Love Bitesby marmaladoChaptersThe Talented SongstressThe Bloodthirsty VampireThe Ladies of PopThe Talented SongstressHey, sweetie. Come see me after the show, why don't you? Coloratura read the text again, followed by her reply. How did you get this number? There was no response. She chugged her glass of water and capped it off with a sigh, reclining on the black leather couch backstage. The nervousness behind just who sent the text reflected in her performance just minutes ago, and she knew it. To think it could be some kind of a creepy stalker unnerved her, even though she was well aware that stalkers were one of the many pitfalls of being in the music industry. It certainly wouldn't be the first stalker she ever had. nor would it be the creepiest. The muffled sounds of the next performer caught her attention. She put the phone down and looked towards the door with a smirk. Sapphire Shores. One of the biggest pop sensations in the world. Abrasive, showy, and not afraid to speak her mind with an extra touch of flair. Coloratura was supposed to see her as a rival, but she didn't really have the heart to stake any rivalries with anyone. If music was supposed to bring people together, then why did it have to drive them apart too? It didn't make sense to her. Did Sapphire even see her as a rival? Or as someone who could be a friend? The door opening cut into her thoughts, and she straightened with a yelp. "Oh, Coloratura. Or is it Rara?" "I- uh-" Coloratura cleared her throat. "Um, just Rara is fine, Ms. Melody." "Now, now. What have we discussed about honorifics?" "...Not to use them?" "Precisely." Melody adjusted her red-rimmed glasses. "Anyway, I just stopped by to congratulate you on another successful show. Though I couldn't help but notice you were a little off your game by the end. Any particular reason why?" After the walking disaster that was Svengallop, Coloratura was grateful to have Melody Song in her corner. She was far nicer, and more competent, than he would ever be. (Plus, there was no sneaking suspicion about whether she was gay or not. At least with Svengallop, she didn't have to guess.) But even in spite of that, Coloratura still found it hard to tell her about the text. Melody had a tendency to smother her if she so much as tripped over her own feet. If she found out about the text, there was no doubt she would use every avenue she had at her disposal to find whoever sent it and track them down like a homing missile. Besides, it was one text. If more came in, that would be good cause for concern. "I think my throat just began to get a little dry," she fibbed. "That's my fault for not hydrating properly before I went on stage." Melody clutched her chest in relief. "Oh! Well, I see." She turned to wave to a guitar-wielding duo who passed by before she let her gaze rest on Coloratura again. "I'm glad everything turned out all right." "Helloooooo-oooooo, Fillydelphia! Before I begin my next song: next week will be our monthly blood drive. Stop by the Civic Center and donate some blood! It's for a good cause." "Ooh, a blood drive. You know, since it's been a couple months, maybe we should host another charity event, Rara. I'm thinking a 5k, to raise funds for something like helping the homeless or feeding the hungry. Let's meet up tomorrow and brainstorm some ideas, okay?" The words barely fazed Coloratura. Her attention was solely focused on the back wall, her ears picking up on every word Sapphire said. Charity work certainly was no competition, and blood was always a dire medical need, but...a monthly drive? She'd never heard of any blood drives being monthly. Was it possible Sapphire was pocketing a check or two for herself? Would she really be that immoral? "Rara?" She blinked and turned. "Huh?" "I was suggesting we meet tomorrow to come up with ideas for our next charity event. Do you...have any place in mind?" "Cannon's fine." "Cannon Bar and Grill it is!" Coloratura picked up her phone. "Look, Melody. After the concert's over...I think I'm gonna hit up a restaurant or something before I go back to the hotel. I could use a drink. And a good meal." Melody looked from her client, to the water sitting on the table in front of her, and back again. "Oh. All righty, then!" Coloratura could hear the upset in her voice, but opted to ignore it. "Just don't get too drunk, okay?" "You know I don't want to get drunk period." "Ah, yes, right. I forgot." Melody turned. "I have a few more clients down here I have to speak to. If you need me, just shoot me a text." Coloratura gave a nod and watched as the woman slipped out of the doorway and went down the hall. She began to kill time by checking social media while she listened to Sapphire's concert. "Just a root beer, a chicken sandwich, and some fries, please. But no mustard." "You got it. We'll have that out for you soon." Adjusting her veil, Coloratura couldn't help but think about what a pain it was to even be wearing one. She had kept it at the advice of Melody, in order to protect her identity when going out. But all it did was remind her of Svengallop, plus it made her look really silly. Why couldn't a pop singer mingle with the common people over something as trivial as eating alone at a restaurant? Was she really so famous that, if she took the veil off, people would swarm her? And really, the veil didn't do anything to disguise her voice or the rest of her body, so what was the point? "Hellooooooo there." Her attention was caught by the sound of a familiar svelte voice. And when she laid eyes on who it was, she yelped, banging her knee on the underside of the table in the process. "Whoa, hey now, watch yourself!" Coloratura straightened herself and rubbed her knee to make the pain go away. "S-Sapphire Shores?" she murmured. "What are you doing here?" "Oh, come now. Surely you know this place is my hangout!" Sapphire laughed and waved her hand. "I come here all the time. And it seems like you do too." She pursed her lips in disapproval and pointed at Coloratura's veil. "I'd lose the veil, though. If you don't mind me asking, why do you have it on, anyway?" Still struggling to figure out why Sapphire was sitting at her table, Coloratura didn't have a quick answer to the question. Instead, she spent the better part of a minute stammering, before she gripped the table. "It's...my agent. She advised me to wear it. So I wouldn't have people gather around me when I go out." At this, Sapphire let out a laugh that seemed more suited for the stage than a restaurant. She reached over and lifted the veil, looking into Coloratura's eyes with a warmth that made the girl just slightly uncomfortable. "One of the topmost rules of show business: let yourself be comfortable with people approaching you. If you can't abide by it...then I'm sorry to say, you might not be cut out for the industry." With her eye twitching, Coloratura ripped off the veil in one fell swoop, slamming it down onto the table. "I am cut out for this industry," she snarled. "Don't assume otherwise." "Oooh, did I press a flaming-hot button?" Sapphire teased, moving back and sitting down in the chair opposite Coloratura. "I'm sorry. But it's true." Coloratura narrowed her eyes. "Why are you here? At my table?" "Mmm..." A glint formed in Sapphire's own. "Let's just say that I was utterly fascinated by your performance tonight. Even in spite of your little faux pas." The waitress came and laid Coloratura's drink onto the coaster. Once she thanked her, she turned back to Sapphire. "It wasn't a faux pas. It..." She bit her lip, unsure whether she should tell someone whom she should consider a rival about the text. She didn't really want to, but at the same time, she wanted to befriend Sapphire, not butt heads with her. And that was putting aside the attitude. "I got this text that's been bothering me all night. And it's not from anyone I know, and I don't