She was on the train back to Manehattan, looking out the window, seeing the sites that she rarely has ever seen. She used to travel in her trailer to every place that she performed. But she knew this would be a new life to live in.
“Countess Coloratura”
No, that was the name her former manager gave her. The veil, the glitz, the glam…everything was just what he want her to be. This time, she needed to create the true image for her fans to see.
“Coloratura”
Yes, that is how her fans would remember her. The days of being the countess were over. This is who she was, who she is, and who she would always be.
“Coloratura”
It was a name that she should have gone with from the very beginning. She was no longer the diva that her former manager wanted to create.
“Rara”
While that was an easier name to go by, she wanted it to be kept by those who were close to her, like her friend, Applejack. It was her friend that made her remember who she truly was.
“Rara. You awake, Rara?”
She snapped out of her trance when she heard her name being called on. She looked to see her best friend from Friendship Camp, Applejack. And next to her was another friend who tried to help her after Svengallop left her before her performance, Rarity.
“Sorry. Just seeing the view out there was something I haven’t seen in a long time,” Rara replied.
“Oh, there’s a lot more out there than you think, dear,” Rarity added. “And once you meet Coco, I’m sure she’ll help show you what’s out there.”
“That’s right, Rara. After helping her on our cutie mark quest, I’m sure she can help you get your new career off the ground. And if I can get in touch with Aunt and Uncle Orange, they can help you in settling down in a new place. Not some fancy room at the top of some grand hotel,” Applejack said as she was gesturing with her hooves.
“I’m just surprised that the two of you have family and friends in Manehattan,” Rara responded. “While I was able to make a new song, getting a fresh start is more of a challenge to do by myself. I just hope I can create some new music in the process. It’s been a long time doing so since Camp Friendship.”
“Let me guess. Svengallop wrote your music, right?” Applejack asked her.
“Well, he did have songwriters with him, but I never met any of them,” Rara replied. “I guess he just wanted to take the credit all to himself.”
Applejack and Rarity nodded in agreement.
“Even I was blinded by, as Applejack would put it, the bells and whistles of your performance,” Rarity said. “I would have never knew that Svengallop was just using you for his own desires.”
Applejack said, “Well, thanks to Twilight’s recording magic, we exposed who he really was, and that’s all that matters.”
Just then, they heard the conductor say that they would be arriving in Manehattan in minutes. The city was just in view from the window. It wouldn’t be long before Coloratura would take her first steps on Manehattan as herself instead of “The Countess.”
As the train was pulling up to the station, all three mares grabbed their bags and begin to trot off the train, where Rara’s case would also be waiting. It was all that she ever needed, since her former manager owned all the other stuff that made her “The Countess.”
All three of them made their way through the city to where Coco lived, right across the park where the small theater that they created once stood. The park was looking better than before since they left Manehattan the last time, with the stage that Applejack created being moved to where the old stage once stood. As they came up to Coco’s apartment, they could see her out on the balcony. As they waved and called to her, she saw them down below and asked them to come inside to her apartment. All three of them came in and took a seat in her place to discuss their visit.
“So, what brings you back to Manehattan?” Coco said as she delivered some tea and cookies for her friends.
Applejack said, “We were hoping you could help my friend, Rara, with getting her new career off the ground.”
Coco looked over to Rara, not realizing that fans knew her as Countess Coloratura.
Rarity added, “You might know her as Countess Coloratura.”
That’s when Coco realized that she was in the presence of a famous singer.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t noticed who you were in the first place,” Coco responded. “Forgive me if my place is a mess.”
“Oh that’s ok,” Rara responded. “That was the former sparkling me that everyone remembers. Thanks to Applejack, I’m making a fresh start in my career.”
Rarity asked, “Coco, dear. I was hoping that you could help her with some new fashions for her. Something less…glitz and glam than before, since her former manager owned all of her fancy clothes.”
“We also need to take care of a few things for her as well,” Applejack added.
“Well, this is a surprise,” Coco responded. “Maybe…you can explain why you’ve come to me for help.”
So they explained to Coco what happened during the Helping Hooves Music Festival and how Svengallop was using her for just to enjoy all the perks that come with it. They also explain that she was going to need a new place to live in. Luckily for them, Coco knew that there was a room available in her apartment, just one floor up. Coco went to see the landlord, who also lived downstairs, if they could look at the vacant room upstairs. When they went in, they saw that some of the furniture was still around from an old couple that moved to a retirement home months ago. While the furniture was still in good condition, it was missing some items to complete the place.
