A Little Cream for a Lotta Coco

Chapter 18

The next two days went as usual in terms of business, and quiet in terms of fatty decadence. Coco had been looking for the treats mentioned before to replace the tiramisu, and Photo Finish had to remain patient. It was a waiting game for her, not just because of the difficulty of finding the proper food for the shoot, but also because she had to contend with Coco’s continued bloat. She had made an attempt to feed her some treats from the café, but Coco couldn’t bring herself to eat them just yet. Finish had merely nodded, told her to take it easy, and set the box down for everyone else to enjoy.

You didn’t even try to force her to eat just one?

I told you, I must be patient. I will not have a repeat of the Pie incident.

But still, not even one?

She swallowed her temptation and continued working. While she was busy looking over the models coming in the next day, she heard talking behind her. Other members of her staff were chatting with Coco, asking about the dress, about what had been going on in her spare time… and about the incident. Finish tensed up as she heard them bring it up, but instead of jeering and deriding her, they were asking how she was feeling, if she needed anything, recommending anti-bloating medicine, and those sorts of things. Coco thanked them for their concern, and asked how they were doing in turn. It turned into a conversation.

That is a surprise. I didn’t think they would talk to her with that much weight.

Or maybe her size never mattered in the first place?

Don’t be ridiculous. Of course her size matters. It always matters in this industry!

And yet there she is, commingling with the makeup artist and manestylist like any other pony would.

Finish felt a pang in her chest. Whether it was pride that her employees were getting along with Coco, or guilt in how difficult it was for her to get along with Coco, she couldn’t tell. She quickly retreated into her office, papers in her grasp.

As the day waned on, she had accomplished a lot in her office. The times were set for the models’ shoots, the props chosen, the details about the models’ preferences memorized. Details about Fleur’s shoot were also prepared, including the blimp ride to Bitaly booked well in advance. Of course, Fleur and Fancy Pants would’ve already booked their own trip, so she didn’t have to worry about that. The only thing she had to worry about now we're finding a chef for the angel-hair pasta, and Coco’s treats being stuffed into her greedy maw as she moans, each one causing her belly to bloat a little bit more mein stars what a beautiful belly that is—

There was a knock.

“Come in!” she cried hoarsely.

The door opened, and Coco came in with a smile. “Hello, Photo Finish!”

“Coco!” She sat up straight, her legs straight up on the desk. “Come in, come in! How is the chatting going?”

Coco blushed. “It’s nice. I was just wondering if you wanted to take a look at the dress for Honey Bun tomorrow.”

Honey Bun… now there’s a fitting name for a hefty mare. A few buns and she… “Yes, please, show me.”

Coco pulled something off of her back, and displayed it proudly in front of her. “Ta da! What do you think?”

Finish blinked, and her brow furrowed. The colors on the dress were exquisite, with red silk and topazes for adornments. The form was fine, but… After a few seconds of stunned silence, she spoke up. “Coco, one side is longer than the other.”

Coco gasped. “What?”

“Look.” Finish got up and pointed to the hem of the dress. Indeed, the left side was longer than the right one, creating a lopsided effect. “See? You made one side longer than the other!”

Coco flinched. “I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

“It is fine,” Finish said curtly. “Just go and correct it.”

“On it!” Coco turned and waddled out of the room, her rump jiggling like crazy as she cantered as best as she could.

Holy Celestia above, I need that.

“No! I cannot think about that right now!” Finish got up and walked over to her door. “I must figure out why Coco made such a careless mistake.” Reaching the door, she peeked out of it just enough to see the costumers’ station.

She watched as Coco brought the dress back with several huffs. Pins approached her, concern on her face. Coco explained the situation, showing Pins the mistake. The other mare nodded at her, and helped her get it onto the marennequin. But when the dress was on, the hems appeared properly in order.

No, Finish saw the problem directly below the dress: the stand the marennequin was on was bent.

“Verdammt!” Finish cantered out of her office and straight towards her. “Coco!”

Coco jumped in place. “Yes, Photo Finish?” she asked nervously.

“Look!” Finish pointed down. “Your stand is bent. Your dress is going to be lopsided with that!”

Coco looked, and her eyes widened at the sight. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that it was bent.”

Finish sighed. “It is fine. You just need another marennequin, that is all. How did this one get bent, anyway?” she asked more to herself.