know if it's some kind of stalker or-" "May I see it?" The voice was...sensual. Too sensual. "Uh..." Coloratura glanced around her, finding that most people, if they had been staring at the two of them, had gone back to whatever they were doing. "Why?" Sapphire fiddled with a lock of her hair. "I've gotten the same text, I believe," she admitted. "I want to know if it's the same number. That's all." Coloratura waited for Sapphire to elaborate. But all she did was stare at her with...was that knowing in her eyes, or was she seeing things? She rubbed her eyes, then took out her phone, opened the Messages app, navigated to the text, and spun the phone around to show Sapphire. The other girl put on a pout. "Mm. Yes, that's right. You didn't fall for my elegantly-crafted trap." She covered her mouth. "Oopsies! I think that was supposed to be a secret." Right then and there, Coloratura could feel her heart plummet. She got played for an utter fool. By the girl who was supposed to be her rival, but was hitting on her. Coloratura wasn't someone who was really looking for love. She was moreso focused on advancing her career first, with finding a suitable mate taking a lower rung on the ladder of priorities. But not once did she ever think someone else would be making the moves on her. It wasn't that she thought she was ugly or anything, but she didn't exactly see herself as a pillar of attractiveness. "Aww, look at you! As red as...a juicy tomato." Sapphire stuck her tongue out. "Ugh, that imagery will not leave my head, will it?" It was true. Heat was filling Coloratura's cheeks. She could feel it, and she hated it. She buried her head in her hands in a desperate attempt to hide it, but even with her vision obscured, she could sense Sapphire's smugness from across the table. "Here's your food, ma'am. Oh, Sapphire Shores! What a delight to see you here again. How was your day?" "Oh, just wonderful, thank you. Please, don't bother taking out your menu. I'll just have two simple Bloody Marys for tonight." "You got it. Just take it easy with the drinks, okay? You had to be escorted out of the place by your designated driver last time." "Yes, yes, I'm aware. I'll be careful." A deep part of Coloratura was insulted that the waitress didn't address her by name but addressed Sapphire by hers. She pulled her hands away from her face and eyed her food, her frustrations ebbing away and the hunger bell going off in her mind. At least if Sapphire was going to get under her skin, she could get a good meal out of it. As she took a bite of her burger, she flinched as teeth bit down on the tip of her tongue. She set the burger down and swallowed her bite. "Goodness, did you bite your tongue?" Sapphire asked, standing up and leaning forward. "Here, let me help you." The hunger in Sapphire's eyes was enough for Coloratura to lean back. "I- uh- n- no. No, I'm...fine. I'll be fine," she hastily assured. "It happens all the time. I was hasty." With a pout of disappointment, Sapphire sat back down. "Oh, all right. Doing it in a crowd isn't ideal, anyway." Coloratura almost wanted to ask what "it" was. She was pretty sure Sapphire wanted to kiss her, and...okay, maybe she was a little hot. She had to be; she was a renowned pop star. She probably got guys...girls...lusting after her all the time. But Coloratura wasn't a lesbian. At least, she didn't think she was. She didn't really have any kind of gay awakening or have a desire to commit to experimenting who she liked. Besides, she was a rookie sitting across from a veteran, and she had to make a good impression. ...Or maybe she was just overthinking all of this. She grabbed her burger and took another bite, pausing when she saw Sapphire take a smaller fry from her plate. "Hmm? Oh, terribly sorry. Is it all right if I take one of these?" "Yeah, whatever." "Thank you." Sapphire popped the fry into her mouth. "My, I've forgotten how well they cook their potatoes here." Just as Coloratura swallowed, the waitress returned with two drinks. "Here you are. Two Bloody Marys." She smiled. "Can I get you two anything else?" "I'm good," came the unisonant answer, and the waitress nodded and slipped away towards a nearby table. Sapphire took one of the drinks and gently pushed the other towards Coloratura. "For you, my dear." Coloratura eyed the drink, unsure of where it came from. She knew she didn't order any drink aside from a root beer, so it had to come from Sapphire. And for some reason, Sapphire's drink looked different in coloration. "That's a Bloody Mary," Sapphire explained. "It has vodka and tomato juice" -- she slightly lurched forward -- "in it, plus a few extra sauces like Tabasco sauce." She straightened and put on a smile. "Go on, try it!" On one hand, Coloratura hadn't been planning on getting any alcohol tonight. On the other hand, from the one time she managed to get drunk, she knew she wasn't one to lose her liquor easily. One Bloody Mary really wouldn't do anything to her in terms of getting her wasted. With Sapphire chugging hers, Coloratura took a sip. And then another. And then another. And her eyes lit up like the bright moon in the sky. "More Bloody Marys, please!" The night kept moving on, as nights did. Eat the burger. Eat the fries. Get that out of the way. Then, drink more Bloody Marys. Laugh at whatever gibberish Sapphire was saying. Drink more. Lots more. Jeez, these things were fucking delicious. Who the fuck was Melody to deny her such a hidden pleasure? Her memory became a blur somewhere along the fourth drink. She could feel her body make impact with something hard and see Sapphire rush to her aid, but she was laughing too hard to care. And when her energy ran out, so did her consciousness. The Bloodthirsty VampireSapphire Shores was someone who, in her own eyes, was a good person. She was charitable. She loved all of her fans. And when the going got tough, she was certainly not one to resort to turning against her ethics, no matter who tried to goad her into doing so. But for all of her love and affection, she was out for one thing in particular. Long had she grown tired of drinking tomato juice and eating tomatoes just to get by. At first, she savored the taste. The juiciness of the fruit, the way it dribbled down her chin, the little seeds inside. The organic ones, while far more expensive, tasted especially delicious. She craved everything that had tomatoes in it -- canned tomato juice, diced tomatoes, and of course, bruschetta. Bruschetta was her favorite thing to make, especially when paired with a good baguette. But as the years went on and she became involved with all sorts of lovers, the lust of tomatoes wore off. Blood was sweet and metallic in a way that tomatoes weren't. It was a natural part of her to desire blood, because it was what she needed to live. While going after any random person for their blood would land her in massive trouble (as she had found out the hard way in her early years), she found comfort in seeking out someone who could willingly offer up their blood in an act of pure romance. And the sexier the person, the better the blood was. It didn't matter to her if they were one-night flings or there to stay, so long as she got enough blood out of it. If they didn't have good blood, they were sent off to go play in the pool of romance once more with some flimsy excuse like "it's not you, it's me" or "I'm just not into your type". The sex was just an added bonus. On the ladder of acts of intercourse, though? This girl, laying right next to her, was up there. Her broken-up, wall-shattering snores and weird-looking pose didn't faze Sapphire. What caught her attention was the bite mark in her neck, the dried blood still running down it in a neat trail. Sapphire hungrily licked her lips, thinking back to just how magnificent that blood tasted. It was heavenly. It was something that made her heart