While Applejack went to see Aunt and Uncle Orange for additional furniture, Rarity went to the Mane Fair Hotel, where the Countess Suite was located. After acquiring all of her basic clothes and items, they went back down to the hotel desk to let the manager know that she was moving out of the suite. As they were returning to Coco’s apartment, a familiar mare came out of one of the department store and recognized Rarity on the spot.
Sapphire Shores.
She was surprised to see the designer mare in Manehattan. When Sapphire asked Rarity for her visit, Rarity explained the details about helping Rara with the start of her new career. Sapphire was surprised that the mare with her was the same Countess Coloratura that she has heard of. So Sapphire trotted with them back to Coco’s apartment, offering to give Rara advice on how to start her new career by herself. The one key advice she offered was that if Rara couldn’t put her trust in a manager to help her, then she would need a secretary to help keep track of her events and plans while she had control of her life and career. And Rarity knew that Coco would be able to fill this void as well. Her work on the Midsummer Theatre Revival was proof that she could help Rara with keeping her career on track.
When all three arrived at Coco’s apartment, Rara learned that the vacant room was now hers. When they went in to Rara’s new home, Applejack already added the missing items to complete the room. Sapphire noticed that it was missing one more thing, a piano. And not just any piano that would be designed for a dragon’s claws or a griffin’s talons, or even a unicorn’s magic, but one that was designed for a pony hoofs. And Sapphire knew of an old friend who was trying to find a pony who can treasure his old, but well maintained, upright piano.
So far, everything was looking up for Rara, a new home, new piano, and a new friend who was her designer and secretary. And she even had enough bits that she earned from her old career to help her get by until she can get her new career started. All that was left was to create some new music for her to sing. Sapphire Shores gave Rara her address, should Rara need any additional advice to help her career move forward. Applejack and Rarity have done what they could do in the few days they were in Manehattan, and wish Rara good luck before taking the train back to Ponyville.
As days went by, Rara was able to make appearances at libraries, schools, and foal’s hospitals with Coco’s help. Coco also made a few new dresses to help show the new Coloratura, while leaving a bit of her old image around. It let her fans see that she was the same star that they knew, but was also making a change as well. But during that time, she was having a hard time finding the new music inside of her. Creating he last new piece was a spur of the moment, and her fans loved it. But she hasn’t created any music since her times at Camp Friendship, something she also wanted to do when her old career started off. But it was Svengallop who found the music that she can sing to. Now she had to find the music inside of her to move her career forward.
As a month has passed by, Rara spent one day with Coco for some tea and cookies. Coco saw that something was bothering Rara and had to ask.
“Rara, you’ve been spaced out lately. Is something bothering you?”
Rara was brought back to reality. “Oh, sorry. I’m just…having writer’s block, that’s all.”
Coco asked, “Still can’t create any new music for your new album?”
Rara nodded and said, “I just can’t find it in me to create new music. I know my last song just happened on the spot, and they loved it. But I feel like something is…missing. I just wish I knew what it was.”
At that moment, they heard a slam of the door upstairs, which was across Rara’s room. While she was able to meet her neighbors in the apartment, the one pony she has yet to meet lived across her room.
Coco said, “Oh dear. I guess he had another bad day.”
“Who has?” Rara asked Coco.
“Crescendo. He was a songwriter, but lost his job in the music business a year ago. Now he’s been working at one of the local markets almost the whole day just to pay the bills until he can get his song-writing career going again. I guess he must have gotten rejected again with some of his music that he’s been submitting. He’s still young, but it sounds like he’s not having much luck out there. And he hardly talks to any of us in the building.”
After hearing that, she wondered if this Crescendo pony could help her with her writer’s block. When she went back to her room, she decided to knock on Crescendo’s door, hoping to talk to him. But there was no answer. It was possible that he wanted to be left alone, or was tired from working all day. So she gave up and went straight to her room.
As the days went by, Rara still couldn’t create any new music. Reporters were asking her if she will have any new music in the near future, to which her reply was that it was a work in progress. It was all that she could say at the time, since she still was dealing with writer’s block. Coco decided that she needed to have some different experiences in hope it can inspire some new music for Rara to create. They took walks around the city, visiting various buildings, just to see what was going on. Even the park was filled with activity. Rara also helped Coco with some of the events for the Midsummer Theatre Revival, hoping it could spark some inspiration. But when she went to her piano to create, nothing came to mind.
It was at that point that she heard a slam of the door across the hallway from her room. She only heard it at random times, indicating that Crescendo was rejected with another music submission. And she has yet to meet him face to face. She would go and knock on Crescendo’s door, but never got an answer. But this time, she thought of another way to get his attention. It was also a way for her to remember what led her to take this new path since the Helping Hooves Music Festival. She walked up to her piano and played the song that she created months ago.