But Coco had an answer. “W-Well, actually… I was leaning on it earlier.”

Finish’s jaw dropped. “Y-you did this? By leaning on it?”

“Mmhmm,” Coco replied, blushing a light red.

Oh my stars, she’s crushing things under their own weight! I’m getting excited just thinking about the possibilities of this! “Um… well, please do be careful, Coco.”

“Agreed,” Pins said, finally joining the conversation. “Now come on. Let’s fix this up.”

Finish watched, petrified, as Coco put her weight on the other side of the marennequin, and Pins adjusted it from the bend itself, to make sure the stand was straight. Once that was done, Coco moved as quickly as she could adjusting the hem to proper equal length. Everypony else watched on as she worked, and chuckled under their breath when Coco had to bend down very low, forcing her rump into the air; it took a lot of willpower for Finish to not reach out and pat it.

“And… there.” Coco rose up and turned to Finish. “It’s fixed.”

“Very good,” Finish said, a beaming smile on her face. “Now that that is taken care of, we can go on back to business—”

“Now ain’t that the loveliest dress!”

Finish froze. Oh my stars, that cannot be! Here? NOW?

But the voice continued on. “Coco I knew you were a talented dressmaker, but I didn’t expect you to be this skilled!”

The thundering hoofsteps brought Finish out of her shock, and with shaky legs she turned to see who else but Fanny Pancake approaching them. The other workers scrambled out of her way, their faces even more shocked than Finish’s. “Pardon me!” she yelled in a warm drawl. “Big pony coming through!”

“My stars,” Pins said quietly, showing concern for the first time in a long while. “I-Is that a friend of yours, Coco?”

“Sure am!” Fanny walked directly up to Pins and stuck a hoof out. “Fanny Pancake, a pleasure to meet ya! Even if you don’t feel the same way.”

Without hesitation, Pins held out her own hoof out and shook with her larger mare. “I’m delighted! Coco’s told me a few stories of you and your outgoing personality and care. She, huh, didn’t tell me about how tall you are!”

Fanny smirked. “No need to feel embarrassed, darling. I’m a large mare, I know. But you must be Pins N’ Needles, right?”

“Why, yes.”

She turned and smiled warmly at Coco. “Coco’s told me stories of you as well. You’re a great mentor, I’ve heard.”

Pins smiled back. “I’m glad to hear I’m making a good impression.”

With that out of the way, Pins turned to Finish. “Hello, Photo Finish. Do you have a moment?”

Finish stopped the steady leaking of air from her gaping jaw and fixed herself upright. “A mo-a moment?”

“Yes.” Fanny straightened her body upright—a task nopony who saw how fat she was would think she was capable—and looked back down with a serious expression. “I am here on business, if you don’t mind.”

Her employees murmured amongst themselves. “Business? What kind of business would she want?”

“This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.”

“And Coco’s blushing like mad!”

“Is Photo Finish also blushing?”

Finish whipped around to her employees. “Everypony, we must show her respect. No more mumbling! Get ready to leave for the day!”

Everypony scrambled to the door, including Pins. Fanny chuckled, a lopsided grin on her face. “Wow, I didn’t think I’d see Photo Finish be as commanding as this!”

“Think nothing of it,” Finish said as she led Fanny and Coco to the office. Of course, with how narrow the doorway was, there was simply no way for Fanny to fit through the door. So they continued into the back hallway, out of sight from everypony else. “Now, how can we help you?”

Fanny smiled at her. “I am here to talk about our photo shoot.”

Both Finish and Coco nodded. “Go on.”

“Now, we know that you’re lending us some of your equipment, and we are grateful for that. But, I was wondering if you—or at least Coco—would come down to our studio tonight and take a look around. We just booked it, and we’re gathering around eightish.”

Coco smiled, and then looked at Finish. “I can go over tonight, and let you know how it is, Photo Finish.”

Finish started. “What?”

“Oh, it’s okay, Photo Finish,” Fanny continued. “You don’t need to go. I’m showing all of our models the studio tonight, so there will be a lot of larger ponies there.”

Finish’s heart beat like bongos. All of the models? Every single one? And… And Fanny doesn’t want me there? “Well, I would like to see the studio myself as well. I am sure Black Forest Cake would like to show me how the cameras should go, and it will be good to understand the space you and your models are working with.”

