Author's Note
This is a rated M story, the origin story of Sister Mary, Sunset Shimmer's caregiver for her first few years through the portal in the Shimmering Hearts Universe. We'll be seeing more of her when the Battle Mage series gets to the point of Sunset's fall and journey though the portal, regressed in age and trapped in a world she didn't understand.
This is the story of China Rose.
China Rose
China Rose
Her name was China Rose.
She looked into the mirror and sighed. She didn’t want to do this. She never wanted to do this. Each time it took a little more from her soul. Every time she did this, another little piece was torn from the fabric of her being.
But she was strong. She could do this. It was just work, nothing more. No one was taking anything from her. She was just working here.
Zhǒnglèi Long looked into the mirror again. No, she was not Zho. Not today. Today she was China Rose.
She carefully pulled her hair back into a bun and applied the stage makeup that made her look more natural in the camera's light. Because of her darker complexion, she felt forced to use contrasting colors. The blue was darker with a metallic sheen as she applied the shadow to her eyes. The red of her cheeks had to pop - she was China Rose after all - even though no one would be looking at her face. Those cheeks were not the ones the camera was going to be focused on.
“I hate my life,” she sighed as she applied the rest of her makeup.
“Five minutes!” called out the director. “Places in five minutes! Hurry it up there, China! We aren’t waiting on you. Get the lead out!”
China rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I heard you the first time. Not my first rodeo you know!” She finished the makeup and tightened the bathrobe around her. “I so fuckinghate my life,” she mumbled under her breath.
Smiling, she looked up. “Ready as ever!” she said, looking at the director. “Let’s do this.”
With a wolfish smile, the director took her hand and led her over to the bed. “Fluffer! Get over here, get her ready!” he called out, leaving her sitting on the edge of the bed. A young girl in a short skirt came over, shy and embarrassed.
“Honey, you don’t need to do this,” China said to her with a smile. “I can just fake my way through anything.”
“Sorry, Miss Rose. The director said I had to give you the full workup. I’m so sorry,” apologized the young girl.
The fluffer untied the front of China’s robe then carefully removed it from her shoulders. China shifted a bit, allowing her to pull it out from under her. The girl carefully folded it up and placed it on the cart next to the bed. She took some cream from the cart and lathering it onto her hands, started massaging it into China’s skin.
“What is that stuff?” asked China. “It kind of tingles.”
“It’s some herbal extract that’s supposed to bring the blood closer to the surface and heighten sensitivity,” the girl stated as she rubbed the cream all over. “The director heard from someone at one of the adult film shows he attended that this is what everyone is using now, so I have to use it too.”
“Well, I guess it’s working,” noted China. “I feel tingly all over.”
“Good!” commented the director as he leaned over in appreciation. “I can see the results already.”
“Fuck off, jerk!” China said, hand covering up her breasts. “Save it for the camera. No perverts allowed.”
“Whatever, bitch. You work for me,” smirked the director. “And I get whatever I want if you want to keep working for me.”
“If you want that badly enough, I guess you need to interview to be on screen talent. Otherwise beat it, dickhead,” snarled China.
The director laughed and waved, walking off. “See you real soon, China. Do not disappoint me.”
“I so hate that jerk!” mumbled China as he walked to the other side of the set, talking to the camera crew. “I so hate my life.”
“Hey, don’t be like that. You’re just doing a job. Don’t hate yourself,” said the young girl. “Please?”
China sighed. “Yeah, just a job. Let’s do this.”
The fluffer finished and rolled the cart off-camera. The star of the show came over and sat on the bed next to her.
“Hi China. I’m Sterling,” he introduced himself. “I was told this was your first time doing penetration, so I just wanted to go over what is going to happen so you aren’t surprised once the camera is rolling. I won’t lie to you, this is going to be mostly unpleasant. In fact, it’s going to be painful. You’re still a virgin, right?”
China nodded.
“Okay. When I penetrate you, it is going to hurt. A lot. I will try to have you aroused as much as possible, as that seems to help lessen the pain. But nothing is going to make it not hurt. Sorry. There will be a little blood too, just so you know. It’s nothing to worry about, so don’t be surprised,” he continued.
China nodded again.
“After that, the director gets his money shot. We’ll finish up with the big climax and then we can all clean up and go home, job done,” he finished. “If we can just get through this, we can probably finish it up in ninety minutes. Two hours tops. Are you ready for this?”
