To The Heart Through the Stomach

“Twenty-One, Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three, Twenty-Four,” said Pixel Bit as she counted off the money that she and Api Apple had already made for the day. For two hours business was absolutely booming. Compliments rained in from different ponies and creatures on how delicious the Apple Family’s quiche squares were and Api was more than happy to soak up all the glory. “Save the counting for when we close shop, Pixel,” said Api. “We’ve got a lot more quiche to sell.” Just then two stallions, a grey earth pony with jet black hair and a pale blue unicorn with a dark blue and light blue mane, trotted by. “Hello ladies,” said the earth pony with a warm smile.

“Hi, would you like a box of of our quiche squares?” said Pixel.

“Dude,” said Api whispering in Pixel’s ear “that’s Prince Illusion and Prince Valiant Heart.”

“Prince Illusion?” Pixel said with a shocked expression. She then squinted her eyes and gave the two stallions a closer look. “Claire always told me that you disguise yourself when you’re out in public,” she said. “But she never told me how you do it.”

“That’s because that would blow our cover,” said Valiant.

“If you’re looking for June she’s in Appleloosa with Mom, Uncle Big Mac and Auntie Applejack,” said Api.

“I know,” said Valiant. “I just feel the need to get away from the Crystal Empire a bit.”

“I just don’t understand you guys,” said Api in a frustrated tone. “You, Starburst and Illusion are famous royals and you don’t seem to like it.”

“It’s not that we don’t like it,” said Illusion. “But it’s refreshing to do something different instead of waving, smiling and getting pampered all day.”

“Anyway, word on the street is that you guys are giving away some quiche squares,” said Valiant.

“Yup, only five bits,” said Pixel with a big smile.

Suddenly a huge bag wrapped in Valiant’s magic floated from his saddle bag right towards the fillies’ line of vision. “Tell you what, I’ll take twenty for a hundred,” said Valiant. The girls’ jaws slackened. This was the biggest sale they would make should they take the prince’s offer. Api in particular could not let this opportunity pass by. “Sold!” she said excitedly. She then turned to Pixel “Grab twenty boxes, Pixel,” she said. The unicorn filly wrapped twenty stacked boxes in her magic and carried them over to Valiant. “Are you sure you want all of this for yourself?” asked Pixel.

“Yup, gotta make sure Mom, Dad, Flurry and the guys in the guard get a load of these,” said the Prince.

“I’ll just have one box,” said Illusion. Api pushed a nearby box towards him and Illusion paid his five bits. “Are you sure you don’t wanna buy extra boxes for your parents and Princess Luna to have any?” said Api.

“Sure I do,” said Illusion. “Nothing a little chaos magic can’t do.” A part of Illusion hoof formed into a white lion’s paw and he made a snap. Immediately the one box of quiche squares duplicated into fifty boxes. “Mother is sure to want to take a break from cake for once,” said the Prince of Chaos. “Be a good sport and help me with these, Lance.” Lance engulfed the twenty-five boxes in his magic and levitated them in a separate pile with his own quiche squares. I look of rage appeared on Api’s face. “Hey, you owe us for those extra boxes!” she said.

“I don’t recall seeing that on the sign,” said Illusion pointing to the sign that said CHEDDAR QUICHE SQUARES. 5 BITS FOR EACH BOX”. Api grumbled and leaned on the stall. “Hey, Lance, where’s Nidra?” said Pixel. “Isn’t she usually with you guys?”

“She ran off to the Carousel Boutique trying to steal Turquoise away from Annie,” said Valiant with a smirk.

“So typical,” said the unicorn filly shaking her head.

***

At the Carousel Boutique Anthea and Princess Nidra’s shoulders were draped with towels. Photo Finish’s entourage was putting the finishing touches on a scenery in the main workroom that included an artificial palm tree, some sand and a painted background that depicted a beach. Turquoise, Cotton Candy, Claire and Rarity stood in the corner as spectators. “Okay, ladies,” said Photo Finish. “For your first challenge you have a photo shoot against a scene most associated vith summer: Ze beach! Remember, you must show poise, grace and confidence. Now, ve go!” Photo Finish walked behind her camera and adjusted it on the tripod. “Princess Nidra, you first,” said the fashion photographer.

“Watch and learn, commoners,” said Nidra to Claire and Anthea who were close by as she placed sunglasses upon her face. She put on a confident smile and trotted her way to the little scenery. Once she was in view of Photo Finish’s camera a rather serious tone appeared on her face. Nidra stood in a position so that the camera caught at a three quarter angle of her body. “Perfect!” said Photo Finish as began snapping pictures. Nidra directly faced the camera as a member of Photo Finish’s entourage turned on the fan so that an illusion of a soft summer breeze descended upon the scene. Nidra slightly lowered her head so that her golden eyes peered over her sunglasses. “Beautiful!” said Photo Finish as she snapped four pictures of the princess. Nidra turned her back to the camera and dramatically looked back at the camera pouting her lips. Photo Finish snapped four pictures of Nidra in her new position. “Splendid!” said the fashion photographer. “Alright, Anthea, you’re next.” Nidra trotted away from the scenery straight towards the direction of Anthea and the others. Her muzzle moved close to the blind unicorn mare’s left ear. “Let’s see you top that,” she said softly. “Then again, you probably couldn’t see most of it.” Nervousness started to take over Anthea. “Don’t you worry, Annie,” said Claire resting her clawed hoof on Anthea’s shoulder. “You just remember what I’ve taught you.