Fanny smirked. “Well, ain’t that the bee’s knees! I’ll be sure to let the gals know!” She pulled out a piece of paper from her side; she was too wide for Finish to see from where the paper came. “Here are the directions. It’s in the southeast. I’ve got a description and everything.”

Finish blanched at the mention of the southeast, but nodded nonetheless. “Very well, Fanny Pancake. We shall see you there.”

“Ooh, yes!” Coco chimed in. “I’m looking forward to meeting everypony, and seeing the studio.”

Fanny beamed. “Thank you, Coco.” With that, Fanny turned herself around—nearly hitting Finish with her rump—and strutted towards the door. Everypony parted as fast as they could to get out of the way of the excited mare. “See you there, Coco! See you there, Photo Finish!” she called as the door closed behind her.

All of the employees turned to Finish.

“Well—” but before she could say anything, the clock tower struck, and everypony left in a confused rush. “Well.”

“Well,” Coco echoed. “So… I’ll see you there?”

“Meet back here around seven,” Finish ordered. “We will gather up what we need, and head out then.”

Although a resident of Canterlot wouldn’t dare say that any part of the grand city was ridden with poverty, it was a generally-agreed-upon fact that the southeastern section was the least-desirable place to visit. The smooth, pristine cobblestone roads weren’t as often taken care of in southwestern Canterlot, and the few uneven stones that sometimes caused ponies to trip was evidence of that. The paint on the building walls had not been kept up as often as the rest of Canterlot, so though everything appeared normal, there was still a sense that these buildings were fading with time. The roofs were bent slightly from the winds of Canterlot Mountain, with no regular repair apparent. To an untrained eye such as Coco’s, this place would merely be called run-down; to Finish’s far-more-experienced eyes, what really spoke of the troubles here were the lack of lights. Even though several of the buildings were businesses, very few had their lights on at full; whatever was happening inside was not something they wanted prying eyes to see.

“Um, Ph-Photo Finish?”

“Yes, Coco?”

“Are you sure we’re at the right place?”

“Yes, this is where Fanny said she would be.” Finish continued walking down the street, looking around here and there and keeping her collar up. I don’t really want to believe it myself, but if Fanny says this is where she is, then this is where she is.

Well, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Blubber Lovers is content for fantasizing and fetishizing, so that sort of material would be shot around here.

But the MMMs and the SSSs are not well known. They could get a studio in a better part of Canterlot and nopony would bat an eye. I wonder whether or not there’s more lewdness involved than we previously thought.

No, I refuse to believe that!

Why?

Because they’re more classy than that.

But isn’t that what you want? To have large mares willing to do anything?

I…

“What’s that?”

Finish looked up, and above the small building was a balloon. A balloon larger than the entire building itself. A brown balloon with a red tie, emblazoned with a giant snowflake, and the words “Winterlight Balloon: Lighter than Air, Larger than Life.”

“Yeah, I think this is the right place.”

They proceeded onwards to the building underneath the large balloon. It was very modest, with only one floor—not a common thing in Canterlot—and one long window that was stained with dirt. A single dim cheap hanging lantern illuminated the front desk, neither attended by anypony or decorated with anything. The exterior was similarly uncared for, with a faded white coat of paint, unlike the lustrous white of the rest of the city; no other color was present. The alleyways were bereft of anything, the roof was a plain brown gabled, the street number painted on rather than bolted on with gold numbers. The only other thing of note was the green-painted door, which was peeling and… broken down. As was the rest of the doorframe.

“You think Fanny—”

“Yes.” She turned back to Coco. “Still got the camera steady?”

Coco looked behind her to the box on her back. “It’s still good. No need to worry about that.” Her voice was slightly wavering as she said it.

Finish smiled and walked to the doorway. “Hello?” she called in. “Fanny? We are here!”

“Ooh, is that the new model?”

Finish balked. “I do not recognize that voice.”

“Coco?” Fanny’s familiar drawl shouted from inside the dim walkway. “Is that you?”

Coco walked over to the frame. “Yes, I’m here, just like you asked.”

Slowly, a figure approached them from inside. Finish could tell from the size of the silhouette that it was Fanny, with how large it was and how much it wobbled as she walked. As Fanny reached the doorway, Finish squinted her eyes. There’s something off about her.