beat faster and faster. It was like a child who ate candy for the first time and then began to crave it immensely. Her body moved on its own. She rolled over onto her right to face the other girl, then ran a finger along the corner of her mouth to clear away the trail of drool. She wiped it on her clothes, then went for the kill, her sharp teeth digging into the flesh of the girl's neck. The sensation of that divine blood washed over Sapphire's tongue, and she moaned in pleasure, her eyes rolling up in the back of her head. About the only thing that ruined the epicurean act was the girl being completely oblivious to it all, muttering something in her sleep that Sapphire didn't care to translate. The pair stayed in bed for several minutes, Sapphire sucking up some more blood while Coloratura snored away. Her conscience told her that drinking the blood of someone who was unconscious and was going to wake up with a really crappy hangover was a bad idea, but she didn't want to stop. Slowly, she made her way up to Coloratura's ear and nibbled on it, drawing just a little bit more blood. A loud snort marked Coloratura's arrival to the waking world. Her eyes slowly opened, and Sapphire could see just how glazed-over they looked. She let go of her ear. "Good morning, sleeping beauty." "Mmmmmornin', Sapphieeeee..." droned Coloratura in response, her voice heavily slurred. Sapphire smiled at the cutesy nickname, finding that it could grow on her. "How are you feeling?" A one-note hum was her answer, but it soon turned into an aching groan as Coloratura clutched her forehead. "Ah. I see you've met my old friend 'the hangover'." Sapphire nodded. "Been there done that, darling. I'll take you to the bathroom." As soon as Sapphire's feet hit the floor, the crushing feeling of having more than one Bloody Mary that night hit her like a truck. She wasn't as put out of commission as the slowly-rising Coloratura was, but she could feel the throbbing headache as it pulsated like the beating of her heart. Of course, Coloratura making oral deposits into the toilet wasn't helping her case. After the second go-around of vomit, the girl turned around and met Sapphire's gaze. "What...happened last night?" "Weeeeell, it's a funny story, really. I ordered a Bloody Mary for you, 'cause I figured you could use one, but..." Sapphire grit her teeth. "You got addicted. You just kept ordering them until you blacked out." She sighed. "Good thing I only had two, but that didn't stop your snoring from nearly making me crash the car." She could see Coloratura's face twist into anger, but she threw up again before she could respond. "I..." She spat. "So why...am I here?" There was really no easy way to break the news to her. Sapphire knew that much. Her methods of doing the deed were a little unconventional, because it wasn't just sex. It was a chance for Sapphire to feed. And on top of that, she wasn't even sure if Coloratura was a virgin or not. With a deep breath, she decided to lay it on her straight. "Took you back to my place for a little lovin'. Hope you don't mind." It was like someone hit the pause button on Coloratura. She froze, hands on the sides of the toilet, barely breathing, staring at its interior. Sapphire, thinking she was just in shock and was done being sick, slowly reached for the handle to flush the toilet. And then hell let loose. It wasn't that Sapphire kept track of the worst hangovers she'd ever experienced. But the amount of puke that came out of Coloratura's tall thin body made her wonder just how much was in her. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it left both girls completely shocked. "You..." Coloratura twisted her upper body around. "We had sex together?" Sapphire took a few steps back, if only to avoid any gross spittle getting on her clean pajamas. "Yes, but-" "YOU TOOK AWAY MY VIRGINITY?!" A blink. And then another one. "Y-yes...?" "Oh God." "But you wanted to! The second I pulled into my driveway you wanted to book it straight for the bedroom," Sapphire pointed out. "Me, I wanted-" "What? To get me shit-faced drunk and then fuck me until the cows come home?" "No! I wanted..." Sapphire pinched the bridge of her nose. "I wanted your blood." The room fell quiet. Coloratura's fury was replaced with sheer confusion, and Sapphire could already sense what she was going to say. "What, like a vampire? Are you serious? Vampires aren't real." Right on the money. "You know I actually considered you a friend and not my rival? Because I actually thought you were a nice person and wanted to make a new friend?" Coloratura stood up and flushed the toilet before making her way to the sink. "So you..." She paused. "You hit on me, you try and kiss me, then you...God, the signs were so obvious, weren't they? I should've known how this would end." Sapphire, her body going partially limp with despair, watched as Coloratura reached a hand to her neck and began feeling around, then focused her attention on the mirror. "...Oh my God. This is...you..." She slowly turned around. "You really are a vampire." A nod. "You aren't bullshitting me." Another nod. Coloratura turned back around and looked into the bowl of the sink, gripping its sides. Sapphire had dealt with this before. After all, it wasn't just anyone that decided to take the term "love bites" a little too far. But most of her lovers were indifferent to it or, in the case of Blue Wave, awed by it -- it wasn't a dealbreaker for them. Coloratura, on the other hand, was acting like someone had just told her she has three months left to live, and Sapphire couldn't help but wonder what kind of fantasy world she was living in, especially with everything that had happened in the world with Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer and their friends. Being a vampire didn't hold a candle to the kind of stuff they'd experienced. "I'm sorry. It's just...you probably think I just want you as a blood source..." She stopped, and thought back to all the love she had received over the years. People hitting on her, stalking her, wanting to take her out for a nice dinner or two, not realizing that the love was purely one-sided and that she just wanted their blood. Combine that with all of the blood drives she hosted, and it was clear that she was wrong. She was just greedy. Greedy for blood, with no regard to the body that produced it or the mind that made that body owned by a unique person. It was natural for her species to desire it, but could they also want more than that? Could they also desire romance from a person without thinking of their next meal? Sapphire wanted Coloratura. But did Coloratura want her? With a sigh, Sapphire leaned against the wall. She had to choose her words carefully. "You probably think I just want you as a blood source. And the truth is...I did. Your blood is savory. I can't get enough of it. And you certainly aren't the first one I've wanted just for their blood." Her head angled towards the ceiling. "But talking with you last night, taking you home, our...lovely night of passion..." A blush, creeping across the cheeks. "It made me wonder if we could have a future together. A future where I'm in love with you, and not just with the blood in your body." Coloratura sighed and straightened, only looking at Sapphire through her reflection in the mirror. "Name one thing you like about me. Besides my blood." The answer was a little unexpected. On top of that, it was oddly short. Sapphire blinked a few times. "Uh, well...you're very talented. It's almost a pity you aren't higher up in the charts!" "...Name one more." "You're one hell of a social butterfly." "One more." "You look very cute, even for someone who just threw up in my toilet." Sapphire almost thought she heard Coloratura snicker. The girl's body was heaving, and for a moment Sapphire wondered if she was going to have another wind of vomit. The uproarious laughter that echoed throughout the entire bathroom proved her wrong. "Oh God..." Coloratura wiped her eye. