Photo Finish had expected to be met with some odd glares from her employees when she came back to the studio with a steaming box of cinnamon rolls. She exhaled through her nostrils as slowly as she could, aware of how tense she was from what had happened earlier. It didn’t seem as though anypony noticed her; their eyes were glued to the box on her back.

Behind her goggles, her gaze moved left onto the seamstresses’ table. Pins N’ Needles was making adjustments to a gothic-style dress for a very tall model. She couldn’t see Coco’s face, but she could see her flank poking out from her left, the front of the dress. She must be working on the other side. What a shame; it would’ve been nice to have seen that full backside facing me. She thought this as her eyes travelled to the forelegs of the dress, and noted that one pressed against her flank, draping itself against the curve.

“M-Miss Finish?”

“Yes?” she snapped at the stallion that had spoken up.

He flinched. “Er, I was just going to ask if those are, you know, for us?”

“What?”

Everypony was staring at him in disbelief; nopony would ask a question like that to her. Then again, bringing a box of cinnamon rolls was unusual from Photo Finish. “The cinnamon buns on your back,” he replied, now less timidly.

She made to turn away, to walk straight towards Coco. But then something piped up in her mind.

What are you doing?

I’m taking this to Coco.

All of it?

Yes, all of it.

But what about everypony else?

I didn’t buy any of this for them! Why would they want any anyway?

One did ask for it.

A mere setback.

But what will they say when you—

I will tell them to get back to work! That’s simple enough.

… I mean when they see you giving all of it to Coco.

Her head turned to see Coco, but she jerked her head down before her employees could follow her gaze. Two asked if she was alright, and she replied with a quick nod. Behind her goggles, she looked up to see Coco, whose attention was completely on the dress.

She’s not even looking at me.

“Miss Finish?”

Look at that. She’s not even looking at me!

Relax—

After all I’m doing for her!

You are making a scene.

She looked back up at her other employees, who were all eyeing her with curiosity.

You’re right. It will hurt, but it’s worth capitulating more than revealing my secrets.

A wise decision.

“Of course they are for you. You all have been working hard, and you deserve a reward.” Amid raucous cheers, Finish begrudgingly yielded the box to the eager stallion. Eyes bugged by the gesture, and after a moment of silence they all congregated to the box where they split their spoils.

They hadn’t gotten to all of them, as Finish so mischievously thought to herself. In her forehoof was a single glistening treat, ready to go into the ravenous maw of any gluttonous mare. With at least that consolation, she made her way to the seamstresses’ table.

Coco’s eyes looked briefly at Finish coming towards her, and then at the cinnamon bun, and then back to her work. There was no lingering gaze at the treat in Finish’s hooves, no sniffs from her muzzle, no salivation, no reaching out and snatching it from her. In fact, Finish thought that she had seen the other mare shrink away from the treat.

What is going on? Finish’s nape bristled. Is she… is she avoiding this? Coco continued placidly. No, I cannot have that.

“Coco!”

The other mare started so abruptly, all of her equipment fell out of her hooves and to the table with such a racket, that Pins’ hooves froze up as well. Coco stood, frozen, for a moment, her belly and rump quivering ever-so-slightly from the sudden movement. And then, Coco lowered herself slowly, her ears folding back, her belly squishing against her thighs, her eyes closed in fear.

“Y-yes, Miss Finish?”

The wavering voice caught Finish’s subconscious, but she ignored it. Coco was acting too strangely to heed any sort of patience. “Why are you not joining in the employee camaraderie?”

“The what?”

Finish sighed. “I feel you are becoming too absorbed in your work.” She held out the cinnamon bun for her. “This is for you. Eat it.”
Coco blanched. “No thank you, Miss Finish, I ate earlier. Would you like it, Ms. Needles?”

The pegasus stretched her legs out, her face slightly scrunched up from the sudden interruption. “I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. You go on ahead.”

Coco shook her head again. “I really mustn’t.”

“Do not be a sport-spoiler!” Finish goaded. “Go on.”

“But Miss Finish—“

“Eat it!”

“Stop.”

Both mares turned. Pins was glaring at Finish—not in a noticeably aggressive manner, but Finish knew from experience that Pins wasn’t to be messed with at a time like this. As it were, the pegasus set her needle and thread on the table and walked over to her boss.

Now’s not the time to be balked. “What?”

“Coco does not wish to eat it,” Pins said, moving between the two of them. “Do not force her.”

“Now see here—“

“For both of your sakes.”