What?

I can’t tell. It’s too dark.

“Well, a fine evening to you two!” Fanny huffed, her voice slightly raspy. “I’m glad y’all made it. What do you got there, Coco?”

Coco looked back. “Oh, it’s Photo Finish’s camera.”

Fanny beamed. “Right! Well, Photo Finish, our camerapony will be a bit late, so until then, you can just hang out, okay?”

During Fanny’s talking, it clicked for Finish. She saw the beads of sweat, the slight bags under her eyes, the heavy breathing, her shaky legs. “Fanny, are you okay?”

“Hmm?” Fanny looked over to her. “Who, me? Oh, I’m fine. Just cleaning up the studio, that’s all.”

Finish nodded. “I suppose the previous users did not tidy up?”

“Nah, you know how it is with some of these ponies.” Fanny wiped the sweat from her brow. “Truth be told, I’ve never seen a studio left like that before.”

Did she just say a studio?

Yes, she did. “This is not your normal studio?”

Fanny’s smile grew, but Finish’s keen eyes picked up on the small downwards twitch at the corner of her lips. “Nah, our usual spot was booked up, and the proprietor wasn’t willing to make any sort of deal with us. It’s just the nature of being in this kind of business, especially in Canterlot, and especially looking like we do.”

Finish frowned. Any other time, and I would find that heaving mass of sweaty flesh tantalizing. Is it just labor that’s making her tired? “Did you have trouble finding this place?”

“I don’t struggle with anything of the sort,” Fanny said, looking away from her. “I found this place fine, and am just trying to get everything set up, is all.”

Finish’s ears twitched. “Everything?”

“You know, making sure we have all of the models, equipment, props and whatnot. And, well, I’m sure you’d know, given you work here, but I gotta make extra sure that it’s safe. I don’t want anypony poking their business around with any of my girls or guys, if you know what I mean.”

Finish blanched. “I can see why you are so tired.”

Fanny raised her form tall and proud. “I ain’t tired, Photo Finish. I can manage this.”

Finish wanted to add some words of reassurance, but suddenly a voice was heard from inside. “Is that the new model, Fanny?”

I don’t recognize that voice. Who is that?

“Lemme see, lemme see!”

Fanny’s right flank began to squirm. “Now, hold your horses, dear! I’m movin’, I’m movin’.” She leaned to the side, allowing another mare to come into the picture.

Finish stifled a gasp as another one of the Blubber Lovers appeared before her. This time, it was the callipygian Pineapple Prize, who eyed Coco up and down. Her manner was graceful, but not as brash as Black Forest’s; her eyes, on the other hoof, were inquisitive, and enjoying herself.

“My my, what a succulent snack!” Pineapple sauntered forward, her large rear shaking behind her like a bowl of gelatin. “You are Coco Pommel, I presume.”

Coco gulped, her face aflame. “Yes,” she barely managed to stammer.

“I’m Pineapple Prize. It’s a pleasure.” Pineapple held out a hoof to shake; but once her hoof touched Coco’s it glided to her forearm, and then her chest. “It’s always lovely seeing a round girl displaying her curves. It makes me so excited.”

“Pineapple,” Fanny began in a scolding tone. “Leave the poor girl be. She’s not quite, well, comfortable yet, if you know what I mean.”

“Of course,” the other mare said, her smile shaping into a less sinister one. “I do hope we can accommodate you comfortably. I’m sure some time on Big Wig’s belly will relax you.”

Finish’s heart began racing. Big Wig is here, too?

Is that everyone?

I’m not sure. Lemme check… No, that leaves one I’ve yet to meet. “Excuse me, but is Grand Red Gala here yet?”

Fanny’s eyes went wide. “Grandy?”

What the hell are you doing?

What? She’s the only one I’ve not met yet.

Do you not just realize what you’ve done?

I, uh, do not.

“Oh, I get it!” Fanny said with a smile.

Finish stood stock still. “You do,” she said, making sure there was no hint that it was an inquiry.

“You’ve done your research! I wouldn’t expect you to have the gumption to buy a Blubber Lovers magazine just to know about our models, but I appreciate it all the same.” She leaned over and grinned at Coco. “Or was that you carryin’ one around?”