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but your love life must be pathetic. No offense." Feeling a little insulted, but also relieved that Coloratura didn't go off on her, Sapphire responded with a simple "None taken." "I mean, hooking up with people just to bite their necks? That's crazy! Those blood drives you've been hosting every month would be a better way to get blood. You know, without turning people down." Coloratura turned around. "How did you break up with all your past lovers, anyway?" "It was...rather easy," Sapphire answered, fiddling with a lock of her messy blue hair. "I simply told them that they weren't my type, or that they had some kind of quality that was a dealbreaker for me." "Yikes. And they didn't even question the bloodsucking?" "Most didn't." "Mm." Coloratura heaved a sigh and crossed her arms. "Well, if I'm being honest, love isn't exactly on my list of priorities. I wanted to become a successful pop star first." "Well you're gettin' there, baby!" Sapphire smirked as an idea formed in her head. "But I know a way you can really rocket to fame." "What?" Sapphire took a few steps forward, grabbed Coloratura by the shoulders, and yanked her closer to her. "Let's use the power of love." Coloratura blushed and looked away, a sheepish smile forming on her face. Sapphire, meanwhile, was patting herself on the back for coming up with such an ingenious idea. If neither one of them viewed each other as industry rivals, what was stopping them from teaming up and becoming the fabulous Ladies of Pop? And, on top of that, Sapphire had a chance to restart her love life with a girl she actually appreciated from head to toe. Though it was only less than a minute, it felt like hours before Coloratura made eye contact again and grinned. And the answer she gave made Sapphire walk on air. "You, Sapphie, have a deal." The Ladies of Pop"Ugh, look at this HMZ article. 'Coloratura and Sapphire Shores Outed as Lesbian Vampires'. Why does everyone think I'm a vampire too?" "Wait'll you see our children, honey." "Shut up. That's a long way away and you know it!" Both girls shared a laugh as Coloratura put her phone down. "I really need to stop reading the news so much. It's so bad for my health." "Tell me about it," Sapphire responded, sitting down in front of the mirror as an assistant grabbed the makeup kit on the countertop. "Paparazzi's been goin' craaaaaa-zaaaaaaay since we got together." "Eh, if I know them, they'll move on to the next thing soon enough. Svengallop made sure he slandered me all over the tabloids when I fired him. It really put a dent in my career for a while." Sapphire closed her eyes as the makeup was applied. "I can imagine. But on the bright side, you managed to bounce back! And honestly, that's the best kind of revenge." "It is, isn't it?" Coloratura sighed wistfully. "You're so insightful, Sapphie." "Thank you, darling." The room fell silent. Once the assistant was done with Sapphire, he moved on to Coloratura, who decided to break the silence with a simple question. "Hey, you want to feed before you go on stage?" "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "Though I do require a looooove toll fee." "A love toll..." Coloratura would have blinked if she hadn't closed her eyes. "Ah. A kiss, you want." "And a kiss I shall get!" "So demanding. All right, fine. As soon as my makeup is done, then you shall receive a kiss." Sapphire giggled and began to examine herself in the mirror, only half-listening to the television that was broadcasting the concert live. "Thank you, Broken Record." Coloratura hopped off of the chair and went over to Sapphire's, grabbing it and spinning her around. The dizzy look on the other girl's face didn't deter her any. "Now, let's hurry up and pay that toll." As soon as Coloratura's lips locked with Sapphire's, sparks began to fly. The pair engaged in a long and passionate kiss, ignoring the Record who was trying not to look and ignoring the television that was now broadcasting the departure of the penultimate act. "Sapphie thanks you for your payment," Sapphire whispered in a shamelessly erotic manner. "Perhaps later on, you can have me pay a love toll." "Oh, definitely." Coloratura stared at Record. "Sorry, but do you mind?" Record stammered. "Uh...y- I was just going to remind you that...you two are up next. B-but I'll leave. I'm sorry." Before either of them could respond, Record quickly slid out of the room. "Huh. You'd think he'd be used to me kissing my dates by now, considering he was my assistant." Sapphire shrugged. "But some boys can't handle the heat." Coloratura laughed. "All right, all right. Let's get this party started." The pair moved to the door, holding hands tightly. With unisonant nods and heads held high, they stepped out and began making their way towards the stage, ready to begin a new era of romance and music. In one corner, a pop star who finally began looking for love with a little push from a fellow artist. In the other corner, a pop star who finally began looking past her need and desire for blood and started to see people as more than just sources of food. Truly, it was a match made in heaven. And now, it was time to take that love and passion to the adoring fans who had come out to see them. "Now presenting: our Ladies of Pop, Sapphire Shores and Coloratura!" The crowd cheered. To both girls, they seemed louder than any concert audience either of them had before, and it filled their hearts up with excitement. Though it had only been a few weeks since they had gotten together, it felt like most of their audiences had blended together upon hearing that two of their favorite pop stars were joining forces. "Thank you, everyone!" Sapphire called, stepping to the center of the stage and waving her free hand. "It is an honor for us to be performing for you tonight at the Rose Colosseum. As you might have heard, Coloratura and I are now dating, and we have now become the united Ladies of Pop!" Any other words were drowned out by the crowd erupting in applause. Though she was somewhat used to Sapphire's desire for flair and dramatics, Coloratura still blushed in embarrassment at just how loudly Sapphire was willing to throw their relationship status out there. As soon as she was yanked forward, though, she hastily attempted to hide her emotions and look somewhat fit for the stage. "Um...yes! I want to thank you all for coming out tonight, and, uh, I hope you all enjoy what we have in store!" Sapphire raised both of their held hands into the air, took a deep breath, and shared a smile with Coloratura, who eagerly returned it and took the liberty of announcing their first song. "And now, without further ado, here is our newly revised single, 'Love Bites (But So Do I)'!" Author's Note The nickname "Sapphie" is a wondrous reference to the Jewelpet franchise and its adorable Cavalier King Charles spaniel mage of the same name. Coincidentally enough, Sapphie is also the Jewelpet of Friendship, though Sapphire Shores leans towards the romance side of things here. The reference to an incredibly niche IP within the FiMFic userbase scope was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, and I'm not sorry for making it. And FWIW, Record's full name is Broken Record. I initially came up with it while writing a few practice dribbles for a different character who was trying to break a record, but felt the name could work in a musical sense as well. Using these two characters specifically was not the way I was planning to go for either contest, but at the time of writing this A/N I only have less than two weeks to complete an Odd Squad 10th anniversary anything, and I have done nothing on that side of the productivity spectrum for the entire month except work on a one-shot. Fun little experiment, though.