She blinked. “What?”

But Pins didn’t answer her. Instead, she turned to Coco and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Darling, you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.”

Finish suppressed an indignant snort and looked at Coco. What she saw wasn’t Coco immediately clinging onto the pegasus’s authority, or capitulating to hers. The other mare merely looked at the ground, her forehoof rubbing against her belly.

She is hungry, that I can tell. But why, then, is she denying herself? She looked up at Coco’s face, and saw a hesitant grimace. Does she not like cinnamon buns? I would doubt that! Is she—

“Of course,” Pins continued, her voice dropping a pitch. “You don’t have to refuse simply because you’re on the heavier side.”

Finish started. Is that it? Is she embarrassed? A considering look downwards by the other earth pony further pushed this thought. This is why she doesn’t want to go with Fanny. I bet Blue Belle has caused this! I swear, if I ever see her, I shall make sure she never works another day in fashion again!

“Well…”

She shook her head of the thought and reached out, lifting Coco’s chin with her hoof. “Pins N’ Needles is right. You do not have to eat it if you do not want to. But you do not have to refuse if you do not want to, either. I offer it to you for a job well done. Nothing more.” She thought that she saw Pins roll her eyes, but dismissed it for the mare in front of her.

There was hesitation. Finish extended her hoof.

Coco looked up. Finish shifted her hoof, making sure every glisten of the glaze could be seen.

Coco sniffed the treat. Finish brought it closer to her lips.

Coco’s muzzle opened. Finish pushed it in.

Both mares moaned in delight.

“Yes,” Finish cooed. “There is a good girl.”

Coco’s head leaned to the side as she chewed the entire treat, her cheek smooshing against her neck, causing her right eye to scrunch up. I can’t wait until her entire face is like that all the time. “Mmm, thank you Miss Finish.”

“Of course!” Finish leaned in and wrapped her foreleg around Coco’s neck. “Does this mean that you will go to the chocolate store?”

“Chocolate store?” Pins asked, leaning in. “You mean Master Duffle’s Masterful Delights? Where ponies get so much chocolate, they need duffle bags to carry it out?”

“The very same,” Finish said. There may’ve been others, but surely with appetites as large as Fanny and Black Forest alone possessed, no other place could sate it with vast quantities of chocolate. “You are going, yes?”

Coco blushed. “Oh, I don’t know.”

“You must not be rude,” Finish egged. “After all, I will be helping her with her photo shoot, and it would be nice if you were better connected with them, so that I could… understand their tastes more.”

“And with Photo Finish accompanying you, you can find out together.”

Finish glared at Pins, and was about to chastise her or interrupting, but Coco peeped up. “Will you be there?”

Her goggles nearly flew off from how hard she nodded. “Of course! All the more opportunity for research.”

“Mmhmm… research.”

Finish bristled.

“…Okay, Miss Finish,” Coco said, a faint smile on her face. “You win. I’ll go.”

Finish nodded outwardly, but inside her mind celebrated. Did you hear that? We win.

We win.

We now have the upper hand.

Let’s use it to our advantage.

“Of course we will go. Now finish up this dress.”

“Yes, Miss Finish!” With that, Coco began taking several measurements minute, writing them down deftly onto her notepad. Finish, proud of herself, turned and walked away to take care of other things and get her employees (now filled with cinnamon buns) to work. The sly smile from Pins hadn’t gone unnoticed, but she wasn’t about to sully her victory with questions and chastisements. For the first time in a long time, she couldn’t wait for work to be over.

Fanny Pancake was ecstatic when she heard that Coco would be joining her for her chocolatier adventure. Immediately, she grabbed the mare and dragged her inside. Before Finish could politely follow inside, the door closed in front of her with a simple motion of the larger mare’s flank.

Her mind spiraled. That flank. That beautiful, monstrous flank! She thought about inviting herself into the hotel, but her hoof shook every time she reached for the knob. Maybe I should just wait until they come out. I mean, who knows what they’re doing inside. They’re probably talking about how much chocolate they’re going to eat, rubbing their bellies in anticipation, rubbing each other’s bellies, Coco sinking into Fanny’s bellybutton, Fanny reaching down and massaging Coco’s rump, the two mares pigging out on each other—

“Ah, Photo Finish!”

“Gah!” She jumped and hit her hoof on the knob. “Ooh, confound it all! Who in Equestria—“ Her breath caught when she saw it was Black Forest. “Oh, my stars, I am sorry!”