Finish caught a gasp in her throat just before it could erupt from her. Oh my stars, I just admitted I buy the magazines!

Right, well, she made a scenario to save your gormless hide. Better play along with it.

But—

Especially if a looming paparazzo begins having any ideas about how you spend your free time.

Finish’s heart thundered. “Of course! You are, admittedly, not the size of my normal clientele, but I would not disrespect you without doing my research.”

Fanny smiled. “Well, about Grandy—”

But Pineapple cut her off with a gasp. “You are Photo Finish? The Photo Finish? And not just some knockoff imitator?”

Finish tossed her mane with a flourish. “The very same. I, Photo Finish… have arrived!”

She turned to Fanny, at first confused, and then with a smirk. “Oh, I get what you’re doing, here.” She sauntered over to the photographer. “Allow me to show you around, your eminence. I’m sure you’ll find the other models an ‘eyeful’ the likes of which you’ve never seen. You could ‘eat’ your heart out at the sight of them.” She turned around and shook her rear right in front of Finish’s face. “If this type of full figure is what you’re after, we have a lot more inside.”

Finish felt her nostrils tingling. Please, stop, please keep going, please don’t get me too excited!

“That’s enough, Pineapple,” Fanny said with a shake of her head. “We don’t need to go off flustering her. She’s merely here to help. Besides, she’s already met the other gals.”

Pineapple walked back towards the larger mare and leaned back against her chest, not even moving Fanny a little bit backwards. Her rump rested comfortably within a fold of the fattier mare. “I see. And to what do we owe this pleasure?”

Finish took a deep breath. “I am—I mean we are here to see your studio, to see how we can set up a camera.”

Pineapple cocked her head. “My stars, Fanny Pancake, when you said we had a famous photographer coming to help, I didn’t think you would manage to snag the most famous one in all of Equestria!”

Fanny smirked. “It was all by accident. We can thank Coco for that.”

Coco smiled sheepishly. “We just bumped into one another, that’s all.”

“It’s hard not to bump into this wide, wide mare!” Pineapple gave Fanny a playful pat with her cheeks. “Maybe we can snag Fancy Pants with those wide hips of yours, and acquire a fortune.”

“Or maybe we can tempt him with your juicy booty, girl. You’re probably more his size, anyway.”

Pineapple giggled. “So, girls, care to see the other models?”

“Yes!”

Everypony jumped. Finish blinked at her outburst. I may have overdid it.

Well, roll with it!

“It is time to see the studio!” She took Coco’s hoof and dragged them both to the doorway. “Let us commence!”

Fanny eyed her with confusion, but with Pineapple’s prodding, she turned to lead everyone into the studio proper.

When Finish saw the inside, her heart dropped. The entire studio was an off-white, almost an eggy cream color. All four walls were the same creamy white, and the few lights above cast a glow with a tinge of yellow that made it look sickly to her. Besides that, the only other things present were a chaise lounge with an ancient floral pattern, and a flimsy table with four fold-out chairs that wouldn’t hold any of the models. Finish guessed that was the point.

What was warmer in this room was the company inside. Finish let Coco waddle in first, and while the fatter mare greeted the others, Finish allowed herself a chance to swoon. Here she was, and never in her wildest dreams of being a photographer would she imagine herself in the same room as the models she so lusted after.

Black Forest Cake was clothed in a hoodie and a pair of yellow-tinted sunglasses, not too dark where one couldn’t see her eyes; the hoodie looked like it was meant for a tall stallion, yet the bottom of it squeezed her supple belly almost constrictingly. She was chatting with Coco, straightening her collar, playing with the flower in her mane, squishing her cheeks together. The mare glanced over at Finish, and gave her a leery smile.

Next to her were French Vanilla and Dark Chocolate, who were also talking with Coco. Dark was leaning against French, their hips smushing together like only fatty flesh could. They each had a scarf, Dark Chocolate a creamy white one, French Vanilla a bold brown one. Neither spotted Finish at first.

Next to catch her eye were Pineapple Prize and, much to her chagrin, Silver Streak. Pineapple had no clothes on, instead sporting a hibiscus in her mane. Her rump swayed behind her, obviously playing at Silver in front of her. Finish shook her head, but had to admit that Silver pulled off the large jersey on his overhanging belly quite well. He caught sight of her, and looked away just as quickly.

