthin’ either.”

Finish looked at Coco, who looked away from her. “That is fair, I suppose. Although once I meet this Silver Streak, then—”

“Don’t you worry about him,” Fanny interjected with a bold tone. “I’ve already taken care of him. We don’t take kindly to ponies ruining other’s nights. He can do that sort of thing to other Blubber Lovers, but not to sweet li’l Coco over there.”

The pit felt more like a gaping hole at this time. “And the other mare?”

“Never heard of her, but she’s supposed to be coming over today, and once she does, I’ll make her pay.”

Finish’s heart hammered away in her chest. Oh goddesses, I can’t face that! Coco I can handle, but Fanny? I’d be crushed in an instant! I should leave now, let Fanny handle it.

But what about Coco?

I know I still need to apologize to her. And I, Photo Finish, can’t back out of that!

“I need to leave now,” Finish said suddenly.

“Oh, now?” Coco asked. “Um, okay.”

“Enjoy your work,” Fanny said in a chipper voice. “Don’t work too hard now!”

“Yes, of course,” Finish said, turning to the door. “Get some rest, Coco, and do not worry about work right now. We will be able to handle ourselves today.”

“O-okay, Miss Finish.” Coco sighed and lay back down on the couch. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Just focus on getting rest.”

Coco didn’t say anything else, and Fanny was too busy working on the soup, so Finish took her leave immediately. This time, she didn’t even look back at Coco before closing the door.

Once the door was closed, she rushed down the stairs and out the door. The landlord waved at her, but she galloped right past him. Once outside, she slowed down to a canter, but continued on to her home. “I need to get Forest Hatter to apologize. Fanny may be mad at me—at her—but I still need to do it. Then I can put that shameful mare behind me.”

She had a saddlebag slung over her bare back, with her goggles and dress neatly inside. That would be for getting back into character when she was done with Forest Hatter. And speaking of which, she had on a rather ornate headpiece that had been gifted to her in the past. She didn’t think that anypony would recognize the swan-plumed hat from early in her photographing career, and felt safe with it covering up her mane. Her tail had been done up in a braid, as an extra precaution to her identity.

She believed that she had everything taken care of at that point. So now all there was to do was trot to Coco’s apartment and apologize. She, of course, had checked everywhere for paparazzi, just to make sure nopony had caught on to her yet. And even as she walked in the street, she had to make a constant effort not to go about with her usual determined stride. But Photo Finish had some experience with masking herself around other ponies, so she wasn’t panicking from the task.

But the few glances she did receive unnerved her to no end. And yet she never broke her form, never took her eyes off of the front of the road. She constantly kept vigilance for the paparazzo, and wouldn’t let anypony distract her, either to know where her headpiece came from, or to simply wish a good morning from one stranger to another.

Finally, after an agonizingly hot and hypervigilant walk through the not-yet-packed streets of Canterlot, she made her way to Coco’s apartment complex. She took a deep breath, and entered.

The landlord was talking with a few of his staff about his encounter with Finish earlier (making her sigh at the attention). Upon seeing her, he went back behind his counter and bowed to her. “Howd’ye do? Haw may I help you?”

She cleared her throat. “I’m looking to see Coco Pommel.”

His eyes bugged. “You too? Gee, first Photo Finish, then that humongous mare, then that other big mare, and then—”

“Wait,” Finish said, holding a hoof up to sell her persona. “Other big mare? I only saw—I mean I only knew about one of them.”

“Well, there are two up there now. One a huge mare with pancakes on her flank, and the other a darker mare with a big stomach and a sweater stretched over it.”

Black Forest is here too. That’s not good. “Thank you. I will head up there now.”

“Of course,” the stallion said without any fanfare. Finish inwardly chuckled at how she had fooled him so easily. And now that I’m past him, I need to go and face Coco. And Black Forest. And Fanny. All of them at once.

Each step up felt like they were magnets, and her hooves had to be yanked off of them to keep her going. Other ponies were up, some talking about the events from earlier with the door, and she knew she had to keep moving, lest others decided to take a look and recognize her. She pressed onwards.

Maybe Coco will have already forgotten about your arrangement?

No, there’s no way. And even if she did, it wouldn’t be right for me to let it go.

Why does it matter to you? You, Photo Finish, could simply leave your disguise, get rid of the pony that never existed, and you, Photo Finish, can come in and be your normal self without admonishment.

Finish stopped in front of the door that would lead to Coco’s room. Her inner voice had a point. She could let Forest Hatter disappear, and since there was no connection between Hatter and Finish, she could get off scot-free. Nopony would be the wiser.

No.

But—

I hurt her. I did it to her, and I need to let her know that I’m sorry. Even if I am just Forest Hatter.