“Relax, meine freunde. You are so tense.” Black Forest’s voice was soothingly elegant, and her movements were graceful as she walked past Finish. Even her belly, large and round as it was, bounced like a metronome. Her sweater was magenta with silver trim around the neck and hems. As she continued sauntering by, Finish saw something she never thought she’d see Black Forest in: a pair of sweatpants, also magenta with silver trim on the hems. The final addition to her clothing, and what caught Finish’s eye the most was the silver belt that was around her midsection, right between her sweater and pants, hugging her belly tightly. Finish fancied that she looked like a luxurious candy wrapper.

“What do you think?”

“Huh?”

“Stylish, no?”

“Oh, yes! Smooth and unobtrusive, simple and—“ She coughed. “—Alluring. Like a chocolate treat.”

“You really think so?” Black Forest ran a hoof along the fabric, stopping at her bellybutton. “I was going for that exact look.”

“All you need is a shiny silver bow, and you will look like a bon bon.” Oh, my stars, did I really just say that?!

“You are absolutely right!” Black Forest exclaimed in interest. “A bow on my head,” she said considerably, turning her body around. “And one on my tail. Two sides of a wrapper.”

Black Forest’s rump could be described as “chubby” instead of the outright obese belly she had, but it still jiggled in front of Finish’s face. From this view, she witnessed that her belly was constantly pushing into her hocks and thighs, something that apparently didn’t bother her. A few steps in place showed her that all of the grace her walk had was while her thighs were constantly rubbing against her belly, even pressing slightly between them and against her… A quiet whinny escaped her muzzle. “Er, y-yes, two sides, yes.”

Black Forest looked back with a cheeky grin as she knocked on the door. “Fanny, are you almost done?”

“Just a moment!” came Fanny’s voice. “I’m gettin’ Coco ready!”

Getting Coco ready? Finish thought, her tail twitching in anticipation. Ooh, I wonder what she has planned!

“Well, hurry it up in there!” Black Forest cried out coquettishly. “Photo Finish and I are waiting.”

It went silent inside.

“So, Photo Finish,” Black Forest began, turning to her. “Have you ever been to Master Duffle’s?”

“Not… in some time,” Finish lied. In truth, she hadn’t been there at all. There had been no reason to go. “I do not think the owner will remember me.”

“How could anypony forget a name such as yours?”

“It was a long time ago.”

Black Forest’s eyebrow raised, but before she could prod, the door opened. Out stepped Fanny Pancake, garbed in a chef’s jacket (“just to advertise, you know, considering the scene we’re about to make”). Finish noted that the buttons weren’t strained by her titanic gut; it must’ve been a special-made jacket. Behind her shuffled Coco Pommel, and Finish took a good look at her. She had on a small confectioner’s hat, as well as an apron Finish was sure couldn’t have been Fanny’s. It would’ve been insignificantly small and tight on her. On Coco, it hugged her just right, the strings just barely cutting into her supple flesh, the front curving along her belly like holding jelly in a bowl.

It took some effort for Finish’s jaw to stay in place, and not to utter a cry of beauty. She couldn’t stop a shaky breath from her nostrils.

“You look healthy!” Black Forest commented. “Perhaps if this modelling business doesn’t work out, you can be a baker of some sort!”

Finish balked, though in an instant regained herself. The slight wasn’t lost on Fanny, it seemed.

“Ah, Miss Finish,” the large mare said, looking down at her. “What brings you here?”

Finish began to feel dizzy. Three large mares, each wearing something that caught her eye, and she was the odd one out. It had been a long time since she had been at the bottom of a conversation, and it had caught her off guard. “I, uh, came here to see… uh—“

“Oh, she came to see if you wanted to talk about the photo shoot, while we’re at the factory.” Coco stepped around Fanny and stood next to her boss. “If that’s okay with you.”

“Oh,” Fanny said, incredulous. “Is that so?”

Finish took a deep breath. “Yes. And…”

“And?” Fanny prodded.

“And I thought it would be nice to go somewhere new.” Her heart was pounding at Fanny’s inquisitive eyes. “Try and see new things. It is always good for my jo-for myself.”

It was Coco’s turn to look surprised. “Really? I mean, you could’ve just asked. I’m sure we’d be delighted to take you along.” When Finish began nodding, Coco blanched. “Not that you’d have to ask, of course, Miss Finish. I was just saying—“

“I understand,” Finish said. “Relax, this is supposed to be fun!”