And finally, there was Fanny, who was walking around with a broom and sweeping up plenty of dust. There were also rags flung onto her back, and letting her eyes stray, Finish could see patches of water where something had been wiped up. Fanny panted as she worked, but still kept herself moving. For a moment, Finish thought about helping her, but something caught her attention from the other direction.

“We-he-hell! To what do we owe this pleasure?”

Finish jumped in place, shocked by the deepest voice she had ever heard in her life. She turned to the source, and despite her professional mind screaming at her to contain herself, her jaw dropped.

“Don’t worry, I get that a lot.”

He was the fattest pony she had ever seen. His dark blue coat rippled out like a dark lake, and each movement the stallion made sent his body rippling and undulating. His cheeks were larger than Finish’s hips, and his dimples went deep as he smiled. His chins cascaded down to his neck, piling up with fat like a bunch of stacking rings that had gone flabby. His bulging chest looked like it would spill over and envelop her at any minute. His forelegs could easily hold Finish onto it if she decided to lie down on one, though they weren’t as large as Fanny’s.

And then there was his belly. Size-wise, it was not as large as Fanny’s; Finish could take a guess, though, that it was just as large in volume, for this stallion was not as tall as Fanny was. It had the sheer flab of a morbidly obese pony, and it pushed his legs off of the ground. Speaking of his legs, his flanks were larger than Finish was, and they sank down against his belly from gravity’s pull. His rump rose only slightly above his fatty back, but it just ran down the back of his belly and nearly pressed against the floor.

Photo Finish cooed.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” the immobile blob of sexiness said to her. “I’m Big Wig.”

Finish gulped. “P-Pleased to meet you.”

He smiled. “I know that you’re probably not used to seeing ponies of our girth, Mademoiselle Photo Finish, but I would like to say that I’ve been a fan of your work for quite some time.”

“You have?”

“You’re the inspiration for my passion. Your manestylist is an artist, and I strive to style manes with as much grace and flair for the adventurous as you are. Even if I can’t exactly,” he continued with a chuckle, “move myself around for an adventure.”

“That’s where I come in.”

Finish glanced over to his side, and found another mare approaching them. This one was much skinnier, and Finish felt like she recognized her. Orange coat, golden mane…

And then it clicked. “You are Big Wig’s… feeder, yes?”

Big Wig blinked in surprise, while the other mare flashed a smile. “Why yes!” Her Orange-ish accent came in full force. “I’m Orange Creme. It’s lovely to meet you in person! Big Wig is simply obsessed with your oeuvre of work.”

Finish couldn’t help but blush, and toss her mane over her shoulder with a flourish. “I am happy to hear that—”

“Fanny, my girl!” Big Wig called out. “To what do we owe the pleasure of seeing the one and only Photo Finish in our studio?”

Finish turned to the rest of the group. French spotted her for the first time that night, and looked away. Dark was next, and positioned herself more in between Finish and her lover.

“Now, don’t go on makin’ Photo Finish her nervous, ya hear?” Fanny stepped right in front of Finish and stared down at Big Wig. “She’s been a mighty help for us in our time of need. Show some respect!”

“Of course I’d respect her, Fanny,” Big Wig whined. “You know I wouldn’t dare disrespect a pony that didn’t deserve it. And Photo Finish is a guest, right?”

“A guest, yes, and also a volunteer.” Fanny maneuvered herself as gracefully as she could—though still bumping her rear into Finish’s face, long enough to give Finish time to grin like a mare in heat, and then hide her face again—and stood next to her. “Photo Finish has been kind enough to lend us a camera so we can complete the shoot on time. We all know that we’re not as popular as the types of magazines Photo Finish is published in, so let’s take a moment to thank her for being willing to help us all out.”

General hoofstomps and thanks came her way, a few of them excited, a few apprehensive.

“I am honored to—”

“And let us also give a warm welcome to Miss Coco Pommel, who, despite her sweet nature, would like to make a contribution to our magazine herself!”

At this, everypony hoofstomped vigorously, including Big Wig with his flabby forelegs flopping around, and Orange Creme who cheered like a cheerleader would. Coco blushed at all of the attention, especially the physical pats from Black Forest. Finish, meanwhile clapped very slowly.

This, of course, caught the eye of Fanny. “It’s okay, you don’t need to clap.”

