A Little Cream for a Lotta Coco

A Little Cream for a Lotta Coco

Chapter 19: Practice Shots

“Are you sure you want to handle this—”

“Yes!”

“—Um, a-all by yourself, Photo Finish?”

Finish whipped her head out of the legs of her camera and, after shaking her mane from her muzzle, gave Coco a large smile. “Of course! Coco, I am the camerapony here, and you are a model, just like all of these other ponies. Go on and commingle with them, get some experience dealing with models.”

Coco scuffed the ground. “I-I don’t know.”

“Why are you so nervous? This is a practice shoot, it is not the real thing.”

Coco looked away, backed up and crossed her forelegs, covering her chest and blocking her belly.

Okay, Photo Finish. She’s still nervous, and I can’t rush this. I gotta get her to calm down. “Coco, concentrate. You will need this kind of interaction if you want to succeed on our trip to Bitaly.”

Coco’s eyes widened at the mention of Bitaly, and she slowly uncurled. “I understand, Photo Finish. I just want to impress you, and not let you take care of everything.”

Finish smiled at her. “Do not worry, Coco, mein mare. This is what I do! This is how I make—” A flourish. “—ze magic!” She relaxed her pose before continuing. “Besides, your job is as a seamstress and costumer, and as of right now a model. If I need your help, I shall ask for it.”

Coco blushed. “Thank you, Photo Finish. I’ll be nearby to help out with anything.”

Finish shook her head and forcibly turned her around, faster than Coco could realize what was going on. “Do not worry your head right now. Go off and chat with the other girls, now!” With a firm slap on Coco’s rump, Coco shoved her off. Coco yelped and scampered away, her rump jiggling all the while.

Finish allowed herself a leery grin… before freezing as she noticed the other models staring at her. Her smirk became lopsided and she tried to turn away, but her body wouldn’t let her. She could see Black Forest biting her lip, fighting to contain a fit of laughter.

“Mmmmy apologies, everypony!” she finally managed to say. “I find it hard to contain my excitement.”

The models looked at one another, and then laughed softly, as if trying to lighten the mood. One particular pony’s boisterous laugh caught Finish’s attention, though. Fanny shook her head, trying to calm herself. “I gotta say, I’ve heard of Photo Finish’s personality, and to see it in action while she’s working is something else!”

Finish quickly turned away and continued setting up her camera. Her inner voice spoke up with glee. Do you see that? We’ve made her happy!

Yes, but weren’t you listening to her?

Yes? She is happy to watch us.

But she was speaking in the third person. She was not speaking to us directly.

And that bothers you?

Yes, it does. She is not willing to talk to us as friends yet.

You do remember that this is a business meeting, first and foremost?

Yes, but—

Remember to be patient. They will come around to you soon enough. For now, just enjoy it while you can, and don’t let on to anyone about your enjoyment.

Finish took a deep breath and continued working on. Her camera was now completely assembled, and she set the cloth on top of it. None of the models looked her way as she dove underneath the cloth to peer into the camera itself.

At first, she felt as though her camera lens was warped, seeing as how the image in it was blurry. Once she poked her head out of the cloth, however, it made sense to her: the wall behind had a giant smudge. An untrained eye may notice it if one were to squint at it, but to Photo Finish, it was nearly unbearable. She began to sense that some of the models were watching her concerned expression, and she went back underneath the cloth.

“Everything okay, Photo Finish?” Fanny called.

“Yes, everything is fine,” Finish called back. She slowly panned the camera around, looking at each of the models. Everypony was going about their normal routine, only aware of the camera lens on them, and not on the eyes of the pony drinking them in.

Ignoring the wall behind them, she watched as each of the models interacted with one another. At first, everypony was relaxed, and conversations went on with no hindrances. Coco stayed close to Black Forest and let everypony else around her chat away; Dark and French dominated that conversation. Pineapple and Silver soon joined in, but mostly kept to themselves. At the far side of the room, Big Wig and Orange Creme were talking with Fanny, who was leaning against one of the walls. Fanny herself was not talking very much, and at times would look over at her, perhaps wondering what she was doing underneath the camera cloth.

As she made adjustments to better fit the ambiance of the room, and went back to check on the models, she saw them growing increasingly nervous. French was the most obvious pony to show it, cuddling close to Dark and keeping her lover in between her and the camera. Dark kept looking at the camera, sneering each time she felt Finish wouldn’t notice. Silver also made sideways glances to the camera, and then at Coco; he must have been being exercising caution around Coco Pommel, making sure not to do anything untoward to her. Although not a model, Orange Creme stroked her feeder’s body in an almost-fidgety manner, her face betraying nervousness, most likely for his sake. Neither Black Forest nor Big Wig showed any signs of nervousness at all, but Finish noticed Black Forest was no longer her calm, playful self. Finish knew that something was happening in her mind.

She scrutinized Coco and Fanny more closely than any of the others. Coco didn’t hide her nervousness at all; her body rocked back and forth, and her forelegs constantly raised and lowered in preparation to flee, should she need to. Black Forest leaned against her periodically, and she often rubbed Coco’s nape to calm her, though it did little. Coco looked over at the camera several times, and that made her rock and fidget slightly more each time. Fanny didn’t show any signs when Finish had the lens on her, but would bite her lip and swing her foreleg back and forth when the lens was off. Finish caught this from peeking out of the cloth.

Everypony’s nervous.

I would be, too, if Photo Finish came to my humble photo shoot to stare at me.

I thought at least one of them would see me as a friend by now. Especially Black Forest, with how close we’ve gotten.

You’ve got to remember, you’re still an outsider to them.

But Coco is my employee, and we have no issues. She shouldn’t be nervous about my being here!

“Everything okay, Photo Finish?”

Finish turned her camera slightly to see Black Forest right in front of her. “I am fine,” she said.

“You don’t sound like it.” Black Forest trotted right next to her, letting her side rub against Finish. “Are you nervous?”

Coco waddled over to them. “Do you need any help, Photo Finish?”

“Nein.” Finish shook her head clear. “I am just making adjustments.”

“That’s nice,” Black Forest said to her. “But I wouldn’t get too much into it now. This is just a practice shoot, after all. And I know you’re the expert here, but our own photographer will be here soon, and he’ll know how to frame us larger mares.”

Finish saw Coco blushing next to Black Forest, and couldn’t help but blush herself. Thankfully, the cloth hid it from everypony else.

“Speaking of our photographer,” Black Forest continued, “why don’t you come on out and relax for a bit? He’ll be arriving shortly.”

