"Those observant blue eyes she has..."
”CUPID!”
by Pacifist Doodler...
Swirly milk clouds in a sky so blue, gently glided their way across the sea above her head that nearly match the very colour of her hair. A brisk breeze of chill felt droned, slow, and ignored from cars striking past in mere seconds. Vibrant shades of green and grey shuffled on trees, giving a timid maraca sound in the process. The teen sat on a metal bench, taking in the sights while earbuds blocked any unwanted noise. She swung her legs and shyly nodded her head to the electronic pop song playing.
“Coco?” A familiar voice asked from behind her. But there was no reply. “Coco??!” The voice got louder, almost breaking the barrier of audible sound, “Heyy! Talking to you!” She tapped her shoulder, making her flinch.
“Huh? Oh...” A few fingers brushed away blue hair, taking out both earbuds, then turning off the song. “Yes?” She turned around to see Roma who thumped a foot on the concrete. She immediately gave a response, “Yes?”
“So... there may or may not be... something... or other- going on at the school?” Roma said, pushing an uncouth smile at her.
“I'm sorry... what? I- I only understood something about the school? What's going on?” Coco raised an eyebrow, slowly moving her hand to sink an earbud back in, readying the play button.
“If I told you something serious was going on at the school, you wouldn't want to go!” Roma raised an arm to motion over at the school, “It's very important!”
“So... maybe just tell me this important thing going on at the school? I kind of need to know what I'm getting into...”
Roma let out a long breath, adverting her eyes away from Coco, “I... can't! Coco, just trust me! Doesn't the mystery intrigue you?”
“I sort of need context. I mean- I would go but I'm not as brave as you'd think, Roma...” Coco stood up, dusting off her skirt, “You seem upset, wanna free scrunchy?” She took a scrunchy out of her pocket, flexing it with a hand.
“Will you just... blindly follow me to the school? It really is important.” Defeated, Roma looked at Coco with eyes that had seen better days. Were those bags under her eyes or the lighting?
“Sure. I am a little curious to whatever is happening now... sort of? I'll follow you.”
They passed by many streets and Coco started to started to feel exhausted.
”Geez, what's so important?” She thought, racing her feet with Roma’s, attempting to breathe comfortably. “Excuse me- I think we’re going a little too fast!?” She tried to tell her but Roma hurriedly swung her hands, shifted hips, and picked up the speed.
They suddenly stopped at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change; prompting Coco to finally ask...
“What’s wrong!? With the school- please tell me? What is so important to be racing there?” She caught her breath, holding a hand to one worked up heart.
“I- uh... don’t-really-know! I totally just got a text from Fleur about the school being under attack or something!”
Coco shook her head, “Uhm, under attack? The six got this.”
“I think they’re busy!”
Coco cocked an eyebrow. “So you’re dragging me into danger because nobody else is trying to stop this terrible thing happening? What about the police? Firefighters? Call the IFB or-”
The walk light turns on, and they return to sped up walking.
“You just gotta believe me!” She adamantly exclaimed, pointing to the huge roof of the school.
“Oh- uhm... okay, to the school it is!” Coco awkwardly smiled, soon finding herself frowning. ”She's lying to me. Why” A voice echoed throughout her mind.
They were two blocks away, making the blue haired girl remember this exact street. Her street is close by, next to an old candy store. Oddly enough, a lot of cars parked around the school- people usually leave around this time. She felt something was definitely up. But was it danger?
They rounded the corner and just barely, from her peripheral vison, she saw two people run inside the school and slam the doors shut.
”Hmm?”, She put a curved finger to her chin slowing a hurried walk.
“Hey, Coco! We’re here!” Roma briefly squeezed her hand and ran towards the huge main building. She at last got to the sidewalk, adjacent to the student parking and brushed her hand against the metal fence because- it’s so satisfying to do.
She passed by the Wondercolt statue and skipped up the steps. Her heart ticked even faster as Roma closed the door behind her and disappeared behind the... glass?
”It appears the door and front windows were covered by black construction paper. I'm starting to feel weird.” Coco observed, squinting at dark figures behind it.
She started to take her time and slowly approached the door. A pale hand shook, fumbling with the handle. She exhaled a deep breath.
”So apparently the school is in trouble and nobody is here to help? Fleur told Roma about what happened- or at least gave her a little heads up... and of all people she spoke to me...” Coco gave a look of suspicion, floating a hand across the glass.
She sighed and pushed open the door, taking in the air conditioning and fans which blasted her with an aggressive swish of air. Coco gave a blank stare, attempting to process the scene in front of her.
“SURPRISE!” Every student shouted- at least it... seemed like every student! The school is decorated similar to the Fall Formal cafeteria except... everywhere!