Good goddesses, what is up with her? Why does she need to be so condescending?

“Now, let’s just chat up, get caught up and whatnot, and then we can all head out to dinner.”

Everypony cheered except for Finish and Coco. Finish was shocked, her whole body petrified by the thought of missing it. Coco eyed Finish with pleading eyes. Finish noted her indecision, and would have a word with her later.

“So, Fanny bumped into you, and somehow got you to come down here to help us simple folks,” Big Wig mused, his hoof upon his chins. “We are exceptionally lucky for that.”

“Yes,” Orange chimed in, “but I cannot understand why you volunteered for, well, ponies like us.”

“Maybe it’s because of her,” Big Wig continued, pointing to Coco.

“That is… a part of it,” Finish admitted. “I admit that a part of it is also for the challenge. I… often like to seek out the new in life. When a mare as… grand as Fanny comes along, I am drawn to her.”

“Oh,” Orange Creme said, her tone going limp. “So it was merely interest.”

“It’s how it starts, I reckon,” Big Wig said with a smile. “It certainly happened to me. Perhaps we can win you over to being a Blubber—”

“Why don’t you run along,” Fanny interjected, shoving herself in between them, “and not let their words get the better of you? I’m sure Black Forest would like to have a word with you, and Coco would certainly like your company.”

Finish smiled at her, but noted the sour look on Fanny’s face. “Oh, yes, of course.” Without another word, she turned away and walked off to the others. “Hello, Black Forest, Dark Chocolate, French Vanilla.”

“Yes?” Dark glared at her.

“How are you ladies doing?”

“We’re fine,” French answered in a whimper.

“It’s alright, girls,” Black Forest said, leaning against Finish just enough where Finish had to lock her knees to keep herself from buckling. “You don’t have to worry. My personal interactions with Photo Finish have shown me that she’s alright with the larger figure.”

Dark softened only a smidge, while French raised herself up and looked at her directly, though her frown hadn’t left yet. Finish looked out of the corner of her eye and spied Coco, who was scuffing the ground and looking away shyly. “If you say so, Black Forest. So to what do we owe this pleasure?”

Finish smiled. “I am here to work with the camera, mainly, and make sure that you all like how it looks.”

The lovers looked at each other, uncertainty etched on their faces. “Well,” French mumbled. “Well our photographer has his own way of doing things, and I’m just not sure that you would abide by the same rules.”

Finish cocked her head. “Elaborate.”

“Whoa, calm down,” Dark interjected, stepping towards Finish. “She didn’t mean anything rude, you know.”

Finish’s eyes bugged. Rude? I didn’t think I was being rude. Is French really that sensitive? “I apologize.”

“It’s fine.” Black Forest leaned even harder against her, causing Finish to grunt. “I hope you don’t mind reducing some of this.” She smirked at Finish. “I mean we do carry around a lot of weight, and sometimes we need someone to lean on.”

Finish smiled. “I-It’s fine.” Fuck, I’m going to cum.

But this display had French smiling, and even Dark was smirking. “Well, I don’t think you need to be so accommodating—”

“Nonsense! Coco, come here and relax.”

Coco gasped. “Oh no, I couldn’t possibly do that to my boss!”

Damnit Coco, do as she says.

“Don’t mind if I do!” Dark trotted over, her body bouncing with mirth, and she leaned on Finish’s opposite side. Finish groaned and buckled down farther. “There, so comfortable.”

Wow, she’s so soft. So this is what a Massive Magnificent Mare feels like. If only Coco would come on over.

“French, why don’t you come on over and lean up against her?”

French backed away slightly. “No thank you.”

Black Forest pushed herself off of Finish. “There we go. Now you can relax.”

Dark pushed herself off as well and trotted away. Finish gave her a smile, but Dark didn’t reciprocate. She rejoined French and began talking to her in a low tone that Finish couldn’t understand. Finish, meanwhile, raised herself and looked at Coco, who looked away with a small giggle and… a blush?

Does she find this cute?

It’s more likely that she was amused that her boss was put under so much pressure.

Well, I held them up, didn’t I?

Of course. You showed her that you can handle all of that weight.

Yes. I’m strong. I am Photo Finish!

“Hey, Fanny! Do you need to take a load off?”