Her face still burned at the company of the fat mares around her. “I think I will keep on making adjustments here. But do let me know when he arrives, will you not?”

She chuckled. “Of course. If you need anything, like a glass of water or some fresh air to calm you down, you just let me know, okay?” She winked into the lens.

“Calm down?” Coco asked, her eyebrow raised. “Photo Finish, are you really okay here?”

Finish’s face burned more brightly, and she briefly wondered if they could tell even from the cloth underneath.

“She’s fine,” Black Forest replied on her behalf.

“Yes, Coco, I am fine.” Finish popped her head out. “I am just… in the zone, as it were. I am channelling extra energy for these particular models, so I cannot help feeling flushed.”

Coco nodded as if she understood, though Finish knew she didn’t. Finish decided to reverse the conversation. “Are you okay, Black Forest Cake?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you nervous?” Finish kept herself hidden in the cloth to hide her frown. “You look a little nervous.”

“A-Are you nervous?” Coco asked. “Can I get you anything?”

Black Forest smirked, and turned around. “I may be a little nervous, but that is normal for me. Come, Coco. Let us go back to our previous conversation.”

“Mmm, okay.” Coco turned around, and found herself flank-to-flank with Black Forest. They both walked back together, giving Finish a view of their fat backsides swaying with one another. Finish dove back underneath before she was caught with a beet-red face.

Black Forest was lying.

Obviously, but it’s not like she’ll just tell us what’s wrong with her.

Though I think it’s obvious.

Don’t lose faith now, Photo Finish. Remember, this will take some time.

She didn’t know how long she was hidden from everypony else, but eventually a stirring from the group brought her to peek out of her cloth. Fanny had walked outside, and everypony else was following closely after her, with Coco trailing behind. With this new gathering, Finish pulled herself out of the camera and began walking over to them. Black Forest turned and waved for Finish to hurry.

“He’s here,” Black Forest said.

She hurried over to the doorway, and the models shuffled and waddled out of her way, giving her sideways glances that carried some implication she had to ignore. Once she had pushed past the smaller models, she then found herself smack-dab against Fanny’s rump.

“Oops!” Fanny walked forward, giving Finish some breathing room. “Sorry about that, honey. Come on and meet our photographer, Wide Lens.”

The stallion she saw was not even close to what she was expecting. His belly, to start, was not large and pendulous, but rather flat and lined with abs. His rump was not bulbous and jiggling, but rather firm and sleek. He was a tall, trim stallion with a yellow-orange coat and light brown hair. His cutie mark was a camera on a tripod, an older model which immediately told Finish of his humble origins.

And when his hazel eyes on Finish’s goggles, he gave the loudest gasp she had ever heard.

“My stars, Fanny,” he said with a smooth Fillydelphian accent. “When you wrote that the great Photo Finish was helping us, I thought you were joking!” He approached the photographer with large, excited steps. “Yet here you are, in the flesh. Enchante.”

Finish was so shocked by the unexpected physique of the photographer, it took a second for her to snap to attention. “Ah, yes! It is a pleasure to meet you, Wide Lens.”

“To what do we owe this pleasure?” he asked, bending down and kissing her hoof.

Finish adjusted her goggles and waved her foreleg to the models behind her. “I am here to assist you with your camera, as I promised Fanny Pancake I would.”

His attention glided from her to Fanny. “And how did you secure such a grand talent, Fanny Pancake?”

The huge mare chuckled breathily. “I had originally just asked for the camera, but despite my saying we could handle it, she insisted on being here to help operate it.”

So she still doesn’t want me here.

Patience, Photo Finish. You’ll win her over, so long as you control yourself.

“Besides, our newest model Coco was actually the one that got us the camera.”

Coco’s meek voice spoke up from behind her. “I-I did?”

Fanny turned to look at her. “Yes, darling! Finish was emphatic that since you were our friend, she’d let us borrow it for free!”

Coco stared at Finish with wide eyes. Finish turned her head away and scratched her nape. “Wow, that’s very nice.”

Finish coughed. “Yes, well, since you are, well, friends, it seems fitting to help friends, right?”

Coco smiled. “Yeah, I agree. Thank you, Photo Finish.”

Finish felt a warmth radiating in her chest. This wasn’t like how she and Coco had talked before. Coco’s words weren’t strained by her usual nervousness; her thanks had been genuinely happy. Her big body stood a little taller than it did, and Finish felt her body heat up even more.

“So… Can I see this camera of yours?”

“Huh?” Finish shook her head clear and turned back at him. “Oh, yes, of course!” With that, she cantered inside past the models, most of them scrambling out of her way. “Let me show you my baby!”

“Well, I’ll be,” Wide Lens said with wonder as he looked over her camera. “I’ve never seen something this fancy before!”

Finish smiled at him. “Do you think you will be able to handle this?”

He gave her a sly grin. “Well, if you wouldn’t mind showing me how this thing works—but, you know, it’s your baby and all that, and I don’t want to mess it up. Celestia knows how protective I am of my own camera.” He looked down at the ground. “Hopefully it’ll be fixed up for next year’s shoot.”

Finish put a foreleg on his withers. “Do not worry, Wide Lens. With this camera, you shall capture these models even better!”

He grimaced.

“Is something the matter?”

“Oh no,” he began with a chuckle. “Nothing at all! I’m sure your camera will work out well for us.”

Finish raised a brow. What is he on about? He has no reason to be nervous.

You can’t go through the whole night fretting over everypony’s words, Photo Finish. The great Photo Finish does not fret this much.

She grinned. “How about I show you how this works?”

He immediately beamed. “Yes, please!”

They spent the next several minutes going over the intricacies of her baby. She picked up that he had no experience with high-end cameras, but she was patient in telling him how it operated. He took everything in with great enthusiasm, and he radiated energy enough to make her happy again.

In return, he told her about his own experience with photography, about how he had begun as a newspaper photographer covering large events in his small town a little ways from Fillydelphia. According to him, he had once gone long-distance to cover a sporting event, and had to stop for lunch. Once he saw his waitress, Fanny Pancake, he was initially shocked, and then intrigued. Her confidence and warm hospitality attracted him, and his enthusiasm for photography attracted her. Soon enough, at her apartment, they got to talking about his work, and how she had wanted to start a magazine for larger mares to show themselves off. He was smitten with the idea, and soon they got their start.