“Yeah, knock ‘em dead!” said Cotton Candy. Claire guided Anthea to the scene and Claire left so that only Anthea was visible in Photo Finish’s viewfinder. The members of Photo Finish’s entourage turned on the fan to a slow speed to simulate soft breeze. Wearing a big floppy hat the unicorn mare trotted a few steps to her left and looked at the area where she was told Photo Finish’s camera was standing. Anthea was advised not to overdo it by showing wide smiles and batting eyelids. Across her face came a small smile with a relaxed facial express. “Anthea, you look simply adorable,” said Photo Finish as she snapped the pictures. Anthea tipped her hat and showed a friendly smirk. After the fashion photographer took her pictures Anthea laid flat on her stomach, placed her forehooves under her chin and tilted her head giving a warm smile. “Brilliant!” said Photo Finish. “Zat iz all for dis scene. Let me just say, Anthea, your cuteness abounds!”

“Thank, Mrs. Photo Finish,” said Anthea with a slight blush.

“Please, child. You may simply call me Photo Finish.”

“Alright, Photo Finish.”

Nidra scowled as Anthea walked pass her. “I swear that unicorn only uses her blindness to have everything handed to her on a silver platter,” she grumbled to herself.

***

“For dis shoot, ze scene iz a fun day in ze park,” said Photo Finish as she addressed Nidra and Anthea. Nidra and Anthea were now dressed in casual tops that still showed a hint of Rarity’s touch of elegance. Behind them was scenery set up by Photo Finish’s entourage that represented a park with bushes here and there and city skyline in the background. “You must be as relatable as you possibly could,” continued Photo Finish. “You especially, your Highness. Yet maintain an air of confidence. You first, Princess.”

Nidra’s confident smile appeared on her face as she trotted towards the scenery. She displayed an array of poses, copying most of the poses she had seen in numerous fashion magazines. When it was Anthea’s turn she immediately remembered the walks she had with her adoptive mother. From those memories Anthea decided that her posing routine would highlight the beauty and importance of nature. All of her posing radiated her absolute adorability. Next posing scene was a backdrop of a city. Both Nidra and Anthea were dressed in jeans and stylish short-sleeved tops in order to achieve Photo Finish’s vision of “hipness” worthy of Manehattan. The Princess’ posing routine displayed assertiveness and a great deal of sassiness while the blind unicorn mare’s posing routine emphasized fun and an unlimited amount of cuteness. After the city photo shoot Photo Finish overlooked the photos she had taken of both girls in the different scenes. At her side were Rarity, her children and Cotton Candy. “Have you made a decision yet, Mrs. Photo Finish?” asked Rarity.

“To be quite honest I am not close to making a decision,” said the fashion photographer. “Princess Nidra conveys a type of confidence and assertiveness zat most youths her age fail to convey if they vant to make it in the modeling industry. Anthea displays ze type of calm, easy going cuteness most fillies are known for. Dis does not make my decision any easier.”

“Well, you should totally pick Annie,” said Turquoise “Most teens love fun and you could see that in her pictures.”

“Zat is true, child. But on ze other hoof I would like to encourage more girls to enter modeling and having a princess of Equestria iz a great way to convey zat message.”

“Well, you could give a message that anypony could be a model,” said Claire. “By choosing Anthea it could give girls the confidence that the most common of ponies could appear in high profile fashion.”

Silence made its way among the group. Turquoise stared at the fashion photographer with great sternness on his face. He was determined that his girlfriend secured her place as the face of summer in Photo Finish’s magazine. If it meant threatening and bullying Photo Finish, so be it. However, his mother would surely not stand for it and Anthea would not rest easy knowing that Photo Finish chose her due to Turquoise going full dragon on the fashion photographer. Photo Finish had her eyes glued on the masterpieces that were the photos of Nidra and Anthea. Both girls possessed things she valued in modeling. Nidra had the extra confidence and sass while Anthea had the cuteness and relatability. How could she possibly choose one over the other? Suddenly she straightened herself up and a wide smile flashed across her face. She then turned to the ponies and dragon ponies that were looking over her shoulder. “Everyvone, I propose a final test for our lovely ladies,” said Photo Finish. “A runway challenge.”

“A runway challenge?” said Cotton Candy cocking her head.

“It iz vone thing to display their strengths while standing in vone place,” said the fashion photographer. “But can dey show ze same confidence and delight vhile trotting along a narrow strip?”

“What exactly are you suggesting, Mrs. Photo Finish?” said Turquoise.

“My decision vill be determined on ze runway,” explained Photo Finish. “She who can maintain poise, confidence and passion is the vone I choose to be in my magazine. She who makes but vone mistake iz done. Now, ve go!”