“Now that’s the spirit!” Fanny guffawed, slapping Finish on the back. The smaller mare, by virtue of inertia, fell to the ground, but not before her rump was slapped by the meaty foreleg (by virtue of motion). “Oh, sorry about that! I don’t know my own strength sometimes.”

“It is quite alright,” Finish moaned, raising herself on shaky hooves. “It is all for fun, right?”

“Indeed,” Black Forest interrupted, stepping between the two of them. “Now what do you say we, as you Equestrians say, ‘get this show on the road’?”

“Oh, yes!”

“Ja.”

“Alright, ladies!” Fanny proclaimed, taking a stride forward. “Let’s go!”

Thus the four mares began walking down the street, and to anypony on the sides, or behind them, or in front of them scrambling to get out of the way, they were a sight to see. Fanny was like a carnival show on her own up front, her cheerful walking sending her body swaying to and fro, her rump bouncing like she was dancing. Black Forest, following closely to Fanny’s right rump, walked with measured grace; hers was a calm gait, keeping up with Fanny while staying just far back to not be smothered. Coco, in the middle, kept her gaze slightly downward, probably so as not to be caught looking at that magnificent backside, Finish thought.

Finish yielded the left side, only because Coco knew Black Forest personally more than she did; her knowledge from Blubber Lovers, of course, supplanted more information than Coco could’ve possibly had. Still, a view from the left side wasn’t that bad; and on the plus side, every time Coco would be in her own world and would bump into Fanny’s rump, Finish had a clear view of it, and Black Forest would have a harder time seeing Finish’s grin.

Still, there were other ponies on the road that could see her. She knew that the others were drawing a spectacle, but as far as anypony knew she was simply on the same road as them, going the same direction. There were a few murmurs, and every time a pair of eyes fell on her, Finish could feel her blood chill.

What are they thinking about me? She found herself inching away from the other mares and took a step onto the sidewalk.But what if they think I’m trying to get away from them? She took a step down onto the road. But what if they think that I’m trying to be with them? Sidewalk. But I am trying to be with them! Road. But I mustn’t let them know that. Sidewalk. I really shouldn’t be worrying about that—

Coco bumped into Fanny’s rump again, and her head ground down along the bottom curve until Fanny’s undercheek rested on top of Coco.

Oh, sweet Celestia, yes! Get in there!

Before she could conjure up any sort of fantasy, Finish walked straight on into an onlooking pony. And before she could reprimand the assailant, she felt her hooves falling of under her. And before she could scream for help, somepony caught her in their own hooves.

“Oh, my stars! Are you all right?”

Finish adjusted her goggles and looked at the stallion on front of her. “Fancy Pants! Wh-what brings you here? At this street? On such a… day?”

For his part, Fancy Pants didn’t seem fazed by her awkward speech. Instead, he beamed at her in his usual alacritous manner. “Why, Fleur and I were just out and about enjoying a stroll! Isn’t that right, my dear?”

Behind him was Fleur, in a casual red dress and chapeau. She didn’t join the other two in conversation; instead, she was standing stock still in place, her face aghast, and her eyes glued on Fanny. Finish and Fancy Pants walked up to her and watched the massive mare walk on by. As Fanny’s meaty shoulder was about to block their view of her face, Fanny’s left eye wandered down to Fleur. At the last moment before she passed them by, Fanny winked.

Fleur snorted. “I guess the circus is in town.”

If anypony heard that, they didn’t show it. Fanny continued walking confidently on by, her flank nearly bumping into Fleur (who scuttled backwards to avoid it). Black Forest and Coco followed behind; Fleur’s gaze lingered on the latter.
“Isn’t that one of the mares that works for you,” Fleur asked nervously, pointing a hoof daintily at Coco.

“Y-yes,” Finish said.

“What is she doing with such—“

“Shall we talk about your dress?”

Fleur gaped, apparently from confusion rather than impudence.

“Yes, that sounds like a splendid idea!” Fancy Pants cried out, taking his wife’s hoof. “We were just talking about Fleur’s shoot, just today, actually, and now would be a perfect time to catch up!”

“Yes!” Finish exclaimed, taking the two of them the opposite direction. “Your dress, it is a simple pink. We are going for both elegant and delicate with that color choice, as you don’t want to look too fancy at a dinner. There will be seashells lining it, to make ponies think of the ocean views in Bitaly…”

"Ooh, then what about a pearl necklace?"

"We shall see about that as well!"