While he was talking, she took several chances to peek at everypony else, and that most of them were watching them. Coco was sitting close to Black Forest and French Vanilla, and all of them were watching the pair. Dark Chocolate was leaning on French, much more relaxed than she had been. Pineapple and Silver stood next to one another, the former excited, the other jovial. Big Wig was relaxing a bit farther away, and Orange Creme lay on top of him as if he was a mattress; both were softly serenading each other, with words Finish couldn’t hear. Even Fanny was smiling as she watched them, leaning against the wall and panting.

“Say, Wide Lens.”

“Hmm?” Wide Lens didn’t pull himself away from the mechanisms of the camera.

“Is Fanny always this tired when you are preparing the shoot?”

Wide Lens grimaced. “You noticed that?”

“Yes.”

He shook his head. “Well, no, Fanny’s not usually this winded. I don’t know what’s going on with her....”

“How can we cheer her up?”

He chuckled. “Now don’t you worry about that. You just gotta focus on the camera, right?”

Finish’s brow furrowed. “No, I would like for the models to be as happy as they can be for the practice shoot.”

He raised a brow. “Really?”

“Yes!” she replied sharply.

He backed away. “Huh. I didn’t think you’d—I mean, let me think for a moment.”

“Did not think I would… what?”

“I know how to cheer her up!” he said suddenly with overflowing enthusiasm.

She sighed, and decided not to press it. “How?”

“She always gets excited when the shoot starts,” he said with a grin. “She loves seeing her models flaunt their stuff.”

Finish’s heartbeat picked up. “So that is what needs to be done?”

“I guarantee she’ll cheer up in no time.”

“Then let us commence.”

He blinked. “Oh, now?”

“Why not?” Finish smiled at him. “I think you are ready enough.”

Hr squee’d. “Oh, thank you Photo Finish! You are very kind, for a mare that shoots far more famous models.”

She stopped herself from wincing at that remark, and turned to the rest of the room. “We are ready to begin!”

Fanny immediately pushed herself up and walked to the others. “Alright, it’s about time we got this show started!”

The rest of the models all clapped their hooves on the ground—Big Wig and Orange clapped onto his belly—and cheered. Finish caught Coco clapping as well, and for a second felt good for her; but then Coco’s pupils dilated, and her breathing quickened. Oh no, she’s becoming anxious. I can’t have her doing that. I had better calm her down—

“Don’t be nervous,” Black Forest told her. “You’re going to do fine.”

Coco chuckled airily. “A-are you sure? I’ve never modeled, you know.”

“I know, and that is why we practice. Don’t worry, Photo Finish and I will help you.”

Coco looked over to Finish, and then immediately turned away. What is she doing?

“Will you be starting us off, Fanny?” Black Forest asked.

The big mare chuckled just slightly less raspily than Coco had. “Actually, why don’t we let Pineapple Prize be the first one to take the shoot?”

The others all looked at one another, none of them saying a word.

“What’s the matter, everypony?”

“It’s just tradition for you to go first,” Pineapple said, bouncing forward, causing her rump to jiggle about. “But I have no problem going first for you, Fanny.”

Finish watched, confused. Then Wide Lens whispered in her ear: “This is most unusual. I don’t know why she’s changing the order.”

Finish watched Fanny carefully, and saw that the MMM was peeking her gaze at her. I think I already know why. Pineapple is, after all, the skinniest of the lot, besides Orange Creme, and she’ll always be with Big Wig, the fattiest pony here. Well, Fanny, I will not be so easily pushed away, not now that I’ve come so close. She turned and trotted to the camera. “Let us create ze magic!”

Coco clapped her hooves together. “Oh, yes!”

Finish smiled. Thank you, Coco. She waved Wide Lens over. “Come, let me show you this beautiful machine in action!”

Wide trotted over to her side. “Ooh boy, I can’t wait!”

Under the cloth and through the lens, she watched as Pineapple sauntered over to the couch, making sure her booty moved as far as it could to either side of her. She wanted to give Finish a show, and the photographer felt a stirring already in her loins.

This is it. It’s actually happening.

It’s just a practice shoot. It’s not like it’s the real thing—

I will photograph the Massive Magnificent Mares for the first time! This is what I’ve fantasized about!

Yes, I can’t deny that.

Give me everything you’ve got, you fat mare, you!

“Holding out on us, Pineapple?” Dark asked with a grin.

Pineapple huffed. “I can’t give all of my energy on a practice shoot, you know,” she replied with her own smirk. “I’m just giving a teaser, that’s all.”

Finish blanched. “A teaser?” she muttered underneath her breath.

“Yeah,” Wide Lens said playfully. “She likes to do that.”

Perhaps you’re overthinking it, Photo Finish.

Of course you’d say that. She sighed and sneaked a quick glance at Fanny, who was keeping a steady stoic face. Fanny’s not as excited as she was earlier. Perhaps I’m not overthinking this after all.

“Well?”

She snapped to attention. “Yes! We begin—”

What she saw made her jaw drop, and she was only thankful the cloth hid her face. Pineapple was lying on her belly, with her rump slightly raised in the air and facing the camera. Finish’s legs shook, even more so when Pineapple gave her booty a shake.

Keep it together, keep it together.

“Well?” Pineapple giggled. “We begin? Or is this too much for your refined—”

“Now!” It came out as a blast from her lungs, and the first flash from the camera was in sync with her shout.

Pineapple jumped, startled. But she very quickly regained her composure and resumed her posing, waving her rump around very slowly. Finish waited for her flank to reach her left side, and then took a shot. A shake to the right, and another shot.

“That is good,” Finish said, hoping the tone of her voice would urge her to keep going.

Pineapple grinned. “I know.” And then she began shaking her rump a lot faster. “Hopefully your camera won’t get blurry from all of this.”

Finish tensed up. “The lens is fine.”

“Oh?” The model began bouncing her rump up and down. “Then perhaps I’m not trying hard enough—”

“Rein it in, Pineapple.”

The model stopped. “Oh? Y-Yes, Fanny.”

Finish stopped. What is she doing? For the love of all of Equestrian, don’t stop! Fanny, why are you doing this to me?

I don’t know. You should ask her.

No, I don’t think so. It’s probably not worth asking. Fanny is their leader, after all.

What would it hurt to ask?

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she turned to Wide Lens. “Would you like to get some practice?”

The stallion beamed. “Would I!” They swapped places, and after some positional adjustments from him, he steadied himself. “Alright, darling, show me what you got!”