China bit her lip. She nodded again.
“That’s my girl. And if, at any point, you need me to slow down, or even stop, just let me know. The signal will be to grab my left wrist with your hand. That will let me know you need a break. That way we won’t ruin the take, but I will still know what you need. You can do this, China,” he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Standing back up, he turned to the director and crew. “Okay, talent on the set. Let’s roll the film.”
He walked back off camera. The director sat in his chair, looking around at his crew. “Okay, places everyone! And, action!” he called out.
The cameras rolling, the star walked on the set wearing only his speedos and a smile. He sat down next to China, gently took her into his arms and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. China let herself go, following his lead, embracing him back.
Gently laying her down on the bed, he removed his speedos then reached over and opened the bottle of scented oil that had been left on the bed for the scene. Pouring it all over his hands, he rubbed them together then proceeded to rub them over China, covering her with the scented oil.
When he got to her legs, he gently massaged her thighs and calves then worked the oil into her toes and feet. Working his way back up her legs, he had her roll over. He massaged the oil into her backside then up her back and into her shoulders.
China let out a whimper. The more she thought about what was coming, the less committed she became. She had worked as an adult model and talent for over a year and had several films and shoots to her name. China Rose had quite a committed following, and her fans were clamoring for something harder. Her agent had convinced her it was time. All of her work to date had been what was called Blue Films. The acts were always stimulated, and the fact that she was actually still a virgin never interfered with her work.
Now, though, this shoot, there wasn’t going to be any simulation. Her fans demanded it. They wanted to see her really enjoy herself. And her agent insisted that, if she wanted to last in this industry, she had to give her fans what they wanted. Or they would want someone else. She would be finished. So here she was. Scared. Almost petrified.
The star finished with her back and flipped her back over, working on her arms. Then her breasts, then her stomach. Then her womanhood. He was there. He was working on her there. She panicked, and reached out grabbing his left wrist.
He nodded in understanding, working back away from there, allowing her to catch her breath.
‘I’m not ready. I’m not ready!’ she thought to herself, trying to keep from hyperventilating.
She squeezed her eyes shut. She took a deep slow breath, trying to keep her calm.
‘I can do this. I can do this. I am a professional. This is a job. I can do this,’ she thought to herself.
She let go of his wrist. He nodded, and worked his way back.
As he worked his way into her womanhood, she squirmed. Biting her lip and squeezing her eyes shut, she prepared for the pain.
He pushed, and she felt a sharp stab of pain. A searing, tearing pain coursed through her. She clinched her legs shut. She opened her eyes and looked down.
The star pulled his hand from her, blood on his fingers. She cried. Grabbing his hand, she pulled it to her chest and cried, shaking with sobs. “I can’t do this,” she whispered. “I can’t do this. Please stop, I can’t do this.”
The star gently scooped her up into his arms, cradling her. He looked into her eyes kindly. “It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to cry,” he told her gently, rocking her back and forth. She shut her eyes and wept profusely.
Still rocking her back and forth, the star continued to console her, gently brushing her hair back from her face. His caring smile calmed her panic and pain. Slowly her sobs subsided to an occasional gentle heave of her breasts as she cried silently in his arms.
The director looked at the star in anger. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?” he asked. “You are supposed to fuck her, not fuck with her hair. Get to work you shit! Stop dicking around!”
The star met his gaze, steel in his eyes. He looked around at the rest of the crew. “Okay everyone. That’s a wrap!” he called out.
“The Fuck you say!” screamed the director. “This is my shoot! We wrap when I say we wrap!”
“Fuck you,” said the star as the rest of the crew started putting their cameras and tools away. “Or better still, fuck yourself. We’re done here.”
He got up off the bed, China still weeping in his arms. He carried her over to her dressing area and set her gently down in her chair.
“China, it’s over. Let’s clean you up,” he said as he took the makeup remover and gently wiped the garish mascara off of her face. The fluffer came over and started working on her other side.
“That was the bravest thing I have ever seen anyone do,” said the fluffer quietly as she helped remove the rest of China’s makeup while she continued to cry. “He will never forgive you, you know.”
“Fuck him. A real human being would never force a woman to do something she isn’t ready for. If he can’t see that, he doesn’t deserve to breathe, let alone decide my future. So fuck him,” the star said.
Together, they got China dressed.