The Talented SongstressHey, sweetie. Come see me after the show, why don't you? Coloratura read the text again, followed by her reply. How did you get this number? There was no response. She chugged her glass of water and capped it off with a sigh, reclining on the black leather couch backstage. The nervousness behind just who sent the text reflected in her performance just minutes ago, and she knew it. To think it could be some kind of a creepy stalker unnerved her, even though she was well aware that stalkers were one of the many pitfalls of being in the music industry. It certainly wouldn't be the first stalker she ever had. nor would it be the creepiest. The muffled sounds of the next performer caught her attention. She put the phone down and looked towards the door with a smirk. Sapphire Shores. One of the biggest pop sensations in the world. Abrasive, showy, and not afraid to speak her mind with an extra touch of flair. Coloratura was supposed to see her as a rival, but she didn't really have the heart to stake any rivalries with anyone. If music was supposed to bring people together, then why did it have to drive them apart too? It didn't make sense to her. Did Sapphire even see her as a rival? Or as someone who could be a friend? The door opening cut into her thoughts, and she straightened with a yelp. "Oh, Coloratura. Or is it Rara?" "I- uh-" Coloratura cleared her throat. "Um, just Rara is fine, Ms. Melody." "Now, now. What have we discussed about honorifics?" "...Not to use them?" "Precisely." Melody adjusted her red-rimmed glasses. "Anyway, I just stopped by to congratulate you on another successful show. Though I couldn't help but notice you were a little off your game by the end. Any particular reason why?" After the walking disaster that was Svengallop, Coloratura was grateful to have Melody Song in her corner. She was far nicer, and more competent, than he would ever be. (Plus, there was no sneaking suspicion about whether she was gay or not. At least with Svengallop, she didn't have to guess.) But even in spite of that, Coloratura still found it hard to tell her about the text. Melody had a tendency to smother her if she so much as tripped over her own feet. If she found out about the text, there was no doubt she would use every avenue she had at her disposal to find whoever sent it and track them down like a homing missile. Besides, it was one text. If more came in, that would be good cause for concern. "I think my throat just began to get a little dry," she fibbed. "That's my fault for not hydrating properly before I went on stage." Melody clutched her chest in relief. "Oh! Well, I see." She turned to wave to a guitar-wielding duo who passed by before she let her gaze rest on Coloratura again. "I'm glad everything turned out all right." "Helloooooo-oooooo, Fillydelphia! Before I begin my next song: next week will be our monthly blood drive. Stop by the Civic Center and donate some blood! It's for a good cause." "Ooh, a blood drive. You know, since it's been a couple months, maybe we should host another charity event, Rara. I'm thinking a 5k, to raise funds for something like helping the homeless or feeding the hungry. Let's meet up tomorrow and brainstorm some ideas, okay?" The words barely fazed Coloratura. Her attention was solely focused on the back wall, her ears picking up on every word Sapphire said. Charity work certainly was no competition, and blood was always a dire medical need, but...a monthly drive? She'd never heard of any blood drives being monthly. Was it possible Sapphire was pocketing a check or two for herself? Would she really be that immoral? "Rara?" She blinked and turned. "Huh?" "I was suggesting we meet tomorrow to come up with ideas for our next charity event. Do you...have any place in mind?" "Cannon's fine." "Cannon Bar and Grill it is!" Coloratura picked up her phone. "Look, Melody. After the concert's over...I think I'm gonna hit up a restaurant or something before I go back to the hotel. I could use a drink. And a good meal." Melody looked from her client, to the water sitting on the table in front of her, and back again. "Oh. All righty, then!" Coloratura could hear the upset in her voice, but opted to ignore it. "Just don't get too drunk, okay?" "You know I don't want to get drunk period." "Ah, yes, right. I forgot." Melody turned. "I have a few more clients down here I have to speak to. If you need me, just shoot me a text." Coloratura gave a nod and watched as the woman slipped out of the doorway and went down the hall. She began to kill time by checking social media while she listened to Sapphire's concert. "Just a root beer, a chicken sandwich, and some fries, please. But no mustard." "You got it. We'll have that out for you soon." Adjusting her veil, Coloratura couldn't help but think about what a pain it was to even be wearing one. She had kept it at the advice of Melody, in order to protect her identity when going out. But all it did was remind her of Svengallop, plus it made her look really silly. Why couldn't a pop singer mingle with the common people over something as trivial as eating alone at a restaurant? Was she really so famous that, if she took the veil off, people would swarm her? And really, the veil didn't do anything to disguise her voice or the rest of her body, so what was the point? "Hellooooooo there." Her attention was caught by the sound of a familiar svelte voice. And when she laid eyes on who it was, she yelped, banging her knee on the underside of the table in the process. "Whoa, hey now, watch yourself!" Coloratura straightened herself and rubbed her knee to make the pain go away. "S-Sapphire Shores?" she murmured. "What are you doing here?" "Oh, come now. Surely you know this place is my hangout!" Sapphire laughed and waved her hand. "I come here all the time. And it seems like you do too." She pursed her lips in disapproval and pointed at Coloratura's veil. "I'd lose the veil, though. If you don't mind me asking, why do you have it on, anyway?" Still struggling to figure out why Sapphire was sitting at her table, Coloratura didn't have a quick answer to the question. Instead, she spent the better part of a minute stammering, before she gripped the table. "It's...my agent. She advised me to wear it. So I wouldn't have people gather around me when I go out." At this, Sapphire let out a laugh that seemed more suited for the stage than a restaurant. She reached over and lifted the veil, looking into Coloratura's eyes with a warmth that made the girl just slightly uncomfortable. "One of the topmost rules of show business: let yourself be comfortable with people approaching you. If you can't abide by it...then I'm sorry to say, you might not be cut out for the industry." With her eye twitching, Coloratura ripped off the veil in one fell swoop, slamming it down onto the table. "I am cut out for this industry," she snarled. "Don't assume otherwise." "Oooh, did I press a flaming-hot button?" Sapphire teased, moving back and sitting down in the chair opposite Coloratura. "I'm sorry. But it's true." Coloratura narrowed her eyes. "Why are you here? At my table?" "Mmm..." A glint formed in Sapphire's own. "Let's just say that I was utterly fascinated by your performance tonight. Even in spite of your little faux pas." The waitress came and laid Coloratura's drink onto the coaster. Once she thanked her, she turned back to Sapphire. "It wasn't a faux pas. It..." She bit her lip, unsure whether she should tell someone whom she should consider a rival about the text. She didn't really want to, but at the same time, she wanted to befriend Sapphire, not butt heads with her. And that was putting aside the attitude. "I got this text that's been bothering me all night. And it's not from anyone I know, and I don't know if it's some kind of stalker or-" "May I