Pineapple began waving her rump again, and Wide Lens took several pictures of her. Finish watched from the sidelines, at first being merely entranced by the booty, but then catching the model’s face behind it. Pineapple kept looking over to Fanny, eyeing her for a brief moment before returning her eyes to her work. Finish took a chance to look over at Fanny herself; the large mare’s own gaze was moving between Pineapple and…

Coco? Finish looked over at her employee, who was watching the action as if mesmerized. Why watch Coco? She’s not in the shoot yet—

“Alright, I think that’s enough for me.”

Finish snapped back to attention. Wait, no! I missed it!

Alas, Pineapple rolled off of the couch and stretched herself out. “Didja get what you wanted, Wide Lens?”

He boisterously slid out of the cloth. “All of it and more!” He turned to Finish. “Hopefully it wasn’t too much for you, Photo Finish.”

“T-too much?”

“It’s overwhelming, I know.” Wide Lens frowned. “If it’s too much, you know, I could take over—not that I don’t think you can handle it! It’s just, I don’t want you to get overwhelmed and—”

“I am fine, my fellow photographer.” Finish patted him on his withers. “You are doing a fine job. You have treated my camera well for a first-timer.”

He grinned. “Of course. Handling a camera is like handling a Massive Magnificent Mare: be gentle until it’s time to get wild.”

Sweet Celestia, don’t tempt me.

“Alright, who’s next?” Fanny asked.

Before anyone could offer, Pineapple raised her hoof. “I believe we should give our new model a chance in the spotlight.”

All eyes fell onto Coco. The mare in focus slowly backed away from everyone, staring at the ground, looking left and right at nothing. “Oh, well, I dunno.”

“Aw, come on!”

“Get it, Coco!”

“You can do it!”

Coco backed away even more. “I really don’t know.”

Black Forest walked up to her and placed a hoof around her neck. “It’s not as scary as it looks, Coco.”

Finish approached them. “Yes, it really is not that bad! There is nothing to be nervous about.”

Coco looked away from Finish, scuffing the ground. “I’m sorry, I-I’m just…”

“Come on, Coco,” Finish urged. “You will be fine—”

“Would you feel better if I went first?”

Finish stiffened. Oh, oh my, is she really? She looked over, and saw Fanny standing tall and proud over them. She is. Oh my stars, she is!

“Um, y-you don’t have to do that for me. I’ll just—”

“Hey, Coco,” Fanny began soothingly. “Don’t fret none. Everypony’s nervous on their first shoot. You’re more nervous than most, sure, but that’s fine. We’re here for you.” She patted her on the back. “Here, let me show you how it’s done, okay?”

Coco’s grimace twisted into a smile. “Yes, please,” she said meekly.

“Whoa, nelly!” Dark shouted. “Fanny Pancake’s about to show the blubber lovers how it’s done!” The others around her stomped in excitement, causing the room to shake.

Fanny rose to her full height and tossed her mane back. “Alright, fillies and gentlecolts! Let me show you how it’s done!” She looked at Finish with a smirk. “Think your fancy camera will be able to capture all of this?”

Finish replied with her own smirk. “I think it can handle the… special demands your body presents.”

The corner of Fanny’s mouth twitched. “I sure hope so.” She turned ninety degrees to face Coco. “You just watch me, okay?”

“Okay, Fanny,” Coco said with a nervous smile.

Fanny turned around—giving Finish a near-front-seat view of her rump in all of its glory—and walked over to the prop couch. “You think this tiny thing will be able to handle all of this?”

Everypony except for Coco began to laugh. Once she realized it was a joke, she began to laugh as well.

Coco’s being a bit too serious right now.

She must really be nervous.

But why? She’s got nothing to be nervous about. She’s sexy! And she’s among friends!

Fanny used her flank to push the couch out of the way, and then lay down on her side. She let her belly take center stage, and crossed her forelegs for comfort. “I am ready whenever you are.”

“Very well!” Finish shouted. “Then we shall—”

“Alright, Fanny, show me what you got!”

Finish balked. A flash snapped her to attention, and she turned to see Wide Lens operating the camera. “Wha?” That should be me!

“Oh, yeah, stroke that big ol’ gut.”

Finish snapped her head around, and saw Fanny running her hoof up and down the fold of her belly. Oh Celestia above, I need to get out of sight. She backed up to get behind Wide Lens, and did everything in her power to lower her tail.

Fanny watched her for a second, and then turned to Coco. “Are you getting all of this, honey?”

Coco nodded with a gulp.

“Good.” Fanny stretched her fat neck as far as it could, raising herself as mightily as possible. “Confidence goes a long way in this business, especially when you’ve got so much to show off, like we do.” She gave her belly a smack, sending it waving back and forth. Wide Lens took several shots while she played with her gut.

Again, again!

Then, Fanny rolled herself around a quarter circle counterclockwise and sat down on her rump, facing the camera and exposing her belly completely. It pooled in her lap, spreading completely over her fetlocks.

“How’s that fancy camera holding up?” she asked.

Wide Lens laughed. “You just barely miss the edges, my beloved!” He began to take more pictures. “Keep it coming.”

“Oh, you know it!” She proceeded to knead her belly, giving the other models a smile as she worked her flesh in her hooves.

“That’s such a beautiful belly, Fanny!”

“That’s it, Fanny. Knead that dough!”

Finish spent the next few minutes transfixed on Fanny’s belly. As she watched, though, she began to notice a few things that constantly distracted her. First, there was the floor around her; no matter how clean Fanny made it, it was still smeared with very light-yet-ugly traces of old hoofprints. Second was the wall behind her, still smeared the same off-white as before. Finally, there was Fanny’s face; it betrayed exhaustion and… some other emotion she couldn’t quite place. It can’t be fear, can it?

“Alright, Fanny!” Wide Lens shouted. “Why don’t you turn around and show me your hefty rump?”

Finish stiffened. Oh sweet Celestia, I don’t think I’ll be able to handle all of that! Give it to me, Fanny Pancake. Give me all of your sexy, sexy ass!

“Actually, I think I’m done for tonight.”

Oh thank goodness, I don’t think I’d be able to handle-wait, what!?

Fanny rolled onto her hooves. “I’m gonna take a breather, sugarcube.”

Finish blinked. Oh, well one must pace themselves. Patience, Photo Finish, patience. Her mind frothed with lust as she shifted her gaze to the other models, and found that most of them were watching her with surprise. French began whispering to Dark, and after she was done, Dark began nuzzling her. This doesn’t appear to be normal for them.