She went on about the dress, which was both simple and elegant. Fleur listened at first with a discerning ear, and then with delight as the conversation continued. The venue had been picked: the balcony of a design parlor, one luxurious ponies knew about on a need-to-know basis. The cuisine had been picked, Fleur particularly praising her on her pick of cavatappi noodles (“I can’t afford to look like I eat much else, or ponies’d think I’d end up like those mares.”) The other details, such as travel costs and scheduling, had to still be set up; Finish said that they were currently packed, but the truth was that she had been putting off the request.

After everything was laid out, Fleur clapped her hooves together and cried, “Wonderful! I knew you would come through for me, Photo Finish!”

“Yes, I always do.”

“Indeed!” Fancy Pants took Fleur’s hoof in his own. “Come, darling. What say we head on over to a chocolatier’s to celebrate? A treat is in order.”

Fleur blanched. “What say, rather, my dear husband, we go to an arts museum? I don’t need to be sullying my figure, hm?” She chortled. “No offense to your lesser, of course, Photo Finish.”

“Oh, none at all,” Finish replied through clenched teeth.

Without another word, and a wave from the stallion, the two aristocrats made their way past Finish and went about their business. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. That was close. I really need to take a break. Chocolate does sound good about now.

Her eyes snapped open. “Oh, my stars!” Without delay, she galloped down the street. It no longer mattered what ponies thought of her, for she was bent on reaching her entourage. “Please do not be there already!”

As her luck would have it, the trio were still walking by the time Finish had found them. She cantered on as if she weren’t in a big hurry, and stopped to a slow walk while keeping pace with them. Coco looked over at her and, seeing her returned, stepped towards her.

“Are you okay?” Coco asked.

“I’m fine,” Finish croaked. “I just had to take care of business with Fleur.”

Coco’s eyes lit up. “Oh, my, I hope she’s not mad at having to wait this long for her shoot.”

Finish chuckled. “It will be a while yet before she gets her shoot, and she knows this. The location is booked solid for a while.”

“Oh.” Coco didn’t press on. “I see.”

Finish noted the tone in Coco’s voice. Despondent again? What is going on with this mare? She is in the company of me! And Fanny and Black Forest! What could she be despondent about?

As if reading her mind, “A few ponies laughed at me earlier. I bumped into Fanny, and they said that I must’ve been blind to not have stopped.”

“This does not matter,” Finish said quickly. “You must ignore them.”

“Oh.”

It was the end of that conversation, and Finish wouldn’t prod on. Coco wasn’t immediately swayed back to being happy, but it was best to move on a bit at a time. After only a few steps more, the four of them stopped.

“And here we are!” Fanny turned around ponderously, and then lifted up a foreleg in a showmare’s manner. “Master Duffle's!”

Master Duffle’s Masterful Delights had gold-painted grilles in the windows, guiding the unsuspecting travellers’ eyes to them and, consequently, to the wares on the other side. A dark, mahogany table, which housed a pyramid of gold-wrapped chocolate truffles, was the first thing that greeted ponies’ and other creatures’ eyes. This, Finish recognized and she was sure Fanny outright know, was not only to show how sophisticated the place was, but for the slope of the pyramid to draw the eye upwards to the rest of its wares. Behind it, mahogany shelves and magenta-clothed tables held various other gold-wrapped confections, just waiting for the passersby to go inside and unwrap them.

“Have you ever been here?” Black Forest asked.

“No,” Finish and Coco said together.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Fanny walked forward and bent down to make her way inside. “Now I hope he widened these doors like he said he would.”

One of two things became obvious: either he hadn’t widened them, or Fanny had simply outgrown them. Either way, Fanny’s flanks caught in the doorway, exposing her backside for all to see. The door frame creaked as it was forced to rock forwards and backwards, the hinges creaked with the force of flank on them, and the welcome rug out front was beat with Fanny’s hindlegs as she waddled in place. Fanny’s tail rocked back and forth, up and down, free of its own accord.

“Dagnabbit, Duffle!” they heard Fanny say from inside. “I thought you said these doors would be widened!” Behind them, ponies gathered to see the spectacle; a lot of mares looked away in disgust, while the stallions stayed in place, transfixed. Black Forest shook her head, amused, while Coco shuffled in place not knowing what to do.

Finish stepped away into an alleyway to avoid other ponies. Once within the shadows, she began hyperventilating. She tried speaking, tried thinking, but the only thing she could do was moan. Her tail was hiked straight up as she continued watching, seeing Fanny bucking back and forth, trying to inch her way inside. Another moan escaped, and she felt something warm running down her muzzle. Still, no thoughts.