see it?" The voice was...sensual. Too sensual. "Uh..." Coloratura glanced around her, finding that most people, if they had been staring at the two of them, had gone back to whatever they were doing. "Why?" Sapphire fiddled with a lock of her hair. "I've gotten the same text, I believe," she admitted. "I want to know if it's the same number. That's all." Coloratura waited for Sapphire to elaborate. But all she did was stare at her with...was that knowing in her eyes, or was she seeing things? She rubbed her eyes, then took out her phone, opened the Messages app, navigated to the text, and spun the phone around to show Sapphire. The other girl put on a pout. "Mm. Yes, that's right. You didn't fall for my elegantly-crafted trap." She covered her mouth. "Oopsies! I think that was supposed to be a secret." Right then and there, Coloratura could feel her heart plummet. She got played for an utter fool. By the girl who was supposed to be her rival, but was hitting on her. Coloratura wasn't someone who was really looking for love. She was moreso focused on advancing her career first, with finding a suitable mate taking a lower rung on the ladder of priorities. But not once did she ever think someone else would be making the moves on her. It wasn't that she thought she was ugly or anything, but she didn't exactly see herself as a pillar of attractiveness. "Aww, look at you! As red as...a juicy tomato." Sapphire stuck her tongue out. "Ugh, that imagery will not leave my head, will it?" It was true. Heat was filling Coloratura's cheeks. She could feel it, and she hated it. She buried her head in her hands in a desperate attempt to hide it, but even with her vision obscured, she could sense Sapphire's smugness from across the table. "Here's your food, ma'am. Oh, Sapphire Shores! What a delight to see you here again. How was your day?" "Oh, just wonderful, thank you. Please, don't bother taking out your menu. I'll just have two simple Bloody Marys for tonight." "You got it. Just take it easy with the drinks, okay? You had to be escorted out of the place by your designated driver last time." "Yes, yes, I'm aware. I'll be careful." A deep part of Coloratura was insulted that the waitress didn't address her by name but addressed Sapphire by hers. She pulled her hands away from her face and eyed her food, her frustrations ebbing away and the hunger bell going off in her mind. At least if Sapphire was going to get under her skin, she could get a good meal out of it. As she took a bite of her burger, she flinched as teeth bit down on the tip of her tongue. She set the burger down and swallowed her bite. "Goodness, did you bite your tongue?" Sapphire asked, standing up and leaning forward. "Here, let me help you." The hunger in Sapphire's eyes was enough for Coloratura to lean back. "I- uh- n- no. No, I'm...fine. I'll be fine," she hastily assured. "It happens all the time. I was hasty." With a pout of disappointment, Sapphire sat back down. "Oh, all right. Doing it in a crowd isn't ideal, anyway." Coloratura almost wanted to ask what "it" was. She was pretty sure Sapphire wanted to kiss her, and...okay, maybe she was a little hot. She had to be; she was a renowned pop star. She probably got guys...girls...lusting after her all the time. But Coloratura wasn't a lesbian. At least, she didn't think she was. She didn't really have any kind of gay awakening or have a desire to commit to experimenting who she liked. Besides, she was a rookie sitting across from a veteran, and she had to make a good impression. ...Or maybe she was just overthinking all of this. She grabbed her burger and took another bite, pausing when she saw Sapphire take a smaller fry from her plate. "Hmm? Oh, terribly sorry. Is it all right if I take one of these?" "Yeah, whatever." "Thank you." Sapphire popped the fry into her mouth. "My, I've forgotten how well they cook their potatoes here." Just as Coloratura swallowed, the waitress returned with two drinks. "Here you are. Two Bloody Marys." She smiled. "Can I get you two anything else?" "I'm good," came the unisonant answer, and the waitress nodded and slipped away towards a nearby table. Sapphire took one of the drinks and gently pushed the other towards Coloratura. "For you, my dear." Coloratura eyed the drink, unsure of where it came from. She knew she didn't order any drink aside from a root beer, so it had to come from Sapphire. And for some reason, Sapphire's drink looked different in coloration. "That's a Bloody Mary," Sapphire explained. "It has vodka and tomato juice" -- she slightly lurched forward -- "in it, plus a few extra sauces like Tabasco sauce." She straightened and put on a smile. "Go on, try it!" On one hand, Coloratura hadn't been planning on getting any alcohol tonight. On the other hand, from the one time she managed to get drunk, she knew she wasn't one to lose her liquor easily. One Bloody Mary really wouldn't do anything to her in terms of getting her wasted. With Sapphire chugging hers, Coloratura took a sip. And then another. And then another. And her eyes lit up like the bright moon in the sky. "More Bloody Marys, please!" The night kept moving on, as nights did. Eat the burger. Eat the fries. Get that out of the way. Then, drink more Bloody Marys. Laugh at whatever gibberish Sapphire was saying. Drink more. Lots more. Jeez, these things were fucking delicious. Who the fuck was Melody to deny her such a hidden pleasure? Her memory became a blur somewhere along the fourth drink. She could feel her body make impact with something hard and see Sapphire rush to her aid, but she was laughing too hard to care. And when her energy ran out, so did her consciousness.
The Bloodthirsty VampireSapphire Shores was someone who, in her own eyes, was a good person. She was charitable. She loved all of her fans. And when the going got tough, she was certainly not one to resort to turning against her ethics, no matter who tried to goad her into doing so. But for all of her love and affection, she was out for one thing in particular. Long had she grown tired of drinking tomato juice and eating tomatoes just to get by. At first, she savored the taste. The juiciness of the fruit, the way it dribbled down her chin, the little seeds inside. The organic ones, while far more expensive, tasted especially delicious. She craved everything that had tomatoes in it -- canned tomato juice, diced tomatoes, and of course, bruschetta. Bruschetta was her favorite thing to make, especially when paired with a good baguette. But as the years went on and she became involved with all sorts of lovers, the lust of tomatoes wore off. Blood was sweet and metallic in a way that tomatoes weren't. It was a natural part of her to desire blood, because it was what she needed to live. While going after any random person for their blood would land her in massive trouble (as she had found out the hard way in her early years), she found comfort in seeking out someone who could willingly offer up their blood in an act of pure romance. And the sexier the person, the better the blood was. It didn't matter to her if they were one-night flings or there to stay, so long as she got enough blood out of it. If they didn't have good blood, they were sent off to go play in the pool of romance once more with some flimsy excuse like "it's not you, it's me" or "I'm just not into your type". The sex was just an added bonus. On the ladder of acts of intercourse, though? This girl, laying right next to her, was up there. Her broken-up, wall-shattering snores and weird-looking pose didn't faze Sapphire. What caught her attention was the bite mark in her neck, the dried blood still running down it in a neat trail. Sapphire hungrily licked her lips, thinking back to just how magnificent that blood tasted. It was heavenly. It was something that made her heart beat faster and faster. It was like a child who