She returned her gaze to Fanny, keeping her head straight ahead so no one would suspect that she was watching her. She left the shoot very quickly. I don’t recall her taking many pictures of her rump in the other issues of the magazine, so maybe she has an aversion to it being on display. Fanny looked over to Finish, and then back to the models. Or maybe it has something to do with me. But what have I done to dissuade her from taking some booty shots?

She took a deep breath, released it as softly as she could, and turned to the models. “Alright, Coco, are you ready to—”

“No, I’ll go next.”

Finish glanced over at Black Forest. “Oh?”

“Yes.” The model smiled. “I would like to give Coco a few pointers myself. Is that okay, my dear Pommel?”

Coco scuffed the ground, a blush on her face. “Yeah, that’s totally fine.”

Finish couldn’t help smiling. She’s so adorable.

Black nodded. “Very well, then. Photo Finish, would you be so kind as to bring the couch over?”

“Oh, yes, of course—”

“No, I got it.” Coco waddled onto the set, and pushed the couch to where it had been. “Is that a good place?”

“Move it a bit to the right,” Wide Lens said. “There, it’s perfect. Alright, Black Forest, work your magic!”

Black lifted herself onto her hindlegs and, with the grace of a ballerina with a medicine ball tied to her belly, spun around and landed on the couch on her side. The furniture creaked and sagged, but held. Finish’s jaw hung open at the sight.

Mein stars, she lays there just as confidently and elegantly as the models I photograph. Such poise, such sophistication.

“Are we ready to begin?”

“As I’ve ever been,” Wide Lens said, and a few seconds later some flashes went off.

Black Forest smirked. “A major component to modelling is confidence, as Fanny said” She rested a hoof on her belly. “You must not be afraid to face the camera, or to allow ponies to see you. However, confidence comes with knowing your own body. You must believe that you’re beautiful before you step in front of the camera.” She glanced over at Coco. “Do you believe you’re beautiful, Coco Pommel?”

Coco’s eyes widened. “Oh, um… I guess so.”

Black Forest stared at her. “Are you sure?”

She looked down at her body, really taking her size in. “I think so.”

The larger mare chuckled, sending herself rippling. “You are, my dear.”

“Thank you,” Coco squeaked, smiling uncontrollably.

“Exceptionally.” Black Forest rolled onto her back and let her belly rest on top of her. Take a look at this belly. I believe it is beautiful. So full, so malleable.”

“So wonderful!” Wide Lens cried out, taking even more pictures.

“Preach it!” Dark shouted.

“I’ve nurtured this belly for years. It is a part of me, here to stay.” She looked up to Coco. “You have a big body, and you have taken care of it well, no?”

Coco’s entire face was red. “I-I guess so.”

“Are you afraid of how sexy you are?”

“Oh, well, I’m not really—” She clammed up.

“Isn’t she beautiful, Photo Finish?” Black Forest asked. “For a larger mare, that is?”

Finish tensed up. She wants me to say she’s beautiful? But what if somepony sees me and—wait, why am I worried? With these ponies around, this is obviously the right choice! She took a deep breath and…

“Stick to the shoot, Black Forest,” Fanny said, cutting her off.

The model hummed. “If that’s what you want. Anyway, I wouldn’t sell yourself short, Coco Pommel.” Black Forest turned over and stared at her. “After all, we are all including you in the shoot. You must be beautiful for that, no?”

Coco guled. “Do you really mean that?”

“Of course.” Forest returned a smile of her own before looking aside. “Wide Lens, I feel like that is enough for now.”

Wide stopped shooting. “I got some real nice pictures here, milady.”

The model rolled off of the couch. “We’ll make them stunning come the actual shoot. Coco will be confident, I’m sure.” She stroked Coco’s chin. “Don’t worry. We will be by your side.”

Coco’s blush deepened, and her eyes immediately darted to Finish. “Th-thank you,” she whispered.

Finish harrumphed. Why wouldn’t Fanny let me say she’s beautiful? Certainly she has nothing against Coco being beautiful, right? And any sort of encouragement is welcome. She is being unreasonable.

Hold on, Photo Finish. We are in her realm now, not the other way around. She’s really the one in control here.

But she asked for my help! And to treat me like this… She began to shake.

“Alright, who’s next?” Wide Lens asked, his voice betraying nervousness.

“Dark, French,” Fanny said. “You’re up.”

Dark stepped forward. “Can we skip tonight, and perhaps do it another time?”

And now she’s doing it as well? No, this is too far. “Why?”

Everypony turned their heads to her. Several of the models looked nervous; Dark’s countenance, meanwhile, took on one of irritation. “We’re just not feeling up to it tonight. Is that a good-enough explanation?”

Finish stiffened up and drew in a sharp breath, ready to retort. But then she caught French peeking out from behind Dark, and seeing the obvious fear in her eyes made her soften. She’s just trying to protect French Vanilla. That’s why she’s angry.

I’m glad you’re slowing down enough to understand that.

Still, I can’t concede without a fight. She let the breath come out slowly and steadily. “French Vanilla, is there anything I can get you?”

French gasped and backed away. “Oh, u-u-um, n-no thank you, Photo F-Finish, merci beaucoup.”

“Darling, it is okay.” She looked over at Coco, who was looking nervous as usual. “I understand. Would it help if I left for a while?”

French blanched. “Oh, I-I would not impose, Ph-Photo F-F-Finish—”

“Actually, I would like to have a private word with Fanny.”

Fanny jumped to attention, as energetically as a superobese mare could. “I… suppose so. Dark, French, why don’t you get your shots in while Photo Finish and I discuss things.”

Dark harrumphed. “Yes, we can do that.”

The two mares began to walk out of the room. Finish looked over her shoulder just in time to see French join Dark on the set, a smile on French’s face. She snorted.

Once she stepped out of the room, and Fanny finished squeezing through, Fanny spoke first. “Is there something the matter, Photo Finish?”

The emotions she received made Finish stop in her tracks. Fanny’s voice was strong as ever, but Finish caught the slight tremble in the back of her throat. There was also the formality of the question, far from what was expected from the warm, friendly Fanny Pancake. She scrutinized the model’s eyes, and found her pupils widened.

No matter how hard you’re trying to hide it, it’s clear to me that you’re nervous about something. I admit that I don’t understand it. Still, that attitude from earlier needs to be addressed. Finish took a second to think of a response before she spoke. “Fanny, are you alright?”

“Who, me?” Fanny stood up taller. “I’m fine. And how’re you doing?”

“I am concerned. Fanny, why did you object to my telling Coco she was beautiful?”