She knocked on the door.

Thundering hoofsteps approached the door. That’s Fanny. I can still back out of this.

No. I must do this for Coco.

The door opened swiftly, and Fanny’s chest greeted her. Finish looked up at Fanny’s sweaty face. She cleared her throat and began.

“Hiya!” Finish exclaimed in the widest smile she could muster. The corners of her cheeks ached from the strain. “I’m here to see Coco Pommel. Would you happen to know where she is?”

Fanny’s eyebrow raised up. “And you are?”

The pit in Finish’s stomach widened even further. “Oh, I’m just somepony that met her last night.”

Fanny lowered her head. Finish hadn’t thought that Fanny’s neck and chest would allow her to get eye level with her, but she did. “Are you, by chance, Forest Hatter?”

Finish gulped. “Y-yes.”

It seemed like an eternity as Fanny stared at her. Finish could feel her deep, slow, hot breath against her face, and for a moment she considered legging it out of the apartment. And then Fanny raised herself and backed up.

“Come on in,” Fanny said in a soft voice. “She’s just on the couch, relaxing.”

Finish gulped again. “Thank you, darling,” she said, and scurried inside.

Not a lot had changed since she had left. The assortment of vegetables and spices had become a steamy, hearty soup, and three bowls had been placed on the coffee table. One massive one, Finish quickly figured out, was Fanny’s. One wauld’ve definitely been for Coco. It took a second to remember that Black Forest was also somewhere in the apartment as well.

And then Finish saw Coco. The other mare’s belly looked slightly less swollen than it had earlier. Coco herself was massaging it, her breathing a lot slower and her face in far less of a grimace. Her collar lay on the table next to a half-eaten bowl of soup. And when Coco looked at her, her eyes widened almost into a full circle.

“Oh!” Coco hoisted herself up, cradling her tummy all the while. “Forest Hatter! I was wondering if you were going to show up.”

She doesn’t seem to recognize me. That’s good so far. “Well, I had to come to check up on you last night. You look like you’re doing a lot better.”

“I’m feeling better,” Coco said with a soft sigh and a tiny pat of her belly. “Thank you.”

Finish had only begun to feel better when Fanny’s heavy hoofsteps came up from behind. Before she could turn her head, the larger mare bear down on her.

“You really did a number on her last night, you know that?” Fanny began menacingly. “You and Silver Streak came in and embarrassed the daylights out of her, you know that?”

Finish looked at the ground. “Yes, I know. And I’m sorry for that.”

“Was that your intention? To embarrass somepony just because they’re overweight?”

“What? No, no!” Finish shrunk back. “Believe me, it wasn’t intentional. I just wanted to show Coco a good time.”

“It’s true,” Coco said from behind Fanny. “I don’t think she meant any harm.”

“Coco,” Fanny continued, her voice not losing its harsh tone, “You don’t know what these ponies are like. There are ponies who don’t like fat ponies, and they’ll do what they can to make fun of and embarrass them. Listen, you’re too sweet and innocent a mare to have seen it, but I have.”

Suddenly, more hoofsteps could be heard, this time from the kitchen. “Has Forest Hatter come by yet?” Finish waited as Black Forest came into the living room. Their eyes locked. Black Forest’s only reaction upon seeing her was a raised brow.

What is that supposed to mean? Why is she looking at me like that? Is that her way of showing anger?

“And what do you have to say for yourself?” Fanny asked, looking back down at her.

Finish immediately snapped back into the moment. “I truly am sorry. I really did just want to show Coco a good time. I got carried away.”

“Humph.”

“Believe me, if I really didn’t care about her, would I have come all this way to apologize on my own, with no other witness but Coco, when I could’ve gone back to my hometown and forgotten this whole thing?”

Fanny looked away from her. “Well… I suppose not. But what you did was wrong!”

“I know,” Finish continued, bowing her head “And I own up to it. I would rather that I make a total fool of myself than hurt that sweet young thing. Especially in such a profane manner.”

Fanny harrumphed and turned her backside to her. “I’m not sure I can take your word on that. According to Silver Streak and Coco here, you hadn’t been forcing anything into her, but you hadn’t stopped it, either. I doubt you meant any harm by it, but it did happen.”

“And I wish I could take it back,” Finish pleaded. “But I can’t. I can only offer my apologies.”

It wasn’t Fanny that spoke up, but Coco who peeked around. “Thank you. I mean, it means a lot that you came here to apologize to me.”

“I appreciate it as well,” Black Forest said, stepping up to her. “I imagine last night was not what you expected, but you don’t seem like the kind of pony that would torture another pony for her own amusement. Nor the type of pony that would go out of her way to apologize if she was.”