“Hold on a second, I’ll be right back,” he said.
He went over to his area and threw his clothes on. He also grabbed his keys and wallet. Returning, he cradled China, who was still weeping, in his arms.
“I’m taking her home. She’s done here.” He turned to the rest of the crew. “In fact, we’re all done here. I’m calling this. Everyone, go home.”
The director looked apoplectic. The star flipped him the bird as he left with China in his arms.
Carrying her out to the parking lot, he looked down into her eyes. She was looking up into his eyes, smiling though still crying softly. He smiled back. “China, where is your car? I’m taking you home. You need some time to recover from this.”
“Thank you,” she smiled. “Thank you so much! You saved me. You saved me from myself. I thought I was lost. I thought I was so lost.”
“No. You saved yourself. You knew you weren't ready, and you let me know. How could I not respect that,” he answered. “No one should ever force you to do something you’re not ready for.”
“I’m not China,” China said with a sad smile.
“And I’m not Sterling Rod,” he grinned back. “Tell me something we don’t both know.”
“I don’t have a car. I took the bus here. And I meant that I’m not China Rose. Not ever again. I’m done. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t,” she started crying again.
The star pulled her tightly into a hug. “And no one will ever make you. Not me, not anyone. You’re safe.”
She wept, clinging to him tightly.
He walked over to his car, letting go of China for a second to unlock and open the passenger side door.
“I’ll take you home, China. Get in,” he encouraged, buckling her into the seat then closed the door and got in the driver's side. Starting the car, he put it into gear and drove out of the lot.
“Good riddance to bad rubbish. I’ll be glad never to see that place again,” he said, watching it fade in his rear view mirror as they drove off.
China looked over to him. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“I quit. I can’t be a part of that anymore,” he said simply, looking at the road ahead. “China, where are we going? I have no idea where you live. Do you want to just get some coffee or something? Where do you want to go?” he asked.
China smiled. “Yes please, and I’m not China Rose. Not ever again. Please don’t call me that. My name is Zhǒnglèi Long. Please just call me Zho. It’s what all my friends call me.”
Turning to her, the star smiled. “And I am no longer Sterling Rod. Call me John Wringer. And please, call me a friend. You look like you could use one about now.”
“John. Thank you, John. I think you may have just saved my life. So thank you,” smiled Zho.
“I think you may have saved mine too,” John grinned. “Thank you, Zho.”
Over coffee and danishes, they shared their stories and each other's company. Zho had been born in China, but when she was three, her parents had emigrated to the states, taking her with them. They anglicized her name to Zho to accommodate her new country and friends. Sadly, her happiness did not last long, as her parents died in a traffic accident when she was five. She was spared, since her child seat saved her life. But she was left a ward of the state, having no living relatives anywhere near who could care for her. She was shuffled from one foster care home to another until she turned eighteen, at which point she was released from the system and on her own.
Not having any special skills to speak of, but wanting to be a performer, she gravitated towards film. She tried to get into acting schools and to get acting jobs, but the only positions she could find for someone with no experience and unproven talent, yet still having extremely photogenic looks, were the so-called blue films. Eventually hunger overcame her reluctance and she took one of the positions offered. All she had to do was get undressed and let them take photos of her. It was embarrassing, but the money was good, and she told herself no one was really getting hurt and it wasn’t really her anyways. It was her made up persona - China Rose. China Rose was the bad girl, not her. One job led to another, until this last job. Which was her last job. China Rose was dead. Long live Zho.
John’s story was less tragic. He grew up the youngest of four brothers. They were not poor, but they definitely had to scrape to get by. His father left them while he was still young, only four years old. His mother worked two jobs to make ends meet, so his two older brothers had the job of raising their younger siblings. They turned out okay. They looked out for each other and their mom. They all agreed they would never hurt a woman like their dad had. They would always take care of the women in their lives and never make a woman do anything she didn’t want to do. They would also never leave a woman alone when she needed help.
He drifted from job to job, but could never make enough money to really make ends meet. He finally tried a job in the adult film industry. It turned out, due to an accident of birth, he had something that made him employable, so he took the job and tried to make the best of it. He didn’t like what he was doing, but he told himself it was just a job, nothing more. He did get into trouble more than a few times refusing to follow instructions from particularly vile directors. He was not going to force himself on anyone and he was not going to allow anyone to get hurt while he was on set. Though he had never gone as far as he had this time. Overriding the director and telling the entire crew to go home? Yeah, he was finished. Even if he wanted to, he would never work in this industry again. And after this? He never wanted to.