Fanny’s brow furrowed. “Is that what this is about?” She brought a hoof to her forehead. “I was just trying to save you some embarrassment, that’s all.”

“Embarrassment?”

“Yes, embarrassment.”

Finish cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

Fanny was taken aback. “Well, I’m just saying, well…”

“Coco is beautiful, is she not?”

Fanny laughed. “I already knew that. But, you know... we’re not the models you usually photograph. I figure you’d struggle to say something nice about her figure and her weight. There’s no need to pretend you’re okay with how we look.”

So that’s what this is all about. The Canterlot standard of thinness. Finish drew in a deep breath. “There will be no pretending between us, Fanny Pancake.”

Fanny nodded. “Of course. And again, I really appreciate—”

“With that being said,” she continued, cutting her off. “There is not an ugly model in that room.”

Fanny blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I do not have a problem with any model here.” It was Finish’s turn, finally, to stand tall and proud. “Not Coco, not French, not Dark, Not Black Forest, not Big Wig.” She placed a hoof on Fanny’s shoulder. “Not even you, my dear.”

Fanny was frozen. “Y-you… I can tell by the tone of your voice that you mean that.”

“Of course!”

Fanny smiled. This smile was not marred by stress or worry; it was the warmest smile she had given her. “You’re definitely not like other Canterlot ponies I’ve met. The rumors about your… eccentricity are true.”

Finish rolled her eyes. I’m not crazy, if that’s what you’re getting at.

“I appreciate that.” Fanny brought her in for a hug. “Truly, I do.” Finish melted into Fanny’s chest, feeling the pillowy softness and carnal firmness at once, and wanting to feel up the rest of her body. But before she could pounce, Fanny pushed her away. “Alright, why don’t we go and get the rest of the models photographed?”

“Yes!” Finish flung her head to invoke her inner energy. “Let us create ze magic!”

They went back inside together, Fanny squeezing in first (giving Finish just a few seconds alone with that massive rump, and allowing her to flag her tail with no worries), and Finish following afterwards. Once Finish made her way around Fanny’s body, she saw Dark and French walking off of the set, side by side. Everypony was stomping and cheering for them, with Coco giving them a hug. The sight of her fat cheeks squishing against two other fat cheeks made Finish’s heart race.

“We’re doing great, everypony,” Wide Lens said to the room. “Alright, now why don’t we let some of the stallions go next?”

“Alright!” Silver Streak rushed forward with speed that surprised Finish. “I’ll go first, Big Wig.”

“It’s all good, my friend.” Big Wig leaned back against Orange Creme, who was all too happy to support him.

Everypony cheered for him except for Coco, who looked away from him. Finish watched as Silver plopped himself down onto the couch, on his rump, and jutted his gut out. His belly was large enough that it hung over the edge, almost as far as Black Forest’s. Finish was still angry from what happened at Pies To The Skies, but she had to admit that it was a marvellous belly.

Coco, meanwhile, was slowly backing away from the scene. Finish caught this out of the corner of her eye, and decided to walk behind everypony and talk to her. She knew that Coco would be spooked if she spoke or tapped her, so she waited until Coco backed up enough to brush against her, just briefly feeling that soft, supple rump.

“Oh, sorry,” Coco whispered. “O-oh, Photo Finish. I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“I just got here,” Finish let her know. “You are nervous around Silver Streak, yes?”

Coco nodded, her foreleg crossing over her in a defensive stance.

“I understand,” Finish told her, “but this is a photo shoot, and we must treat everypony with respect.”

Coco looked away. “Yes, Photo Finish—”

“Silver Streak really is sorry for what he did,” Black Forest interrupted. “I know, he told me himself.”

Coco looked over at her. “He did?”

“Of course. Fanny wouldn’t allow him here if he wasn’t truly sorry.” Black glared over at Finish. “You knew that too, right Photo Finish?”

Finish balked; Black Forest’s tone was clearly disapproving. Why is she upset with me? I haven’t said anything wrong, have I? I came over to support Coco and make her not be upset.

I don’t understand it either. Just go along with it.

“Of course I—”

Then Black walked over right beside her and whispered, “Then surely you should’ve realized that was what she needed to hear. Surely she’s worked with you long enough to know how models need to be treated.”

Finish blanched. Oh, buck, I did say something wrong.

“Just a bit of constructive criticism,” Black Forest said before turning back around. Finish saw Coco staring at her in confusion, and tried to say something. But she found her face flushing up, and she decided to walk away before she said any more stupid things.

Right as she went back to her place next to the camera, she caught Silver smacking his belly with both hooves, sending it rippling. “Yes, yes!” Wide Lens shouted next to her, and took two pictures of the ripple effect. Finish didn’t respond to any of it; her tail flicked idly, but that was it.

“Alright, Big Wig,” Silver said, panting from the effort. “It’s your turn.”

Big Wig laughed at him. “Man, if you’re out of breath just from that, I’ll have to give it my all just to match you!”

Orange Creme patted him on his shoulder. “Just don’t overdo it again, sweetie pie.”

“Yes, Honey Bun.” They kissed each other, and Orange set about pushing him along.

Fanny stepped right beside the feeder. “Alright, big boy, let’s get rolling!”

Even with the two of them together, it took them a while to get Big Wig across the floor. For his part, he didn’t seem to mind going over and over; his face was calm and smiling the entire time. Coco rushed in to move the couch out of their way, and soon Big Wig had the spotlight.

“There we go,” Orange grunted. “You ready, Big Wig?”

“Oh yeah. Come on up here, girl.”

Orange giggled and climbed up atop his belly, with grace that only an experienced feeder could do. “Tut tut, you’ve lost some weight since we’ve been to Canterlot. We’ll have to rectify that.” She began rubbing his belly with all four of her hooves.

“Ooh, yeah.” Big Wig lounged back and relaxed as she used her hooves to work her magic.

Finish’s breathing quickened as she watched the massaging and cuddling, even more so as she heard the camera clicking beside her. Her eyes eventually travelled to Coco, who was blushing cherry red, and she imagined her as big as Big Wig, and her on top, massaging her belly, caressing her cheeks, humping her flesh. And then she imagined her twice as big. Then four times as big, taking up several yards of the room. And bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and—

“Whoa, guys, get a room,” Pineapple said with a giggle.

Finish looked back over, and found Big Wig’s belly rocking back and forth, and Orange on top panting. “Sorry, everypony. We got a little carried away.”

“We?” Big Wig laughed deeply.

Orange huffed. “Yes, we. I know you were enjoying it too.”