“What!” Coco jumped, dodging exploding confetti aimed at her. Hearing greeting shouts from all around.
Pinkie handed her a present wrapped in colorful paper.
“I threw you a going away party, silly! We're going to miss you!”
“W-what!?”
Roma patted her back, “I'm sorry we didn't really get to hang out all that much this year, but I won't forget you!”
“WHAT!?”
Fleur offered her a cupcake and Coco hesitantly took it. It was chocolate with pink frosting. “I’m going to miss you too-”
“WHAT!” She shouted again, this time, everyone gave confused looks along with Coco.
Flash scratched his head, “Uh, Coco, you can stop shouting... are you confused? I think we are too?”
“...Yes- I am! I'm leaving?”
“You didn't know?” Flash’s eyes widened, followed by him sucking in with his teeth.
“I didn't know!”
Author's Note
CUPID! is getting a makeover! Some time ago, I mentioned re-doing this fic. With an updated cover art and- well- I now have a full plot planned out in my head this time.
CUPID! even has a pseudo song that I play, thinking about the story and stuff... is that weird? Listening to a song and having your story play out inside your head? Clearly, I can't be the only person... anyway. Hai! 
The Sailor Song - Autoheart
Updated September 30th, 2022
"... Whisper, whisper, whisper like brass..."
“You mean... You don't know your parents told us to set this up? Well, uh, mostly Pinkie but we helped.” Flash Sentry looked puzzled, almost as much as Coco. His attention turned to Roma as she crossed her arms with a low brow.
Roma shook her head, heavy like a dumbbell, “Why aren't you saying anything?”
“Because I... Had no idea I was moving? Excuse me, I have to go. But- but enjoy the party!” Coco Pommel gave an awkward laugh paired with lazy hand movements.
“You heard her!” Pinkie Pie took out her canon, causing the crowd of students to duck as a wall of confetti shot out.
Such paper fireworks were on cue for the teen to mosey on out of there. She quickly flinged her phone out of a pocket, preparing a call. Her mom's photo took her straight to voicemail. Without an answer, she put the phone away with a heavy sigh.
But then she took it back out to call her dad! Straight to v—
“Yes, dear? I suppose you want a pick up?” He answered as the sound of swishing trees and deep water puddles filled the background noise. That was, if the wind allowed it to.
Her tone was peppered and seasoned with an acquisitioned annoyance. “We're moving?”
“I'll be there right away, love ya!”
“Why didn't you tell me we were mov-”
*BEEP*
‘He better explain to me immediately... Not at home... The car ride there.’ She thought. The thought wasn't loud enough to change her tired facial expression, however. She began to walk over to the curb, balancing herself alongside it. The Canterlot Statue loomed over her as she walked around it. Maybe it was the coldness brought over from its dark blue shadow.... But Coco’s neck pricked and chilled like a glacial matte.
She jolted and turned her head, but what she saw were houses. They circled the school, with dark red and space purple roofs - sometimes black or orange but mostly those colours. A flock of doves left one of many windows. A certain student with a love for nature came to Coco’s mind. She wondered why she couldn't see her at the party.
The sky was a dark grey, as if it were ominously teasing the return of heaven’s tears. She hugged herself for warmth after a hefty breeze blew her way. The lone girl attempted to haphazardly fix her hair but besides the continuous wave of moving air, the embroided hair clip that sculpted her bun would've became undone. Her eyes widened after brushing a finger over the soft clip, but narrowed once a few strands of light blue hair fell to her shoulders.
Another neck chill. She turned around to look at the school, while people are started to leave. ‘When is he getting here? I can't walk home... not anymore...’ Her mind murmured quietly.
She took out her phone to call him, staring longingly at the image she chose for him; that charismatic awkward guy dressed in black from a dinosaur movie they watched together. After a few more seconds of her ringtone, he picked up,
“Yes?”
“Okay, uhm... fine, can I go to Rose’s place? I need to tell her the... News.”
“I thought you guys had a falling out?” He casually asked, honking the horn aggressively through the phone.
“Yeahhh we did, but then made up... now we're friends again.” Coco walked over to a wall, away from the large statue.
“Well, what happened exactly?”
“I- uhm... rather not explain how we became even but everything is sort of better. So can I go to her-”
“Okay, fine, I'll pick you up at five. It's a school night. That sound good?” More honking blared, but this time it wasn't coming from her dad.
“Yep. Thank you! Love you!”
“Goodbye, love you-” *beep*
She stood up and headed back towards the school, it felt colder. Be it the wind or her soft hair causing the skittering spider crawling across her neck, it made things feel awfully chilly as if eyes were on her.