“Shouldn’t somepony go help her?

“How is anypony supposed to push that through that doorway?”

“Should we try and pull her out?”

“And keep her from all of that chocolate?”

Meanwhile, Coco fidgeted in place. “Should we try and help her?”

“No.” Black Forest walked to a bench and sat down on it. “Duffle should come out eventually.”

“How do you know?”

“He doesn’t miss his chance.”

“His chance? For what?”

As she asked, somepony walked from around the back of the shop and up to the madly jiggling rump cheeks. He walked to within reach of Fanny’s backside, and stood there for a moment staring at the effort.

“Who’s that?” Coco asked.

“That,” Black Forest said, settling into place, “is Master Duffle Bag.”

Photo Finish took a few shallow breaths to calm herself down and peeked at the stallion. He was a suave gentlecolt, with a light brown coat and a gold mane and tail. His build was normal for a stallion, but his poise was proper and in control. His blue eyes wandered around Fanny’s as if he were scanning a work of art.

And then the moment was interrupted.

“Duffle!” Fanny cried from inside the store. “Where are you, you crazy sonuva—?”

“Relax, my dear,” the stallion spoke in a voice as smooth, rich and deep as chocolate. “I am right behind you.”

A groan came from within. “Oh, of course you’d be back there, instead of inside pulling me through this door that you said you were going to widen last year!”

“And how do you know,” Duffle continued, feigning disinterest, “that I didn’t widen them, and you simply widened more than that?”

Finish was beginning to feel nervous, but almost immediately Fanny guffawed. “Oh, I see. So you’re just enjoying the show, aren’t you?”

“Every year, my dear,” he said, giving her rump a pat. “It’s not every day I witness such a glorious bounty enter my shop doors. I simply must savor it.”

“You pig!” Fanny squealed in delight. “Come on!”

“Yes, I am just as gluttonous as you, honey.” Duffle smiled, patted her rump in reassurance, and planted a kiss on the right cheek.
Finish nearly swooned.

“Now, then,” he continued, clapping her hooves together forcefully. Then, in an instant, he rammed into her backside with his shoulder, and then began shoving against her. His foreleg sunk into her flesh, his face was half-buried in the flesh, and his hooves dug into the ground from how much he was pushing. From how unremarkable his size was, he pushed with enough force to send her part of the way through. The ponies watching were silent, save for a single stallion that muttered an awed “dayum.”

“E-excuse me, Master Duffle, but do you need help?”

The half of his face that wasn’t buried looked at Coco, who was standing next to him. His smile grew wider. “Are you one of Fanny’s friends?”

She nodded.

“Yes, I could use some assistance. Fanny’s been snacking incessantly, as you can plainly see.”

“Hey!”

Coco chuckled, and then threw herself at Fanny’s other cheek. Fanny’s rump squished deeper into the doorframe, and everypony could see progress being made as her flanks slid further in. Fanny’s hindlegs stamped in an effort to get herself in, a display that made Duffle laugh. All the while, Black Forest watched patiently, Finish madly, and everypony else stunned.

Finally, after a whole minute of shoving, slapping, stomping and grunting, the three ponies finally pushed through the door. Fanny’s flanks, no longer squished on both sides, flared out and bounced freely. Coco and Duffle bounced against her cheeks as they all crashed to the floor. The door, now relieved of its burden, slowly closed.

Finish’s tail slowly lowered back to normal. Her breath returned to her, and her legs stopped shaking. Everything seemed to be returning to normal, so she emerged from the alleyway.

“Well,” Black Forest began, getting up and looking at Finish. “That is our cue to follow.”

“Ja.”

“Bitte.”

“Danke.” They nodded to each other, and Finish walked towards the door. Fanny had been helped up onto her hooves, and turned to beckon the other two inside.

But something nagged in Finish’s mind. Wait, maybe I shouldn’t go in.

Why not?

I don’t know.

Then just go in. You will be closer to Coco and Fanny and Black Forest.

But…

But what? Just watch them eat, and it will all be fine.

Yes, it should all be fine.

Once she entered, she walked over next to Coco and looked at the interior. Both mares’ eyes were wide in awe, though Finish managed to keep her jaw closed.