“It doesn’t mean I was getting carried away!” He mock-whined.

Fanny shook her head with a chuckle. “Alright, let’s calm down. We’re not trying to scare away our guests here.”

It was Big’s turn to blush, and he looked over to Finish. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”

Orange wiped the mane out of her face and waved over to her. “Yes, I apologize too.”

Finish took a shaky breath. “It is fine! I assume this is normal for the two of you.”

“Heh heh, not during shoots, no.” She slid off of him, landing deftly onto her hooves. “Alright, big guy, I think we’ve had our fill.”

“I haven’t!” He whined playfully. “You said you’d stuff me, remember!”

“After the shoot, sweetie pie.” Orange put herself against him and began to push. Silver rushed over, giving Big a playful slap on his ass, and helped push him along.

“Man, that was hot,” Wide Lens whispered.

“Yes, it was.”

“What?”

Finish looked over. “You said something?”

He blinked. “I… was talking to myself.”

Finish froze completely. Oh my stars, I just said that it was hot, and Wide Lens was right next to me! He’s gotta know for sure! I’ve ruined any chance of anonymity. I might as well just go into the center of the room and proclaim that I love fat ponies, and maybe they’d all pile onto me to welcome me into their circle, and I could reach Fanny and Coco at the same time and—

“I didn’t quite catch what you said.”

...Oh. I guess I won’t be doing that, then. “I said the shoot was going well.”

“Oh, isn’t’t it just?” He stroked the camera. “We’ve got a lot of pictures tolook at. I couldn’t be happier.”

“I am happy for you,” she said with a pained smile.

“And I really want to thank you again for lending us this camera.” He rubbed the frame of it up and down. “It’s a marvellous machine.”

“It has been with me for over ten years,” Finish shared. “I am glad it is able to serve you well.”

He nodded to her, and then turned to the models. “Alrighty, that’s everyone.”

“Wait, no it isn’t,” Silver said. “Coco Pommel hasn’t gone yet.”

All eyes fell onto Coco. Finish watched the familiar scene of Coco’s eyes widening, and her backing away, scuffing the ground, and looking down at the ground.

“You okay, dear?” Fanny asked.

Coco closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked back at them all. “I’m fine. I-I’ll do a few shots.”

Nopony said anything as Coco walked with shaky legs over to the couch. Her body shook with each step, her fat quivering with anxiety. She climbed up onto the couch and lay down, The couch creaking softly underneath her.

“U-um…” She looked over at Finish. “I-Is this okay?”

Finish took a very deep breath This is Coco’s first photo shoot. I’m going to have a picture of Coco Pommel in my room! She is going to look marvellous—

And what about everything behind her?

That thought made her smile leave her face. Finish just couldn’t ignore it: the off-white walls, the smeared floor, the cheap couch. Coco wouldn’t be enough to carry that by herself. Still, I can just cut that out.

Ah, yes, that you could.

“It’s okay, Coco,” Dark told her. “Relax.”

“You’ll be fine!” Pineapple shouted.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Big Wig said.

“We’re right here for you,” French added.

Coco took another deep breath. Her body eased up, but didn’t completely relax. The first shot went off and she stiffened completely, her eyes bugged and her lips twisted in the most awkward position.

“Ooh, yeah,” Wide Lens said, slowly peering out of the cloth. “That was a good first shot!”

Coco, however, looked away. “I’m sorry. I must’ve looked so awkward.”

“No no no,” Fanny said, rushing forward. “Really, it’s okay. It was just nerves, you know. Shake it off. It only gets better from here.”

“Yeah!” Everypony around her cheered her on.

Coco gulped. “O-Okay.”

“Deep breaths, Coco,” Black Forest cooed from the sidelines.

Everypony watched as Coco took several deep breaths. Finish, especially, watched as her chest puffed up and down like a quail’s, her belly expanded with each breath, her cheeks filled up just slightly with every inhale. Then Coco gave Wide Lens the nod.

“I think I’m ready.”

“Here we go,” Wide Lens called out. “Three, two, one..."

"Wait." Finish walked over to him. "I'd like to take the shots this time."

"Ooh, of course!" Wide Lens ducked out of the cloth and let Finish have the camera back.

When she peered in, she saw Coco had tensed up even more. I must not worry about this. The others will help her to calm down. I am sure of this. I just need to do my job. "We begin... now!"

And then the flashes came. Everypony watched as Coco smiled and posed as best as she could. Everypony around her quietly cheered as each picture was taken.

But as Finish watched, she noticed the subtle signs Coco was making. Coco’s breaths were deep, but they weren’t calm; they were, rather, the deep breaths of someone constantly trying to stay calm. She saw the shaking of her hooves and ears. She saw the gaze she gave the camera, watching it as if it was a predator, wondering what its next move would be.

She’s beautiful, but still too nervous.

Perhaps you should say something to calm her down.

If the other girls can’t help her, nopony will.

“Okay, Coco, I think that’s good enough,” Fanny told her.

“Oh, thank Celestia!” Coco leapt off of the couch and began trotting away.

“Wait.” Coco stopped as Black Forest walked forward. “Why don’t we get some shots together?”

“What!?” Coco’s shout was hoarse, verging on a scream but just barely kept under control. “B-But you’re so talented at this, and I’m—”

“I would love to get a few pictures with you.”

Coco stammered. “But I’ve never modelled before—”

“And that is why we are practicing, Coco.”

“But you’re so beautiful—”

“And so are you, Coco.” She gave a wink to Finish. “You just showed us all, right Photo Finish?”

Finish beamed. “Of course! It was a bit rough, but it is nothing practice won’t be able to fix!”

Now is not the time for that!

For what?

Black Forest shook her head and continued. “Please.”

Coco’s blush intensified, and she looked from Black Forest to Finish to Black again. “Are you sure?”

“Of course, my darling.” She waved Coco over. “Let’s get a few shots together.”

Coco hesitated further.

I-I have to try again. To cheer her on!

“You can do it, Coco Pommel.”

Coco looked over at her boss.

“I believe in you.”

Coco’s eyes widened, and it looked like she would pass out. “Uh, um… O-Okay, I’ll give it another shot.”

“Fabulous.” Black Forest passed Coco and led them back to the couch.

Finish looked around the room. Wide Lens was still underneath the cloth, his hooves running around the camera, admiring its craftsmanship. The other models were cheering Coco on, stomping their hooves in support. Black Forest looked past Coco to give Finish a nod and another wink. But just past her, Finish saw Fanny glaring daggers at her.