“Hey, Coco, I'm surprised you're still here.” Roma waved for her to come over, sliding her student ID card inside of her bra.
“Oh, hello,” Coco aimed and pulled her gaze away from a party hat, “I see this sad occasion has you finally dressing up? Happy New Year?”
“My garage has decorations dating back to my very first Halloween and Thankgiving. Nobody else wore a hat so I may as well stand out?” A cheeky smile drew from her lips as she gave a shrug.
“Yeah, it's a reason, but I still don't know why Valentine's Day is your least favorite holiday...” Coco gave up on ignoring the party hat. It made her quiet.
“There's many reasons why many people— including myself, of course, hate Pink Halloween....”
“...pink Halloween...” A silent whisper escaped Coco’s thoughts. What a fun phrase to cling on.
“—it’s just a depressing, money stealing, stupid day. Also it's my birthday.” The last word was emphasized.
“I know, Roma, you reminded me plenty of times... though, I actually like Valenti- heh, err, Pink Halloween because I can easily remember the day I got payback on Suri.” She smirked after responding.
“I tried to warn you that revenge is a coward's friend... ever heard the story about Alex Shamrock? You should.”
“W-who? I don't think I'm familiar with this... story?” She crossed her arms and listened intently.
“Alex Shamrock was a well known student and gained the respect of many...”
“-Then... why haven't I heard of them?” Coco interrupted, raising her eyebrows to test Roma on a this possible lie.
“This...” she huffed, “isn't a real story, let me finish please.”
“Okay, please explain then?” She gave a weak kick from her left leg which caused it to pop.
“But there was a student who used to be Alex's best friend despite the many clamoring after. Her name was Vanilla Leaflet—”
“Mhm, this is definitely a made up story— how can they get by without being bullied to death with names like those?”
“Coco, please.” She took a deep breath, “Vanilla was a shy and timid person who was very kind. Helping out everyone any day without asking for anything in return.
One day, Alex started to take advantage of Vanilla's kindess and made her do something very evil without her knowledge. You see, they may have seemed like a really nice person but deep down they were rotten. Alex stole money from other students and bought Vanilla gifts to make it seem as if SHE was taking their funds and spending it on whatever.”
“Okay, uh huh. I know what you're getting at.” Coco rolled her eyes and shut them.
“As time went on, Vanilla's presents made her uncomfortable and asked Alex to stop. So they obliged, but the damage was already done. Because of this, Alex told people about Vanilla's ‘evil ploy’ and rumors spread very quickly. But Vanilla caught on quick and knew this had to be Alex's doing. She wanted revenge.
Vanilla knew Alex was in a relationship with someone and waited months for their relationship to develop. Thirteen months later, Vanilla got all of the receipts that Alex got from the gifts and she filled a notebook with them.
Vanilla asked Alex's girlfriend to talk to them on Valentine's day and she explained what actually happened. Vanilla was shocked to find out they were getting expensive gifts as well!
The truth got out and Alex was rightfully shunned. Days later, she moved out of town to never be seen again.
Even though Vanilla set things right, it came with a tragic cost. She was no longer a quiet and reserved student. But instead, a carefree and laid back hipster—”
“Hey! I— Vanilla is independent and now lives a much better life... I think?” Coco rubbed an arm and frowned.
“Do you get what I was trying to explain?” Roma gave her a broken smile forged by pained lip muscles, “Revenge changed you, I miss the old you... This isn't how you really are and if you're leaving... I'm going to remember the Coco Pommel that parties and hangs with the popular people here.”
Her phone vibrated inside of a pocket as a small black car parked in the school's parking lot stopped a ways away from the pair.
“Well, maybe you can remember who I was and who I am now? Excuse me, I'm going to Rose's... And maybe prepare for a talk about why I'm moving then ultimately get lectured by my dad about this being fair.” She gave Roma a side hug , “See you tomorrow?”
“If you haven't moved by then.” She covered her smile with a hand, faintly giggling.
As Coco walked towards the vehicle, she gave Roma a dismissive wave. “Oh har—har! Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow.”
Someone clicked the picture button on their polaroid camera repeatedly as Coco opened the passenger door. The cloaked figure turned their head, following the car's movement. Behind the trees and bushes, the figure with the heart shaped mask refused to move.
Roma hung her head, to eye a pebble. With seemingly nobody around to see her face, the girl sucked in a breath. Her eyes almost glistened with tears as she softly spoke. “Coco, I loved her... I really did.” She gave the baby rock a slow kick.
With the masked person's gaze now fixated on Roma... Their camera raised. Few flashes followed but the universe didn't seem to care. Roma was heartbroken... But again, the universe didn't seem to care.
Author's Note
Updated on January 7th, 2023.