There were thousands of treats on display, of various shapes and sizes; some were smaller than a ladybug, while others were larger than a basketball. Bars, bon bons, kisses, cookies, puddings, cakes, cupcakes, chocolate-covered fruits and flowers, and many more things were out, organized like toys in a toy store. It was hard to take in all at once, even harder once they noticed how the displays weren’t organized like books in a library; displays and shelves twisted and turned like filigrees. Displays were also blocked from ponies’ views by chocolate fountains and (Celestia help us all) casks. Finally, the namesake Duffle bags were scattered next to the door, for anypony's taking.

It was all a bit too much for Finish to take in, and she began to feel lightheaded.

“Oh my stars!” Coco exclaimed, leaning forward to see Finish’s face. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, why would I not be?” Finish croaked.

Everypony else turned to her. Black Forest spoke up, surprised. “Oh, you have a nosebleed.”

“Huh?” She reached down and felt her muzzle. Indeed, her nose had begun bleeding. She imagined when pretty quickly. “Oh, yes.”

“Did something happen while we were helping Fanny?” Coco asked.

Finish suppressed a blush. “No, nothing happened. I just, uh…”

Duffle chuckled. “I can imagine that such a marvelous display can have such an effect on ponies.” He looked at Fanny, who gave him a wry smile.

“I doubt it,” she said lowly. “Anyway, why don’t you get cleaned up, darlin’? You’re looking a li’l pale.”

“Ah, yes.” Duffle pointed to a doorway near the back. “The restrooms are that way. Would you like some water?”

“No, thank you,” Finish said, trying her best to sound normal. With a deep breath, she walked away from the group. They began talking amongst themselves, but she didn’t hear them.

Upon reaching the doorway (which, she noticed with gratefulness, wasn’t near any of the displays), she walked straight to the mares’ room and went right to the sink. She was aware of somepony else there, but paid her no mind. She splashed some water on her nostrils, and then some more on her face.

Keep it together, Photo Finish. You won’t have to endure this much longer.

Yes. Just enjoy it as it is: a day out to sample some chocolate with some other ponies.

And an opportunity to discuss business.

Yes! If you get distracted, talk about business, about the upcoming shoots!

Or eat some chocolate yourself.

Yes.

“Here you go, dear.” The other mare handed her some paper towels. “For your nose.”

Photo Finish turned to take them. “Thank you—“

She froze.

No, no no no no

Yes, yes yes yes yes!

It’s a damned coincidence!

It’s fate smiling down upon me!

It was Dark Chocolate.

“You look like you got a little too excited.”

That was an understatement; Photo Finish felt like she was going to explode with emotions. She was exactly like she appeared in her comics, with the same large dimples, the same wide barrel, the same round belly, the same wide rump.

“Looks like it’s still going.”

She was barely aware of paper towels being dabbed onto her nose, as her mind raced to comprehend what was happening. She must’ve looked like a fool, she thought, staring blankly at one of the most prominent ponies in Blubber Lovers. There was also the matter frazzling her mind on where French Vanilla was. They were always together, where could she be, was Dark Chocolate by herself—“

A flush from one of the stalls made her head snap to the right. Second later, the door opened, revealing the other half of the couple. French Vanilla, in all of her glory, came out with small steps. The creamy-white mare walked over to the sink and began washing her hooves, obliviously humming to herself.

Okay, calm down, your idols are right in front of you, and you’re bleeding like a horny teenager! Thank Celestia your tail’s not going berserk.

She checked.

Yes, not going wild at all.

Why are they here?

They’re probably here for the shoot.

And to hang out with Fanny.

Exactly. You’re with them now, so introduce yourself.

“Good afternoon,” Finish croaked.

Dark Chocolate smiled. “There we go, dear. You’ve gained your senses back.”

French finally looked over at them. “Oh, hello!” Her voice was soft, like a reserved schoolfilly’s. “You’re Photo Finish!”

Seeming to have forgotten this simple fact, Finish straightened herself up an adjusted her goggles. “Yes, I am. And you are?”

“Oh, nopony important.” French looked down at the ground.

Oh no, this isn’t going well. Why is she acting like this?

Dark looked between them, and then took French’s hoof. “I’m sorry, Miss Finish, but we should probably be going. Come on, Vanilla.” Dark held French close to her as they walked out. “It was a pleasure.”

“It was more than a pleasure.”

They stopped. “What?” Dark asked.

Why did you say that?

It’s true.

“I mean, thank you for helping me. How can I repay you?”

French looked at the ground, pawing at it softly. Dark, meanwhile, raised a brow. “Repay? There’s no need, I just wanted to help.”