So now, like China, Sterling was dead. Long live John.
After the coffees and snack, Zho gave John directions to her apartment and he drove her home. She invited him in. Once inside, he decided to make dinner for her and joined her in enjoying it. Zho thanked him for taking care of her, and again for saving her from her mistake. He brushed it off, saying any man worth the name would have done the same thing. They exchanged contact information and agreed to stay in touch, then parted ways.
Zho didn’t hear from John for several weeks after that. She tried to get her life back together. She started with finding other employment. It took a while, but she eventually got on as a temp for an office agency, usually working at the front desk of corporations. She answered the phone and questions from passers-by. It was hard work, but it paid the bills. And she didn’t feel like she was tearing away pieces of her soul while doing it.
Eventually she got a text message from John inviting her out for a coffee so they could catch up with each other. She agreed to meet with him the following Saturday at the coffee shop they had their first date at. He laughingly agreed.
Getting off the bus, she walked over to the coffee shop. She saw him looking over the menu at the same table they had shared weeks earlier. With a smile, she entered the shop and slid in next to him in the booth.
“So how have you been, John? I haven’t heard from you in weeks. Some friend you turned out to be!” she laughed as she sat down.
He looked away from the menu and over to her with a smile. “You have such a beautiful smile, Zho. Damn it’s good to see one on your face,” he teased.
Zho smacked his arm. “Well enjoy it, John. You put it there,” she beamed. “So what have you been up to?” she asked as she sat next to him.
“Careful there girl! I’m a celebite man now!” laughed John, scooting away and grinning. “I’ve decided what I want to do with my life. I’m becoming a priest!”
“What!?” laughed Zho. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“Nope,” John answered. “While I was looking for real work, I came across the homeless mission downtown. I decided I had nothing better to do, as no one seemed interested in actually hiring me, so I volunteered for a bit. I hit it off with the priest that runs the shelter. After some soul searching and of course working around the shelter, I realized that, more than anything, that’s what I want to do with my life. I want to help other people. So, I joined his order as a novitiate and am training to take my vows.”
“No way! Really!? So you’re going to be a priest? Wow!” laughed Zho. “If that’s what you really want, I am so happy for you! Congratulations John!” She hugged him then grabbed the menu away. “So Padre, what looks good?”
“Not a Padre yet, Zho,” he laughed as he pulled the menu back. “And I was still looking at that. What are you in the mood for? My treat,” he offered kindly.
“Going with the classics; coffee and a Danish. Just like last time, but with less tears,” she grinned.
“Works for me!” agreed John as he folded the menu and placed it back in the holder at the head of the table. Raising his hand, he flagged down their waitress. “We’re ready to order, miss!” he called out.
She came over and took their orders. A short time later they were enjoying their coffees and danishes while Zho shared her misadventures as a corporate temp, and John filled Zho in on the joys of studying for the priesthood.
“I am so proud to call you my friend, John,” Zho said, taking his hand. “Meeting you was probably the best thing that has ever happened in my life.”
“Likewise!” agreed John with a smile. “Thanks to you, I am not just a hanging tool anymore. I’m actually doing something useful with my life, and have never been happier. Thank you, Zho!”
She pulled him into a heartfelt hug. “Thank you, John. Friends for life!” she agreed.
“Friends for life! I like that. Yeah, forever, Zho. Friends forever,” he agreed, hugging her tightly.
They kept in touch. A year later, John completed his novitiate and was ordained a priest. Of course Zho was there to see him take his vows and celebrate with him afterwards.
“Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it! Father John! You’re actually a priest now!” she gushed as they enjoyed dinner at the shelter after the ordination.
John had gone straight to work after the ordination. He took over the shelter so the older priest could move onto another city that needed their help.
“You know, we are always looking for more helpers. If you have free time, you could help out here if you wanted,” offered Father John with a grin.
“You know, I may just take you up on that, if for no other reason than to keep tabs on you, given how badly you suck at keeping your friends in your life,” teased Zho back.
Father John smiled. “I would actually really like that,” he agreed.
“Done then,” Zho smiled back. “Plan on seeing me around every chance I get.”