What is her problem now? I didn’t do anything wrong. I urged Coco to get into the modelling scene, and I didn’t insult her. Fanny has no reason to be mad at me.

You don’t think you made a mistake just now?

Whatever. Let’s focus on Coco and Black Forest instead.

Finish shifted her attention to the pair, and found Black Forest resting on her rump, her belly pooling into her lap. Coco was on the other side, slowly making her way onto the couch. Ooh, I must get into a better position for this! Finish walked back to the camera, bumping into French Vanilla along the way (incurring another glare, this time from Dark Chocolate).

Once she was there, she watched the scene unfold. Black Forest helped Coco onto the couch, and then whispered some instructions to her. Coco nodded and rolled over, back down and belly up. Then the more experienced model took Coco’s head, and rested it on her massive tummy. Coco’s blushed only deepened, even more so when Black rested her foreleg on Coco’s own belly. And the scene was set, with Black Forest being used as a pillow for Coco’s head.

“There we are, darling,” Black Forest cooed. “Comfortable?”

Coco’s blush made her glow red. She stammered an “uh-huh” while rocking her head side to side, making herself as comfortable as possible.

“So beautiful,” Black Forest whispered. “Don’t you agree, Photo Finish?”

“Huh?” she grunted as ungracefully as one could.

Black Forest looked over with a smirk. “Your girl here. She is beautiful, no?”

Finish gulped. She looked over at Coco, who was staring at her, waiting for an answer. “Uh-uhm—”

But before she could answer, a lot happened in a short amount of time. The frame on the couch snapped in half, sending Black Forest and Coco to the ground. Coco bounced off of the larger mare’s belly and rolled onto her own belly. She hit the ground with a *thud* that shook the studio. Black Forest herself stabilized like flan after her drop.

Coco, meanwhile, shook like gelatin. It took Finish a moment to snap out of watching the mass of flesh jiggling before she sprung into action, rushing forward to help Coco to her hooves. And not a moment too soon, as most of the other models galloped to help Black Forest to her legs. Only Fanny and Orange Creme helped Finish get Coco stable.

“Are you alright?” Finish and Fanny asked together.

Coco shook her head clear. “Oh my stars, I’m so sorry!”

“Oh, don’t be sorry, honey!” Fanny wrapped her meaty forelegs around her and pulled her into a hug. “It wasn’t your fault. It was mine.”

“What do you mean, Fanny?” Orange asked.

“It’s that couch. It was all I could find on such short notice.” She sighed, her body sagging heavily with exhaustion. “Don’t y’all worry none. I’m sure once Red Gala arrives, me and her can get that reinforced.”

Finish didn’t say anything, instead rubbing Coco’s back to calm her down.

“Are you girls okay?” Wide Lens asked, rushing over to help.

“I am fine,” Black Forest said with a tinge of irritation. “Coco?”

“Um… Y-Yes.” She looked down at the ground.

“Hey, cheer up,” Wide said, raising her chin. “We got some great pictures with you, and one stunning picture with you and Black Forest. Believe me, you did nothing wrong.”

Coco gave a small smile, but a quick glance to Finish wiped it clean. “I’m sorry, Photo Finish. I don’t know what—”

“It is fine,” Finish said quickly. “As long as you are safe, then I am happy.”

“You are?” French asked.

Finish looked back at her. “Yes, I am.” She looked back at Coco, who was scuffing the ground, a light blush on her face.

“So now what?” French asked, her voice timid with shock.

“Now we put everything on hold,” Wide Lens said, walking over to them straight and tall. “It’s no use dwelling on this, right? Come, let’s not be sad! Let’s go out and get something to eat.”

Everypony murmured to themselves, several of them giving looks to Fanny. Fanny was too busy comforting Coco.

“I think that’s a great idea!” Black Forest cheered. “We should all celebrate our being here. We know the camera works, right? And we know we can strut our stuff. Why don’t we get a nice meal?”

Everypony cheered in agreement, even Coco. Fanny gave her a warm smile before letting her go. “Alright, ladies, shall we?” Everypony began to shuffle out the door, until it was just Finish, Coco, Fanny and Black Forest.

“Say, uh, Finish,” Fanny began. “You were a big help today, you know.”

Finish beamed. “Thank you, Fanny Pancake. It is what I do.”

“And, well, I think you’re welcome to come eat with us.” Fanny scratched the back of her head. “Although some of us really… well, we’re not exactly the cleanest of eaters, you know? And we eat a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot.”

Finish nodded. “I understand.”

“But I think it would be fun,” Black Forest added. “Don’t you, my dear Coco?”

Finish looked over, and saw an expression she hadn’t seen before. This wasn’t mere nervousness; this was dread. “Um… Actually, I think it may be a bit too messy for Photo Finish.”

Finish felt her heart sank. Coco, what are you doing?

“I don’t think you’d enjoy yourself.”

Well, you’d think wrong, young lady! I would most certainly—

Now now, don’t rush it. If Coco doesn’t want you to go, then you don’t go.

But she has no good reason to keep me away!

How do you know that?

She had no answer. “Oh, of course. I would not want to make anypony uncomfortable. I will pack up the camera and head on home, and we can try again soon, ja?”

Fanny sighed, this time in relief. So you never wanted me to go after all. “Sure thing, honey. Again, I really appreciate everything you’re doing for us.”

Finish nodded without saying anything.

“Alright, ladies!” Fanny shouted. “Shall we be off?” With that, she bounded out the door. Black Forest sauntered after her, stopping to whisper in Finish’s ear:

“I am not impressed.”

And then she left. Coco trudged after them all, not even looking back at Finish, her head downcast. Once they were gone, Finish walked over, slowly put her camera away perfectly, and trudged home herself.

This was rough.

Don’t let this get you down. You did several great things tonight.

Coco drove me away. Fanny didn’t want me there. Black Forest is disappointed in me.

But the shoot went well. The camera functioned just as it should, the models were all delectable, Wide Lens understood everything going on.

But Coco drove me away.

It will all come in due time.

But why did she keep me away?

We’ll find out tomorrow, okay? You have several pictures’ worth of material at hoof.

She smiled. “Yes, I have the pictures. I will develop them, and then I’ll have them to myself.”

But as she continued walking home, she couldn’t help but feel the pain of Coco telling her not to come. Coco, who she wanted to be close to, who she tried to uphold that night, had pushed her away. And it didn’t stop bothering her for the rest of the night, depriving her of any sleep.