ate candy for the first time and then began to crave it immensely. Her body moved on its own. She rolled over onto her right to face the other girl, then ran a finger along the corner of her mouth to clear away the trail of drool. She wiped it on her clothes, then went for the kill, her sharp teeth digging into the flesh of the girl's neck. The sensation of that divine blood washed over Sapphire's tongue, and she moaned in pleasure, her eyes rolling up in the back of her head. About the only thing that ruined the epicurean act was the girl being completely oblivious to it all, muttering something in her sleep that Sapphire didn't care to translate. The pair stayed in bed for several minutes, Sapphire sucking up some more blood while Coloratura snored away. Her conscience told her that drinking the blood of someone who was unconscious and was going to wake up with a really crappy hangover was a bad idea, but she didn't want to stop. Slowly, she made her way up to Coloratura's ear and nibbled on it, drawing just a little bit more blood. A loud snort marked Coloratura's arrival to the waking world. Her eyes slowly opened, and Sapphire could see just how glazed-over they looked. She let go of her ear. "Good morning, sleeping beauty." "Mmmmmornin', Sapphieeeee..." droned Coloratura in response, her voice heavily slurred. Sapphire smiled at the cutesy nickname, finding that it could grow on her. "How are you feeling?" A one-note hum was her answer, but it soon turned into an aching groan as Coloratura clutched her forehead. "Ah. I see you've met my old friend 'the hangover'." Sapphire nodded. "Been there done that, darling. I'll take you to the bathroom." As soon as Sapphire's feet hit the floor, the crushing feeling of having more than one Bloody Mary that night hit her like a truck. She wasn't as put out of commission as the slowly-rising Coloratura was, but she could feel the throbbing headache as it pulsated like the beating of her heart. Of course, Coloratura making oral deposits into the toilet wasn't helping her case. After the second go-around of vomit, the girl turned around and met Sapphire's gaze. "What...happened last night?" "Weeeeell, it's a funny story, really. I ordered a Bloody Mary for you, 'cause I figured you could use one, but..." Sapphire grit her teeth. "You got addicted. You just kept ordering them until you blacked out." She sighed. "Good thing I only had two, but that didn't stop your snoring from nearly making me crash the car." She could see Coloratura's face twist into anger, but she threw up again before she could respond. "I..." She spat. "So why...am I here?" There was really no easy way to break the news to her. Sapphire knew that much. Her methods of doing the deed were a little unconventional, because it wasn't just sex. It was a chance for Sapphire to feed. And on top of that, she wasn't even sure if Coloratura was a virgin or not. With a deep breath, she decided to lay it on her straight. "Took you back to my place for a little lovin'. Hope you don't mind." It was like someone hit the pause button on Coloratura. She froze, hands on the sides of the toilet, barely breathing, staring at its interior. Sapphire, thinking she was just in shock and was done being sick, slowly reached for the handle to flush the toilet. And then hell let loose. It wasn't that Sapphire kept track of the worst hangovers she'd ever experienced. But the amount of puke that came out of Coloratura's tall thin body made her wonder just how much was in her. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it left both girls completely shocked. "You..." Coloratura twisted her upper body around. "We had sex together?" Sapphire took a few steps back, if only to avoid any gross spittle getting on her clean pajamas. "Yes, but-" "YOU TOOK AWAY MY VIRGINITY?!" A blink. And then another one. "Y-yes...?" "Oh God." "But you wanted to! The second I pulled into my driveway you wanted to book it straight for the bedroom," Sapphire pointed out. "Me, I wanted-" "What? To get me shit-faced drunk and then fuck me until the cows come home?" "No! I wanted..." Sapphire pinched the bridge of her nose. "I wanted your blood." The room fell quiet. Coloratura's fury was replaced with sheer confusion, and Sapphire could already sense what she was going to say. "What, like a vampire? Are you serious? Vampires aren't real." Right on the money. "You know I actually considered you a friend and not my rival? Because I actually thought you were a nice person and wanted to make a new friend?" Coloratura stood up and flushed the toilet before making her way to the sink. "So you..." She paused. "You hit on me, you try and kiss me, then you...God, the signs were so obvious, weren't they? I should've known how this would end." Sapphire, her body going partially limp with despair, watched as Coloratura reached a hand to her neck and began feeling around, then focused her attention on the mirror. "...Oh my God. This is...you..." She slowly turned around. "You really are a vampire." A nod. "You aren't bullshitting me." Another nod. Coloratura turned back around and looked into the bowl of the sink, gripping its sides. Sapphire had dealt with this before. After all, it wasn't just anyone that decided to take the term "love bites" a little too far. But most of her lovers were indifferent to it or, in the case of Blue Wave, awed by it -- it wasn't a dealbreaker for them. Coloratura, on the other hand, was acting like someone had just told her she has three months left to live, and Sapphire couldn't help but wonder what kind of fantasy world she was living in, especially with everything that had happened in the world with Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer and their friends. Being a vampire didn't hold a candle to the kind of stuff they'd experienced. "I'm sorry. It's just...you probably think I just want you as a blood source..." She stopped, and thought back to all the love she had received over the years. People hitting on her, stalking her, wanting to take her out for a nice dinner or two, not realizing that the love was purely one-sided and that she just wanted their blood. Combine that with all of the blood drives she hosted, and it was clear that she was wrong. She was just greedy. Greedy for blood, with no regard to the body that produced it or the mind that made that body owned by a unique person. It was natural for her species to desire it, but could they also want more than that? Could they also desire romance from a person without thinking of their next meal? Sapphire wanted Coloratura. But did Coloratura want her? With a sigh, Sapphire leaned against the wall. She had to choose her words carefully. "You probably think I just want you as a blood source. And the truth is...I did. Your blood is savory. I can't get enough of it. And you certainly aren't the first one I've wanted just for their blood." Her head angled towards the ceiling. "But talking with you last night, taking you home, our...lovely night of passion..." A blush, creeping across the cheeks. "It made me wonder if we could have a future together. A future where I'm in love with you, and not just with the blood in your body." Coloratura sighed and straightened, only looking at Sapphire through her reflection in the mirror. "Name one thing you like about me. Besides my blood." The answer was a little unexpected. On top of that, it was oddly short. Sapphire blinked a few times. "Uh, well...you're very talented. It's almost a pity you aren't higher up in the charts!" "...Name one more." "You're one hell of a social butterfly." "One more." "You look very cute, even for someone who just threw up in my toilet." Sapphire almost thought she heard Coloratura snicker. The girl's body was heaving, and for a moment Sapphire wondered if she was going to have another wind of vomit. The uproarious laughter that echoed throughout the entire bathroom proved her wrong. "Oh God..." Coloratura wiped her eye. