Moments later, the food arrived on two large platters. Coloratura immediately tucked in to her muffins, while Abel quietly sipped his coffee, bodyguards at his side as ever. Even though she tried to stay civilized, Coloratura was making it very hard for everyone who looked at her not to squee – the way she ate was just too adorable.

For the first time, Abel seemed unusually aloof. He simply chewed down on his sandwich and sipped his coffee in silence, not uttering a word or even looking at her. She couldn’t blame him; the way Peter had acted in the tour van had clearly influenced his behaviour.

A brief light went off in her head: What if the clue lay not with Peter but with herself?

Since her awkward arrival, Abel and his team had been very welcoming and accepting of her, yet Abel himself had been… different. He had doubts of her potential, but after he saw her potential and talent, he became more open and caring. Even Peter didn’t get a chance to share as much humor with him, and the two were evidently close. Was Peter’s quick guitar song a way of mocking their interaction? Or was he having a quick laugh at what he believed to be a growing friendship between her and Abel?

Before Coloratura could think about it too much, Abel finally spoke, but said just two words. “Food’s good.”

Coloratura nodded and took a big bite out of her croissant, gingerly holding it and dipping it in her latte cappuccino. The fans outside had reduced slightly in number, but a good portion of them were still out there, all giggly and excited around the corner restaurant.

When both singers had finished their meals, the bodyguards got into position as Abel stood up and headed for the door. Coloratura slurped up the last of her latte, tossed her empty cup into a trash bin, and quickly followed him. But just as Abel stepped out of the restaurant, he gave a thank-you to the staff.

“That’s the spirit, Abel,” Coloratura smiled, keeping in line with his stride and direction.

They made their way to the intersection and crossed the street, but upon approaching the tour van the fans suddenly increased. All around girls were screaming. But unusually, the yells were twofold. Coloratura could hear not only Abel being called, but occasionally she heard a few calling her name. And then it got louder and louder.

“Coloratura! I love you! You’re amazing and cute! Thank you!”

The chant seemed to narrow down to one person – a young one, judging from the pitch. And then she spotted it: a shorter, younger girl, no older than 12, pushed up against the van by a bodyguard and other, older fans.

Without even a sliver of hesitation, Coloratura crouched down and squeezed through the sea of legs, straight towards her.

“Hello, you alright?” she asked the girl, standing up on her hind legs and caressing her cheek with her hoof. “What’s your name?”

“I’m… I’m okay… omigosh, I still can’t believe it’s really you!” the girl squeaked with nervousness and excitement at the same time. “I’m Katie. I saw you on the news a while ago with Abel and I just had to see you in person. Thank you so much!”

“You’re most welcome, Katie.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Abel caught sight of Coloratura standing upright and hugging Katie comfortingly.

“Damn, you really dedicated to your fans,” he thought. “I didn’t even think you had fans here on earth.”

A short while later, Coloratura entered the tour van, looking pleased and very content as the bodyguards carefully closed the door behind her and ushered the remaining fans and paparazzi away.

“I still can’t believe you did that,” Abel reiterated. “We were supposed to stick together, remember?”

“Yes, Abel, I understood that,” Coloratura replied, sitting down across from him. “But I also have the utmost love and care for my fans. I know this is your world and your domain – of fans who love to call out that they love you and are happy to see you and take photos. But I heard someone different – someone who was calling a different name. My name.”

“She was?!” Abel leaned forward in surprise.

“Yes,” Coloratura replied firmly. “And she was much younger than the rest, only about 12 by the looks of it, and pressed up against the van. I could hear the plea in her voice, and I couldn’t take it – I wanted to comfort her and show that I truly did love and care for her. A conversation and a hug was short, but it meant everything.”

“What the hell is a little girl like her doing out on a crowded downtown street like this so late at night?” Amir asked no one in particular, but Abel was silent. His head was slightly down, just like he’d been at the restaurant. Finally, he spoke up in a serious and slightly commanding voice. “Peter, as I said before, I have some questions to ask you.” He pointed to Coloratura. “You as well.”

The three of them had a long talk. Peter explained that he simply thought that Abel and Coloratura would make good friends, and admitted that he took it too far by suggesting that they were in love. Abel forgave him though. Now it was down to Coloratura.

“I need your honesty here,” Abel asked, a hint of seriousness in his voice. It wasn’t one of sternness, but more of giving an ultimatum. “Do you…”

Coloratura slowly nodded, as if she was only just getting what he was inquiring about. “I enjoy being around you. Travelling may be a bit of a hassle, but your chill, caring, humble and lovable personality makes it all worth it. I’ve seen almost all of it now – how you handle yourself amongst your team, your fans, and with newcomers. Like me.”

Abel returned the nod. “But about what Peter had suggested about us, what’s your input?”

“I… alright. I do like you, Abel. When – and if – I return to Equestria, I will miss you. I just wish… that you didn’t have to talk about getting deep in that moist hole all the time when you sing. You know, branching out a bit to other topics, perhaps?”

Abel sat back and sighed. “Each of the albums I’ve produced is a chapter in my journey of producing music and my experiences along the way, all from the start and what I’m exposed to. Starboy was kind of an emerging character of the new me, wanting to erase the old me from the last album I released. Influences come mostly from my past when I was in and out of deep, short-lived relationships – the ‘in-out’ kind. However, I find myself settling down a bit more now.”

Coloratura paused and tapped her chin. “Do you have a special somepony?”

“Like a… girlfriend?” Abel inquired with a confused face. Coloratura nodded.

“Yes, I do. Her name’s Selena. We got engaged quite recently and she’s been the sweetest lovey I’ve come across. We went to my hometown of Toronto recently and she enjoyed every minute of it.”

“Here’s to high hopes that your relationship lasts longer and stays rich and healthy,” Coloratura beamed, sharing a brofist and a grin with Abel.

“Now, back to the music. You, too have been different than literally any other girl I’ve met. Honestly at this point I’m not sure, but I might want to switch things up a bit for my next big gig… thanks to you.”

Coloratura’s head tilted coyly. “Are you saying that I’m going to be one of the major driving forces behind your next album in the future?”

Abel pulled a sweet grin and a cute chuckle and simply shrugged. “You’ve made me reflect more about myself and where I’m headed. And this can’t go without me giving something equally great in return.”

Author's Note

Sorry for the lame title for this chapter. Still more to this story - stay tuned!