Once she finished playing her song, she would hope that Crescendo would have taken a moment to listen to her sing and play. All was quiet, hoping to hear something that was proof that he heard her sing, but she heard nothing. Not the sound of hoof steps or a knock of the door, it was silence. Realizing that her plan failed, she started to walk away from her piano. Then she heard something from the distance, what sounded like the closing of a door nearby. Was it possible that he listened to her song? She could only hope that her plan would have worked.
One day, Rara decided to go to the market to get a few things for dinner. Once she walked out of her room, she came across a unicorn stallion walking towards her. He had brown fur and hazel eyes, and his mane and tail was black and messy. He had a slender body, but was about a couple of inches taller that her. Both of them were staring at each other before he decided to speak.
“Um, hello,” said the stallion.
“Hello. Do you…live in the room over there?” Rara pointed to the door across the room.
“Yes I am. You must be the new mare who moved into the vacant room months ago,” he said. “Forgive me, where are my manners. I’m…”
“Crescendo,” Rara interrupted. “I know. Coco down below told me about you. My name’s…Rara.” She didn’t want to give him her real name or stage name, so she felt like the name that her best friend gave her would do.
“Rara. That’s a nice name,” Crescendo said. “So…what brings you to Manehattan?”
“Oh, I lived in Manehattan for several years. I just moved to someplace more…simple in my life.”
“Well, I can see that you were about to go out and do something, so I don’t want to hold you up,” Crescendo said.
“Oh, that’s right. I was about to head to the market to get some food for dinner,” Rara replied.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find some fresh food over there. It was nice to meet you,” Crescendo said, and started to make his way to his room.
Rara started to make her way towards the stairs, but stopped and looked back at Crescendo. “Coco said that you have been working at the market about every day. Maybe…you can help guide me around the market. I haven’t been there in a long time, and could use some help in what I need for dinner. If you have some time, maybe you can help me out?”
Crescendo took a moment to think about it before giving his response. “Sure. Let me put some of my stuff away and I’ll be happy to join you.”
So the two ponies started walking towards the market to get what Rara needed for dinner. Rara thought about fixing a salad for dinner, but Crescendo thought about fixing her some vegetable soup instead, giving her something new to eat. So both decided to fix some vegetable soup with a salad on the side, plus pick up some fruit to have afterwards. When they arrived at the market, Crescendo introduced Rara to his manager, Mrs. Fruit Basket. As they were picking up some fruits and vegetables, Rara noticed a variety of apples on display. She asked Mrs. Fruit Basket if they came from Sweet Apple Acres, where her friend, Applejack, lives and works at. Mrs. Fruit Basket said that they did, and decided to buy a few apples to have after dinner. After buying all that they needed, they went back to Rara’s apartment.
Rara decided to fix up the salad, while Crescendo got a pot from his apartment room and brought it over to begin fixing the vegetable soup. As they were fixing dinner, both of them were able to start a conversation.
“So, how did you know about Sweet Apple Acres near Ponyville?” Crescendo asked.
“I have a friend who lives there and works on the farm over there,” Rara said. “Her name is Applejack. We met many years ago at Camp Friendship, and were able to reunite some months ago after I spent the past few years with my…former career.”
“Was it in music?” he asked.
She replied, “What made you think it was that?”
“Because I heard you play the piano over a week ago.”
Now she knew that he heard her play before. “Well, it was. I needed some time to rethink how I wanted to take my music career. That’s why I wanted a fresh start in my life.”
“I’ve been wondering if I need a fresh start in my life as well. I’m sure that Coco told you about my last job,” he said.
“I think the times you slammed the door was what helped explain what you have been going through,” she replied. “Is it that hard for others to give your music a chance?”
“Well, I have written several music pieces, but everyone in the music industry don’t think that it will attract the artist’s fans. That’s why I keep getting rejected. I hope that I wasn’t making too much of a disturbance with the door,” he said.
“I think I understand your problem. If it’s ok with you, I would like to see some of your music after dinner. I’ve been trying to write new music myself, but I’m having a hard time doing so,” she asked.
“That would be nice. At least I have someone to try it out,” he replied.
Rara was able to get the salad ready, and Crescendo already had two bowls ready for the soup. They were able to get the table set with the food, a couple of glasses of water, and some apple slices to go with the food. Rara was pleased with the soup that Crescendo fixed for her. After they finished with dinner, Crescendo went back to his room to grab some of the music that he wrote to Rara. She looked at some of the pieces that he wrote and asked him if they could try one of the pieces that she wanted to sing. It was one that sounded more romantic and touching. He laid the music on the piano stand and started playing on the piano while she sang the words to the song.