She was true to her word. Every moment of free time she had, she spent working at the shelter. She became his right-hand girl, helping him keep the shelter running. She never felt happier in her life.
One evening, as they were sharing a dinner together during a quick break in their work, he popped the question.
“Zho, I have a proposition for you,” he stated.
She nodded happily. “I’m listening. Go ahead.”
Father John continued. “I have never seen you happier than you’ve been since you started working here. You love what you are doing, and you have a talent for it. You have a kind heart. You care deeply for everyone you help. You are a fantastic manager, and know how to make things come together, working with everyone's talents and abilities. Zho, come join us full time. Make this your life too! I think this is where you belong, here with us helping others that need our help.”
“You’re not wrong,” Zho mused with a smile. “I really have never been happier than when I’m here doing this, working with you and the volunteers. And it’s not like I love my career. It’s just something I do to pay the bills.” She thought for a moment, a pensive look on her face. “I think it’s what I want too, but I’m not certain. Okay if I think about it for a bit?”
“Heck yes, Zho!” agreed Father John. “I’d never force a woman to do something they didn’t want to do,” he smiled.
Zho smacked his arm. “Haha, funny John,” she grinned. “Okay, I’ll think about it. Give me a week or so.” They finished their dinner then went back to work.
A week later, Zho was more convinced than ever it was the right thing to do. She agreed, and was taken into their order as a novitiate sister. She quit her temp job and joined the order full time, spending her life for the next year working in the mission and studying for her vows. When her novitiate was up, she took her vows, and following the practice of her order, decided to take a new name to match her new life.
“My name is Sister Mary Magdalene,” she informed the mother superior after taking her vows. “Zhǒnglèi Long is dead.”
Sister Mary continued to work with Father John at the shelter full time. She was a delight to everyone she met, pouring her heart into her work and helping everyone every chance she could.
One evening Father John propositioned her over dinner.
“Sister Mary, I have a proposition for you. I love having you around and working with you, but we have an opportunity that is too good to pass up. Canterlot needs us. We have a chance to open a shelter there, which is desperately needed, as they currently have none, and have a growing homeless population. Would you be willing to leave here and open a shelter there to help their homeless?”
“How can I say no to that?” smiled Sister Mary. “Of course I’ll go. If that’s where you need me, send me, please.”
“You have such a generous heart,” smiled Father John. “Okay, I will let Mother Superior know your decision. Thank you Sister Mary.” Father John gave Sister Mary a tight hug. “And I will visit every chance I get. I love you girl! Thank you, for everything!”
Sister Mary hugged him back, “Thank you for everything too, John.”
A brief but happy tear rolled down her cheek.
The Canterlot mission was a resounding success. Sister Mary kept things running efficiently and happily. She was a delight to everyone, both the volunteers and the homeless who lived with them. Father John kept his promise by visiting every chance he got. And true to form, whenever he was there, he rolled up his sleeves and helped out.
Then, one day, to her surprise, a young red and golden haired child entered her shelter.
“Hello little one!” greeted the sister. “I’m Sister Mary. Welcome to the Canterlot Shelter. Can I get you anything?” She crouched down and pulled the lost looking young girl into a hug. “Do you have any family?”
The girl shook her head sadly. “No. I ran away, and now I can’t go back,” she stated sadly. “The princess is mad at me and I’m not allowed to stay with her anymore.”
Sister Mary had heard words like this before from her younger charges. Stories about where they were from and why they were here. Most were fanciful flights of young minds trying to make sense of the nonsensical positions they found themselves in.
“So the princess sent you away? I’m sad to hear that,” stated Sister Mary with a smile, taking the young girl's hand. “Well know this, little miss, you are welcome to stay here with us for as long as you need.” She pulled the young girl into a much needed hug.
“Really?” said the young girl, eyes tearing up. “Really? I can stay here with you? And I don’t have to leave?” she asked.
“Yes, really!” agreed Sister Mary, looking into the young girl's eyes.
“Uhm. Okay! I’ll stay then!” agreed the girl happily. “But you need to know that I’m not a girl. I’m really a unicorn and I was the star student of the princess.
“Well, rather, I used to be. Guess I’ll never be that again,” the girl moped sadly.
Sister pulled her back into a hug. “We love Unicorns here too!” she laughed. “And you can be a star here. No one will force you to leave.”
The girl held tightly to the sister, nodding happily.