Finish’s confident grin whipped itself into a frown of fright. “Uh, perhaps it would be wise for me to move on?” She scampered away, with the others laughing at her. She trotted right past Fanny, who was looking over some paperwork on a clipboard; she hadn’t caught what Black Forest had done. A brief second of peeking showed her what had Fanny’s attention: expenses. Doesn’t she have a bookkeeper for that?

It doesn’t look like this.

Can’t any of the other ladies take care of it?

“Isn’t somepony going to help her?”

Finish stopped to see Coco looking at Fanny, concern written all over her face. Black forest sighed next to her.

“Coco, sweetie, Fanny would not want us to interfere. She is a fiercely hard-working mare.”

“But—”

“Did I hear my name being called?” Fanny walked over to the group. “Coco, do you need anything?”

“N-No. Do you?”

Fanny balked. Finish didn’t blink as she watched them. Then, Fanny laid a hoof on Coco’s wither, her foreleg sagging into Coco’s neck. “Darling, don’t fret. I want you to be happy! Don’t go worrying your head none. You and the other girls just enjoy yourselves!”

“But—”

“No buts, unless you’re showing your cute butt off.” Fanny smiled until Coco was cherry-red, and then walked back to her cleaning and calculating.

That must be it. She doesn’t want the others to worry. That’s why she’s working so hard. I… I can relate. Finish sighed and walked away.

She trotted over to Silver and Pineapple, stopped, and then proceeded. “Hello.”

Pineapple turned to her and smiled, and Silver looked down at the ground. “Hey, Photo Finish! To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“Hey.”

Photo Finish sighed. “What happened is in the past. We must look forward to the present now, Silver Streak. We have magic to form!”

He looked at her queerly. “Magic? Well, I don’t like to brag—”

Pineapple blew a raspberry.

“—but I do know how to make magic with the camera.”

“Mmhmm, yes, of course.” I know, Silver Streak. I have seen you many times. You are quite daring in your pictures, representing the Seismic Sexy Stallions.

“So you are here to work the camera, right?”

Finish nodded. “Yes, I will be working to camera for you all tonight.”

Pineapple giggled. “The shoot is not tonight, silly! The shoot isn’t for a few weeks. We’re all just here getting prepared, that’s all. We just acquired this studio, after all—”

“Let’s not talk about that!” Fanny stood next to Finish. “Really, we can work with this!”

Why did she say that?

“Y’all keep talking about Canterlot, or your travels, and let me finish cleaning up, okay?” Without waiting for an answer, she trotted away to continue dusting the lights.

Finish turned to continue talking with Pineapple and Silver about Canterlot and whatnot, but couldn’t help but keep peering at Fanny out of the corner of her eyes. She continued working, but would stop for a few seconds to catch her breath. Seeing a mare she had so often fantasized about in this state made her feel… uncomfortable was not the right word. She couldn’t quite put her hoof on it.

Then, before she knew it…

“There!” Fanny tossed the broom off to the side, where it landed with a deftness unexpected of a mare her size. “Everything is all cleaned up!”

While everypony else cheered, Finish looked around at the cleaner space with a growing sense of melancholy. The white walls and floor were all even, but they were an eggnog color that didn’t look like it would work well with the camera. The lights had been dusted off, but they were still too dim to possibly work with. The furniture had all been dusted off, but Finish couldn’t get past how garish they were.

“Alright, Photo Finish.” Fanny flicked her mane out of her face and looked down at her. “Here’s what we have to work with. It ain’t much compared to what you work with, but I’d say it’s usable. Wouldn’t you?”

Finish nodded. Seeing Fanny panting as hard as she was, her belly inflating to nearly touch the ground, her body still jiggling from the exertion, made her feel excited; yet in her eyes, she noted somepony who was tired, yet the fires of passion, passion for seeing good work fulfilled, kept her going. I wonder how hard you work to provide for the girls. Her gaze shifted to Coco, who watched Fanny with concern and Finish with pleading eyes. I can’t let them down.

“You have cleaned up well. It is a good start. It will certainly look a lot better with the props and equipment. Coco!”

Coco shot up. “Y-Yes?”

“The camera!” As Coco brought the box to her, Finish continued. “Do not worry, fillies and gentlecolts!” she cried out, a fire in her belly building up. “Leave it to me, and I will help you create… ze magic!”