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but your love life must be pathetic. No offense." Feeling a little insulted, but also relieved that Coloratura didn't go off on her, Sapphire responded with a simple "None taken." "I mean, hooking up with people just to bite their necks? That's crazy! Those blood drives you've been hosting every month would be a better way to get blood. You know, without turning people down." Coloratura turned around. "How did you break up with all your past lovers, anyway?" "It was...rather easy," Sapphire answered, fiddling with a lock of her messy blue hair. "I simply told them that they weren't my type, or that they had some kind of quality that was a dealbreaker for me." "Yikes. And they didn't even question the bloodsucking?" "Most didn't." "Mm." Coloratura heaved a sigh and crossed her arms. "Well, if I'm being honest, love isn't exactly on my list of priorities. I wanted to become a successful pop star first." "Well you're gettin' there, baby!" Sapphire smirked as an idea formed in her head. "But I know a way you can really rocket to fame." "What?" Sapphire took a few steps forward, grabbed Coloratura by the shoulders, and yanked her closer to her. "Let's use the power of love." Coloratura blushed and looked away, a sheepish smile forming on her face. Sapphire, meanwhile, was patting herself on the back for coming up with such an ingenious idea. If neither one of them viewed each other as industry rivals, what was stopping them from teaming up and becoming the fabulous Ladies of Pop? And, on top of that, Sapphire had a chance to restart her love life with a girl she actually appreciated from head to toe. Though it was only less than a minute, it felt like hours before Coloratura made eye contact again and grinned. And the answer she gave made Sapphire walk on air. "You, Sapphie, have a deal."
The Ladies of Pop"Ugh, look at this HMZ article. 'Coloratura and Sapphire Shores Outed as Lesbian Vampires'. Why does everyone think I'm a vampire too?" "Wait'll you see our children, honey." "Shut up. That's a long way away and you know it!" Both girls shared a laugh as Coloratura put her phone down. "I really need to stop reading the news so much. It's so bad for my health." "Tell me about it," Sapphire responded, sitting down in front of the mirror as an assistant grabbed the makeup kit on the countertop. "Paparazzi's been goin' craaaaaa-zaaaaaaay since we got together." "Eh, if I know them, they'll move on to the next thing soon enough. Svengallop made sure he slandered me all over the tabloids when I fired him. It really put a dent in my career for a while." Sapphire closed her eyes as the makeup was applied. "I can imagine. But on the bright side, you managed to bounce back! And honestly, that's the best kind of revenge." "It is, isn't it?" Coloratura sighed wistfully. "You're so insightful, Sapphie." "Thank you, darling." The room fell silent. Once the assistant was done with Sapphire, he moved on to Coloratura, who decided to break the silence with a simple question. "Hey, you want to feed before you go on stage?" "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "Though I do require a looooove toll fee." "A love toll..." Coloratura would have blinked if she hadn't closed her eyes. "Ah. A kiss, you want." "And a kiss I shall get!" "So demanding. All right, fine. As soon as my makeup is done, then you shall receive a kiss." Sapphire giggled and began to examine herself in the mirror, only half-listening to the television that was broadcasting the concert live. "Thank you, Broken Record." Coloratura hopped off of the chair and went over to Sapphire's, grabbing it and spinning her around. The dizzy look on the other girl's face didn't deter her any. "Now, let's hurry up and pay that toll." As soon as Coloratura's lips locked with Sapphire's, sparks began to fly. The pair engaged in a long and passionate kiss, ignoring the Record who was trying not to look and ignoring the television that was now broadcasting the departure of the penultimate act. "Sapphie thanks you for your payment," Sapphire whispered in a shamelessly erotic manner. "Perhaps later on, you can have me pay a love toll." "Oh, definitely." Coloratura stared at Record. "Sorry, but do you mind?" Record stammered. "Uh...y- I was just going to remind you that...you two are up next. B-but I'll leave. I'm sorry." Before either of them could respond, Record quickly slid out of the room. "Huh. You'd think he'd be used to me kissing my dates by now, considering he was my assistant." Sapphire shrugged. "But some boys can't handle the heat." Coloratura laughed. "All right, all right. Let's get this party started." The pair moved to the door, holding hands tightly. With unisonant nods and heads held high, they stepped out and began making their way towards the stage, ready to begin a new era of romance and music. In one corner, a pop star who finally began looking for love with a little push from a fellow artist. In the other corner, a pop star who finally began looking past her need and desire for blood and started to see people as more than just sources of food. Truly, it was a match made in heaven. And now, it was time to take that love and passion to the adoring fans who had come out to see them. "Now presenting: our Ladies of Pop, Sapphire Shores and Coloratura!" The crowd cheered. To both girls, they seemed louder than any concert audience either of them had before, and it filled their hearts up with excitement. Though it had only been a few weeks since they had gotten together, it felt like most of their audiences had blended together upon hearing that two of their favorite pop stars were joining forces. "Thank you, everyone!" Sapphire called, stepping to the center of the stage and waving her free hand. "It is an honor for us to be performing for you tonight at the Rose Colosseum. As you might have heard, Coloratura and I are now dating, and we have now become the united Ladies of Pop!" Any other words were drowned out by the crowd erupting in applause. Though she was somewhat used to Sapphire's desire for flair and dramatics, Coloratura still blushed in embarrassment at just how loudly Sapphire was willing to throw their relationship status out there. As soon as she was yanked forward, though, she hastily attempted to hide her emotions and look somewhat fit for the stage. "Um...yes! I want to thank you all for coming out tonight, and, uh, I hope you all enjoy what we have in store!" Sapphire raised both of their held hands into the air, took a deep breath, and shared a smile with Coloratura, who eagerly returned it and took the liberty of announcing their first song. "And now, without further ado, here is our newly revised single, 'Love Bites (But So Do I)'!" Author's Note The nickname "Sapphie" is a wondrous reference to the Jewelpet franchise and its adorable Cavalier King Charles spaniel mage of the same name. Coincidentally enough, Sapphie is also the Jewelpet of Friendship, though Sapphire Shores leans towards the romance side of things here. The reference to an incredibly niche IP within the FiMFic userbase scope was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, and I'm not sorry for making it. And FWIW, Record's full name is Broken Record. I initially came up with it while writing a few practice dribbles for a different character who was trying to break a record, but felt the name could work in a musical sense as well. Using these two characters specifically was not the way I was planning to go for either contest, but at the time of writing this A/N I only have less than two weeks to complete an Odd Squad 10th anniversary anything, and I have done nothing on that side of the productivity spectrum for the entire month except work on a one-shot. Fun little experiment, though.