It was after the song was finished that she fell in love with the music that he created.
“That was very touching, Crescendo. I don’t know why anyone would reject a piece like this,” Rara said.
“It’s because every manager for every artist wants something more upbeat, new age, that kind of stuff,” Crescendo replied. “Did you have a manager before?”
“Well, I did once. But I’ve moved on. Coco is now trying to help with my fresh start,” she said.
“Who was your former manager?” he asked.
“Svengallop,” she answered. Crescendo started to get up and walked to the window porch, laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“Now I know who you are. You’re Countess Coloratura,” he said. “You’re the one who destroyed Svengallop’s business.”
“I…don’t quite understand?” she said with a confused look.
He responded. “I guess you haven’t heard. Somehow, word got around about how he was trying to enjoy the benefits and force the planners that he would cancel any performance if he didn’t get what he wanted. Now all of his clients have fired him as their manager and looked for better managers to help and respect what the artist really wanted in their career.”
“Well, I’m surprised that his actions got the best of him. But what made you think it was funny?” she asked.
“Because I wrote music for his artists that worked for him. He fired me over a year ago after seeing that my songs were sappy and boring. And he tried to take credit in the songs that were given to the artists.”
Rara started to giggle before she spoke. “I guess karma finally got the best of him. And as for your music, I think it’s nice. It has a slow and emotional feel to it.” She looked down, kicking her front hoof into the floor, and asked, “I was hoping that you would be willing to help write some songs for me. I’m in need of a songwriter because I just can’t create any new music for my new album. I have had reporters ask me when I would have my next album out, and all I can say is that it’s a work in progress. I think you have a great talent in songwriting and no one is willing to put it to use. I should be able to pay you for your services, if you will let me.”
Crescendo looked back out the window to think about it before he could respond. “Tell you what. If you can help me find some ideas on what kind of music you would like to sing, I’ll help you in writing it and see if it sounds good, ok?”
She said, “Good. We should also have Coco listen to some of the songs that you have listed. She plans to work on some new fashion designs, and maybe if she was able to hear some of the music, she can come up with something to match with the song. It won’t be anything flashy like before, but it will help bring the song out with it’s feeling.”
So the next day, they brought Coco up to listen in to a few of the songs that he had written before and it gave her some ideas on some designs that would fit into a several of the songs. In a month, Crescendo was able to write enough songs for Rara’s new album. It would have a mix of songs that ranged from slow and emotional to fast and upbeat, nothing like the songs that she sung before. It was in a week after the release of her new album that the concert requests started coming in. Crescendo was able to plan all of Rara’s events for Coco while she worked on the dresses that Rara would need at each event.
It wouldn’t be long before Sapphire Shores would hear about Rara’s new success that she would ask Rara to join her on a new music tour to share as the main event. Rara did request that Ponyville should be the start of their tour, and that Crescendo and Coco needed to come along with them for the tour. Sapphire agreed to Rara’s request. When they arrived in Ponyville for the start of their tour, Rara was able to introduce Applejack to her new friend, Crescendo, and explained how they met.
As they continued on their tour, Crescendo was able to come up with some ideas for future songs to work on for Rara once they returned to Manehattan. When they returned to Manehattan, Crescendo went to work on some new music with Rara, while Coco went to work on planning for some meet and greet events that Rara loved to attend and help out. It was during that time that Rara had to ask Crescendo something.
“Crescendo, how would you feel if you and Coco would be my co-managers? Since you have been my songwriter and Coco has been my fashion designer, the two of you have been taking turns with my scheduling on events when your not doing what you normally do for me.”
Crescendo responded, “I think that would be a great idea, Rara. I can help plan for your concert tours, and Coco can work on your charity events and meet and greet events. We can work together so that everything plans out well for you. We might have to make request for food supplies at each event on the road, if I plan to feed the two of you some good meals. Cooking has helped kept my mind at ease since I cooked the soup for us when we first met.”
“Unlike the requests that I went for with Svengallop, that would be a request that I would let you make to them, in a heart-felt manner.” Rara decided to give a kiss on Crescendo’s cheek, causing him to blush. “Beside, I think what I was missing in my life was having you at my side through all this.”
“I should be thanking you as well,” he said. “If it wasn’t for you, I would have never gotten my songwriting career going again like I wanted to in the first place. Maybe it was destiny that brought us together.”
Rara wrapped her forearm around his neck and leaned next to him, saying, “Maybe you’re right, Crescendo. Maybe you’re right.”