That didn’t work.

What did you expect?

What did I expect?

And now they’re going to go to Fanny Pancake and tell this whole story to—

A lightbulb went off in her head. “Yes, and I think you would honor us by joining us for some chocolate dining.”

“I’m sorry,” Dark replied, obviously trying to act patient. “But we already have a group of ponies that we’re hanging out with.”

As the two mares turned, Finish stepped in front to open the door. “I’m sure Fanny would insist.”

They both stopped.

“Fanny?” French perked up. “Fanny Pancake?”

“Yes,” Finish said, feigning ignorance. “You know her?”

“Know her?” Dark laughed heartily. “She’s one of our best friends! How does the great Photo Finish know her?”

“I’m working on a photo shoot with her.”

“You are?” French asked, a tinge of fright in her voice.

“Yes, I am mainly there to replace some equipment, but I would like to be there to make sure it functions properly.”

“Oh.” French leaned her face into Dark’s shoulder, her left eye sinking into the flesh. “I see.”

What is going on with her?

I don’t know. Perhaps she’s just shy?

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“Nothing.”

Or maybe not. Finish felt the tension rising, so she instead waved the mares to come out. “But that is for later. For now, they are getting ready to eat. We should join them.”

That made French perk up. “Yes, that sounds lovely.” With that, and no other words, the three mares left the bathroom. They easily found Fanny and the others laughing near the entrance. Finish noticed that the front door sign had been flipped to “CLOSED,” and that no other ponies were inside.

“It’s a private party,” Dark said to her. “We get this factory to ourselves for one day.”

“Hey, girls!” Fanny swept the two portly ponies in a hug, and Finish wished that she could see their flesh meshing against one another. “Finally, I haven’t seen you in so long!”

“It’s great to see you as well, Fanny,” Dark replied, hugging the right half of Fanny’s neck.

“We’ve missed you dearly,” French said, hugging the left half.

They hugged for a few seconds, and then Fanny set them down. For an obese mare, she could lift quite a bit. I wonder how much she can lift. Maybe she can lift up everypony onto her massive back, so everypony can ride her and—

Not now! You’ve caused enough trouble as it is!

“Oh, and who is this?” Dark approached Coco. “A new friend?”

“Yeah!” Fanny grabbed Coco and brought her right next to her, sandwiching her between her thigh and chest. “This is Coco Pommel. She works for Photo Finish as a designer of dresses.”

“Really?” French piped up. “How chic.”

Coco blushed. “Um, nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, mademoiselle,” French said, bowing to her.

“Right back at you!” Dark said. “And don’t think you can hide from me, Black Forest!”

Everypony turned to the mentioned mare, who was sitting down on a chaise next to the store. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Dark. You’re too keen for that.”

“Hello, mon ami,” French said, walking over and nuzzling her.

“Hello, meine freunde.”

Dark watched impatiently. “Yeah, yeah, save some for me!” Dark threw herself onto Black Forest’s gut, bringing out an oomph! from her. “Though I’m expecting there will be more of you by the time we’re done.”

More?

“We shall see, Dark.”

We shall?

“Okay,” Duffle said, stepping to the side. “Is everypony here?”

Everypony… and that means me!

What are you so upset at now?

“Yeah, I think we all are!”

“Shall we get on with it, ladies?”

We can’t watch them.

What? Why not?

Because we’re here!

“Don’t be nervous, Coco.”

“Yeah, just have fun.”

“Okay, I’ll try.”

We can’t just be voyeurs anymore.

Yes we can-wait, I see.

We’re here, and we will be expected to act!

“Are you ready, Madame Finish?”

“I am.”

All of our fantasies, our watching, and we’re now in the middle of it!

What do we do?

Feed them!

No, don’t be so forceful.

Stuff them!

Calm down!

Run?

It’s too late.

No it’s not.

Well, we won’t, now will we?

No.

Then what do we do?!

“It is all yours, my ladies.”

The five large ponies set off into the chocolate sea, and Finish could do nothing but watch.

What do I do?

Just go in. Be yourself.

Yes. And claim my prize.

Author's Note

This was a long time coming, but everything before the line break gave me a lot of trouble. That, and some other problems I've had with plotting the plot of the plot-filled plot-filled adventure. A special thank you to R-Panic for helping me get past one roadblock, and now hopefully I can continue onwards.

Also, the referenced person should be somewhat obvious. If (s)he objects to this, I can change it.