Finish began to feel uncomfortable; Black Forest had walked up to within a step of her. “Thank you for that. Yeah, I wouldn’t leave somepony like her on her lonesome.”

“No,” Black Forest agreed with a smirk. “You wouldn’t.”

What does she mean by that? She doesn’t suspect anything, does she? Before she could muse further, Black Forest walked back to Coco.

“Honey, is there anything that Miss Hatter can do for you before she leaves?”

Coco looked between the two of them. “No, I don’t think so.”

Fanny turned faster than Black Forest could. “Then I would suggest she leave.”

Finish’s eyebrows furrowed, but Black Forest spoke up before she could. “I agree. Certainly you’ve got a lot to do, and you did apologize like you promised Coco. I see no reason for you to stay, unless you wish to dine with us.”

Finish gulped once more. “No, that’s quite alright. I must really get going.”

“Oh, okay.” Coco waved at her. “Have a good day, Forest.”

“You as well, dear!” Finish turned to the other two. “Y’all have a good day now!”

“You as well, Miss Hatter.”

Fanny didn’t answer.

Finish sighed and made an immediate exit. There’s nothing more for me to discuss with them. I said what I needed to, and now I can put Forest Hatter behind me. She began walking down the stairs that would lead her out of the apartment and into the day proper.

“Wait, Forest!”

She stopped. What is it now? She turned around and saw Coco lumbering down the stairs. “Yes, Coco?”

Coco stopped. “Oh my, I’m sorry if I’m interrupting you.”

What—wait, I talked in my normal voice! “Now at all, my dear! What can I do for you?”

“Listen,” Coco began. And then she took a deep breath. “About last night… I really don’t blame you for it. I believe you wanted to show me a good time, but Silver Streak interrupted it.”

Just keep on rubbing it in, why don’t you? “I should’ve stopped him.”

Coco didn’t agree or disagree with her. “Regardless, I appreciate what you did today, and last night.”

“Last night? Darling, I merely hit that stallion for hurting you.”

“No, I mean for all of the food. I did want to try it all out. It was just too much.”

Finish felt her heart flutter. “Well, you definitely seem like the type of mare that loves to try new things.”

“Yes,” Coco said, beaming. “I’m trying to travel a bit for my job, so I can see new sights. It’s always been my dream to travel around Equestria.”

Make a mental note of that.

Already did. “Of course! I’m sure you’ll work your way up there.”

“Thank you.” Coco walked forward and nuzzled her. “I mean it.”

Finish’s heart definitely fluttered. That fat cheek smushing itself against hers, her chest melding against hers, her slightly labored breath so close to her ear… No, I can’t. Not after tonight.

Coco broke the embrace and bowed to her. “I need to get back and rest. Have a good day, okay?”

“I will!” Finish shouted. “And you g-get some rest, alright honey?”

“Yes.” Coco turned around, cumbersomely in the narrow stairway, and began walking back upstairs. “See you around!”

“See your round round a—I mean see you around too!” Finish took her time staring at that magnificent rump walking up the stairs, and then turning from view. As Coco’s flank rounded the corner, Finish caught sight of Fanny glaring at her. She felt bold enough to watch Coco’s flank press against the wall before disappearing, before making her exit herself.

The walk to work wasn’t too long, and with her conscience clear, she double-hoofed it. She had stopped by Ginger Snap’s bakery and changed clothes before getting herself a coffee and moving back on. She had been lucky that nopony had seen her change. For a moment, she felt alright.

And yet as she approached the front door to her work, she couldn’t help but feel Fanny’s disapproving gaze upon her. Fanny really didn’t like me.

She didn’t like Forest Hatter. And she’s gone. Now you can focus on yourself.

Of course. Forest Hatter’s gone, Photo Finish is here. And now I am in control. She opened the door and walked inside.

Her employees were already getting set up for the workday when Finish entered. Their eyes fell upon her in surprise. She knew why: she was never this late—that is to say, fifteen minutes before work. But their stares lasted longer than she would’ve liked, so she went to Pins N’ Needles’s table.

“You’ve taken a while to get here.”

Finish scoffed. “I had business to take care of.”

“Well, so does Fleur de Lys.”

Finish’s jaw dropped. “Fleur? What is she doing here?”

“Not sure,” Pins continued without any change in tone. “But she’s here with a photographer, and she appeared anxious.”

Finish’s heart raced. No no no! How, how? I checked everywhere? Was it when I was distracted? How did they catch me?!

Author's Note

And I owe you all an apology, firstly for the long delay, and secondly for the bad chapter before. Here's to positive steps going forward.